Book 1- The Ark of Time

Chapter 9

"Tell us where the Vesta's have gone." The woman asks, approaching Horatia.
The girl blocked her dual scythes, "Why do you need to know that?" She pushed the woman away, charging at her. Strange enough, the stranger did not move until the last moment, her movements maybe faster than Brandon or Ruleum. She threw her weapons away, and went in to grab Horatia's wrists, using her strength to stop her.
The woman stormed at her, slamming into the girl, who fell backwards. The stranger picked her up and pinned her against the wall, "I'm going to asked one more time." When the brunette looked up at the man, his silver eyes were glowing, "Where is the Vesta family?"
A strange feeling rose inside her, filling every inch of her chest as words formed on her lips, "B- No." It only continued, combing through every memory, "T-they're stay-ing near the school, in a-" Suffocation on her own words, she fell to the ground.
"Don't fight it. The more you fear it, the more it will consume you."
"I'm not saying anything- Aghh!"
"Do want him to repeat it?"
"Ahh-... There in... a small house in the woods." She did not say those words, yet they came out of her mouth.

The man smiled, the glow in his eyes fading, "Good job, sweet Horatia... Don't worry, you'll see them soon." He nodded, followed by a strange gust forming at the woman's hand, "Do you know what happens when extremely fast wind gathers in a small area?" The room became still, "It creates a dangerous weapon that can cut through just about anything."

The brunette raced by the dark creature chasing her through the woods. It's nose twitching as it neared, without warning, it leaped onto her, it's jaws clamping around her arm, and beginning to shred it, "No..." It enveloped her in cold sleep, its ruffled fur prickling her face as her eyes shut close. That darkness... It followed close by, seemingly no exit nearby. But within that void, stood something else, its light blinding in the dullness. The girl opened her eyes as the gust picked up behind, her head now clear as she looked around the room.
'You have to!'
"I... Will try..."
"Huh?" Time slowed to a stop, giving Horatia the chance to slip out of her grip and jump back. Her spell broke, but it she it was enough, "You're not getting away..." The woman grabbed her scythes as the teen ran out of the house, "You can try, but you can't outrun me."
Time stopped around her as she willed it, and in the moment of calm Horatia broke into a sprint. Her magic draining every moment that passed, and the sudden realisation that she was alive.

Just as she arrived, the spell broke. Panting, she knocked on the door, which creaked open. Without a second thought, Horatia ran inside. Unexpectedly, Ruleum stood in the living room, his claws out, ready to attack. "Don't attack! It's Horatia!"
Surprised, the flames died, "Horatia? You're back already? What's u-"
She grasped his shoulders, "They're coming...!"
Brandon jumped through the window at the other side of the room, "Who is coming?"
The girl tried to catch her breath, as the man approached, "Are you okay? You look you saw a ghost."
"They're coming! The ones who destroyed the residence and created the tornado! The woman paid me a visit, and there was this man with her, they questioned me about where all of you were hiding. I didn't give in, but my mouth moved against its own will, and told them that we hid in this house, and afterwards they said they'd kill me and all of you, so I ran out to warn you all." They glanced at each other, the atmosphere tense as Horatia gazed at the wooden floorboards, "I didn't even think about giving away our location, I'm sorry..."
Helios placed his hand on her shoulder to comfort her, "It's okay..." Cyra opened her mouth, but the man glared at her, "By any chance, did the man have grey hair and silver eyes?"
"How did you..?"
The noble closed his eyes, "I had feared this..."

Ruleum thought about it for a while in their silence, "Then when you asked me to patrol the area after I told you about the strange noises I heard from the training grounds, it was because of that?"
Helios nodded, "Horatia, I am not mad at you." The girl cocked her head, watching him, "Because it is not your own fault that you answered him. This man is one of a several magicians that possess grey magic, you could not have won against him in that case. I have already sent a letter to the military regarding our absences. It would be best to leave right now and wait until they have been arrested."
The woman looked at Helios, "Or we fight right here."
Brandon shook his head, "We cannot do that yet, we can't fight when half of us are exhausted, and Horatia will have to come with us as well since she is also a target."
"Yes, but we must leave since they will be here at any moment." Helios stood up.
Cyra leaned against the wall, "So, we run?"
"For now."