Chapter 9

"How did you get here?" Delenor asked.

"Oh dear," Vodtak leaned on the wall. "I don't know, you let a ton of my dudes waltz into the camp and you ask me how I got here," he shook his head. "I think I might have overestimated y–"

He flung some wind blades to a councilor who tried to escape, "Don't you dare."

The other councilors gasped. Delenor's heart raced.

This is the end, where are you Boss?

He stood straight and approached Delenor. She took deep breaths. Her eyes darted around and she noted Maurice as he slowly pulled out a rifle from within his coat.

Oh now what is he doing?

She tightened her jaw and shook her head slightly, telling him no. Vodtak grabbed her by the hair and she shrieked as he lifted her.

"So you really did dye your hair as they said."

He held her face and made her watch the bleeding councilor. He gagged and gasped for breath.

"You know what I want," Vodtak said.

"I… don… kn… rah," Delenor responded, kicking, trying to shake free.

"Then take me to her secret bunker," Vodtak continued.

Maurice snapped his rifle out and shot at Vodtak.

"Gah," Vodtak let go and Delenor dropped. She scrambled to her feet, and fell quite far from Vodtak. She took a breath.

Vodtak turned to Maurice, "You."

Maurice shot at Vodtak multiple times but he sidestepped, dodging each shot. The other councilors swung into a frenzy as they scrambled for safety.

"The rebellion's gone, only your myth can save us now," Maurice said.

Delenor stared at him, "but–"

"Go"

She ran for the nearest window and motioned to jump through.

"No no no, Don't"

She turned to see Vodtak had armed multiple wind blades, ready to unleash them on everyone in the room. Delenor froze.

"You move, I kill them," his scowl morphed to a smirk.

Can't let him get me, that'll be hopeless,

She leaped through the window.

"Gah," Vodtak yelled.

The breeze held her hair up as she fell from the window. She could hear the shrieks of the councilors.

Can't bother myself with that now, she thought. She grabbed a window when she got to the second floor. She let go and fell to the ground. All around her people panicked as they ran for safety. The 'Family' security officers shot at the frenzied former refugees. Lesser children broke buildings.

I have to get out of here.

"Don't let her escape."

Delenor looked up and noted a pissed Vodtak looking out the window. All around her, lesser children swung into action, leaving the destruction duty to security officers. They raced at her in pursuit. Delenor ran through the small city, now filled with debris. She stumbled on food and drinks from the destroyed bars.

Can't slow down, she thought.

The lesser children launched plasma blasts at her, but she was out of reach.

Won't remain ahead for long, she thought, panting as they closed the distance behind her. Some of the Lesser children took to the roofs and started leaping across buildings beside her.

Oh no, can't get caught, can't get caught.

They got within range and armed their varying elements at her. She jumped sideways, smashing through a window. Flames and blades flew past her. She glanced around the room she entered and the flickering lights helped her note the broken furniture. She looked to her side and saw a lady, armed with a rifle.

"Stay back," the lady said,

Delenor lifted her hands I surrender, "Please, I'm not going to hurt you, plea–"

"Shut the hell up, you," She said. "The 'Family' killed my kids," she croaked. She armed her weapon.

"No–"

My fac…

The lady shot Delenor's leg.

Come on,

Lesser children entered the room. The lady gasped in terror. Her eyes widened at what she had done. She fired at them but they leaped in varying directions, evading her shots. One grabbed her arm and she shrieked as she got engulfed in flames.

Distracted, have to get out of here,

Delenor managed to stand, despite the wound and inched her way close to the window. They turned to her and she froze.

Oh, Mothe–

A lesser child's boot rammed into her face.

She blacked out.