From Dusk to Dust (Destiny Fan Fiction)

11-Rebirth

AN: This chapter is dedicated to @WillThecoolestidiot for commenting and loving my story! Sorry the song is short!

Green.

Everything outside of the cave was such a lavish green. Grass covered the land except for a small dirt trail. Vines trailed up the cliffs and the odd rock formations that stood high above the ground. Some stood straight up, curved, or rubbed against each other for support. Trees shaded the area with full leaves from the scorching sun. The sun was closer than usual, thus providing more heat. The air itself was humid and smelled of different smells. It reminded Alaura of the time she went hiking in a jungle with Kai. The trio followed the dirt path to their right in search for assistance.

"Help!" Alaura yelled as loud as she could. There had to be someone here. They trudged on, lugging Tanis along with them. He slowly closed his eyes and drew a few short breaths. Blood from his nose dripped onto his shirt, mixing in with the dirt and smoke that left stains. Alaura glanced at Tanis and reassured him, "It's going to be okay. We're going to get you help."

"Alaura, he isn't going to last much long-"

She cut Malachi off in an instant in a stern voice, "Don't you dare say that. He is our friend. We are going to do everything in our power to help him. Do you hear me?" This was an innocent, ill man. She wasn't going to let him go down that easily. He was their team member, after all. Team members stuck together. I wonder how Kai and the rest are doing... She contemplated for a second.

Malachi was a bit taken aback by her tenaciousness. His brown eyes widened for a split second. "Yes ma'am," Malachi mumbled under his breath. He got a better grip on Tanis to carry him better.

Alaura spotted a few people observing the plant life far ahead of them. She smiled triumphantly, knowing Tanis would be okay and help was on the way. She called out to them urgently, "Help! We need help! Please!" When they came closer, she elaborated more, "Our friend is sick and needs medical attention stat." The people nodded and ushered them to their vehicle. Alaura and Malachi stared at the vehicle for a second in confusion.

The car hovered above the ground.

The driver yelled at them to hop in, and Alaura and Malachi hesitated. They glanced at each other for a second and got in the car. The driver quickly sped off. Everything blurred outside of the open windows and wind whipped through their hair. The whole place seemed to be a jungle, which only made Alaura and Malachi internally question where they were.

The passenger turned back to face the trio and questioned, "So where are you guys from?"

Alaura glanced between Malachi and Tanis, not knowing if she should reveal a specific spot. Too much information could be dangerous, especially when they have no clue what country they're in. She pursed her lips and answered simply, "The United States."

The man smiled and a gleam of excitement flashed across his eyes. "No way! You're from Earth. That's awesome! How is it there?"

Malachi arched an eyebrow and flexed his jaw in confusion. If they weren't on Earth, then where were they? The man looked harmless enough. Their surroundings, however, could prove dangerous if need be. Not knowing the terrain is always bad. He tried hard not to grit his teeth as he asked, "Excuse me? Are we not on Earth?"

The man shook his head and responded, "No dude. You're at Ishtar Collective, Venus. We're pulling up to the academy now." The driver stopped the car abruptly in a parking spot at their destination.

Venus... The word echoed in Alaura and Malachi's minds and created an unsettling feeling within them. They were on a completely different planet. First the future, and now this? They tried to contain their disbelief and wonder, but it all became overwhelming. They stepped out of the vehicle to allow the two men to take Tanis and gazed around.