Winged

Prologue

Everything was ready and prepared for tomorrow.

Scarlett sat down on her makeshift cot in her tent absently. Without thinking about it, her hands trailed over the itchy wool blanket on the cot and picked up the sword Elpida, which she had thrown onto the bed as she changed out of her armor earlier that day. She stared at the sheathed golden blade, the departing gift from her master, laying her in her lap, lost in thought. Clangs of metal from the last practices before the battle going on in the arena rang in the background, shouts and carefree laughter from the students eating their dinner before the campfire echoed in the air. Scarlett ignored all these noises, a buzzing sound pounding in her mind, dread pooling in the bottom of her stomach at the thought of the tomorrow.

Suddenly the flap entrance of her tent was flung open, and Raevyn, her long dark silky hair hanging freely around her, came flowing in, her every move graceful as always. Her body was clad in armor she had enchanted herself and the sheaths of the multiple daggers hanging at her waist bang against her thighs with every step she takes. The tips of her silver wings were fitted tightly into sharp metal knives. Dressed like this, the young woman looked ready for battle, but then again, so did herself. Raevyn's sister, Aerie, followed behind her, silent.

Raevyn took one look at her distraught look and frowned, striding over. She stopped right before Scarlett, towering over her, her pale eyes glowering. "You better be ready for tomorrow," Raevyn said, her voice allowing no disobedience.

Scarlett's head bowed even lower. "I am."

Aerie took a seat next to Scarlett on her cot. She reached out one silver wing and lightly rubbed it against Scarlett's in comfort.

Saph used to do that a lot when they were younger too, Scarlett noted dully.

Raevyn pursed her lips, clearly displeased at Scarlett's answer. "I won't allow my own trainee to die in her first battle. It would be a disgrace to me and to Your Majesty, the Queen Elisha."

Scarlett shrugged, picking at a loose thread on the blanket. "I don't want to discover how many familiar faces are on the battlefield against us tomorrow. I don't want to fight them," She faltered off, thinking of her own sisters in the enemy army. "Especially Sapphire." It was the first time she had admitted this fact. Out of fear of being expelled because of treason, Scarlett didn't dare to say a word about her reluctance to fight for the queen before today. However, in front of her best friend and her trainer, the words spilled out before she can stop then.

Realizing what she had just said, Scarlett looked up, panic flashing across her face. It wasn't because she didn't trust Raevyn and Aerie, she does with her life, but the two sisters were from the Silvya family, a loyal supporter of Queen Elisha since the start. However, both Raevyn nor Aerie didn't even look surprised at Scarlett's confession, Aerie only scooted closer, touching her thigh to Scarlett's.

Raevyn leaned her weight on one foot, sighing. "I had expected it. If you were eager to fight and hurt your own family tomorrow, I would had been disappointed."

    Her softened gaze hardened at the end of her sentence. "However, I would not allow your hesitance to be the destruction of you. If you hesitate tomorrow, no-one would care, no matter how much they knew you as a person. Out there," She waved a slender hand in the direction of the battlefield "It's everybody for themselves. Their own lives before friendship and family. It doesn't matter to them if you were best friends before your choice. It only matters that they live to see the next sunrise." Raevyn's face darkened, a reminiscing light settled in the eyes. "I'm speaking from experience." She whispered.

    Scarlett didn't respond to her trainer's words. She rubbed her hand on the glittering crystals embedded in Elpida. "Scarlett," Aerie finally spoke. "We're all depending on you. Reychelle, Kylin, and no matter what you think, even Kayce." The edge of Aerie's lips rose at the mention of the cold and icy boy. "You're the leader of our quadrant. Besides, Sapphire already made her choice." Aerie ignored the sharp look Raevyn shot her. "She chooses the other side. You asked her to remain, yet she decides to follow the side that wants to imprison you. You shouldn't hesitate."

    Scarlett still didn't move. After a moment of silence, Raevyn sighed, she pulled Aerie from the bed, ignoring her protests. "I hope you will agree to our words at sunrise. If you don't the only ending for you is death." She gave Scarlett another stare, before turning around and dragging her sister from the tent, leaving the entrance fluttering at the strength it was flung open with. Scarlett smiled a little, Raevyn had always had a flair for dramatics. Just like Sapphire.

At the thought of her sister, Scarlett sighed, staring at Elpida. She knew that Raevyn and Aerie were right about some things. If she hesitates tomorrow on the battlefield, it would only be her death. She set the elaborate sword back down onto the bed and flopped next to it, spreading out her crimson wings behind her. A small north wind ruffled at the tips of the feathers.

    She closed her eyes. However, she knew they were wrong about Sapphire. No matter what happens, Sapphire never abandoned her on purpose. All along, it was her who left Sapphire behind when she saw a higher position to jump to. Her sister would never deliberately choose to hurt her. But the Scarlett Hunter Sapphire had so desperately wanted her to be don't exist. Her fingers tightened on the sword. The Scarlett Hunter that exists is selfish. And tomorrow, if it comes down to it, that Scarlett would do anything to stay alive until the next sunrise.

Even if it means hurting the person who just might love her the most.