Elevate

Seeking Fragments

VIXEN MORENZ’S POV

I was woken up by the bright light that was coming from the window and the frigid waft that’s entering my room without my permission. How did it get in? I slowly opened my eyes, even though that it’s still tiring. There I saw a blurry vision of a person standing still in the corner and looking in my direction.

When I tried to restrain my conception, he suddenly jumped out the panel and vanished, making me startled from my bed. I paced towards the window and was hoping to see the person, but all it was left for me to view was the empty reserved streets. It was as if he was a ghost, leaving no trace.

Where did he go? I’m quite sure that it was a person that I have seen. I upend a sigh and decided to give up. There’s no point in looking for him when I didn’t even see his face clearly. But what about the black trench coat that he was wearing? Probably it would take me months to track him just by using that clue. There’s no other thing that I have noticed on him that it could lead.

I willfully enclosed the window and tried to calm my troubled soul. An intruder just broke inside my room. I was approximately to go back to my bed to put on my robe when something caught my attention from my peripheral view. I slowly transposed my focus and there I examined that my flower is missing!

The vase was now empty. Where did it go?! My heart started to pace and so I ran towards the outside and went to the others. I apprehended them in the dining room, preparing us food, since we’re going to the forest later this day to visit the kids. I was catching my air not until Loshiana noticed my posture.

“Did something happen?” She asked, holding a bowl filled with rice.

Cody had also stirred beside her and looked at me curiously. “You look like a ghost right now. You should see yourself in the mirror.” He commented.

“I think she still didn’t get enough sleep, guys. Let’s just let her be.” Guilbert uttered and put the plates on the slab.

I heard a door creaked apprehensively and after a couple of seconds, beating paces were visible from Miguel. He enlightened his eyes and scraped his hair. He just woke up from his sleep and still has a drool on the side of his mouth. “What’s happening?”

“The flower is missing!” I announced to them directly which made them concrete in their points.

“What?! Did I hear it right?” Cody asked for a second confirmation.

I nodded to him. “Someone bugged in inside my room a while ago and stole it. I wasn’t able to get him since he sprang out the window and didn’t beqeath a clue.”

“But why? Why would someone take it?” Loshiana pumped.

A sudden strike on the door in the afternoon was descried. I was thinking of something, but I wanted to make sure about it. Cody went to reveal it and there we discerned a dithery reaction of Carmilla. Her face was completely covered in apprehension and was completely blanched as if she had barelled so fast just to get here. This is getting entangled. She was vexing up her air, laying her hand on the wall to support herself. Her clothes were severely covered with delicate blood.

Guilbert assisted her and instantly went to the living room. Everyone went to her. We occupied on the couch and tried to steady her down. Her eyes prowled to everyone and locked to mine. “F-Favia...W-Where’s the flower?” She intently asked.

“Okay. This is a bit alarming. Why is everyone looking for Vixen’s flower right now?”

“I-It’s the…other flower…the flower that the Three Founders have found before.”

A cold sentiment caressed through my palms. I couldn’t think even. All along, it was with me, yet I didn’t even notice! I clenched my fist.

I eyed at her. “Where’s Favia?”

I got a bad feeling when she pulled her gaze from me and reserved the other way around. Look at me, please.

“Where’s Favia, Carmilla?” I inquired her twice and this time, we saw how her tears fell rapidly on her cheeks. Her body was shaking as she dealt with her grazes. “S-She’s dead. I-I was on my way to Favia to ask her about the flower, b-but it was too late. She was killed by someone…”

I covered my mouth when I listened her. Cody whimpered silently beside me. He was the closest among the rest of us to Favia. She was a mother to him.

“I-I saw her lying lifelessly in her restaurant. I wanted to save her, but the wound she got was near her heart. I tried…I-I tried everything to save her…”

“H-How did this happen?” Cody twitched.

I just found out a while ago that she’s the one whom the Informant had tasked to take care of the flower and agreed to get rid of her memories about them. I read the letter of Mr. Elikai for her and he talked about the flower he had given to her. I don’t know why it happened, but the moment I tried to heal her wound, she had remembered everything…she remembered about the two men and…and that she told me to go here to talk to you Vixen.” Carmilla explained herself.

I chewed my lip and dabbed my tears off. Another friend was killed and somehow the culprit might be the same person who intervened in my room. How foolish I am to let him go!

“W-What are we going to do now?” Cody pleaded and looked at Guilbert.

He skimmed his nails through his hair out of nuisance. He got cognized a ferocious breath and spoke, “We need to take it back…no matter what.”

The night is getting much clearer, until we heard a murmur from the outside. Those charging steps were getting sharper and everyone started to panic outside the base. We hurriedly went to see what’s happening and there we attained a vicious, obscure smoke slowly reaching out the heavens from the Forest! It was burning! There were cries from those who’re looking at it, then we heard a small buzzing sound on top of us. It was the insect that Carmilla had given to Uncle William before. It flew to Carmilla and landed on her. She stared at it for a while and slowly listend to it and glanced blankly at the Forest.

“They needed our help...”

We pushed inside the base and get all our things which will be beneficial. I could feel the pressure weighing me by the shoulders. Everything is a derange right now. When we’re braced we went into the kitchen room and held our hands tight and Guilbert led us the way.

Transporting to the forest, now we could intuit how devastated those who’re living in the area. Their cabins were burning with fire and they’re doing their best to get things that can be saved. I saw Ian making his way to us with a grim face. It was as if we’re facing another man. He was dead serious together with his fighters. I couldn’t see Aunt Liech or the kids. Where even are they?

“Thank God you’re here! A group of men suddenly attacked us using a teleportation strength.”

Screams from those being slashed to death were scattered everywhere. I saw a woman carrying her newly born child tight in her arms from the distance being chased by those wearing their black scarves and garbs. Their faces couldn’t be seen and they were berserk. They didn’t think twice to eradicate those lives. They’re demons who’re brought out from hell, seeking for vindication.

We needed to stay alert. Cody suddenly sprung from my side and raised his hand all of a sudden. His eyes glowed immensely and strike dust to the one whom he’s facing and gashed his. It was one of those foes. “Stay alert!” He yelled, somehow to remind us that we’re in danger.

Something caught my attention when I heard a familiar whistle. This can't be! I looked around trying to find it not until I heard those trouncing shoes from the distance. His eyes were glowing in the dusk and he was teleporting himself in different orientations, flickering in madness. He was there. It was him with that wide smile. Clearly, he was enjoying the scenery of disarray and bloodshed. He’s a demon!

I minded someone called Guilbert from our right side and there we saw Uncle William and Aunt Liech making their way in our position. Aunt Liech was carrying Matt while Macky was on her back. Uncle was holding Hannah in his arms. They were covered in profanity.

“Run! The dead rose again! It's doom!” One of their people yelled.

We hide behind the bushes. The atmosphere gradually turned into a menacing, corrupt smell that could shrug our bodies. It was the same as what happened in the Highburn Laboratory. Loshiana activated her power and copied the features of the one that Cody had killed.

“Let’s see each other after this. I’ll help get rid of them. You go secure Penelope in the lockups and the other prisoners.” Loshiana said to us.

“Let’s go to the Cell and get them moving. Make sure that Penelope wouldn’t escape this night.” Ian instructed his men and left to them. Guilbert, Cody and I decided to follow, while the others went with Loshiana to quarrel. Aunt Liech departed in another path to get the three kids away from the disaster.

“Did you see Jack right now?” Guilbert entreated me as we made our way to the Cell.

Our faces were insulated with cold endeavor and every step was heavy. Ian’s men continued to fight for us, backing up us to go completely therr. We needed not to deter. Hence, if we let Penelope get off the hook, it would be much more to take than this – it will be an abyss.

Arriving at the destination and heard a lurid thud from the Cell, we saw that the sentries have lost the battle already, lying insipid on the surface. Most of their bodies were severely charred that we couldn’t identify them anymore. Their daggers and axes were fouled with crimson blood. The ground began to quaver and the noise coming from below was getting evident. Suddenly, those being sealed in the Cell have dashed to escape the place and without expecting it, they’re now bringing some armaments. They yelled for a feud, running to us, aiming high for their weapons. Their gaze was latched to us as their targets, especially to the man who’s responsible for keeping them bolted – Ian.

Suddenly, Ian took his point ahead of us and his eyes gleamed in the darkness. The wind became stronger slapping our backs and started to whirl around.

“You dare to step outside when you yourselves deserved to be locked there in a lifetime!” His words struck deeper than before and he was staid. The wind came forth on his hands and in a swift, he slashed and blew it to those who got out in their cubicles. They flunk on the wall, hitting their backs hard. They winced in injury.

To them, it was freedom that was given by the intruders, but the old man is not an easy person to deal with. Ian, after being thrown away from the city a long ago, had been making his days worth it through training and building the forest on his own. It was his creation. The certainty that the men have easily encroached the place had made him devasted. It made him think that the days he had to spend were not enough to secure everyone here.

He was breathing hard as he moved forward. Two of those who escaped dashed to us, swaying those shafts and blades they got from the inside. Guilbert pulled me behind him while Cody thrashed those rocks at them. Guilbert was ferried to the other one. He grabbed him by the arm, but the guy was having good reflexes that he managed to swat him on his left cheek. He pushed him away from him, but the man kept dashing in his direction and didn’t unnerve to be interested about death.

I used my strength to see everything that’s happening. My sight traveled down to the basement and there I saw a group destroying the padlocks of those who’re left inside and in the corner, it was him staring frankly at the woman. Jack Rush. He suddenly vanished and led inside the jail together with Penelope.

“Watch out!” Cody shouted at me and I sought in his place. The fighter sprang to me, but now it was dead. He was being controlled by someone! I immediately pulled my dagger and fought him. I tried to see what’s going on underneath, but it was getting hard to concentrate. I needed to get rid of him first.

I observed him and Cody gave him a fatal wound in his chest which costed his life. There was still fresh blood coming from his front, but his eyes were staring white to me. It would be useless to strike his heart once again since he’d already expired. The core isn’t his heart anymore but what’s on top. I took an intense arc, waited for his attack. It’s not like the same anymore when the man is still alive – now, it was slower and somehow can be analyzed.

He moved his left arm and oscillated the dagger to me while his other one had activated his strength which was the fire. He threw a ball of flame at me, but I was able to dodge it and veered my blade to his head, slashing the front of him.

His blood drizzled on my face, pouring down to my neck. The red had turned into black as he croaked down on the ground.

Cody sprung to me and smeared me by the elbow. “Are you okay?”

I pumped and accustomed my shirt to wipe off my face. I took a wind and gaped at the others. Ian was strutting, still gazing over his comrades who had already fallen. We didn’t let time get off the hook and rushed down the cellar. There were imperiling giggles from the end and when the light coming from their torch shined their spot, we have seen their faces.

Jack was holding Penelope on her waist as the woman took her support by holding his arm. There were three men surrounding them to support. Penelope had surely lost weight and her clothes were heavily scruffy, exposing her body. She was covered in more bruises and scars. Beside her was a woman clothed with the same attire with them. Her hair's so long that it's touching her knees already. She leisurely heightened her head to behold us and reality had surprised all when we saw her. Those burns she got from the Butcher were patent of her war against her ex-lover. It was their final goodbye, but it seemed that the next is not the crest.

She was different and stout-hearted. Everyone had changed. A smirk had grown on her lips as she gaped at us.

“What’s happening. Did she rise from the grave too?” Cody whispered to me.

Ian eyed to them as our movements became frenzied. “No. She’s alive.”

Suddenly, a contemptuous laugh came out from Jack as he clapped his hands, making his way at us. “Well…I reckoned this is the accepted reunion for us.” His eyes meandered and chilling. “But you are not completed. The others might be busy right? I just prepared a grand entrance for our party but you’re completely not enjoying it! I wonder why.” He sarcastically said.

He was clearly puttering with us. “I guessed you don’t want to talk at all with us. Well, we’re just here to…” He looked at his partner and caressed her cheek. “Take our head back. She misses us and we miss her too. Also, you don’t give her the right attention. Is this how you treat the leader of the Royals?” His voice suddenly differed into a low one and his eyes were spurring.

“Enough!” Cody wailed at them and flung some bars he got from the sides, but the least that we foresaw, Mariella had regained her strength despite of the fact that her body was severely burnt more than Jack. Her arms instantly stretched out of her coat and engulfed them around. The pebbles have hurt her but it seemed that she wasn’t bothered at all. It was as if she couldn’t feel anything – dead eyes and expression.

“Ah, yes. We’re not going to take much time here, so we're leaving. We’ll see you on the other side.” He added and used the key, slowly opening a portal in their backs. They gradually stepped aside, making their way, but Ian suddenly dashed together with the two. Cody used all his strength to control everything in the cell. The ground eluded as well as those corroded bars and walls. He threw some of those weapons in their way while Guilbert transported to grab Penelope back. Ian sprung and pushed the wind to them instantly, to close the portal but it was too late because the way had swallowed them in a second, making them vanished right in front of our eyes. The three of them bleak in their stand as they goggled despairingly through the wall. We just let them flee!

“What have we done?”