Chapter Text
The battlefield was dark, the sky still streaked with the familiar black smoke from the fires. The sandy ground was stained a rusty red, a representation of what happened not too long ago. Jem took her canteen and made her worn out red bandanna damp. She then tied it over her mouth and looked to Phillip, who had done the same with his own tiger-striped bandanna. Jem led the way, sticking to the shadows and away from the shards of metal in the ground. Phillip followed very closely, twitching. Axes and swords were stuck in the ground, bullets littered the sand, and a soft wind covered any of their tracks.
When the two made it to one of the smaller towers, Jem gestured to Phillip knowingly. The younger boy swallowed and dropped his bag into the sand, causing a temporary sand cloud to rise. Jem watched like a hawk as Phillip scaled the brick, until the boy disappeared over the top. Soon enough, the grapple arrow soared through the air and to the ground. Jem grabbed it with her only hand, and pulled it once to make sure it was taut and would hold. Phillip latched a supply crate onto their makeshift level-pulley system and Jem helped to pull it down slowly, even though she only had one arm. When the crate was safely on the ground, Phillip slid down the rope. He then picked up the arrow and pulled the rope down from the top of the stone tower. Jem pulled out a rusty old crowbar from her pack and went to pull the top off the crate, but just as it popped off, a rustling came from the bushes.
Jem paused, looking up quietly. Phillip reached into the crate, only for Jem to suddenly grab his hand and bolt off. As they ran, the ashy air became clearer, and Phillip snatched off his bandanna and took a gasp of the crisp air. The clouds turned dark and angry as they swirled far above their heads. It wasn’t long before soft rain droplets began to fall. It didn’t take long for them to become soaked to the bone. Thunder clapped at them from behind, but Jem never looked back. Another battlefield became clear as they ran, this one littered with spears and shields. The towers had already collapsed, crates crawling with rats and bugs. Jem kicked up sand into Phillip's face and he coughed badly. But she didn’t stop running. Phillip staggered through the rope bridge when the wooden panels creaked and wobbled under their weight. He hardly got time to catch his breath on the other side.
“Cut it Pip,” Jem demanded, panting. “Now!" Phillip fumbled with the dagger he had found and almost cut himself before sawing through the thick rope so whoever was following couldn’t come this way. He took this time to catch his breath and wipe the sweat from his brow, though Jem didn’t falter from her alert position. Tears formed in Phillip's eyes. The both of them couldn’t keep this up forever.
“Hey.” Jem’s voice softened. “You’re okay. You’re alright.” She patted her little brother on the back. Phillip took in a deep breath and stood up.
“Sorry,” he muttered.
“It’s okay.” Jem replied, smiling.
“I got the artifact.” Phillip said. “B‘fore you pulled us away? I found it.” He held up a little red cog with a small piece of twine attached and Jem let out a sigh.
“Oh thank the gods.” Jem exhaled a laugh and bent over. “I think Jonah woulda killed us if we didn’.”
The rest of their trip took a much less exciting turn, as the siblings only joked around until they spotted smoke up ahead. Phillip's stomach twisted. He looked to Jem for comfort, but found none in her hardened eyes. Jem trudged ahead, focused. Phillip followed behind her, antsy. When they reached the top of the hill, Phillp nearly collapsed, falling into his older sister. Jem stood still, face lit by the flickering flames. Their campsite had been burned down. Phillip's mouth opened and closed as words disappeared on his tongue. He rushed down the hill without a second thought, or would’ve, had Jem not grabbed his hand and held him back.
“Pip,” Jem noted. Phillip panted, feeling nauseous.
“But-”
“No. You ain’t gonna run in there. They prolly made it out. We’ll find them, okay? You’re alright, Pip. I’m right here.” She pulled him in, holding him tightly in one of their ‘big sis one arm’ hugs.
“You hear me? You’re alright, Pip.” The younger boy nodded, blinking back tears vigorously. He hummed in response to Jem. Jem pulled away in turn. “Okay. Let’s keep going.” She descended the hill slowly. Phillip shook himself and followed. The fires burned hot, and Phillip tied the bandanna around his face again. They both stayed alert in case any of the arsonists chose to show face. They made it to the trench and hid while Phillip caught his breath. But something wasn’t right. There weren’t any tracks. The others hadn’t escaped this way, which meant something wasn’t right. Suddenly, fire descended from the sky and Jem shouted, her words unintelligible. They ran again, the fireball chasing them. A cliff came up ahead. Jem skidded to a stop, staring the danger in the face; literally. Out of the fireball came a porcelain white face.
“H’llo, Fiona.”
“Hello, Jemmy. Miss me?” The fireball dissipated and revealed a woman with choppy short bright red hair as it lowered to the ground.
“Not really, no.” Jem used her only arm to push Phillip further behind her. She wouldn’t let the mages get their hands on the artifact.
“Where’s your brother? Didn’t see him at camp.” She purred, casually tossing a dagger at Jem’s face.
She dodged, “Pip’s a smart boy, he’ll be fine.” Phillip followed the motion while staying hidden behind his sister.
“Uh-huh.” Fiona giggled. “And who’s that behind you?” Jem growled in response. Phillip froze, eyes wide. “Hi Puppy! How are you?” She used a baby voice and bent down. Phillip scowled.
“It’s Phillip to you, miss.” Jem glared at him for the use of the honorific. “Uh, I mean, skank.” Fiona cackled.
“You always did have a way with words.” Her shoulders lit with fire. “Now, I believe you have something that belongs to me, so I’d love it if you would just hand it over.” Her smile was cruel. Jem pulled out her sword. Phillip grabbed her shoulder.
“Jem,” he muttered, though his sister ignored him.
“You need to hide the artifact.” Jem noted, focus stuck on the lit up mage.
“Oh, so you do have it.” Fiona’s smile curled down. “Bastard thief.”
“Don’tchu call ‘im that.” Jem spat, glaring daggers. Phillip moved to run, but Fiona tossed a rock at his hand, knocking the cog down to the ground with a clank. He rubbed his hand. Fiona pushed past Jem, throwing her to the ground as she lunged for the little red cog. Phillip tackled her and kicked her stomach viciously, knocking the wind out of her. He grabbed the cog but tumbled to the ground when Fiona grabbed his ankle.
“You aren’t getting away with this, Puppy!” She snarled, setting her hands on fire and burning Phillip's ankle. The unforgettable smell of burning flesh hit the air and Phillip screamed, yanking his ankle out of her grasp. He scurried onto his feet and approached the cliff's edge, limping on his left foot because of the still smoking ankle. The skin was only slightly marred, but Phillip knew he needed it bandaged soon. Fiona followed him to the cliff, arms still ablaze with mage fire. Phillip held onto the small bit of twine attached to the cog and devised a plan.
“Ey Fiona? Guess what?” The mage in question just raised a brow. Phillip smiled, stepping closer to the edge. “I don’t really need this,” he noted, pretending to drop it off the cliff. But the twine was held tight between two of his fingers, and if Fiona had waited a minute, she would’ve noticed the now glowing cog didn’t fall far. But she didn’t. Instead, she screamed, her fire going out. But Phillip didn’t anticipate that she would tackle him off the cliffside. With nimble fingers, he grabbed the ledge, but he wouldn’t be able to hold on for long. His ankle throbbed.
“You bastard! You bastard!” She cried, clawing at the air as she fell. “You bastard!” Phillip sighed a little tired laugh, trying to heave himself up.
“Jem?” He called up. “You alright?” Phillip swallowed while waiting for an answer.
“...You didn’t fall?” Jem’s voice was quiet, but close.
“No.” A sigh of relief could be heard.
“Don’t,” Jem peered down at him with a worried scowl. “Don’t do that again.” Phillip nodded and smiled.
“I don’t plan on it,” but the cog had other plans. The red glow intensified and grew brighter as its shine reflected in Jem’s hazel eyes.
“Wait a minute,” Jem grabbed Phillip's hand, trying to pull him up, though it was hard with only one arm. “Jonah told me it wasn’t- Pip!” Phillip looked down to see part of his body disappear. He panicked instantly, trying to get the cog off of his hand, but it was latched onto his skin. Jem’s hand trembled and her face contorted to worry.
“Jem?” Was the only thing he could mutter until it all faded to black.