Clans: beginning of the end

What's happening?

Sunny opened her eyes and looked around. She was in an area that appeared to be a desert. There was nothing but dust for miles. "Hello?" She called. With tentative steps, she ventured forth, wondering if she was in a dream. It felt so real. With each step she took into the deserted land, her senses heightened. Suddenly, a faint movement in the periphery of her vision caused her to freeze. It was a human figure. "Hello?" She called out. "What are you?" She inquired, taking another step closer. The figure turned to face her, but the dust covered their face. "Fate is in your hands." They stated.

Sunny jolted awake. It was already morning. She blinks slowly, feeling disoriented. "Who was that?" She whispered to herself. She looked up into a mirror; her eyes were a iridescent silver colour. They were dragon eyes. "What the...?" She whispered, getting up. Sunny approached the mirror, her eyes fixated on her own. Sunny's fingers lightly brushed the cool surface of the mirror as she leaned forward, her eyes intently studying the mirror's reflection. A vision suddenly flashed in her mind. Bloodshed. She quickly blinked away the vision, her eyes returning to their standard hue.

"Is something wrong, Sunny?" Gaby asked walking into the room. "Oh, yeah. I'm okay." Sunny assured, trying not to let her voice waver. Gaby placed her hand on Sunny forehead for a moment. "I'm not sick." Sunny mumbled. "You're acting like it." Gaby replied. "How's your injury feeling?" She queried. "It's fine, I think." Sunny replied, checking her side. "What actually happened last night?" Gaby pried. "Exactly what I told you. I got into trouble, that's it." Sunny insisted, feeling a lump in her throat. "I've known you since you were born, sweetheart. I know you're lying." Gaby replied. "What happened?" She asked again.

Sunny sighed, knowing that arguing was pointless. "I was attacked by an outlaw." She muttered, lowering her head. "What?" Gaby gasped. "It wasn't too bad. I mean, I got rid of him." Sunny said quickly, leaving Hazel out of the story. "And what made you think it was good to keep this from your mother?" Gaby scolded. "Because I handled it." Sunny protested. "And mom's already stressed enough anyway." She added. "Nevertheless, you can't keep this from her." Gaby disputed. "If you aren't going to tell her, I will." She threatened. "Fine." Sunny huffed. She stormed out of the medical room. Gaby sighed as she watched Sunny storm off.

Emma walked in as Sunny shoved past her. "What happened?" She asked turning to Gaby. Emma was also a close friend of the queen and Gaby's wife. "She was attacked by an outlaw and she's upset that I told her to tell her mother." Gaby explained, crossing her arms. "Knowing Sunny, she's not telling her Anetha about this." Emma stated. "Well, we are." Gaby replied. "Anetha's her mother. She needs to know." She added. With a resolute nod of agreement, Emma and Gaby headed to Anetha's study.

Emma knocked on the door. "Hey, Anetha? There's something you need to know." She said from outside the door. "Come in." Anetha responded calmly. Emma and Gaby steeled themselves before entering Anetha's study. Anetha turned her chair to face her friends. "What's wrong?" She inquired, her eyes catching the subtle twitch in their demeanour. "Well, the trouble your daughter was in involved an outlaw." Gaby revealed. "What?" Anetha gasped. "Did she tell you that?" She asked, feeling a flash of anger. Gaby nodded, shifting her gaze away from Anetha's. Emma puts a comforting hand on Gaby's shoulder.

Anetha's anger flared as she stormed to Sunny's room, her fists pounding on the door. Startled by the incessant banging, Sunny hastily scrambled to her feet and unlocked the door, her mother standing outside. "What's wrong, mom?" She asked, keeping her voice steady. "Why didn't you tell me you were attacked by an outlaw?" Anetha questioned with a mix of anger and concern. Sunny froze, trying to think of a cover story. Her mother's fury would intensify if she revealed her clandestine meet with a member of a another clan. "Sunny?" Anetha's assertive voice broke through Sunny's introspective bubble. Sunny cleared her throat nervously before speaking. "I'm sorry I lied, but I'm fine." She apologised, not meeting her mother's gaze. "Fine? You came home bleeding." Anetha argued. "Sunny, if something happened to you..." she trailed off, her stomach twisting in fear of the thought.

"My queen?" Amelia called. Amelia is not only a warrior, but the queen's girlfriend as well. Anetha took a deep breath. "Yes, Amelia?" She responded, briefly meeting Amelia's gaze. "You have a meeting now." Amelia reminded her nervously. Anetha gave a small nod and turned back to her daughter. "You're grounded." She said in a low, scolding tone. "What?" Sunny mumbled in disbelief. "You don't go out your room at all for the rest of the day unless it's urgent or you're called." Anetha instructed with a cold glare. Without another word, Anetha walked away. Sunny let out a guttural of annoyance and marched to her room in a huff.

She sank onto her bed and let out a frustrated sigh. Seconds after, she heard a knock, the door opened to reveal her older sister, Mia. "Hey." She said softly. "Hey." Sunny responded curtly. "Why'd mom ground you?" Mia asked, leaning against the door frame. "Because she's paranoid." Sunny replied harsher than intended. "Is it because you snuck out?" Mia asked, sitting on the edge of Sunny's bed. "I didn't sneak out!" Her younger sister protested sharply. "I told Matthew I was getting fresh air. Didn't he tell mom?" She asked, turning to face her sister. "No. When mom asked him where you were he said he didn't know and thought you were in your room." Mia explained. Sunny narrowed her eyes. "Why'd he lie?" She asked. "Why'd you lie?" Mia asked, ignoring her question. "What do you mean?" Sunny questioned, Playing dumb. "Sunny, you're my sister, I know when you're lying." Mia clarified. "Besides, if you wanted fresh air, you could just open a window." She added. Sunny hesitated; she didn't want to tell Mia the truth, but she knew her sister would find out eventually anyway. "If I tell you, promise you won't tell anyone else." Sunny ordered. "Fine." Her sister promised. "I was seeing a girl." Sunny revealed without meeting Mia's gaze.

Mia's eyes widened in surprise. "Since when did you have a crush?" She asked with a teasing grin. "She isn't a crush!" Sunny quickly protested. "She's... a friend." She added. Mia rolled her eyes with a knowing smile. "Sure. What's her name?" She asked, with a proud and excited expression. "Hazel Keating." Sunny answered, shifting her gaze once more. Mia's smile faded and she raised an eyebrow. "As in the daughter of Lexi and Emily Keating?" She inquired. When Sunny nodded, Mia's expression became more serious. "Maybe you didn't know, but she's from Water Clan." She stated. "I know. That's why I didn't say anything." Sunny muttered, keeping her head low. "Of course you'd fall in love with someone from another clan." Mia sighed, shaking her head. "I told you, I don't love her. Plus, what would you know about love? Your girlfriend sexually abuses you for power." Sunny said harshly. Mia tensed and glanced away. Sunny softened her gaze in guilt. "I'm sorry." She apologised softly. "It's fine." Her sister responded dismissively. "I'll talk to you later." She muttered, getting up and leaving Sunny's room. Sunny let out a guilty sigh and laid back down.