The little bell over the door rattled against the glass, but no bell-tone sounded. Diana looked up at it as she grabbed up a paper, and turned towards the counter.

“You need a new bell, Daniel…”

“I know, Diana, it’s on order,” called a muffled male voice. She chuckled, and tossed a couple coins onto the counter.

“It’s just paper, moneys on the counter,” she added, stepping back out the door before he responded. Diana raised a hand, knocking her light blonde hair off her shoulder as she skimmed the front page, her feet carrying her down the sidewalk. Her eyes never lifted from the paper, not even when the attention-grabbing rumble of the F150 down the street began to sound as the engine turned over, and the driver pulled out onto the street to follow her.

She jogged up the steps, past multiple apartments, before reaching her own. Unlocking the front door, Diana stepped in and pushed the cool white door closed, tossing her keys onto the table before heading to the kitchen. Her attention was on the want ads before her, as she splayed them out on the counter to read them better, and not on her front door as it creaked open. When she stepped back to get a glass of water, she heard the latch on the front door, and turned. After a moment of nothing else, she shrugged it off, and picked up a pair of scissors, moving onto her balcony. Opposite from the door was a small planter, with multiple colored flowers growing from the dirt. Diana smiled at them, and moved over, gently cutting out one of her flowers, sniffing it as she always did.

“Surprise,” whispered the voice. Diana spun, dropping the scissors but clutching the flower.

“Andy?! What are you doing here, you aren’t allowed in here,” she said angrily, pushing on his shoulder. He gave a careless shrug.

“Came to see my girl.”

“I am not your girl. I haven’t been you girl in a long time, okay? So just…I don’t know, go find some two-bit whore to stalk instead of me,” she snapped, but knew right away he was going to ignore that statement.

“So how’s my girl today?” he asked, moving a step forward. Diana stepped back. She’d always been a little bit afraid of Andy – with his six foot two, weight-lifter frame, he’d always towered over her, and been much stronger, too. Today, though, something strange glinted in his hazel eyes, which sent the shivers across her skin and frightened her more than usual.

“Andy…please, just leave me alone? I don’t love you, I don’t even like you,” she said, forcing herself to sound strong. His hands shot out, grabbing her shoulders and causing her to cry out in surprise.

“Don’t lie to me! C’mon, you know I love you, you know-“

“No you don’t!” she shrieked. “You never have! Get the fuck off me!” Her voice bounced off her balcony doors as she shoved at his hands to get him to let her go. He swung his hands away from her shoulders, leaving his left hand at his side as his right swung around and latched onto her throat. She coughed, sputtered, in surprise. Her eyes went wide as she began to tug at his hand to get it away from her neck.

“Don’t you ever hit at me, woman, got it? Didn’t anyone ever teach you manners?” he growled in her ear as he yanked her towards him. She could barely breathe, her lips beginning to shade away from the light pink they’d been just a moment before. She wheezed, struggling to breathe as he clenched his hand. Diana clawed at his arm and hand with one hand, while she smacked against his shoulder with the other.

“Let….go….” she gasped, unable to breathe. That only made him squeeze her throat harder, causing her to squeak as she struggled to breathe. Andy backed her up, shoving her onto the cold metal railing of the balcony guard, and Diana began to lose sight of him as things became blurry.

“Don’t hit me,” he snarled, shaking her roughly by the throat. Diana clutched her hand, and realized that she was still holding her flower in her hand. Her eyes shaking slightly, she lifted that hand, and shoved it – hard – into Andy’s eye. He yelped, shoving her as he yanked his hands back to grasp his eye. Diana began to cough, and things quickly got clear as she realized she’d been pushed off the balcony. She screamed, her voice echoing across the building, the drive beneath her. Her legs kicked, though she knew it would do no good. The open windows caught her scream on the breeze, and parents, caretakers, elderly were leaning out to see what had happened, all of them crying out as her scream was silenced only by the sickening crack and thud on the concrete. Tires squealed as a few cars in the drive hurried to get out of her way, trying not to hit her. Her face was down on the warm ground, and her eyes were open in small slits. She saw the stem of her flower, lying in her limp hand, as her eyes closed completely.

There was a flutter, very soft, against her cheek, and a chirping from a distance. Her eyes fluttered open, and she sat up quickly, eyes wide. No asphalt. No apartment building. No Andy. Nothing. What she saw was something she couldn’t see within 5 miles of her building. Trees taller than you could tell, seemingly leaning inward, were a deep shade of green. Beneath them, the soft grass was a brilliantly bright green, dotted along with flowers of red, yellow, orange, pink, even blue. Diana’s breath caught in her throat as she looked around, overwhelmed with a wave of confusion : Where am I?

The brush nearby shook, creating a rustling that caused her to spin and stand uneasily. A tanned female emerged, brushing her fingers through her light blue hair, grumbling. Light. Blue. Hair. Diana stepped back, opening her mouth to speak, but she froze again at the ears, the pointed ears that came out from beneath the light blue hair. The unfamiliar woman looked up, and stopped, startled.

“O! Hello!” she called. “Where did you come from?” she asked curiously. Diana looked around.

“Hum…well…I…the city,” she answered, really unable to recall it. The woman tilted her head, curiously.

“Well, then, what’s your name, stranger?”

“Diana…D-Diana Watson…”

“Alright, then, Diana Watson. My name is Kiara…I am-“

“Where am I?” she asked, not meaning to interrupt Kiara. She raised an eyebrow.

“Well, you’re in Nevermore, lass,” she replied with a chuckle. “Wherever do you think you are?”

“I…have no idea,” she said softly, looking around. Kiara was watching this woman, this unfamiliar creature, but sighed.

“If it would please you, or help you find your way, you may ride back to town with me.”

Diana looked around the forest as Kiara bounced the reins of the horse, having him trot back to town. The beautiful array of colors from the wood she’d awoken in was quickly replaced with a solid stream of brown – dirt roads, homes that seemed war-torn. Each home was no more than a body width apart, and the roads were no more than paths trampled out from years of heavy stepping men traveling over them. Kiara trotted the horse to the end of the main road, and climbed down. Before them was an average two story home, with rotted boards colored a dusky gray. A large knot formed in Diana’s stomach as she hopped off the horse as well.

“Come along,” Kiara said, moving up the steps. Taking a deep shaky breath, Diana did so, afraid as to what was inside. As the front door swung open, Diana practically had to gather up her jaw from the floor, wide-eyed and amazed at what she saw.

“Who goes there?!” a voice bellowed from the other end of the hall. From outside, the building looked no different than a dilapidated two story home. However, once on the inside, it was nothing of the sort. The hall alone seemed to stretch for at least a half mile. The walls, while they stood majestically around them, were covered in murals, portraits of warriors and wars, kings and queens, and their families. A few rugs hung from the ceiling, to divide one mural from another, colored a deep red, with lighter blue Celtic crosses printed upon them.

“It’s your captain, Queen.” Kiara led Diana down the remainder of the deep purple carpet towards the voice, kneeling on a navy blue step once they’d arrived. Dianna looked up at the woman before them. Sitting in a tall backed silver throne was a woman, with creamy white skin, who looked no older than her late twenties. What first caught Diana’s eye, though, was her hair, which was a light mauve with sky blue streaks. Glancing at Kiara, she guessed hair color had no boundaries – hers was ocean blue.

“Who is this?” the woman asked, pointing a weary finger at Diana, who stepped back a little uneased.

“This, my Queen, is Diana. I found her in the forest, lying in the grass. She said she’s from the city…” Her voice trailed up, as though partially leaving it a question that the Queen could answer. She stared at Diana, before giving a faint smile.

“Welcome to Nevermore, Diana. I am Queen Lillian. I see you’ve met my niece, Kiara,” Lillian stated, nodding to the woman.

“Yes, ma’am,” she answered, shakily but strongly. As Lillian parted her light pink lips to speak, the main door burst open and swung about as a man raced down the hall.

“You’re majesty!” Diana turned to watch the man run up, his black hair flapping about messy, tanned face. His chest heaved as he breathed deep. “The army of Maystog is at the ready, they will be in our boundaries within a week,” he said, standing straight and bowing his head to her. “We need our captain.” His strong gray eyes landed on Kiara, and she arched an eyebrow.

“You know how to make decisions with the army,” she pointed out.

“Not without your permission, captain,” he said, the taste of jealousy dripping off the word. Kiara watched him carefully as she grabbed his arm, hurrying off to the army room.

“That was Illinan. He will introduce himself in time,” Lillian began, “but he is our greatest warrior.”

“Why am I here?” she questioned suddenly. Lillian looked over in surprise.

“What do you mean?” With a heavy sigh, Diana bowed her head and explained Lillian what had happened to bring her into the woods, as best she could.

“I do not know, Diana…Perhaps there is a service you will provide for us, or one we will provide for you, while you are here,” she said, with an unsure tone. Diana nodded, and looked over at the doors. Maybe…but what on Earth could I do?

Diana sat uncomfortably at the end of the dining table, while the Queen, Kiara, and Illinan sat a few seats away, eating their dinner that evening.

“Why did you invite that unfamiliar girl to dinner, Kiara? We hardly know who she is…” Lillian said honestly, looking down at Diana. Kiara looked up, and moved her hair behind her ear.

“She is new, and she is lonely. Besides, if she were wanting to hurt us, she would have done so already…”

“Perhaps she is a spy for the Maystog,” Illinan suggest nonchalantly, continuing to eat. Kiara thwacked her foot into his shin, glaring across at him.

“Impossible. She looks nothing like-“

“They could have taken her from another culture,” Lillian pointed out, interrupting Kiara. She sighed a little.

“Do you trust me, Aunt Lillian?”

“Of course I do dear…that’s why your cap-“

“Then trust me here. Let her stay.” Lillian gave a defeated sigh, and nodded consent, going back to her meal as they all. Illinan gave a cold look to Kiara, rubbing his shin as he finished eating.

Diana sat on the stoop of the Queen’s home, watching the dust blow across the rode in the wind that sent chills up her arms. Kiara opened the door, and took a seat beside her, looking at her.

“Hello, Diana…”

“Hi.” Kiara waited a second for more, and looked at the road, as well.

“What’s on your mind, friend?” Diana was thinking a lot of things at that moment, about herself, her home, her surroundings…everything. And Diana was never much of share-your-thoughts kind of person, but right now, she had nothing to lose, entirely, and since Kiara took her in, she felt very comfortable where she was sitting. A heavy sigh passed her lips, and she closed her eyes.

“A million things at once…”

“Start at the beginning.” Diana nodded.

“I just…there’s so many things back home that I never found out, that I wish I could have.” Kiara looked at her.

“Like what?” Diana looked up at the sky.

“My mother…Oh…when I was a baby, I was put into this orphanage…I had no parents, I never had any parents. I turned 18, and worked my way to where I was at. Not too far, just a small, dead-end job,” she said, forgetting that Kiara probably had no idea what that meant. “I wanted to know who they were, but I was afraid if I did then, they would be ashamed…but now that, where that place is concerned, I’m dead…I wish I’d found them before.” Kiara heard the pain in Diana’s tight voice, and put an arm around her shoulders.

“I’m terribly sorry, Diana. That must have been terrible for you.” She nodded her head a little bit, and sighed.

“So…what’s the deal with you and Illinan?” she asked honestly, looking over her shoulder. Kiara looked up.

“What do you mean?” she asked, utterly unsure. Diana gave a shrug, her shoulders bouncing against Kiara’s arm.

“Are you two friends, or are you really as angry with each other as it seems?” Kiara laughed, a smile curling her lips up.

“Illinan is my friend. We grew up together, him being the older one. He’s just always been sore that I am the army captain and not him…to be honest…I don’t even like this position.” Diana stared, silently thinking, ahead of her.

“Then…why don’t you hand the title to him?” Her voice surprised even her – she didn’t realize she had thought up something, and the both of them jumped, and looked at each other.

“What?” Kiara questioned.

“Make him the captain…”

For two weeks, Diana dwelled with Kiara and her kind. Kiara took it upon herself to teach Diana combat, to protect herself and others in the upcoming war. Although he was hesitant, Illinan helped, as well, because Kiara asked him to.

“In the war against the Maystog,” Kiara would repeat, “everyone must fight.” Diana was taught how to yield the sword, to swing the sword, and to destroy the enemy if need be. Even with as reluctant as Illinan was to help, he taught Diana how to be quite the skilled handler.

Kiara stood inside Lillian’s home, watching the battle rage on the horizon. She rested her hands on the rail around the balcony, from her second-story room, finally lowering her eyes from the war, to the ravaged ground below. Illinan moved up behind her, with his hands behind his back.

“Kiara-“

“Yes?” she questioned, not looking up. Taking a breath, he continued.

“Lillian has called a war conference. She needs to know our next move,” he replied, bowing his head and turning to leave.

“…Wait.” He paused in mid-step, and turned his body, placing his feet on the floor once again, looking back at her.

“Yes?” A sigh, and Kiara withdrew a dagger from its sheath upon her ankle.

“Illinan…” she started, before closing her eyes. “When I turned one hundred and ten, I was given title as army captain. I stood in that position for twelve years now, but I cannot hold it any longer. Too much war and death on my young heart, as well as the fact that I am not as knowledgeable as some.” She turned around, and looked at him. “You stood by my aunt’s side as she gave this title to me, not you, you at two hundred and three. You applauded for me, as though more happy than ever, but I could tell in your eyes that you were unhappy, that you were wishing that it had been you, not I, who was called forth. I’ve known everyday since then that I do not deserve this title…” He bit back a remark, watching to see what she would do. “I’m the youngest captain our army has ever seen, and I want to relinquish my title to you…” she explained, holding the dagger out to him, with a sword and an arrow crossed on the end of the handle, the letters CA (Captain of Army) engraved at their meeting. He stared in surprise and awe.

“Kiara…I couldn-“

“I am rightfully giving the position of captain of the army to you. You should have had in the first place, not I. I’m not a warrior, let alone a leader of many warriors. I give you the dagger, I give you the title.” She held her tongue so she didn’t say any more, knowing there was something else she could give that she feared he wouldn’t take. Illinan held the dagger as though it would break, and examined it, before looking to her.

“Kiara…I….” He stopped, taking a deep breath as he placed the dagger in his own sheath. “I will do justice to this title. You will not regret it.” She nodded, and leaned up, kissing his cheek ever so gently as she moved into the house. Illinan watched her go, surprised, and gulped, moving after her.

Diana approached Lillian and Kiara at the edge of the city, looking over at their horses. She climbed off her own, and let it stand with the other three, moving to see Illinan standing with the women. The war had moved closer, close enough to the city that they could hear the swords clanging together, and the battle cries echo across the trees. Illinan checked to make sure his armor was secure, as well as his weapons.

“You fight to your power,” Lillian said, putting her hand upon his shoulder. Kiara nodded in agreeance.

“We will be ready for your return,” she added. Illinan nodded to Lillian, and moved towards Kiara, extending his hand passed her to Diana, shaking it strongly.

“You are a fine warrior, my friend. I am glad you’ll be here as a resource.” Diana smiled, shaking his hand in return.

“I am glad that I could be of service, to repay you all for your kindness.” Diana stepped back, to be beside Lillian, as Kiara stepped forward.

“You are very brave, Illinan, for taking on the title of captain, as well as leading the army. Be careful – wee need you to return home.” Illinan smiled, and bowed his head, but rather than bring it back to look at her, Illinan leaned over and set his lips on hers. Kiara’s eyes went wide, and he pulled away.

“I must go…” He turned, mounting his horse and clicking his tongue as they rode towards the trees, and the battle. Diana and Lillian looked to each in surprise, and Kiara stood frozen to the ground. Illinan had just gone out of sight when Kiara broke into a run, leaping upon her horse’s back and kicking its sides.

“Hiyah!” she exclaimed, riding off after him. Diana jumped.

“Kiara! Where are you going?!” Lillian called.

“I have to tell him!” she yelled back, and Diana climbed upon her horse.

“You get back to your home, I’ll bring her back,” she said, racing after her friend.

Illinan was in the middle of Nevermore’s army, sword at the ready. The last thing he was expecting was the voice of Kiara screaming his name, and he spun.

“Kiara! Get out of here, go home!” he called, looking behind him before making his way to her. She leapt from her horse, as it kept running, and raced to him.

“I…had to tell you…that-“ Swords were clanking behind him, and they both looked, before he grasped her elbow roughly, hurrying her away from the sounds.

“What? Tell me what, that couldn’t wait?”

“I love you!” She pushed her lips to his, surprising him, but making him kiss her back for less than a minute. He pulled away, and smiled, touching her cheek.

“I love you, too…Now get out of here, your needed with the Queen,” he said, pointing to her horse. She began to turn away, when she saw a creature, tall and well-muscled, green skin and yellow eyes, racing towards them with its blade wielded over its head.

“Look out!” she screeched. Illinan spun around, yanking his blade up…and jumped to miss slicing Diana.

“Get back up there!” she called, swinging her sword against the creatures. She raised it up, bringing it upon his shield hard enough to knock him back. Her eyes moved. “Illinan, go! Kiara, get back to town!” Kiara started for her horse again, but as she grabbed his reins, Diana cried out, gurgling softly. Kiara spun on her heels, yelping in surprise: the very tip of the creatures blade was barely visible protruding red from Diana’s back. Her face became pale as the creature roughly tore the blade from her body. Diana dropped to her knees, then on her butt, as Kiara grabbed her dagger, throwing it as hard as she could. As it embedded itself in the creatures forehead, he fell to the ground, twitching slightly. Kiara hurried, pulling Diana upon her horse to get her from the battle. She clutched her stomach limply, her head bobbing as her eyes closed, and her skin began to cool.

“Wake up, child…” Diana slowly opened her eyes at Lillian’s request and looked around in uncertainty.

“Lillian…I’m d-dying…aren’t I?” she whispered. Lillian sadly nodded.

“But not alone. Not this time.” Her eyebrows knitted together in confusion.

“Wha-“

“You spoke to Kiara of not knowing your parents, your mother, and of your death where you came from.”

“Ye-“ Lillian raised a hand, stopping Diana from speaking.

“Just know this Diana. This time, when you pass, you will know a bit about your mother. She loves you, very much. She always has. And she was with you everyday,” she said softly, letting a single finger rest over Diana’s heart. She smiled very faintly, and let her eyes flutter closed. Lillian pressed her lips to Diana’s forehead as she stood, and pulled the blanket to her shoulders.

“Why didn’t you tell her?” Kiara asked from the doorway. Lillian looked over, moving towards her and silently closing the door.

“Because telling her now would only raise more questions, and Diana needed to pass peacefully this time. There are no more realms for our young fighter to go through, and her last moments need some closure, rather than questions,” she said honestly, making Kiara smile.

“For once, the young girl has peace,” Kiara said nodding. She bowed her head to the door, and moved with Lillian down the hall to the throne room, to await Illinan’s return.