A Fighting Chance

Prologue

The fog rose from the dark, sleek cobble stone street. The light from the street lamp reflected on the pavement as rain pelted down creating puddles mirroring the dark night. A man with silver white hair that was tied back in a low ponytail with a white beard ran down the street carrying a basket with a sleeping baby in it.

“Almost there,” he huffed as he spoke to himself; you could see his breath as he exhaled.

“There he goes!” He heard shouts from behind him.

“Darn! Don’t worry you’ll be safe soon Amali,” he told the sleeping baby and he sprinted into the dark alley. There was a large ring in the middle of the alley, it glowed a deep blue hue. This was the portal to the world of mortals. Colby was supposed to meet him on the other side, yet his reflection was not in the portal. He should be able to see him coming. Just then the man with the ponytail spun around to face four tall men wearing black cloaks and they wore red enchanted rings that glowed on their ring fingers.

“Leo! I’m here! Bring her here!” Shouted the man known as Colby. Colby was a young man with dark skin and piercing green eyes. Leo drew his sword with one hand and held the basket with the baby in the other.

“You will never have her!” Shouted Leo and the four cloaked men came at him full charge. Swords clashed together in a whirlwind of silver and gold. Leo defended himself and the baby as the cloaked men struck at him from left and right. He struck one of the men on the arm cutting his black cloak. Beads of sweat came down Leo’s forehead, rain came down hard. He swiped at the cloaked men until he had enough room, he stood his ground and Leo extended his palm towards the sky. “tonitrua et fulgura!” He shouted and down from the sky came lightning striking each enemy and thunder boomed after. The cloaked men fell to their knees and onto the cold street. The enemies were down. A man with dark skin stood at the other side of the portal.

“Take care of her,” said Leo.

“Watch out” shouted Colby as he pointed behind Leo, but it was too late a flashing sword came at his leg just as the portal closed and Colby yelled “Leo!” After him. Leo was alone now, there was no way to get back to him. Colby stood by himself with the basket in hand and the baby had woken up.

“Hi my little one,” he smiled down at her and she gave a high giggle. “You’re safe now, you’ve made to earth and my wife and I will take very good care of you,” he promised and a tear fell down his face. Colby found his dark blue Ford Focus and he put the baby in the baby seat. He checked the straps and got into his car and he drove back into the city. He pulled up on the driveway and got out of the car. His wife Nancy was waiting for him at the door she rushed over to the car.

“Did it go alright?” She asked as she opened the car door and reached into the back seat she unbuckled the car seat and hoisted up Amali.

“Not exactly, I don’t think Leo is going to make it, the portal shut and he was on his own.” Nancy stared at her husband and made an oh with her mouth, but no words came out.

“We have her until she’s of age,” said Colby sadly.

“What if they find her?” Asked Nancy with a worried look on her face.

“We have to trust that the portals will remain closed,” he said, looking behind him to make sure no one had followed him. He locked the car and followed his wife into the house. The couple held hands and walked inside.