Author's Note: Hi everyone, thank you for all the nice reviews! Thanks to Marina3Eight and SoulfulSword for following and favouriting! Thank you to Leaning Leon, SoulfulSword, Tactum Ignis, I'm Number Eleven and Guest for reviewing - you guys are the best. Thanks for the Legacy ideas - they're really helpful! I've skipped in-book time a bit here, it'll fill in what happened between Three's death and now. Please review!
3 months later...
Five POV
I restlessly get up to a sound of a soft bang. I open my eyes and wipe the sleep from them, there at my door stands him. Albert. Or Rey I should call him. The atmosphere is hot and dry, humidity would seem to be a luxury now. We're in Australia; after Three… died, we moved straight away, arriving to the secluded and more isolated parts of the continent. I groggily get up, my legs weak and powerless from the deep sleep I was in, the soft planks of wood used as a floor, burn to the touch. The sun never sets here – it's just an endless light and heat that burns and fries anything in it's path. I look to Rey once again, he's got a rifle in his hand and his eyes are frantic, this instantly snaps me into a cautious stance,
"Rey what's-"
"They're here! The Mogadorians!" he says, urgency in his voice, I'm shocked, slightly frozen, how would the Mogs find us-
"Run Five! Quickly!" he says, ducking back outside and then he's gone. I'm stunned for a second then I remember that my life is in danger. I suddenly here gunfire outside where Rey left. Worry floods through me and fear. I need to help Rey, but he said to go, the adrenaline kicks in. Without thinking I jump out the low placed window and land on the dry ground below a little less gracefully than I should. I bolt to the open plain ahead, the sun is blaring as I sprint; I don't look back, I try to suppress the tears that've formed in my eyes as I run. The sun's intensity beats down on my burnt neck and back, a thin singlet protecting me from it's harsh and deadly rays of light. The pain and throbbing of my feet clouds my mind as I run over hard rocks and stones. I've surely cut open my soles – but I don't care, the Mogs are here, I could be dead any second. Sweat pours down my face and back, coating my arms and glinting in the sunlight. I reach the far forest, dry trees and deep green vegetation softens my running, leaves that've shrivelled up are crushed underneath my bloodied feet as I push on.
The trees shade my worn and burnt back from the sunlight, I continue running but my lungs weigh me down. I wheeze and cough, stumbling a bit from lifeless light grey branches in my path. I need to catch my breath, but if I stop, the Mogadorian's could get the upper hand on me – but I'm protected by the charm…
I hastily make the decision to stop. I trip and catch myself before falling. My throat is dry and my lungs lack oxygen, I've been running for about 15 minutes full on sprint; I'm not very good at running, but it is really hard. My legs instantly burn as I try to find shelter in a nearby tree. Pins and needles flood through my body; I resist the urge to collapse in agony and pain. My breaths still short and wheezy. I'm sweating hysterically, I drop to my knees on the soft grass, my stomach aching from the pain, my head pounds from an upcoming headache and worst of all the Mogs are probably catching up. I crawl desperately to the shelter of a large fern bush. It looks ideal and large enough to give me some cover. My dirt caked fingers rest on my bloodied knees as I sit up in the bush, I'm shaking – not from coldness but from my scared self. I'm terrified. I feel my heart beat through my chest, each pulse makes me more alert and fearful for what is to come.
Then I remember Rey…
Dread falls upon my shoulders, and my vision blurs. He could be dead for all I know. He can't hold off a squad of Mogs, can he? It might've only been one – I didn't even see the Mogs. I tiny spark of hope lights in me. I immediately regret all the times I saw Rey as a bad Cepan, as a crazy man – I want to curl up into a ball and cry; cry from the pain I'm in, cry for Rey and cry for my life. I didn't ask for this, I want to be normal. I small ruffle from the opposite vegetation draws my attention and interrupts my deep train of thought. I tense up, holding my breath instinctively, trying to not create any sound possible. My hands fidget out of habit and I reach into my pocket – surprisingly my rubber ball is in there; it's the size of a ping pong ball. I pull it out and lay it in my hand, not drawing my eyes away from the bush ahead and roll it on my palm. The ruffles become louder, beads of sweat form on my forehead and slowly slide down my face, my back heats up in an uncomfortable feeling. My brown hair is soaked in what must be sweat and my eyes twitch nervously as I glance to every movement made in the sight before me.
Then a figure appears. A weapon in it's hand, looks like a gun of some sort. Out of habit I grab the rubber ball tightly, gripping it with a strong fist – I can feel the lack of blood flowing to my hands. The figure comes into view and all I can do is exhale in relief.
It's Rey.
I'm about to get up but something flashes across my mind – what if it's a trap? I never really thought of that before, but I quickly discard it as Rey spots me hiding in the bushes. I get up, almost falling again from my weak and worn out legs – my feet have cuts and bruises on them, both caked in dust, sand, dirt and mud which climbs up my legs. My throbbing body stops once I regain composure and look to Rey.
"You're-"
"Did you forget anything?" he cuts me off, his voice low and very hoarse. His simple cold has gotten worse ever since Three died and we moved to Australia – he thought the warm and hotter climate might help but it doesn't look like it's doing any good. His beard has grown out, it's fully grey, almost white and dark grey hairs streak his head hair. The rifle is still strongly in his hands, there's no blood on his shirt and that's when it hits me. This was a test. The Mogadorians never actually came. I feel betrayed and weak – anger arises in me, and my breathing quickens again, but before I can lash out at Rey he cuts me off again,
"Did you forget anything?" he repeats, sounding much firmer and stern. I can't read his face, but I sense some disappointment. I return to his question. Just as I'm about to shake my head, indicating a 'no', it dawns on me. My Loric Chest.
"Crap" I mutter softly, looking down. The rich soil beneath me is now colder, but still as dry as before. Rey exhales deeply and wheezes. He looks at me dead straight as I look back to him, I can't see his face that well because slivers of sunlight are seeping through the shading trees and into my eyes. I squint and put my hand up to block the light,
"Your first priority is your life. The second is your chest" he says, a hint of glee at the end of his sentence. I nod and remain quiet, waiting for the lecture and rant that usually comes after I make a mistake that in reality would've killed me. There's a long and uneasy pause, then Rey breaks the silence,
"Well… I'm happy to see you've been continuing your training. Though it would've been better if you had made it past this forest and into the fresh water river terrain a mile ahead. But I'm happy otherwise" he says, a very faint smile on his lips; the anger that was boiling up inside me pops. I smile in return, a bit to widely, Rey simply chuckles and begins to walk back. Happiness shown from Rey is rare these days; back when I used to call him Grandpa he would always smile, still serious, but smile. Now I guess there's just too much at stake to enjoy a little time with his Garde. My smile drops slowly and I follow Rey through the vegetation and green. The sun's intensity has increased dramatically and is now burning my whole back, I can feel the bits of skin peeling off as I walk.
I look into the heat filled distance, the far distances slightly blurring as I stare at them. I see our small shack; the caged bush turkey pen next to it and the pig pen opposite that. It's a simple yet terrible way of life. But there's only one person standing between me and death; Number Four. I stop abruptly, causing Rey to slightly turn around. I speak, my voice raspy and weak,
"Um, Rey, I'm going to stay out here for a bit. T-try and go to that fresh water river you were talking about" I say, turning to look behind me at the direction of the fresh water river. Rey turns around and nods, grunting in the process. He continues his way to the shack as I make my way to this so called fresh water river area. I usually spending hours out here after training improving my Telekinesis. I want to surprise Rey when it's really strong and when I can show him that I can fight back against the Mogs. I slowly walk through the dry forest, admiring the beauty that I've haven't seen. The sun's heat is reduced as I near the fresh water river, I can hear the sound of rushing water and the flowing currents. Eagerly I make a slight jog forward, not pushing too hard. The rich brown, dry soil changes to a deeper colour of brown and almost moist upon my tactile contact. The sound of the river fills my ears, it's very peaceful, I see some rabbits on the other side hopping away, and what seems to be a wallaby with her joey, taking a drink from the cool blue liquid.
Faint droplets of water splash onto me as I stand on a small rock face next to the river. I take in a deep breath and step into the flowing water slowly; it washes away the dirt and mud on my body, and the dried sweat and caked blood on my feet. I dive under soaking my hair and face in the surreal atmosphere, the cold body of liquid flows gently against my face, blocking any sound to my ears. I rise, my head dripping wet but clean, I feel refreshed and awake; I pull my self out and carefully sit on a rock cautiously, not wanting to slip and fall in.
I start working on my Telekinesis, looking at a nearby broken branch, I easily move it with my mind. My Legacy has improved dramatically since we moved to Australia. Telekinesis is like a muscle, the more you work it out, the stronger it'll become. Moving heavy branches and rocks are easy now due to my practice. I see a lone boulder lying on the bank of the river, it's cracked in various places. I stretch my hand out and attempt to move it, It budges slightly before shakily ascending off the ground, I accidentally gasp in excitement and shock, and the boulder is dropped back to the ground, water getting splashes and the sound of rocks grinding cutting off my concentration. Just as I'm about to try and lift the boulder again, a blue glint in the shallow water of the river catches my attention.
As I draw nearer to it, my eyes widen more and my mouth drops open.
Marina/Seven POV
I roll out of the way. The wooden sword slicing the air above me, I rear back mine and jab at my opponent; sweat covering my brow and back. I'm training with Adelina on a very hot day at the convent. Well near the convent. We're at a cave I discovered some time ago; the paintings on them depict Loric and Lorien. It's amazing, but we don't know who drew them.
"Marina you're not concentrating!" Adelina shouts, jabbing her sword; it makes contact with my forearm and I drop the wood in pain. I'm breathing heavily from the fast movements, they're really tiring, I gently place my hand on the swollen part of my forearm and the familiar icy feeling takes over my arm.
Healing Touch. It's magic.
My Legacies are growing stronger; after Three died, Adelina returned to her normal self and started teaching and training me. I'm not that good, my Legacies aren't the best; Night Vision, Cryokinesis, Underwater Breathing and Healing – but they're apparently good for survival. I exhale as the swelling reduces and a tiny red spot lies on it before disappearing completely.
"You were distracted today" Adelina says, coming over. She smiles warmly, I pant back, trying to catch my breath. I'm sweating a bit too much for my liking, I hastily pick up the fallen wooden sword,
"Sorry I was just thinking" I breathlessly say, staring at the ground and squinting my eyes from the intense heat. The sun's unrelenting heat blares onto my back and neck. But overall I feel happy with myself, training is hard, but worth it in the end. Although I'm very far behind fighting techniques and combat. My Legacies are at an average stage, Adelina says I can work on them; that I must hone them to perfection. Night Vision and Underwater Breathing are a given, but my Healing and Cryokinesis will take some time to master.
"About what?" she inquires. I shrug, walking with her over to the shaded spot just inside the mouth of the cave. A bench that I moved with my Telekinesis is there.
"Just general things… Lorien, my Legacies, the others" I say, trying to hint the fact that we have to leave sooner or later. Otherwise if the Mogs find us, they could literally destroy Santa Teresa – just look what happened to that school in Ohio! Speaking of the school, John Smith hasn't been spotted since. But his apparent accomplices, the raven haired girl and another boy, I assume are Loric. Adelina nods to my response, I take a slip of the cold clear liquid. It flows through me, instantly refreshing and reenergising my body. My dry throat is moist and I feel relieved. Water has never tasted so good.
"Hey Marina" I hear Ella's voice from the bushes ahead. She's gotten taller when she comes into view, but she'll still always be my little sister. I wave while greedily gulping down another cool drink. Adelina smiles at Ella. I see Crayton, her Cepan, behind; he's shaved his moustache off, which not only makes him look younger, but completely different. I raise my eyebrows at him, he just laughs as he walks over with Ella.
"Lovin' the new look Crayton" I muse, he chuckles. Ella giggles as well, I'm guessing she convinced him to do that – she didn't like the moustache as much.
"How was training?" he says, looking to me then Adelina. She nods,
"She's getting better, but combat is still a struggle" she says, wiping the sweat from her brow, I nod in disappointment, Ella comes and sits next to me and takes my hand,
"Don't worry, when we get out of here, you'll be the best fighter ever!" she says gleefully. Her brown eyes are calming – just one of the many traits she has. I smile and tie my hair back into a high pony tail.
"Adelina, I think it's time. The others are probably already reaching their 5th Legacy and getting stronger. We need to unite" Crayton says, all seriousness in his eyes. I find myself nodding in agreement, I've never felt happier to hear those words. Ella smiles widely, being little Number Ten, she completes us. Adelina sighs, looking down – I know this place will be hard for her to leave, we've spent our whole lives here, not knowing anything else. The outside world, people, media, everything – it'll all be new.
"Tomorrow at sun down" she finally says after a pause. I can't help but yelp in excitement, Ella grins with me, she hugs me then Crayton, then Adelina. Adelina smiles at her happy response, but I sense a sadness behind it. Ella and Crayton say goodbye – they're probably going to pack, unless they already have. I look to Adelina, she's looking down at the ground – the sun is less intense now, the heat barely reaching us.
"You're going to miss it here, aren't you?" I say softly to her, she nods, but smiles anyway. I join her and stand up, stretching in the process. Dry sweat cakes my back, face and arms – I don't even want to see what my stomach looks like. I wonder if being resistant to heat is a Legacy – it would be really helpful. I pull Adelina up and we walk slowly back to the convent; I've grown much closer to Adelina over the past few months, I can't help but like my life at the moment, besides getting chased by a blood thirsty race of alien killers.
I've read reports on the internet about a boy in India who can move rocks with his mind; other than John Smith, he sounds and fits the description of a Loric. Around the area there are more reports about a beast in the mountains, some say he's the Hindu god Vishnu reincarnated and others say he's Cerberus the guardian of the Underworld from Greek mythology. There have also been many UFO sightings around the area – so I guess it would be a good place to start.
We reach the convent back doors, Adelina unlocks them using her key, she stuffs them back into her pocket and opens the door. It creaks open from the old hinges and wooden frame, and the inside is very cooling and comforting. I take a deep breath before moving to my room with Ella. My mind flashes back to the dream I had last night. I was of a raven haired girl; she was fighting along with many others – I assume it's an ancestor of mine, but she seemed too familiar. I can still picture her dark grey eyes – full of power, her raven black hair whipping in the storm.
She seems very strong and powerful...
Four POV
I can still remember it so clearly. The look in his eyes, the way they stared back at me, the smile on his face. It didn't read sadness or happiness. Just acceptance and proudness. Henri knew he would die, I still can't believe he's gone, the memories we shared. I want to cry, but I have to remain strong, strong for Sarah, Six and Sam. They all witnessed his death. I lean against the window, Sarah stroking my head, she has a couple of dried tears. Sam rides in the front, while Six drives. She met with Henri and I at Paradise – I was surprised; she saved my life and Henri's too. I owe her. I've also grown really close to her, I don't know what it is, but I want her by my side. Always.
I can't even bare the thought of moving now. I watch the rain droplets slide down the window, the soft sound of them plummeting and crashing into the car we hot-wired. Just dead silence fills the car, only the sound of Sarah quiet yet peaceful sleeping occasionally interrupts my thoughts. I look to her, I'm surprised she came; leaving Paradise behind was tough even for me, I can't imagine what she went through. Her blond hair is tied back loosely, strands of hair falls around her face making me fall in love with her all over again. But something just keeps on pulling me away now.
Henri did say Loric only fall in love once. But now I don't know. I look up and see Six's eyes looking at me through the rear view mirror, our sudden eye contact causes her to be a little flustered and she quickly looks away and I see a slight blush form on her cheeks. I faintly grin, enjoying the view of Six's hair as I fall asleep. My dream takes me back to the fight, the one that took him from me…
"John! Behind you!" Henri shouts as he rolls from a round of blaster fire from the nearest Mog. I duck as the gleaming white metal of a sword cuts through the air above me. The stench of the soldiers breath makes my eyes water and the storm whips the trees around us. Six is two busy fighting two soldiers, Henri is still firing at the oncoming squad; I look to the soldier behind me, his jagged row of teeth stains yellow and his eyes are black and emotionless, the tattoos on his head seem to pulse eerily. I dodge his first blow, blocking the jab with Telekinesis, and countering with a hard and quick punch to his abdomen. He doubles over in pain, grunting from my strike. The wind velocity seems stronger and faster; it must be Six, the storm is raging and three tornadoes have already disburse the ranks of the oncoming squadrons.
Henri fires at the Mogs surrounding Six and I return to the soldier. I glares at me murderously, speedily punching my gut and kicking me sideways and into the ground. He levels his blaster, I'm frozen, with fear and shock. Until the soldier is hit by blaster fire from Henri. He tackles the soldier head on, they both go crashing into the ground. I get up quickly and light my Lumen, my main power against this atrocity. I remember what Henri taught me and send a wide column of flames to the nearest Mog, he screams in pain before disintegrating into whats seems to be ash…
I look back to Henri his body is thrown aside as the Mog regains his ground and runs to me, his sword drawn and ready to kill. My heart pounds and the cut on my back reopens from before, I feel tiny bits of blood trickle down my spine. I ignore the pain and charge towards the Mog. Flames have climbed up my arms, engulfing them up to my shoulders in a protective layer of fire armour. I slide and the Mog's wide arching swing curves above me, I stop and get up, kicking his back and sending him tumbling into the wet soil. The rain beats down harder, soaking in my hair and clothing. He turns to ash later, from my Pyrokinetic force.
I look back to Six, she suddenly turns invisible, still holding the storm, but stabbing Mogs left, right and centre. They turn to ash consecutively. Before I can regain my footing and return to the fight, something hits my side, I fall to the ground and roll over. There above me stands another murderous looking soldier, the black eyes reflect my hopelessness, I struggle to get up but pain surges through my right arm as he stomps on it violently. I scream in pain, as my flames die down and I'm left vulnerable. The next few seconds are a blur, the Mog pulls out a small silver sword, it glints unearthly in the light, the rain sliding down the blade unevenly. He snarls and grins a shark grin, showing his revolting row of jagged and sharpened teeth. He raises it above me, going in for the killing blow, the final strike.
"Goodbye Number Four" he says mockingly. I try to get up, but his foot prevents any movement, I grimace. The sword falls to my chest, my Loric pendant pulsing faster than ever; my final stand is here. A figure comes into view, throwing it's self in front of me, the sword plunges itself into the figure, protruding all the way through and out through it's back. It slumps down beside me, when the sword is drawn. I look to the figure and shock is struck through me. I scream, I think I move. I try to move. But nothing. Just nothing.
He's gone.
Henri.
I'm plunged into darkness once again.
Six POV
We arrive at the airport just short of 6 pm. The rain stills pours down, soaking our car as we turn off into the drive way of the car park. I still can't believe it, he's gone. I only knew Henri for short a month, but I could tell he meant the world to John. I stop the car and sit back into my seat, exhaling a sigh of relief; I look to John in the rear view mirror, he has dry tears along his cheeks, I have the urge to comfort him, but he needs his space right now. Sarah lies next to him; I don't know why he brought her along – humans getting caught up in this war will only get them killed, and we've had enough casualties already. Sam's the same, but I guess because his dad was one of the Greeters, he has a reason. I continue to look at John, his blond hair is messy and eyebrows scrunched in confusion. He wakes up abruptly and looks around,
"Where are we?" he asks, his voice husky and sad, I can't help but share his mourning.
"The airport… we need to find the others, John" I say, tugging at the end of my shirt, I loosely tie my hair into a bun and open the door. He does the same and walks out with me; I see Sam look at me and wave, I simply smile. John walks me to the entrance of the airport, the sliding doors open slightly releasing a fresh breeze of cool air. It sends little tingles up my back and skin. I turn to John, not wanting to say goodbye,
"Where will you go?" he asks, his eyes a bit red and bloodshot from his lack of sleep for the past few days. He's tired, we're all tired.
"Spain. When I was in the M-mogadorian base, there were a few locations marked on the m-map." I stutter awkwardly, he faintly smiles and rests his hands by his side. A few moments pass,
"Promise me you won't die, OK?" he says, a little glee at the end of his voice, I smile and nod, I want to cry – but I know I'll see John again.
"We'll meet 4 weeks from now at Arkansas" I state, he nods and looks down for a second. I don't want to say goodbye, but it's the only way we're going to unite. He steps forward and wraps me in a hug, I place my arms around his neck and bury my head in his shoulder. I very quietly sob as I hear his fast yet calm breathing. We hold each other tightly, not letting go. I want to stay here, but duty calls. We pull apart and I stare into his amazing blue eyes, he sadly smiles. I softly plant a kiss on the corner of his lips and retreat back.
"Goodbye John" I say and turn around and walk into the cooling atmosphere of the airport. The last thing I hear him whisper back is,
"I'll see you again Maren"
Author's Note: Thanks for reading! I hope you like the length, I try to find a balance between being descriptive, dialogue, thoughts and action/movement - please review and tell me what you thought. I decided to put Six's POV in at the end; I don't know whether this will be a John/Six or Sam/Six or John/Sarah yet - but'll definitely be a Navrina. Please review and don't be shy to PM me on anything!
Until next time,
Paragon 8.