Sky of Ashes

Chapter 15

 I reached for her face and felt it to make sure it was her. She felt the same except for when she flickered like a ghost every few minutes.

 I cried and hugged her as hard as I could while saying, "How are you alive? I thought you were dead."

 She smiled and said, "He couldn't kill me even if he tried."

 I let go of her then said, "Even if that's true that doesn't explain why your flickering and how you can talk now."

 She hugged me then said, "I'm a banshee and I was originally captured by Shane then used to observe you but then I was released from my seal by a woman with silver hair, yellow eyes, and pale white skin that said she knew you. She offered to release me in exchange that I protect you and considering I felt that I needed to repay you for lying to you all this time. I have always been able to talk but I had to remain silent so that you wouldn't know I was a bashee."

 Then I felt like something was missing. If she wasn't really my sister then that meant...I looked at Sky with expression of confusion and panic. She tilted her head then asked, "What is it?"

 I hesitated to find words but then said, "If your not really my sister then that means that my memories are-"

 "Fake? Yes."

 I turned around to see that Shane was up again and he looked more pissed off than before as he said, "Yes that's right boy. I erased your memories and planted new ones in your head so that I could keep you under close surveillance and put you down if need be."

 Shane's hands began to erupt with fire but apparently he had forgotten about the giant dragon next to me because he tried to hit me with a cone of fire then got bitten in half by Death.

 I looked at Death who was licking his lips then said, "Well that was the most anticlimactic ending ever."

 I heard Red laugh as he said, "I know right. Oh yeah, could you guys get my griffon off of me. He was knocked out by Sky's shriek."

 I shook my head then pulled Red out from under his griffon. When I turned to Death I saw that he had reverted to his human version and was kneeling in front of me saying, "Master I regret to tell you that this is not over."

 I raised and eyebrow and asked, "What do you mean? Shane is dead and now I all that I need to do is find the woman who freed Sky as well as Anna and the man who warned me from the start."

 Sky shook her head and said, "Death is right. Shane was not the only one there when I was captured. There was six other magicians however I couldn't see any of their faces except for Shane. This battle is over but this war is far from over."

 I shook my head and said, "If that's true then we're at a disadvantage. We don't know anything about these other guys except for that they were working with Shane. I'm screwed if they find me right now."

 Red wrapped his right arm around me and said, "What do we look like to you? Chopped liver? Come on Ash you got us and from what I've heard it seems like we got allies out there too."

 I smiled and said, "You're right Red. Sorry for getting down on you."

 He just smiled and went over to his griffon who was just now waking up and said, "How's about we start with introductions? My name Red. I'm a Close Combat type magician that uses fire and this griffon here is my familiar and his name is Talon."

 Sky shook her head and went along with it. "My real name is Shriek and I'm a bashee sworn to protect Ash."

 I kinda figured Sky wasn't her real name if she was a banshee and if she was lying to me all that time.

 I smiled and said, "My name is Ash and I'm a Shifter type magician and Death here is my dragon familiar."

 Death stood and said, "If we are all to be as a group then I will swear to protect Ash and his allies at all costs."

 Red clapped and said, "So what do we call this little rag tag team?"

 I thought for a second then said, "Flaming Rain?"

 "Nah man. How's about Burning Sky?"

 Shriek piped up and said, "How about Sky of Ashes because the sky will be clouded with the ashes of our enemies."

 I smiled and so did Red and he said, "Perfect name. All hands, claws, talons, and other types of hands in."

 Red put his hand out, then Shriek, then me, then Death, and finally Talon. I looked into everyone's eyes and found the same thing that I felt. The feeling of indestructibility and anticipation for what was to come.

 Red then said, "I hereby vote Ash as leader. All in favor raise your hand."

 Everyone raised their hand and claw. Then Red nodded, turned towards me, and said, "I guess that means you're calling the shots now Ash. So what's your first order of business boss?"

 I didn't know if I was ready to lead but I knew that I had to try so I said, "My first order of business will be to find ourselves something to eat because I'm starving."