Rising Heroes Book Four: The Sands of Ouroboros

Chapter Eleven: Gone, Girl

Disclaimer: I don't own HOO or VE

Chapter Eleven: Gone, Girl

Phoenix had spent a lot of her life fighting.

She had two older sisters, brazen Zoe, who always fought harder than anyone else, and Pearl, the epitome of the perfect daughter. From the start they knew that Zoe was different; both Pearl and Phoenix had hair like precious stones, while Zoe's was mousy brown; both Pearl and Phoenix looked like both their parents, while Zoe looked like only their mother.

Phoenix had to learn to control her powers at an early age. Unlike Grigori, she had her powers from birth, and they could be extremely destructive. If she threw a temper tantrum, she could rain lightning down on the house. If she got upset, wind could blow the trees away.

Her mother had called in her Aunt Skye, who taught her how to use her powers. But it was still hard to figure everything out.

It was easier for her sisters- Zoe was a powerful dream walker, even communing with her angels like her great-grandmother, and Pearl had powers over healing and empathy. Phoenix only had powers over destruction.

Phoenix didn't get along well with her father. After he had  settled down, he had decided that just because his rebellious phase was awful none of them were allowed to have unsactioned adventures. He was so worried about keeping her safe, he never really let her live. Her mother understood her wayward spirit; her father, despite having wings, did not. Still, some of her best memories were when he took her on flights.

Still, watching Leviathan slowly wear down her Grigori community after years of thinking they were safe broke her heart. She hadn't been strong enough, and in the end most of their parents were killed trying to fight and stop him. And it hadn't worked.

Violet, Lincoln, Griffin, Spence, Zoe, Salvatore, Mia, Chloe, Carter, Lily, Roc, James, Andi, Beth, Seb... all dead. And she still remembered her father's last words when she had tried to fight and he had shielded her from the killing blow- "I love you."

She hadn't loved him nearly enough at the time. She would learn to love him better now. She would save her whole family.

It was her grandfather, Phoenix, who understood her best. They had adventures together, and he told her old tales about how he had been an exile. He called her "Nixie," and it had caught on. And it was her grandfather who had captured her now.

Phoenix watched Nixie as she sat beside her grandmother in the hold of his boat, never taking his eyes off of her gold hair and eyes. She had been used to such attention her whole life- she had impossibly pale gold hair the color of sunlight and peachy gold-pink eyes that shone like fire in the light. "Who are you?" he asked for the fourth time.

Nixie shook her head. She hadn't spoken since his exiles had gotten the jump on her and her and Violet had been stuffed away. Phoenix rolled his eyes.

"You're not Lilith," he said.

"No," Nixie said. "I'm not."

Phoenix sighed and stood up. "Have it your way," he said. Then he rushed towards her, fast as wind.

On impulse, Nixie put her hands out. A gust of her own wind burst forth, pushing Phoenix into the wall. He started to laugh. "You're like me," he said. "Lilith's daughter."

Nixie resisted the urge to roll her eyes. The amount of Grigori- or even Nephilim- who mistook her for Lilith's daughter was both ridiculous and annoying. But this time, she would have to play along. "Hello, brother," she said.

Phoenix sat back, looking smug. "You're here to help me? I'm going to bring her back, you know."

"Oh yes," she lied.

"How did you survive?" Phoenix asked. "I thought most of Lilith's Nephilim were killed."

"My father was a Grigori," Nixie said. "I know, horrific. But it gave me the strength to endure."

"Hm," Phoenix did not look convinced, but as the boat pulled to a stop he did not question her further. "Come with me," he said.

He led her to the top of the boat, and she gazed out at the poisonously blue water. Leviathan was so close. She was right there.

"Three to the water," Phoenix quoted, gesturing to the exiles chained to the hull.

"Do you know what's down there?" Nixie asked.

Phoenix gave a noncommital shrug. "A horrible beast," he said. "But one that has slumbered for years. You need not worry."

Nixie was contemplating diving into the water when there was a bang from below. "She's up," Phoenix said.

Violet charged up the stairs and launched herself at Phoenix. She went for a kick, taking Phoenix by surprise, by she was clearly disoriented and Phoenix's next blow knocked her down. He sat on top of her, one arm pinned by his leg and the other pulled back, one of her legs pinned as well.

"Get off me!" Violet said.

"Only if you agree," Phoenix said. "I need you to sacrifice these exiles to the water."

"No," Violet said, still struggling.

"If you don't," Phoenix said, "I will make sure that everyone you love suffers. Your father, Stef..."

Violet paled, then finally nodded. Phoenix climbed off of her.

Violet stood and regarded Nixie carefully. "Who are you?" She asked. "You're... your Nephilim. But you're Grigori, too."

Nixie nodded. "It's complicated," she said.

Violet shook her head, then turned to the exiles Phoenix had procured. One by one she returned them to the water.

Nixie watched, half in horror and half in fascination. Should she stop it? Should she keep going? She had heard of these stories for so long, it felt surreal to actually be witnessing it. Did Phoenix and Violet realize that even though they wouldn't end up together, they would have a shared family?

As Violet dispatched the last exile, Nixie made a mad dash for the water.

And before she could stop herself, she jumped in.