Xylia

Twelve

Dodge.

Run.

Duck.

Drea charged again, metal leg gaining momentum with her approach. Muscles screaming with exhaustion, I sloppily pushed my hands of the sharp blades of grass, narrowly dodging another kick.

Minutes stretched into eternity as we continued our deadly dance. Another swing. Another dodge. But we were both lagging in our reactions, energy depleting with each stroke.

"Coward!" Drea bellowed heavily, slapping an arm up to her sweat drenched forehead.

Just wait till she's tired, then strike.

A smirk curved in my lips as I noted her hunched stance and labored breathing. Shuddering another breath, I rolled up to my feet. Dizziness blurred my vision as I swayed unsteadily, but I composed myself for my first offensive attack.

My legs took off in a hasty pursuit, numbness masked the exhaustion of sprinting. The pain of endurance all melted away at Drea's panicked look, but couldn't compare to the satisfaction of my fist meeting her face with a muted thwack!

Then, the world tilted on its feet as Drea's metal leg collided with my stomach. My breath knocked out of me as I hit the ground, nerves tingling with electricity. I heaved in a gulp of air, the taste of blood was bitter on my tongue. My eyes blinked rapidly, widening as they caught Drea's fist hurtling towards my face.

Heat exploded on my cheekbone, followed by a dull throbbing sensation.

Punch.

Punch.

Punch.

Drea was merciless in her assault, never allowing me a window for retaliation. My brain buzzed with all the stimulus. From the tunnel like vision of my sight to the bitter tang of iron in the air.

Punch.

Punch.

Punch.

Black spots danced in the air, I swiped feebly to protect myself, and was answered with a cool metal leg stomping on my chest, my bone splintering under its force. Darkness enveloped me from the pain.

And then...

A plume of red burst from the abyss, spreading like wildfire in its scarlet tendrils. My body vibrated with its warmth, energy surging through my battered body.

Eyes snapping open, my hand struck out to catch Drea's approaching fist. Using her moment of surprise, I bucked her body off of me, catching her bionic leg as she dropped to the ground.

Sickeningly hot lava coasted through my veins, rage rolled along my body, fueling the fire in my eyes. I swung her leg, chucking her to the side like a rag doll. She crumpled to the ground but bounced back up, having the audacity to smirk at me, beckoning her finger forward.

I let out a battle cry, sprinting forward. My body tackled hers and we tumbled down the surrounding hill. Cushioning my fall with her body I continued my assault, sending a flurry of punches her way.

She swiped her leg from under me, sending me crashing to the ground.  Drea rolled onto her feet, readying her fighting stance once more.

"Is that all you got?" She taunted.

Blood rushes to my head, drowning out the far away cries of Volkan and Everest. Next thing I know, in in front of Drea pinning her throat to the nearest tree. Her sickeningly smug attitude never faltering even as her face turns an unflattering shade of purple.

Kill.

Hands tear me away from her neck. I grab my assistants wrist before slinging them to the ground, balling my fist. My momentum stops as familiar chestnut eyes gaze pleadingly into mine.

"We have to stop meeting like this," Volkan teased lightly. The gravity of the situation tumbled onto my tense body.

"Oh my god," I breathed out. I rip myself off Volkan, crumpling to my knees I horror. The pain which I was numb to slowly flowed back to my body in steady streams, but could not quell the aching sensation to my actions.

Kill.

Kill.

Kill.

The command reverberated in my head. My arms struggled against the urge to finish what I started, shaking with my resolve. I jerked as a hand gently touched my shoulder. Shame flooded me at Volkan's sympathetic gaze.

"Xylia-"

My eyes squeezed shut, trying to escape the heat of my anger. "I'm sorry." That was the only intelligible phrase I could utter as I rocked back and forth on my heels. My body was numb, yet it tingled with phantom ghosts of energy. 

"That wasn't you, Xylia, that was the spirit."

I nodded my head, desperately wanting to believe his words. Roughly rubbing my eyes with my shoulder I cleared the knot that clogged my throat. Guilt gnawed at my gut, eating away at my conscience like acid would corrode  metal.  Turning my gaze away, I composed myself once more

"I'll get it under control."I huffed out lowly, retreating my eyes away from Volkan, not wanting to see his reaction. 

Volka blinked once. Twice.

Everest burst from the woods hollering, "STOP!"

"You're a little late," Drea wheezed, rubbing her raw neck. She stood up shakily, before squatting in front of me.

"Drea I'm so sor-" She stopped me with the raising of her hand.

"Don't." She stated, "I fought you, you fought back. End of story."

"But-"

"Don't make me lose the minuscule amount of respect that you just earned." With those parting words, she limped past a gawking Everest.

Regaining his wits, Everest flicked his eyes back to the area behind us.

"Uhhh you guys should really come back to the campsite." He suggested worriedly.

"Why?" Volkan questioned.

"Those trees you're standing by are toxic."

Scrambling away from the trunks, we clambered up to Everest.

"What do they do?" I inquired, glancing back at the grove sized cluster. Their thin trunks wilted with banners of violet petals, swaying lazily in the gentle breeze.

Everest shivered before explaining, "Those are fur somnias or dream thieves. Their bark secretes toxins that create intense illusions usually pertaining to the individual's hopes or dreams. The trance keeps people from fleeing while the poison builds, eventually killing the individual."

I shuddered at the thought. Volkan stiffened before rasping out.

"Drea," blood drained from my face as he continued, "she touched the trees."

A scream pierced the air.

___

"DAD!" Drea cried, hugging a thin trunk, tears shone in her eyes.

"Dad I've missed you so much," she mumbled under her breath, unaware of the six pitiful eyes that rested in her petite frame.

"How long do the effects last?" Volkan questioned from beside me.

"It's hard to tell," Everest stroked his chin pensively, "for some it's minutes others it's hours. It honestly depends on the exposure." Both turned their heads towards me;  my face crumpled in shame, but answered.

"Drea touched the bark for at least a minute, but no longer than two." Everest nodded gravely before responding.

"Then I guess we will have to wait this out." Our gazes strayed to the joyous girl, embracing the trunk with gusto as she rattled on about her life, blissfully unaware of the harsh reality she'll have to return to.