Sequoia's POV
I looked at Mistress Kali stunned. Niylah looked at me and shrugged. There was nothing else to do. We sat beside Kali and watched the petals. They just sat there, no movement at all.Kali closed her eyes and took a deep breath. The gentle breeze began to pick up and suddenly, the petals moved with the current. We all watched and soon Kali urged us to stand up and follow the petals as they flowed down the stream.The petals danced, swirling and criss-crossing each other elegantly but never touching. It was beautiful, mesmerizing. Niylah smiled at me as we watched the petals flow down with grace.The winds soon began to pick up and something blew across my cheek. It was a split second and then I saw it: a blue petal.It floated down into the stream and danced next to mine and Niylah's. It was an intricate dance but soon Niylah's petal got left behind and mine was left dancing with the blue petal. It continued for a while until it reached the rapids of the river. The currents were strong and violently and the blue petal and mine no longer danced with beauty and grace. It fought with the currents and rocks. Niylah's petal soon caught up but was caught in the fight as well.The three bob and dipped in the water and finally they reached a little waterfall and the show ended.I looked at Niylah in shock."That was a beautiful show."We turned around and saw Kali standing behind us and clapping lightly. The silence of her footsteps still made me scared."What was all this for? I don't understand. Explain it to us, Mistress Kali."But she was silent and simply smiled, picking up her basket from the ground."The beauty of the future, young Suprema, is it's mystery."With that, she turned and walked away. Niylah and I were dumbfounded. What was the point of telling us all this if she would reveal the future to us."This is dumb," I said angrily. "Let's go home. Sephora and Artemisia will be waiting."We turned and headed back in the bright gleam of the moonlight. The thought of the petals was etched in my head. What did it all mean? Was it good or bad? It was a question only Lunaria's waters could answer.Niylah and I trudged home quietly. The crickets were loud and obnoxious and I could feel my ears screaming for them to stop. We soon reached theain pack enclave and the wolves that were outside turned to the both of us and stared as we walked past. I was wad uncomfortable and so was Niylah. Why were they all staring? I hated this.I'm the midst of the sea of eyes, I could make out low voices."...weak and will never be a good leader.""...the old Suprema should keep ruling...""...shhh. Don't talk about the old Suprema..."I bent my head lower and walked even fast, desperate to get away from the voices. We soon reached the pack house and when I looked up, I saw Sephora and Artemisia on the rooftop terrace."We should head upstairs," I said to Niylah.We hurried upstairs and soon we were at the top. Sephora stood next to Artemisia with their backs to us, facing the open window."I'm glad you two are back. It would have been nice to tell us where you were going though."Finally Sephora turned to us and so did Artemisia."Artemisia, please take Niylah to bed. I need to talk to Sephora alone."Luna Artemisia flashed me a cold stare and walked back downstairs with Niylah trailing behind. In a few minutes, they were gone and I was alone with Sephora.She sat on a bench, facing the open window and the moonlight sky."Are you just going to stand there? I assumed that your legs would be tired from all that walking."I smiled faintly and went to sit next to her. It was a relief that I wasn't in trouble for my little night adventure.We sat there silently, watching the stars as they're twinkled in the sky. The moon bathed the land with it's light and pups that couldn't sleep came out to play."I can tell that something is bothering you, Sequoia. Care to share?"I took a deep breath."I don't think I'm ready for this Suprema stuff. I don't think anyone will follow my lead. I'm not ready."I felt a tear form but I wiped it away quickly. Sephora, however, was silent, as if she hadn't heard a word I said. I decided to continue."As I walked back with Niylah, people were staring and whispering that I was weak and that they preferred the old Suprema."I looked at Sephora again and she took a deep breath."The old Suprema had maintained peace through out her lifetime and the people expect that you do same. Respect is not given with power. It's is earned and you must earn their trust if you wish for them to see you as more of a leader. You must be strong and valiant. We have only 5 months to get you ready."" Five months isn't enough, Sephora. I'll never be ready."She smiled and took my hand and gently squeezed it."Then we will make the best of the time that we have here. We will train hard everyday till you are ready. But promise me one thing."Her face was now grim and serious."What's that?" I asked nervously."You must not hold back, not to me or anyone. You must attack a full strength. No holding back. This all depends on you. Don't think about hurting me. Just think about becoming stronger. Please, I need you to do this for me. I cannot fail in training you."I saw the plea in her eyes. In general, she was asking me to hurt her. What kind of sister hurts a sister?"Sister Sephora, I...""Please, Sequoia. Neither of us must fail."I sighed sadly."I promise, Sephora. I won't hold back."I saw a huge smile grow on her face."Come to think of it, I don't think you could ever hurt me with your terrible form."I laughed."We'll see about that."She nodded and pulled me into a hug."It is settled then. We begin intense training at dawn..."Sephora:Chapter 18 Sephora: The sun had barely graced the horizon, and yet, I could still hear her. Her fire flickered in the darkness, reflected by the tip of her spear, which she hadnât set down since the previous evening. I could still remember the look on Niylahâs face when Sequoia refused to eat dinner, picked up her spear and walked out into the cold night. Since then, her fire had been burning, illuminating the night, only stopping for brief minutes to rest. She didnât take her loss very well. The disappointment was etched into her soul, and I couldnât blame her. But thisâtraining herself till exhaustionâwas not the way. Food, rest, the Goddess had created them for a reason. As I lay in my bed, I watched my window be illuminated by the orange of her flame. Compared to when she had started yesterday, it has severely weakened, flickering like a weak fire starved of wood. I couldnât take it anymore. I wanted her to be ready for the rites but this⌠I had to deal with this.
Sephora's POV âSisters! Today we train! We must strengthen our bodies, minds and souls! The power the Goddess gives us must not be wasted!âMy sister's voices filled the air, carried by the wind as they reached the furthest ends of the pack.Artemisia stepped forward. I smiled; it had been ages since I had seen her in her gear: Her bronze chest plate, dazzling with bright blue jewels, polished by Lunariaâs waters and blessed by the Goddess herself. Her spear was in her hand. Ornate and delicate but deadly in the hands of an expert like herself, its tip reflecting the early morning sun. Regal Artemisia.âSeparate yourselves!" Her voice was loud and rumbling, commanding respect as the sisters separated themselves according to their abilities.Niylah stood in front of the water wolves, her small beautiful frame and bright blue eyes reflecting the sun's light as she stood at attention in her gear. She was a fine piece. Artemisia had outdone herself. If onlyâŚI turned to Sephora, the on
Sephora's POV âSequoia! No! What are you doing?" I stood, hidden by the cover of the green foliage, and watched her talking to a group of strange creatures that surrounded her.They were tall and muscular, nothing like any of our sisters. They had no breasts, and their hair was short, lacking silkiness, and didn't flow in the wind.They surrounded Sequoia and spoke to her. Her smile grew as she talked back to them. Their hard and chiseled facial features hid the evil they harboured in their hearts.âSequoia!" I tried to step forward, to free her from their seduction, but I was stopped by an invisible barrier.I banged on it, but it didn't give way. Tears filled my eyes as I watched her being led astray by these strange creatures.âSequoia! Get away from them! They are evil!" But only I could hear the sound of my voice. She was lost in their talk which was carried by their deep, unearthly voices.I watched in agony as one of the creatures behind her pulled out a knife. My heart sha
Sequoia's POV I sat outside waiting. I watched the sun going down over the horizon, and the pitch blackness of night slowly began to spread its black tarp over the sky.Like a signal, lights in the distance began to flicker as flame torches came to life and campfires were built around every home.The wind rushed gently through my hair. The air was crisp and cold. I took a deep breath and felt my lungs being filled with refreshing air.The night slowly continued its siege and my eyes never left the path that Sephora would walk down on when she came back. Why was she so late? What was Kali even saying to her that would make her stay out this late?I began to worry. The last time she came back like this, she was in a terrible state. I shuddered as I remembered her raw and injured back, the pain on her face and he smiled that held back her groans of agony.I sighed. I hoped she would come back soon, or else I would track her down.âSequoia, are you still there?" I didn't answer the que
Sephora's POV I walked back through the forest with Sequoia silent by my side. I looked at her eyes and saw the dulled color in them: the fire in her had been drained.I could tell the spar against Niylah had made her weary and my words hadn't fully sunken in yet.âCheer up, Sequoia. I presume that the Goddess loves to see a smile on her face." She looked up at me but soon looked away. I could tell that a thousand questions were burning in her mind and it hurt me to not be able to tell her.My back was still throbbing. The pain that was shooting through me was immense. Artemisia's ointment only did so much to make it better.I sighed. I didn't think that the Goddess was cruel in her judgment. These were just how we lived, these were the things that we did to keep our people alive. The old ways had to be respected, regardless.I slipped into my mind and accessed Sequoia. She was stronger now but not nearly as ready as I needed her to be to take me on, to end myâŚI needed to soar with
Sequoia's POV I was up with the sun but I was frantic. There was a chill that ran through the house. Sephora was gone.Her bed was cold and so was the lamp stand. I tried to get myself under control.I saw her yesterday. She was talking with Artemisia. She asked Niylah to take me inside.I woke up and saw Artemisia but there was no sign of Sephora. I had asked her where she was but she said nothing. She walked away from me without a word. I felt my heart give way. IâŚâSequoia!" That was Niylah's voice. I felt life return to me and I dashed toward her loud voice. My heart was still thumping wildly.I reached the front door and there I saw her.Artemisia was holding her, supporting her as she walked with a slight limp. Her skin was covered with blood that seemed to drip from her back.She was in pain but as soon as she locked eyes with me, she rebuffed Artemisia's help and smiled at me.âSequoiaâŚâI couldn't contain myself and dashed towards her. Artemisia glared at me but I ignored