Sienna sat. Her eyes followed her father’s footsteps as he moved. The water followed him, but really it was just the koi fish that was underneath the water. His was by far the largest she’s ever seen, and the most beautiful with its black, orange, and white markings. Her mother walked out onto the bridge in front of Sienna, blocking her view. She frowned a little. It wasn’t fair that she couldn’t see what her father was doing when she was expected to be able to do the same.

“Honey, it's supper time,” Sienna’s mother said in a sweet tone. She was as caring as she was strong. “Sienna needs supper to grow big and strong.” She pressed her forehead to her husband’s.

“I’m almost done,” he said. “I promise.” After he said those last two words, the giant nishikigoi jumped in the air, creating an arc of water over Sienna’s father. The water droplets reflected the sunset’s light like a kaleidoscope. It was the most beautiful thing she’s ever seen. She rose to her feet and ran to her father. He picked her up, moving her on top of his shoulders. The fish entered the lake, forming a large wave that shook the bridge. The water droplets that remained in the air soaked the happy family.

“I can’t wait to be just like you, Dad!” Sienna cheered.. Her face lit up with her smile.

Her mother approached. “I can’t wait for you to eat supper,” she said, a gentle reminder.

“Yes! Yes! Let’s eat! I’m starving!” Sienna placed her head on her forehead and leaned back melodramatically, laughing as she fell onto her father’s back.

===

Sienna gripped her spear tightly, aiming it at the monster’s heart. The water she summoned her followed her spear. The strike had to be true. She couldn’t fail. The spear formed a perfect line towards his heart.

The monster screamed as the spear struck it. Sienna wanted to cover her ears to block out the sound, but doing so would create an opening. She refused to falter. A wave crashed down on Sha’al, dragging him underneath the water. Sienna’s fish, Titus, arced over the bridge and followed Sha’al into the depths.

The monster’s screams were muffled underneath the lake. The only light in the lake came from the flames above. Sienna’s heart pounded in her chest. She summoned all her strength, willing the lake to her command. Small fish rushed past her and fell in line behind her. The lake bowed and swirled around Sha’al creating a whirlpool. She would drown him before he could hurt anyone else. She would end the war before it spread further beyond the plains. It was her job as the protector of the rivers and mountains. Beyond that, was a treacherous landscape that would side with whoever. She couldn’t let them see the monster’s powers.

A shadow tugged on her ankle, dragging her off Titus. She would have screamed would it not waste the precious oxygen she had. Deeper and deeper she fell into the lake. Closer and closer to the monster. Her eyes shut tightly as fear filled her.

===

“Are you afraid of the bottom of the lake?” Sienna’s father asked her.

She nodded. “It’s dark and there’s no fish there.” Her legs shook on top of her father’s fish, Pontus.

“Well, fear controls you. Don’t let it. Learn to control fear. Don’t make others fear you, but make them respect you for being strong and brave when they faltered,” he told her. The fish dipped under the water. Sienna clung to her father and shut her eyes tightly.

===

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

No, she thought. She controlled fear. Sienna opened her eyes, glaring at the monster in the lake. He was in her domain. His shadows meant nothing when there was light.

Sienna neared the monster. Titus was right behind her. Confidence flowed through her. She was the embodiment of the lake and water. Sha’al stood no chance.

His shadow tightened on Sienna. She was face to face with him.

“My turn,” he said. His voice pierced through her eardrums. His hand reached out, gripping Sienna’s body.

Her body screamed in agony as he tightened his grip. She fought against him, twisting and turning against him. Water rushed up to her aid. The way he laughed at her attempt to escape brought the fear back, but she refused to let it consume her. Her body tired quickly in the water. She had to be stronger than him, but doubt lingered in the back of her mind if such a thing was possible. If her father failed to keep Sha’al contained, what hope did she have to rectify his failures?

===

“Sienna, as heir to the chiefdom, you must always be strong. You can not let others know you have weaknesses or failures,” her father said. He looked out at the flames that coated the main river. “Sha’al is our enemy. It is our job to defend our tribe and the passageway from him. If he reaches the passage, terrible things will happen. Do you understand?”

“Yes, father.” Sienna swallowed. “I’ll see you and mom soon.” Deep in her mind and heart, she knew she would not see them again. This was their final fight, and the only way to keep Sha’al contained. They couldn’t risk letting Sienna, the one Pisces blessed, fight Sha’al. She understood why; her weak connection would be the downfall of them all. Shame filled her. If she was stronger, it would be her fulfilling her duty, not her parents.

“I love you.” Her father brought her into an embrace. “Stay safe, my Lotus.”

===

Titus, she thought. Come to me! The fish moved instantly. It rammed into Sha’al, loosening his grip on Sienna. The opportunity was not one to waste. Sienna summoned the water to her, propelling herself towards her koi. In an instant, a spear made of ice formed in her hands.

Sha’al laughed as the spear pierced his shadows. They ate away at the spear. The attack meant nothing. Rage burst through Sienna like a geyser. Her father never taught her what to do. She didn’t know what she had to do to defeat him. The more she attacked him, the stronger he got. She had to contain him, but she needed air. She wasn’t going to last much longer against him otherwise.

Sienna commanded Titus to take to the top of the lake. She sliced Sha’al’s shadow away from her with a blade of water. His eyes glowed yellow at the bottom of the lake. She had to prepare for his approach.

“Sienna!” the familiar voice of Archer called to her. He rushed to her side. His friends soon followed.

“You need to get out,” she rasped.

“But you need help! We can help,” he pleaded.

Water bubbled up beside her. “Fine. Then evacuate everyone to the Serpent’s Tail. Smother Sha’al’s fire with yours as you go.” Sienna jumped on top of the bridge. “To the main river, Titus,” Sienna commanded. She watched as Archer and his friends nodded and ran off. Good, three less people to save. I just hope they can save the others.

===

The river was coated in blood when Sienna approached it. She had one goal: find her father and mother. She waded through the shallow parts. A feeling of dread crept and twisted its way through her. She knew what she would find, but she couldn’t admit that they were gone. Not yet, at least.

The fires slowly subsided. She covered her head with her arms as she walked through the smoke. Once free of the smoke, she saw the devastation the monster caused. She ran to her mother and father’s side. Tears rolled over her cheeks. She clutched their hands with hers. One last hug is all she wanted. One last chance to say goodbye.

A screech filled the air around her. She moved closer to her parent’s bodies. Shadows crept from the depth of the river, shaping itself into an almost human form. Sienna ran as fast as she could away from her parents’ bodies. She knew if she stayed there, terrible things would happen. So she ran back to her home, back to the arms of the guard that watched over her. And she weeped for hours.

When she was done weeping, she stepped outside her house where her tribe greeted her.

“I’ll be the last protector this tribe ever needs,” Sienna vowed to the face of the tribe.