Transcendence Rebels
Chapter 14
A blonde twelve-year-old ran home as fast as possible as the day dimmed. She was a spoiled brat, but that didn't stop her from helping out when she could. Just that morning a symbol began to appear on carved into wood, engraved into glass, and sprayed on walls, one that sparked hope in the townsfolk and instilled fear into the soldiers that milled around. The hope of something new, and the fear of the unknown.
She knew without being told that it was the sign of the rebellion.
As she passed a spray-painted version, she slowed to look at it. An open shackles, linked with a few links, hovered under a lovely dove spreading it's wings in the dying light. Encasing all of this was a vivid black circle, but the dove's wings overlapped it, as if it was trying to escape. She ran on.
No-one knew what it ment, but the girl thought that the open shackles were for freedom, the dove was for peace, and the harsh circle represented Gideon's iron rule, which the dove was trying to free itself from.
Little did she know that she was right.
She rushed on, and soon she was home. He parents were filthy rich, and a butler met her at the door.
"Your parents await you in the fifth lounge, miss." The girl nearly groaned, but barely restrained herself. A lady acts refined and delicate, was what her mother always told her. Instead she went to the room, and paused at the doorway.
"Darling, where have you been? We've been worried sick!" Her mother said, sparkling with diamonds. She scowled, and placed her hands on her hips.
"You've done no such thing." The words were out before she could stop them. Her father stood.
"How dare you speak to your mother like that, girl." He snarled. "And really, where have you been? Your clothes are filthy." The blonde looked down at herself. There was, in fact, not a speck of dust on her clothing. "We have a reputation to uphold, girl. We do not play with the rabble." He spat the word.
"But-" She protested.
"No buts." Her mother said. "Go to your room." She hesitated.
"With pleasure." Her voice was laced with venom, and she climbed the stairs to her room.
She threw open the door, and closed it with a slam, making sure the sound echoed throughout the house. Without another thought, she began to pack her sturdiest clothes into a pink satchel. Then she tore down her curtains, pulled the sheets off her bed, and tied them together. She slung her bag over her head, threw open her windows, tied the end of her rope to a bedpost, and climbed out the window.
On the ground, she gave a final wave to her home, and set off down the street.
She wasn't going back.
No, Pacifica Northwest was joining the rebellion.
The rebels were half-way through their bowstaff lessons, when their current scouts raised the alarm. Almost as quickly, it changed to the signal for 'friend.' A knock sounded from the door.
"Pair off, stick with the basics." Alcor ordered. "No fancy maneuvers." He strode to the door, and opened it to reveal a young face holding a pink satchel.
"Hi, Dipper." She said timidly.
"Hello, Pacifica." He stepped aside to let her in. "Get in, before someone sees you. And it's Alcor now." She obeyed as the demon checked for witnesses. There was none.
"Thanks." She mumbled.
"You can bunk with Wendy. For now, grab a staff and get in line. We'll run over the rules later." She nodded, and ran to do as she was bid as Alcor walked back to the group.
"Everyone, this is Pacifica Northwest. She's just joining us. Pacifica, this is Qual, Kali, Vereyu and Lavendyr. Marcus is in the workroom and Dominic is on watch with Mabel." Stan frowned.
"How did you find us, anyway?" He asked.
"Good question." She replied, getting in line. "I left home last night, and I ended up having to spend the night in the forest. I never would have found you if Mabel hadn't recognized me and given me directions."
"Right. Vereyu will be your mentor just for today. Tomorrow I expect you to know your way around. Everyone, pair off and begin." Alcor ordered.
Later that night, during the rebels free time, Pacifica opened her bag and brought out a belt with a dozen daggers strapped to it. She slung it around her waist, and stalked to the target range. Noticing her, Mabel broke off her conversation with Kali and Vereyu to join her. Kali had become more comfortable with the rebels, and now spoke confidently to them. Curious, the two girls followed.
Pacifica unsheathed a knife, and flipped it in her palm before throwing it hard into the nearest target. It embedded itself deep into the wood with a loud thud. It was not quite a perfect bullseye, but it was close.
"I didn't know that you knew how to fight with knives." Mabel remarked, arms crossed.
"I only learnt a month ago." She replied, throwing another into the target. "I started to sneak out of the house, and these kids on the streets taught me a few things. One showed me how to fight with knives, another taught me how to pick a lock." Another thud.
"Alcor doesn't want to teach us how to use blades, but why don't you show those who want to learn during our free time?" Vereyu suggested. Pacifica nodded.
"Sure." She said as she tossed a dagger into the air, and caught the blade with ease. Kali winced.
"Aren't you afraid of slicing your hand open with that thing?"
"I take it you don't want to learn?" Was the only reply.
"You won't catch me near one of those. They're dangerous and sharp and unpredictable." Pacifica shrugged, and threw another dagger.
"Suit yourself." Then she paused. "What's the point of this rebellion, anyway."
"To defeat Gideon, of course." Mabel replied, frowning.
"Well, yeah, but how do you plan to do that?" Now Alcor walked up.
"By training and increasing our numbers."
"What about the soldiers?" Alcor and Mabel exchanged looks.
"She has a point." She told her brother. He nodded.
"Pick the soldiers off, one by one." Vereyu suggested.
"Yes. During the day, our best archers will attack them. An arrow to the leg, or arm, or shoulder. Enough to injure them, but not to kill." Alcor ordered.
"What about the country? If we get rid of Gideon, they'll still be after us." Kali said, frowning.
Alcor started to pace. Mabel widened her eyes slightly at this, as it was very unlike him to do that anymore. She smiled. Perhaps her brother wasn't completely lost. Lavendyr approached with Wendy. Dom and Stan were on watch at this hour.
"Plant rumors." The spy suggested. "Loosen his hold, make more people distrust him. Say that he's crazy, or not as in control as he seems. Gossip will do the rest. People can't trust someone who's not what they seem, or aren't in control. That way when we pull him off the throne he made for himself, no-one will help him up." Mabel cocked her head in thought.
"That's not a bad idea. Tomorrow, Lav and Vereyu will knock out and long-time injure several soldiers. Just a few, so they don't go on alert." Alcor nodded.
"While they're doing that, Pacifica and Marcus, because they're the less noticeable, will spread rumors about how Gideon's grip is slipping, and his soldiers are no longer protecting the town from paranormal activity, as they all believe they are. Qual will put an illusion on all four of them, to disguise them. We're not taking the chance of someone getting caught. Wendy, go tell Marcus this." He ordered, and she obeyed.
"Alright." Pacifica announced, hands on hips. "Those who want to learn how to use knives, come here." Only Mabel and Vereyu stepped up.
"I'm alright, dude!" Wendy called over her shoulder. Alcor walked away with his hands in the air.
"Sorry, but not me." Mabel raised an eyebrow at this, but shrugged as Pacifica gave each of them two daggers each, and began the lesson.