ᴀɴᴀʀᴄʜɪsᴛ sᴇʀɪᴇs | B. Barnes, S. Rogers, L. Laufeyson

Red | 32 |

The girl laughed shakily, "And?"

Erebos only glared, still holding a hand to his throat. It wasn't nearly as deep as she would have liked it, but it did give her a sick sense of satisfaction.

"You-!" He lunged for her, but the forest faded too quickly, and she was gone.

-

When she came to, the man was standing outside the circle, staring. She was chained in the chair again, the bindings thicker than before.

Fury coursed through Harli's veins, and her eyes seemed to glow brighter.

Her hands twisted until the chains binding her to the chair were nothing but a heap on the floor.

He staggered back, fear in his eyes.

"Run." She hissed.

Then golden light exploded from her body, completely demolishing the circle.

-

"We will be there in twenty minutes, Mr. Stark." JARVIS's voice said from speakers on the walls of the Quinjet.

Tony only hummed in acknowledgment, everyone too tense to speak.

The two assassins were checking and then re-checking their weapons, counting out bullets.

Steve fiddled with his shield, his gloved fingers tapping out a pattern on the rim.

He was nervous. What if Bruce's report was wrong?

The scientist himself was huddled in the corner, eyes fixed on the screen in front of him.

They were all tense, all worried, and the same thought coursing through their minds:

What if she's... dead?

-

Red.

That's all Harli saw.

It painted the walls and ceiling, patches of it splattered against her face and coating her hands.

Child. A low voice said in her head.

Circe?

Yes.

She couldn't help but give a sigh of relief, so it was okay.

Could you help me get out of here? Harli thought, pushing past another pair of guards.

There was quiet for a few moments.

There... there is one thing that I could do. Her voice was hesitant now.

Anything, I'm beginning to exhaust myself and I want out.

It seemed like it's hold tightened on her mind, a dull numbness spreading across her brain.

I need you to give up control to me, Harlien.

There was a moment of silence where Harli weighed the idea on her mind. She didn't know what this 'giving up control' meant, or what toll it would take on her.

I... I give up control to you.

Then it was like she was just a spectator.

Feeling her body move and twist without controlling it was a strange feeling, as if a fog had settled over her senses.

She allowed herself to slip into a lull, an unconscious state that put her at ease.

-

The Quinjet landed in front of the base.

It was inlaid into the side of a mountain, the structure being a cruel, stone thing; all sharp edges and grey slate.

There was no movement from outside, making the Avengers both concerned and suspicious.

"There's... no one here." Natasha was the one to finally break the silence.

"Bruce, are you sure you've got the right place?" Steve asked, casting a glance at the man.

"Positive, I mean," He flipped his screen so the others could see. A pulsating golden light was exploding from the base, whorls of magic sweeping through the air. "there's no denying it."

They turned to look back at the structure.

"JARVIS- do a heat signature sweep." Tony muttered, eyes darting around the screens inside his helmet.

"Wait-" Steve pointed to the two huge iron doors. "There!"

The doors were opening slowly, and a single figure stepped out into the snow.

They wore a pair of ragged cargo pants and a crop top, their feet bare.

It was her.

She was covered from head to toe in blood, most of it red, though there were patches of gold pooled here and there.

Her clawed fingers had who-knows-what on them, chunks of what they assumed were formerly internal organs of people covering her.

Steve was the first to break into a run, pelting across the snow toward the girl.

Harli raised her head, her glowing eyes fixed on the figure.

She looked dazed, but still lifted her hands and bared her fangs into a snarl.

Then she saw who it was and her posture relaxed.

The girl started to stagger towards them, leaving red footprints in the snow behind her.

Steve reached her, just in time for her to collapse.

She fell into his arms, practically melting against the man.

Up close he saw a jagged wound on her thigh, and five claw marks on her chest marking she wasn't entirely unharmed.

The team landed around them, watching Steve cradle her in his arms.

"What took you so damn long?" Harli gave a shaky smile, then lost consciousness.

~~~

I had to rewrite this chapter three times because friggin' Wattpad wouldn't bloody save it -_-

Sorry its shorter than normal!

Also- to those reading my story at like 1-3 am.... are you okay? Please sleep.

Currently listening to: Little Dark Age by MGNT

Quote of the day: Let me not just meet with monsters / but let me love them also.
-Elizabeth Hewer

Angel numbers: 111, 222, 333, 444, 555, 666, 777, 888, 999, 1111, 1212

Word count: 866

| Over and out |