Chapter Nine: Camarilla
The bell rang. Feeling her shoulder shake as Alessia yawned. She was tired. Her headache was gone. She made a mental note to thank Izadora again. She stretched her arms and hopped down from her bunk.
"Breakfast?" Alessia asked as they all nodded.
"It's graduation day!" Tally shouted while bouncing up and down. Alessia chuckled and nodded.
"We have time before then. Let's eat." She spoke. She changed into a black shirt and black pants. Her boots were also black.
"If you ever wear something other than blank, I will be shocked." Tally spoke as Alessia rolled her eyes at this. She tied her hair up in a braided bun and smiled. Putting on her jacket as they made their way down the hall towards the mess hall. Hearing a lot of excited chattering as the energy was high in the air again. Not as much like it was during Beltane. Alessia grabbed a bowl of fruit and sat down. Tally sat on her left as Glory joined them. Abigail was across from her.
"So. Who's ready for War College?" Abigail asked.
"I am so ready!" Tally beamed as she was stomping her feet lightly. Alessia laughed lightly at this. Her eyes caught the dark brown ones. Izadora smiled at her. Alessia cleared her throat and looked away.
"I have something to do. I'll catch up." She spoke. Pushing her bowl away and she stood up and left. She needed to return the book before leaving. She quickly moved through the hall back to her suite. Grabbing the book as she made her way back out. Quickly moving towards the main building. Seeing some of her comrades already ready in their dress uniforms. Alessia smiled at them before entering a building. Heading towards the library.
"Hey, returning." Alessia spoke as she handed the book to the woman.
"Ah, thank you. This book is being requested." She spoke.
"Oh? I was hoping to recheck it out. Oh well." Alessia spoke. She gave the woman a bow before she left to return back to the suite. She felt her stomach growl and decided to go back to the mess hall. Seeing Tally and Glory still at the table. Tally waved at her. Alessia smiled and walked over. Sitting back in her spot. The fruit bowl was pushed back towards her.
"You need to eat." Tally spoke as Alessia nodded. Eating the fruit with a fork.
"These are good." Alessia spoke.
"So, are you excited?" Tally asked Glory who nodded.
"Who isn't?" She asked. Alessia nodded her head in agreement.
"We brought you to live today after the incident from a soccer game last night." A reporter spoke. Alessia held her glass cup in her hand as she took a drink. She could feel the presence of the Necro teacher next to her. Hearing a chant on the television.
"Our ancient enemy has returned. Our ancient enemy has returned." The crowd chanted. Alessia felt the cup fall from her hand and shattered on the ground.
"No!" Alessia frowned. Some eyes looked at her. She brushed past everyone and left the mess hall. Closely followed by Tally. She entered the suite and started to pace.
"What is it?" Tally asked as Alessia sighed.
"Ancient enemy." Alessia spoke with a frown.
Abigail and Raelle were back as well. They were changing into their dress uniform. Alessia was fidgeting a little to straighten out her uniform.
"What ancient enemy? We had so many." Tally spoke.
"Take your pick." Abigail spoke.
"My guess? The church." Tally spoke.
"The Camarilla." Alessia spoke. All eyes on her.
"The what?" Raelle asked. Hearing Abigail laugh.
"My grandmother told my mom stories about the Camarilla. Just stories." Abigail spoke. Alessia only stared at Abigail and then shook her head. "The people at the soccer stadium are so messed up even after being treated." Abigail spoke.
"Guys, we have other things to think about right now." Raelle spoke. They all stood together in a circle and held each other's hands. Alessia was smiling. Feeling her heart race in a good way.
"Ladies. We did it!" Abigail spoke. Tally was stomping her feet.
"Yeah we did." Raelle spoke.
"Wasn't easy." Alessia spoke.
"Or fair." Raelle added.
"But we made it through, together. Come on shit bird." Abigail spoke as Alessia and Tally were already leaving the room while arms were linked. Alessia couldn't help but feel a small bit of hope. They followed the crowd towards the large building where they first came. Taking her seat near the middle along with her unit. Alessia's eyes scanned the room. Seeing all the familiar faces now that were once strangers. Her eyes caught the dark brown ones she came to love now. She was the first to smile as Izadora smiled back at her. Nodding her head before turning her attention to the front as did everyone else. Alder had come out followed by her biddies. Everyone was now stomping their feet. Alessia was right among them. Feeling that energy rising again.
"Congratulations. You have accessed reserves of power you never knew existed. ANd while graduation marks an important day in a soldier's life, this is just the beginning." Alder spoke loud and clearly. There was more stomping again before they stopped.
"Today, some of you will be placed in War College. Others will join their sisters on the frontlines. But all of you will serve this great country as soldiers of the United States army." Alder spoke as the stomping went off again.
"Make your way outside, ladies. The ninth bell reveals your fate." She finished speaking. Alessia hopped up and linked arms with Tally again as they made their way outside. They were all standing outside by the main entrance. Alessia looked around the area at the familiar faces. Her eyes caught the ones she was looking for. Their eyes were locked for a good while as the bell rang for the ninth time. Alessia was beaming at the Necro as she grabbed her medal and flipped it. There was so much cheering and shouting in the air. Alessia saw the words on her medal. Her smile slowly faded.
Combat Infantry. Was clearly shown. It was as if all sound disappeared from around her. She felt her heart shatter at this. She dropped her medal. Avoiding eye contact now.
"Oh. Guys. I'm so sorry." Glory's voice spoke. Alessia felt like her breath was being sucked away as she frowned again.
"Just when you get your hopes up." Raelle spoke softly.
"This can't be true." Tally whispered.
"No." Raelle spoke as she pulled off her medal. "I always knew this was going to happen." She spoke as she brushed past Alessia and walked away. Alessia squeezed the medal in her hand and turned to follow her unit back to their suite.
The door was slammed shut as Alessia was sitting on Tally's bed. She was in a daze. It felt like everything they work hard towards was thrown away. Who was she kidding? She knew this was going to happen the moment they stepped out of Petra's office after telling her about the Spree. Alder just wanted them out of the way. This was her way of doing this.
"There is no way this is happening." Abigail spoke as she was pacing. "This has never happened in American freaking history. Not to a."
"Bellweather!" All three of them shouted in unison that made Abigail stop pacing and look at them.
"We know." Raelle spoke. She was pissed off. "It's Alder. Think about it."
"If Alder puppeted the president, then she must have glimpsed Petra in Wade's memories." Tally spoke softly. They all looked at Alessia.
"What?" Alessia asked.
"You're the smart one. Is it possible?" Abigail asked.
"Yes." Alessia replied with another frown.
"Here we are. War meat." Raelle sighed. There was a knock on the door. Alessia stood up to answer it.
"General Alder would like to speak to your unit. Immediately." The woman spoke. They looked at each other before quickly following. Alessia had her hands behind her back and sighed. They followed the woman to the large admin building where Alder's office was. She did not like the feeling she was getting. All she wanted to do was leave and find Izadora and hug her. More than that. Alessia felt her heart race. She needed to tell her. They filed into the office and turned to face Alder who was standing with her hands behind her back. She looked angry. Alessia couldn't help but gulp. They angered one of the most powerful witches in history.
"Khalida and Adil have agreed to accept my help. I am assembling a small strike team to rescue the remaining Tarim. Khalida requested." Alder began.
"Insisted." Khalida corrected Alder. Alessia felt goosebumps rise.
"Insisted that your unit accompany us, given your success with Khalida's ailments. There may be others with the same affliction." Alder explained.
"I will come." Khalida spoke.
"No." Adil replied.
"It's essential that I must come."
"No. We both know why. You are the last of a powerful line."
"All the more reason." Khalida spoke. They were speaking in Mother Tongue and Alessia knew exactly what they were saying now.
"It's decided then. I will help you find my people." Adil spoke.
"We leave at fifteen hundred hours. Dismissed." Alder spoke. Alessia frowned. They had less than an hour. They turned and marched out of the office and back outside.
"Where are you going?" Alessia asked as Abigail turned to go in another direction.
"Speak to my mother." She spoke. Alessia frowned.
"I have to tell my dad. I'll be back." Raelle spoke as she ran off. Frowning as Tally linked arms with her as they made their way back. She didn't have time to say goodbye to someone since they needed to pack and get ready. She felt her heart aching now. Her eyes were starting to sting as she fought back the tears.
Alessia rolled up the mattress on her bed and strapped it. Sighing as she hopped off her bed and changed into her combat uniforms. Hearing Tally sniffle once in a while. It was not long until Raelle came back. She looked upset as well. Alessia sat down and pulled off her necklace. Pulling the cork out as she pulled out her pocket knife. Cutting the bottom of her palm as blood dripped. She aimed her blood into the small vial. Watching it fill up before putting the cork back into the vial. Putting her knife up as she pocketed both the necklace and knife. There was a knock on the door. Tally answered it as Anacostia came into the room. She looked like she had bad news.
"What now?" Alessia asked.
"Abigail won't be joining you in Tarim." The woman spoke.
"What?!" Alessia shouted. She felt betrayed as well as heart broken. Sitting back down as she made fists.
"How is that possible?" Tally asked.
"Petra still has powerful friends." Anacostia spoke.
"That's ridiculous!" Tally shouted.
"I know." Anacostia agreed. She was now sitting down on Abigail's old bed.
"No! Absolutely not! This is a complete betrayal of everything you taught us! I mean unit this, unit that. Some sisterhood." Tally spoke as she sat down. She was crying now. Alessia was rubbing Tally's shoulder now.
"Everything we fought and bled for is a complete joke!" Tally spoke.
"Are you surprised Tal?" Raelle asked.
"Yes, I am." She replied.
"You ladies are wheels up in ten." Anacostia spoke.
"This is happening so fast!" Tally spoke as she choked on her words.
"You need to put this to bed and get your head in the mission. Be smart out there. Make me proud." Anacostia spoke.
"Is this..?" Tally began to ask. Looking at Anacostia now.
"We don't say goodbye here." Anacostia spoke.
"Thank you for taking care of us." Tally spoke as the tears were just pouring now.
"I'm going to need the three of you to come back so you can continue to frustrate me and age me prematurely." Anacostia spoke. Alessia chuckled lightly at this as did Tally and Raelle. "Okay?" She asked.
"Yes ma'am." They said together. Tally left the room. Raelle stopped Anacostia.
"Um. Wherever they are taking her, please have them go easy on her? I know she messed up but she's not all bad." Raelle whispered.
"I'll try." Anacostia spoke.
"Thank you." Raelle spoke as she left. Alessia was frowning now.
"I never got to say goodbye. Tell her how I feel." Alessia spoke weakly. She choked on her words. Feeling her eyes sting again.
"And you will. When you come back." Anacostia spoke as she touched Alessia's cheek.
"What if..?" Alessia began to ask.
"No. Do not think that. I know you love her as she loves you. Now, like I said. Come back and tell her." Anacostia spoke. Alessia pulled out the necklace.
"Give this to her for me? Please?" Alessia asked. Anacostia nodded. Taking the Necro charm necklace that had her blood in the vial.
"I will." She spoke.
"Thank you." Alessia spoke. Giving Anacostia a hug. Feeling the tears fall as she wiped them away and followed her sisters out. She was now suited and booted. Ready for the mission.
They rode in silence in the cars that were taking them to the nearest airport. No one had dared to speak a word. The sun was over half way in the sky. Telling them that it was going to get dark soon. They pulled up to a large plane as Alessia sighed. Feeling Tally touched her shoulder to comfort her. They all marched out of the cars as Alessia followed Tally onto the ramp. Walking inside the room. She was frowning while scanning the area. Alder was talking to her biddies as Adil sat down. Looking around.
"Where's Abigail?" He asked. Alessia frowned.
"She's not coming." Tally replied.
"Why?" He asked.
"Long and terrible story." Tally sighed.
"Yep." Abigail's voice came. Alessia's head snapped up and looked over. Seeing Abigail setting her bag down. "The saddest story ever told." She spoke as she dropped her hood. They all gasped and ran up to her. Watching Tally and Raelle hug her.
"What's up Weirdo?" Abigail asked. Alessia punched her shoulder before hugging her tightly. Seeing the ramp close as Alessia took a seat down. Abigail gave Alder a nod of her head before sitting next to Adil. Tally had made herself comfortable. Alessia moved and sat near her.
"Where's your necro charm?" Tally asked.
"I gave it to Anacostia to give it to the Necro." Alessia spoke.
"Oh." Tally spoke softly. Alessia nodded as she was fumbling with the ring on her index finger now.
"That's a pretty ring." Alder spoke as Alessia looked up.
"Thanks. It's a family heirloom for many generations." Alessia spoke softly.
"I still have many questions about your family." Alder spoke as she nodded her head at the General. Watching Alder take her leave to sit back down with her biddies. Raelle was reading a letter she had gotten from her father before leaving. Alessia rested her forehead on her knees. Her mind kept going back to the Necro that was holding onto her heart in her chest. She hadn't realized how much she liked Izadora until now. Now, she may not come back and she never got the chance to tell her. She felt the tears fall down on her cheeks. It had been so long since she last cried. She wiped her face clean and leaned back in her seat. Feeling the plane move against the wind in the air. Alessia closed her eyes. Trying to get some sleep. It just kept drifting off to the dark brown eyes. When it did, she could feel her heart hurt again. Her eyes opened again as she shifted in her seat. This was going to be a long ride to their destination.
"Get ready. We are here." Alder spoke and woke everyone up. Alessia stood up and stretched. She hadn't slept at all. She couldn't. She wanted to focus on the mission instead. Feeling the plane descend in the air. She held onto the side that had ropes. It was a shaky ride as they landed. Seeing the ramp fall down, opening.
"Move out." Alder ordered. Alessia's eyes caught Tally's as she nodded. All four of them marched off the plane. Looking around as it was dark outside. They landed in a desert region. There was some plant life around them but the heat was intense. Alessia looked around as she put her goggles on. Looked around as the plane was making the sand fly around. Tally was grunting as she was looking around.
"What is it?" Alessia asked her.
"I think we are being watched!" Tally shouted against the sound of the plane's blades.
"The Tarim?" Abigail asked.
"I don't think so." Tally replied.
"You need to tell Alder!" Abigail shouted. Tally nodded and ran over to Alder.
"I think we are being followed!" She shouted at the General.
"Tell me more." Alder replied.
"Whoever it is, it feels hostile." She replied.
"It might be any of a half dozen armies seeking the Tarim." Alder spoke.
"Or the Spree?" Tally asked.
"Or the Camarilla." Alessia shouted. Alder looked at her. Shaking her head before looking at Tally again.
"Entirely possible for the Spree. Stay vigilant." Alder spoke as Tally nodded. They followed Alder down a hillside. The dirt was sending dust everywhere. They followed to a more open area near a cliff. It seemed a fire was lit as Alessia took a seat nearby. Her thoughts were running everywhere as she was fighting with herself to focus. Tally sat down on her left as Raelle on her right. Abigail was sitting across from her as Adil next to her. Alder was speaking to the other members of the team before walking over.
"Adil, why don't you mind conferring with the strike team about tomorrow?" Adler asked.
"Of course." Adil spoke as he stood up and walked away from them. Alder took his seat near Abigail. Alessia felt uneasy again.
"I believe it's time we cleared the air." Alder spoke in a firm tone.
"Would that be clearing the air on the civilians you had us kill?" Tally asked. Alessia's eyes went wide as she looked at her fiery friend. She had guts. "Libba's death. Or the fact that you puppeted the president in order to grab power?" Tally asked.
"You think you see everything, don't you?" Alder asked.
"It does seem like you owe us some answers." Raelle spoke lightly.
"I owe you nothing." Alder spoke. "And I will not justify my actions to four privates who barely made it through basic. But, considering our present circumstances, it's important that we trust each other. The first time that I made a decision that affected the life and death of soldiers under my command was over three hundred years ago. I have made countless decisions like it since. Some hurt more than others but there is not a single one that I regret." Alder spoke.
"But it's always someone else's life and death that you're playing with." Raelle spoke.
"It's part of being a leader. And trust me when I tell you that it never gets any easier." Alder spoke.
"My mother told me that if it ever gets easy, walk away." Abigail spoke. Alessia looked between Abigail and Alder.
"Your mother and I don't always see eye to eye, but on this we agree. What happened on that highway was tragic. To Libba, and the innocents in that truck." Alder spoke. Alessia sniffled a little. Rubbing her cheeks.
"We weren't ready and you made us into murderers." Tally spoke with an angry tone.
"I made you into soldiers and in the end, you were ready. Many thousands of lives were saved that day. Hold onto that." Alder replied back.
"And what about the president?" Whose life were you saving there? How are we any different from the Spree if we just puppet anyone who gets in our way?" Tally asked.
"Taking the will, body, and voice of another is a violation. It is against our code but I had no choice. If you knew what was at stake, you'd understand. You should all get some rest." Alder spoke. Alessia's eyes met the General's and she gave the older witch a nod of her head. She put her bag down on the ground and laid down. Things still weren't adding up in her mind. She sighed a little. Staring at the night sky as Tally laid down next to her. Linking their arms together.
Anacostia's POV
Her footsteps were muffled against the grass as she made her way down the lawn. Crossing it towards the wooded area. The Necro building was not far. The Bellweather unit had left yesterday. She sighed as she placed the sigil onto the door before entering. Seeing her breath in the air meant it was cold inside. Walking down the stairs as she made her way across the halls past the classrooms to the large circular room. She looked around and heard a small sniffle. Turning her head to the left as she found the person she was looking for. Turning on the spot as she marched over to the opened office. Seeing the Necro teacher holding onto a cup but her head was in her hand. Anacostia knocked on the door.
"Anacostia. What can I do for you?" Izadora asked. Anacostia took a seat across from the desk.
"How are you feeling?" She asked the Necro.
"I'm alright." She spoke. "Working on the reports about the bodies from the six different states. My favorite helper isn't here." Izadora spoke.
"Speaking of. Private Solace wanted me to give this to you." Anacostia spoke. Pulling out the necklace. Reaching over as she dropped it into Izadora's hand.
"Oh…" Izadora spoke. Turning the charm over in her hand. Anacostia watched as Izadora placed the necklace around her neck. "She added her blood into it. Good." She added as she was rubbing her face in her hands.
"I've ever seen you like this." Anacostia spoke.
"I never got the chance to say goodbye. I wish she would come to do so." Izadora spoke softly.
"She'll be back." Anacostia spoke. She wanted to reassure her friend but she knew it would never work.
"It's a warzone over there. What Alder is doing is just." Izadora stopped talking and sighed.
"You love her?" Anacostia asked. Izadora nodded her head.
"I've never felt this before. I mastered my emotions." Izadora spoke. Taking a drink of her tea.
"Love always finds a way to grab us unnoticed and flings us into chaos." Anacostia spoke. Hearing Izadora chuckle at this before sighing.
"If anything happens to her. I do not know if I could ever forgive Alder for this. She knows about our connection." Izadora spoke.
"I am happy you found your soulmate, Izadora." Anacostia spoke.
"Only for her to get ripped away from me." The Necro spoke.
"She'll be back. I am sure the mother isn't that harsh. You deserve happiness Izadora. If anyone does out of us all, it's you." Anacostia spoke.
"I appreciate the sentiment." Izadora spoke. "I just wished they put her in War College." Izadora added.
"You know. She drove her unit nuts with her words." Anacostia spoke as Izadora laughed. "She'll fit right in with our team." She added while standing up to straighten her jacket.
"Are you leaving?" The Necro asked.
"Unfortunately, yes. Petra wants more details about the wedding attack and Scylla still seems to be resisting." Anacostia spoke.
"Very well." Izadora spoke as she also stood up.
"She'll be back and once she is." She began to speak.
"I will not let her go again." Izadora spoke. She nodded at the Necro before taking her leave. She needed more information from Scylla.
End of POV
"Get up. We need to get moving." Alder's voice rang in the wind. Alessia was already up as she was kicking dirt into the fire. Putting it out and making sure it was cold to show that they were never there. She grabbed her bag and put it back over her shoulder. She gently shook Tally's arm. Waking up her fiery friend as her friend sat up. Rubbing her eyes. Looking up at her.
"Did you sleep?" She asked. Alessia shook her head. How could she? "You should have gotten some while you could." Tally spoke. Alessia sighed and shook her head.
"Come on Tal." Alessia spoke. Seeing Raelle and Abigail ready. "Hey. Come here. All three of you." Alessia added.
"What's up?" Abigail asked. Seeing all three of her sisters with her in a circle. She grabbed Tally and Raelle's hands as they grabbed Abigail's. "No matter what happens. Know that I love you. Very much. We'll get through this. Together." Alessia spoke. Seeing Alder was watching them.
"When did you get mushy Solace?" Abigail asked. Alessia chuckled lightly as they moved in. Hugging each other at once. A four way hug.
"Let us be off." Alder spoke. They all nodded and followed. Tally took the lead with Adil. Alessia was near the back. Her hand kept touching the Scourge she was given. It felt so perfect every time she had it in her hands. Adil was in the lead as they made their way across fields. Alessia was wondering why they weren't dropped off closer. Then again, she remembered Tally saying they were being followed. It would make sense for their extraction team to be on the side and ready just in case. She was looking around while her ears were listening. Her eyes constantly scan around the area. She did not trust the area. She was getting an uneasy feeling again.
"You alright, Cadet Solace?" Alder asked.
"I don't know. I just have a bad feeling." Alessia spoke.
"Tell me more." Alder whispered.
"What Tally said when we arrived. It's hostile. I've never had a feeling this bad before." Alessia explained.
"Understood. Stay alert cadet." Alder spoke as Alessia nodded her head. They came up to a clearing and stopped. Alessia moved forward towards Tally.
"It's there near the tree." Adil spoke.
"Not a tree." Tally spoke. Alessia looked at her. Tally nodded. Alder was watching them. Alessia placed a hand upon Tally's shoulder and closed her eyes. Focusing on Tally's sight. She then gasped lightly.
"Goddess protect." Alessia whispered as they moved closer and closer and then it was clear. There were several small gasps.
"You know her?"
"She was one of our elders." Adil spoke.
"They dress her like my sister. Take her down and be gentle." Alder spoke. "The Spree are taunting us." She added.
"I have to get to the cave." Adil spoke.
"Get the bats close. Tell the to stand by for extraction. Let's find your people." Alder spoke. Alessia followed Abigail and Raelle inside of the cave. She took out her flashlight and looked around. It was dark inside.
"Look." Tally spoke as she was aiming her flashlight to the ground. Alessia followed her line of sight and saw blood on the ground.
"This could be good." Adil spoke as he followed the trail of blood.
"It's a solid wall of rock. How is that good?" Abigail asked.
"Hopefully this means my people put this up to protect themselves." Adil spoke as he was touching the wall. "Our songs, the ones you so desperately want to learn, can reshape the earth itself. We can even create new land where there is none. Move mountains. Shake the earth, split the stone. This may take a few minutes." He spoke as he began a low pitch vocal Seed. Alessia was waiting near the entrance.
"You're really worried about them." Tally spoke softly. Alessia looked over shoulder to see Tally speaking to Alder.
"The Spree would rather kill the Tarim than have them join us. And contrary to what you believe, this has never been about gaining power." Alder spoke to Tally.
"I want to believe you. But I don't." Tally spoke softly.
"You are young. You haven't seen the hardships I have. I grew up in hiding, on the run from those who hated our kind. The church. The Camarilla, countless others. I saw friends and family hung, burned, and stoned to death. We live in constant fear and that terror followed me to the new world and hunted me relentlessly until the day I decided to fight back. The Tarim and their songs, they're the last surviving link to something that I thought was gone forever. So much stolen from our people over years of persecution and attempted genocide." Alder spoke. Alessia stopped listening. She sighed softly. She knew the feeling of being hunted. Her family was hunted down by the Camarilla.
The stone was rumbling in the cave.
"General." Raelle spoke as she shined her flashlight over the new entrance of another part of the cave.
"Follow me." Adil spoke. Alessia's eyes went around the cave. She whistled her seed as the rest of the tribe was revealed.
"How did you?" Alder asked before Adil started speaking in mother tongue.
"Ask and it shall be given you. Seek and ye shall find. Knock and it shall be opened up to you." Raelle spoke as she was reciting her words. Her voice echoed across the cave lightly. Watching the webbing around the young boy fall from his skin to the ground. Alessia could see it disappear into the ground. She raised a brow at it. Alessia walked over to a woman who was coughing and holding her arm.
"It's broken." She spoke in mother tongue.
"Let me help?" She asked in mother tongue. The woman nodded. Alessia placed one hand onto the woman's arm and her other upon her forehead. Closing her eyes as she began to focus on linking. She could feel the older woman's heartbeat. It was now synced. She could feel her focus upon the woman's arm. Especially on the bone. Hearing a sigh in relief. She looked at the woman and smiled. Nodding her head.
"Thank you." The woman spoke. Alessia stood back up and saw Alder nod at her. Alessia nodded back and folded her hands in front of her. Raelle had finished healing the last child with the webbing.
"You should be very proud of yourselves for the work you've put in the past few days. When we get back to Fort Salem, we're going to have to discuss your future." Alder spoke. Alessia smiled as she looked at her sisters who were also smiling and then Tally frowned.
"What is it Tal?" Alessia asked.
"There are people outside. Waiting for us." Tally spoke. Alessia felt some fear rising inside of her again.
"Let's move." Alder spoke as they all nodded. Everyone was all gathered up as they made their way outside of the cave. Alessia looked up over the trees that surrounded them. There was a mist moving fast towards them. A low thunder was rumbling in the distance.
"That storm is not our kind of work, and it's not natural." Bridey spoke as she looked around the area.
"Whatever it is, it's moving fast." Raelle spoke.
"Private Craven?" Alder asked. Tally walked forward and closed her eyes. Focusing on their surroundings.
"They're nearby. All around us. But it isn't the Spree." Tally spoke.
"General…" Alessia spoke while looking at her. Alder's eyes met hers.
"They're not witches." Tally added.
"Move out." Alder spoke as she took the lead. The Biddies surrounding her. Alessia followed quickly along with her sisters.
"Why aren't the engines started?" Bridey asked.
"The pilots are gone." Tally spoke. Then out of nowhere, there was a loud booming of a man's voice in the mist. Alessia gasped and grabbed her Scourge. Feeling the energy resonate from it.
"Our ancient enemy has returned! The Spree was trying to warn us! This is the Camarilla!" Alder shouted.
"No…" Alessia spoke weakly. Frowning as Alder looked at her again. Hearing an ear splitting scream again. They all looked up on top of a hill. Seeing women tied to the stakes. Then the fire started.
"No!" Alessia screamed. She started to sing a Seed. One her mother taught her as a child. Seeing the tree roots spring up from the ground and attacking the men who burned their sisters.
"What was that?" Abigail asked. Seeing the sisters at the stake now taken down into the ground. Being returned to the mother.
"Let's go!" Alder shouted.
"They are using some twisted version of our work!" Abigail shouted.
"Go, go go!" A voice ordered.
A yellow fog of smoke surrounded them now.
"Here!" Tally shouted as they all stopped running and gathered into a circle.
"On your right! Two o'clock!" Tally shouted as Alder used her scourge and killed an agent.
"Keep it up Craven!" Alder shouted.
"Behind you!" She shouted. Alder did another move. Killing the agent.
"They're coming from both sides!" Tally shouted.
"Skaa!" Raelle and Alessia both hissed from both sides. Sending the agents flying off their feet.
"We're surrounded!" Alder shouted. Alessia began the Seed again. This time with more power. She stood in front of Alder and knelt down. Her hand touched the ground. The ground used rocks to climb up the agents bodies and pulled them into the ground. Killing them instantly.
"Alessia." Alder spoke as she looked up to the General.
"Teach me your songs." She spoke. Alessia nodded her head before standing back up. Looking around. "We need to fall back!" Alder then shouted. There was more screeching from the biddies as Alessia hissed again. Seeing a knife flung past her head and hitting one of the biddies as she fell down. The wound was too deep as blood was gushing down. Hearing a whistle of darts, Alessia ducked down. Seeing another biddy was hit as the black webbing started to spread.
"They are targeting the General!" Alessia shouted as she ran over to cover Alder's head. Seeing Alder starting to age as Alessia frowned at this.
"She's dying!" Tally shouted. She ran over and knelt down. Touching Alder's shoulder. "Take me!" Tally spoke.
"Tal?" Alessia asked. Tally ignored her and nodded. Hearing a harmonic vocal from the biddies and Alessia gasped. Watching her best friend, her sister, age right before her eyes.
"Thank you, my daughter." Alder spoke while looking at Tally.
"It's…my honor." Tally spoke weakly and slowly.
"We need to leave now!" Alder shouted as the rest of the Tarim tribe were now inside the bat Alessia grabbed Tally's arm and helped her stand up.
"I..didn't know what to do." Tally spoke weakly.
"You did good Tal." Raelle spoke. Abigail nodded as they helped her onto the bat. Seeing a boy jump off and run back out.
"I got him." Raelle spoke as Alessia was holding onto Tally's hand. Raelle ran back out to get the boy.
"Damn it." Abigail spoke.
"Bellweather! We can't wait long!" Bridey shouted.
"Understood!" Abigail spoke as she ran back out.
"Hurry!" Alessia shouted. Seeing something fly past them and hitting the other bat as it exploded. Alessia grabbed the boy and took him to another seat in the back of the bat.
"Hey. Look. It's going to be alright." She spoke. Rubbing the boy's arm.
"Raelle!" Tally's voice screamed in pain. Alessia looked up in time to see her sister fallen down. Abigail on her side.
"I can't move her!" Abigail shouted. Alessia jumped up and made a move to go back out. She felt strong arms stop her.
"No! Let me go!" She shouted. Two biddies were holding her back.
"General! We need to go!" Bridey shouted.
"Go! Go! Alder shouted.
"Nooo!" Tally and Alessia both screamed together as the bat was lifted off from the ground and high in the air. Seeing a large black explosion.
"What was that?" Tally asked. Alessia gasped. It looked so familiar. Feeling the bat shake.
"Hold onto something!" Bridey shouted. Alessia held onto nothing since she was held down.
"Let me go!" She shouted. Her eyes were stinging. She sat down and covered her face. They had left Raelle and Abigail behind. Dead.
–Notes–
Oh look! Two chapters in one day! Enjoy!