Days after the incident regarding Sarah's sudden abduction, troops aided by the king and Knights from the Rose manor was sent to scour the cave Sarah was taken to, it took a while, Andrew had simply teleported there without knowing the exact location, so the crew had to search all over again, it was found in a remote region near the kingdoms walls, though officials tried keeping the whole Thing under a muzzle word still got out and it became a wide topic spoken on a regular basis around the kingdom. Some nobles even ridiculed the Head of the The Duke Marco Rose and his wife Celia Rose for their incompetence and inability to keep their children safe, using this to gain more influence.
Mike sighed as he stared at the news headline, A criminal organization known as teg Ordeal is still rampant.
Carl swung his wooden blade swiftly shattering his target dummies, he took the handkerchief handed to him by Lia, she was reading to him News circulating about what's going on in the kingdom, He looked at the pea tied to his cheat," maybe I should stop suspecting her, he muttered.
Back at the Manor, Andrew Stood on the hallway yelling and ordering guards around, Nina beside him in a leather armour, her hand rested on the hilt of her blade. It had been A few days since Sarah was abducted, After Nina's ear was attached she was back to full health the next day, Sarah on the other hand due to the fever and concussion she took from those Explosions, she took a little while before getting out of bed. Due to Andrew's help and Influence, half her lab was brought back to the manor, At least the things he thought were important to her, like the cannon, golden ball and Blue glass like material, Most of the rest were confiscated by the kingdom, there was no surprise there.
Bella kept Sarah company and nursed her when needed despite her constant disapproval and stating that she was fine.
Mark was holded up in his room, no one knows what he was thinking, but he always comes out at meal times and has never skipped any.
Their parents weren't back yet, Celia was across the continent for a mission, only Marco knew the exact details, Marco hadn't returned back from his, So Andrew was teg current temporary head till they return and it was taking a heavy toll on him, Nina couldn't save him from the trouble this time, it's a must someone runs the Rose Household while the current head is gone.
Andrew's shoe tapped the ground rapidly as he read and reread the paper in his hands, Nina beside him, He was Infuriated,"I'm sorry Nina, he muttered handing her the paper.
She stared at it suspiciously,"reading teg words, she sighed,"Well it is to be expected, I'm sure you've already taken it into account-
"I want you to resigh from being a knight committed to the kingdom when necessary," become my full-time guard, It's the only way forward, Andrew Interrupted.
Nina was silent for a while," I'm sorry master I can't, I have a brother and sick parents I'm taking care of, I need the benefits that comes with being a knight, it's not about the money anymore, she said softly placing the sheet down.
"What if We Were to sponsor and cater for the need of your family, Andrew muttered.
Nina sighed, Andrew clearly knows what he's implying, but says it anyways," If I accept that, the nobles after twh the rose family would gain more leverage, A female knight being sponsored just two years after service, It'll seem more like seduction don't you think? I'll go through the trail, She smiled.
Andrew's foot tapping stopped, he stared at her,"You didn't do anything wrong, he said simply," I don't think I'll be able to save you from punishment this time around, maybe my father would but I can't, I don't think you shou-
"It's going to be fine, Nina smiled," at best I'll get demoted to a 5th class knight and lose some privileges, it's not that bad.
Andrew bit his lip as he stared at the letter Infront of him, boldly written at the top were," The Knight order, He was bitter.
Nina's Trail was set for the following week.Sarah was finally let out of her bed after a while, Bella accompanied by Mark accompanied her everywhere, she requested the location of her lab not to be changed, But there really was no lab there anymore, her things lay on the floor, the golden ball was broken, clearly someone stabbed it with something trying to take a look inside or just destroyed it for fun, either ways it pissed Sarah off.
Andrew hired some workers to build her a new sturdy lab unlike the unstable one she had before, Sarah had barely seen him, she had lots of questions, he and Nina with lots of guards are always out and sometimes don't even return in a day.
Sarah only learnt About Nina's Trail one day before the trail, they had purposely kept her from reading any articles regarding anything happening around the kingdom, she was furious, she didn't know Nina well, but for the fact that she was saved by her and still getting charged just cause she's a commoner and the only weak target for any noble was enough for her, but she could do anything, Sarah lacks any political power, both in her previous life and the present, she thought of Mike, but using him would sully her pride, they all waited it out, hoping the punishment given to Nina would be light.
The day of the trail came, the court was filled up like it was some spectacle, Sarah stared around, clearly someone had gathered these people so they can watch the Rose family being humiliated, Nobles were asked to sit at the front, The Regular folks at the back, Nina stood in a podium, Andrew sat at the table beside her, High above the crowd on an extremely wide desk sat two men and a woman, they all had bored expressions on their faces, Nina kept her face down.
The Mallet struck multiple times and the noise form everyone discussing died down one by one, The woman who sat in the middle of the two men, clearly the judges of Nina's trial stood up, she stared down at Nina, her blue eyes cold and unforgiving, Sarah thought she saw something like hatred in her eyes.
"Nina Listriav," the woman's icy tone cleared the air, she cleared her throat brought out a leaflet and read," on multiple occasions you've been found abandoning missions and clear instructions from the Order, just to run back to the Rose manor, clearly to have it easy there and their so lax with you, that you didn't think about the oat your swore to the Kingdom when you graduated as a knight, Nina trembled slightly, only Andrew noticed," this fact on the matter was true, Nina had abandoned multiple missions on different several occasions, but they were not serious missions to begin with, Andrew's eyes narrowed, they're mixing truth with whatever they've cooked up so even if they're people on Nina's side right now after hearing that first truth most of them would come to the conclusion that the rest had to be true to some extent too, The wheels in his head were spinning.
"For that alone, the woman continued," you'll be stripped of your semi 2nd class title and be demoted to 4th class knight, the Mallet struck, Someone sneezed in the crowd, people muttered. The Mallet struck again, the hall went silent.
"Now regarding the Incident about the Abduction of the Youngest Child of The Rose Manor," As a trained professional knight what were you supposed to do as such a case arise? She asked Nina, Andrew shifted uneasily.
"Send Word to the Order Immediately!, Nina yelled boldly. The woman smiled
"Yet you did nothing of such, that aside the battle you fought was not in your area of residence and outside the rule of Duke Marco de Rose, Yet you and his First son openly engaged in combat, For partaking in a battle that was not yours at the time, you'll be further reduced to a 6th class knight, for your lack of report and impulsiveness in jumping into action without thinking, you're further demoted to 9th class knight.
"That's Outrageous! Andrew and Sarah yelled.
The hall went still,"Is that the famous Abductee of the Rose manor, the woman's eye scanned Sarah.
"Aren't you supposed to be the Order?what are you doing?! Sarah yelled, isn't that punishment too great? What even is a 9th class knight? I thought it ended at 8th, you're basically turning her into a civilian.
"Kid you better watch your tone, the woman barked, this is far greater then your small brain can handle.
"Watch your tone, Andrew and Mark barked, Andrew continued, you may be a top executive at the knight order but I can easily have your head on a pole for disrespecting a duke's kid.
The woman was shaken a little but quickly regained her composure," you're not out of the woods just yet, Andrew De Rose.
"There's a code of all knights that forbids the employee from having any illicit relationship with his or her master during service and your knight have violated that rule, the woman's voice grew louder, Someone laughed in the crowd,the woman continued, for that Nina would be on a Year's probation form any knightly activities, any privileges she had before would be stripped till he probation ends and she'd spend the next month in a cell, The woman finished.The room went ice cold.
Something shone in the crowd, everyone stared and backed Away Sarah was holding a thing black rod, she pointed it straight at the woman,"You'll die before you step down from that Chair, Sarah said coldly.
"Kill her if she strikes, the woman commanded a smile on her lips.
"Don't worry, Every noble here including myself is set to die one I strike, Sarah smiled wickedly, The tip of the rod eminated Darkeness, Sarah's eyes flickered dark for a Second, Knights at the back lowered their arrows towards Sarah.
"The First person to strike my Daughter dies immediately, A voice sounded loudly, the door of the court room flung Open, Marco walked in Accompanied by the King and Quite the Amount of Guards, Marco was dirty and covered in dry blood, his hair scattered over his face, whatever his mission was it wasn't easy, his eyes swept from everyone in the crowd to Nina on the podium the Now panicking Judges on the high table, then it rested on Sarah.
"Pls put that down Sarah, he said calmly,I know you're upset, but it'll all be resolved soon.
Sarah still had the stuff raised, it continued charging up, she stared at her father," How do I put this, I can't turn it off. I didn't design it that way it was all last minute.
Bella grabbed the rod off Sarah's hand stepped over the head of a few nobles and tossed it out the window, a little while later the air rang, teg ground vibrated violently, there was an extremely large explosion, part the courtroom wall crumbled outward slowly.
The room went dead for a while Andrew wasn't sure if it was from the shock that Sarah could have killed them all or the fact that the King himself and the Duke just walked into the courtroom, Everyone stood in unison and bowed towards the King, his red eyes stared At the Judges at the high table.
"It's settled, Nina Listriav is now a 9th class knight, that's the only punishment she gets for now, her benefits remain the same, Marco said coldly, the Judges didn't object.
He turned to the crowd, I'll call names, if yours is heard stay behind, if you leave you become a criminal of the kingdom, His voice was even," Micat de no, Ruvat Unlev and Ecyal Tyary, Stay behind, this meeting is Adjourned, Marco clapped. One by one everyone left the hall, including his kids and Nina leaving the people he called and The Judges, Sarah had a feeling those people won't see the light of day again.
The room was silent after everyone filed out, Except the Six people in the room,not including The King, Marco and the captain of the knights Garf. The King sat on one of the Chairs smiling.
Marco walked across the room, his eyes fixed on the sweaty Woman at the judges table, She stared at the men on both sides of her for backup, they didn't stare at her or seemed to react at all, It finally dawned on her, She had been set up, She and the nobles in the stands.
"Meniala, I know you have some history with Nina's family, I don't want to dig deeper, but what you did today was Incredibly dumb, Marco said softly, the only way you're escaping a death sentence today is if you come clean and confirm if those men behind me are the once who paid you to do it.
Her blue teary eyes stared at the men in the stands shaking their heads vigorously, practically pleading for her to say nothing, She nodded towards Marco Simply.
Marco Sighed," to be honest I was planning on killing you the moment I walked in here, you had ordered a duke's daughter killed after all, but you and I go way back, it's a shame to see you fall this low, I'll let you off with a warning, you're no longer a judge and an official of any sort, go learn farming from all I care, get out of my sight, Marco said slowly as he walked away.
Meniala got up from her chair, Ran tumbled on a stool, got up again hit her head against a wall, and disappeared into the back room, Marco Pulled his black sword out of his sheath as he moved towards the nobles.
Micat de no, A Fat face man lunged at the king's feet, tears and Snot streaming down his face, he was shaking terribly, The King didn't look at him, the other tried joining him, but Marco was already on the man at the king's feet, With one powerful grip, he tossed the round man off the king and Into the judges table, They expected him to get up after that, He didn't, Marco flung something towards the ground it rolled and stopped in the middle of the Court room, Micat's head lay on the floor.
"Hope you don't mind my King, Marco said respectfully towards the King.
"Go on, if you don't do this the other nobles would never learn, If I did mind I'd not have followed you here in the first place, the king smiled.
The last two men died terrified, they had peeded their pants, Marco wiped his sword disgusted," I hate how these people think sometimes, he muttered loudly.
Garf,Pls Clean up this mess, we and the king have a lot to discuss, Marco said slowly as the King got up, He looked at the two Judges still in place,"Good work you two, he said firmly. They nodded and disappeared.
The King and Marco left the courtroom, down the incredibly long flight of stairs, the afternoon heat was annoying even the air was hot. People stared but none spoke, Marco spotted Andrew in the crowd, he motioned for him to get closer.
"Take your Siblings and head back to the Manor, I'd be there in a while once I've settled a few things, Marco said swiftly as he and the King walked away and boarded a carriage along the way, Andrew stared as it disappeared out of sight.
Mark,Bella and Sarah followed Andrew back to the carriage, all looking sour and tired, they had skipped meals cause of Anxiety, Sarah didn't though but whatever that rod was seemed to have done something to her stamina.
Andrew looked around Quickly for Nina as they boarded their family carriage, He spotted her in a distance, she was being hugged by a boy of about 9 years of age, A woman was weeping beside them all had dark hair, They were her family, he didn't know they'd come to the trial. But of course she's their daughter so definitely they'd be there,He thought of Leaving her behind but the mummurs here and there in the departing crowd about Nina kept him rooted on the spot.
Mark poked his head out the door after a while," You know even as a 9th class knight I doubt anyone would be stupid enough to just attack her, We're all hungry and tired, if you're worried about her that much stay behind, He sighed." On second thought,"Coachman, let's go home, Mark ordered, slowly the cart pulled away from Andrew who was still rotted, Mark made a gesture towards his head, Andrew understood it, the Carriage disappeared down the slope as Andrew proceeded towards Nina.
People parted the family with disgusting looks on their faces, both nobles and regular folks alike. Andrew approached slowly.
Nina spotted him after he was about 5feet away from them, She pulled away from her mother's embrace and gestured towards Him.
"Mum, I'd like you to meet my Boss and Current master, Master Andrew of the Rose family, Nina smiled.
Her mother grabbed Andrew by the Arm, from her grip He could tell she was incredibly weak," Thank you for taking care of my Daughter, she wailed, And I'm sorry for the trouble surrounding her,I-I-,
"It's ok, Andrew reassured her, It's the world of Nobles we get stuff like this all the time. Only this time your daughter was the target and I'm sorry that as her boss I couldn't do anything about it, his eyes darted towards the floor.
"I've heard lots of things about you, Nina's brother suddenly blurted out, You're the one Sis keeps running away to meet right? She says she's gonn- Nina clasped her hands around her brothers mouth.
"Sevan! She yelled slightly,"that's personal, Master it's nothing, she smiled at Andrew.
Andrew looked around," Where's your dad? From your files You definitely had a father so I'm kind of surprised he's not here.
Nina's Mother gasped, Nina looked away," How come you didn't mention it, She sobbed grabbing Nina by the scruff of her neck. Nina looked deeply troubled, her panicked and rapid attempts at reassuring her mother were to no avail.
"Sorry I asked, You don't have to tell me anymore, Andrew said slowly, Nina take care of your family business for the time being, I don't want to see you at the Manor till you do, When the date is ready send me a letter and we'll be there, he walked off and didn't turn back.
There was a knock on the door, Mark looked away from the book he was reading, "a wandering trader" he got off his desk, Approached the door slowly and opened it, It glided open silently. Bella stood in front of the door her hand clasping around a large stuffed animal, Her hair was a mess, she was in a night gown and from the looks of it she had putting it on in a hurry, she was barefooted, her disheveled ash hair combined with the dark circles around her eyes, her dark pupils made her look like a ghost in the deserted hallway, Sarah was in her room and Andrew wasn't back yet, Aside from the incredible number of guards outside and the maids working the Manor was pretty much empty, Mark stared at her, His hair rough, it has always been that way, He stared at the shell of his sister in front of him, he let her in without a word.
Her foot slapped the carpet, she flopped on his bed tiredly, Mark's room was neat, Books arranged in orders in a cabinet, his desk empty, his bed clean and arranged, his wardrobe carefully taken care off, his maid was doing an excellent Job, He sat on his table despite the chair being here,You could hardly tell there was a hole blown up in the roof of the room months ago, it had been fixed so well there's partially no trace of it.
"So? What is it? He asked Slowly gauging his sister.
She looked up from the doll she was holding, her hands trembling, her eyes were Amber now the room was getting hotter," I think I'm possessed, She said slowly.
The room was silent for a while except for the ticking clock," Mark closed his book, his eyes not leaving Bella's.
"Why did you come to me? Someone like Sarah or even Mother would have helped you better, He got up from the table and stuffed the book in it's shelf.
"Cause you're possessed too, She responded. Mark's hand shook and the book he was trying to keep fell on the floor.
"Aren't I right? Bella asked.
Mark bent down and picked up the book,"You're wrong, I think you're misinterpreting something and I don't think you're possessed, he sighed," I think what you're talking about is the spirit in your mind trying to gain control right? He turned around his back resting on the shelf, his arms folded, his eyes turning from ash to blue slowly.
"Spirit? What is in my head doesn't look or Feel like a spirit, Bella said holding her head, the stuffed toy was burning now.
Mark took the stuffed animal from her grasp, it flames went out instantly," If you don't gain control of that spirit you're going to burn yourself out eventually, he said slowly observing the doll.
"H-How did you get yours under control, She stammered.
"Like I said they're spirits not mindless beings hell bent on destruction, Unlike you, I don't even know where you came across a spirit, but I've had mine since as far as I can remember, You could say it came naturally to me, he sighed.
"B-BUT!, Bella's voice were growing now, I can't, it's so difficult, why is this happening? Where did it even come from?
"You can't chase a spirit that as already settled on you as it's host, Mark said softly patting her on the head,"I'm sure the reason You're here today is cause your spirit is attracted to Mine like all spirits do, But don't mistake them for demons or Evil beings," take control or die trying, Marks door closed, he left her in the room alone.
Bella wandering about the manor bare footed, She was tried weak, extremely sleepy and hungry, Anytime she tried closing her eyes to sleep, it always comes, she was scared, she heard iron straining under strain, she went to look, Sarah was in front of their door, she had dismantled the golden ball and was trying to fix it, multiple components were damaged by the looks of it, Bella approached silently.
"You do know sleeping is good for the brain right? Sarah said without looking at her. Bella shifted uneasily.
"If there's anything you want to say spit it out now that I can actually listen to you, Sarah grunted as she twisted some knots in.
Bella was silent for a while," do you know anything about spirit's?
"Yeah, loads, Sarah said without looking away from what she was doing," they're lots of book about them in our library after all, It's practically common knowledge.
"TH-THEN, HOW DO YOU TAME THEM, Bella's voice was high-pitched, her eyes were glowing again. Sarah stopped for a while, She measured two pieces of curved metals and took one they attached it to another.
" I don't have magic or any skill or whatever, Sarah began," what I'm about to tell you is a theory something someone told me a while ago, though I've never actually tried it nor could I try it, but winning over a spirit is different for each person, Sarah put the ball back together, it twitched, she stood up packed up her tools and stared at Bella, her deep blue eyes unwavering," some are naturally kind like wise some are naturally aggressive," there's a surefire way for dealing with the aggressive lot, She walked towards Bella and pressed something on her chest, Bella held onto it," beat the crap out of them, She said and walked away into the house, Bella stared after her as her lab coat disappeared upward through the flight of stairs. She stared at what Sarah had given her, in a small black container contained a small note, she read it," Sleeping pills," there were quite the number of them.
"Beat the Crap out of it," Bella said slowly holding the pills tightly.
Bella lay on her bed, the pills in her hands, she didn't know how many she was supposed to take so she brought out three, a glass of water lay beside her, She took deep breaths and swallowed the pills, it took a few seconds for it to kick in, she hadn't even reached her glass up of water before she fell asleep.
Sarah paused for a second, her hands on her mug of tea, a tray of cakes on the other," he walked towards Mark sitting in front of Bella's door, Sarah's hair was neatly tied, her white nightgown made of wool cushioned her as she sat besides Mark, she took a sip from her tea, she drew the tray of cakes far away from Mark so he could get any, she stared at him suspiciously as if he was trying to steal them.
"What are you doing here? He asked her.
"What's going on with you Mark?, Sarah replied with a question, You rarely joke nowadays and we hardly see you outside your room.
"As if you're the one to talk, he scoffed.
She didn't take her eyes off him as she sipped her tea,"Say what's your spirit like? Sarah asked.
"If you're that curious, take a look for yourself, he smiled weakly.
An extremely huge mermaid stared at Sarah from above, Sarah sat unfazed," You do know I'm practically blind to almost all magic things right?
"Yeah I know, Mark sighed," it's a mermaid.
"How lame, Sarah shrugged, couldn't you have gotten an ice dragon or a blizzard snake or something, those sound cool.
"You don't pick spirits, Mark laughed, they choose you.
"Mark, When Are you planning on going to the Knights academy, Sarah said simply. Mark froze.
"How did you know about that? Dad didn't tell you did he? He stuttered.
"He didn't need to, Sarah said taking a bite from a cookie," You stopped joking around about 2 months ago, You started training the way of the sword under Garf about a week after that, You started distancing yourself so we wouldn't miss you much when you're gone, You're also training your spiritual resonance with Mum and Andrew's teaching you some tactical analysis, You honestly don't think those would escape my notice do you? She breathed a sigh of relief as she downed her remaining tea.
"Just what the hell are you? Mark asked shocked, Even Andrew couldn't figure it out why I suddenly started learning from him.
"That's offensive you know, Sarah frowned, she licked her fingers," So I was right? I was just taking a blind guess, she stared at the ceiling.
" There's nothing blind about that Guess, Mark laughed, come on spill.
"Bella is Planning on going too, Sarah continued," you should go with her.
"I know that, Mark muttered.
"Stop overthinking everything, let me guess," You're not in control of Your Powers they way you think you are? You're not loosing control but aren't exactly in control either? You're hoping to find a powerful spirit knight at the academy that could help you or maybe it's all of them, Sarah looked longily at her empty mug.
" Yh, Mark said softly.
"I have a friend going there this year, You should take Bella with you, I doubt you'd be able to keep up with her once you do, Sarah smiled.
"I'm still skeptical, Mark muttered.
"Yeah, Yeah, Sarah mouthed, I thin- Mark covered her mouth.
"Do you feel that? It's beginning, He Hushed.
"No, I don't feel anything, She said removing his hand from her mouth irritably.
The cold wind was biting down at whe skin, it's chill penetrating her brain, Bella eyes darted open, she was falling and fast, She covered her head with her hands as she went through multiple trees, she got up from the wreckage heavily bruised and bleeding, she felt stones in her mouth, she spat them onto her palm, about 6 of her teeth came out, She felt her mouth couple of teeth were missing, she sighed as she tossed them. She stared around Large trees towered above her, the forest was thick and a little dark, She sighed.
"I know you're there Damned Fire demon or whatever," stop with this petty tricks and just show yourself.
Bella jumped as the bush behind her rattled. A red monkey came out and walked slowly around her, Bella watched cautiously, the Monkey's eyes were dark with a vertical red slit in them.
"I didn't think you'd be back here so soon, the words rand directly into Bella's head,"You're scared, terrified, uncertain, you pose no threat, Just surrender already you're not cut out for this.
"As if you know what I'm capable of, Bella retorted.
The Monkey went through a tree on the other end a boy, dark haired pale skin, extremely handsome dressed in all white appeared, the only thing that wasn't right were the eyes," I have no ideas what you see in this prince of a boy, he's so bland and uninteresting.
"Stop it, Bella muttered.
"Stop what? Mike smiled, his face melted and rearranged, Tall Ashen hair, Andrew stood tall stretching his arms towards her, Bella take a step back.
"Aren't you going to hug your big brother? The voice rang in her head.
Bella looked up again, Celia stood, Arms outstretched," what about your mother?
Marco walked and climbed one of the trees and Lay lazily on one of the branches," Not even your father too? You're lame, he sighed.
Bella stood planted on one spot, if she had to attack it was now," A beam of Amber light shot through the forest, carving a hole through the tree's Canopy and the branch Marco lay.
"You don't get it do you, I could kill you if I want to, Mark said with a sigh, his head in his palm,"those pathetic attack you call magic wouldn't help you.
Bella struck again this time it caught him full in the face, Bella had a look of absolute horror on her face as she stepped back, She tripped on a rock and fell, Infront of her Sarah crouched Crying, half her blue hair burnt leaving her charred scalp, Her face buried in her palm.
"Bella, Why?
"I-I'm sorry, Sarah, I didn't mean, Bella stammered then stopped, her brows farrowed a little, she bit her lip broke a branch from a nearby tree and walloped her head hard, Blood sprayed on the forest floor, Sarah had stopped weeping and was staring at her.
"What is your true form? Bella asked, You've always been using people I know or animals to talk to me, Why don't you show your true self for once.
Sarah took up slowly, the burnt part of her face healed, She smiled wickedly, it worked well cause her teeth were sharp," What does it matter showing my true form or not, You can convers we me nonetheless.
Bella sighed and looked up at the trees," you know what you're not all that scary, she took a step towards Sarah the large Stick still in her hand," If you keep using people I know, fine by me, I don't know why I was overreacting before, you're clearly a fake.
"What are you- Sarah started the stick that slammed into the side of her head swallowed the rest of her words, Sarah crunched holding her head, Bella raised the stick again and struck, Sarah was nowhere to be found, Bella found herself falling through the clouds, hot hair rushing through her hair, it cleared beneath her was a massive volcano. The forest was gone leaving a desolate burning land.
Without any idea or spell on how to break her fall She braced for impact by curling into a ball, She went into the ground with a bang. She crawled out of the hole slowly, she felt like she had been squeezed like a wet rag, She now knew how clothes felt when that happened to them, her hands were fractured, her legs broken, Sharp pains stabbed her chest no doubt her ribs were broken too. Blood gushed out of her nose as she lay flat on the hot ground, lava erupting here and there from cracks allover, The sky was bright red and ominous. The hot air combined with the intense pain she felt all over made her deeply annoyed rather than scared at the moment.
She tried getting up, tears welled up in her eyes as she did, she only managed to kneel facing the mountain shaped fire gazer.
Thick smoke erupted from the mouth of the volcano. It enveloped the surrounding Bella had to cover her nose with her palm so she doesn't choke, it had little effect but it was better then breathing the fumes directly.
She stared at her legs they were healed, She sprang to her feet instantly, she knew from experience that wounds from this world don't last long, The smoke cleared a huge wave of hot air cleared the land, Bella covered her ears with both hands as a loud piercing scream raided the sky. A massive hand shut from the mouth of the Volcano, it was red hot, Bella stood inches from it, the heat was immense. Another popped out and soon raised a massive head, it's flaming red eyes stared at Bella, hair blazing, a face of grimace, She looked more like an extremely large woman dipped in sauce than an actual fire demon.
"Child, I say again, Surrender to me, It'll be much easier that way, The Creature spoke.
Bella looked at her thoughtfully, She placed around one arm on her chin, she raised one hand to speak but thought better of it, She stared at the creature again, tilted her head and sighed." Are you actually made of fire? She asked.
The Woman who was taken aback by her sudden Behavior stared for a while," Do I look like water?
There was silence for a while.
"Surrender-
"Yeah I know Surrender my body to you, Bella mimicked her, She placed her palm on her face and wiped it a deep exhausting sigh followed.
"You know I have a sister, seeing as you've transformed to her multiple times now you should know her, In this case I'll should take her approach. I don't think I can beat you and you me, So I'll ask, if you were to gain control of my body just what are you after? Bella's eyes narrowed.
"What am I after? The Creature asked. Bella nodded.
"What's there in the outside world? She asked. Bella was stunned.
"You don't even know yet you're here tormenting my sleep?!, Bella yelled," what is wrong with you?
"Wash your tone, the Creature boomed the world vibrated.
"Your intimidation wouldn't work, Bella sighed, Her eyes turned Amber, " you see I can't be hurt my flames, And you're basically fire so unless we talk you're going to lose, The Flames and heat surrounding the Volcano was dying down rapidly, The Creature stared around frantically.
" Wh-What are you doing, it asked panicked.
"Well you see though I can't go lower than a certain temperature, I can control the degree of things hot, I just realized when you emerged from the volcano all smoky and hot, You're basically a walking hot rock, Bella smiled.
"You're bluffing, The creature spoke, Half her body went cold and stiff.
"Wait wait!, It yelled,"I'll die of you keep going, it panicked.
"Oh you can actually be killed, Bella grinned, perfect.
"No, No!, You can't do this to me, I didn't actually hurt anyone did I? She smiled painfully.
"The first time we met, I broke an arm, The next I fell Into multiple cactus in a desert, Then I was impaled, broke my neck once, My legs, my teeth, My ribs,"What do you mean you haven't actually hurt anyone, Bella said coldly." I've been put through hell cause of you, I don't even know when last I slept and You made me hurt Sarah, You keep making me lose control and Interfering with my life.Yeah I think it's better you're dead, God Mark didn't even tell me spirits could be killed, she scoffed.
The spirits face was horrified," I'm begging you, I just came into this world I can't go just yet.
"Yeah Bye Bye, Bella sighed.
"I'll behave I promise!, pleaded the spirit as It's body turned to stone.
Bella sighed," Damn it I don't think I can actually go through with this not when you're like that, Damn it, if only you met Sarah Instead.
The Creature opened it's eyes aside from it's head it's entire body was just a rock, she breathed a sigh of relief.
"Can you shrink down or something? Bella asked, I hate straining my neck just to look at you.
"J-Just a sec, the Creature groaned, It's body cracked and Burst, A Small girl with a mean expression came tumbling down the mountain, She looked like a 6 year old, and aside from the fact that she looked like flames that had taken the shape of a human, she could pass up as a human child, Bella stared with severe disapproval, She was hoping it would turn out to someone more her size she could punch in the face.
She rolled and stopped near Bella's bare foot, Bella picked her up," Wow you really are a kid, a look of disappointment on her face,"lucky me.
"Am I still going to die? It asked quickly, Cause Bella had a look of utmost regret on her face.
"No don't worry about it, She sighed." I have Lots fo questions to ask but I'll just try to minimize them, Bella continued.
"G-Go Ahead, it stuttered.
"First of, Bella stared at her confused," Just what the hell are you? Do you have a name? What do you want with my body?
"A spirit, I think, it said slowly dangling from Bella's grip,"What is a name? It asked. I wanted to speak to the spirit in your companion.
"You don't know what a name is? Like hell I'd believe that, Bella scoffed, when you were impersonating my sister you called me by my name.
"Oh that, I got them from your memory," I get it, so it's your identity, The Creature said smartly, her scrowled Turing Into a smile for a brief second.
"Don't even bother, Bella looked at her with disgust." Also why would you want to speak to my brothers spirit? Didn't you say you were just born or something?
"She Older, Isn't it wise to learn from your elders? The spirit said thoughtfully.
Bella turned her upright and held her by both armpits, she stared Intently at the Creature who seemed to shrink," Aside from being fire Kid, Demon whatever, Can you do anything? I mean you look powerful, Any abilities?
"I can take control of your body, It said waving her dangling leg. Bella snorted.
"So how do I tame you? Do I just beat you to a pulp, I mean I'm not a fan of beating a kid, but if there's no button or something I might have to, Bella said turning the creature in her hands. It stared Indifferently as it was spun around.
"I feel harassed, The creature said suddenly heavy and grown, It was Sarah again. Bella panicked and dropped her giving some distance, She tripped on a rock and fell on her back.
Sarah dusted her lab coat, brushed her Blue hair, Aside from the red eyes it was an exact copy of Sarah.
"Don't do that again!,Bella yelled.
"Do what? The Creature asked uncertainly.
"Stop impersonating my sister and be normal, And why did you just transform all of a sudden, If you're not going to behave- Bella's eyes were glowing now.
"I-I-I-I didn't mean anything bad by it,the creature gave some distance between herself and Bella," She's just comfortable, I like her design is all.
"Well I do not, Demon, Now turn back.
Sulking Sarah's skin and clothes peeled away revealing the red frowning child, Her constant burning hair filled the ground like a halo covering her like wool, She kicked a stone disappointed.
Bella's skim crawled as she watched her sisters skin peeled away, She approached the creature that barely got over her thigh,"So what do I call you? She muttered staring at the creature. Bella closed her eyes to think.
"Just what are you doing?, she asked slowly as she opened her eyes, The creature had Somehow climbed into a shoulder carry on Bella, It rested it's head on Sarah's.
"I feel sleepy, She moaned tiredly.
Bella let her be, She paced around a little, She stopped after a while the world was peeling away, The volcano was shattering and breaking into dust," Always with an Adorable Scrowl, Great Expressions, A fire demon or Spirit, a kid, Bella muttered as the world peeled away leaving her and the spirit in a completely white Space, it was asleep now on Bella's head,"oh I know, Iggy, I think I'll call you Iggy.