The Seed of Hope

Chapter 4: Acceptance

It's been hours since Katerina ascended to the heavens. The moon slowly moved cross the sky, illuminating the devastation that was left. Leena couldn't bare to even look to the horizon. She feared her home was gone. Washed away by the angry waters. She then sighed when she noticed it was almost morning.

-"What would they want with my Katerina?"- Leena asked as she looked up at the sky.

-"I don't know if this is it...but my grandmama used to tell me a story when I was little..."- Naoko sat next to Leena.

-"One day, the gates of heaven will open, and God will extend his mighty hand over our lands and call upon a strong spirit. A holy descendant of valor and bravery to fight the Fallen King Bassilisk and the forces of evil that threaten our existence."- Naoko rested her head on Leena's shoulder. -"The Savior of Prymeria..."- Naoko finished.

Leena cried. -"Yes, I know that story, or prophesy...But, why my Kate?"- Tears streamed down Leena's face.

-"I love Kate like a sister...yes, it pains me to have it be her who saves Prymeria but...I wouldn't trust anyone but Kate. She is strong and very much worthy, I believe in her..."- Naoko said as Leena looked at her. The corpses around them were picked up and the people were all gone. The smell of blood still lingered and the island was quiet. Eerily quiet.

Suddenly, the sky opened and light poured out. Raining the surrounding area with warmth. Kate swiftly descended and gently landed on her feet. Naoko quickly stood up and ran towards her best friend arms wide open.

-"Kate! You're okay!"- Naoko embraced her tightly.

-"Yeah..."- Kate said, deep in thought.

Leena extended her arm towards Kate, wanting a hug.

-"Mom..."- Kate whispered as she stopped hugging Naoko. She walked over to her mother and Ivee and kneeled in front of them.

Ivee softly grunted and slowly opened her eyes.

-"Ivee! You're awake! I'm glad!"- Kate's eyebrows remained stitched together in worry. Ivee looked at her while trying to wipe the dry blood from her forehead.

-"I heard...everything..."- Ivee said in a raspy voice. -"I knew you were someone great..."- she continued. Kate's eyes widened and lightly blushed at those words.

-"Katerina..."- Leena placed her hand on Kate's arm. -"Anything you need to do, we support you."-

Kate's eyes teared up. -"I don't know what to do...where to start or even how to do it..."- Kate's voice cracked.

-"It's the little things!"- Naoko chimed in. -"Help someone in need, if anything happens to anyone, be there for them...you know, things like that."- Naoko smiled at Kate.

-"Start small and then we go to Bassilisk's lair and ruffle his feathers!"- Naoko punched her palm. Kate looked at her best friend. -"Uhh, we?"-

-"You think I would let you have all the fun? Nah... I can help and you know you need me!"- Naoko flipped her hair.

Kate almost forgot that Naoko is a professional martial artist, which is why guys find her intimidating.

-"Thank you, Nao..."-

-"I want to help too!"- Ivee sat up. Leena tried laying her back down. -"Don't! Just lay down."-

-"Ma! Kate needs me!"- Ivee looked at Kate. -"I will be by your side forever! You also need me! I want to help people too!"-

Kate looked at Ivee in shock. -"I don't want you to get hurt...I can't lose any of you!"-

-"Don't forget! I took down a group of boys, by myself and made it out without a scratch! Trust me, you need me."- Ivee winked and Kate sighed.