#soliana

I groaned as my head pounded more against my skull and my vision started to clear more and I was greeted with the  pleasant image of a sword about to be stabbed in my face. I grabbed it easily enough and flipped it around to stab the idiot in the throat. Once he fell over, I sat up to take stock of what happened to everyone else. I saw Nim pushing a ship off of his body with a slew of curses pouring out his mouth. Hearing a sound, I looked over my shoulder as Callum walked over holding his head. Blood was flowing into his eye and he even looked annoyed before he looked down at me.

“Need some help?”

“Huh? No…just enjoying Nim having a temper tantrum.”

“Nerissa…”

“Yeah?” I looked at his pointed finger and groaned as I saw my leg had decided to leave my body. I didn’t even notice that it was gone. Hopefully Celica could patch that right-

“What happened to Celica and Ka’seem?!”

“I have no idea, but I think they were still underground when that blast happened. I imagine that a majority of the children most likely perished.” I followed his gaze as we watched Nim look over the other children that caught the brunt of the blast on the surface with us. It seemed that we would just keep taking losses here. We had to do something right…I had to do something right. I fucked up royally earlier and I didn’t want to lose anymore innocent lives. “Nerissa…”

“Yeah?”

“You have to move on from it.” I groaned as he lifted me up and held my weight against him. “I know what happened earlier is bothering you, but we have to focus on what we do next…”

“...” I poked him in the cheek and he glanced at me with a raised brow. “What about you…you haven’t been the most aware person since we came here.”

“...I suppose you are right about that…” We moved over to Nim who was gathering the bodies of several children without anything more than a deep frown. I wonder what was going through his head…besides the frustration of course. Nothing about this mission had been going our way, and maybe it would have been…but I managed to destroy that. I closed my eyes and enjoyed the last bit of rain as it fell on us. 

“I was supposed to get those kids out of here…” 

Nim and Callum both looked at me, and I didn’t have to see their faces to know they were thinking about what to say to me. There wouldn’t be much they could say to make me feel better about everything I had managed to do. Sweet Serafina…I was still such a child at times. Callum patted my head and I hated that he was still trying. I wanted to be sad about this and I should feel terrible. 

“Well…who knew that the ground would explode around us…” Nim sighed as he laid another child down. “Unless you plan to cry about it…help me gather the rest of the children so we can find Ka’seem and the smurf…”

“Wow…you have such a way with words…that makes me feel soo much better…” He rolled his eye at me before I willed the rain away. I gathered some water into my leg so I could at least stand until we found Celica. 

“I’m going to see if I can find them in the debris-”

Callum was quickly cut short as the ground started to shake under us once more. Nim and Callum drew their weapons and I quickly took up their rear. Some of the rubble in the main structure was starting to rise, but I could hear the faint sounds of someone yelling. Nim and Callum noticed too and we all cautiously looked into the hole as it continued to rise. The voices became more distinct and I sighed in relief at hearing them.

“Hey! You almost kicked me! I’m trying to be as careful as possible!”

“I have to make sure that they are ok!”

“Well damn Celica! I had no idea that’s what you wanted this whole time! You damn psychopath!”

Slap!

“OW! Chill the hell out! How does anyone concentrate when you’re like this!” 

I chuckled as Ka’seem and Celica were both screaming at each other, and before long, the huge mound of dirt cleared away and showed a tattered and bruised up looking pair of Gods. Ka’seem didn’t look too bad, but he had a large wound on his side, and his hair had fallen out of its ponytail, and the lovely handprint from Celica on the side of his face. Celica still looked pale from when she used her abilities, but her face was fractured, and small bits of ice fell off her face. Her ice armor was tougher than I thought if she was virtually unscathed, but she needed some rest soon, but she would never listen to any of us when there were children involved. 

Speaking of…

“Whatcha got there Celica?” She snapped her head to glare at me, but her features softened as she held two boys close to her chest. One of them was bruised up and had some dried blood on his face, but he was fine. The other one is the one that gave me pause, and he caught Callum and Nim’s attention as well. “Is that…?”

“Yes…Nerissa I need your help…come here.” My heart swelled in pride as she called me over.I had no right to feel that way, but I could finally do something to make up for my idiotic blunder earlier. I wasted no more time as I ran over to the crater and knelt beside her. The little boy’s skin had turned a deep black and there were constellations forming on his arms. His hair had turned white, but it was slowly fading away to a honey blonde. He was so still that I would have thought he was dead, if I didn’t see his chest rising slightly. I couldn’t explain it, but there was something about being near him that made my heart melt. It just felt good to be in his presence.

“You feel that?”

“Y-Yeah…is this how it felt when you guys found me?”

“Yes.” My cheeks flushed as they all answered in unison, so gentle and so loving. There was no hesitation in their voices either. I had never met the other star children, most of them chose to remain hidden and have their lives private. The only beings that knew where they were was Serafina, the Trinity, and the Ancients. It was better that way for them and if anyone tried to look for them. I heard they were quite the group too, so we might get along if our paths ever crossed. 

“Will he be alright?” I looked at the other boy as he held tightly to Celica. His eyes were large with tears that were threatening to fall. “H-He just got so upset…and then everything just turned white! I’m sure that he didn’t mean it!”

“Hey hey…it’s ok…we’re gonna make sure that he wakes up and is good as new.” I looked back at the boy as he groaned and turned in Celica’s arms. The energy coursing over his body was starting to leak out of him. A small cluster of stars was starting to form around us, and we really didn’t need any celestial bodies floating around like that. I puffed out a breath as I brushed them away to focus on him. 

I didn’t like to admit that I was not that well versed with my celestial powers. I focused more on my water abilities and my other Goddess given abilities. I guess this was my signal to start my training back up. The least I could do was ease some of the excess energy off of him. Shutting my eyes, I held my hands over his body and felt a rush of his power flow over me. I almost fell over from the sheer strength the kid was exerting. I held his arm tight as his power continued to flow into me, my own skin taking on a more celestial appearance. 

With a deep sigh, the boy relaxed against Celica and his skin turned back to his usual hue. I quickly stood away from him as the energy made my body tremble. The rush that I got from him felt better than any high I had ever had. 

“Remember your breathing Nerissa…” I nodded as Callum placed a hand on my shoulder. With several deep breaths, I dispelled the energy from my body and fell back against Callum. “Good job…”

“Thanks…”

“Mmm…” I snapped back to look at the boy as he started to wake up. Celica was whispering calming words to him as she healed him, but his speech was slightly slurred. I chuckled and he opened his eyes to glare, and I marveled at how pretty his pale green eyes were. The residual effect of his powers were slowly fading away. “What…what happened?”

“You’re safe Altair…”

Altair? Huh…what a name choice. 

“N-No…” He moved away from Celica and looked around at us with anger, but also fear in his eyes. “The…voice said you were just using me…I just want my grandfather….”

“Voice?” I shrugged at Ka’seem as he shook his head at Altair. “Sorry buddy, but if you heard any sort of voice, it was not a friend.”

“Huh? I’m supposed to trust your word?” He glared at Ka’seem and slowly rose to his feet, despite Celica protesting about it. “I’m not gonna listen or trust a man with a ponytail. You look like damn twink-”

I tried to hold back my laugh, but the face Ka’seem made was far too funny. His jaw was slack as he stared at Altair, before it turned a bright red. I blinked and Ka’seem had him by the ear and looked ready to pull it off. 

“OW!”

“Listen here you little shit…” Ka’seem seethed through gritted teeth, his eyes slitting angrily. “This damn twink! Saved your little ass! Besides…even if I did swing for the other side, it shouldn’t matter! You owe me your life you shit! Also learn some respect…no one likes a homophobe…”

“OW! Ok!” I giggled as Ka’seem released his ear with a huff and Celica glared at the back of his head as she healed his ear. “Jerk…”

“Hey hey…stop it Altair…” Celica gently chastised him and I was surprised that he actually settled down. “Guys…I need you to get the rest of the children…”

“Huh? You mean you managed to save some of them!?” Celica nodded solemnly as she looked behind us at the rest of the bodies. 

“I encased the rest of the children in ice quickly enough. You might have to do some digging, but they are still alive.”

“Alright…once we get the children we can reconvene back with the children you rescued at that auction. Once that is done, we go and get this Morlo person…”

“He might have been killed in the blast.” I shrugged as I made some water for the kids to drink. “That is the only option that seems right to me.”

“No he’s probably alive…” We glanced at the other boy as he finished drinking his water. “I heard him talking about how he has friends who can teleport him wherever he wants.”

“What?” Nim growled through his teeth and the boy jumped closer to Celica. “Of course…it is never that simple for us…”

“Roy…did you hear anything else about this Morlo?” Sometimes I envied the gentle touch Celica had with children. There was just something about her that they loved and they always sought out her attention. I wish that I was like that, but I think my eyes really kill any chance of a kid liking me, not that I was great with them anyway. 

“Just that he had powerful friends…and he wanted the barrier down soon…”

“We need that barrier down…” Altair winced as Callum spoke about the barrier, but he didn’t push it more thankfully. “Let’s get the children out of here. Celica you continue healing the boys, and Nerissa watch her back.”

“Aye aye captain…” I gave him a mock salute as the boys went to get the rest of the children. I plopped down next to Celica who gave me a look. “What?”

“You seem to be in a better mood.” I shrugged and looked aways from her, but she continued her prying as she pursed her lips. “I just want you to make better decisions Nerissa.”

Here we go. 

“Celica…I…I know that you do, everyone does.” I leaned back on my hands and closed my eyes feeling the sun pour into my skin. I never seemed to be able to do things right since we came to this damn planet. “Gonna kick my ass when this is over?”

“Definitely. Although, I could be inclined to forgive you quicker if you can clutch up for this final stretch?” I didn’t need to open my eyes to know that she was smirking at me. I guess I was too lovable to be mad at for long. “Although…”

“Ow ow!” I cried out as she pinched and pulled my cheek super fucking hard. What the hell was she trying to do, rip my face off?!

“If you ever do something as stupid as that again…I will freeze you down to your atoms and shatter you piece by piece until you beg for a mercy that will never come, because I will do it over and over again. Understand?”

“Y-Yes ma’am!” I rubbed my cheek as she smiled and continued to tend to Altair and Roy. I was going to continue to pout but feeling her soft touch healing my leg, I kept quiet. Glancing at Altair, it seemed like he had a little crush on our ice queen. It wasn’t hard to miss with how he was gazing at her. Looking at the sky, I stood up, almost knocking Roy right over. “Celica!”

“What is it?”

“Look at the sky!”

“Huh?” Her gasp told me that I hadn’t been seeing things and what we were looking at was the real deal. There was no fluctuation in the sky anymore, no obvious power lingering in the air, no sense of entrapment. It was just the atmosphere.

The barrier was gone. 

There was no time to waste as we gathered the children together and called for some backup. Half of Callum’s pantheon would be coming to collect the children, while Nim’s would handle their protection. This meant that the Darkness would be on this planet soon enough. We had to get off as soon as possible. 

“Come along you two…” Celica led the boys away towards the rest of the children. I kept my eyes to the sky as I followed behind her. Hopefully our people would be here quickly and we could get the hell out of here. “Nerissa…could you get the children some water? Most of them are dehydrated.”

“Yeah sure.” Once we made sure the children were properly safe. I didn’t want to waste this precious amount of time we had much longer. The few children that were still here were scared, but once Altair and Roy assured them we were fine, they moved along without much complaint. I was about to make sure that they all had enough water, but something caught my eye back in the forest. I frowned before I made my way over there. It was most likely a child that we might have missed. 

“Hey…you can come out…I’m not gonna hurt you. I just want to make sure that you are safe…we can bring you back to your family…”

“What happens to the ones that have no family to return to?” 

“Well…we take them to a place they will be safe at. Security, an education, food, and anything else they could possibly need.” I looked over my shoulder at the Onkai woman from before, and I really didn’t like the familiar feeling of that dagger in my back again. I must really be off my game right now, but I also had no time to entertain her. “Is that a sufficient enough answer for you?”

“No…no it isn’t. I thought you would have left after our last fight.”

“Well…clearly I didn’t. Now…would you get that damn knife away from me. I have more important things to deal with then fighting a little girl again.”

“I’m the one with the knife in your back right now!” I held my hands up defensively as she growled at me. She was kinda cute when she was angry. She was also not very aware of her surroundings because water was traveling up her boots and she didn’t flinch yet. “So how about you do me a favor and-ahh!”

“You know…I thought you were more aware than that.” I chuckled as she wiggled in my water snare. The water traveled further up her body before her arms were pinned to her sides and the dagger now rested at my feet. I looked over it with a frown. This was something that I would have to look further into when this mission was done. I never complained about my job, but this was super annoying. These god-killing weapons were being created and shipped across the cosmos more and more. I would have to tell Amias about this. He would love to hear about this topic again. Making him suffer through more and more paperwork was my own personal pleasure. 

“Fuck you and release me now!” 

“No.”

“Bitch! When I get out of this I-”

“Except you won’t get out of this because I have to release you from it. You will stay there for as long as I deem fit. You have almost killed me twice now and I have some words about it.”

“Oh fuck off you cow tiddied bitch! I have nothing to say to you gods! You have brought nothing but suffering to my people for years! Its about time you get a taste of your medicine!” I had to admit that the angry bite in her voice took me aback. I didn’t know what history she had, but it was not something I could dwell on now. 

“Listen…I don’t want any problems with you, and I want nothing more than to help with Zhikar if there is anything I can do. Right now, I really have to make sure these children are safe! There are much more pressing matters at hand than dealing with you!”

 “...”

“You know that I’m right and I’m positive that you would have killed me already if you knew I was lying! You let me go before and I’m only asking for some more of that faith I saw in you earlier. Letting you go might be dumb, considering you have managed to get another one of these weapons…”

“I-”

“So this is the little snake that almost took you away from us.” The shiver that travelled up my spine was nothing compared to what the woman in my snare was probably feeling. Celica’s chilled voice felt like it was freezing the air as my snare froze solid. Celica stepped up beside me and the woman gasped as the ice traveled further up her neck. “I was hoping to have a chat with you.”

“W-Wait Celica! Let her go! You don’t have to worry about her causing us any trouble!”

“I don’t see a reason why I shouldn’t make her realize her mistake for a bit.” Her eyes turned a sharp blue as she glared. “Tell me where those weapons came from…now.”

The woman gasped as the ice crackled across her body and if I didn’t do something she would experience something more painful than some frostbite. Celica was a scary woman when it came to getting information out of other beings. It was usually entertaining, but I really didn’t want to see this woman’s body as a bunch of ice cubes. 

“I asked you a question!” I snapped back to reality as the woman screamed now. Celica was not a good listener when she was angry. What could I do to-ah ha!

“Celica wait!” I dashed into her line of vision and before she could open her mouth, I released my trump card. “You can’t hurt her! In accordance to the Law of Patheons #12: We can not inflict any type of punishment of the others pantheons. Unless face-”

“They wish to face several harsh charges, and not limited to imprisonment and stripped of their abilities in the Oblivion Maxiumum Secruity Prison in the Void.”

“Exactly! See I knew that you would remember that!” I laughed akwradly under her piercing glare before I turned to look back at the woman. The ice quickly disappeared as fast as it had came, but Celica was not done as I still felt her eyes on my back.

“She isn’t in your pantheon Nerissa…”

“What? O-Of course she is!” I looked back at the woman who’s eyes flicked rapidly back and forth between me and Celica. I grabbed her hand and she gasped as a light emanated over our joined hands. “I, Nerissa, Supernova and Goddess of Water, hereby bring you…um…?”

“A-Arwen D-Dornala.”

“Arwen Dornala into my service to protect and serve the various species in the infinite cosmos to the best of your abilities. On my honor as a Goddess, so I say, so it shall be!”

The air crackled a bit from the oath, but other than that it was quiet in the woods around us. The chill was gone and I grabbed Arwen to stand quickly. “Listen…some people are coming to collect the children and keep them safe. I want you to go with them and ensure that they are safe ok?”

“W-What? What the hell was all of that?! I didn’t-”

“Now Arwen! We can discuss this later just do as I say.” She glared at my sharp tone, but left my side quickly and gave Celica a wide berth. I watched her rush off before my gaze shifted back to an angry Celica. “So…I-”

“Don’t….ever do that again. Invoking the laws on me like that…you have more balls than I give you credit for.”

“Yeah well…”

“She tried to kill you Nerissa. Who’s to say that she won’t try a stunt like that again?”

“I know I know…I just could see more bubbling under the surface. She just wants to ensure that her people are safe. I can see that she is not a big fan of the gods, but she still let me go…jsut spreading a little faith.”

“Hn. Come on…the others have arrived to take the children. I can hear the ships landing.”

“Right!”

The rest of my patheon was going to get a real kick out of hearing about the newest member to our fold. Although, there was a high probability that they would laugh at how pathetic this whole thing was. 

~~~

“HAHAHA!”

My eyes could not roll any higher into my skull as I sat on a wooden crate as everyone moved around me. The sun was finally down for the day and we were greeted with the sounds of various nocturnal animals and the odd child crying here and there. I would have loved to enjoy the sounds of nature from my home planet, but someone was making that difficult for me. 

“Why are you here Sol?” I gritted my teeth as she finally calmed her laughter down and closed her fan with a loud slap. I narrowed my eyes now as she looked down and me and tried not to laugh again. “I seriously hate you with a fiery passion.”

Soliana was supposed to be taking a vacation right now, so what the hell was she doing here? I looked over her shoulder as the rest of my pantheon helped Callum’s load the kids into their ship. Amias sent me a nod but I rolled my eyes as Soliana just smirked at me. Even Fate had shown up to help, but that wasn’t to odd I suppose. 

“I was enjoying my time off, but then I heard that some help was needed and thought I could use a quick detour. Too much relaxing makes me uncomfortable, I have to keep active. It helps make sure that my figure is intact.”

“Right…”

“So…that’s the child huh?” I looked over at Altair as he sat with his friend and was handed some fresh clothes and food. I had to always give Callum credit with his pantheon, they were always prepared to the tee with supplies for these rescue missions. The Greynore siblings were quick and efficient and I could only hope that my own slowpokes would get a move on. These kids had been through so much, and I was glad that we could give them a better life after all this. 

“Yeah…he’s got a mouth on him, but he seems like a sweet kid.”

“So…we have a new member in our flock huh? Seems she really gave you a rough time…” Hearing her start to snicker again, I sighed and walked away from her. “Oh come now dear, this is really quite the story you have dropped on us.”

“A story that I would rather not talk about.”

“Hmmhmm~”

“Just make sure that Arwen is looked after and have Amias fill her in on what happens next for her.”

“I don’t know dear…she doesn’t seem too happy about this. She almost got into it with Fate a bit ago.” I frowned as we almost witnessed Fate floor our new “companion”. Fate was a woman who had patience to a point…a small one. So when I heard that Arwen had pissed her off, I was not surprised when I saw her fist collide into Arwen’s nose. Hopefully they don’t keep trying to kill each other in the near future. 

“She will have to deal with it for now Sol…now run along and go help or something…” She chuckled once more before she sauntered off. 

“Nerissa!”

“Coming!” Ka’seem and the others were gathered around Altair, who looked nervous about them hovering over him like that. “What’s up?”

“Most of the children are on the ship and ready to go.” Callum looked over at them as the final few were loaded on board. “Zaleria went into town with Amias to gather the children from the auction that we saved. The only thing we have to do now is get Altair out of here.”

“Alright that sounds like a plan. Is there something else?” I shifted my weight as the others had several different looks on their faces. “What?”

“We plan on taking Altair with us on another ship, but the silence from Lady Serafina is concerning.” Callum glanced at the moon before he sighed. “I have tried to reach her, but I have heard nothing in response. I fear that if we leave the planet now, something terrible might happen.”

“We also can’t stay here forever Callum. The Darkness must know that we have the boy. They could be on their way right now. We have to leave now before we are trapped.” Nim glared around the dark forest as more creatures woke and stirred. “We have to make a decision and soon.”

“I know Nim…I just have a bad feeling about this. Also, Celica needs to rest and recover her strength. It is not good for her to be out here this long.”

“Callum…I’m…fine. I just want to…get the children out of here.” We all glanced at her with sour looks as she gave us such a pathetic lie. He was right…she was using too much power and she was looking worse by the hour. Of course, with her stubborn ass you would never really be able to say much to her. 

“Fine…let’s go.”

“Alright Roy…we need you to get in the aircraft with the rest of the children. We are going to travel with Altair. It is to dangerous for you to stay with him.” Nim looked down at Roy with a glare that left no room for an argument.

“I-I…”

“Roy sweetheart…” I chuckled as Celica glared at Nim before her tone became so soft and motherly. She reached out and stroked Roy’s hair and he instantly relaxed. The kid basically melted from her touch and I understood that feeling. Celica just had that charm to her and I loved when she would give me the rare headpat and comfort…shit was nice. “We…are going to take good care of him. You…can both be roommates when this is over…I promise.”

“Really? We can live together and just…be happy again?”

“Yes. I mean everyword that I’ve…ever said.” He pouted as he thought about it before he nodded. He shared a quick word with Altair before he went over to one of the ships. I looked back at Altair as he watched his friend leave. His eyes were starting to get wet with tears.

Cute. 

“Smile kid!” I slapped him on the back and he almost ate dirt and Celica was about to lose her head about it, but I brung him back to his feet. “This will be a fun trip and you get to meet a very attractive lady at the end of this!”

“Mmm…do I have to sit next to the cyclops?” I almost choked as I suppressed a laugh, but Ka’seem and Celica were quick to laugh in Nim’s face. Nim was fuming and I could see the cracks of electricity bouncing off the veins on his forehead. The kid was going to have a boot shoved up his ass soon enough it he didn’t stop. 

“You can sit with me love…” Celica smiled and took his hand as they made their way over to our new ship. 

“That kid is obsessed with her…I get it though.”

“Yeah you would…” I snorted as Ka’seem leaned against me with a smirk.

“Please…you know Celica is very fucking attractive. You would have been with her if she let you.” His cough and akward blush made me smile harder.

“Yeah yeah…”

“Come on and walk you two.” Nim’s voice carried over from the ship and we ran over to catch it. He would have left us too if we didn’t move. Once Callum was sure that all the kids were on the ships and leaving, we finally departed too. It was never often that we had such a chill time with a mission with all five of us, but it worked out somehow, except for the earlier blunder. 

“Hey.”

“Hey…” I moved over in my seat as Ka’seem handed me something to drink. I looked back out the window as the lights from the cities came to life. My heart skipped as I watched them pass us by. I hadn’t even been here long and…I was already missing it. I learned nothing and I also caused so many people to die because I couldn’t just grow up. Honestly, I just wanted to jump off the ship and try my luck again, but it felt like the damage was done. It wouldn’t feel right stepping foot here again for awhile. Maybe, maybe I didn’t really belong here afterall.

“So…when are we coming back?”

“Huh?” I lifted a brow at Ka’seem as he sipped his drink before turning to look at me. “I…I don’t think that I…”

“Oh…you think that you shouldn’t come back because you fucked some shit up…” I pouted and could feel my cheeks getting warm. He is such a dick. “Well…I don’t think you should let your heritage go so fast.”

“Ka’seem…I don’t want to fuck this beautiful place up again…it would be better this way. Aren’t you upset about this?”

“Oh yeah…I’m partly to blame for that mess too. I should have been the responsible one and put my foot down.” He leaned back in his seat with a yawn before looking at me. “Don’t carry that frustration and anger on your shoulder alone Nerissa. We both have some growing to do. We aren’t perfect beings like our followers think we are. We make mistakes just like anyone does. The only thing we can do it learn to grow the fuck up. We have to strive to be better than we were today.”

“What if I can’t do that? What if I never grow up from being childish and acting like a horny teenager? Lady Serafina was crazy for letting me become a Supernova. I suck at this job.”

“Hey listen…” I sighed as he moved closer and put our drinks down. Tilting my head up with his finger, he smiled his goofy smile at me and I couldn’t help but giggle. “I won’t stand to hear my best friend say such ridiculous things about herself. You are the perfect person for this job. I know that, Lady Serafina knows that, and so does everyone else you’ve helped over the years. Hey, remember that planet that you saved a few months ago?”

“Oh yeah…the one in Nim’s sector right? The one that everyone thought was going to be lost?”

“Yeah…everyone was deadset on having it destroyed because their was no way that it could come back from the plague on it, but you didn’t give up on it. The remaining species there was saved because of you. You saved them from extinction Nerissa! So you messed up a bit today, that is just a small bump in the road. Your years of endless service speak volumes about you, even if you can’t see it sometimes. It’s there and we all see it. Don’t be so quick to bench yourself.”

This idiot was useful to keep around after all. I buried my face into his shoulder so he wouldn’t see my damn tears. He just chuckled and wrapped his arm around me before we looked out the window as we broke through the atmosphere. 

“I guess…we can come back soon…”

“Yeah…I thought so…”

“Ah…there you are.”

“Hmm?” I glanced over Ka’seem’s shoulder as Callum appeared behind us. “Something wrong?”

“No no…Celica went to lay down to rest. You has been really weak since she finally settled and stopped pushing hearself. I was hoping that you both could check on her occasionally and if you could get her some fresh water.”

“Sure no problem.” He nodded at us before he left and I settled back into the chair beside Ka’seem and felt my eyes start to get heavy. With one good yawn, I was out like a light. I thought Ka’seem would have left, but he just snored away right next to me. I didn’t know how much time had passed, but I felt like it was good enough because when the first strike hit the ship, I sprang right to my feet. 

“What is going on?!”

I ran into the cockpit to see Callum and Nim fumbling around with the controls of the ship. One of the wings was on fire outside and I was about to put it out, but another attack rocked the ship and knocked me off my feet. Celica stumbled into the room and she rushed to the cockpit to help the others. Altair was trembling under a table and Ka’seem was trying to keep him calm. Another blast of something hit the ship and the whole back half blew off.

“AHH!” 

The vastness of space almost sucked Altair out, but I managed to grab him as I held a pillar. It was starting to give way and the fire was spreading through the ship now. Celica rushed over and make a wall of ice to block the entrance before we were sucked out. The poor kid just couldn’t catch a break from all of this.

“What the fuck is hitting us?!”

“We can’t see anything! Just hold on!”

“The ship is barely hanging on!” Nim looked over at us and was about to check on us, but he paused. It wasn’t just him either, we all froze as the same feeling washed over us. The burning ship didn’t seem so bad anymore as their presence became known. Approaching us at inhuman speed and ferocity, was the Darkness itself. Its gaping maw and looming arms reaching to grasp us, to tear our little ship apart and take Altair away from us. 

“TURN THE SHIP AROUND!” Callum and Nim desperately tried to make the ship move, but it was going too fast and the controls stopped working. The Darkness was getting too close, too fast and we could do nothing. My legs collapsed under me and I held Altair tight against my body. The fear that this bastard put into me was not appreciated, but I just couldn’t move.

It was finally upon us, and it brought the ship to a grinding halt. We all stopped and looked up at it as they looked down at us. This couldn’t be the end, not now! We…we have to get Altair out of here!

My worried were silenced immediately as a golden light consumed our vision, and once it cleared, a beautiful and ferocious sight greeted us. Serafina charged at the Darkness in her full armor with a harsh battle cry. Her sword struck true and the wails from the Darkness made the entire ship and my bones shake. She didn’t glance our way before she once again lashed out at the Darkness once more.

“MOVE!” Her voice seemed to rattle us back into action and we all moved to get the ship moving again, but it started moving in the worst possible way. One of the arms from the Darkness managed to strike out and hit us hard. We became a tumble of limbs and the ship hurled through space at a terribly sickening speed. I tried to reach for the controls, since Callum was knocked away from it.

“Fuck!”

I crawled across the floor and managed to grab it, but the force was too much and I couldn’t get a good grip. All I managed to do was make it spin even more. I briefly could see that we entered the atmosphere of another planet, but everything was spinning to fast. The ship was breaking up around me and I could hear the others yelling and being sucked out of the fallen apart ship. I couldn’t register my own status before the sound of an explosion and darkness took over me.  

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