Rise

Adara

Denar was a wasteland, along with most of Silva. The only place that isn't in a state of chaos is the upper north where Terram and Sercue lay and the lower south where Tellus and Liora are infested with people like my mother and brother who sit in their homes and do nothing to make things better. Nari was the first to meet us at the western gate that lives on the Silva-Ventus border. Most greet us with open arms, hugging Nari and walking with him as a group, but others have their doubts. Harper and Jaxson walk behind the rest of them, eyeing the city almost suspiciously. "Can you guys just lighten up. This is now the most fortified city in the country next to Tellus. We're gonna be fine, nothing is getting in." I say, shoving myself between the two and wrapping my arms around theirs. Harper takes me willingly but Jaxson hesitates, eyeing me up and down before complying. "It's not about people getting in, it's the people inside that worry me." With that Clara comes into my view, the same woman that I fought months ago. She glares at me, but I seem to be a fly on the wall compared to Harper. If looks could kill then she would be six feet under."Clara," Harper says, even I could taste the bitterness that the nymph spits. "Harper," Clara replies, pushing past us aggressively as two bags of muscle follow behind her. I can see Harper's eye twitching at my right, she drags me away with her stomping, my arm slipping out of Jaxson grip. Eventually, she realizes that I'm still attached and lets me go. I turn around to look at the group, a bit confused about what is going on. They all shrug, scrambling inside the building.The foyer was a moderate size the pretty yellow leaves the room to a soft glow. The living room, from what I can see, is also a beautiful yellow, the furniture a light grey to match. The far side of the room, large windows line the entire wall, all open, all the curtains swaying from the northern wind. Fin and Melanie sit on a sofa, both squished into their sides of the seat. They look uncomfortable and angry, the look is new on the delicate nymph princess. Fin quickly stands, his eyes landing on me. They run from my face, down to the floor and back again."Adara." He forces out, tripping over the small decorative table and rushing to me. He wraps his arms around me, the skin cold from the wind, but I don't mind. When the silence finally penetrates our little bubble, we let go."Mel, get in here." I motion her over. With reluctance, she stands, waddling over before engulfing me in a hug. "Its good to see a familiar face," she mumbles into my ear. I nod and let her go. Poor girl, I'm surprised at how well she is handling everything.Looking at her now I see how much she has changed. Though it has almost been a month, she looks to have aged years. Her innocence replaced by a maturity only the Umor family can bear. Standing here now, she almost reminds me of her mother, though I only saw Athena for a few moments the similarities are monumental. "Wow, you all look awful." A voice rings from behind. Simultaneously, we all turn, Vita's cheeky grin greeting us. I smile, slowly walking up to her and pulling her close. She chuckles and hugs back, squeezing me slightly. Though we didn't spend much time together, Vita and I have a lot in common when it comes to our maturity. She has also grown, less soft and more... rougher around the edges. "You go through what we have and then we'll talk." Christine pipes up, making Vita laugh."I guess you're right. Please, everyone, sit and tell us all what's been happening. You all can leave in the morning but for now, I feel like we need this." Vita speaks to all of us, but her eyes are on Melanie. She looks like she has been through a lot. I can't help but look at Jaxson, his under eyes dark with the nightmares that come in the night. He needs time with us, to laugh and forget, even if it just for a moment. Zander sits in one of the chairs on the left side of the room, Harper sitting on top of him. Christine squats on the floor next to Vita, who immediately starts telling her what has happened since we split. Fin and Melanie go back to their other sides of their sofa and Jaxson stands, leaning against the right wall. I walk over to him, mocking him by leaning next to him. He scoffs and tries his best to stifle his chuckle. "What do you want?" He says, looking down at me."I want to make sure you are okay. You are doing okay right?" I ask, putting my hand against his shoulder, seeping heat into his pained muscles. He relaxes, slouching his rigid muscles before nodding. "I'm fine, Dara. Now go spend time with your friends." Dara, he said it again. This time, instead of it annoying me, it makes my heartbeat quicken. I hastily shake it off, bumping him with my shoulder. "Not if you won't come over with me." I pause, watching him before I continue. "Jaxson... you need to get things off your mind." I say softly. He tenses, turning his head to look out the window."It's a lot easier said than done." "Then let's get it done. You need to be surrounded by people who-""Don't tell me what I need. What I need is my sister back." He snaps, quiet enough that no one else hears it but it rings in my ears like an exploding bomb. Jaxson turns from mee and marches through the foyer into the golden light of sunset. I go to walk after him but someone's hand stops me. I turn to see Fin, his eyes seem to have a better relationship with words than his tongue cause they plead with me. We just got you back, stay. I yank my hand away and shuffle after Jaxson.He stands westward, in the middle of the street, not moving, not speaking, just there. The light that shines down on his front makes him look like a shadow from behind. Dark and brooding as usual. "I don't understand why you can't just grow from this, death is natural. We all have scars and ghost of our own and I just don't understand-" "You're right. We all have scars and ghost of our own Adara, some lead us to this stupid rebellion and others are because of it. I have experienced both and I haven't grown from any of it. When you experience a loss like mine then you will understand." I can feel my blood burn, bubbling beneath my skin. "When I experience a loss like yours?" I repeat, stomping up to him, our faces inches apart. "My own father died before I was born, I never had his wisdom or his attention. My own mother hated me and I never got to see my fathers love. I think that is enough loss. I have chosen to be a better person despite all of it, not wallowing in sadness from my losses, but focusing on not being like my mother." Everything just starts spilling out at once, all my feelings, the pain of losing my brother and the thought of losing Kira. Tears rush down my face as anger streaks across him. "I know you're upset, and I know you're angry, but I promise that if you push those feelings away and replace them with acceptance and love then you will grow" My voice is soft, barely a whisper that floats between the small space, the only thing keeping us apart. Jaxson softens, one tear slipping from his face before he turns away from me. I grab his hand and give it a light squeeze before letting him go, leaving him in his thoughts.---We sit in the small garden that lays behind the house, which I later found out was owned by the Haise family. I made a small fire and we all huddle around it, hearing Vita's tale of what has gone down."So now we're here, sitting by the fire and waiting for my father to make a decision." She says, hugging her knees to her chest. Nari sits by her side, his eyes lingering over her small frame. I know that look, it was the same one Calore gives Kira. My heart sinks at the thought of him, he hurt her badly, I can see it in her eyes. How can someone hurt a person they love.I turn to Jaxson, who sits on my right. He decided to come back around when the sun went down. Fin didn't seem too happy about it either. I think he wants the marriage that my mother promised to be real. That having a wife would prove that he isn't bitter or stubborn. Over my dead body"So you're going to invade Liora, one of the most secure places in the country aside from Tellus and Terram, with close to no backup, and your mother on a path to stop you and your father at all cost." Porter elaborates, staring at Vita dumbfoundedly. The greenie woman pauses, nodding her head after a long silence. "Yeah, that sounds about right." She says, her voice more cheerful than it should be. "Well, it would be rude of us not to stay and help you. I mean if it's for the cause then I don't understand why we couldn't, right Harper?" Christine asks, turning her head to the brooding blonde. She shrugs and eyes Vita up and down before turning to Nari."Have the Directors confirmed that everyone who is loyal to Vita's father is not in Liora?" Harper questions. Nari nods in response. "Then I don't see why we can't stay. Just until Vita does what she was told to do." Harper says, her voice drowned out by clumped cheers and clapping. They all look so happy, even Jaxson, whose lips crack into a cheeky grin when he talks to Melanie. I just hope that it isn't spoiled by more death. Any of them could be next, Harper, who I just started forming a new bind with, or Jaxson, a comfort to me even when his life is at its worse. Or Vita, who only wants her life to be more than royalty. I can't let any more blood spill.