Somewhere

“Hmph.” Avalon tried to make the ties looser. Avalon looked at Hiro to make sure he wasn't on to him. Hiro was asleep. Sleeping like a baby. This was Avalon's chance to get away. Away from here.

Almost there… Come on. You can do it, Al. Just a bit more. Wait.. where did the boy go?

“Oh Avalon. You're getting rusty. How old are you? Like hundred? Maybe?” Hiro appeared out of the shadows. “How did you..” said the confused Avalon who was trying to figure out how Hiro got out of his bed unnoticed. Hiro smiled while he made the ties tighter. “I am the best assassin out there.” Avalon rolled with his eyes. Hiro went back to the bed he made out of a few blankets. “You're not going to hurt me for trying to escape? You really are a complicated one, aren't you?” Hiro yawned. “Well, you didn't really succeed it, old man.”

This kid. Did he really just call me “old man”.

“I'm not an old man.” Avalon was offended. Hiro laughed. “Baldwin and Orion are old men. I, however, am still young if we compare our long elf lives.” Hiro nodded. “Good point.” He smiled. “Don't try to escape again. Night.” Hiro closed his eyes and went back to sleep. Avalon just stared at him.

I still don't understand him. He has to kill me but all he did so far wasn't even close to hurting me. Why does he keep me alive? What kind of twisted game is he playing? Or is he just being..kind?

Westwind - Flamestorm

“My beloved Jewel.” said Orion as he walked into the library of their home. Jewel was surprised to see him. This was the first time he approached her ever since Hiro had left. Nevertheless, Orion never comes here around this time of the day. “Ff-father.” He stood next to her. Orion touched her arm. She tried to hide the fact that she was afraid. “I have missed you, child.” He pushed her against a row full with books. Orion moved down his hands to her thighs. She was terrified.

I knew it. I knew this would happen either way. I knew it…

Afraid of him, Jewel was about to cry but then he let her go. Orion just brutally laughed at her. “You're have more pathetic that you were before.” He yelled for the guards. “Bring the young maiden to my chambers.” The guards nodded and ran off. “No. Please. Not her. Not Lily.” begged Jewel. Orion slapped her hard. Jewel fell on the ground. He went on his knees and whispered in her ears; “This one is on you, my Jewel.” He kissed her forehead and left. “Monster..” she cried.

Jewel could hear Lily scream for several minutes. It was awful to hear. It reminded Jewel of how Orion did that to her. She could imagine the pain, the fear, Lily must have. And Orion? It sounded like he enjoyed every second of it.

Monster. He is a monster. It is all my fault. If Hiro never made that deal… Orion was right, this one is on me..

A few moments later, you heard a loud scream. It was Lily. It sounded like she was getting hurt a lot. Then there was complete silence. You could Orion laugh a little. Jewel heard Orion leave. She immediately ran to his bedroom to see..

“LILLY!” yelled Jewel. She saw the young elf standing on the edge of the window. Lily turned around. Tears were rolling out of her eyes but she didn't look sad. She looked sure of what she was about to do. “I'm sorry, Miss Jewel. I can't…” Jewel slowly moved towards her step by step. “Lily, listen to me. Everything will be fine. Just get off the edge. Get back inside.” Lily smiled. “Never change, Miss Jewel.” “Lily?” asked Jewel afraid. “Lily, grab my hand. Please.” Now Jewel began to cry. “Please Jewel. I promise I'll make sure you are safe. Please.” Lily smiled again. She was about to give her hand to Jewel. “There is no escape.” Jewel tried to grab Lily's hand but it was to late. Lily let herself fall down. She was dead.

“Vira. Please. Don't do this!” yelled Jewel as she stormed after Vira. Vira was furious. She kicked the doors open of the meeting room Orion was in. He looked at them, mostly at Jewel. Orion didn't seem to care. “You monster! You killed her!” Vira tried to get closer but Orion's men grabbed her by her arms. “Let me go!” Orion looked at Jewel. “Daughter, sit.” He peeked at chair next to him. Jewel didn't want to risk his anger. That wouldn't be safe for Vira, she thought. Jewel did what he said and sat down next to him, on his left. He stood up. “Vira, Vira. I thought you liked monsters.” Orion grabbed her by her chin. She spit on him. “Never.” Orion slapped her. “Shame. I enjoyed the sex.” He glanced at Jewel. She wasn't sure what to do. She was outnumbered. “Like anyone enjoys sex with the rapist of Eviona!” she screamed. Orion slapped her in the face again. He smiled while her grabbed her by her neck and pushed her against the table where Jewel was still sitting at. She was scared of what he would to to Vira. She tried to fight her way lose but Orion's men grabbed her by her arms on the other side of the table. Together they ripped Vira's clothing off. Jewel looked down, she couldn't watch it happen. Hearing it was already awful. Jewel felt useless, guilt and just horrible about it. She couldn't do anything to help Vira. “Do whatever you want with her and then kill her.” laughed Orion after he was done doing his part of giving Vira a horrible way to die. Jewel was afraid to look up. Then she felt Orion's hands on both her shoulders. “We're leaving.”

Jewel sat down on the floor. She was crying in her room. She just lost two people who she considered her friends. Lily was only two years younger than her and now she's dead. Her life had been ruined by the man who raped both of them, her father by blood. And Vira? She loved Vira's protective spirit. She was like the older sister she always wanted. Now She was dead too. Killed because she stood up for justice.

Oh Eira. Please. He killed them. He murdered my mom. He raped her. He raped me. His own flesh and blood. He hurt so many of us. Lily. Vira. Why Eira? Where's the justice in that?

Jewel heard footsteps close to her door. She heard the door unlock. “Hiro? Is that..” Orion walked in with the darkest smile of his face. He closed the door behind him. “Jewel. Jewel. All those tears for people YOU killed.” She didn't believe it. She didn't kill them. It was his fault. “If you just had been a good girl… None of this would have happened.” Orion tried to comfort her in his own messed up way. He stroke her hair. “I want you to be a good girl again.” he said while he slowly began to undress her. Jewel was so broken. She just let Orion do it to her. She couldn't escape from it anyways.

Like Lily said, there's no escape….

Highland

“Knock knock.” said Amethyst while she knocked on the door of the room Blossom and Cos had spent the night in. Cos opened the door and walked to the kitchen. He was looking tired and kind of sad. “Want tea?” he asked while yawning a bit. “I would love to.” Amethyst sat down on the left couch. The right couch had been transformed into Cos’ bed, well more a pair of pillows and blankets. “Is Blossom-” “Still asleep. Don't wake her up. It was a long night.” He poured the tea. “A long night, huh?” said Amethyst curiously. “Don't be shy now, Cos.” Cos smiled and gave Amethyst her tea. “There's nothing to say.” “Really now?” said Amethyst sarcastic while holding her tea like a badass lady. “Amethyst. Don't. Please.”

He actually looks worried. I was just teasing.. Did something happen between them last night? Oh Blossom will kill me but..

“Why? Is there something going on between you two?” Cos was nervous. He was about to say something when Blossom opened the door of the bedroom. “Good morning.” Blossom also looked tired. “Morning.” “Good morning, Bloss.” smiled Amethyst. “Tea?” asked Cos while holding up the tea pot. “Yes, please.” She sat down next to Amethyst. Blossom tried to avoid eye contact with Cos and so did he.

Now that's strange. - Thyst, I can hear you.

Amethyst awkwardly smiled at her sister. Blossom didn't look happy about it. “I was thinking we should go this way.” said Blossom while she pointed at some place on the map. “Highlanders don't really take that route. The ones that do wouldn't really recognise dad. I think it's our best shot.” “I agree with her. The route has some potential for bandits.” Blossom smiled at him. As her smile faded, she said; “Thyst, grab your things.” Amethyst nodded and left the room. Both Blossom and Cos started packing their things.

“About last night…” started Blossom. “I didn't mean to.” “It's fine. You have your reasons.” “I'm glad you understand, Cos.” She glanced at him. “Then you will understand that I'll be leaving after we find your father..” he said with doubt in his voice. He didn't want to go away from her but it would be better for them to not be close to each other anymore. “I do..” It pained her that she couldn't be honest with him. She just couldn't. She had to put Highland first.

Westwind

Jewel was finally alone when the midnight had passed. She was in pain, both emotionally as physically. Jewel was a complete mess. She was trying to stay calm but she just couldn't. Orion had broken her.

Eira. I don't understand you. How can you let this happen.. He brutally raped and murdered many fairies and elves. Yet he is still alive while Lily and Vira are gone… They were good people… I-

Jewel heard something fall on the ground. To be exact, the wind had blew a few things on the ground. A pen, some books and a whistle. The white whistle. “The red whistle!” she said in shock. She grabbed it and sat down on her bed holding the whistle.

How could I be so stupid and forget about this. Hiro said to use the whistle if Orion would do anything to me. How could I forget it.. Orion was right. Lily and Vira are dead because of me. If I just used the whistle..

“Okay Jewel, you can do it.” Jewel blew on the whistle and the next thing she knew was that..