Author's note: In hindsight the Lion King bit in chapter 11 was a bit cringy. So I have deducted that bit and replaced it with something I think a bit more... intriguing... or at least I hope you the reader will think so. As well as any other Lion King references in the following chapters.
Images courtesy of Wolf329, whose talent improves with every post. Thank you and keep it up!
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Wind and Fire - Chapter 25.1
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Grey sat on a nearby root of a fungal tree. Too restless to sleep. She passed the time by spinning a mushroom cap above her hand. Cliff rested nearby, snoring away. The forest seemed to howl as wind passed in-between the trunks.
Beetlejuice returned, kneeling down beside her patient. After Grey failed to find anymore coca leaves, Beetlejuice decided the next best option was to put Cliff under. If they could not numb Cliff’s pain, then at least they could sedate her, though Beetlejuice had reservations.
>Cliff is asleep,< Beetlejuice sent surprised. >What happened, Grey?<
>You were gone too long,< sent Grey.
Beetlejuice took notice of the mushroom cap Grey levitated above her palm. Her brief suspicion was confirmed upon noticing Grey’s glowing, cerulean eyes. >You put her under yourself, didn’t you?<
>Yes.<
>So your Mizol powers have activated. How long now?<
Grey shrugged. >A couple days.<
>I envy you. Unlike most of the Perrein pure-bloods here, I’m a mixed breed. My father was Perrein, but my mother was an outsider. I don’t even know if I’ll get my powers.<
> Power activation is random for everyone. Some get it early. Some later on in life. I’ve heard stories of Unsheathed initiates that were accepted into the Teidar Academy when their powers didn’t activate until they reached one hundred plus years.<
>I don’t want to be a hundred years old for my powers to activate. If I get them at all.<
>Don’t put yourself down, Beetlejuice,< Grey consoled her. >Powers or none, you would make a fine Doranzer if that’s where fate takes you.<
>Kind of you, Grey,< Beetlejuice sent with an appreciative grin. >So how much can you lift with your mind?<
>Did you seriously just make a ‘mind’ joke?<
>No, seriously, how much can you lift?<
Grey sighed. >The heaviest I can lift is a fist-sized rock. Though I’ve managed to lift several light items without much effort.<
>What’s it like?<
Grey raised an eyebrow at Beetlejuice. >What is what like?<
>When your powers activated? What did it feel like?<
>It’s hard to explain, Beetlejuice. I suppose you could say it’s like waking up.<
>’Waking up’?<
>Do you remember the moment you were born, Beetlejuice?<
That was an odd question. >Well, no.<
>Neither do I. The earliest I remember is sitting upright for the first time in my crib and seeing my mother’s stern eyes staring back at me. I must have been about six months old at the time. But I can’t remember anything before that. It was like I suddenly knew I existed. In a sense I ‘woke up’. Power activation… for me at least… is kind of like that. I didn’t realize it was there, but then suddenly it was.<
>Fascinating,< Beetlejuice sent sincerely. She shivered with delight as the wind peaked slightly, passing over her skin. >Nice to have a little breeze for a change.<
Grey agreed. Fungal forests were a biosphere shielding a rich environment from Perrein’s hot, barren terrain. Very rarely did forest-dwelling Perreins feel drafts, but without the overhead canopy, there was nothing to stop the winds from passing through. It was refreshing to get cooled down by the wind.
>By the way, I hope you’re not thinking about eating that dogos you got hovering in your hand.<
Grey looked at Beetlejuice without dropping the levitating cap. >So what if I am?<
>Pipolsi dogos, or floating cap, is a soothing hallucinogenic. Loroi that ingest it experience a deep relaxing state. Some loroi have even shared stories of feeling like they exist in zero-gravity. Our creche’s Doranzer taught me that it’s used to make tranquilizers. Also a good stress reliever.<
>I’ve seen a few of the girls here during their off-hours eat them and get spaced out. Seems to send them on quite a trip.< The cap in her hand suddenly looked more appetizing. >I could use a break from stress.<
>But I think it best you don’t. Floating cap can be dangerous if not consumed with care. It may seem tempting, Grey, but don’t ingest weird stuff just because everyone else does it.<
>Says the herbalist.<
>’Think with your head, not your stomach. Solve your problems with logic, not feelings.’ That’s what my creche’s Doranzer taught me. I can name some of the vegetation out here, but most of it I can’t even classify. There are mushrooms here that might drive us mad with one bite. Or even kill us. The herbs and shrooms I’ve harvested can help us, but should be used sparingly. So consume with care.<
A discomforted groan drew the two girls’ attention as Cliff began rustling in her sleep. No doubt the pain in her leg was making her restless. >Ouch,< she sent out, her breathing growing more rapid as she slowly came to. >Ouch!<
Dropping the mushroom into her palm, Grey knelt down by Cliff’s side. Extending her hand over Cliff’s forehead, Grey sent out soothing waves into Cliff’s psyche. Cliff’s rapid breathing slowed. Her groans stopped as Grey hypnotized the ailing loroi back to sleep.
>Cliff is lucky to have a good friend, Grey,< sent Beetlejuice.
Grey shrugged. >Someone has to take care of her since the rest of the seedheads are too busy licking Greenscale’s boots.<
>Well, I’m going to sleep. Wake me if there is a problem.< Beetlejuice retired to her cot, but not before asking, >Grey, if it’s no trouble, could you put me to sleep too?<
>What?<
>I’ve been pretty restless myself and can’t quite relax.<
>Why not take a floating cap to sooth your mind?<
>Really?!<
>Fine,< Grey complied.
After easing down Beetlejuice, Grey retired to her cot and resumed levitating the mushroom cap between her hands. It would be nice to just ingest it and let go of her troubles for a while. There was likely nothing bad to happen, but Grey had been taught to always be prepared for anything. The sober mind was ahead of the race.
A crisis more often occurs when slackers least expect it, said Rainlash once. As much as Grey loathed her mother, Rainlash did impart some wisdom. Rainlash had also taught Grey that a crisis is less likely to deter those who are watchful. The loss of the lax is the opportunity for the vigilant.
Grey’s eyes wandered over to Greenscale sleeping on the other side of the camp. Her arm wrapped protectively around her pack containing their communicator. All Grey wanted to do was help Cliff. She did not deserve to suffer like this. No matter how dishonorable it would seem, allowing the injured to suffer helped nothing. It seemed tempting just to sneak out the communicator and call for help, but too risky. How was Grey supposed to sneak out the communicator while two guards were on watch at the fence? And even if she could send out a message to the Elders and call in a rescue for Cliff, Grey would have to take the blame. There was no telling if the Elders would excuse Grey for calling for help during their trial. It was possible they would commend Grey for placing the well-being of a comrade before honor, yet equally possible that Grey could be expelled if she did not try to solve the problem by relying on her own wit and that of the diral. And the fact that Grey was not liked by most within the diral was not likely to cast Grey in a favorable light with the Elders. Warrior trainees were expected to display resilience and innovation. The trials weeded out the weaklings from the capable. A warrior society did not smile on codependents.
The wind seemed to be growing stronger now, but it gave Grey no relief. If someone else were willing to make the call…
-
Ben ran.
He was stuck in a maze of dark halls and musty corridors. Was he in a ship? Or trapped in a dungeon? He could not tell. But he knew what he was chasing. Every time he rounded a corner, he would catch a glimpse of Lagertha.
“Mom,” he would cry out. But Lagertha would not so much as turn to face him and simply wander off beyond the maze’s next turn. No matter how many times he found her, Lagertha only seemed to step away from him.
“Mommy, stop!”
But she wouldn’t stop. No amount of pleading made her wait. She just kept walking away from him. Why was she being so cruel and leaving him behind?
Now Ben was lost. Alone. And crying for the one person who meant the world to him.
With all the energy he could muster, Ben tried to get Lagertha to listen to him and screamed out with all his frustration, “MOM!”
No answer came.
Lagertha was gone.
“Mommy, please,” Ben whimpered as he fell to his knees. “Please come back. Please.”
He wept. He wept because he was alone. And scared. Nothing is more terrifying to a child than being alone.
-
>Wake up!<
The call shook the whole diral awake. Groggily springing to action, the girls looked around in confusion, trying to understand what the trouble was?
>What’s wrong?<
>Are we under attack?<
>Is there a predator?<
>Is someone hurt?<
Their questions were answered as Harmony sent out, >It’s Greenscale! Something’s wrong with Greenscale!<
A few of the girls swarmed around their leader. Greenscale was writhing on her cot, seemingly unresponsive, sending out strange, erratic thoughts and bizarre imagery.
>Is Greenscale sick?< asked Stone.
>I don’t know,< sent Harmony. >I was the first to wake when I found her like this. She seems delirious.<
Beetlejuice, also being awakened by the commotion, came over to inspect. >Out of my way!< She knelt down to inspect Greenscale. >I see no injuries or bites. But hard to see with so little light. Maybe something she ate? Hand me a light!< She was handed the diral’s only flashlight and shown it onto Greenscale’s face. >Look at that! No eye dilation!< She bent closer to Greenscale’s mouth and sniffed her breath. >Maybe something she ate.< She inspected Greenscale’s hands and smelled. >Look at that in her left hand! It looks like a mushroom.< Taking it in hand, Beetlejuice took a sniff. >She definitely ingested this.<
>Ingested what?< asked Harmony.
>Floating cap!<
>No way!< Stone sent incredulously. >Greenscale doesn’t eat that stuff.<
>And yet this happened,< Beetlejuice sent. >She’s clearly blitzed. She’s also oozing something out of her mouth. I don’t think she’s alright.<
>How do you know?< asked Stone, clearly concerned.
>I’ve seen loroi stoned, but never in such an epileptic state. She must have eaten quite a few caps. Eating too many can be hazardous.<
Harmony called out, >Flint! Shrill! Come here!<
The two loroi called came forward.
Harmony interrogated them, >You two were on guard duty. What happened?<
>We…< Flint sent timidly. >We don’t know.<
>How could you not know?!< Harmony sent incredulously.
>We… just woke up like everyone else.<
>What?! You were supposed to keep watch, idiots! How could you fall asleep?!<
>We are sorry,< Shrill sent with head hung low. >We didn’t mean it.<
>What are we supposed to do now?< another loroi called out. >We can’t leave her like this.<
>Maybe call for help?!< another suggested.
>Greenscale gave strict orders not to contact the Elders,< sent Harmony.
>But our diral leader could be poisoned,< Stone objected.
>You too, Stone?!<
>Greenscale is our leader,< Stone defended. >She pulled this diral together. What would our Elders say if we just let her lie in sickness here.<
The company rooted in favor of Stone.
Harmony tried to argue, >But we-<
>No ‘buts.’ We’re calling the Elders.<
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Ben lay, legs huddled to his chest. The loneliness. The sadness. It was unbearable. All he wanted was his mother. But she was gone. He couldn’t understand why she let the aliens take him away. Why she just stood by and didn’t even bother to save him. But she was gone.
Now he was alone with no one in this terrible darkness that surrounded him.
“Mom,” he whimpered futilely. “Mom, please.”
No answer.
“Anybody.”
Nothing.
-
The call was made.
Now the girls waited for a response from the Elders. Greenscale kept writhing, sending out bizarre imagery, but every now and then she would telepathically blurt out, >wha-<, or >feel weird<.
>This is so odd,< sent Beetlejuice.
>What is?< asked Harmony.
>I remember my creche’s Doranzer saying something about floating caps,< Beetlejuice went on. >While they are used to relax patients, they can have a paradoxical effect.<
>Para-what?<
>Not all loroi have the same reaction to a specific drug,< Beetlejuice explained. >While floating cap is used as a tranquilizer, a minority of loroi have a negative reaction to it. It can make them agitated… aggressive… even psychotic.<
“G-G-Grrrr,” Greenscale gurgled, writhing on her cot. Suddenly she seemed more mobile as she tried to sit up.
>Easy there, Greenscale,< Harmony quickly knelt down by her side.
“Gr-Gr-Gre-,” Greenscale tried to enunciate, her blitzed mind refused to cooperate with her vocal cords.
>What?<
In a flash of movement and a sudden burst of energy, Greenscale launched herself at a specific loroi who had been watching from the edge of the mob.
Greenscale snarled out, “GREY!”
Grey took a few timid steps back. The girls barely managed to restrain their diral leader as she snarled and kicked, her raging eyes fixed on Grey.
>GREY- YOU-< Greenscale sent out. Her blitzed, incoherent mind unable to formulate sentences.
One loroi shouted, >Hold her!<
>What’s wrong with her?< sent another.
>She’s gone crazy!<
>Hold her down!<
Wrestling her back to her cot, the girls pinned their leader as she kicked and squirmed in their grips until she burnt out her stamina.
Harmony gave Grey a look before sending, >She doesn’t like you, Grey.<
Grey just stood by and watched, relaxing as she sensed no impending danger to her person.
>We got a response!< Stone sent relieved. The girls switched their hopeful attention to Stone as she read the communicator. >Wait! What?<
>What’s wrong?< sent Harmony.
>It’s an emergency warning,< Stone replied.
>Yes, we know this is an emergency-<
>No, no! I mean a warning from the Elders. For us!< The assembled girls’ confusion turned to fear as Stone explained, >There’s a fire!<
-
Ben lay shriveled up with knees to his chest. He just wanted someone. Anyone to come to his rescue. But there was no one in this darkness.
“Somebody,” he whimpered. “Anyone…… Grey…… Grey… please.”
Through his teary eyes, Ben saw a pair of red boots step out of the darkness and stop in front of him. Ben looked up to find a man of great build, clad in a blue suit, a red cape and a familiar S-insignia branded upon his chest.
Sniffling away the tears, Ben begged, “Please… help me.”
The great man extended his hand to Ben. “Come on,” he said with a gentle smile. “I know where you need to go.”
-
Cliff groaned, >It hurts.<
>I know, Cliff,< sent Grey. >We’ll be there soon. You have to put up with the pain just a little longer.< She carried the backend of the stretcher on which Cliff lay while Beetlejuice took the front. Even the slightest shift in weight was enough to send a jolt of pain through Cliff’s injured leg, bad enough as it was. But they could not afford to be too delicate for the moment.
>You are a true sister, Grey,< Cliff whimpered. >Truly you are.<
Grey smiled down at her friend. >Cliff, once we complete our trials and return home, my answer is yes.<
>Yes?<
>I mean I accept your offer. I want to join your familial clan.<
>Oh, Grey, you are simply wonderful,< Cliff cried for joy. Even in pain she could still feel joy.
The Elders had confirmed that there was a wildfire spreading through the woods. Wildfires were extremely rare on Perrein, almost unheard of to some natives. But a serious drought made it easy for them to start. Grey had never seen a wildfire before, but had watched recordings of forest fires on Deinar or Maya’s endless misesa fields, spreading like an infernal tidal wave. The flames could reach twice as high as a forest canopy, igniting trees within seconds in clouds of hot red. Even soil itself could burn. They spread quickly. And winds only made them move faster.
>I think I smell smoke,< one loroi sent. >Is it close?<
>Wildfire smoke can be smelt from far off,< Stone sent, with Greenscale’s left arm slung over her shoulder. Harmony helped carry the still blitzed Greenscale by the right. >Just keep moving. As long as we make it to the rendezvous, we’ll be alright.<
Grey wanted to be believe that, but belief was no reassurance. While the wildfire now spreading through the Perrein woods was many miles away, it was spreading in their direction. So the diral was given the order to move back to a rendezvous point where a truck would be picking them up. And they had many miles to cover. Grey and Beetlejuice had a hard time keeping pace with the group having to carry Cliff on the stretcher.
“Gr-Gr-Grey,” the euphoric Greenscale croaked as she was dragged along by Stone and Harmony. “G-Grey… y-you…”
>What’s she saying?< Harmony asked.
>She seems to have it out for Grey,< sent Stone.
Even as she came out of her high, Greenscale still slurred with delirium. >S-stop,< she sent.
>We can’t stop, boss,< sent Stone. >Fire’s coming. But we can rest once we reach-<
>B-but… G-Grey…< Greenscale tried to pry herself free from her diral members’ grip.
>Grey can’t bother us,< Harmony assured her, keeping her grip firmly on Greenscale. >Besides, she’s in the back carrying-<
>…P-poison!< Greenscale sent. >Grey… poison!<
>What’s she saying about poison?< another loroi asked.
>Don’t know,< sent Stone. >But she’s clearly not herself right now.<
>Poison!< Greenscale sent, now fighting against her helpers as they tried to force her along. >Grey… is… poison!<
>Forget about, Grey, damnit!< Stone urged their blazed leader. >We need to hurry!<
The diral jogged on, picking up the pace with increased urgency as the stench of smoke now got thicker. The winds were getting warmer. Grey just trudged on with Beetlejuice and Cliff, trying to keep up at the back of the diral.
>C-cold…< Greenscale sent. Although no one else could deny the unbearable heat, Greenscale was sincerely shivering. >Feel… so cold!<
>You’re not cold,< Harmony assured her. >It’s just the mushrooms talking.<
>Cold,< sent Greenscale. >I’m so cold! I need heat!<
In a burst of speed, Greenscale dashed into the woods, away from the diral.
>Greenscale, come back!< Stone sent, rushing after her.
>Where are you going?< one girl called out.
>Wait, here!< Harmony commanded the group.
>Wait?!< one girl sent incredulously. >The wildfires are coming! At least give us the comm-<
>This diral goes nowhere without our Seinen,< Harmony sent firmly, taking the communicator and pack with her. >The communicator stays with me.< She ordered four random girls to follow in pursuit of Greenscale.
The rest of the diral stood anxiously in wait as the six rescuers chased after Greenscale. The diral band did not seem afraid until Greenscale and her six pursuers disappeared out of their range of sight. But still they waited.
And waited.
A hundred solons passed. Then a thousand. There was no still no sign of Greenscale or six others. Some of the remaining diral members took the chance to sit and rest. A few stood, too nervous to sit, their minds too focused on the impending wildfires. The hot wind and stench of smoke didn’t help to alleviate their nerves.
>Are we going to die?< Cliff groaned painfully from her stretcher.
>Of course not, Cliff,< Grey comforted her friend. >We’re going to make it.<
Grey could see a few diral members gossiping, occasionally casting glances toward her. Were they talking about her? After another thousand solons of gossip and furtive glances, one of the girls sent over.
>Grey, I notice you’ve been silent since leaving camp.<
Grey shrugged. >So?<
>Why was Greenscale mumbling so much about you?<
It seemed obvious that the girls were suspicious of Grey now. >What does it matter? Mushrooms can make one go crazy,< Grey sent matter-of-factly.
>But why would she mention you? And why would Greenscale mention poison?<
>What are you implying?< Beetlejuice defended Grey. >Are you accusing Grey of poisoning our diral chief? Grey has been by my side nursing Cliff. Greenscale is just delirious. Besides the guards would have seen-<
The accusation now came from Flint. >We were on guard duty. We did not fall asleep on purpose. I can’t remember how, but even so. And Stone said herself that Greenscale did not consume mushrooms for recreation.<
>That doesn’t mean Greenscale wouldn’t have reconsidered trying it,< Beetlejuice shot back.
>I think it only fair that Grey vouch for herself.<
A few girls stood together, bent on extracting the truth while the rest sat by and nervously observed.
>Grey, be truthful with us. Do you know something we don’t? What did you do?<
Grey stared back at the mob in silence.
>Stars, it can’t be true,< Beetlejuice sent horrified.
Grey sighed in defeat. >Greenscale refused to call for help. I didn’t mean for this to happen. As much as I hate Greenscale, I never intended to hurt her.<
>You poisoned her?!<
>I didn’t poison anyone,< Grey defended herself. >After everyone fell asleep, I had an idea. If I could not call for help, maybe someone else would if they had justifiable reason. I care nothing for Greenscale, but I see how much you all loved her. Cliff has been in so much pain, but Greenscale was too stubborn to call for help. None of you would vouch for Cliff. But you would for our diral chief. I made her consume the floating caps.<
>How? She would have fought back and alerted us.<
>I hypnotized her,< sent Grey. >Stopped her from waking up. My powers have been active for days now.<
>And the guards?<
>I hypnotized them first. Lured them from their posts and put them under.<
>Grey?< Beetlejuice sent horrified. >Do you realize what you’ve done?<
>I just wanted to help Cliff,< Grey defended. >Because none of you would. Ever since losing the title of diral chief, none of you snides have liked me. Just because I made a mistake and failed to protect one of you. Other than Beetlejuice, Cliff is the only loroi here who cared anything for me. The only true friend I have.<
>You bloody shitboot!< Shrill cried out as she threw herself at Grey, but was held back by several of the girls. >Let me go! I’m going to kill her!<
>No, you won’t.<
>This is her fault! I’m going to rip her skull open! She needs to pay!<
>Look, you imbecile!< another pointed in the direction they had trekked. Amidst the dense trunks, an orange glow could be seen far in the distance. Along with a faint crackling and popping. >The fires are getting closer! We need to run!<
>We can’t go anywhere without Greenscale and the others. Besides Harmony has the communicator. We can’t trace the truck without it.<
>But we can’t stay here! The fires will kill us!<
>Enough! We’re moving out!<
>What about the truck? We can’t trace it without-<
>We have to make do! We stay here, we die!<
The diral band rose to their feet and moved out. Grey bent down to pick up Cliff’s stretcher, much to Beetlejuice’s reluctance.
>I just want to help Cliff,< Grey sent sincerely. >At this point, that’s all I care about.<
>Well then help me,< Beetlejuice conceded, unable to hide her bitterness.
-
The diral band pressed on, hurrying eagerly to get away from the impending flames. The winds got hotter. The smoke stench was more potent now. The crackling of burning wood seemed to grow stronger and the forest behind them glowing brighter. Grey and Beetlejuice were having the hardest time keeping up with the girls.
From the stretcher, Cliff sent, >I don’t hate you, Grey.<
>What?< Grey asked as she trudged along.
>Everyone else might hate you, but I don’t. You had the courage to do what no one else was willing to do. You’re the only one who’s ever cared about me in this group.<
>Well… don’t forget about Beetlejuice,< sent Grey.
Beetlejuice said nothing back as she pulled the stretcher along.
>Grey,< Cliff cried through painful tears, >Even if everyone else turns their back on you, I swear I never will. I’ll defend you in front of the Elders. I promise.<
Grey said nothing back. She felt unworthy of such affection.
>Listen,< one of the girls ahead sent. Amidst the howling wind and sound of fire, there was another sound. A faint, synthetic screech that sounded off in patterned intervals. >That’s a siren! It must be the truck! Keep moving, everyone!<
The girls sprinted ahead, driven by new hope of rescue.
>Wait!< Beetlejuice pleaded, struggling to keep up as she pulled the stretcher. >Please wait for us! Grey, pick up the pace!<
>Take it easy,< Grey pleaded, nearly tripping as she tried not to trip with stretcher in hand. >Beetlejuice, slow down, I’m going to drop it.<
>The girls are already out of my range, Grey! Hurry! We’re going to lose-<
Beetlejuice did not get a chance to finish as she fell face forward over a sheer drop, dragging Cliff and Grey with her. All three loroi tumbled down. Grey’s head made contact with some mossy rocks, sending a jolt of pain that made her vision blur. The loroi struggled to stay awake, her mind threatening to fall into unconsciousness.
Grey could not be sure if tens or hundreds of solons passed until her conscious mind won the battle and her vision began to clear. But it was long enough to see a rain of burning snowflakes starting micro-burns on dried up ferns, shrooms and moss. Grey struggled to get up, she had to get her friends to that truck. Her mind registered their telepathic signatures.
>MY LEG HURTS!< Cliff cried, her stretcher having cracked following their tumble.
Beside her Beetlejuice was fumbling with the straps, trying to get her loose. Grey forced herself to sit up and help.
>Help us!< Beetlejuice sent out. Grey was certain she was calling for Grey. Until Grey heard Beetlejuice say, >Damnit, Greenscale, stop standing there and help us!<
That’s when Grey’s mind finally picked up the third signature that wandered into their midst during her concussion. Standing above the ledge where the trio fell from was Beetlejuice. And she was staring down at them. The rain of cinders and glow of impending flames did not faze her. She just stared down. Before Grey could react, Greenscale picked up a sizable rock. Holding the massive stone overhead, she pounced on Beetlejuice.
Crack!
Beetlejuice’s skull fractured as the stone made contact. She fell limp on top of Cliff, who still lay crying in pain, partially strapped to the stretcher.
Greenscale’s eyes fell on Grey. >I know what you did, Grey,< Greenscale sneered with a wicked smile. Grey recognized that malicious, deranged tone. Greenscale was going to kill Grey.
Grey struggled to get up, but Greenscale threw herself at her. The girls wrestled, Grey struggling to kick the mad loroi off of her. But Greenscale firmly weighed herself down on top of Grey with hands around her throat. Grey choked as Greenscale squeezed the life out of her.
>I’m going to kill you!< Greenscale sneered as she squeezed harder. She had gone completely psychotic. >You stuffed shrooms down my throat! And I’m going to kill you!<
Grey’s vision blurred, hands trying to pry off Greenscale’s as she rasped for air. But Greenscale was too strong. >Help!< she futilely sent out. >Somebody!<
>LEAVE HER ALONE!< Cliff, who had managed to free herself from the broken stretcher, had crawled over, dragging along her injured leg, and tried to pry Greenscale off of her friend. >LEAVE HER ALONE!<
>GET OFF!< Greenscale smacked her off, momentarily losing her grip on Grey.
Grey was not strong enough to push her assaulter off of her. With her new mental powers, Grey’s mind sent a volt into Greenscale’s. Greenscale’s hands reflexively flew up to clutch her head, trying to block out the mental stab. Quickly fumbling around her, Grey’s left hand found a rock. With all the strength she could muster, Grey smashed the rock into Greenscale’s forehead. The girl fell off, pressing her palms to numb her injured skull. Grey squirmed out from under her, standing ready to fight.
But Greenscale did not attack. Slowly climbing back to her feet, Greenscale just stared back, her maddened look now replaced by a blank expression. Grey did not soften as she anticipated Greenscale to pounce any moment.
Instead, Greenscale simply sent, >Cold… so cold…< The floating caps still had her buzzed. >Fire… I need… warmth… so cold…< In her delirious state, she made wobbly steps in the direction of the burning woods.
Grey did not try to stop her. Just stood by and watched the diral leader go. Finally taking notice of the crackling flames coming in, Grey knelt down by Beetlejuice. She had no pulse. No breath. And no telepathic signature. Beetlejuice was dead.
Though pointless to send to a corpse, Grey sent sincerely, >I’m sorry, Beetlejuice.<
But there was no time to mourn. Grey rushed over to Cliff and slowly hefted her onto her shoulders.
>It hurts!< Cliff cried.
>I know, but hang on!< Grey assured her. With all the power she could muster, Grey pushed on toward the direction of the sirens. Although Cliff’s weight was a hindrance, Grey’s desperation to escape the impending flames gave her all the motivation she needed. Slowly the world around her seemed to erupt into flames. Mushrooms exploded. Ferns sprouted into flaming flowers. The only thing that did not seem to catch fire yet was the fungal trees. Now Grey knew that the wave of flames was close behind. Perhaps a few meters. Perhaps several hundred. Grey didn’t know but it didn’t matter. All that mattered was reaching that truck before the fires outran them.
The sirens got louder. Grey knew they were close. And there she saw between the trunks was the truck. And it was slowly rolling out.
>NO!< Grey cried out. >DON’T LEAVE! DON’T LEAVE! WE’RE STILL HERE!<
But the truck did not stop. Grey pushed her legs harder. She had to get within a hundred meters for them to pick up their signature. Finally she picked up another Loroi’s presence within the truck. But the vehicle kept rolling on. They were leaving.
>WAIT!< Grey cried.
The truck slowed. More telepathic signatures picked up Grey’s call, urging the drivers to stop. Grey would have been relieved if it weren’t for the fact that her back was so hot it nearly burnt. The flames were right on them now.
>OPEN THE DOOR!< Grey cried.
The side door of the truck’s passenger bay slid open. There stood two Soroins waving the two stragglers.
>Hurry,< the Soroins urged.
Grey crashed at full speed into the truck’s deck. The Soroins hefted Cliff off her shoulders before lifting Grey in. Grey got a glimpse of the flames probably ten meters away before the Soroins slid the large door shut. Even from within the truck, Grey could hear the crackling of burning fungal trees and howling winds as the flames washed over the vehicle.
>Don’t worry,< one of the Soroins sent. >The interior is fireproof. You’re safe now.<
The truck rumbled as the drivers made their way through the burning woods.
>Cliff,< Grey sent with worry. >Is Cliff-<
>Your friend is alright,< sent the Soroin. >A bit toasted, but she’ll live.<
Grey finally took notice of the rest of her teammates that made it. They all stared. Stared with harsh judgement. There was no sign of Stone. Or Harmony. Or the four other girls that ran after Greenscale. And no Beetlejuice… who died back in the forest saving Cliff’s and Grey’s life.
Rolling onto her stomach and burying her head into her arms, Grey wept. All she wanted to do was save Cliff, and now it seemed that her intervention wasn’t necessary after all. The Elders would have ordered the diral to evacuate the woods anyway. Drugging Greenscale, trying to get the diral to make the call to the Elders for help instead of her had been a wasted effort. Now their diral leader was dead. Along with Beetlejuice, Stone, Harmony and four other girls. They were all gone because of Grey’s foolish decision. All Grey could do was cry. The Elders would demand an inquiry and find out everything, whether from Grey or the other diral members. The revelation of Grey’s scheming would destroy her future. The Elders would never allow her to be a warrior. She would be branded with disgrace and dishonor. As far as Grey was concerned, her life was over.
All she wanted now was to cry. She cried as the world seemed to fade away and she was left in a pit of infinite darkness.
>I’m sorry,< she sobbed. >I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to mess up.<
“…Grey?”
Grey looked up. Hovering above her was a man in a suit of blue and a cape of red. And he looked remarkably human like the boy within his strong arms. Somehow Grey knew who the large male was. >…… Superman?<
Descending to her level, Superman released the little boy before fading away into the darkness.
In a mix of despair and hope, Grey recognized that boy. >Ben?<
“Grey?” While he still remembered the terrible thing she tried to do, Ben looked on with pity at the weeping loroi. “Why are you crying?”
>Ben, I’m so sorry,< Grey sent in tears. >I never meant to harm you. I swear I never meant to.<
Unable to see his friend suffer, and not wishing to be consumed by the dark loneliness, Ben ran to her. “Grey!”
Grey wept for sadness and joy as she took the little boy ran into her arms.
“Promise me you’ll never be mean again,” Ben cried into her chest.
>I promise, Ben.< She held him tightly. >I promise!<