Safe Here

Shift! Garsam forced a shift. It was so painful that she wanted to howl, but she couldn't rest or be distracted for a second because Ivy was falling. Garsam lept forward at a speed so fast that the world seemed to slow down. The feral on the tree paused, and even Ivy's descent was slowed down. If Garsam could see herself, she would see that her eyes were glowing, her white hair billowing behind her, and a pale white moon inscribed at the center of her forehead. She moved like an agile cat and caught Ivy. After ensuring Ivy was safe, her adrenaline rush propelled her up the tree. When she was almost at the top, she gave Scar control. Scar shone like the moon, vaguely resembling Selena's legendary wolf. Time returned to its proper flow, but it was too late for the feral to run or hide. Scar bit off its head with his powerful jaws. The feral's body toppled from the treetop like a broken kite, and there was a dull thud when it landed. Scar spat out the foul thing, shifted to Garsam, who easily climbed down from the tree. She went to Ivy. She must have dropped Ivy a little hard when she caught her because the girl's eyes were shut. Ivy's mouth bulged. Garsam pried it open and revealed a bunch of dirty leaves. She removed them from her mouth. Garsam then patted her pale cheeks. "Ivy, wake up." She tapped her a few more times before the girl's eyes fluttered open. "Garsam?" She sat up quickly. "I'm down... what happened?" "I dealt with the feral and saved you." Ivy ranted "I took cover behind a tree when you made that tree explode; next thing I know, I was being carried into the forest. I didn't even have time to scream, and the foul beast stuffed my mouth with disgusting leaves so I couldn't even say a spell!" Garsam smiled sheepishly, so it was her fault after all. "It's good you're safe; let's go back first. Ares and Aria are waiting for us. I'm afraid our big fight is coming up." Garsam dug into her pocket and retrieved the Pathfinder crystal. She poked it, but nothing happened. "Hey," she called, yet no reaction. She frowned and shook the crystal like a rattle drum. The crystal popped in her hand, and the Pathfinder flew out. She was squeaking at the top of her voice. She must have been really angry because she was talking so fast they could barely make out her words. Her voice was high-pitched and shrill, the words rushing out of her mouth like a gale-force wind. Her face was red, and her eyes flashed with fury. She looked positively adorable. Ivy caught her in her palm. "Awwn, what's this?" Garsam's lips twitched as she watched the Pathfinder calm down and even snuggle Ivy's finger. "It's a tiny compass; it should lead us to the others." "That's awesome," Ivy praised. The Pathfinder giggled like a tinkling bell. "Just lead the way, you big mosquito!" The Pathfinder raised her hand to Garsam, her delicate fingers forming a gesture that left no doubt as to her true feelings. It was as if those tiny, perfectly manicured fingers were flipping Garsam the bird with utmost disdain. "You..." The Pathfinder fluttered away. Ivy giggled at their exchange. "She's so cute." Garsam spat, "Cute my foot!" *** "But we already kissed once." "You kissed me!" "So it doesn't matter if we do it again." "It does! Now move." Ares pouted. Aria's eyes betrayed her and locked on his lips. They did look nice. Ares caught her staring and smirked. "Are you sure you don't want me to kiss you?" He teased. Aria shut her eyes and pushed him away. See no evil! Kiss no evil! She would not be tempted. Ares laughed at this, taking advantage of the fact that she couldn't see him, he planted a peck on her lips. He moved away mischievously, but before he could leave, Aria drew him back and kissed him hard. Unlike his soft, caressing kisses, she kissed him hungrily like her life depended on it. Over two minutes passed when she gasped, leaning against him. Ares pinched her flushed cheeks. "Breath love." He bent his head and nuzzled her chin with a deep sigh. "You intoxicate me; I lo ..." Aria pushed him away. "Woah, I lost my head for a second there; I guess I'm just thirsty." She laughed noncommittally. Ares looked hurt at her rejection. For the first time since they met, he didn't try to keep getting close to her. Instead, he walked away and sat on a low stone some distance away. Aria twiddled her finger before finding somewhere to sit. This was what she wanted, right? For him to leave her alone. Why did she feel awful though? "If you're going to push me away, then do so with a steel mind," Ares said. "What?" "I can literally feel your heartache, okay? Do you want me? It's a matter of yes or no." Ares looked a bit impatient; it was the first time Aria saw such a look on him, even more shocking it was directed at her. "I..." She swallowed; she didn't know what she wanted. She looked at him at the other side looking at her and waiting... no demanding an answer. She stood up and walked towards him. She knelt down so they saw eye to eye. "You're annoying," she said. Ares blinked; he hadn't been expecting that. "But I..." Aria bit her bottom lip. "I miss it when you stop annoying me." Ares hooked her jaw and tipped her head so she was looking up at him. "I love you with a love that has been woven through nine lives." Aria gasped as he pressed a hot kiss to her cheek. She shuddered at the weight of his feelings; she could feel it palpable in the air. She wasn't made for mushy things. Sure, she felt for him things she couldn't even understand, but did it amount to love? He raised his head and looked down at her. He was waiting for her answer. "I..." "My my, isn't love in the air?" a voice cackled in amusement. Ares spun Aria in a 180 curve, placing her behind him. Aria flushed from the sudden movement. She shook the dizziness away and peeped at the intruder. Her eyes narrowed, and her expression hardened. "Oh my, how hostile, makes me think you don't like me," she said in mock sadness. The witch was perched on the roof of the warehouse. Her greenish skin glowed in the sunlight. Aria watched it shrink and turn into Sue. She stepped forward. "Release my sister!" she yelled. The witch looked down at her. "Okay," she replied. Aria blinked. That easy? The witch as Sue smirked; she raised her hand. And Aria realized that was what kept her steady on the roof. So Aria had to watch as her sister plummeted down. "No!" Aria screamed. The force of her scream acted as a buffer and bounced Sue up a bit; a small bed appeared too and caught her. Aria turned to Ares who waved his hand, allowing the bed to disappear. The Witch/Sue laughed. "My my, that was exciting; your horrified expression was the cherry, hahaha." She stood up and dusted herself off. "I take one visitor at a time." She shut the towering doors behind her. Ares blinked once when he opened his eyes, Aria was gone.