Earth and Sky

Chapter 14

Araquiel

I slam into a couple of trees as I'm dragged through the forest. This magic, is stronger then anything else I've ever seen. Finally, the ribbons stop pulling me. I sit up, aware that I am being watched. I look around, entranced by the patterns of the forest.

"Look what I dragged in."

I turn around to see a young man approach me.

"I'm Shadow. You don't need to introduce yourself my dear. Your the heir to the Earth Kingdom, Her highness, Princess Araquiel." He mock bows to me. "Do you know what your name means princess? It come from the angel that rules over the Earth. That seems like a lot of power. A power you don't happen to have."

"Well at least I'm not a sick psycho who kills people for fun."

He chuckles. "Not just fun my dear." He rubs his index finger and thumb together and leans towards me. "Money."

He starts to circle me. "Now how should I kill this pretty, fragile princess? Poison? Beheading? Should I even try to do it in public? Mother Earth knows I have enough money."

"Why do you even do this? Why does this bring you pleasure?"

"Because I don't like the royal family. They ignore their subjects, and take all the commoners hard earned money for themselves."

I scoff. "What kingdom are you from? I don't have any extra wealth. The four kingdoms have the least amount of taxes of any other country."

He shakes his head, madness showing in his eyes. "No my dear. All of you are the same. ALL OF YOU!" He starts screaming and I scoot back to put as much distance between us. "You took my parents, you took my love! You don't care about anyone!"

His hand cracks against my face and everything turns black.

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Scarlet

I charge into the forest, trying to keep up with the water ribbons that took Araquiel away. Zeru quickly passes me, rushing ahead so quickly that it's not long until I loose him too. I try to keep heading into the same general direction I was heading in before but I see no signs that she was taken this way. I slow until I halt, completely lost.

I stare at my hands. I can make water do my biding, but I've never seen that before.

I reach my arm out, pulling the dew off of the trees and grass. It's a small mass, but it should work. I make it as thin as I can, but it's still not thin enough. I try to whip it around but I end up just sending little chunks of water in different directions.

I sigh and release the water. We have no clue who this other man may be. If only I was faster.

Suddenly a voice rips through the one serene forest.

"ALL OF YOU!"

I jump, shivers crawling up my spine.

'Araquiel!'

I rush in the direction I heard the voice first come from. I hear some more yelling but I can't make out what he is saying. I'm much closer now and I start to hear what the man is saying.

"It's a shame I have to kill you in public my dear." I look around a tree and see a young man caressing Araquiel's face. Her limp body lies in his arms. Wings sprout from his back and he lifts off into the air.

I rub into the clearing, grabbing water from passing trees.

"Araquiel!"

I freeze the water and hurtle it towards him. He doesn't even look, just waves his hand and sends my ammunition flying in the opposite direction. I run underneath him and he glares at me.

"Oh, it's the Flame Fairy that controls water, Princess Nobody cares. But don't worry, I'll be back for you too."

And with that, Araquiel is taken away from me for the second time today.