Rebecca’s Point of View
The malevolent Azreal stares off into the distance, a grin creeping onto his disfigured face as he listens to the screeching screams of Angel off in the distance. It’ll be alright dear I think to myself. Preparing myself for another barrage from Azreal, I pull moisture from the air condensing it into a ring of water acting as a defensive perimeter. Swiftly pushing my right foot forward my body carries the momentum into a punch which hits the ring causing a small piercing icicle to shoot out at that monster. As expected, the heat generated by Azrael's mere presence causes the icicle to mistify itself. Pouring my mana into the mist I pull the remaining water molecules into a condensed yet smaller water whip striking that smug on Azreal’s face.
Fighting against fire wizards is nothing new to me, I toss large bodies of ice at them, and while they evaporate, there is enough water vapor to condense back into a second, smaller strike. My vision gazes into the eyes of Azrael as he looks towards me. Moving his finger towards his face wound he wipes away a purple liquid. The sinister smirk returned, “Rebecca oh what a treat this will be, sacrificing your life to use Ethereal Equilibrium. So you gotta tell me, who taught you that magic? Was it one of my brothers or was it that bastard you cattle call God?” Curling his fingers forward a spontaneous combustion of fire spreads out.
Slowing its assault after entering into my perimeter I shifted my leg forward, leaning underneath the scourching flame barely managing to dodge it but the ducking position left my side open. A maniacal laugh could be heard through the smoke trail as a wrapped hand whirls through heading for me.
Jack’s Point of View
Running through the forest, my feet burn, my legs burn, my arms burn, my lungs burn, everything burns. My perception of time faded into nothingness as my conscious thoughts were overrun with the pain of running over scorching hot coal hidden beneath the grassy ground, just another illusion of my mind. Each step tore away my skin, each step straining my muscles more and more. I know that I must keep running. I must keep moving for Angel.
Ahead a fallen colossal tree lies sprawled out on the ground. The wood is broken, splintering into rigid branches reminiscent of jagged spears. Changing directions would be impossible as this colossal tree caused a domino effect on the surrounding terrain. If I want to continue forward, I need to climb the tree. Angel gripping tightly on my shoulder I have little wiggle room to properly climb the tree. Slowing down, ambient lightly, I scan around, creating an imaginary staircase out of the splintered branches, I run up tossing the duffle bag onto the other side, beginning the climb. With a wide step to the left, I caught myself on one of the original branches, sturdy enough for now, exerting my muscles, lifting my other foot off the ground, flinging woodchips everywhere, the right foot caught one of the splintered ledges. Waiting for a second to catch my breath, the only rest I had for now. Exhaustion crept up on my nerves but a small twitch from my sister renewed my determination to continue this daunting climb. I must protect her. Swinging my leg upward I ascend another step. Coming to the end of the imaginary staircase, I move my leg back, in preparation for a kick. Forming a sharp dagger-like tip on my boot, I swing. The ice pierced into the sturdy bark, and then, from there I expanded below the ice, creating a support system. Putting doubt aside, I move my weight onto the ice. It holds, relief washing over me, I keep moving pushing my leg up on the top of the trunk, this awkward angle causing my knees to pop, my eyes shut, my teeth clenching as the pain works its way throughout my body, through will power alone I push myself upward. Carelessness gets the best of me as I scrap my thigh on the way up.
On the top of the fallen tree, I scan the environment around me. The midnight purple sky highlights the feelings of despair within me. Michael’s betrayal, my father is dead, I abandoned Mom, I lost my home, I lost everything. Just like how the moon penetrates the midnight sky, my sister penetrates my despair. Everything important to me is gone, because of me. I can’t let this world take my hope too. With a deep breath, I take a look at the canopy below. With a shift of my boot, ice began to form a crude ramp. Sliding the duffle bag down, the ramp cracks. Not a good sign, but not the end of the world. A branch hung near the slide, preparing for a jump, I shifted to the side, Angel facing towards the fallen timber, I slid down, and as the ramp fell apart, I pushed off, and with the momentum, I gripped onto the outward branch. Dangling for a short minute I push my maximum output of enhancement magic onto my legs, prioritizing my knees. As gravity takes hold, my feet land firmly on the ground, instantly causing my knees to bend, catching the rest of my body, as I tumble backward onto my tailbone. My face scrunches up, brandishing the pain I feel to the world. As tears begin to form, Angel wakes up so I hold them back. Shifting her body, she tries to look me in the face, but I turn away avoiding her gaze.
“Are you ok?” she hesitantly asks.
Working my feet back onto the ground, my abs clenching as I raise myself upward. “Yes, my magic absorbed the impact,” the physical movement hid the pain in my voice. “We should be out of the forest soon.” Without any mana, I resume my sprint, pure adrenaline keeping me going.
Hours passed, as the moon followed my trek through the forest. As the canopy and foliage clear, relief rushes through my veins. Creating a sense of joy of being in the plains again, where the eye can see ahead of itself, it was followed by another sense of joy, that the town of Erdő was near.
Angel’s Point of View
I was shaken awake by a familiar voice, “Angel, it's time to wake up.” Sleepily, my eyes flutter to existence, taking in the confusing sights of the moon and the celestial stars. The green undergrowth clawed up the treeline. The sweet scent of the grassy plains, followed by the dark blue hair of my brother. Turning my head, my brother’s eyes shine in the moonlight, giving me a strange sense of hope. Looking for an answer our eyes lock, igniting a conversation, “Where are we?”
My brother gently sets me down, “We are near Erdő, see the fields over there?” My brother points towards the yellow fields of farmland that spot the landscape.
Confusion swirled in my mind. Why are we in this town and not home? It's my birthday today and he woke me up so early! At least let me sleep in on my birthday! Annoyingly confused, I rephrase my question, “Why are we here?”
My brother looks away, wiping the sweat beading from his head, but within that, I think I see tears. Why is he wiping away tears? Gulping, “What do you remember from last night?”
Now he’s being cryptic? What do you think is the last thing I remember? Isn’t it obvious that the last thing I remember is being put to B E D by Mom? “Mom tucked me into bed and told me sweet dreams.”
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“I see. Well, Mom told me to take you here. I just ran from our house to here without a break, I need you to walk on your own for a while.”
“No, I want to go home! This has to be the worst birthday present in history!” At this point, I am wide awake and annoyed as heck! Seriously! He drags me out of bed a hundred miles from home saying Mom told him to do it. Where is Mom then? Huh?
“ANGEL JUST LISTEN TO ME FOR ONCE!” My brother yells, catching me off guard. Why is he yelling at me? What did I do to get yelled at? Taken aback, I clutch my hands together and put them up to my chest wearing a worried expression, a tear starts to leak out.
“No, no, no I’m sorry I'm just tired. Come on, we’ll walk into town and we can grab you something nice to eat in the morning. Ice cream maybe?” My brother tries to console me, squatting onto his knees, I notice something puzzling about his thigh. A dark red moisture is coming out of it, oh my God, he is hurt. Panic ensues within me, “Jack are you ok??? I am so sorry, here hand me that bag too! Let's go see a doctor quickly!”
“Thank you, and yes I’m ok, I’m tougher than I look, don't worry. Let's head to town and get some sleep, it's a pretty big town, I'm certain they have some nice hotels.” Jack leaves the crouching position and hands me the duffle bag. Holy moly! This is heavy! What’s in here?
Gritting my teeth, I try to pull the strap over my shoulder, but no matter how hard I try I can’t get the bag off the ground! It's just too heavy! My eyes pathetically wander to Jack, the one I offered to help carry this for, he looks at me, and meekly I ask, “Can you carry this pretty please?”
Jack sighs, dropping his shoulders, “Yeah, I can take it. Hand it here.” Weakly I respond, “I…can’t…move ... .it…”
My brother sighs again and walks over to grab the bag, lifting it across his shoulder effortlessly. How can he do that effortlessly when I am out here struggling?! Men I swear! This world is so unfair!
Our stroll through the countryside was quite peaceful. The moonlight shining brightly highlighted my beautiful features. The smell of the green grass mixes with the breeze from the wheat fields creating an aroma that is to die for. Though, I think I am the only one that seems to enjoy this night. My brother hasn’t said a word, keeping his eyes forward, his legs moving in slow motion as sweat bleached his clothes, it was clear he was e x h a u s t e d. I am just hoping we find a hotel soon, his wound is just oozing blood and he is not looking so good.
Fields turning into buildings fluidly was a magnificent sight! The architects of this town are geniuses! No wonder it is huge! The orange-stained logs complimented their green tile roofs, with cobblestone chimneys! Such gorgeous houses! Maybe this was the best birthday present! None of those ugly clay houses in sight! Just lively log houses! It’s like a fairy tale! I haven’t even gotten started on the roads yet! The rocks boarding the edge of the road are just the best! They are all equally cut by a mason, creating such a symmetrical style road! The gravel inside of the road has big enough rocks that I can gently feet them through my boot, creating a nice massage as I stroll on the pathway! THIS IS JUST AMAZING!
The signs hanging from the shops are all equally spaced out with images depicting their trade! This place has so many restaurants! It’s almost like we are on a block that is dedicated to providing just restaurants as I can count, one, two, three, four, and five in a row! Honestly, that fifth one was a little weird. Who eats their food in their bed? Wait.
Spinning around, “Jack! I think that's a hotel right there!” I energetically say pointing to the weird sign.
He mumbles something I don’t understand, but with the shifting of his body towards the door of the place I take it he understands. Opening the door, we are greeted by the fragrance of soft oak scent, with a floral highlight! The right side of the room consists of a set of tables and chairs. Each table is decorated with a small bounty of flowers as the centerpiece. On the left, there was a long hallway with doors on each side. Straight across from the door lay a long oak desk, with a young lady with jet black hair sitting reading a book that read, “He is Long” What type of title is that? Approaching the lady in a very exasperated motion, she quickly shuts her book and quickly slides it underneath her desk. Stumbling over her words, she gets out, “Welcome to our Hotel! How can I help you today?”
Since Bro is exhausted I take the lead, with one step forward, “Hi! We would like one room for tonight! Are any available?”
“Yup! We have a few. Can I get a name for the room?” She asks to pull out a piece of paper in which I etch my name, Angel, onto it.
“Mrs. Angel, just so you know this room is going to cost about $150 do you have that on you?” HOLY MOLY that's a lot! Of course, I don’t have that much money! What do you take me for? A gazillionaire? Opening my mouth, “Um, I don’t think-” Jack slams some bills down onto the table. Correcting myself, “Is this enough?”
The lady counts the money, “This is enough for tonight. You will be in room 09.” She says as she hands me a key. “Is there anything else I can do for you today?”
Moving my finger towards my lip, I look off into the sky, giving it a thought, “Yeah, do you think you can bring a basin of water, soap, and some rags to our room?”
She seamlessly writes something down while responding to me, “Yup, I can bring it on over to your room in just a few.”
Navigating through the seas of doors, we enter our room. With a single queen-sized bed, a small desk and chair, and a four-shelved wooden dresser the room was not worth $150! I was expecting a chocolate fountain for $150!
Jack staggers straight for the bed. Not even changing his sweaty clothes, he collapses face-first onto the bed. He didn’t even wait for the nice lady to bring the water to dress his wounds! What a dummy! I think to myself as I wait for the lady.
A knock soon came through the door, receiving the items. I moved towards Jack, removing the blanket from his side, I noticed a purple hue under the surface of his skin near the wound. Is this dyed from the blood? I think to myself. The fleeting thoughts quickly dissipate as I wipe the blood away from his wound. Soaking the towel in the water basin I wash the wound. Now time to wrap it! I wrapped the bandages into a crisscross pattern but as the bandages kept unraveling I grabbed the end piece and shoved it into the folded bandages, hopefully, it'll stay put this time! Stepping aside from Jack I get ready for bed, the soft fluffiness of the mattress engulfing me into a slumber.