1 Run

The forest was daunting, the stillness of the massive trees spoke volumes pressuring the world to remain as it was, peaceful. It was lush, beautiful, and proper; the leaves, scattered like ornaments placed in the most intricate manner cast beautiful shimmers across puddles. Eminent reminders of the previous downpour. The stillness hinted at a yet to be discovered peace, unknown to many places except those of nature -which are often unperturbed-.

It was going to rain. Tumultuous clouds of an obsidian black mixed with violet hues formed quickly in the sky, it was going to be quite the squall.

The silence, not yet shattered by the impending storm was destroyed effortlessly in the form of a girl, running, panting, stumbling, stress demure on her face as she vaulted across the forest floor. She was breathtaking, long locks of semi curly hair bounced as she ran. Prominent cheekbones, fair skin and captivating eyes. Gray, a soft gray, transparent, beautiful, otherworldly. The gray crystals gleamed in the ending sunlight and at this moment they reflected blood. She was hurt, a red stripe across her left cheekbone, a gash on her leg, her clothes marred in a rainbow of many hues of red. She ran faster, her forearm crossed her face removing drops of blood stemming from yet another injury on her forehead. She had one goal, the boundary, she must make it past the boundary.

The facility was surrounded on all sides, fifty miles of dense forest with specific stones set all around the perimeter. Escaping the perimeter, passing the marking stone, it was the only option. A loud crack and the tree next to her shattered as a stream of blue light hit it. She jumped to the side evading the flying debris, a loud shout echoed through the trees "Up ahead! Cut her off!"

There were six more of them, four males, two females, some armed, others seeming to fight with an otherworldly ability, all poised, ready to drag her back. She scrambled back up a ravine and flung herself over a cracked tree, 800yards, that was it, the marking stone gleamed just beyond a massive oak. "I will make it out" she whispered her breath coming out in frosty gasps. She saw the arm coming at her right side, stiffened and attempted to block the assault to no avail. Her left cheek took most of the impact, not for the first time today she tasted blood. She saw a sword swinging her way, there was a woman up on her left as well. One at a time, the man throwing punches was granted priority and in a move too graceful for someone so wounded she pivoted on her left foot swung up and brought her right knee to the mans face, her hands in his hair preventing him from moving. His already scarred face displayed surprise as his nose broke with a hardy crunch and he crumbled to the floor. A flash of lightening, an echoing rumble, the rain came pouring down.

The woman wielding the sword swung with precise movements attempting to use her partners fall to her advantage. They exchanged blows the girl dodging while retailing with firm swings, fast kicks, as she dodged yet another stab the woman's foot sunk into her stomach knocking her off course, the flash of the blade aimed for her face, her hand came up to block the steel blade. Blood, more blood, 4 inches of the sword lay in her hand straight down the center. The woman smiled pleased, her pleasure quickly changed to shock as she saw the smirk playing up in the girls captivating face.

In a swift action she pulled the sword out of her bleeding hand and spun it sinking it deep into the woman's chest. It had been a ploy, a ploy to get the weapon. One of the other males had snuck up behind her, he paused horrified watching the woman die, the surprises weren't over. In a flash the girls foot came up into the woman's chest, her movements were concise and well practiced, the sword was pulled clean drenched in blood and in a definite motion she turned. He froze, she had spotted him and before he had a chance to move the sword claimed it's second victim.

They had made a mistake, and now she was armed.

She turned and resumed her sprint well aware that there were three more chasing after her.

She heard them before she saw them, all three had used the previous engagement to catch up. The roar of a pistol sounded and she ducked as bullets streamed Into the surrounding trees. A loud "fuck" rang through the air. It was too late, she passed the marking stone and the air itself seemed to change. She dug her hand into the deep gash in her left leg, brought bloody fingers back up and scribbled into the air a marking. The blood hung eerily in the air, and a stream of silver appeared before her, growing into a medium rippling pool of light. She thrust herself into it, catching sight of the three faces furrowed in rage as she flew out of their grasp.