The Crown Of Fire

Aria XIV

She'd helped the two children into their armors. But they were still sad. Nothing would do well to help them.

A memorial was held for Omdrus the night they brought his body back. Everyone was so sad. And Aria felt grief at his death, but she didn't cry. There was no time for it.

She watched as Octavia clung to Alexander tightly. Her tears never seemed to stop. Of all the siblings that she'd seen, if one cried, they'd laugh and make jokes and tease them. There was no room for sadness in their lives. But Alexander didn't seem to mind comforting the girl. He put his arm around his little sister, letting his hand settle between her shoulder blades.

Aria could tell that he wanted to cry as well. But he didn't. She knew it was a choice. But she couldn't for the life of her understand why it was. Even Edward had no problem crying. But of course, she also knew that there was more to Alexander than what met the eye.

More to him than he was willing to let anyone know.

The battle was set for the next morning. And though, it seemed wrong to even think about it at that time, she wondered if the otherworlders were even ready for what was to come. None of them knew the chaos that came with battle.

None of them knew the smell.

The smell of death. Of fear. Of blood.

The memorial lasted until dark. And then they all went about their routines. Though, the four prophesized ones walked through the camp. Eddie walked freely, sadly. And Octavia gripped her brother's hand tight in hers.

Suddenly, the older boy stopped and turned to his sister. He got down to her level and offered a sad smile. He wiped her tears away with his gloved thumb. "Why don't you go to bed, Tavi? I'll be along in a minute." She nodded slowly and hugged him tightly before walking off slowly. "Eddie, will you go with her, please?"

Eddie gave a nod as well before following the girl. Alexander sighed. "I can't let them fight now."

"I know it seems that way-" Aria began.

"No." Alexander cut her off. He was firm. "They can't fight. Didn't you see Octavia? She can barely speak."

"That's all the more reason. Heartbreak is a way of life," the auburn-haired girl told him. "Death is a way of life."

"Not like that," Alexander stated. "They watched her stab him. And then they dragged his body back here. It's madness to let them fight. Where I come from something like this would have them put in white cells forever."

"They are children, Alexander," Aria told him. "Not glass dolls, ready to shatter at a mere bump. They will be ready for tomorrow. It is their destiny. It is what he died for."

"That's enough, Aria!" the black-haired boy snapped. He was getting upset. He didn't like to see his sister like that. "You don't understand. Our worlds are very different. But our people do not experience things like that on a common basis. I can't let them fight because every time I look at their little faces, my heart breaks for them. And I know that a battle with so much bloodshed will not be good for them."

"You don't think my heart doesn't break for them?" Aria questioned. "It does. Eight has a special place in my heart. As does Edward. As do you. You're all my friends, you're all the closest thing to family I'll ever have. I do not want to send them into battle, but this is what destiny requires. What the gods require. It is what must be done to save the realm from destruction."

He knew she was right. She had conviction in her tone that made him know that she was right. And he felt bad for snapping at her.

But he really didn't want his broken-hearted baby sister to go into a battle.

~

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