"Isn't it a glorious sight, Lapis?" Jasper stood with her hands on her wide hips, admiring the carnage below. A scrimmage had broken out between humans and Jasper's loyal followers. The air reeked of blood, burnt flesh, and urine. The wind was tainted with the foul smell of death. Blood ran in rivers along the ground. It rained down on the battling bodies along with dirt and smoke. Lapis turned away, holding herself tightly. The sounds of screams, clashing steel and gunfire, were muffled by the distance between them.

"Why am I here," Lapis asked. "What do you need me for?"

"Nothing. It's just fun to watch those humans foolishly fight to their death." Jasper rested a hand on Lapis's shoulder, chuckling. Lapis felt a chill course through her. She didn't like this. This was a bad sign. "And what's a massacre without a little company?"

Of course, Lapis thought bitterly. Jasper's fingers trailed down Lapis's spine, and she patted her behind. Lapis stumbled from the force and Jasper laughed. Jasper always got enjoyment out of this slaughter. It made Lapis sick to her stomach. This slaughter was just a mean, sadistic game. This was an entirely pointless battle. Jasper had the advantage but, she was relishing in all the devastation. Even Jasper's people were fighting for no reason but her amusement. They were dying too; Jasper was laughing.

"Let's get a closer look," Jasper suggested. Lapis looked at her, horrified.

"What! No!" She had no choice. Jasper snatched her quickly and teleported out of the citadel. Lapis clung desperately to Jasper. She hated teleportation. It always made her disoriented and nauseous. When they appeared closer to the battle, Lapis kept her arms around Jasper and buried her face in the crook of Jasper's neck. Her head was spinning, and she felt like she was going to vomit. Jasper did not mind. She knew that Lapis got sick. Jasper's fingers caressed Lapis's back. It was almost tender and caring. Once the dizziness mostly passed, Lapis pulled away.

"Feel better," Jasper asked, brushing away a strand of blue hair from Lapis's face. Lapis nodded, but she didn't trust herself to speak. Jasper set her down, and Lapis looked around. They were at the base of a hill surrounded by a dense forest. A vast field stretched before them. In the distance, a cloud of smoke covered the land and snaked through the trees. They were still a good distance from the confrontation, but the stench of death was stronger. The battle was heard more clearly. Lapis felt another wave of nausea. She longed for the quiet comfort of her cell. And she didn't need any more nightmares filling her head.

Jasper grabbed Lapis's arm and pulled her along to get a better look. She didn't want to get any closer! This was reckless! Why would they get any closer? The smell of gore was pungent. She tugged at Jasper's grip in a desperate attempt to stop her from advancing into the fray. A chorus of agonizing screams erupted not far from them, disappearing into the trees. Jasper took a deep breath, taking in the aroma.

"Isn't it beautiful, Lapis? Come on."

"No! Please, Jasper! I…" Jasper hastily turned toward Lapis. Her pupils contracted with bloodlust. Two tiny dots of black against her amber iris. Her mouth twisted in a cruel grin revealing her sharp white teeth. Panic bubbled inside Lapis. Jasper's demented gaze terrified her. She had seen Jasper looking so wild and vicious before. It was Jasper's berserker mode. Lapis had witnessed the carnage Jasper inflicted in this state. She didn't want to be anywhere near her when she fully lost control.

There was another shriek nearby. Jasper casually dropped Lapis, summoning her hammer helmet and followed the sound of the cries. Lapis stared at her, relieved. This violence…it excited Jasper and changed her into an animal. Suddenly, rocks, dirt and grass exploded close to Lapis, filling the air with dust. Lapis covered her face, coughing. She couldn't stay in this area, but she couldn't go too far. If she stayed out in the open, she was a sitting duck.

Struggling to her feet, Lapis moved away from the fighting and into the cover of the woods. Sharp rocks and twigs stung at her bare feet. The fabric of her skirt caught against uplifted roots, causing her to trip. Dust clouded the air, making it hard for her to see or breath. It had been a very long time since she was alone in the outside world. She felt lost and afraid. All she wanted was to go home. But, her home wasn't the ocean. Her home was Jasper's palace. Her home was her small cell with the comforting bare walls and no windows. Her home was with Jasper. When had she become so dependent on Jasper? Lapis scowled at herself. She hated herself for longing for something she hated. Did she hate it? Yes. No. Lapis wasn't sure.

Lapis wondered into a clearing and almost cried for joy. Water! She had stumbled upon a little stream. Delighted, Lapis scooped up a handful and soothed her parched throat. If it weren't so shallow, Lapis would have gone dived in but; instead, she sat down on a rock and soaked her sore feet. It was oddly peaceful in this little part of the woods. She could still hear the reverberations of the conflict, but it was a distant murmur. The sun shined through the rustling leaves and sparkled against the water. She ran her fingers against the current of the brook. This is beautiful, she thought. This is beautiful, Jasper.

There were an explosion and a shout. Lapis heard a deafening crack. Before she could react, someone barreled into Lapis and shoved her, hard. There was a loud groan, and a large tree came crashing down onto the ground. Water, dirt, and debris flew up into the air while birds screeched and flew away in a flurry of feathers. Lapis coughed vehemently from the dust and the weight of someone lying on top of her. It was a girl with short, blonde hair. Her hair stuck up at the top and the sides of her head. She was wearing glasses and had light green eyes. Her arms were planted on both sides of Lapis's face.

"Are you alright?" The girl's voice was raspy.

"No. I can't breathe. Get off me," Lapis moaned, making a motion to get up. The girl lifted off Lapis, moving to her knees so she could sit up. Lapis winced as she tried to rise to her feet but she fell back down. Her body ached from the impact of the being shoved. The blonde jumped to her feet and offered Lapis, her hand.

"Sorry for shoving you. Better than being flattened." Lapis cocked her head. Why did this human save her? Why would she risk her life for her? Wordlessly, Lapis took the girl's hand. Her fingers were warm, slender and strong. It felt nice and welcoming. She pulled Lapis effortlessly to her feet. The girl was a little taller than Lapis but only by a few inches.

"Thank you."

"What are you doing out here?" The two girls laughed as they spoke at the same time.

"Thank you," Lapis repeated. The blonde reached behind her head, scratching her head casually. A soft red blush crept onto her pale cheeks.

"It was nothing. Really. But, what are you doing out here? It's dangerous."

"I…" What could she say? This girl evidently didn't know who she was. If she did, she would have let that tree flatten her. Lapis wasn't a fool. She knew that she was as hated as Jasper. Lapis had a lot of time to dwell on that. She was the enemy. Not that she cared but Lapis knew that humans would want her blood. However, she didn't have a chance to come up with an excuse.

"Lapis! Lapis!" Jasper! Horror hit Lapis at full force. Jasper did not sound happy. The blonde scowled, looking beyond the trees then back at Lapis. Lapis grabbed her hand, pulling the girl away from the clearing. She couldn't let Jasper find her. Jasper would kill her instantly. And it would be bloody if she was still in her berserker temperament. Lapis could not have that image burned into her mind. This girl saved her. She didn't deserve to die at the hands of Jasper. Her mortality, maybe. But, not after she risked her life for hers.

"You need to hide."

"What? Why? Whose that?"

"No time. Hide. Be quiet. Stay down, please," Lapis pleaded in a frantic whisper. She squeezed the human's hand to emphasize her point. The fear in her eyes and voice must have been enough for the girl. The girl nodded though she was scowling. She quickly disappeared into the trees. Lapis sighed.

"I am here, Jasper," she finally answered when she felt that it was safe to reveal her location. Jasper's heavy footsteps approached. The trees shook with the force of Jasper stomping through the woods. Birds flew away in fear. Lapis almost felt envious of them. Jasper emerged, covered in blood and mud. Her hair was streaked with red, a tattered mess of sweat and dirt. The look on her face was lethal. Lapis swallowed hard.
"Why did you wonder off, Lazuli?" Lazuli. This wasn't going to end well for her.

"I was looking for cover." It was the absolute truth. However, Lapis felt like she was lying. And she knew Jasper wouldn't believe her. Jasper stepped toward her, and Lapis had to use all her willpower not to retreat.

"You were just looking for cover?"

"Yes. There was an explosion and I ran." Lapis kept her gaze steadily on Jasper's face. She wasn't lying. She wasn't trying to escape. She was looking for cover. There was nothing to hide. No. That wasn't entirely accurate. Don't look over there; Lapis instructed herself. Keep your eyes on Jasper. Jasper was searching her face. Her eyes darted around, looking for a crack in Lapis's mask. I am telling the truth. I am telling the truth. Jasper's arm lashed out, her hand wrapping around Lapis's neck. Lapis lifted off her feet, and Jasper sent her flying into a nearby tree. Lapis's body crashed with a hard thud before falling to the forest floor.

"Oh, Lazuli. Lazuli," Jasper taunted. Lapis remained on the ground. An act of submission she was all too familiar. Jasper yanked Lapis up by her arm and slammed her back into the tree again. Jasper pinned her to the solid trunk. "I was worried, Lazuli. I come back to find you gone. That scared me. You upset me."

"I…"

"Tut. Tut. I don't want to hear your apology. It bores me. You want to go home, right?" Lapis breathing picked up. Her chest was so tight that it hurt. Her body was screaming from being slammed on the ground earlier and into the tree. Tears pricked at her eyes. She felt utterly hopeless. Jasper squeezed Lapis's arms, eliciting a cry from her. "Answer me, Lazuli. Don't you want to go home?"

"Yes."

"And didn't I promise you I would return you home?"

"Yes."

"What happens if you disobey me or don't fulfill your end?"

"You…I…" Jasper grinned.

"You do remember, don't you? Good girl." Jasper drew Lapis back and smashed her into the tree again. The moment of mirth disappeared from Jasper's face and was replaced by a deadly serious glare. Jasper brought her face close to Lapis's cheeks. Her breath was hot against her skin. Jasper reeked of blood and smoke. "Don't you ever do that again, Lapis Lazuli. I don't care if it's raining fire, or the hounds of Hell chase you. Don't you ever leave me again or your new home will be a casket. Understood."

"I understand, Jasper."

"Good girl. Let's go home." Home. What was home anymore?