'It would haunt me- I knew that very well, but I'd made a choice...'

Aurora Borealis

The Italian air was hot and stuffy, but luckily my turquoise dress was light and airy as I made my way down the street. My pendant glistened in the sunlight.

I passed a couple with their hands interlocked and their faces beaming with blissful smiles. It felt nauseating to watch...

An old woman strolled past me with a packet of bread in her hands. She shot me a funny look, which momentarily confused me, but I quickly realised that my knuckles were still covered in blood. Luckily for me, none of Delilah's blood had splattered onto my dress- and my hands I could still easily clean. I rubbed at the red tainted skin.

I tucked them behind my back and attempted an innocent smile as the old lady raised her brow. My dress and sandals seemed normal enough in this warm weather and my hair was loose, hanging over my shoulders.

I walked faster as a worrying thought hit me; I was an open target- the street emptied out and the area around me was quiet.

I dodged left and made my way to a nature park close by. I could see tons of children and parents, couples and dogs- it seemed safe enough. It was busy and very large with high trees and a dense forest. I was in a rural area of the land, with fencing around the mountain tops to keep the larger animals out.

The portal had spat me out onto a barren alleyway between two Italian boutiques. From what I could make out, I was in a small town, just a few kilometres away Donata. I had no intention of going there; I knew Thanatos was searching for me, and so was Alexus probably, but I had to clear my head and take a break.

Breathing was easier here; the air more natural and light.

I entered the park from the side and tried to make myself as small as possible, not to attract any attention. I swiftly walked past a couple of picnic-goers and a young girl walking her Collie dog. The dog sniffed the air, probably smelling the blood, but I was quicker and agilely ducked into a more condensed area of trees. It was quiet as the birds sang and I could make out the faint sound of a river.

I walked towards the noise and after a few minutes I ended up next to a rushing stream. There were kids all around- swinging into the water with makeshift ropes attached to the branches of the trees and across from me, on the other side of the stream, sat a few teenagers, drinking and chatting.

I tried to stay inconspicuous by keeping camouflaged in the rough foliage. I made my way towards an empty area and quickly washed my hands clean- the dried blood washing off and into the clear water with ease.

I patted my hands dry on my dress and sat down under a tall Birch tree. The quiet quickly overtook me and my heart sped up again as I recounted everything that had happened in the past half an hour.

One thought though, stayed with me more than an of the others- did he really sleep with her?

Did Thanatos sleep with Delilah last night?

I felt my heart break into two as I thought about it being true- how could he? How could he hurt me so cruelly? No, maybe he didn't. I can't help but feel that he didn't, but perhaps that's the problem.

I've been thinking with my heart lately and not with my brain- I was more sensible than that. Since when did I start letting my heart wander so far from my common sense...

I closed my eyes and leaned against the bark of the tree.

The sound of laughter rang out in the distance as the children played in the water. Sometimes I wished I was still as young and carefree, and sometimes I wished I'd never been introduced to this new world, but then-

Thanatos.

I would never have met him...

I sighed. What a mess...

A rustling in the bushes caused a crease to form on my forehead. I opened my eyes and adjusted them back to the dark shade from the canopy-trees. I placed my hands onto my sides and slowly sat up from the green grass.

Suddenly, a dark, hooded figure emerged slightly from the thick bushes and trees. I felt my shoulders drop a little, but my heart sped up.

"Thanatos..." My voice was rough and hoarse; "I just want to be alone right now. Just... leave, please."

The figure didn't move a muscle.

I rolled my eyes; "I'm in no mood to talk to-" A hiss screeched out from under the hood and my bones locked with fear. I was more than used to Thanatos' hissing, but that- that wasn't it.

"Pestis."

"You people really need to stop calling me a pest."

The Fury shrieked and ripped off her hood from her skeletal head. Without second thought, I shot a bolt of lightning towards her and ducked under the thick branches to make my escape. The Fury cried out as the current hit her square in the chest and flung her back into the bark of a tree with considerable force. I wasted no time to sprint out of the densely covered area, the view of the open field right in front of me, but then something grabbed my ankle, and I went tumbling down.

My hands hit the ground before my face had the chance to slam against some rocks. I breathed out heavily and swiftly shot up, but the hand around my ankle was still holding me down. I turned my head as I tried to kick it off- another Fury; this one with its large crow-like wings extended and spiked.

It hissed and screamed out in old Latin- "You slay our family! You must die!"

I kicked and screamed as the Fury pulled my leg towards her sharp fangs.

How can nobody hear me? Did they turn us all invisible like Thanatos used to?

Perhaps it was for the best- there were kids around; this needed to stay as hidden as possible before any collateral damage could occur.

"Fuck off!" I kicked once more, but this time with precision. I hit her right in the jaw and watched as one of the ends of her sharp, needle-like fangs broke off with a snap.

The Fury cried out in pain and tried to rip at my leg, but I was up again and running as fast as my legs could take me. My ankle stung with deep, but paper-thin cuts.

The other Fury I'd shot back with a bolt of lightning flew up into the branches and nose-dived straight for me, but I was ready.

I covered my head with my hands and projected my fire outwards- in an instant, the area right around my entire body was engulfed in flames, but a thin layer of clear air protected me from the heavy flames and heat. The Fury, who was going too fast to stop, pulled herself up too late and her wings caught on fire; the shrieking and smell of burning flesh filled my ears and nose.

I quickly ceased the fire- any longer and my magic ore would run out, and I don't think boxing could do much against these creatures.

I continued to sprint, my eyes focused behind me. The trees flew past and I spotted the second Fury catching up to me; her broken fang glimmering in the late afternoon sun.

I needed a plan.

I quickly dodged to the right and into a dense patch of trees. I kept running as I lifted my hands and tried to focus on my own image- the pressure was on, but if anything, I think my magic truly shined when I was under a lot of stress and adrenaline. The 'Mens Murum' spell, the portal... I can make this work!

I ducked into a small alcove and stopped my breathing and with a semi-clear mind I quickly shaped myself, my hands moving with deft proficiency.

Come on, Aurora! You can do this!

The shriek of the Fury searching for me briefly froze my hands and the image blurred, but I quickly calmed my racing heart and continued with grit. The mirage took its clear shape and soon I was staring into my own two eyes- blue and narrowed in panic and annoyance.

I lifted my mirage's hand with my mind and tested its movements as I wiggled its fingers and blinked its eyes. This would have to do, the Fury was close by, and my scent was all over this place.

I made my mirage stand up and run through the foliage. It broke through with a crack of a tree branch and I could hear a Fury's close scream heighten and give chase. I darted in the other direction, leaving my own image to fend for itself, as my distraction.

I could feel the link to my mirage in the back of my mind- like a thin wire being stretched. All I kept repeating to it was 'keep going, run', and it obeyed.

But the danger was all but over. The first Fury with the burnt wings wasn't falling for my ruse- it kept on my trail as it followed my scent, her partner not as clever. I ran into the clearing in the centre of the trees and bushes and extended my hands for more focus.

The Fury burst out of the bushes with considerable speed, its clawed feet moving with dexterity. Her one wing was burnt off, the other dangling by a thread. I saw pure detestation as she shot towards me and lifted her clawed hand, but I was prepared for it.

With a crack of the icy rod I held behind my back, a thin strip of water sliced through her wrist and her hand dropped limply to the floor; black blood spilling down like a waterfall. I quickly backed up and whipped the icy-strip back so I could slice it through again, but the Fury was shrieking so loudly that I didn't have the chance before I felt the thin wire in my head snap.

My mirage was killed.

The other Fury was making its way back.

Have to finish this now, Aurora! Don't hesitate! It's you, or it's them...

I whacked the rod forward and took the howling Fury's head off with one, clean strike.

It fell to the floor; her mouth still open from her cry for help.

I had no time to process what I'd just done; the kill almost pushed away like it was just like any other- except it wasn't. It was my first.

I suppressed my shock.

I soon realised I was easy prey, out in the open of the field, so I backed up into a dark corner and waited for movement; the other Fury was close- I could hear branches crack over the heavy beating of my heart. Adrenaline surged through my blood and the icy rod felt wet. I realised then that it was melting- my magic was running out.

"Shit."

I quickly dropped it and let it melt into the grass.

New plan- think, think!

Can't use Earth, too much drainage! Air is too weak right now- No water, not enough in the air. Fire! Have to use fire! How?

Have little left to use? Fire didn't burn them out last time- fuck.

Okay, breathe...

The Fury was close now; its wings clapping against the bark as it raced into the clearing. I tucked myself deeper into the dark crevice and watched while I thought of a new plan. The Fury with the broken fang kneeled over her fallen sister and roared out in rage. The grass was black with blood, and the Fury's haunting, decapitated face was something straight out of a nightmare.

It would haunt me- I knew that very well, but I'd made a choice.

I wasn't planning on dying today.

My eye caught a long, sharp-pointed branch on the forest floor. I slowly kneeled down, careful not to make too much of a noise, and picked it up, along with a medium-sized stone in my other hand.

Dad always did say I had great aim- let's put it to some good use.

I flexed my fingers and felt the rest of my magic flow towards the tips- time to end this.

New plan- kill the motherfucker.
Not very original, but it'll have to work.

I inhaled a steady breath and gripped the rock in my hand. With a hard throw the rock went flying through the air and hit a tree on the other side of the field- the Fury, who was too distracted with grief too notice my increasing scent, immediately bolted upright and darted her head towards the noise, her body followed automatically, giving me the perfect opportunity to strike.

I quickly and quietly shot out from the thick bushes and shot the remaining fire in my tips through the branch until it looked like a flaming spear. The Fury turned around just as I plunged the burning branch into her chest and out the other end.

Her shriek was deafening.

I pulled back my hand and lunged away as I watched the fire burn her from the inside- her black heart smouldering to a crisp; "Send my love to your master..."

Her shrieks were long and loud, she fell to her knees and within a few seconds, she was dead- limp on the ground.

I breathed out a sigh of relieve and fell back onto the soft grass, my eyes closed and my chest heaving up and down. My entire dress was caked with mud and grass stains, but fortunately; I wasn't hurt, just a few starches on my ankle and a massive, raging headache.

I suddenly felt a presence, but it wasn't human.

I shot up and darted my eyes around the clearing; something wasn't right. Something else was here- watching me.

Suddenly, a young cry echoed over the tree tops; "Over here! I heard it come from here!"

My eyes popped. The children! I'd run quite a distance from them, but the Fury's spell over us must've broken as it was busy dying. And that shriek! They would definitely have heard that last cry of pain.

I sprang up with the last bit of energy I had left and ducked into the dense forest again- I didn't want to be found near those dead things. In the distance I could make out the end of the fence-line, and the in the horizon, the town started.

I ran until I knew I was a safe distance from the dead Furies and the strange unknown entity, and then my legs began to protest, so I slowed down to a jog.

I needed to regenerate my magic, but for that I needed food and water. I spotted a grocery shop in the far distance. It was going to be quite a trek to get to the centre of town again, but I didn't have any other option. It's not like I could make a portal back home- that was the exact thing that drained my magic the most.

I pushed my self-pity from my mind and jogged on, ignoring the burning sensation in my chest. The odd inhuman aura faded slightly and I felt the hair on my skin relax and fall slack.

At least I got all my anger out...

But at what cost?

Those damn Furies- at least all three of them are dead now, but what about that odd presence back in the woods? *dun, dun, duuunnnn...

What do you guys think Thanatos is going to say about all this? I suspect he's not going to be a happy camper...

NEXT UPDATE- 28th of May