Star Beings: Dawn

The Prophecy

I slept on the couch that night, and l left early in the morning so I wouldn't have to see Leigh. I don't even think I could look her in the eye right now. I know I shouldn't be guilty, and I know that she'll probably feel better about everything now that she's sober. But I feel like shit, both emotionally and physically.
Though the latter is probably the massive hangover.
Hade and Natalie are waiting in the training room when I arrive. I only focus on Natalie, though I can feel Hade's burning gaze on me.
"Hade said you know something about the shadow lords. Something that may give us an idea of what we're actually dealing with."
I nod.
"Well? The floor is yours, Anaideia."

"The other day, I ran into the caves. It was after Hade and I had tried to beat the shit out of each other, and I was afraid Elian was angry. When I finally stopped running, I had a strange vision. I'm not sure if I blacked out or something, but it was... it was horrifying. I heard so many screams, and saw people, both people I know and people I don't, in pain. There was so much going on all at once, and it was overwhelming. Then, out of the chaos, I heard something being said. It was clear as day. "Qui ex umbra et cinere nati sunt, ipsam vitam nostram destruent.  Vide umbram dominorum!  Creatio, eleison!  Miserere nostri omnes..." I believe it's a prophecy, but I can't be sure."
"What does it mean?" Hade asks
"Those born of shadow and ashes will destroy our life itself. Look at the shadow of the lords. Creation, have mercy...Have mercy on us all." Natalie mumbles.
"When the fuck did you learn Latin?"
"Hey, I had to keep myself entertained somehow. But that's not the issue right now. Right now, we need to get you," she points at me, "ready to infiltrate their forces. The Shadow Lords used the power vacuum you left behind to their advantage, so a lot of former L.O. soldiers are working with them."
"Which means if I join them, I can convince my soldiers to follow my orders again. We could take out most of their army in one fell swoop."
"Damn, I didn't even think of that. You're right, we could do that. But that would also require you to convince hundreds if not thousands of soldiers that you aren't brainwashed or anything."
"I can be persuasive, don't worry."
"I don't wanna know."
"Hey eggheads, can we stop talking strategy and start talking strength?" Hade pipes up. Natalie only laughs, and then waves goodbye before leaving me alone with Hade. They still stare at me, and I finally look at them.
"Good morning, fire-head."
"Morning shadow bitch. Speaking of shadows, is that all you've been using recently or...?"
"Mainly. Honestly the only magic I've used since I lost my memory has been Shadow, Shapeshifting and Fire."
"Wonderful. Why don't you use telekinesis and grab one of those," they point to a bundle of training staffs in the corner, "so we can start." I know they're teasing me. However, I am a very petty woman.
I raise my arm and stretch out my hand, briefly closing my eyes to focus and center myself. The weapon flies into my hand, and I twirl it once before looking back at a very shocked Hade.
"I was kidding."
"I know. But be aware that if you tell me to stab you in a "teasing" manner, I won't hesitate to do so."
"Point taken." Hade grabs a staff as well.
"Now, shall we get started?"

Each time an attack is blocked, I hear the hollow clap of wood knocking together. I feel... alive? More aware? I don't know. I haven't trained or worked out in a while, so the feeling of sweat rolling down my forehead and the dull ache of my muscles almost feels nice.
"Hydro!" Hade barks, sending a blast of fire my way. I follow their command, an orb of water blocking the fireball.
We circle each other, like we have been for the past ten minutes. Occasionally, we'll close in for an attack before pushing away from each other so Hade can call out an ability.
"Anything but Umbra!" They shout.
What?
But as they throw their staff like a javelin, I realize what they mean. Of course, I understand that far too late, and the staff hits me in the face.
Next thing I know, I'm on the floor and Hade is staring down at me.
"Disappointing."
"Your instructions weren't exactly the clearest thing on the planet, asshole." I snarl, standing back up.
"Really? Well how's this for clear?"
They swing at my head with the staff. I duck under it, swipe my leg under theirs, and form a sword of ice to hold at their throat.
"Better. One may even say... crystal clear."
Hade groans while I snicker. I pull the blade away and help them up. Their grey eyes study my face, scanning every single one of my features. What are they looking for? Malice? Hatred? Annoyance?
Who the hell knows what's going on in their head.
"Let's take a break. It's almost noon and I'm hungry enough to eat a Pegasus."

Hade and I met back in the training room after an hour. When I go to grab my training staff, they stop me.
"Let's try something... different."
Motion for me to follow them as they walk outside. Once we get to a relatively clear spot, they stop. Three of the rocks near us lift off of the ground and circle them, floating a few inches in the air.
"Dodge or block. I'll tell you which."
"What?"
"Dodge!"
Hade flings one of the rocks at me. I jump out of the way, the small boulder hitting the gravel with a crunch.
"Oh."
"Block!"
They toss another one at me. I block it with the first rock they threw at me, a loud crack echoing through the volcano.
"Block!"
"Again?!"
This time, a few thorny vines spring up from the dirt and catch it midair. Hade says nothing, they only reach for more rocks.
"Dodge."
I slide out of the way with style this time. Hade grins, but only for a moment.
"Block."
I can feel the metals beneath my feet, and I use them to my advantage, a giant hand made of iron and copper springing from the ground and grabbing the rock.
"Dodge."
"Why don't you do that?"
Hade barely has enough time to react as I throw the rock back at them. They scramble out of the way, tripping and face planting. I proceed to laugh my ass off while they pull themself to their feet and glare at me.
"Why?"
"Why not?"
Hade shakes their head, but I see them laugh.
Maybe training for these next few weeks won't be so bad.

We keep going until the sun begins to sink over the rim of the ancient volcano.
"It's getting late. You should probably be getting back to your apartment," Hade says, lighting up a cigarette and leaning against the building. The smell of smoke burns itself into my nostrils.
"You're gonna ruin your lungs like that, you know."
"Gods, you sound like Maxine," they groan.
"Maybe she's hounding you about that because she actually cares about you, ever thought of that genius?"
"Is that why you're bothering me about it too?"
"No. I'm bothering you about it because I know it gets on your nerves," I smirk. Hade just rolls their eyes and blows a puff of smoke in my face.
There's a moment of silence as Hade and I lean against the building. But, of course, fire-head has to break it.
"You should probably head inside. It's getting late. You wouldn't want your little girlfriend worrying about you, would you?" I snatch the cigarette right out of their mouth, throw it on the ground, and stamp it out.
"Why the fuck did you do that-"
"Shut up and listen to me Hade Karson," I huff, slamming my fist into the wall space between their head and their shoulder. I hear a crunch as the concrete cracks from the force of the hit.
"We aren't friends, so don't start making jokes. Don't start fooling around. And don't, under any fucking circumstance, refer to Leigh as my girlfriend, got it?"
Hade nods silently, the faintest twinge of fear in their eyes.
"Good."
I push off of the wall, shaking the pieces of rubble from my hand, and grab the box of cigarettes from their pocket.
"Hey!"
"Gimme one damn second, Hade... gods."
I pull out two cigarettes, handing one to Hade and lighting it with my hand. The other I light and stick in my mouth, taking a deep breath as I do so. I exhale a puff of smoke right in their face, snuff the damned thing on the wall, and head inside.
Before I disappear into the building, I hear Hade mumble something under their breath.
"Wasted two perfectly good cigs, Jesus..."

I close the apartment door as quietly as I can. Despite this, Leigh still hears me.
"Hey Anai."
"Oh... uh... hi?"
"Your uncle swung by and set up a new bed, so we won't have to share anymore."
Oh thank the gods she doesn't remember last night.
"That's good. Creatio, I'm exhausted."
"You smell like shit."
"Thank Hade for that. They're gonna ruin their lungs, smoking that much. I don't think they care though," I chuckle. Leigh raises an eyebrow.
"Well, they should if they wanna live past forty."
"That's the thing, I don't think they do."
She nods silently, pausing to stare out the window for a second.
"Did I say anything dumb last night? I can't remember much."
I can't tell her the truth. I want to, but I can't. Because then I'll lose her all over again. The lie comes easily.
"No, and if you did I don't remember either."
Leigh grins.
"Ok, well I'm gonna take a shower. There's some leftover food in the fridge."
She shuts her door as I try to ignore the guilt that overwhelms me.
That crow bitch was right.
I have been infected with morals.

Hey, if you want more SB content as well as art of my other OC's, follow me on Insta. My @ is ghost_writer_143. It would be the same as it is on here but someone took my username.