Aesir

Anastasia

Blood was coursing through my head, viciously slamming into my temples, making my head pound. My stomach was knotted, making it hard to think of anything but the apple I had eaten- which threatened to come back up.

I groggily opened my eyes, and found myself still lying on the floor- Rekard was standing over me. Oh god...

His foot slammed down on my throat. I rolled on my side, coughing and choking. Rekard jerked me up by a handful of my hair- he threw me into a wall, kicking me in the face as I stumbled back towards him. His hand landed on my cheek, knocking me backwards, making my head spin.

I fell down and Rekard proceeded to kick me, hard, in the abdomen, until I was coughing uncontrollably. He bent, wiped his bloody hands on my shirt, and whispered. You'd better not, ever, rat on me- ever again. He placed his hands on my shoulders and dumped raw energy into me- burning me- until I was sobbing uncontrollably. He kicked me once more, digustedly, and stomped out of the room-slamming the door behind him.

That...was...stup- The floor rushed up to meet my face. Darkness enveloped me once more.

Lya

I watched the world flash by a train window, pulling up the collar of my stolen coat. Kor and I were slow to buy anything. It was all recorded, and we were sure to be marked identified as criminals.

I had calmed down a bit, needing a little time for my red to reside and my logic mind to take over. Kor was still watching me as if I was about to snap.

He frowned severely as I bit at a ragged nail. "Stop fidgeting," he hissed, glancing around to make sure none of the five people in the car were close enough to hear, "You look guilty."

The ride was smooth, fast, and silent. Run on some new technology the Corps had created, the throwbacks from decades ago were the best way to travel.

I glared at him. "I'm not guilty. I'm worried."

He rubbed his nose to cover his mouth, far more cautious than I. "You're going to give us away."

I frowned when the train came to a rough stop and glanced out the window. Farmland still sprawled outside. I began to bite my thumbnail again.

"These trains are controlled by computers," Kor murmured, "They're only supposed to stop at stations..." He glanced down at me, worrying his bottom lip.

That's when the screaming began. It started in the car to our right.

Kor opened the window and peered out, swearing. When he looked at me again his eyes were wild with fear though his voice was calm when he said hoarsely, "We've got to go."

I hurried toward the door at our left and bit off a scream when it flew open, the metal sparking with white-blue electricity.

Kor's giant hand fell hard on my shoulder, squeezing it painfully, and the world began to fade again into the fuzzy white of transportation.

A shadow flew at me in the shape of a blurred arm and hand.

I shrieked when it latched onto my other arm, having to have bruised it with the incredible force. At that moment, a defined black line split the fuzzy white, and it felt as though that black line which I was seeing with my two eyes was also cutting through me.

Flashes of colors exploded on both sides.

I was being ripped apart, molecule by molecule.

I begged for mercy. I know not whether it was said a loud or not or whether I was in a place where anyone could have heard it. I sobbed shamelessly as I felt fibers of my being snap. I knew I was about to break, whether mentally or physically.

...Then someone let go.


Kor

I grabbed Lya, seeing where I wanted to disappear to and was just about to step into that scene, clearer than the foggy one I was in now when I felt a rope tie me down to the train. I looked beside Lya and saw the goon. He was crisp. I could see every line, every movement, every breath. I could see the muscles jumping in his clenched jaw, his pulse throb in his throat.

Our gazes met, and it was a battle of the fittest. I ignored Lya who began to writhe blindly between us as we battled for her though it pained me to do so.

She began to scream, and I felt myself loosing the battle, so I won the only way anyone really can.

I cheated.

Still holding onto Lya, I threw myself at the goon. I heard his muffled grunt as we flew together. I sent Lya to the scene I had pictured for us to find refuge, and everything turned white as I was whisked away with the goon.



I swung at the goon as soon as any vision returned and landed a punch, which was kindly returned with a shock to the back by a second party. I whirled around to face this new enemy and came face to face with a livid Rekard.

Spoiler

So I really like your 'torture' bits too, Meg.

Anastasia

Water landed on my face, blinding me, choking me. I coughed and awkwardly sat upright- dopely looking at the blurred images before me, clutching first my side, then my neck, then my side, unable to decide which hurt worse.

"Wake up, sunshine," Rekard sneered.

"Why don't you go-"

"Ah,ah,ah," Rekard sneered patronizingly. "We're not doing that. You're behaving, like a good little White."

"Actually, I believe she's a blue."

"Um, no, I'm white," I said slowly, holding up my arm to prove it.

"Not your skin color," Rekard sighed.

"Then what are you talking about?" I demanded, struggling to keep my head up.

"Magic colors- it's time you were educated. There are five colors- Red, which is the best- Black-Green- White-and Blue. Unfortunately, it seems as if you're a stupid blue...I suppose we'll see if your Genes can make up for it."

I looked at him tiredly. "So I'm blue?"

"Unfortunately."

"Good...at least it's a pretty color."

Rekard sighed. "Yes, it's very pretty- now shut up. There are five colors- everybody has one primary, and most have two allied, and two enemy."

"Which means?"

"It means that all of us have ideas that conflict- morals by which we live. Red allows people freedom, so they can express themselves freely, where White tries to force people into communties. Green supports growth and harmony- where Blue tries to uproot everything we know, and replace it with new nonsense."

"You mean like a scientist?"

"Exactly."

"Huh? How about that? I am Blue."

"Shut up."

"What about Black?"

"Black is power and individuality."

"Sounds about right," I said. "So I'm Black and Black."

"You will be-visibly- if you don't shut up."

Kor

Damn. A word in bold white letters flashing in my mind. There were a few even more unseemly words that accompanied that as I ducked beneath his hand. My frazzled mind grasped for a place to go, and Rekard punched me in the chest. A few of those words smoldering in my mind exploded from my mouth as I was propelled back, my chest burning with his electricity. Grunting as the goon behind me kicked my feet out from under me, I fell.

Hard.

Dazed from the amount of sensation in the past minute, I stared up at the swinging bare bulb at the top of the ceiling, watching the trail of light it seemed to leave. I frowned as Rekard loomed over me, blocking the light. I attempted to sit up, and he put a foot on my chest, pushing me back down. The air was crushed out of my lungs as electricity came through his boot.

Again, I grasped at a slippery image of refuge to

"Where's the woman?"

I clenched my jaw, focusing on a faint scar on his left cheek as he bent down closer to me.

"Tell me, and I'll just execute you like a murderer instead of torturing you as a traitor."

I sneered at him and spat at him. My saliva ran down his cheek and began eating at the skin as I glared at him.

He screamed and stumbled away ,wiping at it.

I saw the goon out of the corner of my eye, and all went black.

. . .

"...I am Blue."

"Shut up."

I pried my eyes open and looked around groggily. I lifted my hand to my face and almost laughed at the silver and green bracelet that looked like a circular computer chip. It blocked a person's color and thus their magic.

My chest burned. Something stung dangerously, and it was hard to breathe. None of those were good signs.

"...Power and individuality."

I turned toward the voices and looked up, for I was on the ground, at the goon, Rekard, and a small form sitting on the ground at their feet.

"Sounds about right."

I started and blinked when my vision began to blur.

Ana.

"So I'm Black and Blue."

I tried not to move, tried not to make a sound. This situation was a little better. Ana had been found at the very least.

Rekard leaned over her threateningly. "You will be- visibly- if you don't shut up."

I tried sitting up, but soon surrendered to the pain coming over me in nauseating waves. I must have groaned because the goon looked at me a smiled.

"Hey, the son of a bitch is up."

Spoiler

Promise I'll do something with Lya soon. I'm just not sure what to do with her at the moment. This should keep us occupied for the moment.

Anastasia

I heard a groan come from the corner and turned to look- Kor was crumpled into a small, bloody ball. Oh my gosh. Lya seemed to think that Kor's pretty powerful.

"Hey, the son of a bitch is up," Rekard sneered, as he stood and walked towards Kor.

There's no way I'm getting rescued, if Rekard's got Kor held captive too.

Rekard was standing over Kor now and kicked, hard, in the stomach- Kor rolled over coughing.

The brute! Why does he like to kick injured people?

I struggled to my feet, letting the wall support my weight.

"Hey! Stop! You jackass!"

Rekard whirled around. "You stay out of this!"

I cursed at him, as he turned back around and kicked Kor once more. I awkwardly pulled the boot from my right foot and hurtled it towards Rekard- it hit the back of his head with a satisfying thud, followed by a curse.

Rekard stomped over to me and hit me, knocking me over. He looked at me smuggly, as I struggled to push myself up.

"Oh yes, you do a fabulous job of abusing injured women. I bet you feel like a man now."

He kicked me once more, and then stomped back over to Kor, who was struggling to sit up. He kicked Kor over.

"Oh! So this-this is what you Reds do for fun. I'm-I'm glad I'm not Red! I'm glad I'm Blue!" I struggled to sit up.

Rekard whirled around. "What?"

"I said that I'm glad I'm not a stupid Red!" I growled.

He narrowed his eyes and stomped over to me. "Name the colors." He ordered

"You just did."

"Now it's your turn," Rekard said patronizingly.

"Blue-black-red-green-white," I said quickly.

"And what do they stand for?"

I closed my eyes, trying to remember.

"Knowledge, power and individuality, anarchy, growth, and comradery."

Rekard sighed deeply. "You mangled that...but I suppose you're smarter than I thought."

Kor

I looked up at Rekard as he loomed over me and grinned at the blister on his cheek. I opened my mouth to say something but doubled over when he kicked me in the stomach.

And I had a good insult to hurl at him too.

Instead, I rolled away, coughing.

"Hey! Stop, jackass."

I turned to frown at her as Rekard whirled to face here. There was no reason for her to be drawing danger to herself. She was too important.

"You stay out of this!" Rekard barked.

She cursed at him as he kicked my again, catching my in my ribs instead of my stomach this time. "Oh," I gasped as pain spread through my torso, and I struggled to breathe.

My vision faded for a moment, stars dancing around the edges as all went fuzzy. I focused on a boot the next moment when it fell to the floor in front of my face. I frowned in confusion. I glanced up when Ana fell with Rekard's help and began to sit up, biting back a scream of pain.

"Oh yes, you do a fabulous job of abusing injured women. I bet you feel like a man now."

I glared at her. What did this stupid child think she was doing, baiting one such as Rekard?

I attempted to stand when Rekard stormed over to me again, gripping the wall desperately. I saw is leg move like it was in slow motion, but I couldn't move out of the way. I collapsed as he kicked me again.

"Oh! So this-this is what you Reds do for fun. I'm-I'm glad I'm not Red! I'm glad I'm Blue!"

If I got this girl to myself before she got us both killed I would strangle her.

Rekard whirled around. "What?" he hissed dangerously.

"I said that I'm glad I'm not a stupid Red!"

If I hadn't been preoccupied, opening and closing my mouth like a landed fish in an attempt to get air, I would have said something to draw his attention away from Ana.

"Name the colors." He ordered.

I closed my eyes. There was no way...

"You just did," she said quickly, desperation evident in her voice.

"Now it's your turn," Rekard said patronizingly.

"Blue-black-red-green-white," she listed, a question on the end.

"And what do they stand for?"

I held my breath though it hurt like the devil and again turned over to face them.

"Knowledge, power and individuality, anarchy, growth, and comradery,"
she said hurriedly, as if she was going to forget them in the moment it took her to say the word.

Rekard sighed deeply. "You mangled that...but I suppose you're smarter than I thought."

I let out the breath, my chest burning from the movement.

Rekard's follower, the goon I had had so many pleasant interactions with, poked his head into the cell. "Boss wants us to look for the woman, Rekard."

Rekard leered at me and Ana before approaching the door. "Let's go, Zandy. These two need a few hours to recover anyway." The door slammed behind him.

I lay on my back, trying to grasp the energy and will to sit up. I stared at the water stained ceiling and turned my head at the sound of movement.

Ana was studying me, looking incredibly fragile for what I had just seen from this girl.

"It's going to be okay," I murmured.

Her eyebrows rose. "Really?" she asked skeptically.

I grit my teeth and sat up without making so much as a whimper. I gave her a hard look and staggered to my feet, putting a hand against the wall before my knees buckled beneath me. I straightened to my full height and repeated louder, "It's going to be okay."


Lya

I opened my eyes and turned in a circle when Kor didn't appear beside me. I looked around in an attempt to discover where I was and took deep breaths.

I couldn't afford to break down now. There was no one else to save Ana... and now Kor was in Rekard's hands too.

Where was I?

I peered at the endless field and swallowed, repressing the incredible fear building within me.

Where would Kor take me?

I ran a hand through my hair.

A place the Corps wouldn't think of... A place no one would think of for that matter.

I looked up at the night sky and-

It shouldn't have been night.

I checked my watch. There was no way it was night unless-

I held my hand out and tried to call the waist-high grass to touch my hand...

It didn't respond.

...Unless I was on Earth.

Anastasia

Zandy poked his head into our cell. "Boss wants us to look for the woman, Rekard."

Rekard glared at Kor and I and walked towards the door. "Let's go, Zandy. These two need a few hours to recover anyway." The door slammed behind him.

I looked at Kor worriedly, who was lying on his back, staring at at the ceiling, gasping for breath. I sat hugging my knees, afraid that I'd start crying.

"It's going to be okay," Kor murmured.

I raised my eyebrows suspiciously. "Really?" I asked skeptically.

Kor clamped his mouth shut tightly and sat up, gritting his teeth, but never making a sound. He looked at me, hard, and staggered to his feet; using the wall to support himself. He straightened his shoulders. "It's going to be okay."

I clenched my teeth and struggled to my feet, trying to be strong, but failing- a whimper escaped my lips. Kor looked at me carefully.

I panted for a moment, trying to clear my mind.

"That was a fool thing to do," Kor said, as he examined my face.

"You letting Rekard catch you? I agree. Now we're both screwed."

Kor looked at me flatly. "You're kinda a bitch."

"Yeah, you'll have that I guess," I sneered.

"Have what?"

"Me being a bitch. I get like that when I'm hungry, and thirsty, and sore, and...and...where's Lya? I like her better."

"Yeah, I like her better than you too, that's why I put her in a safe place."

"Which is?"

"There's not a chance I'm telling you where she is."

"Why not?"

"Because it's not safe, that's why. You don't know who's listening to us, as we speak."

"Creepy," I said flatly.

"Don't sass. I've got half a mind to give you a whoopin' as it is- mouthing off to Rekard like that."

"Oh yeah, 'cause I'm awful- saving you from him, and all."

"You shouldn't have done that."

"He'd have killed you."

"Most likely," Kor agreed. "And now he'll kill us both."

I stretched, grunting, "No...I don't think he'll kill me. He likes my genes too."

Kor sighed. "That's not much better."

Kor

She struggled to her feet, I could see the steely glint of determination in her eye relight for a moment only to die when a whimper escaped her lips.

I studied her carefully, cataloging her injuries with mine. Together, we would need a body cast, it seemed.

A silence filled with our labored breathing stretched on for a few minutes as I swayed dangerously.

"That was a fool thing to do," I finally said as I watched her for any reaction. If a step wouldn't have been too much, I may have attempted to loom. Instead I leaned against the wall as nonchalantly as possible.

"You letting Rekard catch you? I agree. Now we're both screwed."

I raise an eyebrow and glared at her, having to reach for a comment to deflect the truth... All I could think of was, "You're kinda a bitch."

"Yeah, you'll have that I guess," she sneered.

I frowned in confusion, putting a hand to my slightly spinning head. "Have what?"

"Me being a bitch. I get like that when I'm hungry, and thirsty, and sore, and...and...where's Lya? I like her better."

"Yeah, I like her better than you too. That's why I put her in a safe place." I didn't mention my worries of ever escaping this hell without outside help.

There was a long pause where she looked at me expectantly. "Which is?"

I scoffed. "There's not a chance I'm telling you where she is."

She huffed, offended. "Why not?"

I looked up at the ceiling in a plea for patience. "Because it's not safe, that's why. You don't know who's listening to us, as we speak." And I didn't trust her not to spill her guts at the first hint of information seeking torture.

"Creepy," she said flatly.

A part of me wanted to smile at that, the parts that refused to realize what mess I was in. Instead, to insure the upper hand, I growled, "Don't sass. I've got half a mind to give you a whoopin' as it is- mouthing off to Rekard like that."

She raised her eyebrows. "Oh yeah, 'cause I'm awful- saving you from him, and all."

I sighed. One of my legs was beginning to tremble. "You shouldn't have done that."

"He'd have killed you," she kindly noted.

"Most likely," I agreed as unattached as possible, "And now he'll kill us both."

I stretched, grunting, "No...I don't think he'll kill me. He likes my genes too."

I sighed, remembering how ignorant this child was. "That's not much better." I slid to the floor, utterly drained as the seriousness of our situation hit me. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, grimacing as it stung a set of ribs. Three, if I counted correctly, on my left side. One on my right. "There's no reason," I began slowly, thinking. "There's no reason we can't get you ahead on Rekard's pathetic lessons." I grinned at her wryly, in a self-deprecating kind of way, and said, "There's not anything else to do."

We reviewed the colors and their meanings, much to her chagrin. After that, I taught her which colors were allied to which and which were enemies. I focused on blue, and the several mixtures of colors one could have. All of this was interrupted with commercials from our favorite sponsor

"I don't know you well enough," I explained, "To tell you how much blue is in you, or what other colors you have. Just because blue has two allies doesn't have to mean you have all three." I paused to make sure she understood all of this. When I got a tentative nod, I continued, "You could even have an enemy color within you..." I sneered at her, "But you don't seem that complex to me."

I lifted my hand when she opened her mouth to speak. "Don't interrupt teacher, please." I tapped a finger against the floor. At this point, I normally taught a student how to use their abilities, but that would most likely lead to Ana being taken away to serve Rekard and his intentions.

"You haven't even said anything for me to interrupt, you-"

I looked at her with a hint of sympathy, possibly for the first time, and murmured, "You have no idea what you are, no idea how much everyone wants you." I laughed humorlessly. "I was planning to lock you up somewhere just so Rekard wouldn't get you..."

Anastasia

He slid to the floor, seeming worn out, suddenly old. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, grimacing and holding his side. "There's no reason," Kor said slowly. "...There's no reason we can't get you ahead on Rekard's pathetic lessons."

He grinned, a sarcastic grin. "There's not anything else to do."

I looked at him flatly.

He recounted the colors and their meanings to me, asking me to repeat them, mocking me when I failed. He smoothly moved from that topic to the next: which colors were allies, and which were enemies.

He seemed to be centralizing his lessons around blue, which pleased me, as I was interested in understanding my powers.

"I don't know you well enough," Kor stated. "To tell you how much blue is in you, or what other colors you have. Just because blue has two allies doesn't have to mean that you have all three."

He paused, searching my face for some comprehension, so I nervously nodded; a short, jerky motion that was a bit too fast.

"You could even have an enemy color within you," he said. I saw his eyes change slightly, filling with malice. "But you don't seem that complex to me."

Shows how much you know.

I opened my mouth to defend myself, but he cut me off with a wave of his hand.
"Don't interrupt your teacher, please."

He tapped a finger against the floor.

"You haven't even said anything for me to interrupt, you-"

Kor looked at me suddenly, a foriegn look in his eyes- maybe it was just that his look was a bit softer.

"You have no idea what you are, no idea how much everyone wants you." Kor chuckled suddenly."I was planning to lock you up somewhere just so Rekard wouldn't get you..."

He's crazed.

"Where did you plan on locking me up?" I let my head fall backwards, against the bare wall.

He looked at me carefully. "I don't know."

I narrowed my eyes at him and sighed. "What's that on your wrist?"

He lifted his wrist, looked an electrical bracelet sort of thing on it, and then at me. "This? Oh, this isn't anything. It's just a tracking bracelet."

Magic neutralizer. The two words slammed into my brain, startling me.

"A magic neutralizer?" I asked out loud.

His eyes grew wide and he sat up. "How did you know that?" He demanded.

...You...minds?

"What?" I asked.

"How did you-" Can you... "know that?" Read minds?

"I...I don't know, I guess so."

He looked at me worriedly. Don't...Rekard.

"What?"

Don't let...know.

"Don't let- oh, him, okay."

Kor

I wanted to bash my head against the wall. This... girl didn't need to know any of that. I needed her to trust me...

For an instant she stared at me as if she expected me to begin speaking gibberish. Another moment and she leaned her head against the wall in what looked dangerously similar to defeat. "Where did you plan on locking me up?"

I watched her carefully. "I don't know."

She narrowed her eyes at me and sighed. "What's that on your wrist?"

I lifted my wrist and stared at the magic neutralizer for a long moment. I had forgotten about it in my teaching. I've always loved my job, no matter the student. "This? Oh, this isn't anything. It's just a tracking bracelet," I lied, figuring she didn't need to know that I was powerless.

She started and looked around nervously before blurting out, "A magic neutralizer?"

I sat up, studying each bit of her face for a lie. "How did you know that?" I demanded, glancing at the walls in a paranoid move. I wouldn't give away a possible tool if I could help it. Can you read minds? I thought in what I hoped was a loud manner.

She frowned, glancing at me warily. "What?" she asked.

"How did you-" I asked for our sentries. Can you... I thought slowly. "-know that?" Read minds?

Her eyes widened. She looked frightened at the prospect. "I...I don't know, I guess so."

I bit my lip, looking her dead in the eyes. Don't tip off Rekard.

She seemed to grow frustrated. "What?"

I thought slower, Don't let Rekard know.

She looked just left of me in concentration. "Don't let-"

I glared at her in fear.

She caught on quickly. "Oh, him, okay."

I nodded, beaming at her. With this discovery, I felt a great weight leave my shoulders. "We have a base now," I said out loud, "Your education..." Our escape. "...has begun." I watched her pointedly for understanding.

She nodded. "Where do we go from here?"

"I suppose it's time to tell you of your history." Practice your ability and wait for our chance. I grimaced at the long length of the sentence and shortened it just in case. Practice and wait.

She nodded and then hesitated. "...You know about my past?" she asked, an undercurrent of hope and excitement running through her words.

I grinned. Of course a child would want to know about her parents. "Yes. I spoke to your father on many occasions." I swallowed. "He was a friend of mine." I backpedaled. "First, a few more technicalities." I shrugged sympathetically. "It's hard to comprehend otherwise."

I explained multiple universes and how Earth was in a different dimension than Aesir. I told her of portals and how Earthlings didn't know of them, but those on Aesir did.

I cleared my throat, prepared to tell her the entire story. "Derik- er..." I glanced from the worrisome colored stain on the floor to her expecting face. "Your dad was from Aesir as well as your... mom." I returned my gaze to the floor. "Your dad was amazing." I shook my head. "He could do anything. He was this mix of every color, and he wasn't completely ruined by all of these conflicting impulses within him. He controlled it all so easily..."

We'll have to find a way to test her range... I thought and saw her start. I blinked. I would have to find a way to shield myself from her.

I continued as if nothing had happened, "Your mother was a Corps brat." I noticed her questioning look and waved it away. "The Acadamy and The Corps are another lesson." I began again, "Anyway, your mother was a blue, which explains your color." I smirked at her. "You actually look remarkably similar to your mother now that I have a moment to really study you. She had this scathing sense of humor.

"For whatever reason, your father chased her for months like a lovesick puppy while your mother tested your father's DNA to make sure he would be a good father for her children. And she found that he was very powerful. She also found it wasn't just a coincidence. Your color is written into your DNA, so your father's lack of color preference was coded into his. So they got married, and your mother got pregnant."

I rubbed my face tiredly. "Aesir was corrupt then, so Derik openly opposed it. He was driven underground, and began a rebellion. Your mother was with him all the way." I looked at the wall, fondly remembering. "I've made your mother sound mean and heartless, but being with Derik, and being with child... changed her... I think.

"So you were almost ready to be born, and a war had be raging for months. Your mother, hardheaded thing that she was-" I broke off to stare meaningfully at Ana. "Was with your father, fighting. She didn't see a missile. I don't remember what it was. It doesn't matter. Your father pushed her out of the way. Either he or she would have died, so he transported them..."

I ran a hand through my hair. "The thing about Earth is..." I sighed. "We can't control our powers there. Sometimes they are triggered by a near fatal accident or moments of great emotion, but we can't control them. They couldn't get back is the moral of the story, and we couldn't think of a way to get them back without sending a man to Earth which would have defeated the purpose.

"The Corps had no such troubles. They merely had to exterminate a threat, so they sent a goon over to do so. It took him five years to find you and your parents, but he did so, and almost succeeded. On Aesir, the Corps and the Academy had squashed the rebellion, executing those who refused to go into hiding. The survivors have been waiting..."

I met her gaze. "Waiting for you, Ana."

Anastasia

Kor nodded, grinning stupidly. "We have a base now. Your education," Our escape. "Has begun." He watched me carefully, looking for comprehension of some sort.

I nodded. "Where do we go from here?"

"I suppose it's time to tell you of your history." Practice...ability...our chance.

I frowned at him- he grimaced. Practice and wait.

I nodded and hesistated- excited yet scared to ask what he meant about my history. I had been seaching for 12 years to know the truth, and hadn't found anyone to tell me. "...You know about my past?" I asked, hoping I didn't sound overly eager.

Kor grinned. "Yes. I spoke to your Father on many occasions...He was a friend of mine...First, a few more technicalities- it's hard to comprehend otherwise."

I listened impatiently as Kor explained the mulitple universes, and how Earth and Aesir were related- but that Earthlings didn't know about portals, where Aesir citizens did.

Kor cleared his throat. "Derik- er...Your Dad, was from Aesir, as well as your...Mom." He focused on the floor. "Your Dad was amazing...He could do anything. He was this mix of every color- and he wasn't completely ruined by all of these conflicting impulses within him. He controlled it all so easily."
We'll have...find a way...test her range.

I stiffened slightly- a bit frightened to know what he had in mind. For all I knew he might be planning on forcing me to try to seize Rekard's mind, and turn us both free.

I'll have to find a...shield myself...her.

I glared at him, but he continued as if nothing had happened. "Your mother was a Corps brat." he waved my inquisitive look aside. "The Academy and The Corps are another lesson."

Kor looked at me for a long moment and smirked."You actually look remarkably similar to your mother now that I have a moment to really study you. She had this scathing sense of humor."

I grinned- noting the malice in his voice, but not caring. I was too pleased with the comment that I was like my Mom to care that Kor thought it a bad thing.

"For whatever reason, your father chased her for months like a lovesick puppy while your mother tested your father's DNA to make sure he would be a good father for her children. And she found that he was very powerful. She also found it wasn't just a coincidence. Your color is written into your DNA, so your father's lack of color preference was coded into his. So they got married, and your mother got pregnant."

Kor rubbed his face. "Aesir was corrupt then, so Derik openly opposed it. He was driven underground, and began a rebellion. Your mother was with him all the way." She was very brave. he thought admiringly. "I've made your mother sound mean and heartless, but being with Derik, and being with child... changed her... I think." She got soft.

"So you were almost ready to be born, and a war had be raging for months. Your mother, hardheaded thing that she was-" He looked at me, hard."She was with your father, fighting. She didn't see a missile. I don't remember what it was. It doesn't matter. Your father pushed her out of the way. Either he or she would have died, so he transported them..."

He broke off, obviously distressed, and ran a hand through his hair. "The thing about Earth is...we can't control our powers there. Sometimes they are triggered by a nearly fatal accident, or in moments of great emotion, but we can't control them. They couldn't get back- is the moral of this story- and we couldn't think of a way to get them back without sending a man to Earth- which would've defeated the purpose.

"The Corps had no such troubles. They merely had to exterminate a threat, so they sent a goon over to do so. It took him five years to find you and your parents, but he did so, and almost succeeded. On Aesir, the Corps and the Academy had squashed the rebellion, executing those who refused to go into hiding. The survivors have been waiting..."

He paused dramatically, letting me digest everything he had said. Long enough for me to be filled with shame. Mom and Dad were such amazing warriors...and here I am, sitting in a prison...Daddy would be so ashamed with me.

"They're waiting for you, Ana," Kor said slowly, as he met my gaze.

My eyes grew wide. "No...no...no! They are not waiting for me!" I shouted, as I leapt to my feet, ignoring the pangs of utter agony that ran up my sides.

He watched me calmly, as if he were anticipating my response. "They are."

"Bullshit! They aren't waiting for me. They can't be. I'm not my parents."

That's for sure.

"Oh shut up!" I shouted, "I am sick of you thinking you're better than everybody- oh shit." I grabbed my stomach, suddenly bent over in pain, my stomach feeling as if Rekard was shoving daggers into it. I sank to the floor.

Is she okay? "What's wrong with you?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," I stated.

That's a really annoying ability, you have.

"Yeah, I know it is, but I can't help it! I'm not thrilled about it either! Maybe I'll use it though, and get back to Earth- then I'll go to Mexico, where all the other fugitives are!"

"Shut up!" Kor hissed. You'll give yourself away.

"I don't give a-" I gagged as my stomach twisted into a tighter knot.

Kor

She looked horrified at the idea. "No...no...no! They are not waiting for me!" she shouted and jumped to her feet, a grimace ripping across her face for a moment.

I watched her, attempting to appear calm, as if I had expected this entire meltdown. "They are."

"Bullshit! They aren't waiting for me. They can't be. I'm not my parents."

That's for sure, I thought with a sigh. I hadn't had to train Derik or be in charge of his survival.

"Oh shut up!" she cried, "I am sick of you thinking you're better than everybody- oh shit." She bent over suddenly, grabbing her stomach, and sank to the floor.

Utter terror overcame me. I lurched forward in shock.

Is she okay? I thought but translated it into a gruff, "What's wrong with you?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," she hissed.

That's a really annoying ability, you have. I thought with a frown, assuming that she must be fairly healthy if she still had control of her ability and the use of her mouth.

"Yeah, I know it is, but I can't help it! I'm not thrilled about it either! Maybe I'll use it though, and get back to Earth- then I'll go to Mexico, where all the other fugitives are!" she babbled, practically crazed.

My terror burst into flames as she almost announced her new found power to our enemies. "Shut up!" I spat. You'll give yourself away, I thought sharply, fear and anger making them desperate.

"I don't give a-" She made an awful gagging sound and collapsed.

"Oh, damn," I muttered and went to her side, groaning as my broken ribs complained. I helped her to her hands and knees as she vomited and tried to silence all thoughts of horror as blood spread over the floor. I did the one thing I could think of and held her hair out of her face, my hands shaking. I spend my whole life trying to become master all the colors, and the one I need is the one I can't find a way to channel. Without realizing it, I murmured small comforting things and rubbed her back.

"Okay," I said in an attempt to collect some rational thought as she began to dry heave. "Come over here," I whispered, leading her away from the pool of red.

She was sobbing now. "I can't help them. I'm not my parents." She was shuddering.

This was far out of my realm. I was used to leading, to solving, to teaching. I wasn't a comforter. I could use Lya about now. Doubt worried me at that moment. Would she be able to get back from- I cut myself off, unwilling to give Ana information that would merely make her more valuable to our captors.

"Lie down, Ana. You need rest." I grimaced at the rough tone and cleared my throat. She's just a girl. "I'm not asking you to do anything today," I tried, softening my voice a bit. I pushed her hair out of her face gently as she lowered herself onto the floor.

She turned onto her back, her chest rising and falling heavily.

I bit my lower lip. Wasn't there a rule of some sort, a precaution? Did people in Ana's condition... lie on their... I couldn't quite remember. That class was a distant fog. Panic threatened. What was I going to do with a crippled girl in this hellhole? "Medicine," I growled darkly, in disgust at my lack of knowledge.

Her eyes fluttered upon, assessing me with a raised eyebrow.

"Can you lay on your side?" I asked softly, going with my gut, and helped her turn over. I smirked at the expression which had yet to change and softened the hard smile around the edges in a last minute thought. "Don't worry. I'm still an overbearing, rude, haughty jackass."

She scoffed weakly. "I definitely wasn't worried about that."

I laughed. In fact, I laughed harder than I had in a long time. Even if that little comment didn't deserve the reaction it got. My sides burned by the time I finished.

She stared at me as if I had completely lost it. I almost began the episode all over again. Maybe I had lost it. I shook my head, a grin playing around the edges of my mouth. "Go to sleep, Ana. I can't having you dying on me." I winced, wishing I could take back my previous words, and added, "You're too much of a fighter for that though."

Eyes half closed, she glanced at me. "Are you okay?"

I forced a chuckle and shrugged. No, of course not. "Yeah. You just gave me a bit of a scare for a minute. I'm fine now." I hesitated. "We're going to be fine, Ana. I want you to believe that."

She nodded sleepily, too exhausted to do more.

I waited for her breaths to even and padded toward her vomit. I dipped a finger in it, grimacing, and spelled on the floor between Ana and me, 'Help.' I stared at my bracelet and wanted to cause something great, great harm. If Lya did manage to scry us this message would be of little help to her.


Lya

I walked through field... after field... after field. A cow practically scared me to death in the dark, lowing beside me. When I finally saw the glimmer of city lights, I practically danced for joy. I took out my wallet and frowned at the blue, purple, and red bills and coins. As I passed an alley the hairs on the back of my neck rose. I turned suddenly and frowned at the empty street...

Anastasia

"Oh, damn," Kor muttered, groaned, and gently lifted me to my hands and knees, holding my hair out of my face as I puked.

I nearly panicked as I saw blood on the ground in front of me, but Kor soothed me, rubbing my back. "Okay," he said, as I began heaving, no bile coming up to relieve me.

"Come over here," he whispered, as he practically carried me away from the puke.

I was sobbing like a baby, my shoulders shaking. "I can't help them. I'm not my parent."

I need Lya...Will she be able to get back from-

I tried to cut him off- I didn't need any information, not in the state I was in.

"Lie down, Ana. You need rest." Kor said gruffly. She's just a girl."I'm not asking you to do anything today," he said gently, as he held my hair, and let me drop to the ground. I flopped onto my back.

I'm not my parents.

"Medicine," Kor growled darkly.

I opened my eyes, just a crack, and I examined his face.

"Can you lay on your side?" Kor asked gently, as he rolled me over. I watched him suspiciously, as I limply rolled to my side. "Don't worry. I'm still an overbearing, rude, haughty jackass."

I scoffed, chuckling weakly. "I definitely wasn't worried about that."

Kor laughed, hard- holding his sides he was laughing so hard and so long, tears welling in his eyes. He cackled like a mad man.

I stared at him with wide eyes.

Great. I'm half dead, and the one guy who can help me is mad.

He started to calm, looked at me, and began laughing again, shaking his head.

Yep, he's lost it alright.

"Go to sleep, Ana. I can't have you dying on me."

Well it's good to know my ailment doesn't hinder his sense of humor.

He sobered. "You're too much of a fighter for that, though."

I half closed my eyes, and watched him. "Are you okay?"

He chuckled nervously and shrugged. No, of course not. "Yeah, you just gave me a bit of a scare for a minute. I'm fine now...We're going to be fine, Ana. I want you to believe that."

I nodded sleepily, too tired tell Kor that, even half-dead, I wasn't relieved of my powers. I fell into his lap and closed my eyes.

Madman or not, I'm too weak to fight him if he gets violent. Might as well be murdered in my sleep.

I sank into an exhausted sleep.

~~~~~~~~

"What's wrong with her?" I head the voice, cold and menacing, echo across my mind.

Someone murmured a response I couldn't make out.

"Sit up."

I groggily tried to remember what those words meant.

I felt large arms wrap around me, and a warm energy ran through me- not burning me, but energizing me. I opened my eyes slightly, enough to see the side of Rekard's face, mere inches in front of mine, his arms wrapped around me.

I started, slamming my hands into his shoulders weakly, trying to get away.

"Calm down," Rekard said softly.

I weakly struggled, before collapsing into his arms.

That's right brat, just relax. Get your strength back, so we can restart your training. You're no good to me like this...I wonder if that asshole can encourage her to get better...he won't listen to me, if I tell him to...

I passed out again.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I groaned as my nerve endings woke up, all at the same time- and pain washed over my body.

"Ana?" Kor asked. Is she alright?

"Fine," I sighed, never bothering to open my eyes.

"Are you sure?" I don't really know what Kor did to her...

"Well I'm still alive."

Was she answering my mental or my-

"Yep."

"Are you feeling better?" Can you still hear me?

"I'm afraid so," I grumbled.

Kor chuckled. Have you found anything useful? Rekard was in here...long time. I felt irritation wash over me- Kor's not mine, and I shivered. Sorry. Did you read Rekard?

I took a deep breath and struggled to sit up. Kor helped me, and I pressed my back against the wall, and whispered. "It's getting worse, Kor."

"What is?" he asked quietly, leaning in to hear me.

"I'm feeling...emotions now," I whispered.

Kor swallowed. Oh no...

"Don't be afraid...and yeah, I read him. He plans on healing me- and he wants you to encourage me not to die..."

I chuckled. I must be mad too.

Danika

I crouched behind a dumpster, my hair in a tangled mess, my clothes dirty and tattered. Great magic was passing through the area- I just had to wait for it.

Soon a small woman passed by the alley, quickly, nervously. She froze and back up a step, timidly looking down the alley. I narrowed my eyes. Surely this isn't the magic- I was cut off, as she took a step nearer to me- and the magic got stronger.

I felt towards her- green, harmless, unless she had a plant to control. Everything around me was made of stone or brick, and I figured I could take her in a physical scuffle, so I stood.

She jumped and leapt backwards, ready to sprint.

"There are a lot scarier people out there than me," I stated.

She hesitated, watching me suspiciously. "Who are you?"

I tossed a lock of my long, black hair behind my ear. "What does it matter?"

She watched me for a long moment.

I sighed impatiently. "I'm Nika, at the moment- and you?"

"Lya."

"Fine, good, great," I said sarcastically. "Well, Lya, you really should try to veil your magic- he'll be here faster than you can count to three, if you don't."

"Where is here?" she asked slowly.

I shrugged. "I don't know. Away from Rekard, that's all that really matters."

Her eyes grew wide. "You know Rekard?"

My hand involuntarily rubbed the scars left on my neck; I determinedly clenched it, and returned to my side. A moment later I thought better of it, and crossed my arms over my chest.

"You could say that."

"How did you meet?"

I shrugged again. "I don't remember...escaping was my favorite part."

Spoiler

Sorry if this isn't what you had in mind. I just thought that an extra character might help Lya go some place. Feel free to make Nika get hit by a bus, if you want to go some other direction.

Spoiler

Danika is fine with me. I wasn't sure how I was going to get Lya back anway.

Kor

I was dozing, lounging on the wall beside Ana when the door slammed open. I started, groaning as my wounds complained, and looked up at a livid Rekard. "What's the matter," I asked nastily, "Can't find someone?"

He glared at me. I could see his fingers crackle with electricity and disconcerting fear ran through me. The next comment died on my lips.

"What's wrong with her?" he demanded

"Can't she sleep?" I demanded sharply, despite the drying blood revealing my lie.

He moved toward her and looked at me as if he had expected better. "Sit up," he ordered gruffly.

"Just leave her alone," I pleaded desperately, "Haven't you done enough to her for one day?"

He wrapped his arms around her and lifted her. Yellow sparks danced down her torso.

I staggered to my feet. "Why attack a defenseless girl? Even I thought more mercy than that."

She lifted her hands to his chest and pushed against him weakly, twisting. I took a step forward, fist raised in a stupidly aggressive move.

"Calm down," Rekard murmured, glaring at me from over her shoulder.

She hit him again before going limp.

I bit my lip in an attempt not to say anything, fear making me cautious, as I lowered my hands to my sides. Was she okay?

He laid her down again and turned to me.

I studied her for any movement, glaring at Rekard when I saw her chest lift and fall. He hadn't killed her at least.

He took a step forward.

To my utter shame, I took a step back.

"You think you're actually getting out of here. You think your people will overcome the Corps." He lunged toward me, pinning me to the wall before I could even think of moving.

I lifted my chin and sneered at him, deciding silence was best in the current situation.

He slammed his fist into my stomach.

I bit back a scream and bent down as electricity ran up my torso, seeming to find my broken bones to torment the most.

He leaned down and breathed in my ear, "It's wise to give up now, jackass."

I elbowed him in the stomach and spat, "You'll never win, you son of a bitch."

He growled an incomprehensible phrase, and I cried out as fire ran through my bones. "You're not in much of a position to say that," he muttered and let me fall to my knees as all went dark around me.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I watched Ana's still body dully, unwilling to move. Complete depression had come over me since I had awoke which could have been anytime between eternity to five minutes ago. I couldn’t find it in myself to care. If Rekard came in again I would give myself to him freely. There was no way for us to win.

Ana groaned and began to look a bit more alive.

"Ana?" I murmured. Is she alright?

"Fine," she replied shortly, eyes still closed.

I hesitated, thrown off by her reply. "Are you sure?" I don't really know what Rekard did to her... I thought. He could be slowly killing her now.

"Well I'm still alive."

I sat up slowly. Was she answering my mental or my-

"Yep."

I frowned, unhappy with the interruption, even if it was of my thoughts. "Are you feeling better?" Can you still hear me? I projected.

"I'm afraid so," she muttered

I laughed though I didn't feel like doing so. Have you found anything useful? Rekard was in here showing is supremacy for a long time. I merely thought about his sneering pasty face, and I was angered... Well, frustrated with myself for not being able to think of a way to get away from his sneering pasty face. I glanced at her as she shuddered. Sorry. Did you read Rekard?

She tried to sit up and I moved to help her. She leaned against the wall and breathed, "It's getting worse, Kor."

"What is?" I whispered, tilting my head toward her to hear her better.

"I'm feeling...emotions now," she murmured.

I recoiled for a moment, only to return to my original position. Oh no... I couldn't hide anything from this girl. Any thought, any frustration, worry, anger could be picked up by her. Not to mention the emotional toll on her when she was already surviving so much. I swallowed, trying to cut off all the workings of my mind.

She moved toward me slightly in response to my movement away. "Don't be afraid..." she practically pleaded. “And yeah, I read him. He plans on healing me- and he wants you to encourage me not to die..." She laughed and shook her head.

I studied her carefully, watching for signs of hysterics. This did not seem like the best time to be laughing. I got to my feet in an attempt to separate myself from the situation to think and took three steps before my knees buckled beneath me. I swore loudly and pounded by open palms against the floor, resting my hands on one of them after a few moments. My breath shook. I almost enjoyed the tingling pain on my palms What was the point? Why should I even try anymore? I started when I heard Ana begin to move and snapped, "Don't! Just give me a minute. Just give me a damn minute to think... To myself!" I didn't care that she had no real control of her gift at the moment. Just a second of privacy. I would have given anything for it.

Hatred, fear, hopelessness all came cascading down upon me, and I listed them to myself. Desperation, burning anger, disabling pain. I named them, so I would at least know before she did. Scalding, weak tears blurred my vision of the floor, and I clenched one hand, slamming it once against the concrete. The bracelet clinked sharply.

Stripped of my magic I was nothing. I hadn't realized how much I had depended on it, how much stupid overblown pride I had in my natural talent before this moment.

Rekard had taken that, and the simple ability to walk across a room from me. I was a ruin.

And here I was blaming a clueless girl for my problems. Why? Because she was in the same cell I was in.

Shame, I added to the list with a bitter smile, squeezing my eyes shut.

A strangled sob broke from my lips.

Lya

I almost continued on, thinking it was an overactive imagination, when someone rose from behind a dumpster. Starting, I flew backwards and took a few bounds away from this secluded area where no one would be of help to me if I was attacked.

"There are a lot scarier people out there than me.”

I stopped at the sound of a woman’s voice and peered into the gloom. "Who are you?"

"What does it matter?"

I studied her in silence, unsure of the answer. It meant a whole heck of a lot to me.

"I'm Nika, at the moment- and you?" she finally replied with an exasperated sigh.

I swallowed, took a step forward. "Lya."

"Fine, good, great," she muttered sarcastically, "Well, Lya, you really should try to veil your magic- he'll be here faster than you can count to three, if you don't."

I frowned. How did she know all of this? And who was he? "Where is here?" I asked slowly, hoping to get a pinpoint on my location, so I could at least attempt to find a way back to help Kor and Ana.

She shrugged laconically. "I don't know. Away from Rekard, that's all that really matters."

I blinked in surprise. Who was this Earthling? "You know Rekard?"

Her hand moved toward her neck, then to her side, then across her chest. "You could say that," she mumbled.

"How did you meet?" I demanded, leaning forward ever so slightly.

She shrugged again. "I don't remember...escaping was my favorite part."

I gasped and took another step forward. “You escaped Rekard’s prison?” I asked excitedly. There was hope. I didn’t even have to be there necessarily. This person escaped on her own.

She frowned at me. “That’s what I said.”

“How?” I scurried toward her until I right in front of her, staring intently into guarded eyes. My mind was jumping leaps and bounds ahead. “Do you know where it is? How did you get here? Could you get back?” I backed her into the wall and snapped, “I need to get there now."

Anastasia

Kor watched me worriedly.

If you can be mad, so can I. I kept laughing.

He got to his feet and tried to move away, but his knees gave out before he had made it very far- sobering me in a hurry. He swore loudly and slammed his hands into the concrete.

He sat for a moment, breathing heavily. What's the point? Why should I even try anymore?

He started as I sat up.

"Don't!" he bellowed. "Just give me a minute. Just give me a damn minute to think...to myself!" Just a second of privacy. I'd give anything, for just one second of privacy.

I tried to withdraw from his mind, but couldn't, and a flood of emotions crashed over me- hatred, fear, hopelessness, desperation, fiery anger, overwhelming pain. I grabbed my ribs, where a sudden twinge of pain attacked, blinding me. I held on to my side, quietly taking his pain upon myself, trying not to grunt, so he wouldn't know that I was sharing his burden.

It was hard. Everything about him- his mind, his body, his will- was stronger than mine, especially his emotions. I had never felt such passion before, and it scared me.

At least I know what I'm feeling...before she does.

I wiped the sweat from my brow, the effort keeping quiet was nearly as hard as bearing his pain. I hated the emotional pain I was causing him...I can't help it, though.

He slammed a fist into the floor, his bracelet making a loud noise against the concrete floor, tears streaming down his face.

Stripped of my magic I'm nothing...I'm so stupid. I should've learned how to be something without leaning on my powers- then I might have a chance...But Rekard's taken all my worth with him, leaving me without enough strength to walk across the room.

Against magic, I'm nothing. I thought. I wonder what it would be like if I had powers...I wonder if I do...

I'm not even man enough to accept my mistake. I'm blaming this clueless girl for my problems...for no other reason than she's stuck in here with me.

I felt his shame flood across me, making me gasp, stealing my breath. He smiled bitterly and shut his eyes, a mangled sob springing from his lips. I sat, holding my head, trying to bear his pain.

Finally the emotions slacked off some, allowing me a moment to recover- when I had nearly caught my breath, I rolled to my knees, not trusting my legs, and crawled over to him. I awkwardly patted his back, wanting to comfort him, but not having the slightest clue of how to go about it.

I had grown up, fast- the streets didn't offer much sympathy to an orphan child. I couldn't remember the last sympathy I had recieved- let alone know the first thing about showing it to anyone.

"It's...It's alright," I said slowly.

He snarled at me and scooted away. "Leave me alone."

I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. He doesn't need to be such an ass- I'm no happier about this than he is...I need to be nicer...I'm really glad that HE can't hear MY thoughts.

"We'll get out of here," I stated.

We will not, and you know it...I don't stand a chance without my magic.

"Then teach me."

He started to protest, but stopped short, and turned to look at me. "What?" he asked incredulously.

"Teach me," I repeated.

Rekard will just use your magic against you. "You're too stupid to learn."

"What he doesn't know," I broke my whisper with a yawn. "...won't hurt me."

"He'll figure it out."

"I'm good at playing dumb." I insisted.

Kor looked at me hard.

Danika

The woman gasped and started towards me, eyes wide in excitement. "You escaped Rekard's prison?"

I glared at her. "That's what I said."

"How?" she ran towards me, and I took a step back, as she stared into my eyes. "Do you know where it is?"

I retreated. "How did you get there? Could you get back? I need to go there now."

My back was against the wall, literally. I squirmed away from her.

"There ain't a chance in hell I'm going back."

"But could you?" she asked eagerly.

"Easily, but I'm not going to."

"Take me," she pleaded.

"No! Not a chance!"

"Why not?" she demanded.

"I spent two long years imprisoned by him- there ain't a chance I'm going back."

"If you got away once, you can do it again," she stated.

"If Rekard sees me again, he'll kill me."

"...Then don't let him see you."

I looked at her hard. "What?"

"Don't you see? There's two of us, we can sneak into his prison, turn his captives loose, and run before he knows what happened. This is your chance to get even."

I considered her for a long moment. It was a tempting proposal.

"...What's your plan?" I demanded, as I crossed my arms and sat down on a crate heavily.