Nightmare

Chapter 25

You and your siblings are playing in a grassy field a ways away from your house. Gaia had wanted to practice her abilities, so she had yanked you and your brother from bed to head to a space that would give her the area she needed to practice.

You are resting on a towel you had brought, watching as Gaia continuously slams her foot to the ground, causing the dirt to rumble, but not quite get the effect she was after. After every failed attempt, she huffs and glares at the dirt.

"How long until she gives up?" Echo questions from beside you, watching your sister with a teasing glint.

You shrug. "Maybe an hour? I'm honestly surprised she's been at it this long."

"I'll go for less than thirty minutes," he hums. "Whoever loses has to do the dishes for a week?"

You look at his outstretched hand, then shake it.

Almost immediately after, Gaia comes stomping up to the two of you, causing you to groan in annoyance. Echo cackles as soon as Gaia comes to sit beside him.

"Damn it Gaia."

She looks at you, confused. You just shake your head, silently telling her not to ask.

"Was it you kids making that fucking noise?"

All three heads turn quickly, looking towards the voice. You find a woman, sword strapped to her side, standing a few feet behind you with a teasing smile.

You stand immediately, turning to her. "I don't know what you are talking about."

The lady just laughs. "You're pretty defensive for a kid."

"I was told that strangers aren't safe," you say immediately.

She raises her hands. "I was just interested in the loud ass noises coming from here. Didn't expect to see a couple of kids here. Especially not one who was making the ground shake."

Gaia crosses her arms, shrinking in on herself.

"So what are you?" The woman questions, her hands dropping again and one landing on the hilt of her sword.

"Human."

"Bullshit," The woman chuckles, eyes narrowing. "Cause I've heard of a few kids, one like your sister there that have abilities like that. What were they called?"

She bring sher free hand up to cup her jaw. "Oh right, Heliones."

Your eyes widen while your brother stands, blocking Gaia from view and moving to your side. "What's that?"

"Something I hunt."

Your eyes move to the hilt of her sword, the symbol engraved there flashing in the sunlight. Her hand wraps tighter around the handle, pulling the sword from its scabbard and your hands move without thinking. They cup together, the small shadow that is formed rushes to the lady, wrapping around her wrist and keeping the sword from being fully freed.

"Well isn't that an interesting gift," she chuckles, looking at your shadow with intrigue. "I've never met a helione with a dark ability. I can't imagine the rest of the village you live in likes that."

You shrink in on yourself.

"Anyways, you can let me go," she hums, motioning to her wrist. "I'm not planning on killing a bunch of kids today."

She begins to back up and you let the shadow fall from her. Once she is out of eyesite, the three of you pack up as quickly as possible, heading back to your house.