I took the throwing star out of my leg throwing it back at her only for her to merely dodged it.She then came running at me, throwing her right fist at me. I caught it but I didn't take notice to her left fist ready to swing. Her left fist hit my cheek really hard sending me to the ground so I rolling onto my stomach getting to my feet. I sprinted towards her jumping to kick the side of her face. She fell onto the ground but quickly got to her feet.

She kicked me in the stomach; I coughed up blood as the wind was knocked out of me. Grabbing some throwing stars from my pockets I threw some a her. She also had throwing stars so countered the ones that I threw. I dodged some of them but one cut my cheek. I felt the blood from my cheek oozing down my face. I ran at her and got my fist reading to punch her but she ducked and elbowed me in the face making me fall onto my back. Sapphire took her foot and started kicking me in the face and stomach.

"Shadow!" Everyone screamed.

I heard a crack feeling pain throughout my body knowing something was broken. She repeatedly kept kicking and punching me as I tried to block her attacks; I was bleeding everywhere and in unbearable pain. When she was about to kick me again I took out my dagger to stab her leg. She screamed and feel on the ground to check her leg. I pushed myself up with my arms seeing a very big puddle of blood surrounding us. I wiped the blood from my face knowing I was badly beaten up; everywhere ached. She got up from where she was as did I. 

"How could you do this?!" I screamed at the woman standing in front of me as my blonde mangled hair blew in the wind.

Sapphire let out a chuckle, "Isn't it obvious? I wanted to...it was fun." She tilted her head making a few stray brown strands of hair cover her face.

"Fun? How is ruining people's lives fun!" 

"Seeing people in pain was a great sight to see. It feels just like the first time, though I couldn't participate since I was too young. Now Shadow, since you're a threat I have to kill you."

"W-what? You mean...you're the ones who burned down your village." I couldn't believe it. We just took their word for it thinking they were the victims.

I held my arm over my ribs where it was broken; it hurt to move but I had to ignore the pain for now. We were both our feet ready to fight again. She made the first move by trying to kick me so I ducked and swung my fist into her stomach. She dodged and got behind me to kick my spine, thankfully it wasn't as hard as I did to her brother. 

I had no choice but to use my power despite how exhausted I was. I had never prepared to fight multiple people for a prolonged period of time.

"Please nature give me your energy," I thought.

I felt some energy surrounding me, the feeling was very overwhelming but I had to control it. Now I had the strength to get up. My hands were now glowing black as everyone was staring at me in shock.

"What whats happening to you?" Sapphire gulped unsure of what she was seeing before her.

"My family's secret and last resort." I chuckled knowing this was the end.

"Y-your eyes are black and so are your hands!" She exclaimed unsure what to do now. 

"That's what happens to a person when they use this."

She was now frightened of me; shacking in fear. She started to back up, turned around and started to run. I stood there with a smile on my face.

I reached my hand out towards her direction. Dark energy started to come out of my hand and went towards her. The energy formed into a hand grabbing her as I motioned it to do so with mine, she screamed as I pulled her closer to me. Sapphire struggled to get free but she failed to do so; sweat was beading down her face.

"What's wrong Sapphire? I thought you were going to kill me?" I teased.

"You're a freak! Let me go!" She screamed attempting to claw at the hand that held her.

I squeezed her in my hand as I used my other hand to free my father and brother from the cages.  I opened the cage and they walked out running towards me. Sapphire and her family were passed out on the ground. The energy was now leaving me, I felt weak and powerless. The pain was now coming back and I fell to the ground letting darkness take over me. I closed my now normal eyes welcoming the darkness.

____________________________________________________________________

I woke up to see a white ceiling. I looked around and saw myself lying in a bed wearing a hospital gown, hooked up to machines, and wrapped up in bandages from head to tow. My body ached all over. I looked to my left to see flowers and get well cards on the night stand. They were from the whole village; there were also thank you cards.

I noticed the calendar which read Tuesday. I've been out fro three days! Then I heard someone coming towards my door. The door opened revealing a nurse just checking up on me.

"I see your finally awake!" She exclaimed happiness gleaming from her auburn eyes.

"I just woke up," I replied feeling groggy.

"You had the whole village and your family worried."

"I can tell by the flowers and cards."

"I'll notify you father and brother that you're awake."

She left the room and walked down the hall. I could hardly move, I could only move my head. I then heard a pair of footsteps coming down the hall. They came closer to my door and then saw shadows behind my door. The door opened to reveal Kyle and my father.

"Shadow your awake!" Kyle cheered about to hug me but stopped himself remembering my injuries.

"Yup." I replied giving him a smile. "What happened to Sapphire and her family?" 

"They're in the jail hospital right now, they're hurt really bad." Kyle told me. "Those assholes deserve it though.

"I guess I overdid it huh?" I asked.

"Shadow, when and where did you learn how to fight?" My father asked.

"I learned when I was six in the forest."

"Who taught you?"

"Kyle did." I answered making him turn to look at the oldest.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because I knew you wouldn't like me fighting." I sadly looked down at my hands feeling I was about to get lectured. 

He was silent for a few moments.

"You're right, I wouldn't have liked it but now I do accept it because you saved all of us. If it wasn't for you then we'd all be in trouble. You're very strong and an excellent fighter. I'm very proud of you."

My eyes started to water. I looked up at my smiling father and smiled back. I gathered all of my strength ignoring the pain to hug him. We were like that for a while until the nurse came in and said that she needed to change my bandages. They left the room so she can change them.

"You don't know how much of a hero you are Shadow," The nurse said as she changed the bandages.

"I know, I guess everybody fears me now?"

"Of course not! We all are grateful and we all love you! You're very strong indeed. You'll never hear the end of it. Everybody's been talking about you no stop since you ended the battle. They're very surprise at your strength and abilities."

"Really?"

"Yes, even your father won't stop talking about it!"

"Wow." I replied when she finished.

Over the months I stayed in the hospital and talked to all of my visitors. now it was time for me to be released.

"Ready Shadow?" Kyle asked.

"Yup."

"Lets go home," My father said putting a hand on my shoulder.

                                                     ~THE END~

Published December 4, 2011

Edited March 11, 2020