The New Light of Hope: Books I to VI.

Chapter XIX: The Strange Being.

Aurora:

One night we were coming back from the forest, though, by the time we were done, it was already dark out and we had to stay close to Summer as she led us through the darkness at the night. "Now stay close to me, kids." She told us. "And stay where I can hear and see you, gotta make sure you all come home safe and sound."

"All right, we definitely won't wander off." Jemma said, looking around as she walked next to Sadie.
We were all a bit scared walking back home in the dark and mainly because we were out late that night but we of course had to come home, for our parents were probably worried if we were safe or not. "My mom's probably really worried about me right now." Amethyst said.

Summer: "Don't worry, kid. I'll make sure to tell all your parents why y'all didn't come home before dark. Once we get back home, of course."

Amethyst: "Thanks, Summer."

Summer: "Yeah, yeah, don't sweat it, kid. It's not like I have anything else better to do with my life."

Everything was going well until we heard the sound of footsteps coming from somewhere, alerting all of us instantly. "W- what's that noise?" Sadie asked. "I don't know, but you kids get behind me. And quickly!" Summer ordered us. We did exactly what she told us to do. At that moment, I grabbed my fencing foil-I had always carried it whenever I was with my friends in of an emergency, like my mother, who carried one around with her during the infection and used it to defeat an entire army of infected soldiers, alongside my father as well.
We stood behind Summer at all times and did stayed right where we were as she led the way, we then saw a creature of sorts; it was a human with light brownish skin and dark brown hair, an orange highlight, a blueish purple shirt with green at the bottom, one black wing with blue on the inside, a white boned wing with green near the end of it black and orange torn sleeves with black and red wool shoulder coverings, an orange armor vest on his upper chest area, a purple scarf, an orange scorpion-like tail, a torn orange cape with black at the bottom, torn orange pants, orange and purple boot with orange and dark orange bands around them, an orange and black garment around his waste, and black and orange eyes with yellow pupils with green around them. On his face was some sort of green substance and on his right eye was a blue marking, his eyes also gave off some sort of strange red and green glow as well.
"What is that thing, Summer?" Sadie asked, fear shaking through her chords. "I don't know but all of you get behind me. And quickly!" Summer ordered us. We did exactly what she told us to do, and as an extra safety precaution, I grabbed my fencing foil, in which I had carried with me at all times in I needed to use it, like my mother, who carried one around with her during the infection and she used the same sword to defeat an entire army of infected soldiers, alongside my father, of course. All of us were cautious and scared and we thought that he would not see us-but apparently, he did, and he came straight towards us. "And just where are you ladies heading off to in such a hurry at this time?" He asked in a malicious and evil tone. "Don't you realize that it's dangerous out here? Are you all in need of any... assistance by any means?"
"No, we're perfectly fine!" Summer retorted. "And you best leave me and these girls alone alone!"

Figure: "They're not even blood related in anyway."

Summer: "Only four separate girls in this group, but other than that, no. But it is I who's in charge of protecting them. So, back off! We don't know even who you are anyway!"

Nathaniel: "Who am I? Well, they call me Nathaniel, or Nathan for short. I'm the second-in-command for The Iniquitous One, but I'll be happy to help you all if any of you are interested."

Summer: "Don't know who he is, but like I said, we are not interested and this is practically a trap. Just get lost already and leave us alone!"

Nathaniel: "Hm, I see. Even more weak and pathetic slubberdegullions out here."

"Weak and Pathetic, you say?" A voice asked, we turned to see that it was Bella who was speaking. She then got from behind us and went up to him. "Because it sounds to me like you're trying your best to manipulate us into join something we don't wanna be part of. But guess what? It ain't happenin'!"

Summer: "Bellatrix..."

Nathaniel: "Well, if it isn't a little pipsqueak rabbit talking."

Bellatrix: "I may be short for my age, but I'll have you know that I'm still growing! And I won't have some demonic being come right up to me and my friends tempting them into doing something that could being about our fate's! So, ya best leave. Now!"

"Why, you little--" he raised one of his claws up. "Put your claws away!" Bella snarled. "Now, surely you wouldn't a child, now would you? Or even a woman at that? Would you?"

Nathaniel: "Ha! You're the one to talk! And exactly are you so worried about this? You're not even an adult!"

Summer: "No. But I am!"

Nathaniel: "Pardon?"

Summer: "You heard me correctly! And she's right; surely you wouldn't hit a woman, would you? Or even a teenager? These girls here are not only my responsibility, but they're my allies and if you try anything with any of us, there will be consequences!"

Amethyst: "Ooh, so she considers us as her allies?"

Aurora: "Hush, Amethyst!"

Nathaniel: "Oh, really? If that's the case then I guess there'd be no harm in killing a bunch of–"

Bellatrix: "I wouldn't think twice about it if I were you, mister. That's considered a crime, you know? So, I'd suggest not to do so, or there's gonna be some very sticky business here on this very spot right where we're standing! I've known my friends for almost a good four whole years now and if you decide to harm us, we'll harm you in return. And we're not gonna ask you again, leave us alone and just go home so that way we can go home ourselves!"

He looked at them and furious said: "You know what? Fine! I'll leave all of you alone for now, but just know that this is war you will see me again sooner than you think!"

Bellatrix: "Oh, yeah? Well, we'll just see about that and if so, then I can assure you that you're not going to win no matter how hard you try."

Nathaniel: "Hmph! I can guarantee you that no matter what you try, we will always find ways to come back stronger than before even if you least expect it."

Summer: "Just leave already!"

Nathaniel: "All right. As you wish. But, I will be back and I will bring extras with me as well."

And he disappeared into the night. After he left, Summer turned to look at Bella. "Well, I must say that I am impressed to say the least with the fact you spoke up to help out, Bellatrix." She said. "I know for a fact that all of you posses great bravery deep inside of you, and I know that you all will use those efforts for good reasons. And yes, while we aren't really friends, all of you are my allies."

"I believe it." Amethyst replied.

And as it turns out, Summer was right; we were all brave even if we did not know about it ourselves. Though, Amethyst still did not look up to her, they would later get along well.