Chapter 5

Chapter Five

ZURA

The second I walked to those doors and saw the fires of the darkness raining upon us in a fury of anger and rage, all I could think of was OrO .

Ducking down, holding my arms up over my head, I try my best to avoid the flames falling from the sky as I dart toward the soldier barracks, praying that I catch OrO before he is dispatched to fight the fires these lava chunks are causing.

Mount Caldera has stood calmly watching over us from the beginning of time, but there is no denying the fury it's spewing from its top as I race through the streets.

Huge fireballs pepper the area all around me. I can't help from screaming out when one bounces off my shoulder, practically ripping my skin off as it flies by. Grasping my arm tightly, I make myself breathe through the pain as my blood runs down my elbow onto the ground. The screams of others can be heard all around me, but my only thoughts are of him. As I make my way forward, some of the roofs are catching on fire and the streets seem to be melting away right in front of me underneath the larger flaming boulders.

The heat surrounding me from all the fires is so intense, I can feel it burning the skin on my feet away. I keep weaving through the blocked and burning streets only to come upon OrO's door … standing wide open. Running inside, I look around frantically, but I know he is not here. " OrO !" Heading out the door I scream out his name, but there is no way he can hear me in all this chaos.

The sound of multiple footsteps heading my way has me turning back towards the main roadway. I spot Radyr running with several others. Waving frantically, it takes me a moment to get his attention. " Zura , get out of here, you need to seek shelter immediately." He has to scream for me to hear him.

" Have you seen OrO ?"

" No , but we have all been ordered to the forest. The fires are approaching the Sacred Waters ." He doesn't say anything else, just motions that he has to go.

I stand there wondering where or what to do. Huge explosions can be heard all around, and most of the village is on fire. I stand there numbly heartbroken by the horror happening all around me when a youngling comes running around the corner, screaming her mother's name. She is covered in dirt-streaked tears and there are minor burns on her arms. Grabbing her off the ground, her small arms wrap around my neck as she hides her face in my hair.

I take off, walking quickly back towards the fortress, hoping Mother has not been so heartless that she has closed the door to the most secure building in the area. Zigzagging through the rubble that was once our homes and businesses, I try to catch the attention of as many as I can to follow me. When I get to the front door. I can see one of the guards at the main entrance pushing an older Orc couple back, denying them entrance. He doesn't step back out of the way until he sees me holding the youngling in my arms.

" You will let these people pass! The fortress walls are sturdy and should withstand the assault the mountain is spewing upon our valley."

" Priestess Zura , Head Priestess Zlana told me to shut the doors."

" You let me handle her. I command you to open this sanctuary immediately! It was built to provide comfort and security for our kind and that's the purpose it will serve this rising." He takes the keys off his side and unlocks the main door, swinging them wide. " Now head into the village and let as many people know as you can to come here. We need our people together not scattered out into the wilds with no way to aid them."

He nods his head before sprinting away, grabbing a few other guards as he goes. Several of the lower priestesses are standing around the large windows looking out when I come in with the others. " Take care of these people, they need water and sustenance, possibly even some simple first aid."

I see one start to protest and I shut her up before she gets the chance to talk. " You are a priestess, sworn to love and cherish our people. Well , actions speak louder than words, so pray while you see to their needs. I am having the guards bring all who remain here. Any of you with medical training should set up a triage area for the injured coming in."

Lowering myself down, I slowly unwind the youngling's arms. Her little eyes dart everywhere, searching for a familiar face. Her sobs tear at my heart as she looks around. Wiping the tears away the best I can, I motion for one of the priestesses to come to me. When my mother's skirts come into my view, I look up at her. When she reaches for the child's hand, I pull her away. " Zura , I will watch over her until her family is found."

Torn , I don't know what to do. My heart is pulling me out the door, but the terror on the youngling's face makes me hesitate to leave. " You won't leave her? You will keep her by your side until her family arrives?"

" Zura , I give you my word."

I bend down so that I am eye level with her. " Do you know who this is?" She nods her head. " You may only know her as a priestess, but she is also a mommy. I want you to stay with her so I can go out and save some of your friends. Is that alright?"

Hesitantly , she takes Mother's hand. I am shocked when mother picks her up, hugging her tightly before walking away. Her little eyes never leave mine until she is out of sight in the mix of all the others entering the room. Looking around, I am happy to see that the priestesses are doing their best to attend to everyone for a change.

Another large explosion rocks the building and my legs are moving before the shaking even subsides. The trees are ablaze all around the sanctuary. The only safe place seems to be where the water hoses are stretched out along the ground, heading into the forest.

I understand the Sacred Waters are our most valuable commodity. However , in my mind, it is water, so it's not in serious danger. Whereas my people's homes and businesses are burning uncontrollably all around us. I am half tempted to pull one of the hoses back to try and save something. Without my mother's permission, I have already gone against her wishes and opened the fortress gates. I have no idea how she would respond if I pushed her further.

Rushing forward to unwind one of the big hoses, I can hear the males yelling out orders not far ahead of me. Not paying attention to my surroundings, as I am fighting the massive hose, I suddenly find myself surrounded by flames. Disoriented and coughing, I lower myself to the ground, trying my best to make myself as small as possible as the smoke converges all around me. My lungs and throat feel like they're on fire as I try to gasp for air. The sound of something cracking above me has me looking up and before my mind can grasp what I am seeing. I am slammed to the ground by a huge burning tree, its great weight crushing me underneath its burning trunk.

The last thing I hear before the pain and darkness take me is OrO's voice screaming out my name.