Betrayal

The door slams shut, and the dark room suddenly glows red. Figures in black robes stand before me, beside me, and even behind me. I quickly look around and realize that the red glow is coming from the floor.

I look down in shock, before slowly looking up at Aiya. Aiya's baby blue eyes were staring at me coldly as she practically snarls at me. I want to take a step back, but my feet won't move. I open my mouth several times to say something, but nothing comes out. I'm speechless.

The magic circle under me is one of death. It sucks the magic out of the one stuck in the center while killing them. Aiya chuckles and says "How stupid are you, really? How did you manage to get this far in life? Oh, that's right, your dead gramps can be thanked for that. He and Vanir!"

She snarls his name as she walks closer to the edge of the circle. "You would be nothing without them! I should be the one joining the council, not you! Do you have any idea the suffering I've had to endure because of you!?"

My chin begins to tremble as I begin to slowly shake my head. Her lip curls up in a mocking manner as she says "Every day I would be shunned and embarrassed because of you! My father hits me and my mother calls me useless! All because of you!! I was never as good or as capable as you!"

My eyes burn as I try to find my voice. The ones in the dark robes are silently chanting, causing the magic to grow thicker and stronger. Aiya grabs her hair and screams like a madwoman before pointing at me with hatred burning in her eyes.

"It's always about Lyra, always about you!! What about me? What about my accomplishments!? Even Dade wants you!! He was my lover! Mine! You've taken everything from me, Lyra. It's my turn to take from you."

My chest hurts as tears fall from my eyes. "You have been the world to me for so long... you are my sister. Why... we need to talk Aiya." I say, wiping my tears but new ones quickly follow. I swallow the lump in my throat as I struggle to say "Don't do this, Aiya. Not you."

The chanting was so loud I could hardly hear myself think. She snarls at me once again and screams "Just die!" I feel as if someone has stabbed me in my heart as I look at my childhood friend, my sister, the only family I thought I had left.

I think for a minute that maybe this isn't really her but that's just my wishful thinking. I know in my heart that this is her, her real self. The one that was always hidden behind the smiles and laughter. The one twisted with pain and resentment.

Everything seems to slow down as my hair begins to float. Was it my fault? For not noticing the pain she was carrying. I look at her once more before slowly closing my eyes. Warm tears fall down my cheeks as I think about giving her everything. Allowing her to take my magic and life. Maybe then she'd be happy.

Suddenly, the necklace around my neck begins to burn. I frown as flashes of my grandfather come to mind and even some of the earliest memories I have of my parents. I clench my teeth, as I reach deep for my magic.

I can't give her what she desires most. I can't... not when I think of them and everything they've done for me, especially my grandfather. When I open my eyes, a wave of power washes out of me, nearly knocking over those surrounding the circle.

I hear one of them yell "Impossible! Her magic should be contained! Hurry!" The chanting increases, causing me to break out into a cold sweat. It feels as if they're trying to pull my insides out. I clench my fists, forcing myself to take a step forward.

I feel as if I'm walking through tar as I move a full step. Aiya screams again "Die already! Just die!!!" My anger and sorrow build as I struggle to lift my other leg. I need to leave the circle. If I could just leave the circle, I could fight them all.

Sweat mixes with my tears as the candles around the circle get knocked over. They aren't normal candles. The red fire quickly consumes the room, forcing several people back but they keep chanting. If anything, even louder.

I look through the flames and see Aiya still watching me with anger and hatred. So much hatred. The red flames begin to eat at the circle, causing it to weaken. Aiya lifts her hand and starts chanting while glaring at me.