The Prophecy ( The Replacement Trials #1)

Chapter 6

Aura's POV

"We need to stop. Reina and Catarina look like they're going to pass out." Nimue shouts which just fires me up even more.

"If we keep going, we can get to Omaria sooner which means we can hang out for however long we want!" I scream back. We had been arguing about whether or not we should stop. I thought we should keep walking but Nimue wanted to take a break for the sake of our companions who had less stamina than we did. Reina chose that moment to butt in, trying to mediate so that we didn't alert any enemies. Catarina on the other hand was stopping every few feet to wave her hand and chant a few words in the ancient language of the gods, giggling as flowers sprouted up along the path. Everything from red tulips to hydrangeas were cropping up everywhere. Sure looked like she was exhausted to me.

"How about we take a short five-minute break and then keep moving? It's not too long but it's enough for us to get our bearings. Sit down for a minute, prepare for the last bit of the trip before we book it the rest of the way so that we can get to slightly less dangerous territory." Reina suggests, her voice calm and her eyes unwavering; I could tell she needed rest, so I agreed.

Sitting on a rock, I pulled my sword and my whetting stone, sharpening the blade to ensure that if I need it in battle, it's ready to swing. As I watch Catarina spin around, a breeze picks up, blowing the strands of hair that have come free from my ponytail into my face. Nimue's eyes train on her frame, a smile forming across her lips as she attempts to hold back her laughter. Spluttering, I drop my sword and swipe at my face, trying to get the hair out of my mouth. Of all the things the witch could do, she chose to make it windy. Seeing my reaction, she cackles and grasps her sides, followed by her falling to her knees and rolling around slightly in the grass. It seemed like an abuse of her power to use it to inconvenience other people and use it to make herself laugh. If look could kill this kid would be meeting Cygthos very soon. Noticing my look of anger, she stops her laughing and gives me a sheepish grin. Had she been any older it wouldn't have worked but in combination with the wide eyes and rosy cheeks, I caved and waved her off.

"I'm really sorry. I didn't know it would be that strong." She calls over before continuing with her dance, flowers sprouting and a slightly less aggressive breeze trailing behind her, ruffling the leaves of the trees she passes by. Catarina seemed to do everything with a certain level of excitement. No matter what it was, she was happy. I mean, we were heading to possible death and she's as happy as a squirrel in a tree.

"She sure is a happy camper, isn't she?" Reina asks from behind and Nimue hums in agreement. Cocking my head slightly, I regard the youngest of our group and I notice that this trip is a chance for her to see things that she normally wouldn't. She's accustomed to her small section of the woods and hadn't been around many other people so this is kind of her first experience with the outside world since she was kicked out of her coven.

"I'm not sure if she's happy. I think it's because she wants to make the most out of the time she has out here. Catarina has been holed up in her cottage for so long, left alone in the woods, that this is her opportunity to meet people and get to know the life she could've had if only she hadn't been abandoned because of something she didn't have any part in." I murmur and I can feel the gaze of the girls behind me like a brand. Maybe I got a little bit too personal in terms of my hypothesis, but it was the only description I could give that my brain could make sense of. If I were in shoes I'd be just as excited as she was. Seeing new places, meeting new people, not having to be afraid of using your powers in front of people because it's expected of you since you're a witch. This kid's living the dream. Watching her play in the field and just be a kid pulled at my heart because I knew that if she dies, this will be the last thing she'll remember, choosing to go on a mission with a group of people she doesn't even know because she thinks she's a part of the prophecy that made this whole quest a reality.