Classy, Controlled Chaos - The STEAM Team Adventures

🥀 Wither [2/6] 🥀

Tia's POV:

After I dismissed my little meeting with Blanco and Nyx, I decided to head over to where Addison, Marshall, and Sophii were staying in the palace.

The shadowshifter was sitting in the middle of the hallway, restlessly swiveling her ears and looking around.

"What's wrong, Sophii?" I asked, approaching the cat. "You're supposed to be in the room with Marshall and Addison. Is something wrong?"

She gave me a quiet meow, taking a step away from me.

I didn't notice that she needed space, and I knelt down in front of her. "Do you need-"

White-hot pain exploded through my entire face as her sharp claws sliced through my skin, scoring through the first slash of my signature x scar.

I let out a scream of both agony and shock, backing toward the wall and clutching my face.

Adrenaline coursed through my veins as my fight-or-flight response kicked in, forcing me to draw my trident with my free hand and shield myself with my tail.

It should really be called fight-or-fight, since fleeing is simply a cowardly response.

Blinded in a fit of rage and pain, I speared my RipTrident into the ground where Sophii was, missing her tiny body by a fraction of an inch.

My vision went red, tainted with splotches of my own royal blue blood.

Arthur charged out of his room, his sword and shield drawn as he saw the gruesome scene unfold.

"Tia!" He breathed, dropping his weapons and staring at me. "What in the world happened?!"

I stood there, squeezing my eyes and trying to force the excruciating pain out of my head; The adrenaline couldn't overpower it... But the anger sure did.

Forcing myself to keep standing, I took another swing at Sophii, unable to stop myself.

I felt a pair of strong hands wrap themselves around me, successfully pinning my hands to my sides and keeping me still.

"Stop fighting back," My mentor grunted, struggling to keep me from lunging at the cat. "She was scared and didn't want to hurt you. You're heading to the infirmary."

With a sharp tug, he grabbed my trident, tossing it to the side.

I felt my heart pounding in my head as blood flowed toward the site of injury, trying to stop the bleeding.

Still in a daze, I writhed in his grip, trying to free myself and get back at the shadowshifter.

"Tia, quit." He snapped, looking me in the eyes. "If you keep moving, it'll only get worse."

I saw Addison and Marshall staring at me in my peripheral vision.

They were both watching the event unfold, one in horror, and one in curiosity.

The phoenix had a fiery wing covering his counterpart's face, trying to stop her from seeing my face all bloody.

"Drama with my friend, and you didn't tell me?!" Addison quietly mock-gasped to him, doing her best to seem shocked. "Marshie, how could you?"

"Let's be respectful and give them some space..." Marshall sighed, turning around and beckoning her to follow. "Could you read me one more book chapter? I like hearing your voice when you read; It's boring when I hear myself."

They both silently went back into the guest room, leaving the door slightly propped open.

I saw Sophii pad toward the door, casting me a look of remorse as she followed them.