𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘈 𝘋𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘰𝘯; 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘐

𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙀𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩; 𝙑𝙖𝙡𝙝𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙖

Much time had passed, and the trio was continuously dragged out to sea by the churning water below. The storm overhead howled and lightning bolted across the dark mass after powerful thunder rumbled the sea. The rain continued to drop down, pelting the sibling's skin. Auryn sniffed, her body sheltering Silas from the worst of the storm. Erin winced as raindrops shot at her skin, the cold had almost completely numbed her, but she could still feel the agonising pelting of rain.

The whistling of wind hurtled at them, dragged at their bodies. It was too much for the young siblings, the frigid and harsh wind was angry.

"Erin.." Auryn whispered unsteadily, her eyes drooping.

"Ryn? Are you okay?" the other girl replied, concern lacing her voice. Auryn closed her eyes for a moment, before opening them again and gazing at her sister. The two made eye contact, and the younger girl's piercing arctic eyes had no life to them, she looked exhausted. "I don't feel well," the heavy-eyed girl laughed, before she sighed deeply, Erin's hazel stare looked at her with concern, knowing that her sister's stomach was probably also suffering from the storm. "Try to sleep, it doesn't matter to stay awake and row anymore, we're being dragged off to sea anyway, we just have to hope we'll wash up onto the shore soon" Auryn nodded at her sister's remark and buried her face into the already sleeping Silas' shoulder. Erin sighed and let go of the oar on her lap, shuffling over to her siblings and resting her head on Auryn's back.

What seemed like a week passed, and the trio never came across land, they drifted out to the deep ocean. Tears were shed and sick worry churned in their stomachs; They had accepted their fate now, but a tiny part of Silas still clung to hope.

The blood around Auryn's wound had been washed with the ocean water, but the gash seemed to be looking worse every day. Erins burns were pink and painfully blistering, and all of their scratches were red and puffy. With no access to herbs, even with the little knowledge they had on them, their wounds could not be treated. Erin had pointed out flowy seaweed at the start of their journey, and they plucked some out of the water and wrapped it around their wounds. They didn't know if it was helping, or even if it made the injuries worse. Auryn had twisted her ankle, and Erin had sprained her wrist, as well as the younger sister having a bruised back, although the bruises looked better recently, and Erin had a bruised arm. It seemed as if the world turned on them.

Auryn awoke with a start as her mind flashed with memories, horrible, terror-stricken images. Her breath came out hard and fast, and her mind felt hazy and jumbled. She suddenly felt hot, even though the night was rather cold. The girl's breathing eventually slowed, and she absent-mindedly wiped her eyes, before realising she was crying. She sighed, her siblings and her had been struck by a plague of nightmares, re-living the memories of 'the hunting', as they called it.

The young girl sniffed, looking over at her two siblings snuggled together. She smiled, at least if they died they would die together. She looked up and awe quickly spread across her face. Strung across the night sky were long smudges of green, purple and pink. It was amazing, beautiful, and frankly mysterious. There were little clouds, giving the sky a better scene. Auryn laughed softly, a wide smile on her face and curiosity shining in her eyes. Suddenly she heard the rushing of water in the distance, and her smile instantly fled her lips. Fear flooded through her body, and she looked down, her eyes widening at the sight.

"Erin?" Auryn mumbled, Erin's eyes fluttered open and she groaned, stretching her body before replying to her sister.

"Yeah?" Auryn gestured to the vast ocean, and Erin peered at it, and her eyes widened as she noticed what looked like a giant hole in the sea, it had water flowing into it, like a waterfall. Something they were headed straight for. Auryn sniffed, "I guess we'll die a painful death" she murmured, sighing deeply. This time Erin couldn't protest, or try and change her sister's mind, because she knew it was inevitable. "Finally, I almost hoped we would get eaten by a Scauldron, but this is a more beautiful passage," Auryn croaked, gesturing to the sky and smiling wearily. Erin looked up too, and was mesmerised by the sky, but shocked at her peace with dying. "Should we show Silas?" Erin whispered, still gazing at the oblivion, awestruck. Auryn made an agreeing noise, and softly nudged her brother. "Hey Sil, look at the sky," She murmured softly. Silas opened his eyes slowly, and looked from his smiling sister to the sky. Surprise settled across his features, and his mouth parted into an 'ooo'. Auryn giggled softly, and wrapped her arms around him. "Go back to sleep now, we love you," The girl said lightly, rubbing his arm softly. Silas looked from Auryn to the grinning Erin, a smile on his face. "I love you guys too!" He said cheerfully, before closing his eyes and burying his face in Auryn's shoulder. Tears glazed Erin's eyes, and she lent down and whispered in her brother's ear. "Sleep well Sil, you're amazing." A smile tugged at Silas' lips, before he fell asleep.

Suddenly a powerful current dragged them to the hole rapidly, and their tiny boat was rocked and battered. The two sisters looked at each other with dismay and wrapped their arms around the sleeping Silas who sat between them. The girls watched as they neared the giant aperture, and they saw a gaping waterfall, it looked as if it led on and on, under the sea, a colossal cavern.

Erin snapped her eyes shut and buried her face in Silas' shoulder, the boy was unknowing of what awaited. Auryn's breath was unsteady, and she rubbed circles on Erins back comfortingly. Her eyes bore into the cavern, she could feel death's cold embrace, waiting patiently for her to join Valhalla.

[the poor childrennn, having to die so young]