“How dare you! I can’t believe you would go and say something so absurd!”

“Absurd? Absurd?! You’re seriously calling me absurd right now? You’re the one going on a rampage like a toddler pitching a fit.”

“Ohhhh wow so original, calling ME the child here- you’re no different!”

“Yes, that’s exactly what I’m calling you, and I’ll keep reminding you until you’re ready to have an adult conversation. That’s the difference between you and I. I’m always ready, you never are.”

“I-I” the raging woman huffed harshly in frustration “I hate you!”

She froze instantly as the words left her lips, eyes wide with instant regret. She hadn’t meant to spew such heavy words on such a miniscule argument.

“Well, Ashley, if I knew you felt that way I would’ve decided to end things a long time ago. Maybe we should reconsider things if you really can’t stand me that much.”

A fury fueled by hurt boiled in her blood at the ease with which he was so flippantly suggesting they throw away all they had built over the past six years. Tears welled from the heat of her anger.

“Maybe we should.”

“Fine.”

“Fine.”

Tears now welled so the only thing Ashley could see was the fractured image of her now ex, Noah standing in front of her cooly.

Without pause Noah turned and stalked into their shared apartment bedroom, slamming the door behind him and effectively ending the conversation.

Now left standing alone in the middle of their living room, still bathed in the soft light of their Christmas tree, the molten rage she once felt cooled until the only feeling left was that of an icy pit in the bottom of her stomach. Dread washed over her at the finality of their words and along with it a much more intense feeling of regret and shame. Why had she let the rage she felt consume her like a wildfire covering a hillside? She could have just as easily stopped things from escalating as she did encourage it.

At last, the tears began to fall. She covered her lips as she began to feel them tremble, shame washing over her like a rogue wave.

Could she still fix this?

Truthfully, she didn’t know. Her and Noah had known each other for years even before they started dating, yet they’d never had an argument quite like this one before- one so filled with heat and venom.

Slowly, she began to make her way to their guest bedroom usually reserved for when their friends and family came to visit from home. With a stillness and silence so unlike the fire that had so volatiley burned just five minutes ago, Ashley closed the door and shuffled over to the bed. As the tears poured and her hideous cries of shame began, Ashley crawled under the covers and lay in the dark alone- just as she felt she deserved to be.

The rest of the weekend went by quietly, with Ashley successfully managing to avoid any run ins with Noah. Most of her time was spent making an indent into the right side of the guest bed, where she cried endlessly. She could hear each night Noah answered the door that weekend, howling and jeering happily with his friends before leaving to go out for a night at the bars. The part that crushed her more than anything was never hearing him come back.

As she cried pitily, she couldn’t help but feel like she deserved all of it even more.

Sadly, tomorrow was Monday which meant she would have no choice but to get up extra early if she was to continue to avoid running into Noah. They both usually had work around the same time and would usually share their mornings together- “Start things on the right foot,” they would say.

As much as she craved to see him and talk to him, apologize even, Ashley didn’t think she could face him after acting the way she did. Part of her knew she should at least try, but the burn of her shame kept her from listening to what she knew was true. So she crept from her room silently, ushering into the kitchen to refill her now empty water bottle. She’d staved off her thirst long enough until the sound of Noah’s footsteps were no longer heard and Ashley could be sure he’d gone to bed.

As she rounded the kitchen corner, her hunch had been proven correct- all lights were off with Noah nowhere to be seen. With a subtle sigh of relief, Ashley opened the fridge and grasped the pitcher of filtered water they kept there. Turning to grab her water bottle, she froze. Blue icy eyes pierced into her soul from the doorway of the kitchen. Noah was in fact up.

“I…”

She began formulating words only to realize that she wasn’t even quite sure what to say. It was more than possible he didn’t want to hear anything from her in that moment if the look in his eyes was any indication. Instead she gulped the words she didn’t feel the strength to utter, opting to turn and finish filling her bottle.

“I was just heading to bed.”

She turned to begin her exit from the kitchen when a tall bare chest stepped in her way.

“After three days of avoiding me that’s all you have to say?”

She chanced a glance to his face and was stunned to find a deep hurt pooling in his eyes. She’d expected a blaze of icy anger, not the blue depths of despair she now gazed into.

“I… I think I’ve already said enough.” She didn’t utter the unspoken words that lay beneath hers, ‘I don’t want to hurt you more than I already have.’

His face scrunched into a glare.

“You don’t just get to tell me you hate me without offering me an explanation.”

He was right. She owed him that at the very least. Nevertheless she could feel the flames stirring in her chest.

“If you wanted an explanation so badly then maybe you should never have stormed off.”

His piercing gaze flicked between her eyes as though contemplating. Then, without warning, Noah reached forward and grasphed Ashley by her hips. Before she could protest he pulled her into him, wrapping his left arm around her waist as his right hand tangled itself in her hair. He burried his face in her neck, a new sense of desperation seeping from his voice.

“Please, Ash, stop this. I don’t want to fight anymore.” He paused, waiting for her to resist him and fight back. When she didn’t he continued, “I’m sorry for what I said, deeply and truly. It was a stupid thing to say.” He took another breath. “I just want you in my arms again, Ash, but I need to know if you meant what you said. I need you to talk to me.”

Ashley couldn’t fight the tears that had been lingering under the surface anymore. She clutched onto the back of Noah’s shirt like her life depended on it as her cries came forth.

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean any of it, Noah I’m so sorry…”

Noah simply held her as the fire that once pooled in her belly doused, placing gentle kisses in her hair.

Ashley knew deep down it was his way of forgiving her and the ever molten fire that she sometimes became.

His eye struck me with simmering rage. “Delia, why?” He uttered, his voice stern. Theo knew then, he knew that I put myself in a dangerous situation, one that could’ve killed me. “I cannot wait for more people to die to take action, Theo,” I explained. “I will fight for our kingdom’s peace.” “Delia, you barely know how to fight! How will that be any help to anyone?” He said, furious. He caught my words. He was right; I’ve barely any knowledge how to fight beyond knowing how to throw a punch. Theo’s molten eyes suddenly soften. “I know you want to help, Delia. But putting yourself in danger will only hurt you…and me. It pains me to know you’re in danger.” He cups my cheek, his eyes filled with sorrow. “I can’t handle the thought of you gone, Delia,” he confessed. I put my forehead against his and intertwine my fingers with his. “You won’t lose me, Theo, I promise,” I assured, continuing,“but what of the crisis. I can’t just sit back and watch the kingdom get overthrown by the enemy.” Theo brushes my hair behind my ear. “We’ll begin training, tomorrow, before dawn.” I smile. “But,” he continued, “please stay beside me.” “Always.” I place a kiss on his brow.

when I see him I turn to mush, molten lava, a melted blob. he makes me weak, he makes my tummy feel funny and my hands tingle. I can imagine him hurting the people that have hurt me. I can imagine him getting furious when I don’t take care of myself. I can imagine him holding my hand and keeping the hair out of my face whenever I just need a good, long, cry. I can imagine him helping me through whatever crisis life decides to throw at me next. I can imagine his smile and presence making me happy, making me laugh out of joy. with him, I could feel safe and loved. I’d feel solace in knowing he’d do anything for me. but alas, it’s all in my imagination. none of it is probably true. but I have hope it just might be. but probably not.

His presence always stirs something furious in the eyes of others, his softspoken words sung into various ears, slithering pleasant ideas into other’s minds, but never with me. When others’ hearts previously closed had quickly turned molten underneath his warm gaze, he just simply could never find a way to wriggle into brain, nor heart. A steel wall, a impenetrable fortress, a crisis he just couldn’t handle. It’s a shame everyone he pierced those silvery words into had to see his eventual breakdown and fall so soon, but, that’s what you get. If you’re going to play a game, just be prepared to lose.

His molten stare cuts me from across the table. I try to stray my eyes away, But he does not stop. “Greta, what do you do with your life?” His taunting voice asks. I get nervous. “I read” I pause and think, “and bake, and—“ I cut myself off, feeling the crisis creeping up. I have nothing to say to him. I search and search for words, but can find none. “That’s all you do?” He snarks. “I- yeah?” I sputter out. This conversation is going so bad. I look over to my friend beside me, my eyes pleading for help. Though, she finds no helplessness in my eyes. “Greta, you’re such a boring person.” He says, completely honest. He goes back to his work. I pause and ponder his words. Boring. Boring. I. Am. Boring.

Sheathed in a cloak of mystery, untouchable to those around him is Ephai Vitalis. His ascent to power within the cut throat underground of Ember Shade at a young age was enough to set him apart from the other thugs and wanna-be thieves that attempted to make their way up ranks in the vast underbelly of the tyrannical empire. There was no clear name for the operation he took over, but Ephai made sure to finely tune it so there was little room for error; However, even the most well-oiled machines can break down under pressure.

Working under the nose of an authoritarian government leaves a lot of possibility for error, especially when you employ the simple-minded. He had always been under the assumption that betrayal or failure would come from within,so when he had five of his best men delivered by Raptor maw, he was taken a bit off guard. There was no loss of life, each of them had just taken a heavy beating and were then returned with a message. A warning and an offer.

The details of the message were simple. Ember Shade doesn’t need you for this purpose, Ephai. It needs someone who can look out for the little guy. Someone who can save the innocent, take from the greedy nobles and give back what has been stolen. The offer was a fresh start. A new purpose. The warning was much more grim. In less than a days time, the Undercity he helped build will be no more, the people he looked out for will be removed and himself along with them. Move now or risk being here when it all goes down.

Ephai spared no thought to quietly moving out as much of the Undercity as he could that night, thankful to the violent, yet somehow still kind stranger who delivered this message to him.

It was dawn as he watched the Imperial Soliders kick in doors to homes and businesses, he lurked in the shadows as they did, stowing away each face he saw in his memory. He took note of every Magistrate that attended, most of whom read out a parchment of legalese that might as well have said, ‘Get out Peasant. We need your home or business for our own nefarious purpose.’

He wouldn’t stand for this upheaval and he would not let this crime go unpunished.

When Gim gets scared, his skin molts into poisonous oil as a defense to burn everything that’s in contact.

This makes things hard for Gim, living in a big city and all, of course. So Gim makes sure to avoid the alley ways, avoid crossing the busy “honk” sound filled streets, and even avoids walking by benches because those have pigeons (and we all know that pigeons aren’t real; they’re just a made up ploy by the CIA to have free roaming tech that spies on people).

One day, Gim has an existential crisis, and so he calls his friend Monty on the phone, because dragging another soul into a sea of hurendous thoughts is a necessary thing to do.

“Monty!” Gim says, pacing back and forth around his bed “I’m going to die one day!”

“Gim are you serious?” Monty gives a scoff. “You woke me up for this? I was having a nice nap ya know”.

Monty’s always acts furious when he’s sleep deprived, agitated by even the most negligible things.

(A small character profile on Nova from my series of Trust stories. Can be read separately though.) ———

Nova grew up in crisis. With her sister being a witch in a witch-hating world, she has never known peace.

She tries to be optimistic for Haze, but underneath, she is furious. Anger fuels every step, every action.

Haze is beautiful, inside and out. Nova thinks that if you literally cut into Haze, rainbows and flowers would sprout. She would give anything to help anyone, even people who hate her.

And yet, Nova would let them rot. They would rather see witches like Haze burn in the flames. Be torched from molten lava. Die a horrible death.

If you wish that upon someone else, be prepared to face it yourself. That’s Nova’s mentality at least. Haze would greatly oppose it if she knew the fury behind the front she puts up.

She and Haze have been on the run for as long as she can remember. The vendetta against magic users is strong throughout the kingdom. In Nova’s opinion, it would take an astronomically big event for change to occur.

Maybe one day it would be different. That’s what she says to her sister and to herself when things look grim.

The only hope she has is that Haze gets to see that day.

My fury creeps like scorching lava No firey explosion just steady flow Of white hot pain hardening into rock In molten submission oozing quiet and slow A volcano is power but I’m the chill one so Even in crisis my rage doesn’t show Rocks are made by cooling down so If I’m mad I’m often the last one to know There’s power in being go with the flow but If the magma is blocked then where does it go? Even deeper maybe but here’s what I know It’s not smart to go near a silent volcano

The place had seemed quiet, in a peaceful way, a couple of hours ago, compared to now. A work place that had been a safe place.

Anthony had been hitting on Julia again. And though she had a pout on her lips, her eyes occasionally twinkled and she was doing that thing with her hair that proved she enjoyed the attention and could flirt away if she wanted. Matthew was losing it with whoever he was speaking to on the phone, you could tell by how his ears and face were beginning to turn red. It was a good thing that I wasn’t the phone who had his job. I would have quit. You can never truly satisfy anyone and his face right then had been a testimony of that.

“Here is your coffee.” McKenna’s small but charming voice was right next to me. She had a small, beautiful smile on her lips that lightened up the whole world.

“Thank you,” I took the coffee from her with much appreciation. This was the favourite part of my day. Standing there, a latte in hand and the smile of the most beautiful woman in the world. If I could dare to tell her myself. I averted my gaze from her face when I thought that my heart was going to explode if I kept staring at her that way. Her small nose, her tiny lips, the fringe that covered the small part of her forehead. It was all but perfect.

“Are you alright?” She called back my attention. Our eyes met and her cheeks turned red. I smiled, foolishly and looked away again when my phone beeped. I should have probably ignored it. Matthew’s job was hell most of the time but mine…. I took it up in giddiness but froze mid air at the number calling. A lump appeared in my throat and dread settled at the pit of my stomach. I could have ignore the call, i should have ignored the call, I could…. oh but I couldn’t. I reluctantly picked the call and placed it in my ears.

“WE.LOST.THE.PROJECT?” Her voice sprang alive and vicious from the other end of the line. My inside curled with dread.

“Good morning ma.”

“We lost the contract?” Her voice came again, this time dimmer, colder, but the threat in her tone was molten and hot. My palms turned sweaty. I had no idea what she was talking about. Almost immediately, some people from the marketing team came strolling in. Their faces a mixture of chagrin, exhaustion and frustration. They had gone out earlier for a presentation that was supposed to bring a large contract from a prestigious company. How did she know that they had failed when they only just walked in. “Ma’am….”

“Get everyone in the office, I will be right there.” Her words cut me off before I could say anything more. I froze in place, sweat bidding around my scalp and forehead and body entirely.

“Are you okay?” McKenna asked when I still remained still, the phone in my ear.

“The raven is coming.” My words came in spluttering jibberish. Fear descended on her. Her eyes widened and she quickly took steps back. The calm but petite woman different. Disorganized, she looked around, probably wondering what she should do or what direction she ought to take. She finally turned to the office and with quick steps, started towards it. Everyone was working and smiling, but by the time she got to her desk, I was sure those smiles would have disappeared.

I pulled myself together and closed my hands into a fist before I turned to the team that were still making their way towards the office.

“What happened?” I could barely recognize my own voice.

“There were a lot of concepts there.” One of them responded dejectedly.

“Even with those concepts, I thought and believed we had a chance.” Another entered with a pout.

“They didn’t play fair. It was all a favoritism play.” The team leader spoke.

“Hope you have a lot of backup to go with that.”

“Because the raven is pissed.” They paled, even I felt like crying. I feared I would have a heart attack before she actually arrives.

“And she is on her way here.” I added. Their eyes widened but almost instantly, chaos ensued as they ran past me towards an already chaotic office.

And when the familiar car stopped rather ungraciously at the entrance. I could imagine the stut look she would have, the terrifying gaze in her eyes and the ever present exterior of steel and dominance. I shivered knowing that once she stepped her feet adorned by heels that could put a hole through a man’s head, we would have a crisis in our hands.

Damn it, we already did.