We Dream of Hope

Nightmares

For two days the group traveled. The steady slope brought upon them more trees and taller grass. Odion was finally getting used to walking and when he was able to maintain the same speed as the other two his mind felt slightly more at ease. Though the two days of walking was starting to take a toll on others more heavily.

Nadia couldn't remember the last time her ankles hadn't hurt or her heels weren't blistered. Sure this new freedom of her mind was a settling feeling, but she just wished the hardships weren't so burdoning. "Can we take a short break? I really need to rest my feet." Falling onto a rock she removed a shoes and started to massage her weary feet. 

"Di, we are nearly there, maybe another day's travel. I think it'll be best if we keep going, right Odion?" Surely Odion with his new talent would agree with Ma'at. 

"Actually Ma'at-" he traled of taking a seat next to Nadia. His feet were a bit worse for wares, cuts and scrapes decorated the underside, but before blood could spill out onto the forest's floor they sealed up leaving behind small pink scars. 

"Wow!" Nadia watched as each injury rapidly healed itself, "how are you doing that?"

"He's a war best," Ma'at back tracked leaning across from the others her back against a tree, "They have to survive wars Di. I'm sure a few cuts and bruises heal quickly for him."

"What about me? I'm suppose to be some angel right? So why do my feet hurt so darn much?" taking extra care she squeezed her swollen aching feet. "Seems like you two got the better end of this deal."

Odion chuckled and slid forward resting on the ground, "You know I'd say being able to destroy demons with a magic light would be a bit preferable to quick healing."

"Or you know enhanced fighting skills." Ma'at added.

Rolling her eyes she placed her shoes back on and pivoted to where she could lay flat on the log. "I don't now, maybe you guys can do more than that. I mean turning into a wolf is pretty cool. Plus imune to emotional manipulation is pretty useful." 

"Well, that's not all I can do." Ma'at winked and also dropped to the ground, "I never learned to, but apparently it's impossible to catch me without a weapon."

Nadia turned her head just as Ma'at reached for the ground, "What do you mean? Like your body is a weapon?" 

"That, but the earth is supposed to provide me with tools when I need them. I've never been able to do it though. Even when I really needed it I've just had to do without." She sighed and shook her head, "Look let's take a few hours to rest up. I'll take first watch then Odion and wel get back on the road okay?"

"Wait wait," Nadia spun back around realizing she was left out of watch duty, "Ma'at come on, let me take watch."

"Di..."

"Don't Di me!" Snapping back Nadia narrowed her eyes, "I'm going to take first watch you and Odion rest up. I'm not a fighter, so you two can use all the rest you can get."

Darkness quickly fell within the few minutes the discussion concluded. Nadia was blind, but still chose to listen carefully. There was some movement, but it was quiet, she knew the sound of a small rodent running across the forst floor, so she was able to turn her mind off paranoia. Still she couldn't help but over hear a conversation taking place inside Odion's own head. 

What is taking you so long? It was a female's voice, high pitched and young, but it was clearly irritated. You have had plenty of time to get here. Don't make me come out and get you! I know the sound of sleeping thoughts when I hear them. You're so close so get moving.

We've been traveling for days, we needed a break. It was odd for Nadia to hear Odion pleading. It didnt suit his demeanor, and yet there was a youngness to his thoughts. There was a differene of night and day to this Odion and the one who talked her out of a panic attack. This new one was a child being scolded, Nadia had to jump in quickly.

If you want to help us then help us! Leave Odion alone.

Oh, so this is Nadia then? Well, so kind of you to join. Odd this is the first time I've heard you. I've been talking with Odion for days now, but you've never been here. The voice stopped and Nadia could feel a mirage of scents fill her nostrils as if she had ben gifted a new ability. Nadia, Odion, you're being hunted. There's a demon. 

Nadia shot up quickly lookin aroundpaying careful attention to her footing so as not to cause any twigs to break reavealing their location. 

I won't get to you in time. It's a hybrid. From the scent Pride and Envy. Dangerous combination. Nadia do not use that light under any circumstances. Just let the Medjay and Odion handle it. Odion! It's up to you to keep that thing busy while I get there. Do not let it hurt Nadia, do not wader far from your current position either. I'll be there shortly.

The voice faded and Nadia moved closer to Ma'at tapping her on the chest. She leaned down and got as close to Ma'at's ear as she could, "Ma'at, wake up. There's a demon."

Without stiring Ma'at opened her eyes sliding her hand down to the sword unsheathed on the groud. With her other hand she raised a finger to her mouth signaling Nadia not another word. Then she pushed Nadia down and took her footing in front of the log, Nadia stationed between the two. 

Odion also stood up, though was doubtful he could be much help without some claws or teeth. 

The pair looked around carefully listening to the air. In the darkness straight ahead of Ma'at a growl rumbled deeply through the air. The power of the snarl shook Nadia's core as she grasped her stomach. She wasnt suppose to use the light, but she didn't know how it worked. She tried to think of how it happened before, but it was just a feeling of wanting everything to stop. Everyone to quit fighting. Right now though she wanted protection. Protection for Ma'at. Protection for Odion. 

"It's here!" Ma'at called pointed her sword into nothingnes. "We know you're there monster!" it was all she could do. Ma'at inherent knowledge of demons told her that ones with Pride were the second strongest of the fighting types. Couple it with the unending passion that envy provides thsi was a battle that was not going to end quickly. 

"You three seem so very happy." The voice was sweet, innocent, and so very young. "Will you let me join you?" Like a child asking to join a game it seemed harmless. 

Nadia was expecting a towering creature heavily armoured, a soldier.

"Do NOT respond!" Ma'at threw the command knowing full well what would happen if they refused or invited. Either way, it would not end in their favor. 

"My mom told me that I could have friends. You seem like fun, please let me join you." 

"Ma'at," Nadia whispered, "what's the harm, we could stall her for a while."

"Don't be fooled, this thing is toying with us. It's a demon, it wants us dead, it's just not figured out how to do it yet."

Odion continued to turn blinded by the darkness until he felt a small hand take his and he froze feeling a spark being sent through his body.

"I've got your doggy." the singing was the worst of it. Odion couldn't look down the sparks running through him were paralyzing. 

Joining Ma'at looking straight at Odion they both saw the small child. It was a young girl, blond hair braided back with small horns poking out of her forehead. Across her face appeared to be a read stain, like a birthmark, but more where someone had splashed her with paint. Her fingertips were stained that same color as her tiny fingers curled around the imobile war beast. 

"Let's play." She gripped Odion's hand tighter as she spun him around throwing him against Ma'at and Nadia pinning them against the tree. The girl was ontop of them before they could process where they were. "Let's see, I've got one dog, and two girls. So let's have some fun." She clentched her teeth raising her hand but before she could bring it down person entered the tussle. 

While she was clearly younger than Nadia, she still appeared much older than the demon. Her hair was black hanging down to her midwaist. Her skin was dark, but not as much as Ma'at's. Two shades darker than Nadia's and Odion's but the most striking thing about this girl was her eyes. They light up in the night revealing her position, but only as a hunter reveals to their prey they were about to die. She was stronger than the demon, quicker, and seemed far smarter. In every way this was the perfect killing machine, and as she and the demon danced aroun in a whirlpool of bluried colors and splattered blood it was clear who the victor was going to be.

Finally, the blured lines stopped and thenew arrival had the demon on their knees their head held tightly in her hands. "Do you know who I am demon?"

"A dog without their master?" spit flew out of the monster's mouth in disgust.

The girl leaned her head down as she got close to the demon's ear, "Seraphine." 

The demon's eyes doubled in size as true fear rushed across their face. 

The girl was clearly happy with this expression and to ensure it remained there forever tightened her grip. With one sharp movement she twisted and head off the demon her claws digging deep into teh creature's neck like a hot knife cutting through butter. It was almost too easy. She kicked the body away and flung the head to Odion who caught it and took a long look at the creature. 

"Sorry, I couldn't get here sooner, but you know." She brushed her hair back with her hands scattering blood across her face and through her hair, "I'm Seraphine, all he Sera. I'm going to take you the rest of the way to Wrath Hold."

Nadia and Ma'at pushed Odion off themselves and aided eachother to their feet. Ma'at was the first to speak as the tension could be sliced with a knife. 

"Is that all really?"

Turning back she smiled sweetly, "Of course not, not it's going to be a long night if we don't get moving. So let's go and then we can talk when we are safe."