Celeste:
The birds chirped cheerfully around us, dry leaves crunching underneath my feet. Novi followed closely after me, the energy getting heavier as we approached the cave systems. My black leggings hugged my ass, my black tank flowing off of my ample breasts. Novi carried both of our backpacks, black shadows flickering in the towering pine trees. Something was off, golden flames dancing around my hand. Sighing deeply, maybe I was seeing things. Moving forward, a flash of translucent skin glinted in the corner of my eyes. A couple of hours of silent nature passed, dread bubbling in my stomach. Spending all of my free time in the woods, nature was never quiet. Relief washed over my face, the mouth of the black cave being the one I needed. People ran around behind us, a sea of black robes circling us. Wonderful, I grumbled to myself. A section of her coven was guarding the cave system, all of them chanting beautifully. Slamming the heel of my boot on the ground, a sea of golden flames knocked them all on their asses. Leaping over them, we charged into the cave. Cold water nipped my toes, voices echoed behind us. Ducking under the water, a large fish brushed against my legs. Blue scales shimmered in the corner of my eyes, webbed fingers dragging me down. The two of us kicked at the fingers, water filling my lungs. Losing my final breath, inky blackness enveloped me.
Jerking awake, childlike wonder brightened my eyes. Midnight lilies danced outside of my window, translucent blue figures stared into our window. Beady black eyes bored into mine, silvery scales shimmering in the weak light of the bedroom. A clearing of a throat snapped me out of my trance, spinning around to see a tall slender woman with an icy blue summer dress. Her dark brown hair was twisted into a bun, light blue eyes boring into mine. Cold sweat drenched my skin, golden energy swirled around my hand. Novi snapped awake behind me, jumping to his feet. The three of us said nothing, her slender finger tracing her porcelain skin. Pursing her blue lips together, she passed us a basket full of midnight lilies.
"I am Sarah Boldsworth." She introduced herself softly, motioning to the top of the water. "I would like to go home, but those bloody witches are guarding my only way out. I came down here to get some lilies for a couple of potions for my werewolf clan. Unfortunately, I got trapped here." Novi shifted uncomfortably next to me, a scowl plastering itself on my face.
"I have issues trusting other witches." I admitted honestly, examining the flowers in the basket. "You aren't a normal werewolf though, then what witch are you descended from?" Sarah placed her finger on her chin, attempting to find the right words.
"The Blue Witch, I believe." She chirped cheerfully, playing with my white hair. "You must have the Golden Witch's blood flowing through you. Perhaps we can defeat them together, and I get to go home." Gritting my teeth, she was right. One of us couldn't take them out, but maybe two of us could. Folding my arm across my chest, Novi shrugged his shoulders.
"Fine." I admitted in defeat, the strange fish creatures gathering at the window. "Are those yours?" Beaming with pride, she nodded happily. Of course they were hers, my eyes rolling again. This girl was a total airhead, her bubbly personality pissing me off. Passing Novi the basket, my hands cupped hers. Happy memories flooded into my brain, a blue wave of water dancing with my golden flames. Releasing her hands, she passed me a blue stone.
"Where is your stone?" She queried sweetly, my fingers spinning her stone around. "Oh you didn't get one at all. I wonder why. You heal faster if you have your stone." My lips parted to ask a million questions, the creatures going nuts as cloaked figures crashed into the water. Black robes swirled around, white masks flashing by the window. Tortured squeals erupted in the water, the figures killing her creatures. Rage seethed in her eyes, water swirling around her arm. The front door of her makeshift underwater home burst open, water flooding into the beautiful glass home. Sarah's lips moved, no words coming out. Horror widened our eyes, a navy shark devouring half of the cloaked figures. Water pooled around my waist, my face paling as the shark's row of sharp teeth gnashed in front of me. She bounded up next to him, smacking his fin.
"Bad boy." She mused playfully, her lips kissing the top of its head. "My many apologies." Bowing in my direction, she snapped her finger. The shark swam us up to the mouth of the cave, twenty cloaked fingers running around like chickens with their heads cut off. Hanging off the edge, the shark continued to eat every single cloaked figure down in the water. Tortured screams bounced in the water, red blood dying the clear water red. Waiting just a second, Tamara and Jarod crept after a couple of them with ancient looking blades. The ivory bone handles glittered in the blue moonlight, ancient symbols dancing up the blade.
"Golden flames, form me a couple of blades." I whispered to myself, the flames shaping into a couple of curved blades. A golden stone sat in one of the cloaked fingers black leather blood, my flames raging higher. The person snapped their head in my direction, water dripping everywhere as I leapt out. Novi hopped out afterwards, Sarah not even wet as she popped out. Turning to leave, she had the basket in her hands. Something was wrong, the cloaked figures standing behind her. My heart dropped to my stomach, her holding a lighter to the flowers. Inky blackness dyed her eyes, the water now gone in the cave. Black symbols lined her arm, her hair darkening to the darkest shade of black. Aiming her finger in my direction, they all charged at us. I needed those flowers, and to kill this wicked witch. Her soul was too far gone, her werewolf long dead. Damn, her cloaking magic was at an unprecedented level. Snatching the ancient blades from Jarod, and Tammy, they both yelled in protest.
"I need you to find her real body. Those are demons pretending to be her." I explained urgently, tossing her the blue stone. "This should glow once you get close to her, so be careful. Golden flames allow me to trap those who aren't who they say." Shaking their heads, the dirt gave way as I slammed the blades into the ground. Golden flames spread like the sea, a circle of symbols spinning around them. Snapping my fingers, golden vines wrapped around their ankles snaking up their bodies. They all tried to move, my boots smashing towards them. The impostor snapped her fingers, black flames releasing them from my trap. Slamming Novi to the ground, black flames narrowly missing us. These blades won't work, the blades transforming into a pair of golden fans. Leaping to my feet, dragging Novi up with me. Launching into the trees, we hopped from branch to branch. Flicking my wrists, golden energies shot back at the cloaked figures chasing us. My golden stone glistened in the glove of the person closest to me, my full attention on them. Snapping a flurry of golden energy petals in his direction, my fingers wrapped around his gloves. Ripping them off, the sharp edge of my fans slicing off his head. A wooden puppet head crashed to the floor, my attention turning to the person holding all of the strings. A wall of water towered over, my hair still not dry from earlier.
"Reveal!" A sweet voice ordered sharply, the people chasing us collapsing into a pile of wood. "Blades of water, strike the enemy down." Dark brown hair brushed my cheek, her blue eyes meeting mine. Tears covered her dingy summer dress, Tammy hanging back. Water crashed over me, my wet hair was even wetter than before. A navy shark swam in the shadows of the wave, the impostor glaring back up at us. My fingers wrapped around the golden stone, a fresh wave of power surging through me. My golden eyes glowed brighter, my wrists flicking faster as she dodged each attack.
"Ha, you missed!" She gloated gleefully, not seeing the shark above her head. "You suck at l-" Chuckling evilly, a confused look darkening her face. The real Sarah snapped her fingers, the shark devouring her whole. Dismay dimmed my eyes, the flowers going with her as well. The water swirled into a golden locket around her neck, the shark swimming around in the water. Saying nothing, she leapt into the cave. Popping out, she tossed me a bouquet of midnight lilies. Water dripped onto the ground, her skipping up to me. A confused look twisted her face, my finger poking her in the face.
"I am just seeing if it really is you. To be fair, the other version of you just tried to kill me." I stammered awkwardly, Novi wrapped his strong arms around my waist, his drenched hair covering his eyes. Spinning around, my finger brushed his hair out of his face. The bouquet hung by my leg, Tammy clearing her throat. Storm clouds rumbled above us, the chilly air lashed at my skin, Heavy raindrops crashed on the top of my head, a dozen ravens watching us.
"We have to go!" I shouted over the thunder, all five of us running back towards our cars. Hundreds of ravens dive bombed us, beaks scratching our skin. Novi tossed me into his car, Sarah climbing into the back. Slamming the door shut behind him, his engine roared to life. My heart was pounding out of my chest, sharp beaks smashing the windshield. Turning back towards Sarah, she was already clutching her necklace. Sticking her arm out the window, a blast of water soaked the birds. Their wings grew heavy with water, thuds echoing behind us as we drove away. The birds just watched, their inky black eyes blinking rapidly. Relief washed over us, the forest growing smaller in the distance.
"Who the fuck are you!" Novi roared, irritated beyond belief. Grabbing his thigh, his muscles relaxed, my golden stone spinning up in the air. Clutching it in my palm, my body slid further into my seat. Holding my stomach, Sarah poked her head in between the seats. A wide grin spread ear to ear, the shark staring at me from inside of her necklace. Clearing my throat, she sat back in her seat.
"I think you are cool and all, but we want to take you back to your clan. Are they far from here?" I offered tiredly, her eyes refusing to meet mine. "Do you even have a clan, or have you been running on your own?" Nodding her head in affirmation, teardrops crashed to the leather of the back seat. The stain taunted me, a deep sigh tumbling from my lips.
"You can stay with us." Novi interjected pleasantly, surprising both of us. "You did save us after all. I am sure you will be a great friend to her." Looking over at him, he winked at me. My heart fluttered, his fingers wrapping around mine. To be honest it would be a great idea to have a second witch in the village, and someone who understands me with ease. His brakes screamed to a halt, Ravens covering the entire road for miles. Hopping out of the car, I held my palms up to the sky. Raven landed in front of me, her black robes dancing around in blustery gusts whipping around. Tossing a ball of black energy in my direction, golden fans appeared in my trembling hands. Everyone tried to get out of the car to help me, their locks staying firm.
"What do you want!" I demanded hotly, getting inches from her face. "I thought we were going to do this another day. Did I take something that belongs to you? Get your little feathered friends out of the way, or I will make sure you won't make it to tomorrow." Wrapping her fingers around my neck, her brow cocked. Evil laughter erupted from her lips, her finger pointing at Sarah. Raw fury boiled in my veins, my fingers digging into her hand. No one was going to enslave her again, my jaws dropping at her next words.
"She is my daughter, and I want her back." She growled through gritted teeth, her black hair flying in front of her eyes. "You have no right to keep her from me." Claws grew from my fingernails and into her hand. Cocking my head to the right, my wrist flicking discreetly. Golden petals tossed her back, the ravens swirling in the cloudy sky. Aiming up at the sky, petals shot at her familiars. Shock rounded my eyes, her black blade sticking out of my chest. Ripping it out, I flipped behind her. Pressing the blade against her neck, my blood poured onto her robes.
"I refuse to give her back to you." I whispered darkly in her ear, a small line of black blood pouring down her neck. "I can't kill you today, but I can send you off with a warning." Golden light blinded me as my fans transformed into a simple golden blade. Sliding it through her stomach, blood squirted all over my face as I ripped it out. Tossing her aside, her ravens scooped her up. Her black blade clattered to the ground, my quaking hand cupping my wound. Staggering to the car, my vision blurred. Collapsing into the passenger's seat, nausea slapping me in the face. My eyes fell on my still beating heart in my chest, my clammy hands ripping open the door. Collapsing to my knees, everything I ate came back up to lunch. My inner wolf was yelping in pain, red mixing with vomit. Swaying slightly, a pair of strong arms grabbed me. Words faded in and out, the panicked tones only registering in my brain. Resting my head on his lap, salty teardrops crashed onto my face. Electrical pain jolted my body, my muscles screaming in protest with any movement. Closing my eyes, darkness embraced me in her rough arms.