Cold Blood

// chapter 3 \\

Gold. A lot of gold. The girl wore ragged clothing, stained with dirt and ash. An old scar near her cheekbone had dried blood beside it from newer cuts and scratches.

She had managed to slip into the Queen's gold room. Without hesitation she began to grab anything she could hide. Gold coins, rings, and pretty Jem's that were in the piles.

The chamber doors began to open, and she panicked. Running towards a large chest she dived behind it. The sound of high heels echoed through the room. She peeked her head on, seeing the Queen's dress dragging behind her.
The Queen abruptly stopped, turning her head. "Ash, I know you're there." She said, smoothly.

Ash froze in place. She slowly stood. "Eh. . Ehehe. . Hey Mom. ." She said nervously. Queen Bliss stood tall and proud. "I see you're back from your trip. What did you get up to this time?" Ash shrugged. "Uh, ya know. ."
In a flash Queen Bliss stood in front of Ash. Her eyes were slightly glowing. "Don't tell me you were with him again." She growled.

"Of course not! He–He's long gone."
Before Bliss could say another thing, her advisor burst into the room. "Your majesty! There was another attack!"
The Queen walked out the door in a hurry.
Ash pursued after her mom. Once they reached the outside people ran past them. Looking he opposite way a large black creature destroyed households.

"It's genius!" Ash exclaimed. Queen Bliss looked to her. "What is?" She asked. "Everytime Deathbringers attack they can't withstand the heat, so Gri created a new beast that can withstand!" The Queen looked back to the monster.

"Stay here." She said, before running towards the beast. The dress she wore burned up, revealing herself to be wearing thin, light armor.
Ash watched, fire met darkness as her mother battled the beast.

Then something unexpected happened. Queen Bliss was slammed against the wall, slumping. The Deathbringer monster began to melt, and there stood Gri. He walked up to the Queen, grabbing her by the throat and lifting her.

Ash watched with horror as a large spike morphed over his lower arm. In a swift motion he impaled the Queen. Pulling the spike out of the Queen's chest, she fell to the ground.
Ash felt a sudden rage. Her body engulfed itself in flames. She jumped up, the fire giving her momentum to simulate flight.

She flew right into Gri, knocking him down. She toppled to the ground, sliding on the volcanic rock.
Gri stood up,  his clothes burning. He quickly put the fire out. "You– You and that water girl with pay." He growled agrily, before vanishing in a cloud of black.

Ash collapsed to her knees as the flames extinguished. She got up, running her mom. "Mom!" She cried, managing to pick her up. Soon, guards appeared, pulling the Queen away from Ash.
Ash watched desperately, before recounting what Gri said.

"You and that water girl will pay."

Ash needed to find out who he was talking about. Before anyone could address her, flames shot from her palms as she was raised into the air and flew from the volcanoes.

She had to go to the sea.