Author's Note: Ohhhhhh life's gonna suck when you grow up, when you grow up, when you grow up... ANYWAYS. This chapter was nothing short of painful to finish. I lost a couple thousand words of progress on two different occasions and had to re-write the damn thing over and over again because of it. Moral of my note, Life has been really busy (Given that tis the season...) :)
Merry Snow Down and Happy Holidays everyone... here have a chapter!
Chapter 16: Broken Wings
"I..." The exile was lost for words. Tongue tied, as if the creeping monster, lurking in darkness of her skull and wearing the mask her peers labeled "anxiety," was growling in her face; intimidating Riven to keep her mouth closed. It hated her as much as she hated it.
The steely crimson eyes that were once glaring at the Ionian Captain sitting near her just moments ago lowered to the shaking and calloused palms of her own hands. The exile's gaze silently traced along the speckles of red upon the bandage wrapping the hand she injured that morning. The blood stains followed the entire length of the gash beneath the bandages. The bones of Riven's fingers cracked as they curled tightly into fists. Fingernails bit at the coarse metacarpus flesh as she pressed her fists down against her thighs. Riven's head turned along with her wandering attention as she struggled to focus on the simple task of speaking her piece. She promised Irelia an honest answer, and an honest answer Irelia will receive.
The edgy atmosphere Riven had created was starting to infect Irelia, her steel arsenal still quivering from the action of being forcibly grabbed just moments before. The Captain's expression was twisted into a frown of emotional discomfort while she watched Riven struggle to hold her focus. This conversation was hurting the Exile; even if Riven was trying to deny that reality. The last thing Irelia wants to witness is a complete break down. "Riven, promise me that if I continue to listen, that this conversation won't lead to more discomfort and conflict for you," Irelia frowned at the distracted Noxian that was vibrating with agitation.
Warm crimson orbs quietly shifted to focus upon the Captain once more. Riven could physically feel her convulsing nerves begin to settle in the pit of her stomach; giving her entrails the sensation as if they were starting to contort and coil into knots, allowing a sickening nausea to sweep through her like an open floodgate. She wanted to say those words to Irelia. I promise... To make a promise to her genuinely. To reassure her Ionian caretaker, her friend, that no harm would come from this conversation, but that was a hollow wish. The fair haired warrior shook her head, "I made a promise once...to a person that undeniably loved me...and all that I have learned from the residual regret and guilt from those empty broken words I said is my solemn swear that I will never make a promise...that I know I cannot keep."
"To a person who..." Irelia felt slightly surprised to hear a Noxian admit something like that.
"Loved me,yes, I was loved before..." Riven looked back down at her hands. Crescent moon shaped marks her nails had left behind were printed into the flesh of her palm as her fingers uncurled from being a fist. The exile's hardened features slowly softened into a mournful glower. She dug her long fingers into the soft ground around her and lifted the handful of silty earth. Riven quietly watched the dark sediment spill from her fingers as she opened her palm, "My hands were stained long before I set foot onto the soil of this land..." Riven's stomach rolled uncomfortably as she unlocked the gates that hid away a memory that she personally thought would never be discussed with another soul outside the people that had been present; one of which was back at the Institute. The exile wrapped her strong arms around her legs once she brought them up and tucked them close to her body. Her chin came to rest upon her knees, "Madera loved me as if I was kindred to her own flesh and blood..."
Madera quietly paced back and forth in front of the somewhat run down home that herself and the children all shared. The darkness of the night had begun to creep in as she continued to silently pace, her arms crossed tightly across her chest in sickening worry. She was aware that of all the children she had housed over the years, Titus and Riven were the only ones she still had guardianage over and Titus continued watching her from the window. Madera finally stopped her endless pacing, "Riven!?" she called out into the darkness. Her voice was hoarse and strained as a result of looking for the missing girl for most of the early evening when dinner was ready and she had never come inside. These parts of Noxus cared not for innocence nor age. For people to go missing was not an uncommon occurrence; especially young women. Madera sat down on the steps of the front porch and buried her face into her hands. "Where are you...?" she whispered into her palms.
"Matron!" A young voice echoed from down the street.
Madera looked up from her palms, "Riven?"
The small puddles beneath the platinum haired girl sloshed as she ran towards the worried woman sitting upon the stairs. "Matron Madera!" she called out once more.
"Riven!" Madera cried out in relief as the young girl jumped into her arms. The dark haired woman hugged her orphan tightly in her arms and held her close, trying desperately not to shed the tears she'd been holding back. "Thank the Gods you're safe..." Madera whispered softly, feeling Riven bury her face into the Matron's shoulder. Emerald irises narrowed as the tall dark figure approached them both. He was clearly a solider; Madera could tell from the sound of the sabatons against the worn and damp cobble stones of the street. Instinctively, Madera's embrace upon Riven tightened as the man encroached.
The armored man stopped and stood there silently for a moment. Hot breath softly leaked through the metal helmet encasing the soldier's head. "Good evening, Ma'am," his deep voice was smooth and strong even through the slight echo caused by his helmet. He brought his hands up and unlatched the armor hiding his face. The man quietly pulled his helmet free from his head and cradled it in his arm. His sandy-blond hair was long enough to be held back into a small pony tail at the base of his neck and his face and jaw sturdy. A thick, pale, scar marked the flesh across his chin and stuck out clearly despite the well-kept beard covering is lower face. Pools of deep blue yielded no threat as they watched the two women before them.
Madera blinked away her hardened and defensive stare towards the man and she looked down at Riven trying to wiggle her way out of her arms.
"Matron, please," Riven whined softly, still trying to escape, "You're smothering me." Riven finally managed to break free of Madera's grasp and looked up at the looming soldier, she turned and smiled back at her Matron, "Madera, this is Commander Alden, he helped me get back home. He's the Commander of Iron Company in the 42nd Standard."
Riven's voice sounded a thousand miles away as Madera quietly watched the man whom was responsible for Riven's safe return home. Her attention snapped back from its trance-like state as the man spoke up.
"Indeed, best keep a good eye on this one ,ma'am," Commander Alden's large hand came to rest upon the messy locks of platinum atop Riven's head, "she has a spirit that likes to wander." The Commander's hand scruffed Riven's hair; earning him a laugh from the young Noxian being discussed.
Madera slowly stood back up straight; her eyes never leaving the soldier's. "Thank you, Commander," Madera said.
"It was no problem at all and no need to address me so formally, Madera? Is it? Just because I am a Commander and you a civilian does not mean you have to call me by my title. My name is Bryce. Bryce Alden," he smiled.
Riven started to grow bored and toned out the two adults continuing to participate in small talk. Her tan cheeks flushed slightly in embarrassment as her stomach growled, however, the Commander and her Matron seemed to still be engrossed in discussion. Starting to advance into impatience, Riven's eyes shifted between the two and her lips curled ever slightly into a devious grin. "Commander?" she asked innocently.
"Hrm?" Commander Alden looked down at Riven with a questioning look, "Yes?"
"Would you like to stay for dinner?"
"R-Riven," Madera stammered softly, "I'm sure the Commander has things he has to-
"Dinner sounds like an excellent idea," Bryce interrupted as politely as possible, "If having me won't be burdensome on your rations, Madera?"
Madera felt a tug upon the sleeve of her shirt as Riven pulled her back towards the front door. "Alright, alright, I get it, Riven, you're hungry. You are welcome to join us if you wish to, Bryce."
The Commander nodded softly and followed both Riven and Madera into the orphanage. The wooden planks of the floor below his feet made a loud creak with every step he took. The living room was certainly more spacious than the exterior of the building cared to show. The brown curtains lining the windows were tattered and patched. The walls were a plain, dull, iron-like flat grey. The flames within the brick fireplace crackled and danced with life. Two pictures hung next to one another upon the wall above the fireplace. There were lighter rectangular shapes the same size as the picture frames lined up next to the remaining frames; it was clear there used to be more pictures, likely of the children who have found new homes and families. Furnishings were sparse and the candlelight responsible for providing sight was dim,yet, it gave the room a warm feeling. This was their home. Bryce walked up to the pictures to take a better look. One was clearly Riven; the platinum hair gave it away from a distance, however, the soft smile upon her face was genuine in nature. She was happy despite her being an orphan. The Commander smiled softly, How infectious your smile is, he thought. His smile faded when his attention shifted to the picture of the dark haired boy that looked no older than Riven. His hair was scruffy and expression depressing.
"That's Titus," Riven said quietly.
Bryce jumped slightly, not realizing Riven had snuck up on him. The Commander looked down at the slender teenager standing next to him, who was promptly holding an ice pack up to her bruised face.
"He hasn't been the same since most the other children have found homes and Madera deciding not to take in anymore children until Titus and I were adopted," Riven's tone was flat and had a twinge of annoyance behind her words. "Yet, here I am...about to pack my bags and leave this place to be in the Military Academy on Darkwill's ORDER."
"So, he will be alone?" The Commander asked.
"We don't get along, maybe he'll be happy again when I leave," Riven scowled. "Lucky me, I have a place to go. Unfortunately, children are like puppies. Parents will adopt the young because they can still raise them. Unlike me, if Titus doesn't find a family, Madera will have to throw him out when he turns seventeen...or the Noxian state will pull her funds...which are a joke anyhow."
"You don't sound happy about leaving," Bryce commented and looked back at the picture, "It is a great honor to carry around Darkwill's seal. This may just be the opportunity of a lifetime if you choose to treat it that way. I'm an instructor there, you know?"
The young Noxian continued to glower and lowered the ice pack from her chilled flesh. She stiffly pulled the gold seal from her pocket and looked at it, "Do I feel honored? Yes...but Madera is..." Warm liquid began to collect in Riven's eyes, "She is..."
"She's your mother-figure," the Commander said and lowered himself down onto one knee, "I may be a Commander in the Noxian Military, but that doesn't mean I don't love my mother and father any less than I did when I got my letter to join the academy."
"Were you scared?" Riven's voice cracked slightly as her blurred crimson eyes met the gentle blue gaze of Commander Alden.
"Of course I was scared and it is okay to be scared. The day I had to leave home, my mother told me that someday, every baby bird must leave the nest. You see, mother birds build their nests high up in the trees because they know that one day their children must learn how to spread their wings and fly away and they to will learn how to soar to greater heights than the nest they were raised in. Every mother wants to see their child succeed," Commander Alden gave Riven a reassuring smile. "Madera has taught you values and has given you the tools to become all that you can be, Riven. I suppose the real question you should ask yourself, is are you going to find the strength to spread those wings and face tomorrow?"
Riven's eyes fell upon a medium sized black river stone resting in the soft dirt near by. The Noxian warrior silently grabbed the pebble and held it up to take a better look. "Madera was so proud when Commander Alden told her about my invitation to attend the elite Noxian Military Academy, but to be honest, I think she was more happy knowing I'd still be cared for with a roof over my head after I turned fifteen...rather than being molded into a killer."
"Either way, at least you had a home," Irelia mumbled softly, still mentally recovering from stilling her blades. The Captain slowly inhaled a deep breath through her nose and allowed her body to relax and unwind so that she may listen a little better than trying to keep her weapon from striking down her friend. "The Commander had good advice regarding a mother wanting to see their children spread their wings and reach their goals they are capable of achieving." An exhausted smile played at the Ionian Champion's lips, watching Riven toy with the river stone in her hand.
Crimson orbs silently watched the black pebble weave and turn through battle worn fingers for a short while. The stone came to rest within Riven's palm. The Noxian fighter encased the stone within a iron fist, "What good are broken wings?" Riven growled darkly and chucked the stone out into the cove, hearing the water slosh softly as it skipped over the surface before plunging into the depths.
"Why do you always think down on yourself, Riven? It's not healthy nor will it help you cope with this condition of yours," Irelia said; her tone laced with serious concern.
"Because the world is always taking things from me..." Riven grumbled, "No matter how hard I try, how strong I become, how high I can fly... something will always find a way to destroy my hope and deny my progress to find betterment for myself."
Irelia frowned, "You can't think like that or it will continue to block your path, Riven."
Riven threw her arms out wide in infuriating agitation and shouted, "Look at me, Captain Lito! My sword is BROKEN; My mind SHATTERED. My will has COLLAPSED and my conviction is LOST! My body is TATTERED and falling apart at the seams! My own homeland betrayed my trust and has the audacity to call me, ME, TRAITOR! WHAT DO I HAVE LEFT, IRELIA!? TELL ME, IF YOU KNOW?!" Riven's heavy breathing quaked as every fiber of her being shook in frustration.
"Me..."
A large lump settled within Riven's throat as her angry expression faltered into surprise and shock. She remained silent; staring at the Captain as if she had seen a ghost. There it was...right on time, that aggravating heart of hers skipping a beat and causing her blood to run hot. Riven could feel the thin film of perspiration forming upon her palms as her heart raced. The Noxian knew what was soon to follow; Guilt. To be reminded that once again, she is doubting and shouting at a person who has done nothing but sit there and take it. It wasn't fair of her to treat Irelia in such a manner, which she has done so a lot recently. Riven brought her arms back down to her sides and lowered her gaze so Irelia wouldn't see the stigma creeping in behind her eyes.
Me...
The word lingered in the exile's ears. Her voice lingered. It was as if the word was on repeat and the way it had rolled off Irelia's tongue was like music, despite the contextual reason she had said it. Riven raised her gaze back up, catching what seemed to be a hand in her peripheral vision. The semi-blurred shape was a hand, Irelia's hand. Riven's shaken eyes shifted slowly between the Captain's hand and a worried pair of soft emerald eyes. Why are you hesitating...stop hesitating...you know what happens because of hesitation... Riven told herself as she peeled her gaze from Irelia's and looked back at the extended hand before her. She quietly looked at her own hand, before reaching out and taking Irelia's. The queasy fluttering in her stomach only grew in intensity once Riven felt Irelia's slender fingers gently grip at her hand. Riven couldn't stand these feelings. This agonizing tight pull in her chest that constricted her ability to breath and dazing her. This...infatuation of hers. She hated how she loved it. To feel the burning want and need to express that she is capable of treating Irelia right and proving that not all that come from Noxus were brutal killers...Monsters. Riven subconsciously squeezed at the Captain's hand a little tighter. She said "me"... maybe she to...feels like this?
Was it a hint? A test? A tease? A means of getting Riven to grow ever fonder of the Ionian Champion's presence? Riven knew not the answer, maybe she was over thinking this. The exile couldn't find words to say. She had never been good at expressing herself through words; Actions, however, was a trademark skill of Riven's. Fuck it... Riven started to pull Irelia's hand towards her. The exile froze stiff as both of Irelia's hands held onto the hand she had been pulling with.
"You'll always have Lux and I," Irelia smiled warmly.
Oh... "R-Right...of course," Riven mumbled, "What are friends for?" Riven tried to recover her ability to speak in a normal tone once more. The fluttering she had felt moments before deflated into a bitter sting as her grip to Irelia's hand slowly loosened. It seemed Irelia didn't feel the same after all... Riven allowed the bitterness she felt to settle before she decided to speak again, "Irelia..."
"Hm?" The Captain cocked her head off to the side, "Yes, Riven?"
The exile took a deep breath as she tried to re-organize her thoughts. After a short period of silence, Riven felt Irelia release her hand and the Captain returned to sitting back upon her heals. "Irelia...I...I did something as a young soldier that I can never forgive myself for... it changed everything..."
"The past is the past, Riven... No matter what you tell me won't change our friendship...what you were then compared to now is different," Irelia said, trying to be supportive of Riven. At least the exile wasn't yelling anymore, which helped the Captain relax again.
"Madera was so proud of me... to see her that way made me so...so..." Riven's inability to explain was starting to frustrate her.
"Happy?" the Captain questioned.
The Noxian nodded her head softly, "I didn't get to visit often after I joined the Academy. Commander Alden had promised Madera that he'd look after me during my days as a young Cadet. I left Madera's keeping when I was fifteen and didn't get to see her again until I was a Private First Class Infantry of the 42nd Standard... I was seventeen at that point. Believe it or not, as low as that ranking sounds, that is fast in Noxian military career terms... since you really can't be anything higher than a Cadet until your seventeen...since that is the age they treat you like an adult in Noxus."
Knock. Knock. Knock.
"Coming!" A muffled voice came from behind the wooden door. Approaching and rushed footsteps could be heard soon after the woman's voice. The door lock made a soft click and Madera pulled the door open, "Hell-Oh my goodness..."
There, standing on the other side of the door, was Riven. She was much taller and developed than when she first left her Matron and home to fulfill her debt to the Grand General just years before. The young soldier's shoulders were broader and she fit well into the black and red accented military uniform. Her tanned skin was slightly darker than when she was a child. The coat and pants were tailored to fit her form perfectly, further expressing her clean cut presence and straight posture. It was clearly her dress uniform; ones that service men and women would wear to attend ceremonies. The black brim of her crusher cap held the same shine as her clean leather shoes. The front of her cap bared the crest of Noxus, the double edged great axe, the symbol of Noxian pride and strength. A small silver pin of two crossed swords was fastened to the left side of her collar; a sign of being a part of the infantry. The round silver buttons running down the front of her coat were in a straight perfect line. A red aiguillette cord hung around the right half of her uniform and the sleeve of her shoulder yielded a patch of the 42nd Standard crest. The left sleeve of her jacket held the symbol of her rank. Slung over her left shoulder was a travel bag.
"R-Riven? A-Are you... my little Riven?" Madera's voice shook as she looked up at the soldier. Madera covered her mouth with one hand as she stepped forward and reached up to touch the young adult Noxian's face with the other.
A warm smile crept across the young woman's face and she leaned into her Matron's touch,"I'm not so little anymore, Matron." Even her voice, much deeper and fuller, reflected the maturing she had undergone since she left her childhood home. Riven leaned down so that Madera could wrap her arms around her, even though the dark haired woman was on her tip toes at this point.
"Ahem..."
Madera opened her eyes to see another person, dressed similar to Riven, standing behind the fair haired soldier. "Oh," Madera leaned around to see behind Riven, who also turned her head to look, "Who is this?"
"Oh!" Riven quickly let go of her Matron and stood up straight and turned slightly to introduce her guest, "This is Katarina Du Couteau, she's, well, my best friend you could say," Riven said as she semi- rolled her head from side to side.
"Smooth one, Cowlick," Katarina teased and swatted the back of Riven's cap, causing the brim to fall forward and cover her eyes and face.
"Hey!" Riven laughed and caught the hat so it wouldn't fall off her head completely.
The fiery haired Noxian silently stepped up to the shorter woman and offered her hand, "It is nice to meet you, Madera. Riven speaks fondly of you," Katarina rolled her head towards Riven, "and often."
Riven diverted her eyes away and rubbed the back of her head, "Eh heh."
Madera chuckled lightly and took a hold of the young assassin's hand, "It is a pleasure to meet you, Katarina. It is nice to see Riven in the company of a good friend. However, I have to ask," Madera looked back and forth between the tall and slender assassin and her own tall and stocky soldier and chuckled, "Just what are they feeding you two at the Academy?" Madera laughed.
Katarina laughed, knowing all too well of her own special treatment of being able to go home at night, "I eat well."
Riven's face, on the other hand, twisted into one of slight disgust, "It's worse than gutter gruel..." she gagged softly and shuttered.
After chuckling along with Katarina at Riven's dietary dismay, Madera couldn't help but ask, "What is the occasion that I get to see you, Riven? I mean... I haven't seen you since Commander Alden came to take you to the Academy..." she frowned slightly; still feeling the sting of having to let her little girl go.
"Well... it's almost Snow Down... When I turned seventeen I am no longer a Cadet but a ranked member of the Noxian Military. That means I get to go home and see family during Holidays...unlike Cadet's, who have to stay at the academy," Riven explained. Riven quietly pulled off her cap and tucked it under her arm and stood up straight, "and I wouldn't have it any other way... than to spend it... with you...Mom..."
"Did you just...?" Madera whispered softly in shock.
Riven nodded and smiled softly. It hadn't even been a moment before she had to lean down so Madera would hug her tightly again, "You've always been there for me... you raised me like I was your own child... it only...seems right...to call you such," Riven whispered and hugged her Matron tightly in return.
"She was happy...I was happy...she cried after I addressed her as my mother...but that happiness was short lived..." Riven mumbled, "Nothing will knock you out of a drunken haze... than a dose of reality..."
"Ninety-Nine bottellz of booze on da wall...hic... ah haaaa ninety-nine...bottellz of...hic..." The red-head slurred and leaned against her friend as they both stumbled down the street.
Riven laughed, her head swimming slightly as she caught herself and Katarina from falling over, their arms slung over one another's shoulders. She hadn't had nearly as much as Kat but it was enough to put a haze in her head and a slight flush upon her cheeks. Riven shuttered slightly, feeling slender digits run up through the fluffed platinum of the back of her head.
"Cowlick, your hayare ish sho s-hoft," Katarina sputtered and was practically climbing onto Riven at this point.
Riven caught herself from almost falling over, "K-Kata...come on...stop it." Riven knew better than to ask, there was no reasoning with an intoxicated Kat. It was only a matter of time before the Du Couteau assassin would pass out, but when exactly was hard to tell. Riven sighed deeply and positioned herself enough to lift Katarina onto her back.
Katarina wrapped her arms around Riven's neck and rest her chin upon her friend's strong shoulder, "Shorry..." she mumbled softly, nuzzling her cheek closer to Riven's. Her eyes started to feel heavy as Riven' continued to walk back towards the orphanage she had grown up in. Riven knew better than to take Katarina back to the Du Couteau estate when she was like this; it was a respect to Kat so she wouldn't have to face her father.
"What are friends for, Katarina? We gotta watch out for one another," Riven said as she continued to carry her drunken friend, whom was starting to feel heavier in her arms.
"If we are evur shent to war...I got chor back, Riv...hic-un," Katarina slurred quietly, starting to feel her body giving into the alcoholic exhaustion. "I...prom...us..."
Riven felt the weight upon her back become completely slack and heavy as she continued to walk home. She smiled and felt a blush hotter than her alcohol induced flush creep across her face, "and I will always be there when you need me to, Kata." Riven lazily watched her breath cloud the air in front of her as she walked. The soldier's eyes narrowed slightly as a flake fluttered through her field of vision. Snow...? Riven thought as she looked for more flakes. No...not snow... a look of total horror took a hold of her face.
Ash.
Riven's grip on Katarina's legs tightened as she started to run as fast as she could towards the black smoke rising above the roof tops.
No... please...No... Riven's breath started to become labored as she continued to run while trying to hold up an out cold Katarina securely.
It's not there...It's not there... It's... Riven gasped in utter consternation as she drew closer.
Black smoke billowed from the windows of the burning building she had called home all her life. Hot embers fluttered in the breeze, speckling the dark night like thousands of fireflies. Bright flames ravaged at the the structure, causing the building to groan from its crumbling support.
Riven laid Katarina down a safe distance away. The soldier ripped off her jacket and laid it over her friend as she stood back up to look upon her burning home.
"Hnnn...Riven?" Katarina mumbled.
Part of the roof began to collapse.
"MADERA!" Riven screamed and ran towards the front door of the building.
Hearing the scream, Katarina sat up and as a rush of sobering adrenaline swept through her body seeing the orphanage engulfed in flames. "Riven! Don't! Don't be an idiot!" Katarina shouted and got up.
Riven hissed harshly as she pulled her hand away from the scalding hot door nob of the front door. "Fuck!" She waved her hand in an attempt to relieve some of the stinging pain. "Hang on! I'll get you out of there!" Riven shouted and backed up. The Private got a running start and drove her shoulder into the door, successfully knocking it down. A blast of hot air and smoke struck against Riven's face, causing her to cough harshly and drop to the floor.
"RIVEN!" Katarina shouted as the front door became blocked by collapsing burning debris. Her hands gripped at both sides of her head as she dropped to her knees, "NO!"
Brutaly coughing, Riven began to drag herself across the floor using her forearms. Her eyes stung in agony and her vision blurred from the endless watering that came with the pain. Riven's lungs seared with every breath of scorching air as she tried to stand. "MADERA!?" She coughed and hacked harshly, "MADERA, WHERE ARE YOU!?" The soldier brought her arm up to cover her mouth and nose as she shuffled her way through the accessible parts of the building.
"Riv...in..." A raspy voice called out weakly.
Riven followed the sound and stepped through another doorway. She froze.
See! I told you she was a weakling!
"Riven... help..." Titus coughed. There was a large fallen beam laying on top of his legs, pinning him down.
Riven stared.
No one wants you 'cause you're a freak!
"Riven! Please!" He cried out in agony.
You're a coward like that.
A look of desperate betrayal took over her foster brother's face as she did nothing but watch him suffer. He lowered his head down.
Riven, I know they pick on you and tease you, but you're stronger than that. Will you promise me, that if anything ever happens, you will take care of your brothers for me?
"I promise...Mom," Riven whispered to herself, realizing that she was running out of time before the building would cave in completely.
Titus looked up as he heard Riven's feet plant next to him.
Riven bent her knees and hooked her fingers under the large beam and pulled up.
The beam didn't budge.
"It's no use!" Titus cried out, "The beam is too large for you!"
"Shut up, Titus," Riven snapped and tried to pull up on beam once more.
Nothing.
"Please, don't leave me!" Titus begged as he coughed.
Riven released the beam and grabbed onto Titus' collar, "Listen up you pussy," Riven growled, "I made a promise to Madera that I'd look after all of you assholes if anything ever happened to her! So man up!" Riven shouted into her foster brother's face. The soldier let go of Titus' shirt and gripped the beam. Riven grunted in strain as she put every ounce of strength she had into upholding her promise to her Matron. "Come on... COME ON!" Riven cried out as the beam started to move.
Conviction?
Yes, and I think you have it; You just don't know it yet.
Riven roared as she put her back into lifting the fallen debris from her younger brother's legs.
Titus felt the weight lift free from his legs and he quickly crawled away from the beam. He turned and looked up at his older foster sibling, holding up a wooden beam that would have otherwise taken ten men to move.
Her arms were shaking.
"I'm free!" Titus shouted.
Riven blared out a yell as she dropped the beam back to the floor and grabbed Titus around the back of his collar in an iron grip. She pulled the young man up to his feet from the floor and forcibly lead him to a window. Everything felt as if time had started to slow down and come to a stand still as Riven lead her brother towards the window through this vortex of blistering heat and choking smoke. I'm sorry...Madera...
"For a second there...I thought you were gonna let it get me..." Titus rasped and choked on the hot air as Riven continued to shove him forward.
"For a second there..." Riven broke out the glass of the window, "so did I."
Katarina couldn't do anything but watch as the building's structure completely collapsed in on itself. The muscles of her throat constricted tightly as the realization that Riven had never come out of the inferno struck home. The assassin leaned forward over her upper body and was shaking as her arms held her up, "You god damned moron..." Katarina mumbled mournfully.
"Agh...Oof!" Titus exclaimed as he stumbled forward from the cloud of smoke and landed onto the ground. He shook his head as a cloud of ash shook free of his scruffy black locks. He continued to cough and started to actually feel the searing heat trapped beneath the blistered flesh of his arms and hands. He flinched as a pair of hands grabbed onto his collar and yanked him forward, "Ngh!?"
"Where is Riven?" Katarina growled darkly, looking Titus right in the eyes.
"Jeez..." rasped Titus as he leaned away from the assassin slightly, "What is it with women yanking me around tonight..."
Katarina ripped the young man back forward with a powerful tug, "WHERE IS SHE!?"
"I don't kn-
A figure stiffly came into view from the lingering ploom of black smoke. A look of tormented agony was being withheld behind the tight expression Riven had upon her face as she tightly walked towards Titus and Katarina. Soot stained her face black and her platinum hair grey and thick with ash. The flesh of her arms were covered in patches of red and raw stinging flesh. Her once clean military uniform's pants were scuffed and stained with charcoal and ash. Riven remained silent as she walked passed both Katarina and her just as sore and dirty foster brother.
"Riven...?" Katarina said quietly.
Riven stopped and stiffly turned around to look back her her best friend and her brother. Her crimson eyes burned with pain and anger as she looked down at them, "Of the two people that could have been saved... why did it have to be you?" Riven asked darkly as she turned back forward and continued to walk away from the smoldering remains of her home.