Red Like Roses

Chapter 14

Heather's eyes go wide in surprise. She quickly shakes her head

"No....no you must be lying," she says," there's no way you're him! He was a normal human-," She abruptly stops remembering something.

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10 years ago.....

Six year old Heather walks along in the woods her hood pulled down. She has a basket full of treats for the friend she'd been meeting with the past few months. Suddenly she hears footsteps behind her. She whips around to see a man standing in the shadows. Suddenly his body begins to change and in his place stands a wolf with black fur and blue eyes. The wolf stalks towards her and Heather backs up. But then her back hits a tree. The wolf seems to grin and lunges at her! She screams and closes her eyes waiting for the pain. But she feels nothing. She opens her eyes to find a smaller wolf with the same black fur and blue eyes.

No... the eyes are different, Heather thinks, they have kindness and understanding in them.

The wolves circle one another. Then the large on attacks, the smaller one tries to strike back but it's at a disadvantage. Then there's a howl of pain and the smaller wolf falls to the ground, bleeding from its side! Heather slowly stands up and takes out the practice sword she had since she couldn't have a real weapon. She takes slow deliberate steps towards the wolf. The wolf turns and snarls at her but is surprised when Heather meets its gaze. Heather's eyes dart to the small wolf on the ground. Everything turns red. She rushes the large wolf her cloak surrounding her and making her go faster than humanly possible. She slashes at the wolf until it howls and limps away. Heather's vision returns to normal and she collapses on the ground, next to the wolf that'd saved her.

I unlocked my semblance, she thinks with a smile.

"Thank you," she whispers to the wolf and then everything fades into darkness.

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"You...you saved me back then. Why? And why are you trying to kill me now," Heather screams feeling betrayed. The Alpha sighs.

"It's because I.....," a howl cuts him off," oh well, I suppose we'll have lots of time to talk soon." He grins and then runs off. That's when the sirens start blaring.

"Alert! Code red! The enemy is attempting to breach the perimeter," Solace's voice rings clearly through the PA system. Heather grits her teeth and runs toward the howls of wolves. She propels herself up onto the outer wall. Then she looks down at the masses of wolves and bandits. She chuckles.

" Well lookie here," she calls out louder than any of the howls attracting all the attention. "It seems we have some wolves among our enemies. Well ya know Little Red Riding Hood was a weak little kid before.....," she leaps down to the front line and Solace, Winter, and Willow appear by her side. "But now shes got a giant gun-scythe and is out for revenge!" Her voice echoes throughout the battlefield intimidating and strong. Some of the weaker wolves back up in response to a higher authority.

"This is gonna be fun," says Solace as she readies her gauntlets. Willow draws her blade and eyes the bandits in the back. She looks to Heather who nods.

"Winter," Heather says looking to her left, "do it." Suddenly a flash of white appears and disappears just as quickly leaving a 20 foot white night behind Winter. The wolves back up in surprise but then bare their teeth. They start barking and howling.

"Oh shut up you're all bark and no bite," Solace says. Then she shoots her gauntlets behind her and starts shaving down their lines. Willow wraps her weapons ribbon around a nearby branch and swings to the back. Winter charges in with her knight behind her as Heather takes out her scroll.

"Send in everyone," she says and the PA starts blaring again. Soon the wolves are pushed back and it seems as though the Spire is going to win. But a voice rings out in a loud chant. Heather looks towards the nearby woods and sees Raven standing there arms reaching towards the sky. Fire erupts from her hands and comes racing towards Heather's lines.

"Fire brigade,"she yells and all the people with shield, fire, and water powers come up but it weakens their lines. A cry rings out.

"They've broken through the west side!"

We cant win this. She stares at Raven who continues to control the flames. Suddenly the water from a nearby lake explodes. A woman in a white cape steps out. Rose petals billow in the wind behind her. And when she looks up everyone can see her red-black hair and silver eyes.

"Mom," Heather cries. Raven's eyes go wide and the flames rush towards Summer only to be extinguished by a tidal wave.

"Heather," Summer's voice rings out," get everyone out of here. Scatter, you can't win this. You're not ready, not yet. You will find each other again but you must choose your battles wisely." Heather's eyes fill with tears but she nods. She starts commanding everyone to gather supplies and meet in the Grad Hall. Summer watches their backs as they retreat.

"Winter," Heather says," hit it." Winter nods and activates the dust in her hand creating portals. The pictures change in quick succession, a forest, a beach, an oasis, etc.. Everyone filed into four lines and went through until only Crow, Solace, Winter, Willow, the triplets, Genna, Trinity, and Summer remained. Crow would take the kids and Heather and her team would go with Summer. Once Crow and the kids passed through Summer turned to them and said, " I can't come with you."

"What do you mean?! You'll be killed," Heather exclaims.

"I need to talk to an old friend," Summer says with a small sad smile. Then pushes the four through the portal and closes it.

"No," Heather screams," Winter get me back there!"

"I can't," she says," I'm out of portal dust."

"No," Heather screams as she falls to her knees and weeps. The others surround her in an embrace giving her silent support.

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Summer kneels, hands and legs bound before Raven.

"You put up quite a fight but you should've run like the rest," Raven says.

"No, I couldn't. I needed to know why you are doing this. Why would you leave us," Summer replies and Raven's eyes take on a steely look.

"Because my tribe needed me and I owe them everything."

"But we were your friends and family! You left your husband and daughter," Summer yells.

"All the better for you right," Raven shoots back. Summer's eyes go wide with hurt. Raven lets out a shaky breath.

"Well it wont matter soon. We both know of the four elementalists. Water, fire, earth, and air. And we know it's passed on through people of the same gender as the one before. But only the person who is in their last thoughts," Raven draws her sword, raises Summer's chin, and puts the blade to her neck. "I hope you think of me," the blade passes through Summer's throat and the light leaves her eyes. A blue orb leaves Summer's body and Raven reaches for it but it speeds off away from Raven.

"Damn it," she yells.

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Heather awakes with a start to find a blue orb hanging above her. It crashes into her chest and she is filled with this refreshing,calming, but cold sensation. Then a voice whispers in her mind.

"Hellos again Heather," Summer's voice says.

"Mom?!"

"There's a lot of things you need to know and not a lot of time. What's your favorite fairy tale?"