Chapter 24: Towers of Fire
Down in the woods, the silverwings finally decided to stop to rest a minute before they journey towards their destination. But unlucky for them, there were fewer mosquitos that they barley get enough to fill in their stomach. Bathsheba manages to catch on in her mouth and flew over toward Frieda who was roosting.
She turns to her and sighed. "Hello, Bathsheba, full already?"
"Let me tell you it wasn't easy with low mosquitos to count. Your choices are starving the colony, honestly Frieda." Bathsheba frowned. "What are you thinking?" Before Frieda can answer her question with little scowl Mercury quickly flew over by them.
"Do you hear the dawn's chorus?" She and Bathsheba indeed hear the birds singing. "We have to go now or decide to roost," Mercury added. Frieda looked up to see the dawn coming in and sighed heavily.
"Alright, prepare to leave," She replied. Mercury nods and flies up to tell others to get themselves ready for another long migration. Bathsheba shook her head, huffing of her choices and storm off leaving Frieda alone. The elder bat looks up at the sky and now wondering since now what is happening that Shade and his human friend are safe and alive.
Another side of the woods Goth and Throbb are both resting on a branch that is close to the electric pole. Goth watches the electric going through the line and he smirked darkly.
"Ah Silverwings, so small, so innocents so tender.."His smirk more deviously." So close." He turns and watches Throbb lick his lips in hunger.
Ashlie's POV
I was pacing around my hollow tree prison cell, trying all my best to figure out a plan to escape before they'll be going to cut my tongue out. But sadly an owl was guarding my prison that if I ever try to escape he would probably kill me right on the spot. I wrap both arms around me still trying to think and even wonder if Shade and Marina are evenings having the same thoughts as I have. I then look down at my amulet, I was sure that it did glow.
"Why didn't you glow?" I muttered, pick the amulet out with my mitten. "Now it's the best time to do it." I waited for it to glow again, hopefully, it can bring warmth. But still nothing happening. I huffed, dropped my amulet and rub my arms together with my hands." Stupid jewelry." The owl hooted and I turn to see my guard was only letting out a hoot, not looking back at me. I walked over to the corner and got on my knees and huddle to stay warm from the cold. Even though I have snow clothing on, I'm still freezing and it sucks that now I need to be out at night instead of daytime for my sake of living. I was pretty relieved that General Brutus didn't take my bag away but sadly it didn't have anything useful to stay warm.. All of sudden I hear other wings flapping and turn and see a younger owl landing in front of him.
"I'm here to take over your position, " He said.
"What but Brutus said.."
"He told me you can take a break and he thinks its best for me to practices my warrior skills." The young owl spoke quickly. My guard owl hummed and then nodded.
"Keep watching her, soon we need to cut her tongue out with our beak." He spread his wings and flew off. I gulped and cover my mouth having awful imagining of not speaking anymore and how painful it's going to be.
"Hey," I look and see young own look at me and it was the same owl that my friends and I saved. "Are you okay?" I only shook my head, with my hand still on my mouth. The owl forms a small smile on his beak. "I won't hurt you, I'm going to get you out." My both eyes lit up. He's going to help me out, I don't know if it was a trick that his father has planned out, that I'll get mauled on this spot. I look to see if he has hidden lies in his eyes but somehow I can't find them, only innocents and truth were looking back at me.
"…How I know I can trust you?" I find myself asking.
The young owl hung his head look ashamed. "Its because I know the war is wrong and I know you didn't do anything bad. I think you're a good human." I felt a slight touch from his words and finally decided to give him a chance after I remember doing the same with Higlend.
"Okay, please get me out and my friends are here. They need to be out too." I watch the owl look around to make sure it was him and he quietly lift the handle with his talons and the gate was opened. I took a deep breath, pray to God and step out of my prison cell. When I notice the small owl has done nothing I look up and see he was smiling. I smiled back.
"Thank you."
"I haven't mentioned your name, or you do have a name?" He asked.
I laughed. "Yes, its Ashlie. Just Ashlie."
"Ashlie?" He blinked. "Like an Ash tree meadow?"
"Um yeah, you can say that," I replied. "And your name is Orestes?"
The owl named Orestes smiled more. "Yes, please to meet you. I never talk to actual humans before."
"Nice," I said, still smiling. But my expression changed to serious when Shade and Marina came to me. "Okay we need to get my friends out and we need to find the fire tow...I mean the um..yeah fire towers." I couldn't think what fire towers they are at this moment of what Shade was talking about through his sound map.
He nodded and then I saw him grab a large brown leave near him." Here use this as camouflage on my back." I punch two holes for my arms to go through and carefully put the leaf on my back. After that, I tighten my bag and climb upon his back as he helped me up with his one wing. When I got settled and sank my both arms in his feathers.
"Hang on" He soared out in the sky towards where my friends are held captive. My camouflage was working out well due to how the other owls that passed us didn't glance at his back. Just to be sure, I sink myself in his feather far as I can and I didn't dare to take a small peek. A minute later I felt him landed and begin speaking.
"I'm here to relive you,"
"But sir I.." Like my owl guard, he almost refused to leave his position but Orestes cut him off sternly.
"On my father's order."
The owl blinked. "Very well then." I sighed in relief when hearing the owl leaving. When he was out of sighed I heard Orestes psst.
"Want to get out of here?" He hissed.
"No thanks," I knew it was Shade's voice but he sounds like he didn't care.
"What?!" I even hear Marina exclaimed.
"Don't you get it? A minute he'll let us out, he'll cry for help, we'll turn into the spread and he gets the metal." He said, with an upset tone in his voice.
I couldn't help but laugh. "I wouldn't count on that," Everything was silence after I spoke out.
"Ashlie?" Shade asked. With that I peek out from my hiding, grinning at them. "Miss me?" He gasps but smiles as I slide down from Orestes's back. I took off my leaf disguise and drop it.
"He helped you get out?" He look at me like I was making this some kind of joke and glares at Orestes. I shook my head and spoke to him.
"It's okay he's a friend and he helps my escape we can trust him."
"But why would you let us go?" Marina asked, looking at Orestes, raising her eyebrows. " Your father will kill you."
Orestes huffed, My dad wouldn't care if I was dead anyway. All he cares about is this stupid war."
"Ouch," I muttered,
"You got that right." Shade agreed and flew over close to the gate. "That guy is out of control, he's a maniac, he's a war manganic lunatic he's…" I notice Orestes having a shame look on his face about his father being all insane with war.
"Shade!" I hissed, getting him to stop talking and he notices why, after he sees the owl's expression."
"Oh um, sorry." He apologized. Then to my surprise, he started to ask him.
"Um, can you let us out?" I watch as Orestes look at his surrounding before he unlatches the lock and opens the gate. Shade and Marina both flew out and landed beside me, sighing in relief.
"Thanks!" Marina sighed. Orestes smiled.
"Okay, let's get out of here. Now!" Shade spoke, eargely.
"Go where? Marina turns to him.
"To the fire towers," Shade reminded her.
"But we don't know where they are, we even don't know where we are," She does have a good point there since we got captured we don't know where the hell we are in this forest and don't even know how close we are towards electric poles.
"Hey, I know where that is," Orestes piped in, spread his wings out.
"You do?" I asked.
He nodded, smiling his beak. "If by you mean the power rely on stations constructed by your kinds,"
"That's right!" I snapped my finger. I forgot that was called that I try to figure out beside calling them towers of fire. "Shade, is this what your sound map is telling you? Go to that place?"
"Um, I guess that's it," He replied. He turns to Orestes. "Can you tell us how to get there."
"It'll be quicker if I take all of you there." He replied, "Come on!" He leans his wing on the ground for me to climb on his back again and I cling on his mane right as he spread his wings out. We all flew out of the ground and we all laughing to know we're free from Brutus's grasp for now. I was even more relieved of not have my tongue taken.
While we flew through the evening Orestes begins to tell about how my people work on electric stuff and I was very impressed with how much knowledge he has from them, even how he knows they used them.
"Can we skip the science lesson please?" Shade interrupted, and I saw how his face is panicking.
"Shade," Marina frowned at him for being rude.
"Goth and Throbb both know about the sound map we have to fly faster," He cried in desperate. I breathed as I cling on Orestes's man, with horror thoughts came back to me of what if we didn't make it or these giant bats are already there, eating them. Then try to keep calm I turn over to Shade.
"Shade it'll be okay. We'll make it, Goth and Throbb are way behind us. We did fly ahead so I think we'll get there first." I force to smile even though I'm afraid too. I watch him sighed and keep on flying but I can tell he was beginning to look relaxed. I let out a sharp sigh and went on to change a subject.
"So Orestes? How do you know all the electricity my kind uses?" I asked him.
He turns his head a little. "Oh my dad and I used to go there to watch your people work at the stations and we listen to their conservation of how it works."
"Oh," I said, felt a bit more impressed. All of sudden a gush wind blew on me that I shivered and used my hoodie to cover my head and bury my whole face in his mane to get some warmth and stay there to keep warm. I didn't know that I fell asleep that I hear Orestes spoke out.
"We're here!" I snapped my head up, blinking tiredly. I rubbed both eyes and saw the power stations up close with two huge towers consumed by smoke. So that's why they're called fire towers. I glance down and see the building was surrounded by a large fence and a small shed was outside the fence. In corner of my eyes, I saw something moving above the shed's roof but when I blinked it was gone. I rubbed my eyes, thinking it was nothing and I was still tried from my sleep. When we all flew down towards the shed we landed on the roof. We panted heavily, actually, I didn't only the rest did since I didn't fly. I got off Orestes back and walk over towards the hole.
"I think this is an entrance," I said. Marina came by me and then I begin to have a bad feeling about this, I didn't hear muttering inside or flapping wings. Maybe their all asleep?
"Something doesn't smell right.." Shade hummed after he sniffed in the air. I looked at Orestes to see he was admiring the towers while Marina was looking at her surroundings. I took a deep breath and peek my head in the hole.
"Ariel? Frieda?" I called quietly, and waited for their answer."…Mercury? Are you in here..?
Without a warning I saw sharp teeth appear and to my horror Goth's head burst of the shadow that I screamed, making the rest yelped in startled. My heart was pounding hard with fear that I crawl away fast. This can't be happening! They ate the whole colony! NO!
"Ashlie, what's the matter?" Shade grabbed my arm after he quickly went by me.
"The-Their-The..!" I stuttered, can't barley speak with my face all paled.
"What s it?" Marina added. Then I hear a crack underneath Shade's feet. I gasp and Orestes came to fly towards us to see what was wrong.
"Orestes no! The roof is going to break..!" It was too late when he landed by me and the roof break, making each of us fall inside. I yelled and fall on the table hard while my friends all crashed on the floor. I cried in pain when I felt something painful on my arm after I felt it cracked. My left arm is broken. I gripped my arm close and saw my friends being corner by Goth stalking towards them. I look around frantically and saw there was no blood, dead bats, and bones.
"They're not here, they came before. Thank God." I muttered in relief. I then saw Orestes have his eyes huge to see a giant bat before him and when he tries to scoot away Goth's footstep on his tail feather, preventing him to go further. We all hear someone moaning and I glance over to see Throbb was across from them, having his hand on his shoulder in pain.
I watch from above the table Goth gives Shade a smirk.
"Shade, remember how I enjoy, owls?" He glares down at the owl with a hunger look on his face. "That should be my first course tonight." I gasp and try to get up to help and saw Orestes face replaced to glare, with quick think he uses his beak to stabbed his foot. Goth cried in pain and lift to hold his foot which gives Orestes a chance to escape, fly out of the shed. Goth let out a terrible growl and turn sharply at Shade and Marina. He uses his claw to swipe them but they dodged, making them both fly up which Shade was close to the hole. He looked at Marina while she was now looking back at Goth, flying. He gives her his dark smile, making her nervous. When I watch him fly out of the hole Goth growled and flaps his wings to chase him. He was about halfway out when Marina taunts him.
"You want a piece of me you big dumb bat?! Well come and get it!"
"MARINA NO!" I cried, fear for her getting killed ignoring I was still mad at her. I tried to get up to help but suddenly I jumped in startled as Goth feet landed by me. I yelped and scoot away, clench my broken arm tightly from him. I tremble when he gives me his sinister look that I scoot more until my back was hit on a side giant cardboard box.
"Señorita, you look like your in pain," He smirked to see I was helpless. I saw the dirty nail beside me and I used my free arm to grab it and point at him.
"Stay away from me!" I try to sound threat but my voice was caught in my throat, barley for me to speak. My heart was hammering in my chest the more he came close to me and his hand was by my side, preventing me from escape. I wimped when his face came close and I can see his predator look dancing in his eyes.
"You do look sweet and delicious senorita, but I wonder myself if should eat you or not, or maybe you are something worth valuable." I didn't understand what he was talking about but was too afraid to ask.
"I'm warning you! Stay back!" I still point my nail tip at him but he only gives me an amusing look.
He then uses his claw end to low down my nail. "You won't dare to hurt me señorita, after what you told me how you wanted to save us from going how you put it..extinct?" I didn't say a word, for now, he was playing my head. I wanted to run my nail on his chest but now... I find myself rejecting it. Is he right? I can't do this? All I can do now was just stare at him with fear, waiting for his opinions to strike me before I get any chances.
Suddenly Marina was on top of him and bite his ear, making him howl in pain and pull his head back away from me. Goth snarled and push her off of him and turn sharply at her. While he was distracted I manage to get up with my two feet, with the help of a nail to for support. I clinched on my broken arm and see the giant bat about to strike at the brightwing. Before he even gets a chance Shade flies inside and swopped down at him, smack him with his wing. I was shocked as I see Goth fly up and shot out from the roof creating a large hole. I panted heavily while Marina did the same, then I felt my blood froze when I felt a claw tip on my shoulder. I turn my head and came face to face with Throbb that I forgot about, giving me his craving look.
"Señorita Ashlie," He smirked his fangs. "Guess who's coming for dinner?"
"NOT INTERESTED!" I jumped away fast while Marina took off another way. Throbb decided to chase after Marina as he flew up after her. I only watch to see them flying around in this shed, even Marina tries to get through the hole he blocked her and she flies down to dodged his teeth. I look around in desperate to find anything to help defend as I hold my broken arm tightly against my side. When I saw the paint bucket near me it gives me an idea. I ran over and use my body to push the bucket over the edge a bit. When Throbb chased Marina down under where my bucket, I push the bucket and fall over and crash-landed on Throbb.
I grinned to see it got him but it changed back to fear when he pushes the bucket off of him and his fur was covered with paint. He turns his head up sharply, and I gulped to see him giving me his dangerous glare. Without thinking I back fast when he shook some to get the paint off of him and charge at me. I try to run but when I did he was too quick that he almost had his teeth chomp my back. I screamed when I felt a slight ripped on my back and turn and see his mouth has a piece of my coat. He spits it out and was about to charge at me again but Marina swopped down and wack him with her wing. He snorts and once again fly up to go after her instead of me. I breathed and watch her fly towards the window and I thought she's going to through it but instead, she fly up fast and Throbb flew straight for the window and tumble outside. And then he came straight back through the window hole growling and I saw Marina fly straight up through the whole roof. He followed but got himself stuck in between, trapping him. He groaned in annoyance and I can't help to giggle to see how chubby he was.
Then I saw Marina come in through the window hole towards me. "Come on." I nod and gran my bag and put strap over my shoulder. I use my free hand to get her hand but I winch in pain of my other arm.
"What's wrong?" She asked. I shook my head and grab her feet and let my left arm dangle.
"Nothing lets go now!" I gasp to hear an owl screech from outside. Orestes? She didn't hesitate to grab my hand and she pulls me off the table and fly out of the shed and I can hear thunder sound from above. When we were out I saw Shade was still being chased by Goth.
"Shade, Throbb's trapped! "Marina called to him. "You need us?" I saw Shade look at us.
"No! Go hide!" He gasped. He leads Goth over the fence as the giant bat cackle evilly. Marina and I saw Orestes sitting on an electric glass and he glances at us.
"Marina, Ashlie over here!" She nodded and flap her wings towards him and we fly out of the power station, right as the lighting struck on the electric pole where the owl was. Perfect timing. We all landed behind the tree and watch the lighting stuck the power station again, creating a large spark.
Orestes was the one that was admiring how the lighting was making that effect. "My dad is going to love this." Marina wimp and cover her eyes and see how scared she was and I don't blame her. And then we all saw another lighting struck down and it hit on the old shed we were in. It created a huge explosion that made us jumped and saw Throbb that got out, flying out in the woods yelling his head off. I looked back at the power station and thought about Shade in there, he's not going to make it! I have to help him before he gets killed by Goth or the lighting. I got up despite my left arm still broken and begin to run run.
"Ashlie where are you going?!" Marina exclaimed.
"I have to help him," I answered
"But Shade said..!"
"I don't care what he said he needs help!" I dashed off before Marina could grab my arm.
"ASHLIE COME BACK YOUR OUT OF YOUR MIND!" I ignored her and run towards the fence. I stop panting and ran along the fence to find a way inside and saw Shade being chased down by Goth. I gasp that he came close and swipe his claws at Shade make him fall down.
"Shade!" I yelled, now fearing more of my friend's life that now I feel desperate to find a way to get in. "Hang on..!" I yelped when the lighting almost got me I fall on the ground, grunt in pain with my skin hair spiked up. All of a sudden I feel something warm around my neck, I looked and saw my amulet was glowing again. My eyes lit up to see it and an idea came to me. I got up and run fast last time until I stop to get a better view of him and dropped my bag.
"Shade go through the wire!" I shouted.
What?!" He looked at me bewilderment after watching the electric buzz through them. "Are you nuts?!
"Just trust me! Go through it now!" I looked at my amulet, unsure how I can do this. I held my breath and grabbed it and thought one thing that can save him and my both eyes closed. I felt my whole body tingled a bit and pressure as I focus on one thing that can save him. My eyes snapped open and I was shocked that I saw Shade's body glowing. He has the same expression, looking at his body and my necklace.
"GO NOW GO!" I cried, and he didn't hesitate and fly through the wire and the electric didn't harm him. Goth, on the other hand, growled from behind to see he went through and he tries to do the same. Big mistake. His wings were so big that his band touched the wire creating a shock go through him. He screamed in pain with the band still stick to the wire and when he got too close, he was shot out into the sky, having some fire on him.
I breathed as I felt my amulet faded but I suddenly feel weak. I saw Shade came and I use my good arm to lift up and he grabbed my hand. He dragged me away from the power station until we stop where Goth was crushed by the large tree.
"Ash how did you..? He begins having a shocked look but I shushed him quickly after I heard Throbb wailing. We hide behind the tree and saw Throbb crawl away from Goth's body, crying dry until he was out of sight. The rain came down on us and Shade waited for his answers. I hold my broken arm before answering his question.
"It was my amulet…it glowed. I don't know how it did it but I thought it'll be helpful to save you," I groaned. "But it took all my strength." We both turned and saw Goth's body lying on the ground with his fur all fried up. Shade was the one that gasp and sighed. I close my eyes for I knew he's dead but he won't bring harm to us and his colony anymore. Marina and Orestes both landed by us and their eyes lit up to see Goth's dead body.
"It's over Shade," Marina spoke softly.
"No..its not over." Shade corrected. "It's just begun." I understood what he means and look back at Goth. I caught a glimpse of his nose twitch that I gasped silently. Before I can speak I fall on my knees but Shade caught me in time.
"Ashlie..!" I hear his faint whisper like he was in the distance and my body was numbed and all my eyes can see was shaped and shadows, finally as if my body can't go on, I pass out in Shade's arm.
Author's Note: So so so so so so so sorry everybody for keeping you all waiting! D8 But hope you guys like where this is going but if not don't read and review it! I don't own any silverwing characters except OC's Enjoy and stay tuned for the next one! ;D