Republic Of The Shadow Walkers - Naomi's perspective

Out of curiosity, my gaze went to the Crather section of the page.

CRATHER

Much of the destruction in recent history was caused by the war with Radish Land, who was run by Todd Crather.

His name is loathed by many, and said to be cursed. The name Todd now has a dreadful past, and anyone whose name is Todd is said to be cursed with meeting Crather's fate eventually.

Many believe that someone cursed his name after he started killing many people and inflicting pain upon even more.

Some also believe that Todd's sister, Scarlett Crather, survived the war. She is said to also be cursed, since she took part in many people's deaths, including many of the Radish Nations' leaders during the Revolution.

She is also believed to be the killer of Alyssa, Lauren, and Mitchell Ashkill.

My eyes widened. Scarlett killed them?!

She will pay for that one day.

I closed the book, certain that I had seen enough. The one who murdered most of my friends and several of my siblings was still alive.

And she will pay. With blood, the voice in my head whispered.

Of course, I agreed, hatred clouding my sane thoughts.

The voice became silent after a little laugh, allowing me to hear footsteps that seemed to be going up.

There's a staircase?

I tiptoed around a bit, and saw Miss Ellis's walker in a corner. Shouldn't she be using it?

Confused yet curious, I saw Fifi running to the other side of the library, and followed her. The parrot watched me curiously from the top of a bookshelf, but after a moment, it flew in the direction the Chihuahua had gone.

Pets, lead me to your owner.

Fifi yapped as she reached the far corner, and I emerged around the shelf blocking my view just in time to see her sit down mournfully as the parrot flew up a staircase. I realized the dog was too small to climb up the first step, but the steps were uneven.

I gingerly picked up the Chihuahua, fearing her most likely sharp teeth, and dropped her on the first step to see what she would do. She bounced up the stairs, and I followed, as silently as I could.

The dog ran ahead as I darted behind a bookshelf. Apparently there was a second level I had not taken notice of, and I didn't exactly trust Miss Ellis anymore. I wasn't going to just walk in like I belonged here.

For some reason, it felt like I didn't belong here. Like the books were glaring at me, saying you of all people don't belong here. and get out. Now.

But I wasn't going anywhere.

Being the specially trained NightWalker I was, - I had been trained personally by Bethany ever since she begged Alyssa and Lauren to let her teach me - I stealthily stalked through the library, quiet as a single mouse.

Then I heard a voice.

"She's here, Scarlett."

My heart sped up until I realized she hadn't noticed me yet and that she was talking to someone else.

I silently took a few deep breaths, slowing my racing heart. Crouching, I made myself as small as possible.

Footsteps paced back and forth, and I could hear another voice.

"I knew she'd come to the library eventually," said a voice that sounded like it was coming from a phone. I assumed this was Scarlett herself. "She loves books. Anyways, is she still there?"

Out of curiousity, I peered around the corner to see who the heck was talking to Scarlett.

How is Miss Ellis talking like that? And how the heck is she standing without her walker-

Then I realized: Miss Ellis wasn't a helpless old lady.

She was a spy in disguise.

Crap! I'm in trouble...

But how does one get out of a library unnoticed? I looked at Miss Ellis, and she was watching the top of the stairs.

"Yes, she is," Miss Ellis answered, and for a moment, I thought she had seen me, and I just about had a heart attack.

"But she's still downstairs. She didn't notice me come upstairs," She continued.

I sighed in relief.

"Wait, what was that?" Miss Ellis looked around.

I mentally facepalmed. Stupid, stupid, stupid!

"One. Never EVER make noise unless COMPLETELY AND UTTERLY NECESSARY, especially when stalking people in quiet places," I remembered Bethany saying to me once.

Miss Ellis was very suspicious now, and was tiptoeing around looking for someone. She was right next to my hiding place, and when she looked right at it, she narrowed her eyes.

But I was gone.

I perched on top of the shelf, lying down flat. Don't look up, don't look up, don't look up...

She stood back up and sat in a chair that was just in front of my new spot, and a little below. The roof was higher up than the shelves were, so there was space for me to maneuver.

Just. Don't. Look. Up.

"You still there?" Scarlett said again.

"Yes. I'm just... Hearing things."

I observed the top of her head. I could now see the brown roots of her hair, which meant that her hair had been dyed gray. As I looked closer at her hand that was on the armrest, I also noticed that the wrinkles weren't real. They had been drawn on.

What a master of disguise.

Scowling, I wondered, what the heck does Scarlett want with me?

Revenge, of course, I finally realized.

"So, back to what I was going to say. I still have your daughter, and I'll give her back if you hand over that... Daughter of a sluggish camel-headed frog."

Miss Ellis chuckled, "I can tell that you hate those Ashkill siblings, and their parents. Why though...? I've always wondered."

I listened in. Why is Scarlett doing this?

"Yes, I loathe them with all my heart, in fact. Those Ashkills defied my brother, whom I told to manipulate everyone to make them obey him, and indirectly, me. I hunted them down with the Radish Police, but nearly always failed. Todd killed the mother, but even after I killed the two oldest sisters, the others got away. However, I did manage to take out the younger brother in an 'accident'. NOBODY has gotten away from me, and they will be no different! Even if I have to wait fifteen years," Scarlett turned the last word into a growl.

"They also helped with the Revolution and helped kill my brother... That's unforgivable. After they're gone, I'll make sure I dispose of the last members of that Revolution and take what is mine. I'm supposed to be in charge of the Republic. I'M supposed to be commanding the military to destroy Pyolangi, Emeraldia, and Deolark. I'M SUPPOSED TO BE IN THAT F***ING POSITION THAT THAT CURSED LITTLE B***H NAOMI ASHKILL IS IN!"

I flinched at that last part. I knew that the position didn't really belong to me, but the others had decided to give it to me. Scarlett hadn't come on the scene at all, and they wouldn't have chosen a vengeful sister of their worst enemy to be leader anyways. Bethany had been an option, but obviously nobody wanted her to have the position due to her state. A strong leader was great, but a sane one was better.

I remembered Bethany pretending to be offended when the others said no, and then saying, "Yeah, I understand. I don't want to be leader anyways."

Miss Ellis rolled her eyes. "Of course, of course."

I shifted, knocking over a book to be more comfortable, and then mentally facepalmed again.

"Two. Never EVER give away your location, even a general location. This goes for MULTIPLE situations." Bethany had told me.

Why am I so stupid right now?!

Miss Ellis was extremely suspicious now, and called, "Hello? Anyone here?"

Yeah, I mentally answered. Oh, I'm just spying on your conversation with my supposed nemesis and trying to think of how to get out, but don't mind me, go on with your conspiring.

I went back to my thoughts of Scarlett after Miss Ellis went to the other side of the room. Nobody would want Scarlett to rule the country, she's more demented than Bethany. Wait, is that even possible?

So why would she be helping her? She'd kill so many people, who KNOWS what could happen if she takes over the other countries as well...

Best case scenario? She'll kill all of the people who were once in the Revolution, and then make sure that the new Prime Ministers and leaders were completely under her control and then leave most of humanity alone with just some extremely strict laws and public executions for anyone who disobeys her.

Worst case scenario?

... I don't even want to think about that.

How does one escape a library? I thought to myself, trying to focus on escape instead of what could happen if I failed to survive. It’s not like I can create a distraction… But I could fight my way out. It’s not like I’m a damsel in distress or something, I can fight my way out of tough situations when I need to. Bethany taught me very well over the course of fifteen years.

Wait, I have NightWalkers stalking me from outside, don’t I? So, all I need is to get out into the open, and then I have their eyes on me once again.

That shouldn’t be hard, I just need to wait for Miss Ellis to leave or something.

“So, I’ll be coming soon,” I heard Scarlett say, disrupting me from my thoughts. “Whatever you do, DON’T let her leave. Distract her with more books if she tries to leave, knock her out, tranquilize her, I don’t care how you do it. Just don’t kill her; I want her alive.”

“Alright.”

Miss Ellis hung up, and I mentally started to panic. Dragon’s blood… I don’t have much time, Miss Ellis is going to go downstairs and see that I’m gone, she’s going to knock me out or something when she finds me so that I don’t cause trouble… I have to stay conscious. I can’t let Scarlett find me. I have to stay alive. I have to warn Bethany and Tim. I-

She let out a long sigh, and I took my chance. Since she was on the other side of the second floor and I was near the doorway to the staircase, I had a chance of making it out.

As quietly as I could, I raced across the floor and silently stumbled down the staircase. I plopped myself into the chair I had been sitting in a few minutes before, and tried to act like I was interested in the book. Another few minutes passed, and I saw Miss Ellis come around the corner, walker and all. Fifi accompanied her.

“You enjoying the book?” She asked, once again using that raspy voice. I could see how almost anyone would have been fooled.

Laurel probably wouldn’t have been fooled. She can often see right through people.

Speaking of Laurel, did she survive the bombing…? I felt guilty for not thinking about her very much since then, since she was my flipping best friend.

“Not exactly, but it’s helpful,” I answered.

She nodded, “What part are you on?”

I showed her the page I was on, and her face darkened. “Ah, Scarlett.”

“Do you think she's alive?” I asked, staring at the page and pretending to be worried as heck.

“Perhaps.”

I looked up and into her eyes. “Can you be more specific on whether you believe she's alive or not?”

She stared back, and for a long moment, we just stared into each other's eyes. From Laurel's guidiance on eye reading, I could tell she was hiding more than just the secret that I already knew.

I was pretending not to know anything about Scarlett, and so was she. However, I had a gut feeling she was definitely hiding something else.

Something physical.

I barely had time to register the fact that she was probably armed before she took out a gun and pointed it at my chest. She stood up straight, revealing her disguise.

Instincts took over as I pulled out one of my katanas. I didn't have my bow or throwing knives with me, so I had to make do with just my larger blades.

She laughed, “never bring a knife to a gun fight.”

“This ain't a gun fight, this is a face-off between you and me,” I growled. “I was watching you when you were talking to Scarlett, and I don't think I want to stick around here. Ellis, you should know better than to bother a dragon.”

“You're not-”

“I'm considered one, lady! Close enough. Anyways, unless you want this blade stuck in your chest, you will let me go.”

She rolled her eyes, backing away, but still pointing the gun at me. “You’re not going anywhere.”

“Or am I? OPERATION EVIL LIBRARIAN!” I screamed out the window, calling the NightWalkers to my aid.

In a flash, the door swung open to reveal one of my super-secret-stealth-bodyguards. She had her throwing knives at the ready, and another one was behind her, bow loaded and aimed at Miss Ellis.

“Nobody betrays the Ashkills. I heard everything,” the girl said. “So did Infestus. Hands up, birch tree!”

Miss Ellis narrowed her eyes, but kept the gun pointed at me while she glared at the two NightWalkers. I took a chance and karate-chopped her hand, making her drop the gun. I smiled triumphantly as I swiped up the weapon, and gave Miss Ellis a smirk.

“Your life ends here, Ellis.”

The girl in the doorway threw a knife, and the sound of blade meeting flesh occurred. Miss Ellis’ eyes widened, and Death took her in its cold grasp as she fell to the floor, dead.

I nodded at the two NightWalkers, and they smiled at me, letting me walk out the door first.

Before I left, I wondered whether or not to set the building on fire. No, that will cause even more havoc. Besides, Scarlett finding Miss Ellis' body and finding out that I escaped her once again will be interesting, to say the least.

So, after the two NightWalkers slunk back into the shadows, I triumphantly and swiftly headed back to the base.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Laurel's perspective

“We're leaving at sunset.”

Those were Bethany's orders.

I had just returned to the base, and I was alarmed to hear that they planned to attack Emeraldia with both the NightWalkers and the air forces. What is wrong with Naomi? She wouldn't do something like this, not without some sort of motivation.

Deathbringer walked up to me as I exited my room, where I had dumped my few belongings. He greeted me with a wave, “hey Laurel! Nice to see you around again.”

I nodded. “Are we really attacking Emeraldia?”

“Unfortunately, yes. Bethany has given her orders, and we all know that we should probably follow them unless we want to get death-glared at,” he laughed. “And nobody wants to be under that glare. She's basically Death in a human body, to be honest. Especially now, when she is seeming…” He trailed off, thinking of the correct word for it.

I looked over his shoulder at Bethany, who looked like she was planning to stab someone in the face. “Irritable? Prickly? More-deathly-and-dangerous-than-usual? Radiating psychoticness?”

“Yeah, radiating death, basically,” he looked grim. “I don't know about you, but I don't exactly want to launch an attack on Ry. She seemed cool when we visited there about a year ago, and she and Naomi could almost be personality twins. Honestly, I am still mentally in denial of them being enemies now.”

“Not quite. They just don't understand each other's actions right now, things will turn out. They'll be friends again soon, if I can just talk to the both of them and figure out what's happening. I know what happened with Pyolangi, but I'm still not sure about Deolark and Emeraldia. I guess I just have to see from everyone's points of view and get rid of all this misunderstanding. And talking to Ry would take care of a large chunk of it… I just have to talk to both Dark and Ry somehow.”

“Laurel, you can't solve all of Naomi's problems.”

I gave him a stern stare. “It isn't just her problem, it's everyone's. Don't you see? Because of all the misunderstandings, the war started. Because of all the misunderstandings, many people are bound to die. Everyone thinks that Naomi's the bad guy, except for the people in the Republic. What if I can solve all that? What if I can stop this war?!”

His dark eyes stared into my deep blue ones, and after a moment, they shone with understanding, and he put a hand on my shoulder. “If anyone can do it, it's you. You're the best at peacemaking, and you're the most calm, understanding, and peaceful person I know. I don't doubt your abilities. What I'm doubting is everyone else's ability to listen to you. You can't convince people if they don't listen.”

“... True,” I could tell from his tone of voice that he wasn't lying about his faith in me, and I knew that the last part was true. I was born to make peace, to understand, and to give calm guidance, from what everyone told me.

I knew Naomi needed me to figure everything out, since I could tell she was mentally and emotionally going downhill ever since she had to declare war. But Deathbringer was right.

I couldn't do anything if people wouldn't listen.

Snapping out of my trance, I realized I had been staring off into space. Deathbringer was looking at me curiously.

“Perhaps you should rest,” he said slowly. “You'll need the rest for tonight.”

I sighed. “Wake me up at least an hour before we leave.”

He nodded as I pivoted and swept back into my room, closing the door quietly behind me.

I soon fell into a deep sleep, despite the worries of the battle and of the threat of peace.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Naomi's perspective

The trapdoor creaked open, and I was glad to see the tunnel under me that led to the base. I was tired after running back most of the way and walking the rest, since I hadn't wanted for Scarlett to catch me. The super-secret-stealth-bodyguards followed me in, and as we entered the base, Bethany greeted them with a nod, and they dispersed and went their separate ways.

“You look tired.”

“No duh, Sherlock,” I rolled my eyes, “I ran most of the way back.”

She tilted her head at me in interest, and I went on to explain what happened in the library, leaving out my failures to be stealthy (because she would have given me a death glare, and you always want to avoid Bethany's death glares however possible).

“I knew there was something about Scarlett…” She growled under her breath when I had finished.

“Wait, you knew about her before?”

“Yep. One of the NightWalkers turned out to be working for her, I presume. She didn’t give a straight answer, but that’s what I assume. If Scarlett is really as threatening as the book said, then it’s lucky for you that you got away,” she clenched her fists angrily as she said, “but I can’t believe she’s targeting us, even after all these years! Can we not have a break?!”

“Yeah, we haven’t had a life-changing crisis in at least four days,” I said sarcastically.

“I have taught you well in the art of sarcasm, young padawan,” she joked.

I snickered at the reference, and then looked around. “Wait, why is everyone preparing for battle? Aren’t just the air forces going to Emeraldia?”

“False, I changed the plan a bit. The air forces will follow the NightWalkers in, and we will strike under the cover of darkness before the air forces come in and sprinkle some explosions on the city. We have enough people to accomplish a stealth attack in which we will tranquilize as many peeps as we can, and when/if they notice, we fight and send in the air forces early.”

I stared at her. “D-does that mean all three of us are going?” I questioned, referring to all three of us Ashkills.

She gave me a look, “not unless you want to sit around and wait for us to return. You’re special, you have a choice of whether or not to go. You can come and fight alongside me and Tim and stare Death in the face, or you can sit around her and be completely safe, but unable to help us get out alive. Your choice, Naoms.”

With that, she turned and left me standing there, speechless, wondering what she was up to. Tim agreed to this?! Oh, darn it.

I tapped my toe in thought, knowing that there was something that Beth wasn’t telling me. I can see in her eyes that she-

Oh frick, I realized. She’s going to kill Ry. Of course.

I remembered that Ry was very skilled, perhaps just as skilled as I was, but despite her determination and courage that was strikingly similar to mine, I knew that Bethany could overpower her. Even though she had a sword that everyone knew she was amazingly skilled with, Bethany had a threatening aura and a radiation of death that everyone knew, feared, and hoped never to face in battle.

I had never seen anyone who could match Bethany’s skill and threat, and she was the last person one should mess with. If they dueled to the death, I had no doubt that Bethany would be victorious.

My decision was made.

I ran after Bethany, ready to tell her that I’d come.

I’ll come.

To save Ry. She needs me, no matter what she may think. I may be the only one who knows the danger she’s in and has the power to save her from it.

But-

No buts. This is the right thing to do, and perhaps it’ll help bring peace once again. I am going to save my former close friend, no matter what you say.

For once, the darkness was silent.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Laurel’s perspective

Deathbringer slapped me in the face.

That was apparently how he woke up people: he slapped them in the face, hard, and let the pain wake them up.

“We’re leaving in ten minutes, by the way.”

“I TOLD YOU TO WAKE ME UP AN HOUR BEFORE WE LEFT!” I growled agitatedly, one of my rare moments of outward annoyance.

He shrugged as he left the room.

Darn you, Deathbringer.

I practically leaped out of bed to put on the NightWalker battle getup. It took a while to put on, so the sooner the better.

First, black long sleeved shirt. Then black leggings. Then black combat boots. Then, a deep navy blue cloak and a mask of the same color to put over the face, both with small twinkling silver specks.

Why was it deep blue with silver sparkles? The Ashkills designed it so we could blend into the night sky.

Next, a small belt with throwing knives under the cloak. Then, a quiver, two scabbards which held the katanas, and a bow.

That was our usual weaponry, the weapons we were required to have training with and be able to use very well. Some people had different weapons along with the basic ones, but most just carried what was considered normal.

I threw open the door as I pulled on my black, fingerless gloves and bolted down the hall to everyone else. I could barely see Bethany over everyone’s heads, since I was a little short compared to most.

Everyone was walking out the door, and soon, just Naomi, Bethany, Deathbringer and Kat remained. Kat sat on Deathbringer’s shoulder, sporting a miniature outfit of his own. Everyone else seemed to be ready as well.

Naomi’s gaze fell on me, and I grinned as she rushed over and gave me a huge hug. “You’re okay!”

The memory of Rose dying and Ruby sobbing came back to mind, but I pushed it away and gave Naomi a small smile. “Of course. Let’s go out and do this, shall we?”

Naomi nodded, darkness clouding her eyes for a split second, then returning back to normal. I assumed she had something she wanted to talk to me about after she gave me an “I need to talk to you” stare.

I nodded slightly, making sure that Bethany didn't notice, since Naomi glanced sideways at Beth and shook her head a little. Bethany stalked past us and said flatly, “it's time to depart. Let us flee into the night like the NightWalkers we are.”

Naomi said formally, like everyone in the Republic said to wish good luck, “may the shadows welcome you and assist you in your time of need.”

I nodded slowly, “May the wind be ever at your back.”

We all looked each other in the eye, and calmly accepted the fact that we may not return.

Naomi, Bethany, Deathbringer, Kat… I kept their faces in my mind for as long as I could as we left the base, and I also tried to think of Ruby.

Please, Lord above, I prayed, let us all come out okay.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Meanwhile, in the darkest depths of the Republic…

Unknown perspective

“Please, don’t go!” Said the cheesy as heck soap opera actor.

This was the last channel the news hadn’t taken over, and I was watching it, simply because I couldn’t stand hearing any more news of the war and chaos erupting around every corner.

“I’m sorry Omar, I’m leaving you for-“ the scene was cut off abruptly.

“We interrupt your regularly scheduled program to give you vital news.”

My thoughts traveled back to the plan. This plan would probably get us all killed, and I wasn’t even sure if it was my plan anymore.

Which annoyed me more than anything else.

I glanced around the place I had been hiding in for four years. It was dirty and dark, with only a faint yellow flickering light bulb in the middle of the room and the old TV for light, and a dusty armchair and broken couch I slept on that I was currently sitting in. The only food and water I got was the daily ration Jane brought me.

“Are you ready?” she said from behind.

I was used to this, so I didn’t move the slightest inch. A look of determination faltered on my face. I knew I could do it, and I would.

But why did I always have to feel so angry and hurt?

“Don’t tell me you're going soft. Just think of what she’s done to you.”

That was uncalled for. It made me even more angry.

“Now, I’ll only ask one more time. Are you in?”

I could barely answer as uncontrollable rage washed over me. The picture displayed on the screen.

Naomi Ashkill.

I would be her undoing.

“Yes. I’m in,” I answered as she grinned. “Let’s end this.” I finished, sharpening my knife.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A/N: who do you think that was? Hint: it's not Scarlett.

Also, thank you, Izzie, for writing that little scene at the end! I look forward to using your idea. 😂

What will happen next? Will the NightWalkers survive the battle? Will Bethany, Naomi, Laurel, Deathbringer and Kat make it out of Emeraldia alive? Who was the person talked about in the last scene of the chapter? Will Bethany manage to bring an end to Ry's life, or will Ry flee the girl of Death or defeat her? Find out next time, on Chasing Chaos!

My goodness, I look forward to writing the later chapters... 😂

See ya!