She sat quietly, legs folded underneath her as the light changed in the sphere surrounding her. The size of a large room, the sphere’s surface shimmered with shifting lights, sliding past like the wind across a field of grass. Flashing lights shone through the opaque surface, casting a fluid backdrop against the swirls in the changing pattern. Her gaze drifted down to her hands limply crossed in her lap, and there was a slight rustle of fabric behind her.
A figure sat down next to her, and she looked up to see him sitting there. “You can’t do it.” She shook her head slowly, the simple motion seeming to cost every all her energy. “No, I can. If I just do a little better, it’ll be ok.” The side of his mouth twitched upward in a slight smile. “If that was the case, don’t you think things would be different right now?” She sighed and looked at him. “What else am I supposed to do? I’ve done everything they asked, and yet…” She threw her hand out towards the sphere’s curved edge, flashing lights dancing across her fingers. “This is all that comes of it.” She sighed again, and her hand dropped back to her lap. “I don’t know what to do.”
———————————————————————————
Torrn crouched next to Savyn’s body, shaking her by the shoulder as the lights flashed overhead. “Savyn, get up! Please!” The ground shuddered in time with an explosion nearby, and he bent over her head, shielding her face as dirt was flung over them. “I’m sorry!” He rolled her onto her back and pressed his head to her chest, where he could hear a racing heartbeat. He pulled her into his arms and moved to stand, but fell backwards as another explosion rocked the ground.
He looked over his shoulder and saw a large boulder a few steps away. Shifting onto his knees, he pulled her into the lee, drawing her against his chest. Her head lolled limply on her neck, and he rested his chin on her forehead, wrapping his arms tightly around her. “You were right. You were right about all of it. Please, come back. I need you…” Red and blue lights flashed in quick succession as the air rumbled, and he squeezed his eyes shut, desperately trying to think of something as the air began to smell of ozone.
———————————————————————————
Savyn looked at the figure sitting next to her, and a flash of red light illuminated his face. The light highlighted the scar on his chin and traced faint shadows under his cheekbones, the slight gauntness accenting his sharp features. “I just want to be enough. I want to help, and not be a burden that everyone else has to protect and look after.” He nodded slowly, and his gaze drifted downwards, tapping his finger on his knee. “Yet you’re scared you’re not enough to do so.” She pulled her knees in close to her chest and nodded silently, wrapping her arms around her legs and hugging them tightly.
He looked at her huddled form, and leaned over to whisper in her ear. “I know what could help.” She looked up at him and shook her head vehemently. “I’m not doing that.” He raised his eyebrow at her, and she shook her head again. “What if something goes wrong? What if someone gets hurt?” “You mean, what if Torrn gets hurt.” She opened her mouth to protest, then shut it slowly.
The figure stood up and looked down at her. “You’re right to be afraid. People are going to get hurt.” He raised his finger. “But. If you do this, less people will be hurt than if you just hide and let the fight go on without you.” He held his hand out to lift her up. “How does this sound. Do what I ask, and I guarantee I’ll do everything to make sure Torrn doesn’t get hurt.”
Savyn looked up at him, her gaze flitting from his outstretched hand to his face. “You promise?” He nodded assent, and she looked away, hesitation written plainly across her face. His hand twitched as a hint of hunger shone in his eyes. “All you have to do is let me in.” She looked up at his hand and grabbed it, pulling herself up. The figure pulled her close and her eyes widened as he kissed her, her muffled protest unheard by anyone. His grip tightened and he deepened the kiss, bending her back over his arm until she had to hold him for balance. Savyn felt as if all the warmth in her body was being drained through the contact, her body growing weaker by the second, and her eyes rolled up in her head as everything faded into smears of light before disappearing completely.
The figure broke the kiss, surveying her limp form hung over his arm, and smiled. “You did agree to it.” He brushed his hair back, and looked up just as the sphere shattered into a thousand points of light.
———————————————————————————
Torrn gasped as Savyn’s eyes flew open and she sat up, pulling away from him and looking around. She looked down at her hands and smiled, flexing her fingers, but something about the way the smile didn’t reach her eyes unnerved him. “Savyn?” She cocked her head at him and smiled, but there was nothing familiar in the gesture. “You must be Torrn. I’d say it’s a pleasure to finally meet you, but that would be a lie.”
She rolled onto her feet in one fluid motion, brushing the dust off her clothes as the ground shook underneath. Torrn reached for her, but Savyn flicked her hand dismissively and he was slammed against the boulder. “I’d love to kill you boy, but unfortunately I promised not to. However, to make it easier, I’ll need you not to get in my way.” Torrn’s eyes widened as he stared at his best friend. “Who are you?” She laughed, a curt cold sound with absolutely no mirth. “Child, I have more names than you know. All you need to know is I’m here, and the fight is about to change.”
Cracking her neck, Savyn strode out from the shelter of the boulder, throwing her hand up towards the heavens. A crackling ball of green light erupted from her fingertips, soaring high into the sky before bursting vividly, a stark contrast to the red and blue lights that had been dancing previously. “Watch and learn boy. This is how someone who actually knows how to use their power wins the game.” She threw her head back and laughed as the wind began to howl, and the ground shuddered and cracked beneath her feet.
Leave a Reply