3

"Ma, please don't die" Iman cried

"Im.." She grunted in pain as she tried talking "Iman, listen to me. You must never leave her side, she was born for a very great cause and I want you to be part of it my son" she gasped. "the only truth to tell is that she is betrothed to you, never tell her about her Pa, her Family or me"

"But Ma…"

"Shush, you have to, so you can survive. Be strong hearted and ruthless, Iman. That's the only way you can survive. I will transfer all your powers to you now, you've come of age already. It will hurt a lot but be strong"

"My powers?"

"Yes. In our history, A mother stores a child's power In her till he's of age or she.." she hesitated

"She dies?"

"Mmm" she nodded "but don't worry, I won't die yet"

He paused and stared at her worriedly

"Give me your hand" she said

He pointed his hands towards hers'. As soon as she held his hands she started reciting the incantations

"Ma stop" he gasped "stop, it hurts" he cried

She kept reciting the incantations and after some minutes he passed out.

"Ma" Iman said as he woke up to see his mother lying dead

"Ma, wake up" he cried

"Why did you give the powers when you knew you were going to die" he cried out

"Who are you" Akila's voice snapped him out of his dilema

"Akila?" He snuffled

"You're awake!" He said as he stood up to give her a big hug

She pushed him back looking strangely at him and the old woman with white hair lying on the floor.

"Hi, I'm Iman" he said, but Akila's attention was fixed on the old woman lying on the floor

"Who's she" she muttered

"That's the woman that helped us when we needed a safe place to hide. She just died"

"Safe place?"

"Yes. I'd explain everything to you later. We have to give her a proper burial for helping us"

She looked at him strangely and nodded.