Star Darlings; The Soldier

Short Chapter

As Andrew led the assault for Fort Kitsap, the others waited for the next raid. Fortress Windsor, one of the 3 main bases. It was built off the remains of the two schools, Starling Academy and Starling Prep. It will literally be a walk down memory lane.

Scarlet sat beside Orrin, who was busy thinking of ways to penetrate the base's defence.

Scarlet wrapped an arm around Orrin. 5 years of hardship had gotten the 2 as close as Piper and Nicholas. Orrin smiled, likewise doing the same.

Scarlet smiled back as she stared into his aquamarine eyes, again captivated by the swirling globes.

"How're your parents?" Scarlet asked.

"They're taking refuge in the Northern Mountains like the others; it's stressful but... they're hanging in there," Orrin said. Scarlet pecked him on the forehead. "They'll be alright. They're stronger than you think."

Orrin's eyes didn't meet his smile.

"Did you receive any news from Lady Stella or Sir Pluto?" Orrin asked, trying to change the subject.

"No... they've gone silent since the last time we saw each other." Scarlet said, looking away.

"I'm scared for them; The Skylars have bounties on them and... I don't want to think about what they might do to them if..." he didn't finish the sentence.

Lady Stella and Sir Pluto were there for the first few bits of the war, but they soon retired after they're sure the SD is competent enough to lead the Resistance. They promised to keep in touch, but 2 years later they disappeared off the radar. none of them has seen the 2 for almost 3 years.

Ever since Scarlet's mother and father died in one of the attacks, Lady Stella had since then been the mother figure for her. Now even she's gone.

Scarlet jumped as Libby's signature 'aww' interrupted her train of thought.

"Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww." Libby said.

"Shut up Libby..." Scarlet said. "It's not like you didn't get enough cuteness with Percy and Cassie."

"Scarlet!" Percy said, making Cassie giggle a bit. Libby immediately turned her attention to them, forgetting Scarlet and Orrin.

"Works every time," Scarlet said.

"Evil genius," Orrin muttered under his breath. "Persie is going to be tortured for so long..."

"Hmph."

Piper glanced over, amusement edged on her face, although her eyes didn't meet her smile.

Dream watched as the SD interacted with each other. Virtue glanced over at him and turned back to Valor.

A jab of pain coursing through his systems, making him wince. He excused himself, walking out before they could say anything.

He ran to a corner, the same pain he felt before returning to haunt him. The blackouts had gotten more and more common over the days.

An image of a young girl, about 6, stood before him, hugging him tightly. Dream thought she looked like someone he knew, but he couldn't put his thumb on it.

The image disappeared, again showing a middle-aged man holding him as a woman laid on a bed beside them. She smiled before closing her eyes and seemed to stop breathing, her hand falling limp.

He saw a woman, scowling, towering over him. She yelled at him, pointing at something as he backed into the corner. Another appeared behind her, pulling her back by the shoulder. She knelt in front of Dream, brushing away tears as the woman from earlier strolled out furiously.

The image disappeared as the pain became unbearable. The world went dark.