A Book of Myths

Chapter Eight: Life to Death

Marina held up the small bird, seeing the life drain from its form. Looking up toward the group, she counted the birds in the bag. Ten. Taking a breath, she stood and walked over with the cold figure, setting it lightly in the newly warmed carrier.

"We need to do something about this," Melody grumbled, starting at the darkening sky. Radiant dipped her head in agreeance, tossing a glance to the overhead clouds. The trio was spending their time trying to train and collect the dead birds the best they could.

"Radiant, you told the police to be on alert, correct?"

Radiant nodded.

"And everything is to stay in their homes, unless necessary."

"Yeah," Radiant said, thinking over the orders she and the police chief had given out. Melody looked at the older female before turning her eyes back to the sky.

"You talked with Majic, right?" Radiant nodded in response,

"Yeah. She told me the war declaration was made by an ancient leader of the old people, said his name was Marce."

Melody raised an eyebrow at her.

"Was?" she asked.

"Majic stated she didn't know if Marce still went by that name now that it's been years and years for him to be watching and waiting."

Marina sighed, walking over to her older sister and friend. Something between them seemed to fry the air and make it sizzle with silence.

"I hate this," Radiant muttered, turning to stare at the quiet city. Someone tell me something is going to change. For the better, please, she thought. Closing her eyes, she listened to the conversation between the sisters and the breeze flowing past them.

Click! The sound echoed in her mind, a lever being pushed up and on. Bolting up into a tree, Radiant scanned the city.

"What are you doing!?" called Melody, confused and worried for her friend. Radiant stayed silent. Smoke was billowing from the city.

"Smoke!" she exclaimed, leaping from the tree and racing for her soon to be flaming home. Melody and Marina followed after.

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"No one is hurt, thank god!" called James as the trio rushed over to him. Radiant nodded, focusing her attention on the figure watching them. This really is war, she thought. She forced down her visual pain from the throbbing hammer in her skull.

"Alright, I want your officers to help push the fight toward the park, toward the forest. There, we'll make sure to end it," she stated, turning to James. "And make sure everyone stays inside and out of the way!"

"What is wrong?" called the figure, laughing at the group. Radiant growled, turned, and stormed into the sphere. Glaring, she moved her hand closer to her chest, almost grabbing the gem hanging around her neck.

"This is not going any further. I will not let you harm anyone. Not even Majic. To do that, you'll have to go through me and my friends." she stated, a smile twitching on her lips as the other two joined her. The figure smiled, raised his ax, and dipped his head.

"Well, then I suppose we should take this to a larger field. I mean, that is the plan, isn't it, Dawning?" he asked, sending a chill crawling down her back. Radiant felt her body shift and heard a hiss leave her throat.

"Then let's meet there." That isn't my voice.

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