DM 1988: This is Chapter 2 of 'Lament of the Flame Witch.' So far, nothing much to say other than enjoy it and leave some reviews.

Disclaimer: Taranee would burn me up, Scorpion-style, if I said I own W.I.T.C.H. I don't, okay

Chapter 2—Deadly Silence

The dark damp caves under the Meridian area housed a small community, where the few remaining rebels lived. The rebels living in this hideout have secluded themselves from the surface. Ones who have families resided here as well, usually running shops where the rebels get what is left of their supplies. They feared for Phobos's rapidly growing army and if spotted, could mean a fate worse than death. Though many have had high hopes in stopping the onslaught, sometimes they feel like the grotesquely violent days is never going to end.

The atmosphere changed to a more serene environment when Caleb and Taranee arrived at the hideout. Ever since news broke out regarding Taranee's survival, the rebels felt that they still might have a chance against the bloodshed caused by Phobos and his men.

Many of the rebels kneeled before the Fire Guardian upon her arrival. While it felt weird for Taranee at first, she has come to accept it as they treat her with utmost respect. Soon, the rebels resume with their duties, from forging weapons to providing those in need.

Caleb saw Aldarn ordering people to prepare for their next battle. Caleb told Taranee that he'll be with Aldarn with battle preparations. Taranee took this time to look around in the weapon shop.

She went inside the shop and what she saw was that the shop was very scarce in weapons, but plentiful in supplies. Despite this, however, the shop looked torn down. Shelves and windows were broken; Skeletons hung from the wood planks that supported the crumbling building.

"Hmm, they must be sold out of weapons. Either that, or Phobos's men have scouted this place."

"Who's…that…that just came in?" said a quivering voice.

Taranee heard someone behind the counter. She looked around in the room to find out who was in here. After a few minutes of searching, the Fire Guardian found a small Passling hunched over in fear.

"Hey, you run this shop? It could use a bit of a renovation here." she said in a rather discouraging way.

The Passling continued quivering, "…Don't…kill…me…Phobos…"

"Fear has consumed this Passling." Taranee thought. She spoke to the Passling in a calmer tone, "Don't worry, I'm not here to hurt you."

The Passling turned his head to see that it wasn't Phobos, but the sole surviving Guardian of the Veil.

"It is you, Taranee. What can I do for you…?"

Outside the shop, Caleb, Aldarn and Vathek were discussing their plans to stop Phobos's reign of terror. It seems that they had been fighting in this gruesome battle for months with no end.

"This war…it just never seems to end." lamented Caleb.

"Phobos will do anything to make sure no one stands in his way." said Aldarn.

Vathek was looking at the axe he was wielding when the two rebels were having their conversation.

"With the Guardians of the Veil gone, you think that Phobos would have achieved his goals by now." Aldarn continued. "However, he continues to slaughter every last person in Meridian; every last one."

"Yeah, and he won't stop 'til he gets his hands on Taranee and the Heart of Candracar." Caleb added to Aldarn's statement.

"What are you two worrying about? Taranee will be fine. Ever since she joined our side, she has become a very strong fighter." Vathek said with confidence. "While her power might not be enough, at least we have a chance."

"But still, if we take on Phobos at this state, we will fall before him." Caleb said as he got up from his seat. "I can't really afford to have Taranee keep fighting like this."

"Nor can I."

"So you came in here to find weapons here, no? Well, I hate to disappoint you, but those wicked freaks that serve Phobos have broken in here and stole every weapon here." The Passling solemnly said, "Not only that, but every crop and grain of rice in here."

"I see. Not one weapon left, huh?" Taranee responded.

Ever since she first came here to their hideout, the shop was boasting with various weapons one warrior could ever find, whether it was spears, axes, swords, mace, you could name it. The whip Taranee wielded has shown some wear and tear after a year of battles and having a shop once full of them, now is empty. This couldn't come at a worse time.

Just as Taranee was about to leave the shop, she noticed something glowing in her hand. The Heart; what could it want, she asked herself. She took a glance outside to see nothing has happened…yet. To her, it was like Heart was telling her to be on her guard. The Passling looked at Taranee with intrigue, especially with the Heart of Candracar she held in her hand.

With a trance in his eyes, he pulled out a surprise for her.

"Well, I DID manage to save a special weapon for you. It's a good thing those monsters didn't find this." the Passling cackled as he held in his hands a bladed whip.

"Hmm, I've never seen that kind of weapon before. It must be a whip sword." Taranee gazed at the weapon with awe as she grabbed it with her hands. "Thanks."

"You're welcome." The Passling said with a joyful tone. However, this did not last as he heard rumbling nearby. He hid himself behind where he was once was when Taranee first came in.

"They're back. They will kill us all."

Taranee could feel it too, as the Heart began pulsing at a frenetic rate.

"So, that was what the Heart was telling Me." thought Taranee as she got her new whip sword ready. She silently went outside, but was bewildered at the sight outside. There was no one in the vicinity. It looked like a ghost town, with wind eerily blowing. Another thing she noticed is that there was no blood in sight, nor any bones lying on the ground. While these weren't present, she could tell that everyone was at least captured by Phobos's army. She did spot someone lying on the ground.

"…Everyone…taken…by…guards…" the young man groaned.

Taranee rushed to the injured person in a hurry. Once she reached him, she rolled his body to see who it was. The minute he was on his back, Taranee noticed it was Caleb. His chest was bleeding, his clothing was torn from the ambush, and his sword was stolen from him.

"Phobos's…men…have…destroyed everything…kidnapped people…" Caleb strained from the damage he received.

"Don't talk, Caleb. It's best to conserve your energy. Let me help." Taranee said as she conjured Caleb in a protective bubble. His wounds were healed, but the pain was still there. Just as she was healing him, something struck her mind. An arrow flew towards the two teens. Taranee swung her arm to emit an energy shield, blocking it from them. The attacker hid himself in the shadows to avoid being spotted.

"We need to get out of here, quick. This place is too dangerous."

She took Caleb and flew to an area outside of the hideout. She then opened a portal back to Earth where they will be safe, at least for now.

Once she and Caleb returned to Earth, they immediately headed for her house, though she did not look too thrilled. They snuck into her room upstairs, hoping that they won't get caught by someone.

They entered her room, which didn't change one bit since she left. She laid Caleb on her bed and took off his shirt off to see his wounds. Even though her healing spell worked, it didn't really help matters get any better. He had slash marks all over his body. She immediately got a first aid kit from the kitchen without being seen. The first aid kit was opened as she placed a cotton ball into some rubbing alcohol.

"Now, Caleb, this is going to hurt a bit. Just stay calm." She told him as she placed the alcohol drenched cotton ball on his body.

"AAUUGGHH! Damn it!" yelled Caleb.

Taranee grabbed his hand in order to calm him down. She heard him say something about the rebels being captured.

"What do you mean, Caleb?"

"Phobos's men have captured every one of them. It's a good thing he didn't kill them."

Outside of the house, a mother was heading inside the house after doing some grocery shopping. She heard screaming in one of the rooms when she was opening the main door.

"Who was that that just screamed? Is she back? No, it can't be."

Caleb, who was feeling the sting in his body, raised his fist and clasped it to his head. Taranee felt his pain and agitation. She wanted to help him, but she could not figure out how. The only thing that she could come up with was her newly acquired whip sword she held in her hand.

"I'll go find them, Caleb. You just take a break from this." She confidently said.

Caleb, however, refused her request. "NO, you shouldn't. It's bad enough four of the Guardians died, but I can't see you going into battle."

"Caleb! If we don't do something now, Meridian is done for! I can't allow that to happen. If Will was here, she would do the same thing, even if she didn't want to." She calmly said after mentioning Will's name.

They stood in silence for a few minutes before she spoke again, "I'm the Keeper now and I mustn't disappoint Will…"

With that said Caleb gave her his torn trench coat and gave her a thumb up.

"Just watch yourself, all right?"

"Sure, thanks."

Just as she was about to exited out of the window, the door opened, revealing a young mother. She gasped at the young man lying on the bed, shirtless. But was even more shocked when she saw her daughter dressed in torn clothing.

"T-Taranee?"

Taranee simply responded in a deadpan tone.

"…Hello, mother…"