A Nadian Butterfly rested on Indigo’s hand. She admired its blue wings, the intricate black patterns among the brightness, curving and swirling about. Like scars among the beauty. She reached out to stroke its body with her finger. There was a vibration. Was it coming from the insect? It felt like it was where the two of them were connected.

“Indigo.” Vivian’s voice made Indigo pause, and she looked up at her fellow warrior. “Are you alright?”

Indigo looked back to the butterfly, and then shook her hand gently for the little creature to fly off. “I’m not.” Her stomach had been in pain ever since they left their fellow Liberators to fight those Royal soldiers. Her heart had been heavy and her mind wasn’t clear. Where there was once motivation and optimism there was only uncertainty. “Maybe we’re making a mistake.”

“We will be making a mistake if we pause for too long.” Vivian smiled but tugged on Indigo’s arm. “Express your woes to us as we move forward. It’s the only way.”

Indigo followed, slow at first, but picked up her jog, securing her pack over her shoulders. Lukas and Robyn nodded and ran ahead.

“We’ve been entrusted with this mission,” Vivian said. “With your abilities we can kill the High Priest with ease. There are no mistakes. This is perfect.”

“You know that I mean leaving the rest behind,” Indigo said. “They could have used our help. My help, if you truly believe my Gift is that useful.”

They all ran forward, off-trail, the sun descending, making their progression much easier in the cooler air. It would still be a long journey, the seaside town still dozens of miles away. Even then, it wasn’t certain they would be able to retrieve their potions to make their infiltration methods any easier.

Lukas looked back. “This is helping,” he said. “Someone had to move forward. With your Gift, there’s no stopping the Church from being infiltrated. And we’ll back you up every step of the way.”

They approached a path that dipped down between two large hills. Beyond, Indigo could see glittering on the horizon. It was faint but very clear that it was the Eastern Seas. So, they were nearly to their first destination. With those Knights being held off, it was almost guaranteed they’d make it with no trouble. The one hang up… was that Task was probably with those soldiers. And she wanted to take care of him. For good.

Before Indigo could dwell on her thoughts any further, Vivian bellowed a command.

“We’ll need to be absolutely sure none of those Knights got through our ranks. Robyn, fall back and keep an eye out. If you see movement, bolt back to us. You know our route -- I’d say you’re the fastest of us here.”

Robyn turned and nodded. She rushed back, up one of the hills that the path weaved through and crouched down, peeking over.

“Lukas, charge on ahead and make sure there’s nothing stopping our path. Indigo and I will pause to secure our gear -- we’ll be moving within moments.”

“You got it,” he said, taking a deep breath and picking up his pace.

Indigo watched him run off but was snapped out of it as Vivian touched her shoulder.

“You are afraid,” she said. But with a smile.

Indigo looked away, shaking her head. Maybe she was, but she couldn’t let that consume her. Couldn’t let it show on her face. She did want to trust them all. But the idea of losing anyone else was unbearable… she didn’t know what she would do. And she was stuck. Losing someone by not acting… losing someone by acting. It seemed like she couldn’t win, no matter where she turned.

“Everything I do is wrong.” Indigo sniffed. She looked into Vivian’s eyes. “So I’ll always be afraid. But yes. I want to go back. I want to help them fight.”

“For once,” Vivian said softly, “Just trust. Trust in others. Trust they will succeed.”

Indigo tightened a fist. Reached up and held Vivian’s arm tightly. “I… can’t.” She looked at Vivian sadly. “I love you all. But I feel like I can’t trust in anything anymore.” Indigo felt the weight of the cold upon her. The sky was turning to the colors of fire in contrast. She looked over at Robyn who was securing her position on the hill. The girl had turned to adjust her footing, stood up to find a new position and caught Indigo’s gaze. Robyn smiled. A reassuring smile, as if she knew they were the strongest ones in the whole world.

And then.

Something ripped its way through Robyn’s skull. It was fast. Far away, so Indigo couldn’t quite see -- not that she cared in the moment. Seeing this projectile force through bone and brain as if Robyn was made of butter was unreal.

Vivian flinched when Indigo did and looked over. The projectile was flying. It spread its wings and the blood leaked off its metallic, smooth material. A Hawk. Indigo should have known.

She gritted her teeth.

“Oh, Goddess…” Vivian muttered.

Indigo shoved Vivian away and faced the Hawk head on. Of course…. Of course. There was no security. No safety. Not in this world. She would have to bleed and claw and rip her way toward what she wanted. Toward where she could call home. So, all she could do was let go of everything else, face this Hawk head on and get back to Zo.

It was just like all those years ago. As if these Hawks were after her very blood. Didn’t they know she couldn’t die? Regardless -- she widened her stance and drew her blade. With a sidestep she arched a swing which hit the Hawk but did not do much. The unliving creature screeched and faltered through the air for a moment, swooping upward, back around to Indigo.

Rage seethed through Indigo’s body. She tossed her sword to the side. Enough. Enough of this running away, enough of blind trust. She would take action when it was correct. She would fight when the ones she loved were in danger. She would kill everyone who worked to hurt her.

The Hawk launched toward her. Sharp wings, demonic blue eyes, a heartless machine that wanted to take everything from her. Indigo grabbed hold of its head when it hit her -- the force knocked her off her feet and it moved its powerful bladed wings, cutting up her arms, but she had a powerful, good grip on it, pinning it to the ground. She removed the dagger from her belt and struck down at the creature again and again. Grunting. Screaming. Eyeing it harshly, making absolutely sure her strikes were to its throat. Each impact of the perfect tip of her dagger separated the head further. And soon, in a burst of bright static and blue spurts of Alchemical mixture, the head was removed from the body -- Indigo ripped it clean off and threw it aside.

She heaved out breaths and stumbled for her sword. Indigo lifted it and turned to Vivian. Her arms dripped with the blood of the Hawk.

“I have to go back.”

Vivian stared. Then said, “I’m going with you, then.”

“No,” Indigo said. “Go after Lukas first. Make sure he isn’t alone.”

“But you’ll be going alone.”

Indigo gripped the hilt of her sword and turned away. “Yeah, I know.” She rushed off, forcing herself to ignore the corpse of Robyn. She’d return for it later. They all would. If those Knight had Hawks, more would chase after her, Vivian and Lukas. And they would attack anyone who got in their way. And if they had Hawks to battle the Liberators as well, they needed Indigo’s abilities. Even if her allies fell within her Aura, she had to fight.

Indigo’s rage was palpable. For just a moment she felt that vibration from earlier. It was in her hands. Traveling up her arms. No, it was in her belly. As she ran she discovered it was all over her like a spreading fire. It gave her strength. As if her very being spread further than that of her flesh… than that of her Aura. Now, that Aura was large, powerful and dangerous. It was unlike anything she had ever felt before, not through delight, not through pleasure and not through pain. This was something else entirely.

The Hawks were closing in. Screeching, flapping those large wings. They were about the length of her sword, their wingspan just about a similar size. The first was on her within seconds -- they were so damn fast. She reeled back and struck it, swiping her sword through the air, putting her entire body into it. The blade cut into the body and slid out, making it bleed its blue innards, but it was still in the air, zipping past her attack.

She spun, knowing the other Hawk would be there next, but she was too slow despite her quickest efforts. She managed to move but the Hawk hit her, missing its mark, but its bladed wing sliced her through the upper arm, right down to the bone. Blood splattered and she was nearly knocked down from the force.

But as she felt the pain, before she even had a moment to grovel from the deep wound, something happened. She felt that largeness, that vibration, and the familiar sensation whenever she died. It surged outward. She glanced up and the Hawk that had just attacked her burst open with a large cut. It struggled to stay in the air but eventually crashed into the grass, leaving a trail of blue blood and hunks of its inner workings. Indigo looked at her arm to find the wound was gone. A faint mark where it once was now rested on her skin.

What was this? It was… something she couldn’t think of too hard because the other Hawk was coming back for her. Whatever just happened to her she couldn’t rely on. She had to defeat this machine and get to Zo.

Before she readied herself again an arrow sunk into the body of the Hawk and the blue light faded from its eyes. It dropped and tumbled just before her feet, dead. Indigo looked up to see Vivian wielding her bow.

“Go!” She shouted.

Indigo did so, racing for the treeline.

The sounds of clashing metal and screams were heard. She didn’t know if it was a good sign or bad -- all she knew was that it was the song of war. And that could mean anything. The images of those Knights filled her mind, all of them dead, spread across the forest floor turning it red. Zo would have Task on his knees, ready to strike, but Indigo would stop her. She would sink her sword into the man’s stomach and they would be rid of their stalkers. They would continue on. They would have lost some numbers but overall they could move forward as a team. As a family.

But that is not what Indigo found.

Indigo stopped, sliding on a patch of dirt for a moment. The bodies of Liberators were slumped against trees. Twisted corpses on the forest ground. Knights were nowhere to be seen but fighting was still heard. She saw the bodies of Knights as well, either dying or dead but not as many as her own people. Indigo grunted, rushing forth, following the fighting. But stopped when she saw Ryton stumbling over to lean against a tree.

“Ryton!” Indigo cried. She ran to him and he slowly turned around with a bloody smile.

“Indigo Scout,” he said. Coughed. He leaned back against the trunk of a tree and grimaced. “Wh… what are you doing here?”

Her plans vanished. She had to help him. He was… she looked him over. Deep gashes. Bruised skin. No, he wouldn’t die. They could help him. “Come on,” she said, “Let’s get you out of here. We can find you medicine if we move.”

“Oh. Indigo.” He talked slow. “Hey. I’m glad… that we met…” Ryton slid down and sat. Went limp. Indigo stared at him.

He was dead.

She shivered. Stifled a sob. Shivered some more and then breathed heavily through her nose as she hurried on deeper into the forest. Ryton died. He was gone. Maybe he wouldn’t be if they had turned around sooner.

As she climbed the small incline there was a final struggle taking place. Instantly she saw Nyle, swinging his battleaxe with such raw strength but bleeding profusely from the side. He was fighting off two men. Willow was face down in the dirt. And there was Zo, holding her own against a Knight but struggling. Off in the distance the remaining Liberators battled Task’s army, outnumbered, and Indigo watched her people get cut down in real time.

She wielded her weapon and charged. Her Aura blared. Whatever this new power was would be useful but dangerous. But nothing changed in that regard. First, she steadied her approach to Nyle’s enemies. He was swinging like a mad man. He got a good strike, knocking away an enemy’s blade and Indigo took the opening, lunging, the end of her sword sinking into the man’s chest. Nyle gave a mighty swing to the other Knight who was caught off guard by Indigo’s presence.

Nyle exhaled deeply, pressing his battleaxe into the earth, leaning against its grip.

“Usamea…” he said. “A very welcome sight.”

“Rest, Nyle,” Indigo said, quickly placing a hand on his large shoulder. She moved past him, hoping that he would remain standing. Zo was fighting multiple enemies at once. She had to get to her. But then a familiar voice, one that she had only heard once before but would never forget, launched itself from the noise of conflict.

“En-Maer!” The voice of Task. She was running to Zo but was distracted, seeing him approach from the left, meandering as if he were on a casual stroll. Around him were a dozen Knights, paying no mind to the battles around them, all of them clean and without a single sign of struggle upon their bodies. As if they had soldiers to spare and could just walk right through the carnage.

To her horror, Task had more Hawks. There were two on his shoulders. Some of his cohorts held two familiar looking metal orbs which were undoubtedly more Hawks in a dormant state. Task and his followers launched them. Four Hawks. She glanced over to Zo for only a moment. Hawks would harm anything in their path if they had their goal in sight.

Indigo charged, moving in between Zo and her enemies, screaming,

“Zo! MOVE BACK!”

Zo visibly flinched and with a helpful yank and twist away, Indigo successfully made her stumble away from the battle. Her enemies swung and missed. Indigo readied herself. One Hawk charged right into the back of one of the men who fell and died nearly instantly, the Hawk buried right into the armor. The other charged at Indigo alongside the three other Hawks.

Indigo put all of her focus into those before her. The man, the three Hawks. She only had seconds. And she didn’t know if it would work. But she had to try.

The Hawks were aiming for the head. The man must not have recognized who she was, as he went right for her with a lunge of the blade. Indigo took a deep breath, braced herself and dove into his attack. The Hawks nearly missed and the attacking sword was buried into her stomach.

The pain exploded. Was unbearable. But she strained, pushed, grinded against it -- and just like before her injury ricocheted, the wound closing around the blade as the man’s own stomach opened up and collapsed. Indigo turned to the Hawks circling back around.

Indigo grabbed the hilt of the sword within her and clenched her teeth, tears pouring from her eyes, as she yanked it out of her. The injury ricocheted into one of the Hawks, making it burst open and collapse. The other two she prepared for, dropping that sword, heaving her breaths, and swung outward, slicing into one. The other just nicked her, its wing slicing into the side of her throat. The injury hit the Hawk but it wasn’t deep enough to do any lasting damage.

Indigo focused on her breath, seeing Task hold out his hand as he whistled for the Hawk to return to him. He stood across from her in the forests, men before him, clearly knowing her Gift worked in relation of distance.

“Very unexpected,” he said. “But I’m glad you’re here. We can finally test this… we can finally see if we can capture you.”

“Best… of luck…” she heaved. The pain from everything she took lingered in her body despite her injuries having healed. “You think killing me with Hawks is a better plan?” She grinned. “Are you… stupid or something?”

Task simply smiled. He eyed her. Indigo’s eyes widened as she saw more men and women under Task’s command display more dormant Hawks. They removed the silver orbs from pouches in bags at their feet or had simply been carrying them in their hands. What in all the Hells was their plan here?

Despite whatever it was… Indigo wasn’t certain how much more pain she was willing to take. There was a limit to how much her mind could endure for sure. Though, she had no time to formulate a plan. She had to fight. She had to face the pain.

But not alone. To her left was Zo, rolling her shoulders, preparing her sword. And next to her was Nyle, grunting, severely injured, but still moving.

Indigo wanted to say more… but simply eyed their enemies. Their comrades fought in the distance. And before them were about a dozen soldiers, alongside, it looked like, seven more Hawks, opening up from their curled up forms, preparing to strike.

“Stay far away from me,” Indigo said. I’ll take them from the right.”

“Got it,” Zo said.

Then both sides charged.