Green Eyes

The sun was rising, lighting up the lake with reds, oranges, and golds when Selene gathered the Navi at Creation’s Gate, bracing themselves for the onslaught. It was going to be soon, Selene could feel it. Even though more than a hundred yards separated them from the outside, Selene could sense the sorcerers drawing nearer as the icy pit in her stomach continued to grow.

Shaking it off, Selene took a deep breath and steeled herself. She had been waiting for this, training for this. She was no longer the helpless girl Brutus tormented in Lakeside; she was a Navi in full with all the powers that came with it. This was not going to be like before.

“Ready?” Andrew asked from beside her. He was doing his best to keep his voice under control but Selene could see his hands shaking.

“Yeah,” she nodded calmly. “You?”

“Would it matter if I said no?” he tried to joke.

“Probably not,” Selene shook her head with a slight smirk. Then on impulse, Selene turned and pecked him on the cheek.

“What was that for?” the Malchian’s bronze skin did little to hide the blush.

“For luck,” she answered.

Suddenly they all felt a sudden build-up of magical pressure against the outer gate. Selene, Andrew and the other Malchian Navi struggled to hold the granite in place against the outside attack. For a few minutes they succeed until a sudden surge of new energy slammed into them.

There was a thunderous crack as the granite gate was blown apart. Selene could now hear the shouting sorcerers on the other side as they stormed across the moat towards them.

The Battle of Jerel had begun.

*******

On the other side of the city, Jared and Mara’s heads snapped towards Creation’s Gate at the sound.

“Go, go, go!” they shouted to their charges who didn’t need to be told twice as they stormed through the gate to safety.

Jared and Mara waited as the others went on. Both of them turned to where the battle was beginning.

“It’s like that night all over again,” Jared remarked painfully to Mara. “I’m leaving her to her death.”

“I’m worried too,” Mara placed her hand on his shoulder. “But Selene isn’t a helpless child like they were; she’s a woman with incredible powers. It was her choice.”

“When did she grow up?” Jared rhetorically questioned.

“Under our noses,” Mara answered anyway. “Don’t worry; we’ll see her again.”

“Yeah,” Jared decided. “Yeah, we will.”