The Wastelands

Lilia could feel the small rocks scratching her back while she was dragged to who knows where. Well, this sucks big time, but at least the numbness is wearing off.

That could have gone better, but at least the plan worked…mostly. 'I liked that flute, but I couldn't think of anything else that Shadow would believe was my Medium. I hope that it can be fixed.' Tearing up a little. How Lilia wished that the flute was her Medium. If only that were true, then she would have it back as soon as she finished her manifestation.

Now she was stuck in this predicament. Despite the paralyzation wearing off, she was still held hostage by the Phantoms, and their touch was energy-sapping. Pretty soon, Lilia would be nothing but a rag doll.

Not only that. "Sooner or later, Shadow will realize he made a mistake." She glanced at her arm. The tattoo was peeking through the edges of the leather binding; it became loose from the struggle. Lilia had a bad feeling that Shadow would need to destroy her tattoo instead of Sil and Va.

Lilia winced; 'I rather not lose an arm.'

More importantly, she needed to get to Shadow before he goes after Stella and Rachel. "I'm the only one who can…"

There was only one thing she could do. Lilia sighed before calling out, "Ha, I know your watching; you both tried to help me before, right?" She paused, swallowing before continuing. "I need you. I can't get to Shadow without you. Please, can you help me?"

*Finally!* A distinctive male voice echoed in Lilia's mind.

Lilia spotted a falcon with silver wings landing on a tree branch above her head. "Sil."

*You have no idea how much I waited for those words. Lilia finally admitted that she needed us just as much as we need her.* Sil screeched out. The familiar sound was what saved Lilia when she was cornered by the Protectors.

*Giving us freedom when you were feeling so trapped was brave, a little misguided but brave nonetheless.* A leopard slinked out of the darkness. *We are a part of you, after all.*

"Va," Lilia whispered.

*Our girl is stubborn that way and doesn't go back on a promise.* Va continued, her voice had a distinct purr to it. *Even if that promise doesn't have her or our best interests at heart.*

The Phantoms stopped dragging Lilia, letting go with a thud. He moved to attack, but he was slow to react without his master to direct him.

*It's finally time to come into play.* The voices blended together. *Let us show you how hurting our girl is a big mistake.*

Lilia's tattoos began to glow through her leather band, changing and reforming. The tattoo kept getting brighter, reflecting the stronger light that blew away the shadow man, like it was nothing.

Lilia, feeling awed by sight before her, could only whisper one thing. "Silva."

***

The Compound.

Rachel felt like a drowned rat. Exhaustion settled into her very bones. Every muscle felt like it was on fire, but she needed to keep moving, trying to clear the entryway so the stranglers could go to the quarantine zone. Rachel had to focus on the task in front of her instead of the thoughts that were whirling around in her mind.

'Lilia is out there alone, and I can't help her.'

She whipped her head back and forth to get the water out of her eyes, shaking the water away, at least for a second. The storm was still going strong. But she could see in the distance that the sky was clearing up. 'Maybe they have gotten to Heather?'

Though with the storm dying down didn't mean it was safe. Shadow was still out there, after all.

Rachel saw the same worry in Statson mind. "We are sitting ducks out here," he shouted above the wind. Rachel watched as Statson glanced around. About a dozen people were left outside. Some were helping with clearing the debris, others helping with the injured. "Might have to find somewhere else."

Rachel nodded her head in agreement. "I agree, but we need more help with the injured, we don't have enough supplies, and some are unable to move."

Suddenly Miss Andres showed up. "Impossible, the quarantine area is the only place we can go to. Anywhere else is not secure enough."

Rachel spoke up, "What about that training area."

Miss. Andres shook her head. "It will take too long, and with the elevator out impossible to get too."

"The emergency hatch?" Rachel asked. That was how Statson and Rachel got out of the training area.

This time Statson was the one to shake his head. "Naw, with this many people too narrow. It's quicker to clear the entrance."

"Besides, it's not accessible. The Headmistress sealed it as soon as we left." Miss. Andres added. "Standard protocol."

"But." Rachel started to protest, but she felt Statson's hand on her shoulder.

"I probably do the same thing," Statson stated. "Shadow is still out there." He walked towards the debris. "No time for chatting, let's get back to work."

"I will help with field dressing the injured." Miss. Andres replied.

After a while, under the direct orders of Statson, they had managed to clear the rubble, now everyone had a clear way to safety. Miss. Andres already went ahead with the injured. Rachel and Statson were the last to leave.

Statson turned to Rachel. "Okey, that's the last of them let's get the hell out of here."

Then suddenly, a chill went down her spine. Instincts screamed at her to take up arms. Rachel turned with her gun out, pointing at a shadowed figure coming towards them. Rachel felt Statson do the same.

Fear gripped her, but she kept her gun steady on Shadow. Statson's word from when they were trapped at the Outpost. Rachel whispered, "Now is not the time to lose control. That right is for later."

The man's face, not to mention his intent, became clearer as he approached. He meant to kill. And he could do so with a flick of his finger.

Beside her, Statson gritted his teeth. "Crap." He began firing while moving to find cover, and before she could protest, said, "Sorry, Girly, I value my own life more than your girl's. Besides…" He left the rest unsaid, but she could fill in the gaps. Shadow got this far; that means that there's no more hope.

'Lilia.'

She covered Statson while he reloaded. "This is hopeless," Rachel whispered. He could attack at any time. And when Shadow decided to do so, it was game over. But he just stood there, brushing off their gunfire like it was nothing, and she knew their bullets were going to run out eventually.

'Why doesn't he attack? The air is thick with his murderous intent. Why?'

"Yeah, girly," agreed Statson. "But I'd rather die with a gun in my hand than stand there like a pretty princess."

'That is so… Statson,' thought Rachel, grinning, but she had to agree.

All they needed was a distraction to get a shot in.

Suddenly it appeared. Something that shouldn't have existed at all.

Rachel stared in wonder at it. "A griffin." A mystical creature with silver wings and reversed leopard spots. "Really?" Disbelief washed off of her.

And then a girl jumped off the griffin's back. Rain dripped everywhere, but you still could see that alien look in her eyes. The same look that the griffin had. Rachel didn't know what looked more dangerous: the griffin or the girl.

Who is that? For a moment, Her mind didn't recognize the person standing before her. When Rachel finally connected the dots, her eyes widened in shock. 'Wait, is that Lilia? She looked so different. What happened to you?'