Sounds of laughter and giggles pervaded the atmosphere, as the figure of two children could be seen running. They sped around the garden, avoiding the tall fruit trees and colorful flower beds, immersed in their own happy world.

" Arin, Adhai ! be careful " a gentle voice sounded from the distance, it was filled with love and concern.

Arin turned around to look at the figure of the lady that sat under one of the trees not so far away. Although he was standing far, he could easily see her from the distinct white dress that covered her modestly.

" Yes Mother ! " Arin smiled cheerfully as he stopped running and instead turned towards her. He felt rapid joy coursing into his heart as he saw her. His mother had know bowed her head, only revealing her long crimson hair. Her delicate hands were carefully weaving different stalks of flowers.

The image of her was imprinted into his heart.... My Mother.... Her gentle bearing and temperament.

But in a flash the beautiful scenery and atmosphere vanished and was replaced by a gloomy and downcast atmosphere. The cries of a young boy snapped him out of his moment of pure joy.

He looked down to see the figure of his little brother clinging on to him, staining his clothes with tears.

Panic and fear instantly invaded his heart as he was hit with a strong feeling of foreboding. The next moment he saw a group of people slowly come out of the main room. The carried on their shoulders a roughly made wooden structure on top of which lay a body wrapped in a distinct white cloth.

Arin felt his chest constrict as his heart shattered, tears flowed down his cheeks.

Reality was too cruel.

He remembered this scene all to well. If the previous scene was considered his most happiest moments then this was most definitely his saddest.

It was the fateful day his loving mother had passed away.

In a few moments the strong change of emotions stirred Arin and he slowly opened his eyes. He was met with the familiar stone walled hall. Gradually as he fully awoke, the changes around him became apparent.

" A-a-amazing ! " the words slipped out of his mouth.

The formerly well built hall-like structure was now in ruins. Craters and cracks of all size and shapes had totally disfigured it. The largest and most obvious crack was on the top. It was so deep that a few rays of sunlight had actually managed to make their way in from the surface above.

Then in Arin's mind the river of memories filled with pieces of his recollection started to sort and assemble themselves. In a matter of a few seconds Arin completely remembered the events that had occurred before losing conscious.

Instinctively the first thing that Arin thought to do was to draw the sword that constantly hung on his side. Almost all of the previous incidents he had been involved in rendered him either paralyzed or defenseless.

Arin was now even embarrassed to say that he had trained under elite swordsmen in the desert capital.

Now even a donkey would not be foolish enough to fail to equip himself with some sort of protection while he still had control over himself.

" Although..... " The level of conflicts occurring in this area would definitely not be prevented by a mere sword "No,no its the thought that counts."

( I think ).