01/26/2020 01:17 PM  Despair She watched the pilots sprint to their X Wings that were luckily still untouched, possibly out of sight due to the tall trees along the beaches. There took off in perfect timing as it wouldn’t be long before the T.I.E. bombers find where the resistance crafts were. The hiss of the engines could be heard signaling to Sedona that they were functioning still so she took off back into the forest, enduring more heat as she climbed through but the adrenaline numbed her from thinking too much about the burns along her legs. Her mind was on the trenches for a quick moment but the children of the land came to mind. Their innocent eyes in fear stole her focus. Did they make it to the caves safely as well as her fellow caretakers? The caves were a long distance from the trenches so if those in the trenches were safe, so were the children unless the First Order dropped on the high ground above the caves to descend into them. The air was becoming increasingly more difficult to navigate through with the smoke. Families of wildlife could be seen among the tall grass desperately looking for a way out of the imminent death that was devouring everything it touched. If only they could find aircraft to carry enough water but that wouldn’t be possible while the attacks carried on.  A strong force against the shield that Sedona placed back over her back pushed her slightly forward but she kept her balance as she ran. The force against the steel rang in her years. A burning sensation shot through her right leg, causing her to fall forward taking the wind from her lungs. For a second, she thought it was the burns from the fire that caused her to fall until she looked down to see a burn from something that penetrated her thigh. Her leg moved but the pain was too much to endure. It felt like her femur was no longer intact but it was impossible to tell with the blood and blackened flesh that contributed to the pain. A scream almost left her in agony as she heard the sound of one of the blaster rounds zoom over her. Whoever was shooting at her was somewhere in the distance, crouched low but was now guessing where she could be as she was protected by the tall grass but she needed to keep moving somehow before she becomes victim to the flames or being captured. Sedona curled herself as small as she could to hide under her shield. Her left leg which was also burned still had enough strength to help push her forward with the help of her arms to crawl forward, inch by inch. Thoughts of not being able to make it to the trenches were pushed from her mind, keeping fixed on the ones she held dear to her heart. She had no choice but to survive.  It felt like days had passed when it had only been hours. Crawling. Collapsing for breath while stabbing pain shot through her leg that consumed her attention. Moments of doubt that she would survive came and went. Her hope reignited when she could hear the sounds of ships flying above the land. The fire that rained down from above when all this began came to a pause. The X wings were in flight and the bombing would be over and all they had to worry about would be the stormtroopers. At least, that is what she hoped for. What if the X wings were being shot down? Sedona shook the thought from her mind to cling to the hope that they could all beat this together as a single army. Again, she pushed herself further until she felt there was nothing left. The shield on her back was weighing her down as the strength left her body due to her traumatic injuries.  The forest was falling silent. The flames continued with plant life crackling to ash that would find its way to the lungs of those trapped in the surrounding regions. The side of Sedona’s face rested upon the soft soil. Her fingers combed through the grass that still hasn’t been touched by the devastation. If she were to die here, at least she would become part of the land she loved in the soil that could regrow what was once thrived. Chocolate hues stared to her side to see nothing but stillness which calmed her through the throws of excruciating pain.  She’s here! Sedona could hear the male voice shout but assumed it was a dream as she felt herself drifting in and out of consciousness.  Sven carefully tilted the shield upward find the clasp of the leather strap that held the shield to the woman’s back. Once loosened, he pulled the shield from her revealing the small but strong woman who’s legs were charred. She shivered, not from cold but from the overwhelming pain coursing through her nervous system. Sven pushed the shield to roll on its side over to Poe that he saw was running from the beaches to them. Sven was also accompanied by quite a few of his soldiers who had Stormtroopers who were captured for interrogation that were hidden in the brush.  “You!” Sven pointed to Poe. “Take your people to the trenches until I return. Don’t let the enemy through.” Sven knew his soldiers could hold their own even without their commander but he wanted to take it upon himself to see that Sedona get the care she desperately needed in time before it’s too late. The healing waters of Starrdell.  0 Comments

01/24/2020 12:27 PM  I almost lost you “Sedona!”, a voice called for her coming from the beach. The ebony haired woman turned in the direction it was coming from to see one of their weapons specialists waving her down. The woman shouting was frantic, desperate to get to Sedona as quickly as possible.  Poe, she thought of his face. His smile and constant sarcasm that sometimes drove her crazy but also adored. He had been gone for close to three months with a few of Starrdell leaders to negotiate for assistance and the strong possibility of Starrdell no longer being inhabitable with the waves of battle destroying much of the planet’s forest life that once had a perfect balance. The planet was dying after the devastation that rained over it by the First Order.  “Tell me he’s alive!” She began running in the direction that the specialist came. The woman wasn’t able to answer in time when Sedona sprinted as quickly as she could down the beaches to the clearing where travelers land and take off safely. Two of their leaders, one of Poe’s fellow pilots and one of the defense soldiers carried a man who laid upon a firm board to transport the injured or the deceased. Her heart pained, it had to be Poe as he was no where in sight among the rest of them.  She followed closely, looking over him to gauge if he was alive. His face looked pale while blood could be seen over his sleeves and chest. Tears filled her eyes as she lost control of her emotions. The bond between the two escalated quicker than she intended. As war progressed, she found herself living in the moment during the quiet of the chaos and opening up. This wasn’t usually her character but something about him brought her to give herself to him completely in case their lives would end at any moment and it was only the moments together that mattered. How could she carry on without him after all this? “I have a spring that is still full.” Sedona guided the four men to her home that didn’t take long to get to at their speeds. They five poured into the entry of her home which was made from the land’s clay and dried leaves. The back wall of her home had a doorway which led to a hot spring with minerals that could heal many injuries as long as the person is in stable condition as it often took a while.  The board Poe rested upon had been placed alongside the spring where Sedona gathered up any cloth she could find to pile up next to him to cover as she wouldn’t be able to get him into the spring while he isn’t conscious. The men pulled open his shirt to reveal a series of burns over his chest and other open wounds that caused a loss of blood which would make him drift in and out of consciousness.  Poe mumbled, his eyes struggling to open to find where he is. The woman who cared for him, submerged the large towel into the hot spring water which illuminated the moment her hand touched it. Without writing out excess water, she placed it over his wounds, seeing him flinch at the sudden warmth which was comforting to her seeing his reflexes were still functioning.  She looked to the men who stood around, ready to take any instruction from her with helping Poe but she reassured he would be fine with her. “Inform the others what came of your mission. I will seek help if needed. He needs to rest.” The four quickly exited. She looked over them who had very minor injuries but Poe clearly took the bulk of it. He had to of put himself in this position to try to protect those from her planet. Although what happened wasn’t what mattered. It’s getting him back, to create a new plan for their people which Poe had become to them. He proved to be a part of their tribe through his loyalty and sacrifice.  She laid next to him, laying one arm over his chest that was covered in the healing water. She pressed her forehead to the side of his cheek while tears flowed down over her face toward the dirt below them.  Nothing was certain. Five hours passed and only movement that came from him where his fingers at times. Did they not make it in time?  Night had fallen upon them with the glow of some of the vines and flowers given the only form of light. It wouldn’t be long before all glow would be lost as life faded more every day. Finally, a groan escaped him. The next hour would consist of her speaking softly to him, reassuring him of who she was and he will be healed.  His consciousness was returning. His hand that rested beside him moved to the short, navy blue skirt that draped over her hip. Calloused fingertips moved down below where the skirt ended to feel the soft skin of her thigh where he gave a gentle squeeze.  She lifted her head from the dirt to study his face to see him start to wake. His eyes blinked to adjust to the glow of night. A smile cracked at the sight of proof she wasn’t going to lose him this time. Still kneeling beside him, her forehead came to press against his. Tears streamed from her closed eyes to his face. “Poe,” She whispered, relieved that she would be able to speak his name for him to hear. “You will be fine,” She assured. Poe would drift in and out of sleep until the early morning came. Sedona only left his side to bring water to drink for herself and a few times she was able to carefully get him to drink. He wasn’t fully himself most of the night as his body regenerated blood to natural levels. His eyes opened. A dim light was starting to awaken some of the birds that were nearby. His body ached but he was alive. The man pushed himself to his forearms to get a better look at his chest when the towel fell from him. The injury was closed but still healing. He looked to his side to see the Starrdell native asleep. His movement startled her, she shot up to see he was well enough to be awake. Cocoa orbs scanned over him to see the state of his condition. It worked. She scooted closer, taking his face in her hands while one leg moved to the other side of him, straddling him as he looked to her with relief that she was safe. “I need you here with me.” Her words could barely find their way to him as she broke down and cried, bringing him close into a hug. “We need to stay together. All of us. For survival and to rebuild somewhere, here or somewhere else. I would rather die here than risk you dying out there to save us.” She took a breathe to regain her composure. She hated that he left on this mission even though she begged him not to go. For three months, she cried worried she would never see him again.  She released him from her embrace to place her hands along his jawline, making his eyes meet hers. His lips parted to speak but stopped when she started. “Our children need you alive.” The child wasn’t just Zeph that she loved like her own. She had only found out she was pregnant a month before when she felt the usual symptoms. “I need you. Zeph needs you. Our son or daughter needs you.” Her lips pressed together, suddenly nervous of his reaction. She didn’t know when the right timing would be to tell him as her only concern was his return but her secret is now between the two of them. The thought of almost losing him forever crept into her thoughts as she looked at him looking back at her, taking in what she just shared with him. The more she tried to hold back tears the more they forced their way to steam down her cheeks. “I almost lost you.” Poe pulled her into his arms to distract from the tears that were now filling his eyes. Everything is different now. It’s not just about saving those native to Starrdell but it’s about saving a part of each of them; to create a new world, a new home to start something new. 0 Comments

01/20/2020 01:17 PM  Immersed (Reply to TSLKyloRen) *Sample* The moments of silence brought an unsettling feeling to her core. What if he was the mastermind behind everything and here he is, possibly fabricating a story with no remorse for the damage done and the lives lost. Her gaze locked to his in case he were to show any sign of guilt in his eyes. Nothing. Absolutely nothing reflected in his eyes. There was something else looking back at her in those conflicted pupils. A chill trickled down her spine. This could be the most dangerous man in the galaxy but she would stand up to anyone who could even possibly have a tip of their finger of involvement in the attack. I didn’t kill them. Lies. They had to be. It was nearly impossible to accept that she would never find those who attacked but perhaps he didn’t do any killing of her people but he could have been sitting content behind armored glass with a smirk spread over his face as he ordered the attacks. He could be lying about everything. She pressed her lips together for a moment as the thoughts tugged at her anger. He explained further about being assigned to track and kill those who carried out the attacks. But why? What would he have to gain? His ship didn’t have any emblems that resembled their visitors who have only shown kindness. If it had, he wouldn’t be held prisoner in such a way. It wasn’t like he was defending a land that possibly sold the steel that shaped his ship. Unless he tracked the steel to them but why defend their land over a third party trade that he had no involvement in, if that were to be the case. Hearing more, she felt sadness for anyone who sought the thrill of killing others for satisfaction. How could evil such as this exist or were they this naive? However, for all she knew, he could be describing himself in a narcissistic manner to bring evil to light while being disguised in his lies. He could be prisoner intentionally to be immersed in the aftermath of his own doing. His face lowered, breaking her view of his eyes. He spoke more of the evil. How much evil could be any worse than what they experienced? She swallowed, feeling her throat dry, not even realizing her lips parted while thoughts drifted into what she could never imagine in her worst nightmares. She noticed him look around the cave, examining the details, possibly planning his escape which she was not concerned over. There was no where he could go. His ship is hidden. He could run into the forest but without a group with him, he would be eaten by wildlife. Nature had a way of preying on those who wandered, which is why the community clung together for survival. Companionship was how the people thrived.  He was losing strength. His crash must have taken a toll on him. He looked exhausted. His eyes reflected that. He was possibly in need of water and food. That would wait. She needed him to realize she wasn’t going to give up on getting to the bottom of this so her people can plan their next action although they were limited on tools to attack those who attacked them. They didn’t even have ships. Only swords, shields, trenches, and the ability to engage in hand to hand combat but the galaxy had advanced more than she ever imagined. They remained a simple people, under the impression that compassion would see them through and no one would attack them for their valuable resources in exchange for hardly anything but friendship. Evil. That is the only word to fit the terror that came upon them. Her eyes also trailed along the cave walls, knowing he was looking but not seeing what this planet held; a life in itself. It was hardly just a rock in space with creatures inhabiting it.  He spoke of trickery. A chuckle escaped her. He could very well be the one tricking her. “Do you think you deserve friendship from my people? We do not seek revenge but to eliminate any future harm that could annihilate us.” She stood, looking down at the prisoner who would have his question about his execution left lingering. The female stepped away from him toward the edge of the cave. “You know nothing of Starrdell.” Her fingers brushed along the wall as she walked along it. Strands of algae illuminated in a turquoise glow, beginning where her hand touched, radiating outward all through out the cave.  “If you are to be executed for your crimes, what better place to be buried. You attack a land only to become a part of the soil that brings life.” Her gaze shifted from the twinkling specks to the prisoner who remained kneeling. An idea came to mind. She wanted him to see what Starrdell truly was. To feel more than the rock hard surface that must be aching his knees. If he had involvement in the attacks, she wanted him to see, smell, hear the damage it had done. Sedona walked back to the prisoner to stand behind him. She bent down to have her hands grip firmly onto his restraints around his wrists. With a firm pull upward, she helped the prisoner to his feet. She held him still for a quick moment to allow him to regain balance while blood flowed back to his legs that had to have felt like pins and needles by now. Once she could see he was steady, she took a few minutes to loosen the knots to free the prisoner’s hands. Once freed, she stepped around him while rolling the rope together, revealing that it too, glowed. “If you run, try to hurt me, or do anything outside of my commands, your execution will be expedited. 0 Comments

01/19/2020 11:33 PM  Assmed Gold and Crimson boots stepped quietly through the forest while Sedona Vee carefully made her way to the cave at the base of the tallest mountain of Starrdell. Approaching the entrance, she could see a few standing inside. The bonfire lit outside of it immuninated made everyone inside a silhouette. One of the defense members stepped toward her from the fire to halt her stride. Chocolate hues saw it was Sven who was much taller than her, his expression as serious as ever. “I was asked to come. You need help with a prisoner?” Sedona asked, trying to look past Sven to see what type of prisoner would need backup. “Sedona. He crashed here but the ship he was in looks to be similar to the ones that attacked us.” Sven stepped to the site, blocking her view from the cave to get her to focus. “He isn’t saying much. Something seems strange. He could be a spy. We need to approach this is a delicate manner. So you are needed here.” Sedona knew he wasn’t calling her delicate in any way but whatever she needed to do. This is someone they didn’t want to keep quiet as he could hold important information about who attacked. Could he be the one who ordered the attack? Could it be someone under his command? Sven continued. “You need to find out who he is. You use your sugar on him. If you understand what I mean. We’ll handle the rest. You’re to tend to him. Befriend him. Do whatever it takes. We’ll get to the bottom of this.” She nodded in agreement. Sven shifted to head back to the fire. Sedona walked into the cave where light flickered against the stone walls from the fire behind her. Three of the guards began to walk away from their prisoner, then past her to exit the cave. It was clear, her duty had already begun. She looked to a man, kneeling on the floor of the cave dressed in black. His wavy, ebony locks fell forward as his head hung forward, avoiding eye contact to his captors. His hands were bound behind him made from the lands strongest vines. Sedona brought herself down to a knee and looked him over, even though he still hid his face. The only movement she could see from him was his breathing. She wouldn’t to take hold of his face to meet his eyes and begin questioning him in any violent manner about if he had any involvement in the attacks on her home, endangering not only her people but the children that were dear to her heart. Her eyes closed while taking in a deep breath, calming her nerves.  Eyes opening, she looked to the man who’s face lifted to reveal hazel hues meeting hers. His top lip bled along with swelling. This was something inflicted by one of those that took him in during the first attempt of questioning. “Do you know how many you killed? How many children no longer have families? How many of our resources are gone?” She asked him in a calm manner while she searched his eyes for anger. “What would drive someone to do such evil?” As much as she tried to bring tears to her eyes, her anger took her focus.  0 Comments

01/14/2020 01:14 PM  It's not over (A Drabble) The earthy fragrance of nature burning all around them set in the reality that Starrdell would never be the same. Once a planet coated in brilliant green foliage. Glowing petals of flowers used to twinkle as far as the eye could see. The land now felt dark, most of the plant life carried by the breeze in ash and ember. The creatures of the land could be heard, calling for their young while desperately searching for water and safety. Sedona’s cheek laid against the dirt. Blood from the cut on her cheekbone had dried. A cough forced from her lungs, feeling a heavy breathe escape her only to take in more of the smoke that cloudy her view when her eyes opened.  The last thing she remember was a blast and a force that must have thrown her quite a distance. Her whole body ached when she pressed her forearms against the ground to lift herself from the ground, knowing she still had more fight left in her to defend her home.  The sound of someone coughing nearby caught her attention. She crawled as quickly as she could toward the sound, hearing it once more. She climbed over the large, fallen tree to see Poe on the other side of it. He rolled over onto his back, feeling just as she had moments before. “Poe,” she called to him, ensuring he was not alone. “The woods are burning. We need to get to the beaches.” She climbed down from the fallen tree, down to his side.  Lightheadedness felt like she would collapse but she managed to keep herself up with one hand on the ground and the other on Poe’s shirt. Her fingertips gripped onto the fabric while giving a nudge to encourage him to stand although it was exactly what she was to weak to try.  “It’s not over.” She spoke in barely a whisper, smoke making it difficult to fully inhale to speak. The words barely convinced herself that they could win this war. Poe placed his hand on hers, giving it a squeeze. “I know it’s not,” he reassured her, although not completely convinced but if she could hold on to hope, there could be a chance for at least her to survive. Poe pulled her hand over his chest toward his opposite shoulder to bring her closer to him, where she collapsed onto him. Her cheek rested against him, barely hearing his heartbeat beneath his clothing.  The air became even more difficult to breathe. Her thoughts wandered from the beating in the man’s chest to the blue face of the child, Zeph. A 3 year old of an alien race brought to Starrdell to be raised. His sunflower eyes captured her heart. She remembered the way he would look at her when he would follow her instruction and receive praise for it. Memories of how he clung her her leg when natives would speak to him. Tears steamed sideways down her face onto Poe. What if Zeph was dead? Unable to breathe? Afraid? Calling for her? “Dona!” She could practically hear his young voice all around her.  Thoughts of Zeph left her when fingertips combed through her long strands. “Thank you….” She quickly lost consciousness, her breathing becoming more shallow.  This is the end. Until…… 0 Comments

01/10/2020 01:54 PM  Sample. The first Wave (Ft. Like a riot) It had been 3 days since a group of travelers arrived on the white sandy beaches of Starrdell. Sedona had every intention of greeting as many of them as she could but Zeph, a 3 year old orphan from another planet needed her attention as he experienced the anguish that abandonment brought. For the past few nights, she slept on the floor beside his low hanging hammock in the school’s sleeping quarters for the children. This child clung to Sedona, a caretaker, from the moment he was brought to her by a traveler who felt the child would have a better life among them. She wanted to give him the extra room in her home but it wouldn’t be fair to the other children who also didn’t have a family to call their own. It was heartbreaking to know so many children were left or abandoned but at least they could call this compassionate place home. The sweet boy snuggled his blue doll that Sedona made for him, that looked just like him so he didn’t feel too out of place being the only one with cobalt skin among other unique features that made him different. Sedona listened, waiting for his breathing to slow as he drifted into a deep sleep. She too started to drift until a crash startled her to her feet. A few children began to stir, also hearing the commotion. “Go back to sleep, everything is alright,” she comforted. Another blast that sounded more like an explosion than a crash. The sound of concrete falling caused the ground to shake beneath her. Every child shook, wide eyed, jumping from their slumber. They all looked to one another, fear in their expression and then at Sedona who stood frozen, listening. She didn’t want to react and cause a panic among the younglings. “D-Dona?” Zeph, the small sapphire skinned boy called, now wide awake in fear.  The brunette caretaker looked to his sunflower hues looking at her for answers. Her lips parted to speak but no words escaped.  Another explosion. The children climbed down from their hammocks and huddled around her, a few clinging her to legs for a sense of safety. “Hold hands! Each of you. Stand in a line and hold the hand of one before you and behind you!” A few children followed her instruction, having to go through drills in case of an invasion a few years prior but it was hardly rehearsed enough as no one ever thought this would happen. Most of the children looked around, unsure of whether they should run. The other caretakers ran into the room, eyes wider than the children’s were. “Sedona,” one caretaker called to her, gathering as many hands of the children as she could. “We are under attack. Many of our structures are down. That’s all I can see. You go. We are taking the children to the caves.” Sedona nodded, knowing exactly what she was to do as she had training to be able to fight back in an emergency such as this although her weapons were no match against what was coming their way, which she would soon find out.  Sedona pulled Zeph’s hands from her leg before she bent down to kiss them. “It will be alright, sweetheart. Stay with the rest. You are being taken to safety. You’ll be alright.” She took one last look at his eyes that were filling with tears before placing his hands into those of another child. She turned away from him hurrying to the door, hearing Zeph’s screams for her as she left which brought the an ache to her chest to hear such a cry. Stepping outside, her eyes darted to the fires that were consuming the beautiful glowing plant life that was native only to Starrdell. “No.” This couldn’t be happening. Is this caused by the visitors that they just gave such a warm welcome to? A loud shriek echoed against the nearby mountains as a small gun ship flew over, bright traces of light shooting through the glowing blue-green palm trees, igniting them. Screams of families filled the air as they frantically searched for safety.  In the far distance, more small ships hovered the smaller mountains. It was difficult to see with the dim light from the two moons but it appeared their newfound enemy were being lowered onto their land. Without further hesitation, Sedona set out into the illuminated forest, each glowing flower making the ground below visible as her black knee high boots sprinted to her home which was made from wood and foliage of the land. Her arm swung forward, moving the fabric hanging in her entry way. She ran into the main room of her home. It only took a few minutes for her to dig out her shield, sword and rope that she was issued in her training. The shield was placed on her back with the strap across her upper body. Her rope attached to a loop along the waist band of her blue leather skirt just below her crimson top with gold accents. She hesitated with the golden headband her father gave her when she finished her training that was passed down in the family but she decided to place it along her forehead. If she would die protecting the land she held dear to her heart, at least she would die with a piece of who she came from.  Gripping her steel sword, she hurried out of her home back into the forests, unsure of where the lands fighters would gather to assess a plan of action. She stopped, looking to see anyone else with weapons that she could team up with as she knew it was better to fight in pairs or more to have a chance. Looking back to the direction she was heading, she halted. An armored being with a helmet pointed his blaster, aiming center to her face. She swallowed, heart racing in her chest. This is it. Her grip on the sword tightened but that blaster would have the advantage. Grip loosening, she allowed the steel blade to fall to the thick grass below. Palms visible, she slowly brought her hands out, hoping he would take her as a prisoner and she could possibly find a way out of this mess. Her eyes closed, taking in her last moments of freedom or life. A small blast sounded, ringing in her ears. Her eyes shot open. The sound of armor falling against the nearest tree brought her chocolate orbs to the enemy soldier on the ground with no further movement. Sedona spun around to see another man, lowering his own blaster to his side while stepping over a small shrub. She took a step back, almost losing her balance over the roots of a larger tree. It wasn’t until he stepped close enough to where a cluster of glowing flowers from a tree branch illuminated his face and his dark brown, wavy locks. Her only guess was he was one of the visitors she heard about but, who was attacking them and why? “How….How many are there? Of your kind? Do you all have these weapons?” She asked the stranger. Waiting for his response, she quickly turned to the deceased soldier, taking hold of his blaster with care as she didn’t want to shoot it by accident.  0 Comments

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