Division

- VI • Empty Vengance -

- Echo's POV -

In the back of my brain, needing D'Mantis didn't seem necessary, we had enough people and enough eyes to search in Darkwoods. I don't understand exactly what good it would cause. "But... Plum..?" I got her attention.

"We have more than we need now, why would we need D'Mantis?" Plum stared down at the curved ram-like horns and brittle, thin structure etched with ink. She stood silent and still before she had spoke again, "I don't really believe we should even see him again, but I've gone out and seen scratches on the trees." She paused, then continued again.

"Same three claw marks every time, and they lead right into Darkwoods." Plum paused again. "D'Mantis might be up there, might not even be his claw marks, but he just might." "So we really don't need him, we're just gonna expect to find him, is that what you meant?"

I tried to sound less confused, I couldn't ever be any less than she was sometimes. "I mean, its complicated.." Plum seemed hesitant, but continued anyways. "You all are dismissed, Orion, Vulx, I'll see you soon though." She announced, shifting upward.

"Echo.." She whispered, low and quiet, "Come see me. Our spot, you know. What did you call it?" I blinked, worried what she wanted me for, "I called it Lake Lucent Aqueous.. and yeah, I'll see you there." As she went her own way.

I saw everyone leave, Spear looking blank, really everyone, filled me with a sort of vague dread. I thought and thought on my way to the edge of Lucent Aqueous, why D'Mantis could possibly be important to the strike.

The sun was high in the sky, the air was warm and dry, and the tension was... strong. Jogging through the thick of the trees, all I could think about was where D'Mantis was now. Plum is probably thinking the same thing if shes calling me here?

There I saw her, kneeling and looking at the water sparkle in the sunlight, silent. Plum glanced back at me, beckoned me over with a head motion. "The suspense is killing me Plum, it can't really be that serious, right?" I questioned. She stared off into the water again, like each small ripple was a thought coursing through her head.

"It is." Plum started, "D'Mantis has haunted both of us for a long time, and hes long gone and likely in the hands of Solio at this point." I blinked, and it made a lot more sense now, how easily he could become a larger threat. "Can you do me a favor, and... not react like I know the others would when I say this?"

"Of course... you know I've understood you better than all the others.." I reached out and grabbed her shoulder, trying to seem as welcoming to her. Whatever it was, it seemed like a pretty big burden on her shoulders. "I..." She stopped. I opened my mouth to speak, but before anything, "I want him dead. Gone. He's caused me and you... so much pain... and is likely already a pawn for Solio's games."

I bit back a shock. Such a hate from someone known for gentleness and peace. She turned away, "Tell nobody. It'll be me and you, or just me if I seem like a fraud now." "No, no no please, I want to be there with you. It's for the better hes being ridded of. You're right."

"I'm not even sure anymore, to take someone elses life?" Plum doubled back, and dug her claws into the grass. "Plum..." I felt my heart kick in my chest as I grabbed her hand. I started to think, me and D'Mantis both loved her, but I swore my life on her, D'Man just took her heart for himself. "The life you take is a life to protect us all. To protect us.. to protect me.." She grasped my hand back.

I inhaled, "To protect yourself." She shifted suddenly and pulled me into her arms, coiling herself into me, hugging me. "E- Echo! I- I- I love you... the only reason I told D'Mantis I wanted him back, is so he would stop hurting you! H- he still hurt me even after the fact!" Tears welled up in her eyes as she revealed how much worse of a person he was.

"Im... im so sorry, Plum. I love you too. I have for a long.. long time." She let off the embrace around me and rubbed her face. "I should've left him sooner, I fueled his hate," Plum tightened her grip on my hand, "You got away though, that's important, you exiled him, you got rid of him, and now we need to take an extra step."

"Yeah..." She mumbled, still upset, but recovering, and stood up. "Tomorrow then. Me and you, at dusk." I followed behind her, "I wish it never had to come down to this. I really wish it didn't. But like you said," Plum glanced back, "It's for the better, huh." We ducked under the leaves and treaded back to the camp, planning.

Orion caught her attention on our way back, "Plum, the smaller meeting you assessed earlier, when will that happen?" She looked down, "Oh.. It'll be a while. Im still thinking. Not tomorrow, but maybe the day after." Orion nodded, "Do take your time." "Thank you."

I sat down on the edge of my bed, where me and Plum discussed tomorrow, and the current time. "What will we say if we do... end up killing him?" I asked. "I mean... I guess we'd have to forge a different way he could've went, depending on how it happens." Plum responded softly.

"Well, I'd say we can continue etching out our ideas tomorrow." I suggested, and laid back down on the bed, as she curled up next to me. "One last thing, though." Plum paused, "What happens if we find someone else out there before D'Mantis?" I huffed, and ran my hand through her thick, curled hair, "I guess we'd have to hope that doesn't happen, because I haven't thought that far ahead yet either, babe."

She looked up at me, smiling, "I guess.." "You like the name?" I noted, "Of course."