dimensions | original

A Breeze Of Uproar

 "No." Mark didn't mean to object to the proposal so outrightly, but the word was out of his mouth before his mind could catch up. "Not Luma. She's innocent. None of this is her fault."

"It's no one's." Dia answered with a shrug of her petite shoulders. "Even Phoenix cannot help being blown around in a storm once in a while. Although I'm certain that he was rather pleased about the initial situation. A sort of magnificent power such as Phoenix has strengths so absolute that it is safe to think that he can overpower a teenage girl." Dia laughed quietly, softly smiling at the red-headed child.

"However, even deities can we terribly wrong, and I think Phoenix was wrong about you." Dia said matter-of-factly, smoothing out her black jacket over top her orange shirt.

"What is your point?" Mark grumbled. He didn't like being wrong, and this was a very stressful situation. He'd never been much good under pressure, except for when he was hunting, back when he had yet to even meet the shape-shifter.

"My point is that you are as brash and bold as you always have been, and that Luma can take care of herself."

Luma laughed thinly. "We all know that isn't true." Dia just shrugged, not bothering to counteract her words. After all, it takes a great deal of convincing to try and change a mind, and Dia knew that Luma, Mark, and the twins were all very stubborn.

Spirit turned to Dia. "Don't you have tasks to attend? I feel as if our negotiations should stay between us."

Dia tossed her head. "You need someone neutral. A negotiator. A translator. Someone who can keep your minds and tempers in check. I do not the Luma-girl, but I know Match, Sacrifice, and you very well." she addressed Spirit calmly and clearly. It really did seem like she would be good at the peacekeeping duty she was offering to fulfill.

"Then stay." Sacrifice said, his voice dark and full of malice. Lightening flickered in his eyes and thunder cracked in his voice. You could tell he was a storm ready to be unleashed, but somehow he stayed still and silent. A shiver ran down both Luma's and Mark's spine.

"We agree." Mark spoke not just for himself, but also for Luma, who had her hand near her head as though she had developed a sudden migraine. But they all knew that the head pain was something much more serious than a simple headache.

"Very well. Remember, no maiming, nor death, nor any form of dark magic will be present in the negotiations, and hopefully not in final agreement either. Try and be quick about it, too. Understood?" They each nodded in turn solemnly. A wind kicked up, swirling the dusty air around them. Luma tried hold back her messy hair out of her face, but it was useless.

"What is your offer?" Dia asked Spirit.

"A sacrifice. For the girl."

Luma shivered as the wind cut through the thin layers of her summer dress, and tried very hard to listen, I promise you. But listening is always hard, and the circumstances made it even more difficult than it usually is for a young teenage girl.

The wind, which buffeted her small figure in short gusts, seemed to be drowning out the sound until she could hardly hear anything. The doses of potion from Keme seemed to be wearing off, as she couldn't quite think straight.

And, of course, she had a terrible headache.

"W-what is it?" Luma managed to stammer.

"You miss your family, don't you?" Spirit grinned.

Luma nodded. "Yes, of c-course I do." Her teeth chattered a little bit in the cold. She really needed to remember to dress in practical winter clothes the next time she went on a spontaneous adventure with a mysterious society and a werewolf. Then again, the way things were going there wouldn't even be a chance for a next time.

"Then, you can entrust Matchitehew's life to us with no tricky business like with what happened to Timorous, and never go back to the human dimensions. Or you could choose to pass over Match's custody to us, and return home safely." Luma flinched.

"Translation: Never go home or doom Match for a second time." Dia said, and her voice was clear despite the rough winds.

Luma's mind spun frantically... Her mom and dad... Her sister Cassidie... Her friends... Her school... Her history, it was all in that old town where she may never return.

But then there was Mark. She wouldn't be able to give him a loophole like the other witch, Massourina, had done. She had only known him for a few days, but they had been through it all, ever since Luma landed on the dark shores of the Nightglass Beach. He had stood up to his old friend and even befriended the Vitae to try and help her (that didn't turn out quite right, but that was simply his nature, Luma supposed.)

They were so different, but somehow they had formed a strange sort of bond to each other. They had barely spoken, but Luma felt so close to him.

She knew what the logical choice for her was.

But Spirit and Sacrifice weren't the nicest guys. They were a little psycho, and a lot selfish. She really didn't want to help them at all, under any circumstance.

And besides... Hadn't been days? Cassidie was a responsible student and good daughter who had watched her sister be swept away by a terrible storm in front of her very eyes. Adults trusted her enough that they'd have to believe her. If anything, they'd already had a service.

So people would have already mourned her. Besides, Luma reminded herself, it's not like you're anything important or spectacular.

It was unrealistic, but she wanted to be important and spectacular. This was the most spectacular moment of her life, now that she thought about it. So she could go down in history as Girl Who Gave Up Freedom For Someone That People Think Is Actually A Bad Guy, or she could be Girl Who Was Logical And Chose The Option That Actually Benefited Her.

Spirit began to speak in a soft, sickly voice that sounded like too-sweet cheap chocolate. But Luma couldn't hear him over the sound of her thoughts, swirling jerkily like the dusty wind around them. And another voice joined the mix- Phoenix's.

Oh, Luma. I offer again- we could share this body. You wouldn't have to choose at all. Mark could be safe, and I could protect your family. Remember, I have great power at full strength. We could practically rule the DImensions, your quick mortal mind and my great, magnificent abilities.

Luma hated it, but some small part of her agreed with Phoenix. She always had been good at mysteries, and Phoenix had been known for being powerful.

Yes, that's right. We could be quite a team, agreed Phoenix.

"Come on, Luma. We haven't got all day." Sacrifice spoke sharply.

Luma turned to Mark, but he wasn't going to be any help. He had gone so pale that you could just about say he was a ghost, and his lips were pressed tightly together. Dia wouldn't be much help either, she was neutral.

"I choose to give up my own freedom." Luma declared, her voice cutting through the harsh wind like a knife to butter. Upon seeing Spirit's astonished faces she glared at him, fire roaring in her thoughts, like a breeze of angry uproar. "While it tears me apart, we all must make sacrifices. I'm sure you two know quite a bit about that."

When Luma turned triumphantly to Mark, he was crying, tears running down his face as he laughed and enveloped her in a hug.

A/N: One final thing before I'm done- I am going to try to finish this before mid-March. (At least, I'll give it a shot.)