Rise

Fin

I love the serene brutality of the ocean, the electric power I feel with each breath of wet, briny air. I lay on the ground, my eyes staring at the beautiful blue sky. I don't know why, but my mind wandered to the day my sisters and the Calore heirs went to The Falls. The way Adara enjoyed the elements that are under her control, the mud on her feet, the way she swam or took a breath of fresh air. It was almost like she appreciated all of the elements and never took advantage of them. To find the universal elements enough; to find the air and water exhilarating. To be thrilled by the stars at night, burning hot with fire. To be elated over a wildflower in the spring, the rewards of a simple life Adora more than likely wants. I don't want to be queen. She told me once. She never wanted to become her mother, cruel and fearful. I don't blame her either. "Fin! Get out here" Porter yells. His voice comes rolling from the sea, loud and worrisome. I quickly stand, stumbling on the sand. Melanie lays on the beach, her clothes dripping once again. Oh, come on Mel what did you do this time? I move to Porter's side, his clothes also wet."What happened this time?" I ask, hovering over Melanie's unconscious body. I watch as Porters as fingers move around her neck trying to find a pulse. The faint beating of her heart puts him at ease. "I think she was practicing her ability but she couldn't hold herself above water." He stumbles over his words before pushing me aside, as almost as if on instinct. Porters hands hover over Melanie's chest. "What are you doing we don't have time-" "Shut up I'm trying to concentrate." He snaps, drawing a deep breath. Then it starts to happen, water pours out of her nose and mouth, the same as giving CPR. I watch porter, most of my focus on Melanie. He doesn't seem like himself, his eyes hazy but focused. When the water slowly begins to turn the color of rust, porter stops. "Why isn't she waking?" I question. Alana is going to kill me. "Give it a minute. Her body has been under a lot of stress." Porter's voice is low and meticulous, he was right. After a minute or two, she is up. Coughing out any excess water. Porter holds her up, patting and rubbing her back in calming circular motions, but that only makes things worse. She swats both Porter and I away."Well so much for the thank you." Porter mumbles and huffs. "I had it covered." She states, pulling her knees close to her chest. "So you call almost drowning 'covered'. This isn't Barasea anymore, Mel. No one will be constantly trying to keep you afloat anymore" I stand, scolding my sister."Don't you think I know that?" She snaps, whipping her head up to meet me."That is why I was out there, I need to get better or I will be dead the minute they throw me into the most moderate of missions. All my life I have been sheltered to be the princess mother wanted, I haven't learned half of the things you and Alana have." I can hear her voice breaking, but she refuses. Porter hold his hand out for her."In the meantime, have someone spotting you from now on so we don't have another... Accident." he smiles at her softly, she sighs and takes his hand, standing from the sand. "Well, we better get going," I mumble. Both Porter and Melanie agree, trudging their way back to the campground. ---Most of the day was spent with Porter and Melanie giggling like a batch of school children. Though the two are infuriating, I've never seen two people with as much chemistry as they do, it's fascinating. "Well at least tell me you have been with to the Glacies. What was it like?" "It's cold, what else do you expect?" He says with a shrug, shoving his hands into his pockets."Oh really? I didn't see that coming." My sister huffs sarcastically, crossing her arms over her chest. Porter chuckles, lightly shoving her before continuing."Okay okay, the people are actually pretty nice. I usually stay near Fril, more of a party city." He explains. "Of course you would," I mutter. He whips his head to meet mine."What is that supposed to mean?" He questions, stopping not long after, I quicken my pace to catch up with the two."All I am saying is that you don't seem like the serious type." I shrug nonchalantly. Porter scoffs and turns to my sister for back up."He is kind of right..." Melanie mumbles, rocking back and forth from heel to toe, just like she used to do with mother. The nymph huffs and stomps ahead of both of us, making me and Melanie chuckle. Silence falls over us, I can't tell if it's awkward or not but honestly, I don't care. The sound of chirping birds fills my ears, giving me a sense of relief. "The last time I checked the map we just passed Lumen, we should be in Terram in a few hours, five tops," Melanie says, hugging herself gently. She is just itching to say something, but she has never had the courage to do anything."Just spit it out Mel, what do you want to say." I turn to her. She fumbles over her words, a symphony of 'I's' and 'Uhs' before finally just sighing. "Do you think maybe when we get to Terram you could help me learn, so i can get better?" her voice is small, barely being heard over the sounds of twigs snapping underneath us. A smile spreads across my face and I quickly pull my sister to my side."Of course little sister. It would be my pleasure to teach you everything I know." my sister's laugh was hollow, a song without notes. She hated asking me for help, I could see it in her face, but she also knows that she can't do it without me. I don't blame her for still hating me through all of this, I threw her into this mess and I didn't make a scene the day Rise split her and Alana up."You have every right to resent me." I blurt, keeping my eyes forward as is stomp through the tall grass. Melanie's smile dies slowly and begins to walk faster, slipping away from me. "I know, that's why I have every day since we left." "But that doesn't give you the right to put our lives in danger because you finally realized how useless you are," I yell after her. She winces at my words but I have no room for pity. Melanie chuckles but doesn't laugh. Finally, she turns around, her eyes meeting mine, they are sad pools of blue that itch with rage. "What I want to do with my life is my choice, Fin." Her voice is hushed, like if she raised it anymore then everything that she has felt since this has all began will pour out into her words. "No Melanie, every choice that we make from now can affect our whole world. And if you are not ready for that on your shoulders you should have stayed home with mother." Her expression sours at my tone, she turns away and quickly shuffles forward, I follow her. "You can't run away from this Mel. this is our life now and wherever you go this problem will always follow." "Leave me alone Fin." she protests, crossing her arms over her chest once again."Learn to take responsibility for once in your life. You aren't mommy's little girl anymore.""Please stop." "Do you not want to do this anymore? Because if you are invested then what's the point of you being here?" She whirls around to stare at me."Why do you care so much?" Tears well in the young girl's eyes, making the blue within them glow. "You have spent your entire life wanting to be king, why throw that away for some rebellion that may not even make it? I am ready to fight for these people because I am tired of being someone I am not, I want to fight for my freedom, but why would you? You were probably one year away from pushing Alana off the throne. Mother was putting together a written agreement and everything." she blurts out, her voice was louder than expected. Melanie covers her mouth quickly before rushing ahead of me and throwing herself against Porter, they walk together, not daring to look back. She's right, I had no reason to join these people. It's called self-sabotage. You knew things were going good for you and you knew this was always coming, but you saw a change. A reason to not end up dead like your father or angry and sad like your mother. I say it was a chance for things to be better but the only person I'm kidding is myself, maybe I should have just stayed at Barasea.