Awakening was supposed to be a gift, a way to see beyond the Lies and see the world as it was always intended to be.

Well, that used to be case. Before the Seer’s took over. Now, the Awakened were hunted down like wild animals. Some were captured, offered a chance to ‘redeem’ themselves and do as the Seer’s asked. Those who took it were allowed to live. If that can be called living. Those who refused, well, she had only heard stories as no one had survived to tell any tales.

What city was she in right now? Hell, even she couldn’t tell you. What name she was using, it was usually whatever popped into her head. It was survival right now. Rarely was she in a town or city more than a couple days. Clothes were swapped, hair color changed, and secret meetings were held. Information gathered as to where the Seer’s were spotted, who they got, which direction was safe, the usual stuff. Well, it had become the norm for them.

The intel they got helped them stage small ‘attacks’. She had never been the killing type before, but these days, it was killed or be killed. And the blood that was on her hands had helped other Awakened stay alive, even if it was for a short while. She traveled with a small group, there was usually about four or five of them. Enough to keep each other safe, but not too many to drain their resources. Mana was a bitch to find these days. Each Path had their role to play in survival, plus whatever tricks they had from before.

Kids made it hard, it didn’t matter of they were Awakened or Seer, their death hung over her like a black cloud. Following her around, never letting her forget the deaths. Dead before they really got a chance to know themselves and who they really were or could be. She had always wanted to be a mother, but it would never be. A child should never have to live in this world, killing or hiding. Gone were the days of being carefree and being able to have freedom. Freedom to grow into who you were...who you were destined to be.

A loud blast from upstairs snapped her out of her thoughts, as she jumped to her feet. The others around did the same, some grabbed bags while others threw themselves against the door. Their weight and magic allowed the rest of them to escape, moving a box to reveal a small hatch in the wall.

One by one the Awakened filled out, knowing their friends would never make it once the door was breached.
She felt a single tear spill onto her cheek. This was never how it was supposed to be.