Numbered and Factions

Chapter 14

 Lavender ends up falling asleep on top of Storm, her wings curl around herself and the wolf. Spark lays on his back still being annoyed by the light spirits. Kit sits a bit away from the group looking at her hands, her mind races to herself alone.

How'd he know.. Why did he just leave me like that? Why was he so adamant about Storm not hearing us... Is there something I'm missing? Am I going to be the reason someone gets hurt?.. What was he.. That element was new.. And a bloodhound?.. How'd that fire come so natural.. Is that what he is now?.. Is this something that runs in the family?.. Am I going to end up like my father?.. I can't be like that deadbeat..

Kit holds her head in her hands, it all still hurts but Lavender needs to rest for her own sake. Kit looks over at the medic, her wings draped over Storm like a blanket, eyes closed like shutters, chest moving in its own tempo, delicate arms wrapped in the fur of the wolf under her.

Lav's so calm in any situation but, why didn't she say anything to us. She was acting weird the other day but.. Why is she so secretive, does she not trust us?.. Does she think we can help her?..

Lavender stirrs and sits up, her eyes squint with the amount of light around the three of them. Storm stays passed out as she lets him go. Lavender stands and approaches Kit, quietly taking a hold of her hands and pulling them from her face. Her hands are soft like silk with a smiling face like an angel. Kit takes her hands away and wraps Lavender in a hug, she buries her face in her shirt. Lavender's arms glow as she returns the gesture, Kit's wounds heal quicker than Lavender's did.

"Lav.. Why didn't you tell us about all of this?"

"I... didn't want you to worry about me"

"I'd rather have to fight for you than have to mourn over you being dead Lavender." Kit grips her shoulders slightly more,

"I didn't want you to get hurt trying to help me.."

Kit looks at Lavender, her eyes stern with her face going soft. Lavender doesn't make eye contact as she looks to the floor.

"Lavender, you are one of the people I'm the closest to in this faction. I never want to see you getting hurt by these elitist dogs. You don't need to worry about me getting hurt."

"You were grabbed by the neck and were on the verge of strangulation. I should be worried for your safety." her voice goes to that of a medical professional,

"There's my Lavender"

Kit smiles and holds Lavender in a hug. Lavender realizes and smiles slightly.

"I'm just glad you aren't dead Lav. Spark was really running when he grabbed me and Storm."

"I'm grateful you came for me.."

Lavender holds onto Kit's arms, she relaxes some as the fox's wounds mend and heal. Spark sits up with his hands fading into the plain around him, he sighs and stands. A few spirits zip around as the boy stands. Storm gets to his paws and shakes off, he yawns and stretches.

"Everyone in agreement to head back now?" Spark cracks a now spectral knuckle, his voice whisps into the light around him. The three nod as the ground under them opens to FoxFire's cafeteria, dropping them through in a single motion.

***

I find myself in my dorm with Harmoninea, I think I passed out or something because everything. Hurts. Man I wish adrenaline lasted longer. I wonder what the others are up to. Have they gotten Lav back yet? Did they get hurt trying to do it? Are they dead- No, they aren't going to die by a bunch of dogs.. Or would they?.. Shut up. Your brother could die. You never know. I said shut up. Man, no wonder shadows are depicted so maniacally in the media. Some of them are nice but the majority of them really seem adamant about my unwilling obedience to them. Like a bunch of moms. Ew.

Harmoninea looks over at me from where she was standing,

"Are you feeling any better? You still have a hole in your stomach."

"Yeah I guess. Hurts like hell though"

"Good, it looked like you were about to slip out of reach"

"What do you mean?"

"How do you not know that?"

I grip the necklace, my memories had been getting foggier before the times before I joined this faction and got these abilities. No, I remember it. The night this all happened...

***

I was running with Spark, we just Turned. We made it to this park in Woodwood. The trees blow in the autumn breeze with the sunset, there's nobody but us at this little park overlooking Bireshire. It's beautiful but also a scene of fear as we hold each other close under a tree. It starts to hurt to hold him, a pain in my eye kicks up and causes me to curl on myself.

Everything around me goes black as I fall into this black void. I land on my back and look around. Where am I. Where's Spark?!..

I stand and look around, the new distributions of my body make me stumble as I hold the tail sprouted from my back. It's so soft.. Not the time. I turn around and around in a circle trying to calm myself enough to think straight. Little white dots zip around me, some split into new pairs while others merge and grow.

"Where am I!" I yell,

"Bearer! A bearer! We can be free!" The dots turn into eyes and teeth as they chant

"Who are you?! Show yourself!"

"Spirits of Shadow! You're a bearer!"

I clutch the necklace around my neck, it's a different color than it was when I put it on. There's a growling noise as the wall of eyes and teeth dispearce. I hold a stance ready to run. This small animal darts through and hops up on my chest, knocking me on my ass. It's face of a fox, the front legs of an eagle, and the hind half of a wolf. It snarls in my face with the sharpest teeth I've ever seen. Its talons grip my necklace as it calms down just a little.

"You!" It barks, its voice is masculine and deep, the shadows around slink back while some whine.

"What do you want out of me?! Am I dead?!" I retort and throw the thing off me

"You... It's been centuries since the last Shadowbearer died. Everyn told me of the return of the bearers."

"What are you even talking about?! First I'm turned into this, my heirloom turns colors! And now am I in hell or something?!"

"Child! They gave me a CHILD! One with no knowledge of the powers her family gave her through blood!"

"Blood.. So are the crazy things Dad said true?"

"These stories are true. Your family's blood bleeds in the dark and the light!"

"At least explain SOMETHING you damn devil!"

It laughs with a cackle, it smiles and cocks its head.

"You children.. You know nothing of creators and their prophets don't you."

"What.."

"I am Endall. The prophet of Spirits and Spiritbearers such as you. Young Shadowbearer."

I just kind of look at him, his face curls to another snarl.

"I teach you fledgeling bearers what is needed. And tell you how to not lose yourselves to your element."

My memory ends there,