The War Of The Century

The Time Left

The memories seemed to attack my brain as I stood straightly waiting calmly but drowning from boredom.

*

My hand holding the brush yanking the knots out of Tiona's blonde, dry hair. It wasn't as long as mine but still long enough that I had to bend my knees in order for the brush to go through neatly. She sat in front of my mirror going through my wooden box of keepsakes. I was glad she was being delicate because I probably would have killed her if she broke some of the fragile items.

"Ew..." She lifted a talon from the oak, carved box I had made myself when I was ten. There was engravings of my brothers names that they had carved themselves, my own wobbly written name and terribly chiseled sunflowers. I was never good at doing traditional women jobs.

I revealed, "It's from a wild bear." She swallowed, her blue, icy eyes catching my warm, seasonal ones in the mirror.

"You killed it yourself?" I smiled then giggled,

"No, Castor did." My smile faded. It had been weeks and he still hadn't woken up or even moved a muscle. I began to recall the story. "I was seven, he was fourteen. I was being adventurous in the forest and it was going to attack me." She was staring kindly at me as I continued to brush her hair. I hadn't said the story aloud many times before but my voice sounded adrift and idle like I'd voiced it more than a thousand times. "Castor was watching me, making sure I didn't do anything stupid...which I did. He told me to run but I couldn't."

I met her eyes once more and deliberately. "The Diakos's only care about other Diakos's...even married-into Diakos's. We have no allies. Everyone is our enemy. It's family always. Got that?"

Tiona nodded, luckily she was a quick learner.

"As I was saying...I couldn't leave my blood behind. So, when it struck Castor I stabbed it with a fallen branch and when it was distracted with me, Castor killed it with his sword."

"So, this is like a trophy?" I averted my gaze southwards where we both were mesmorised by the large nail.

"Yes...but more of a reminder to always be brave for the people you love." I explained more in depth, to make her fully understand the point I was making, "Castor was struck. The scars he has are from that bear. He was unconscious for days. He was going to die."

Tiona clicked on, "How'd he make it?"

"I went back to the woods and searched for healing plants. It was coming up to winter, there was practically no hope but I searched for days and I preveiled...blood always comes first."

She smiled which made me hopeful. "So in a way you saved each other?"

"Yes and I'll always save him, even if it costs my life."

*

The memory of Castor. I kissed his cool cheek and prayed to the Angels to bring him back to me. The memory was a reaccuring one-happened every single day and night. But time was nearing the end. Soon I would meet the other five and we would set off randomly in hope to win this war. Soon I would meet the other five and find out what my power is. I hope it's not boring.

I've always wanted to fly, like an Angel. Castor used to throw me up in the air and I'd squeal with joy. And besides, flying would be extremely majestic.

*

Ekon hasn't talked to me. Jaxston hasn't talk to me. They both hate me. Even my own father gives me this face full of doubt, question and regret. Why did the Angels have to pick me? Ekon had been prepared for this for so long and they decided to choose a puny child...a puny girl to win this war. This further makes me believe that my group is not supposed to win the war. If they've picked me, who is useless, what do the Angels expect?

I can only hope the others in my group are good enough for us to win.

*

The final major memory I will remember.

My legs rubbing against one another as I trekked toward his guest room. He had asked me here. And now as I turn the corner his door is strangely, already wide open. No one is inside when I step into the cold room. I decide to wait patiently for him to return.

A grand bed. Drawers. Boxes of luggage. No dust. Cleanliness smell. A desk...filled with parchment paper. Wax. The famous Venimont embalem stamp. And...an finished letter which as soon as I turn my eyes to the black inked letters I recognise my name immediately.

It's a draft. A practice. Random sentences.

It has come to my knowledge...an unfortunate event has come to my knowledge...Lilika has been chosen...this will not affect the wedding...you're bound together...

Before I could distinguish which specific son this was addressed to, Lord Venimont's voice frightened me, "Slightly early, aren't you?" I backed away from the desk instantly and turned to face him. Even though his lips were unsmiling and his face was relaxed, it didn't seem like he was angry. His resting face was good whereas mine looked like I wanted to kill someone when it was resting.

"You're slightly late." I blinked. "You wanted me?"

"Not for anything in particular." My face scrunched. Why was I here then?He straightened. "I figured you needed someone to talk to."

My teeth grinded against one another. I was so angry. Who does he think he is! Even if I wanted to talk to someone it'd be with my family.

"I can see your family are a bit distant with you given the recent news. Castor is unconscious, Leo isn't coping and everyone else is..." He swallowed seeing the anger bubbling up inside me. "Well, you know."

"Do you seriously believe I would want to talk to you?"

"Well no, it was just-"

I cut him off as quickly as I could, "Just what? Just because you knew my mother, do you think that makes us friends?" He remained silent. I took a step closer whispering slyly, "You're still our enemy no matter what. My mother was lucky to be rid of you." Then I walked away. Not turning back. The only sound audible being my shoes tapping lightly on the wooden flooring.

*

He left that day. Lord Venimont returned to Maender Seas before he could see what my power was...and before I could apologise for my terrible behaviour. Now here I am. My family are in the Grand Ballroom facing the doors eagerly waiting for the other chosen to walk straight through them.

Long minutes pass by sluggishly and I can't help but bite my lips as nerves kick in. I look at my family members. Father seems bored. Ekon seems jealous. Jaxston seems angry (always at me). Leo seems scared. Tiona was still by Castor's side in his-or should I say their-bedroom. We had said our goodbyes earlier.

I swallowed, now twiddling my thumbs behind my back.

I was wearing a loose, white shirt and black trousers with black, leather boots which were all originally meant for Ekon but when news spread that I was the chosen Diakos child, they had to be fitted correctly for me. I was also wearing a bag that swung across my shoulder which held: a metal bottle containing water, extra clothes and fruit, mostly apples. My pointy dagger was strapped to my ankle beneath my trousers. My sword was secured on my belt which happened to way me down slightly. Although I had practiced in my sword fighting lessons many times before, I'd never actually had to carry one for this long before. Things were changing quickly.

I exhaled quietly, attempting to decrease my pounding heart beat but it wouldn't work.

Suddenly and finally, the doors swung open and once I saw the five other faces, my veins and arteries tingled and a voice entered inside my thoughts telling me what my power was.