Morals

One

A/n- This is going to be one of the longest chapters I've written. EVER. ENJOY!!!!!

Everything around her was burning. The trees were set ablaze. Homes, animals, and people were burning along with them. The woman responsible for this chaos is her elder sister, Amala. She laughed at the pain and strife caused by her hand. The noirette was soaked in crimson, the color of the blood of her people. The screams of young and old alike rang out through the air as the crackle of fire consumed the world around them. A small girl stood alone in the foyer of the carnage. Welping could be heard from the miniature being. She wished for the pain to stop. There was nothing the young girl could do. She cried as she wasn't strong enough to do anything about it. Her young world came crashing down all in an instant. The woman stalked slowly towards the child, a sinister grin plastered on her features. The child is her younger sibling. "Deni, poor little Deni." Eyes shone brightly amongst all the mayhem.

"Mother has spoiled you too much. You're weak. I can't believe a little useless thing like you was ever my sister." The coldness in her voice was enough to make the toughest of beasts quiver in terror. "I think we can fix that..... can't we?" An evil smirk remained on her face. The small girl's eyes widen in fear. The elder sister she knew and loved grew closer, claws extended. Her hand rose and came down to strike. Just before the dangerous digit could contact her skin, Denai sprang awake. She was panting heavily, looking around the space frantically. Her past was plaguing her dreams. They were more like nightmares due to their nature. Some were more gruesome than others. The flashes have been happening ever since she was a little girl. The root cause is her trauma.

Denai sat up inside her tree trunk. It was midnight and she could no longer be asleep. She rose, walked to the nearest pond, and waded through the water. This pond had a small waterfall that let her drench herself to cool off. She smoothed her hands over her coily follicles. Water ran down her face to her body, calming her muscles. Her thoughts cleared and she was able to think. She stepped away from the falls and turned to the bank. Her mother stood smiling while holding a cloth out to her daughter. The girl stalked up to her mother, a small smile adorning her features. Denai grabbed the fabric, placed it on her head, and dried her locks. Her mother knows about her nightmares. And she knows that it has been getting worse. Her mother, Sarabi, has grown wary of her child's mental state. The young woman has much on her plate but little time to achieve it.

"Deni?" The woman spoke softly

"Yes?" Denai looked to her mother with what was supposed to be a reassuring smile but it missed its mark.

"You're not doing well. Your nightmares are becoming worse, my dear." A look of worry danced in her eyes

"This has happened every year since the incident. I just learned to deal with them. They're a nuisance but are bearable," Denai didn't need to talk about her dreams. She was focused on getting stronger. The crimson-eyed girl knew when the time arrived she would have to fight for her life and honor.

"And I don't want to talk about it. I want to put my mind on my strength. I'm not there yet, I'm still weak." With a fist closed tightly, she faced her mother.

"You worry too much about strength. There are other things for you to experience. For now, things seem to be stable. Let's not put more negativity into the universe." They stopped in front of Denai's tree.

"I have no choice but to think of strength. It's all I can remember from that day because it is what I lack." Tears threatened to fall from her eyes.

"Maybe it is not physical strength you lack....but mental strength instead. Some things can't be solved with power alone. At times you'll realize you need....will and possibly love." Denai's eyes widen at the last statement. What can love do for her? Will love help her defeat her sister? Will love guide her to becoming a worthy queen? Would the act of love help her fix whatever's plaguing her mind?