The Twin Warriors [Fiction]

Anxiety and fear pervaded the atmosphere of Rahzan, a small village situated in the northern part of Aliyaars, where the peaks of mountains touch the clouds.

It was no news to me that Hadiza and her soldiers were on their way to our village. She was a fearsome warrior who had conquered some villages and was determined to do more. Everyone was on edge, much like the Emir's guards positioned across every corner of Rahzan.

My plea to join the Emir's guards, to fight for and defend my village, fell on deaf ears. I was almost eighteen and of age. My grandmother wouldn't hear of it. She was all I had, having lost my parents shortly after my birth. She'd rather I join the hunters to roam the deep forest and bring back game for her delicious meals.

Her eyes were mournful, and I saw fear gazing out from the deep pools. She viewed the huts spaced out in front of ours and probably imagined the worst. I crouched down in front of her and placed my hands on her knees. “Mama, put your mind at rest. We've heard these rumours before, years ago and nothing happened.”

She sighed. “My son, you don't understand. The stars do not lie…Hadiza will soon be here to collect.”

“Collect what?” I scratched the thin-line birthmark on my neck, waiting for my grandmother to explain herself. Her eyes strayed to my neck, the fear intensifying within them. “What?” I asked, frowning.

“It's time you know the true story of your birth, my son.”

My stomach dropped and I sat smack down on the sandy pavement. “Mama, what are you talking about?”

“I wanted to wait until you were eighteen but now is as good a time as any. You're a twin—”

“Mama!”

She held up her hand in a gesture of surrender. “Lend me your ears and some patience, Arman. Let me finish and you can ask me any questions after.” I nodded.

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“You're a twin and Hadiza, that crazy fighter, is the other twin.” I sucked in a breath, my eyes widening at the unexpected revelation. “The gods sent a prophecy through the oracle to your mother to expect the blessing of twins—a boy and a girl. It was a shock to her and everyone because we've never had such before. Twins are either both female or male. But a warning followed.”

I shifted restlessly, my heart pounding as I broke out in sweat. So I had a sister?

“The gods said one of the twins didn't want to share a womb with another. If she was ever born, she vowed to conquer the world and destroy anyone who stood in her way.”

I snickered and shook my head at the turn of events. Mama pleaded with her eyes for more patience.

“Your mother was afraid but the gods reassured her that they would infuse the other twin with power to temper the rage of the female twin.”

“Are you saying that's me?” I asked, not willing to listen to any more of the earth-shattering story. Mama nodded, tears welling up in her eyes. I scrambled to my feet and started to pace the front of our hut.

“My son, listen to m—”

“Why didn't you tell me these long before now? The news is everywhere! Hadiza killed the people who stood against her in those villages. Now she's coming here. It's no rumour, this time.”

“It wasn't yet time!” She bared her teeth at me. I blew out a breath and wiped the beads of sweat from my face. My grandmother was old and frail. She was the only living relative I had and I'd always done my best to take care of her. I didn't want anything to upset her but this burden was her nightmare coming to life.

I crouched again and folded her hands in mine. I couldn't bring myself to meet her eyes. I stared at the ground. “Did…did she kill my parents?”

A moment passed before Mama nodded, the tears finally streaming down her wrinkled, brown face. “Your mother couldn't bring herself to love Hadiza but she tried. In her defence, she tried!” She gritted her teeth, her teary eyes glowing. “It was when your mother caught Hadiza trying to loop a sickle around your neck that she decided to send Hadiza away to live with the oracle. That's how you got the black mark on your neck.”

I scratched at the mark again. Lately the mark had become itchy than usual and anytime I brought it up, Mama would ignore me or say something else to take my mind off the mark. “That's why you never talk about this,” I whispered, pointing at my neck.

“I couldn't. It wasn't time yet.”

“So you say while Hadiza keeps killing, stealing properties and displacing innocent people!”

“Don't raise your voice at me, boy! I had to follow the gods' instructions precisely.”

I combed my fingers through my hair and resumed pacing. “Your parents left you in my care and embarked on a three-day journey with Hadiza to the oracle's abode. They did not make it there because their donkey returned with a knife injury. When the Emir sent guards with your grandfather to investigate the matter, they found your parents' bodies in the forest and Hadiza gone.”

“What?”

“Yes. She was never seen or heard from until three years ago when it was confirmed that the female warrior going around to kill and claim villages was your twin.”

“And I've wanted to join the Emir's guard. I could have helped to stop her.”

“No, you wouldn't. The prophecy said she must come to you. If you go to her, she will kill you. ”

Next Part...

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