Blood Tainted Rose

Chapter Fourteen: Warning

   While Lotus and Match ate their lunch near the shooting range one of the Walls siblings came. It was Bruce and like most of the time he didn’t seem happy. It must have been Lotus leaving the meeting without saying a single word. But he didn’t come out and say it. Instead he took hold of a gun and began to shoot targets dead in the middle one after another. It was awkward not saying anything, but then again she didn’t want to get into any more trouble than she already was in. Finally her savoir came when Ryker took a seat beside her. He informed her that the Neutral Grounds battle plan is set up and they wanted her opinion on the plan. After all it was her home. Looking over the entire Tanya called and contacted over to an army commander to send more reinforcements there. One that was over and done with Aria told them to get some more training in and to relax a little.

    Though all of Ryker’s wounds were fully healed he still wasn’t himself. Though he was not himself his skills were not affected in the least. Lotus worked on fighting with him. Match watched them as Lotus turned her body to dodge the attacks one after another. Jiro was watching in the corner for any mistakes that the two made and yelling it out when he found them.

      “Switch,” Jiro yelled out taking two of his swords and walking over to Ryker. Lotus took a seat next to Match to watch them train. Match saw how Jiro took down Ryker fast. Saying something under his breath that only Lotus could hear, and Ryker catching it with his good hearing. Walking over to where they were sitting he pointed the blade at him.

    “You want to repeat that?” asked the demon.

    “I wasn’t saying anything bad about your skills,” said Match smiling. “It’s just the way Lotus brags about you I would think your skills would be better.”

     “That’s saying something bad,” Ryker pointed it. “Now I dare you to repeat that one more time.”

     “Rather not,” said Match scooting further away. “Would Lotus like it if you cut me down?”

    “Stop bringing her into this. What did she do?”

    “Nothing at all. Just saying—“

    He was cut off by Lotus standing up. “Look both of you, we are training. We are not fighting. So either both of you leave or I leave.” For a moment the two looked at one another, trying to decide if it was the best idea if they fought one another. For a minute they just stared at each other. Smiling Lotus walked to the door. “I’ll make the decision for you.”

    Slamming the door shut Jiro slapped both boys in the back of the heads for being idiots, which they are. Lotus didn’t want to be around people that talked about her when she wasn’t there. Walking around the city she looked at all the little shops that were open. Climbing on a wall she watched what was ahead of her. The mountains were just ahead of her. Behind her were people she had left behind. She wished that she had brought Blake and Andrew. They would love a safe place to live, instead of being secret and worrying weather or not demons would attack them. Best to live in Terra where you would be safe. Thinking back to the flower he gave her it had wilted and petals fallen off. Taking a deep breath she spoke out loud. “Flowers wilt and there is nothing to do about it. Just like me. One day I will wilt and be scattered.” Looking at the scare she clutched her hand into a fist. “Until that day happens no one will erase me.”

    Lying on the giant stonewall she closed her eyes, waiting for something to happen. Though these kinds of days didn’t come around she loved them, sleeping and not having to worry about living from an attack. Feeling the wind blow over her tired body Lotus fell asleep smiling.

    Dusk came to be and Jiro was running fast to the blind spot of Terra, where Lotus was sleeping. Climbing up there he shook the half-breed awake. He had said that Shun received word that an army was coming to attack Terra. He had informed her that there was armor waiting for her in her room. Running to the room Ryker was waiting in there. He had armor that was black with a wolf’s head on the shoulder. They rest of the armor went down to the feet. Lotus looked at the armor that was in her room. It was black with a lotus flower painted on it. Normally armor would create contrasting movements, but the way it didn’t feel like that at all. It fit perfectly on each part of her body. She refused to put on the helmet, so did Ryker. Practicing fighting in the armor for a little bit she felt like she could take on anyone she wished. 

    Aria that night called her men that just a few days ago an army was sent from Ryoku to attack Terra. Shun explained who they thought might be there, but he didn’t mention Than Row. After he mentioned those Aria and Leah broke everyone into different squadrons on different parts of the surrounding walls. Everyone got ready for another battle between demons and humans. Could this be the battle to determine who would have Terra?  Is this a deciding factor in who would win this war? All that the men and women knew as that it might be their last day.

     Lotus was waiting at the blind side of Terra with Ryker and Jiro. Match was placed at a different guarding point. Aria had cut off all the power in the city so the army wouldn’t see them waiting. It was dark and late, around two in the morning. Lotus leaned against Ryker falling asleep a little. He tapped her head a little. Normally this way Lotus would feel nervous and anxious, but when Ryker was around she felt calm and safe, feelings that were only around with him. While Lotus slept Ryker said to her, “Don’t worry. I’m here.”

   

       The alarm went off around five in the morning letting them know that the demon army was approaching. Lotus looked out to see them.  A wave of fear went over Lotus. What if Yasha could be with them? What would she do then? Ryker could tell she was getting nervous, on edge again.

     “Just remember that it’s like every other battle we’ve fought in,” said Ryker smiling at her. He knew this would calm her words.

      “I know,” said Lotus gripping her fans. “But Yasha could be with them. What do I do is our blades meet?”

      “You’ll rescue him,” answered the demon. “It’s as simple as that.”

      “I hope you’re right.”

      “Lo, remember that I’ll protect you.” Ryker said looking at her red eyes. “Because no one will protect you, but me.”

     Staring into his green eyes of him it seemed different that before. Like there was a light she had never seen in them before, until now. Suddenly she heard the sound of her heart beat louder when looking into them. Breaking their gaze Lotus opened up her fans. She was ready for battle. A loud ringing went through the air as the first shot was fired. Before anyone could react Lotus fell off the wall. Ryker tried to reach down to save her, but she landed on her back. Getting up Lotus gave him thumbs up that she wasn’t wounded. The armor protected her from the bullet. Demons gave loud cries of war. Ryker jumped to the other side of the wall. Now the fight for Terra began now.

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It's a short chapter. Nice, semi-sweet, and nothing too eventful going on. Anyways thank you for reading! Don't forget to vote, like, commnent, and fan! Thank you!!