From The Ashes

Chapter Two

I had sprinted two miles before the stich in my side forced me to slow down to a jog. Running was exhilarating for me and usually helped me center my thoughts; but today was different. I couldn't get rid of the anxiety that was clawing at my insides. I felt wired up and jumpy, but I knew exactly what I needed. 

I stopped running and inhaled deeply, taking in the smell of the pine trees and the moss of the forest floor that lined both sides of me. As I was throwing my my waist-length, raven hair into a ponytail, I heard the crack of a twig near by. Instantly, I assumed a defensive stance and my senses shifted into high alert.

 It wasn't easy to sneak up on me, but it had happened twice today now. I really needed to up my game. 

As I strained my ears to get a better read on the situation, I was suddenly tackled to the ground from my left. My instinct to fight melted away as Artemis's musical laughter filled the air.

 "Girl, where is your head at today? I never get a sneak attack on you," she said while shaking out her chin-length, golden curls. I ignored her question and sat up. 

"Did Aunt Maddie tell you where to find me?" 

"Of course. She mind linked me and said you could use a sparring partner. So, let's go."

She assumed her fighting stance and waited for me to get into mine. I rolled my eyes and put my left foot forward, while I bent my knees to crouch lower to the ground. I raised my fists and waited for her attack.

I clenched my abdomen muscles to keep myself on balance as I inhaled deeply and observed her closely to see how she would strike first. She leaned forward on her toes and suddenly she was sprinting at me. 

She threw her right hand toward my face, but I crouched lower and dodged as she sped past me. I whirled around on my toes, clenched my left fist and punched her in the kidney from behind. She jolted forward and rolled, but popped back up and she was quickly facing me again.

 We stood up full height and she took another swing; this time aiming for my ribs. I blocked with one arm, and brought my other up to hit her in the stomach. Artemis was a great fighter, second only to me, but I knew her weaknesses. She was great about blocking her limbs and head, but she occasionally left herself open to be hit in the torso.

 
She let out a small oof as the air forcefully left her lungs, but she still held her ground. Suddenly, she shifted her weight on her feet and jumped backwards. I assessed the situation and went back to my defensive stance. 

Artemis came running at me, and moments before we could connect, she jumped and spun- trying to land a kick to my head. I grabbed her foot and spun her the other way, halting her attack. I then threw her onto the ground where she landed hard on her stomach. I jumped on her back and began punching anything I could.

 My fists connected with her head a few times before she yelled out "Jesus, Indigo. I yield!" I snapped out of it and jumped off, offering my hand to help her sit up. I wasn't one to blindly hit like that. I was disciplined and precise. What was happening to me?

" Okay seriously, what's going on? You don't usually lose your shit on me like that. What happened?" She asked while her cinnamon eyes met mine.

 I sighed. "Aunt Maddie told me my father wants to speak with me and my 'family' today after the ceremony." Artemis widened her eyes in shock.

 Aside from Aunt Maddie, she was the only other member of this pack who knew my secret. She had pestered me over and over as kids until I finally broke down and told her. I was scared she would tell someone, but she ever did. We've been the best of friends ever since.

 
"Do you think it has anything to do with your birthday in two weeks?" She asked me. I shrugged my shoulders. 

"I'm not sure. I've never spoken to him beyond the typical polite pleasantries. I'm not sure he even remembers my birthday. It could just be a coincidence." She raised her eyebrows and pursed her lips. 

"Well, whatever it is for, just know I'll be with you every step of the way. Just a quick mind link I'll come in there snarling!" She smiled at me and threw her arm around my shoulder. I shrugged it off and stood up. Artemis eyed me with a skeptical look on her face. 

"What else is going on? You're lost in your head. I can tell."

 I hesitated, internally battling with myself on whether to tell her or not. I let out a deep sigh.

 "I've been hearing a voice in my dreams", I tell her as I watch closely for her reaction. She doesn't say anything for a moment. Then she asks, "What does that voice tell you?"

"It tells me to wake up most of the time. That change is coming, and my light is needed. I wake up in a panic almost every morning, but it's been getting worse these last few weeks."

Again she goes quiet.

"Have you told anyone else about this?" 

"No, I didn't want to burden Aunt Maddie and I didn't think it was a big deal..." I trailed off as she started to stand. She turned around and looked and me, then nodded. 

"Right, okay. Well I have to run home really fast, I'll meet you at the training grounds," she called while sprinting back up the road. 

I couldn't help but wonder if there was something she knew that she was keeping from me. She wasn't usually one to act like this. Her personality was usually so bubbly, fierce, and passionate. She seemed so somber and almost worried just now.

I sighed again and rose from the ground, quickly stretching my legs and arms out. I took one last deep breath and jogged the last 3 miles into town and went straight to the training grounds. It was time for me to focus on what I do best.