Ancestors

By EEQ

Chapter 4

Pyralis awoke once more and could hear voices.

"Let her stay here? You're not serious."

"What other choice do we have?"

Hoshiko really must hate me, but why? What did I do?

"She'll need to go home and get her things. I don't think she will appreciate being in the same clothes for however long this goes on."

Pyralis smiled. Raidon was right on that one.

I probably smell. I wonder if I can take a shower...I wonder if they will make me take a shower!

Hoshiko came out of the living room and collided with Pyralis.

"Sorry," Pyralis said.

Hoshiko made a vague growling noise.

Wait, why am I apologizing? She walked into me!

"Listen, I'm tired of you!" Pyralis snapped. "I never asked for any of this! Have some compassion!"

Hoshiko looked shocked. Hearing this girl who up until now had been quiet and shy explode in her face was quite a surprise.

"You think you're superior to me and you're not! All my life people have thought of me as some insect in their path but I deserve more than that! Leave me alone!"

Her rising voice had attracted the attention of the others. They all watched in fascination. No one had ever talked back to Hoshiko in this way.

Hoshiko's mouth was open, but she seemed unable to speak. Pyralis wanted a reply. She waited.

"You're all right," Hoshiko said finally. "Still...I have my reasons." She sighed, then she actually smiled. "I deserved that. Keep it up." She went out of the apartment.

The three boys were staring with their mouths hanging open.

"Sorry," she said. "I..."

"Way to go Pyralis!" Raidon cheered. He rushed up and hugged her. She quite enjoyed that, but it was different from Zarek's hug last night.

"No one has ever won her respect," Makoto said. "Well, maybe Zarek, but he was the one who saved her."

"Saved her?"

"Hoshiko used to live on the streets. Her parents died a few years ago and left her with nothing. She was mistreated all her life and didn't trust anyone," Zarek explained.

"Until Zarek sensed her energy, and took her off the street. He's the only one she really trusts," Makoto finished.

"I feel bad now," Pyralis said, ashamed.

"Don't," Raidon said. "She needs to learn to at least get along with us, and if the only way to do that is to fight back..."

"She doesn't seem the type to accept pity," Pyralis said, "but I know how she feels. My parents...They don't even know I'm around most of the time." She sighed and changed the subject. "What are you going to do with me?"

"We want you to live here," Raidon said. "One of us will take you home later to pick up anything you might want from your house. You'll be safer with us than anyone else, now."

"That's very kind...Are you sure I won't be in the way?"

"Never! You're far too good looking."

"Raidon, stop putting the charm on her," Makoto said. "You're making me feel ill."

Raidon winked at Pyralis. "Maybe later, babe."

Pyralis was feeling giddy. They really want to protect me! No one has cared at all about me in my life...She winked back. "If you say so, babe."

Zarek laughed. "Now who's putting the charm on who?"

"I don't mind it at all," Raidon said. "I'll take you to your house now, if you'd like. I don't work until ten today."

"All right. I won't be long, anyway."

"See you in a bit," Raidon said. He and Pyralis left.

"I think he really likes her," Makoto said.

"Maybe." Zarek went back into the living room and sat down. "Makoto, let's get some work done. When, where, and who will Hye be attacking, and what are her big plans? That is what we have to find out."

"Zarek, we keep trying, and come up with nothing."

"I know that, Makoto. I just wish I knew what she was up to."

*****

Pyralis threw some things into a bag. All the clothes she had (which weren't many), a few odds and ends, and her prized possession. Her prized possession was a framed picture of herself with her grandparents. Her grandparents and parents had not gotten along well, and her parents had severed all ties with them. They had moved far away and lost touch completely. Pyralis missed them a lot. They had cared about her, at least a little.

She carefully folded the picture into her clothes, and zipped up the bag.

I suppose I should say goodbye, or at least leave a note.

"Mom?" she called, poking her head into her mother's room. There she was, buried under the sheets, as usual.

"Pyralis?" Her mother surfaced, and blinked at her. "When did you cut your hair?"

"Six months ago, Mom. It's mostly grown out now. I'm leaving home."

"You're not old enough!"

"I'm sixteen, Mom. I'm old enough."

"If that's the way you want it. Keep in touch."

"Sure, Mom." Pyralis gave her a brief hug. "Goodbye. Where's Dad?"

"Passed out in the basement, at least that's where I saw him last."

"Tell him I said goodbye."

"Pyralis...Be careful."

Pyralis smiled. "I will. You take care, Mom."

Raidon was waiting for her outside. "Ready?"

"Yes."

"Are you sad at leaving everything behind?"

"No, not at all." They started walking back to the apartment.

*****

"I really need to learn how to fly," Pyralis said. She was still tired and the walk back seemed long and exhausting.

"It's not hard. You just find your center, focus your energy, and put space between yourself and the ground."

Pyralis had no idea whatsoever what he was talking about. Raidon laughed at the look on her face.

"Sorry. I forgot that you haven't been around Zarek long enough to learn all this stuff. I'll let him teach you, he's much better at it than I am!"

"I'm sure you explained it beautifully, I'm just not that quick."

"Aw, don't say that."

Pyralis winked. "I just wanted you to compliment me."

Raidon laughed, and they continued walking. Pyralis fell back a bit, lost in her thoughts.

She fell to the ground and her bag went flying. She was being attacked again. In broad daylight.

This isn't exactly a busy area...

"I've been sent by Hye to destroy you. If you don't resist I will make it painless."

"Raidon!"

Raidon ran back to her, but someone else came out and jumped him.

Great. My luck is so bad.

Pyralis was done for.