Tyranny: Onwards

Chapter 139- Turned

"Aegis, me and Rin need to go right away, we can't wait any longer," I explain and he nods without question, I stand and return to her side, ready to depart after Hester once more. After removing Bagels and setting the tender creature next to Aegis, we set out following Genesis along with the found trail.

Bones crunch underfoot and as we sprint swiftly forwards, carcasses have flies buzzing about them and the stench is beginning to set in the air and ride on the winds. Blood stains our skin and mats our hair and Genesis's fur, now soaking through my shoes from the drenched soils below. Dusk is once more upon us as we again enter the forest where life has come, remaining untouched by the Imzana thankfully.

The winds are tranquil with a fright for the soon arising night, yet the trees carry no fear but strength and courage through every storm no matter the cost it seems. Summer and Spring forever collide in this valley apparently. Mosses sooth every step, the clean airs cleanse my burning lungs. All the blood brought back the flashes of memory which I again shoved away, not allowing them to take over me.

I wonder how strong and sure Rin must have to be in order to still not be crying at all. Or is it just that she is blinding herself to any possibility of betrayal? That could a very dangerous method and could cause more harm in the end to her.

Through the night we go and never become weary with our lasting adrenaline as the silver moon rises in the dark star-scattered sky, every leaf now beholding its silver sheen. We are clean and silent as we go, not disturbing a single bird or squirrel from its nest, passing through as less than a shadow with our sure feet.

Genesis begins to slow and so do we, not in a place to question her skills as she is leading us. She goes and takes shelter behind a bush, we crouch low and mirror her in confidence. I peak over the thick bunch of leaves to see before our very eyes a meadow, cute and simple, not too wide, littered with tall and short flowers, stout grass and vines reaching up nearby trees, a few sprouting Sweet Peas.

Of course, it would be a sight to truly behold, worth stopping to admire for any amount of time. Except, it seems there's nothing so perfect without any flaw in it be it the fault of man. And here that would be Hester herself standing right smack in the center with her back to us. I would very much like to rush out and sink my sword right through her right now but could never let Rin see such a sight, and she would never allow it. 

Every life is precious and I have no right to think as I do, but I am still finding it extremely difficult to go against everything I was always told to do. I need to provide the benefit of the doubt. With this. my hand moves off Kol wrapped in the black cloth and my body goes into it another mode, ready to fight.

Loose joints, heightened senses, rhythmic breathing, complete focus, pinpoint mind.

"Hester!" Rin springs up and out into the open. It is immediately obvious to me she has been waiting here for us, the only way she could know would be she was expecting the Imzana to catch up to her but they never showed or one got away and somehow informed her.

"Rin! Come back!" I reach out my hand and luge but just miss her. She runs right up to Hester who is now glaring over her shoulder in extreme mischief.

"Genesis!" she bolts out and strategically trips Rin so she can't get to Hester but won't get injured. Should I watch or show myself? Good thing we kept Rin away, Hester might have used her as a hostage or simply killed her right then and there. I notice Hester still bears the staff of the wizard. I don't think that could be a coincidence.

I'll stay in hiding, Genesis has Rin under control now and won't let her get by. Hester turns fully now to face us, but I do not yet know the extent of her skills and now I know she has been planning this for the entire time as she has never revealed her true skills. "Damn," I whisper under my breath. Hester's eyes gleam red and her coming smile is unnaturally wide and crooked, wavery. Her eyes widen beyond normality and red veins pop around their edges.

"Come on out, Claire," her voice sends shivers down my spine and goosebumps over my arms. Her eyesight at least must be considerable.

I mumble in suspicion and then hesitantly rise and come into the circle of silver. We glare at one another, her expression remains just as unsettling.

"What happened to you, Hester..." Rin's eyes are wide and round, pupils enlarged and face horrified at how unnatural her girlfriends is. It pains me to a new extreme to watch the pure realization and the pain of acceptance, the pure agony of the entire situation. Hester hurt my first and most loyal friend. How dare she loosen my only anchor. My only friend, I have had in my past.

Seems I'll have to fight this alone. That is perfectly okay with me though, I don't mind one bit at all.

"What's happened to me? Oh, sweetheart!" her cackle is hideous "sorry, but nothing about me changed, you simply knew my cover. You know, you are so easy to use, you trust so easily and are so loyal you refused to accept betrayal naive girl!"

"But...why...HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME HESTER!? HOW COULD YOU!" Rin screams out in her anguish, melted to the ground and tears stream from her still wide eyes, glittering with the moonlight.

"Because I need this staff silly, oh come on! Were you so naive that you all thought you were the only ones going after Siron? Hah! even Claire was so foolish! There are tons of groups coming together, some trying to revive and others trying to destroy him, some just want to keep and hide him, don't tell me you had no idea!" Hester throws her head back and right in that moment, jaw tight and heart flaming, I whip out Kol, adopt his strength and dive at Hester, swiping the blade along her side.

So why were all the Imzana drawn to her though? No matter.

"What were you planning to even do with that staff?" Rin pries, wanting a reason for her pain.

"You can't destroy him without it you fool! I want to side with him so I'm taking it from you."

Did Hester not even feel my strike?