ETON

Chapter 7.

I rolled to my right then back onto my shoulders and jumped up to my feet, I ducked under another strike and grabbed onto Laae, but her grip was just as tight and I couldn't manage to free her.I looked up to her and for a brief moment our views were interlocked before she swung for my legs again. I jumped narrowly avoiding her attack, after regaining my footing I kicked her in the side of her chest and quickly pulled Laae from her hand, shrinking her down and putting her in my hair.

I headed into the forest towards the town lucky to escape the leader, but as I thought Zipper was sure to follow me, he stayed at my side and bounced along beside me.

"Heading ta town are ya poppet?" He questioned from my side. I slowed down and checked behind me before coming to a full stop, sitting down and resting on a tree trying to regain my breath.

"Well that's the plan, but I suppose you're here to stop me. Either way, can, can you give me a minute before you take me back." I sighed as I sunk further down against the tree, I pulled my dress up to look at my wounds, fresh blood now covered yesterday's wounds.

"Well poppet seeing the sorry state ya in, it wouldn't be 'ard, but no, I've been lookin' for a way ta escape that hag fa years." He kneeled down beside me, put his hand on my wound and closed his eyes to focus.

"What do you think you're doing, she's going to catch you red handed." I laughed a little bit at my own joke. A strange energy surged through me and my wounds started to tingle, Zipper glowed a faint white during the process. He removed his hands from my wound and looked up at me, the glowing stopped.

"Don't know what an aura is, do ya poppet."

"Is that like a semblance?" I questioned, clearly confused.

"An aura is like a shield, ya use it for healin', attackin' defence. Semblance is a skill, ye bound ta have one, an aura too." He sat back against a tree opposite me, smiled then started playing with his tail.

"So how do I use an aura?" I asked putting my dress back down and pushing up off the tree.

"May sound sappy poppet, but you just kinda look deep down inside." He got up off the ground and started walking around me. I thought it was a joke at first, but I think all I needed was a little bit of a push, I could feel something within me, something like a spark.

I thought about it for a minute, but nothing happened and after a bit more I gave up, I opened my eyes to see zipper slightly dozing off.

"Zipper, oh Zipper." It was her, she was back and the Zipper was just about to be fast sleep, bolted upright, shaking in his spot slightly. her whip hit the ground near his foot and he jumped, quickly moving behind me.

"Mingling with the enemy I see." Another strike this time at my arm, I escaped it only just and grabbed Laae from my hair, I extended her to a staff and stood in a defensive position.

"Look I don't mean to cause trouble." She laughed at my words as she ran her hand along her whip.

"Well you've already messed that up now haven't you." She lashed out at me again and before it hit me Zipper moved from behind me to in front and her whip struck him across the face.

"Let poppet go, doesn't even know ya name. wouldn't 'urt a fly." he turned his head to me and whispered for me to run, he told me he'd hold her off for as long as he could and that he still owed her something.

I stumbled over a branch as I tried to make my escape, quickly shoving Laae in my hair again. I watched in silent as the battle continued, they looked about even, but I knew that Zipper was going to lose, what more could he owe her but his own life.

I stood back up, turned towards the town once more and started running, running faster than even I knew I could -must be the adrenalin-, trying to avoid branches, stones, vines anything that could hinder my movements. This whole thing reminded me of something, but I pushed the memory to the back of my head as getting to a safer area was more important.

I stopped as soon as I reached the town and collapsed on the ground breathing heavily. After a while of just staring at the sky I sat up, not really knowing what I was suppose to do now, my weapon was broken, I have no where to stay and I still don't have a clue about dust and what about Zipper should I send him some help? I knew complaining wasn't going to get me anywhere. I stood up and walked up to the nearest person I could see.

"I don't mean to sound strange, but would you mind telling where I am." The boy looked at me like I was completely mental, but told me none the less.

"You're in Vale."