Chapter 6: Death Frame
Outside the house Alura played alone, trying to catch a butterfly that flew around through air. Slowly her playing ceased as she stared at three figures nearing, she noticed two were guards and the other was a man she’d not met yet. Carefully she stepped back, turning and ran inside. “Mom! Mom! There are three men coming, two of them are guards.” Alura called, more like shouted, to Sophia who was reading. Sophia stopped, looking up and closed her book quickly. She didn’t like the sound of that. Why would guards be heading their direction? And a man with them as well? An uneasy twisting began to start pestering her gut.1133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Vvot1UEqV
“Go and check on your brother. I’ll handle this.” She told her gently, moving to the door and stood outside it, waiting calmly. This was short lived as she saw Amoxious with them, her eyes narrowing upon him. Once they got closer, coming to a stop before her she put on a soft, pleasant smile. “Yes gentlemen? What may I help you with this day?” She asked calmly, looking to the two guards as one cleared his throat.1133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mMLjb5GrY
“Ma’am, there was a theft yesterday or early morning of a necklace made of a dragon stone. We have information that makes you a suspect. Would you allow us to come in and check for the item? If we do not find it we’ll leave and apologize for the inconvenience.” The first explained, hoping she’d understand as the second was trying to figure out how she was deadly, as based on appearance there was nothing dangerous to be seen.1133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsiNxahAt6
Sophia nodded moving to the side, opening her door to allow them entry. “Come in if you wish. But you will not find any stolen item in my house.” The two guards entered then lastly Amoxious who smirked charmingly to her, receiving an angry glare in return. The guards then began to search the house for the necklace from top to bottom. They searched for two to four hours straight, finding nothing. This result angered Amoxious who wanted Sophia to be arrested so he could go to her rescue and, gain her heart either willingly or by force. Behind his back he held his hand, moving his fingers in a swish motion, forming an exact replica of the necklace. His motions were subtle and careful to avoid attention, his body having stayed near her front door as she stood in a few steps away. Seeing her eyes towards the way the guards had gone, he glanced behind him and planted it inside a pot that was by Sophia’s door.1133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2C0Jra3OJW
The two guards walked up to her bowing at the waist as they had come up empty handed. “Sorry to inconvenience you madam.” One said and both stood straight, starting to head out. They paused just outside the door only when Amoxious cleared his throat.1133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLd61JGSHC
“Are you sure you searched everywhere?” he asked slyly, making Sophia watch him closely, confused and very cautious of what he was planning.1133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIssvEvYrj
“Yes we have searched for hours as you’ve seen. We have found no traces of the article of jewelry so she is no longer under suspicion.” The second guard said with a small shrug of his shoulders.1133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboCdUJ654C
Amoxious smirked, slowly reaching down into the pot, pulling up the forged necklace. “Oh? Then what is this I found?” The smug smirk couldn’t be pulled off his face when seeing the stunned looks on both guard’s faces. Glancing back he was soaking in and enjoying Sophia’s equally as shocked expression the most. It was beautiful. He would get what he wanted, one way or another.1133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQBzA9RMTe
“What? I guess we over looked it.” The first one said, removing his helmet and scratched the back of his head. Replacing the head protection he reached out, taking the necklace as the second stepped past and grabbed Sophia’s upper arm tightly, and pulled her roughly with him out the door. Alura had been spying when the guards returned downstairs and couldn’t believe it. Quickly she ran downstairs, staring as she stopped in the doorway and gasped, watching her mother being led away. Swiftly running up to the guard that held onto Sophia, the girl began hitting his leg with her fists. It didn’t do much to hurt him but did make him slow to a stop, getting his attention to look down at her.1133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZb5ylUQ58
“Let her go! Let her go now! Let my mom go!” she shouted, repeating herself to make sure he heard her and understood her orders, still punching him which was only hurting her fists on his armor. He laughed a little sad, having a soft spot for children then sighed as Sophia looked to him.1133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRA9Ziy9wOt
“May I speak to my daughter?” she asked gently and he thought then nodded, releasing her arm. Sophia kneeled down to be eye to eye with Alura. This caused the girl to stop punching and to look at her mother. Watching she saw Sophia carefully remove the necklace Nate had given her and, her own necklace her mother had given her. “Here, these will assure you I’ll return safely to you and your brother. The larger stone is from your grandmother and the smaller one is from your father. I’ll be back soon. Take care of yourself and your brother.” Sophia softly put the two sets of thin chains over Alura’s head, letting the pendants rest against her flat chest. She wanted Alura to feel confident their family wouldn’t stay broken, hoping this confusion would be resolved briskly.1133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfoEXShkuSP
“But mom…you didn’t do anything wrong!” Alura said quickly, about to cry. Sophia hugged her holding her close for comfort, feeling small arms wrap tightly around her neck.1133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ckzfapk0w
“I know dear but they can’t take my word on it when they found a stolen item in my house. Take care of yourself and your brother. I’ll be fine.” She assured her in a soft voice and kissed her cheek, ruffling her hair gently before releasing Alura and stood, leaving with the two guards. Amoxious followed behind smirking, proud of his work and hoped it would go the rest of the way he had planned.1133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsVpnYnZmu
Alura watched helplessly near the doorway, reaching out for Sophia but her hand dropped to her side as she watched, her heart heavy at knowing what she’d taken her mother had gotten blamed for. “Please come back.” She whispered meekly her shaking hands wrapping her fingers around the two necklaces. It didn’t make sense but somehow they had found it, obviously, without her seeing them exit her room with it. In this moment no other reason came to mind to explain it.1133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6IkKGmOeb
Sophia was taken to the castle dungeon, tossed in, shackled to the wall and left for hours it felt without food or water. Near dusk Amoxious came into the dungeon, smirking as he saw her shaking his head like he was remorseful. “Oh my dear Sophia, I can help you out if…you’ll give me your heart and, be mine forever.”1133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzY6h2LSGiV
Sophia had closed her eyes, opening them to glare once he spoke in a tone that brought her disgust. He spoke so calm, almost pout like yet there was an underlying tone to imply something darker to her ears. “Never,” Sophia spat spitting on his foot through the metal bars. “Nate is the one I love and shall always love.”1133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡES4vesTy5C
Looking down to see the white, liquid wad land on the black leather, his face crinkled in annoyance at her disrespectful action. Soon his sneer faded, taking a breath and released it to return his expression back to its charming, calm state. “You’d spend your life in this cell, leaving your children unprotected?” He asked almost casually.1133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCsITzcsKL
His words brought a twisted unease to her stomach but pushing that aside, she reminded herself she couldn’t have doubt in her children’s survival instincts. “My daughter is strong and can protect herself and her brother. She knows what to do if you or anyone else comes that she doesn’t know.”1133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBeIlquw0D
“Oh really?” Amoxious asked, eyeing Sophia closely as he paused, his voice fallen quiet. “Well now, I guess I’ll have to test that theory.” He grinned evilly, chuckling. Sophia growled glaring daggers at him with great rage.1133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt53pXsujuH
“You dare harm them and I swear to the Gods I’ll claim your life to avenge anything you’ve done to harm either one of them.” Sophia growled dangerously. Amoxious sighed shaking his head, the grin never leaving his charming lips, showing off pointed demonic canines. Oh how he was loving this, seeing the dangerous fire in her cold blue stare.1133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMCmuSDHw9
“My sweet, sweet Sophia,” he said while exhaling a humored breath, “why would you say that?” He made himself sound almost offended, a white gloved hand lifting to rest on his chest elegantly. “You know I would never harm such beautiful children but…as for the rest of my country,” a low chuckle exited his throat, breath inhaling to speak his quiet dangerous words. “I am afraid I cannot guarantee they will not.” He chuckled, pulling out a small device that extended to a long thin item, like a pen but longer and curved. He placed it to his ear showing it to be a small phone like device. “Yes, begin the invasion within twenty four hours.” With that said he hung up, the phone condensed and was put back in his pocket. His eyes were closed, taking in the sweet, beautiful silence before opening them to lay them narrowed on Sophia with a dark joy behind their silver elegance. “Well I am sorry to say but I must be going. It was a pleasure to meet you again, Sophia. Give my best regards to Nate once your life ends.” He bowed mockingly to her, a dark humor in his silky low voice, angering her more before taking his leave of the dungeon.1133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1zpA81jgb
Within ten hours an army of airships appeared landing and dispatching their troops, the same that had been there for the first attack three years ago. This time though the attack was successful. People fell, falling to the attack unable to stand against their advanced weapons and strength of numbers. One soldier smirked, firing three bullets from a slightly large gun into the town Sophia’s home resided near, setting it ablaze.1133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdDPJTaHPs
Alura slowly woke to the smell of smoke and quickly snapped awake, seeing flames. Racing out of bed to Talons room she grabbed him and raced downstairs out of the house only to be greeted by, burning streets and people choking on the thick rolling smoke a distance away. Talon looked at Alura with frightened blue eyes, standing at her side and holding her hand tightly. He followed as her legs began to carry her towards the town, Alura looking around for help. Feeling him stumble she stopped and quickly put him on her back when hearing men shouting orders. The noise of heavy steps grew louder as she was racing towards the cliffs, that lay about four miles from the town overlooking the ocean. “Get them!” A soldier shouted, seeing her run and quickly she was pursued by three soldiers, all armed and aiming with their guns. A small squeak escaped her drying throat, hearing the whistle as a few bullets flew past her and her younger brother. Talon started to cry in fear, holding onto her tightly with his arms around her neck.1133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDrGopP34l
Panting she screamed as bullet after bullet whistled by her head, getting closer to her flesh, barely missing her. That was until one struck her arm sending searing pain through her. “Gah! Ah!” She cried, trembling with slowed steps but she kept running picking back up speed, moving as fast she her legs could carry her and her brother. She felt the warm sticky goo oozing out of the wound. The bullet felt like it had hit bone and hurt with each step and muscle movement, but she was glad it hadn’t gone through to hit Talon.1133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qItcs630l
More soldiers followed firing their weapons, forcing her to carry her brother in her arms, fearing he would be shot in the back with more hot metal flying. Time felt like a blur to her, unable to think clearly with her racing adrenaline. She just knew she had to escape and stay alive. Her heart thudded in her ears, almost drowning out her little brothers screaming cries. Dad…what do I do? How do I fight? You were so strong. How could I ever match that to save mom and Talon? She thought with panicked fear, suddenly having to stop as she had come to the cliffs ledge. Small stones slipped forwards from the edge, clicking as they tumbled down before splashing in the rough waves below.1133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmriTfQrFg7
Turning around on her heel she saw the soldiers, five kneeling down with guns loaded and locked, ready to fire. Five more stood ready and aimed as well at the two children. Behind them walked up then stood a man of a larger body build probably due to his armor, he laughed housing pointed fangs in his devil grinning mouth. His hair was short and red like fire with eyes as red as blood. “Now then, children,” he began, attempting to sound kind but Alura didn’t trust it, the demented grin plastered on his face. “Surrender to us or die. Those are your only options.” He stated loudly to them, a sword strapped to his hip where one hand was resting on the hilt. His fingers began to strum against the cold metal, waiting for her to fall to the ground and beg like a dog for mercy.1133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRV9p5hcba1
Alura gulped, looking down to her trembling brother who had curled into her chest. His grip on her nightgown had tightened and his face was stained with tears. She looked back at the man in charge of the soldiers, terrified but tried to glare at him defiantly. The brown blue eyed girl didn’t answer him, holding her brother tighter with a wince and backed up a step, causing small crumbles of land to slip down the cliff side to the ocean hundreds of feet below. Tired of waiting for an answer and growing bored he decided it was time to end this standoff. “Ready! Aim!” he shouted coldly, starting to raise one hand. “FIRE!” The same second he stated that order, his hand dropped to cut through the air.1133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJApFeVEXF
Alura turned around to keep Talon safe eyes closed tightly. Gasping sharply and eyes shooting open wide in both pain and fear of death, she felt new pain serge through her as she took the searing metal bullets into her back. She stumbled one step then another as she tried to jump over the edge of the cliff towards the ocean below. She prayed with tears falling wanting their father to come save them, for anyone to come save them as they plummeted through the wet salty air. Even if no one did then this way they couldn’t torture or do harm to either of them, her body shaking and her conscious starting to fade from blood loss. Dad…anyone…someone…at least let Talon survive… was her last conscious thought before the world fell into darkness, her body awaiting the cold, wet ocean to claim them.1133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQfrxyTSqS
The captain of the guards laughed with evil joy at seeing the girl and boy plunge to their deaths. How he loved his job in Natta’s forces. “That’s enough men. Let us return to the town and finish our mission. Once we claim this land we’ll move to the next one and ensure our treaties are in order.” With that he turned and started back, his men followed after, believing the two children had perished in the waves and rocks below. “Maybe they will have some decent alcohol for us to celebrate our victory.” The captain stated laughing as the others joined in. A couple mentioned their wondering if they could force any attractive women to serve them, and entertain them. These talks brought more laughter from the ten soldiers and their captain, voices fading as they returned to the town, other forces spreading across the land of Flora to take over other towns.1133Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVAfLtUBfG
Unbeknownst to them, one of the three Gods had caught the two children in his arm, as he held onto a protruding rock with his other hand easily. He was some feet down but enough away from the water so they wouldn’t get wet. Sighing, he watched Alura with great worry in her passed out state, and her brother tightly clinging to her sobbing with occasional hiccups. Silently he vanished without a trace left behind. He was hoping she would be able to recover from the blood caking into her nightgown from her back, and her arm that remained locked securely around the little boy. It sickened him how some humans behaved towards their own kind, or in this case, how mortals treated other mortals.
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