The Riches of Power

A Tranquil Moment

POV Ryder

We had started moving to towards the hills, planning to move into the depths of a forest a few miles ahead. Everyone had expected Taryn to flee as soon as we had cut off her chain, but when she didn't leave Charles had asked why. She got all tense again and started muttering angrily in a different language, Charles had understood her rage filled words. I've determined that he can understand demonic tongues, but it still makes me somewhat distrustful. He proceeded by responding in the same tongue. Pieper asked how he understood, but he seemed confused and didn't give a legitimate answer.

In the end Taryn was going to follow us because she had nowhere to be. Elaina had determined that we would go nowhere near the road, and that it wouldn't be long till they sent a Traipse or Gargoyle, the flying bat like creatures. Those were apparently their main tracking demons. However Elaina did note that Gargoyles could only see at night and the sun weakened most demons in general. Fortunate for us the black east sky was beginning to melt into a beautiful fiery red tinge.

As we reached the trees I asked "Where are we even going?" the reality that we just trusted Elaina for no legitimate reason was beginning to set in. I found myself a little agitated.

"I'm taking you to a sanctuary" She answered "You should be safe there" She mumbled to herself.

As we continued forward I realized that I had been staring at Riley. I blinked back, and blushed to myself and kept my gaze at my feet. Soon my black leather lace up boots crunched any of the fallen green leaves and twigs of the forest. We were now surrounded by foliage, and natural sounds. The large oak trees that surrounded us stood strong, gently waving at us as we passed. The scurrying of a squirrel wasn't unusual and the woodland sung with bird song. 'It is unbelievable to know that such misery and horror could lie so close to this place of tranquility and peace...' I allowed myself to lose myself to the world around me.

POV Charles

As we walked, my sight was clouded with millions of questions and thoughts. 'Why didn't they follow after us? Did I understand and speak in a demon's language? What's actually going on?' I had the acute feeling that we were a part of something bigger than we thought. I frustrated myself when I tried to remember anything before the warehouse. 'Why can't I just know who I am?'

My tangent of thoughts was interrupted when we came to a stop at a small lagoon. Everyone had been talking around me, but I never actually interpreted any of their words. "We'll lose their sent and somewhat wash our clothes..." Elaina coerced. Apparently no one was really in the mood for a swim, but what she said did make sense. 'Well why not' I justified. While kicking off my shoes I lifted my shirt over my head and dove in. When I kicked my way to the surface, all eyes were on me. Michael, Calvin, and Ryder were no longer reluctant as they shook off their shirts and cannonballed in. I did a few back strokes before submerging myself completely. I pushed my black, blue hair out of my face and wiped the water out of my eyes. The water around us had been turned into a pinkish black mixture. Other than Elaina all of the girls were staring at us like we were crazy.

I waved them over, "Come on!" Elaina had left her cloak in the grass and was waist deep staying near the edge of the pond. Karen and Pieper held their hands in front of them and were extremely stiff while Trinity and Riley had their arms crossed while Taryn lounged against a tree, watching us thoughtfully.

"Is it cold?" Karen asked curiously. I hadn't taken much thought to it, but since most of the lagoon was shaded by the large trees and it wasn't necessarily hot since the sun had just peaked over the horizon, the water was kinda cold. But I couldn't tell them that, they would never get in.