Elemental: Fire

Chapter 8

Right before my eyes, one of the most important people of my life. Dead.

"Scarlett! Good grief, do you even listen," Finn scolded.

Finn didn't know that Attica had been killed, or how much it had impacted Scarlett's mentality. Watching someone you felt as family die, no, be killed, right in front of you: it tears at the mind.

In a sarcastic sweet tone, she replied, "How may I help you?"

Rolling his eyes, the Earth elemental spoke, "Well, are you gonna explain what went on over there? We almost got bloody killed!"

"It's a long story," Scarlett sighed, her depressing thoughts still bothering her.

"We're in the middle of the forest, surrounded by nothing but trees and rocks that might have the same mentality as you, so I think now's a good a time as ever."

"Same mentality as me, little flower boy? Might I remind you how my team crushed yours in Kutomun? Wanna take a wild guess who was leading that team?"

"Please, my team was just dreadful. I can beat you in a fight right here right now!"

"Don't have enough brains to come up with something  other than 'fight me'? And to think Earth elementals are supposed to be smart."

"Watch it Arno, don't mess with an Earth."

"And what would a little grassling do? I can destroy you, Garcia. Ever heard of a forest fire? Don't try me."

"Oh, I'm so terrified," Scarlett annoyingly remarked.

"Why are you so stubborn," Finn questioned loudly.

"WELL MAYBE YOU SHOULD HAVE SOME HEART AND SEE WHAT'S BOTHERING ME," the girl yelled, infuriated. "WANNA KNOW WHY I'M SO 'STUBBORN'? IT'S BECAUSE SOMEONE I'VE KNOWN FOR YEARS IS DEAD! THOSE BLOODY MORTEMS STABBED PROFESSOR NOVA, AND I WATCHED HER DIE! BUT I GUESS I'M JUST BEING STUBBORN, AREN'T I?"

Angrily, Scarlett sent a fireball to his feet, and he barely jumped back in time.

"Ok, ok calm down," Finn coaxed.

"Don't even tell me to calm down! A few moments ago you were threatening to crush me!"

"It's called exaggerating, genius."

"You know what, just stop. This isn't getting us anywhere."

"At least we can finally agree on something," Finn agreed, exasperated. "Now, will you please-"

"Wait, do you hear that," Scarlett interrupted.

A distant soft patting could be heard, and then as it got louder clashing metal was hearable. Finn gave Scarlett a wide-eyed look, as though he knew what was coming.

"Run. Now."

The two grabbed their belonging and ran as fast as they could, trying to not get outrun by the Mortem's horses. Arrows began to be launched in the air, their heads containing purple flames. Scarlett quickly turned around and shot a fireball at them, making some one of the horse's riders fall off the startled animal. Finn, as though in the speed of light, moved a fallen log on the trail behind them, slowing down immensely the chasers. Scarlett lit it on fire, creating a fiery barricade, but the boy and the girl continued to sprint away. Yelling and swords rang through the woodland, and once a good distance away, Finn turned to Scarlett.

"We have to hide. That was just a diversion, but they'll figure out a way through."

Her eyes darted everywhere, until she saw a wide log. "In there. It's our only shot."

Finn nodded and they both ran to the fallen wood, stuffing themselves together into the barely big enough hiding spot. A large crash could be heard, which meant the army had already moved the log out of the way. Hoisting herself up on her elbows, she looked out the opening of the log, catching a glimpse of Finn's face, already slightly dirty from the battles. Suddenly, footsteps of the black stallions appeared, and the large wheels of the chariots followed. A horse jumped onto its hind legs, waving the front legs alarmingly. It then moved its head up and down, signaling something.

"Oh no," Scarlett barely whispered, close to being silence.

The Mortems stopped, a silence filling the area. All of a sudden, a hoof came down from the top of log, crashing down in front of them. Finn slapped a hand in front of Scarlett's mouth before she could gasp. She shook it off her face, and looked over to Finn,who did the same.

"I know what to do," Scarlett whispered, "but you gotta trust me."

"Not like I have another choice."

Scarlett rolled her eyes and readied herself. Once another hoof came crashing down again startlingly, she crossed her arms in an 'x' motion, and the same force field appeared, sending one of the Mortems flying. The bubble bursted the log open, Finn and Scarlett appearing laying on the ground.

"Stand up," the girl ordered Finn.

She sent fire toward them, shaped like an arrow. Finn lifted one of biggest boulders there as Scarlett lit it on fire, then the boy sent it crashing down on the enemies. The horses cried out and turned around, forcefully pulling the Mortems with them. Once they were out of sight, Scarlett released the force field, and looked over at her acquaintance.

"Let's go, before they send more," Finn ordered, and they ran deeper into the forest.