Down an Identical Path // Lightning, Chaos, & Kaydence

[cameo]

Chaos Aqua

Panic rumbles through every bone of my body. No matter how loud, or how much, I scream - nothing is going to alter what has occurred. The gentle touch of my Brother attempts to calm me, though I know he’s suffering just as much from what has occurred - nothing will aid either of us. Of course they wouldn’t allow a Victor to volunteer for reentering the Maze, as baffled expressions stare at my request. Tears do not flood from my eyes though, only rage of salty liquids from my forehead as I physically fume with disapproval. But nothing will change our fates, her fate. Victors may possess a bit of power, though not nearly enough to prevent a little Sister from following in their exact footsteps.

Hands cover my features upon a Train Cart, as we wait for her to enter. The first time I stepped into this transportation, after Lightning & I were reaped, these very palms instantly cusped a bottle of liquor. He raged at me for doing so, and I wouldn’t dare to reenact that incident - though even more fear riddles my core now. Both him and I would be hate myself for doing such now. I’ll have to await for isolation to wallow in my crave for that numbing substance.

Petite footsteps carve across the floor, and my eyes unwillingly gaze to her. A calming smile beams across her lips in such confidence, while I solely feel nauseous over this situation. “I know that you guys are both worried… but you guys taught me everything you know. There should be no doubt that I can get through a maze to.” She speaks so rationally, assured in herself - while I can only picture that little girl Lightning & I rescued from the depths of the unforgiving sea. Once she’s within the Maze there will be minuscule we can do to protect her, leaving me speechless and pleading that Lightning knows what to say.

[Arrow]

Lightning Aqua

    Surreal success apparently holds no ounce of anything when dealing with a slithering snake who's white as Snow. With immense and incremental applause Chaos and I carried home not only one, but both of our Runners from the Quell. In our first year as Mentors we made our marks deep and dangerous into the history of Panem. Interviewers flocked from afar focusing in on our force as the new career District to be the most afraid of. For two years we have towered over One and Two leaving their bodies running with rivers of red while ours have been laid in luxurious lavish. Yet what is it all for? What is the point of pulling four crowns from the chaotic crypt of the Maze Running when the serpent can still strike us from the shadows. I'll give the President credit, it was something I never could have expected.

    Moments after marching in Kaydence to the Justice Building grief grew in deadly proportions. Chaos crumbled into the kiss of a curse our parents' knew too well, the bottle shattered after a slam from my spirit. We didn't look back on the incident as we dared to question which course could lead us through the waging waters ahead. Why must she be selected this year with such a sick sadistic shadow such as Lail Locke running the Maze, not to mention everyone wants to stop us. Dare we even discuss the dangers of only a single victor allowance some how dynamically dealt just days before twenty three sacrifices were stirred from the shadows? The ride to the waiting train was terrible and full of thundering thoughts. 

    Inside I stop before following Chaos further into a car where we will await for our young sea stolen sister to arrive. Fingers furl around the forearms of Lyra and Lucifer avoiding the baby clutched to Lyra's chest. "You both need to focus solely on Dragon, my sister and I can only concern our efforts with Kaydence." Lyra holds her child even closer while Lucifer nods, "Of course, we understand entirely." I'm not sure who spoke the final words before joining Chaos in the same crippling chambers which confined us just years ago. I spin a knife before sending it sailing into a wall with incredibly accurate aim, becoming a career coach has made my skills even more advanced than before my shower in salted success. 

    A small shape slips into the room as my hand falls upon Chaos' shoulder, this is not supposed to be the price of victory. I can't help but smile at my smaller sister's words, the bile I have to say is nearly enough to make me abstain into an abyss of sorrow. My eyes meet her's, the time for sugar coating has been surpassed. "That confidence will be critical, keep it. But listen to what I must say very carefully Kaydence." I take a seat beside the window watching the world spur swiftly away while I speak from the scars staining my skin. "Everyone wants you dead, not because of the victor allowance amount. They want you dead because District Four has killed countless Runners the past two years. Everyone is sick of the sorrow we are producing, so I have to tell you this advice and you have to listen to it always no matter what you might believe." I turn back to face her again. "No matter who you meet, no matter who they are you trust no one. Remember its you and not them who is going to live. You have to be able to kill anyone, even your allies."

[cameo]

Kaydence Aqua

There’s no neglecting the fear that frosts my Siblings’ expressions. Words of confidence sprinkled from my tongue; but I know my Siblings will not be satisfied until I return to them from the Maze. Anxiety even coats my interior, though I refute to illustrate it upon my features as Chaos is. Her voice no longer riddles loudly from her core as it did earlier, as she’s left speechless - though her expression still screams furiously. Fortunately for us all, however, Lightning does discover an ability to speak, instantly ringing of advice just as I expected.

The tiny grin upon my features remain from his approval of my self-assurance. Still a lecture continues on from him, to express the dwindling odds I shall be faced with. For two years in a row both District Four Runners have overpowered their chances of demise, while no other career District could accomplish such. And to pile the obstacles further, solely a single Victor is permitted to be crowned this year - lowering my guarantee even further. But the Aqua name still rumbles through my title, even if the blood may not. They began the dynasty of Four’s winning streak, they kept both of their Runners safe last year - and though the dangers are higher this year, I will overcome this just as they did.

Lastly he talks of not trusting a single soul, before his words drop upon a heavy hang. Everything spoken by him replays within my thoughts, carving them into my memory with permanent ink. Even my potential allies must die this year with the victor allowance of one, and it may be my very fingers that ignite their destruction. A nod envelopes my head in understanding.

“And I will when it needs to be done. I’ll do anything to return to you guys.” Is promised in a powerful oath. It’s then I realize my eyes haven’t flickered away from Lightning this entire time, even while his stare was directed towards the window. My gaze flickers over to Chaos, who never remains silent for this long, to watch a lone tear weave down her cheek. Instinctively I travel to her to engulf her in a reassuring hug. She yanks me into her lap, to cradle me like she did when I was younger - and I allow it, knowing the moment we step off of this Train, the babying will have to halt forever. “We’ve all made it through the impossible before. I can do this, especially with you guys watching over me through it.” Further nothing breaches past Chaos’s lips, as my vision collapses on Lightning again in a plead that he has more faith then our Sister currently does.

[Arrow]

Lightning Aqua

    Words are only worth the weight of ability. Although our sorrowful sentences are spun upon strands of strength and sadness, they mean little in the overall inevitability of battle. When the world finally divides siblings between different barriers there will be little but monetary means in which Chaos and I will be able to supply. Fire, the soul spark which heats the heart of Kaydence will be what determines her destination come the crucible she is about to endure. Will she wilt as though a flower basking too long in the sun, or will she spur scarlet from the skin of her enemies as a rose rebirthed into life within an enchanted forest? One way or another the world which has beckoned for her will be watching, calling for her crusade and seeing it through to its very end. Chaos and I could be watching our sister's final steps if her weight does not meet the meaning behind her words here today. Its nearly impossible to stop the small shift of water very slightly visible beneath my eyes. I cast such curses off of my skin with a swift sweep of my hand. 

    Waves warp the world within my mind as I watch the floods force themselves over the sides of scream filled buildings. Children call for their parents but watch as the water devours them in swift surges of hunger. In such death and devastation all Chaos and I could contemplate was how did we manage to reach peace atop a building. Around us hell heaved itself into reality as blood built within the water and broken bodies continued to flow past in fearful amounts. We thought she was one of them at first, she wasn't. She screamed, cried, and struggled surging my reaction as the one who comes before the thunder of a storm. I remember us fighting those waters until a light post protected us momentarily, we saved a sister that day. Now she was caught in another tide to treacherous for our bodies to battle for her.

    Out of such thoughts I am drawn to the darkness hidden behind Chaos' hair. A single streak spills down her skin and I bite back the bile once again burbling within my throat. Keeping her positive in such a perilous problem is going to be the greatest challenge I've had to conquer, even more so than a few kids crippled in a world of ice. I make my way to their sides and brush the hair back from Kaydence's face while making sure Chaos can see my spirit as well. "Exactly, and we are going to give you the best preparation we can." I clear my throat finding the center of my composure once again before continuing. "First lesson, the sponsors already want to send you gifts due to your name. Chin up and smile the entire time in the Capitol, your game is your confidence. Make the others fear you, make them want to kill you. Not only will you get sponsors but you'll also bring them right to you instead of having to hunt them down. Trust me, its far better than what you would think tracking them down could entail." I nearly grimace at the murdering memories of the wolves which struck our party from the shadows, I hide that all away with the smallest smile I can stand to show. 

[cameo]

Chaos Aqua

A harsh pain sizzles within my core from Lightning’s advice. The truth of Sponsors flocking to her, and raining her in gifts, crafted a relieved grin across my cheeks - while the latter achieves the complete opposites. Dry eyes of mine stare at him desperately, water burning in a pool invisibly beneath them. Surely as young Careers we craved to ignite death to foe Runners in the Maze, to ensure the victor allowance would welcome us at the final hallway; but where did that leave us? Both physically and mentally scarred for eternity? Do we truly wish that for our baby Sister, even if the risk will promise her security at the end of this? Should we not enforce that she awaits for others to accomplish the murders, leaving only a few for her to destroy at the end? Confusion has been riddling me since the moment her name rang out from the escort however.

Within younger years I always believed to be right on every matter, and would exclaim such no matter the circumstance. Whether my little Siblings were amongst friends, solely seeking comfort, or any which situation, I wouldn’t refrain from preaching correctness. Just like most eldest Siblings, I was probably seen as the worst. Not so much anymore lately though, as I refrain myself quite often.

Before Kaydence even has a chance to reply to Lightning’s wisdom, I cut her off. “Can you go see how Dragon’s doing, sweetie? I need a minute to talk to Lightning.” Not a single protest breaches from her lips - as she solely nods, and follows my request. And though it was my own order that pulls her out of the room, it feels as though she’s ripping my heart away as she escapes from my lap. The Capitol has already taken so much from us, except for our ability to protect the ones we love… until now.

There’s an urgency to argue over his suggested strategy - maybe even scream at him over his good intentions of advice. But at first nothing peels from my throat, silence consuming me once more. “Lightning…” Finally I discover the ability to talk again. “I… I can’t.” Somewhat, as the words still struggle to form properly. “I can’t do this. I can’t train her. I can’t watch her go into a Maze… I can’t watch her go through what we had to.” Then suddenly a jumbled mess rambles from my uncoordinated speech. “I don’t know what to.” For once I’m left unable to correlate a solution, and strive for the optimistic route, like I always did in the past even when no one else could. Again my features rediscover the solitude of my palms, crumbling me far from the pristine, badass big Sister I used to be.

[Arrow]

Lightning Aqua

    Again the icy waters of hell have breached our barriers, stolen the safety from what we considered a haven. Back in Four the force was unable to be contained, it crushed the world like it was nothing more than plain paper. Now we stand stuck in the cement as the wave wages and rips away our skin, steals away our souls. Beneath the cataclysmic cruelty we are drowning in maddening misery, suffering in sickening sorrow. Our tears can stain the steel of this train yet our cries shall never shatter the surface of our demise. We never left that Maze no matter how many times I slice the skin of the Yeti's skull. In life we still remain out of power and pinned down by the perils of natural disasters we don't deserve. Even Snow still spills her spells of death and decay over our family, the Maze is still surrounding us just without the severe snow.

    As the smaller shadow of Kaydence caresses the door before doing as she's told, doing as she's always told my face falls against the glass of the window. Fingers furl into fists as in rage I send a lamp shattering to the floor of the fortress dragging our sister towards doom. The glass glitters beneath the light of the luxuries chandelier and I sneer at the lies it represents. It shows the superficial belief of a Victor's life garnished in glory, such a destiny is nothing more than mental instability. My fists fall from their stance, no point in breaking those that cannot effect inevitable outcome. 

    A crushed cry actually escapes the strength I know to be the outside shell of Chaos' skin. Her falling from such heights hurts more than the days spent in frigid frostbite. Her words whip across my ears softer than a whisper but sharper than a stained steel arrow. In seconds what remains of my heart is hurled like the lamp shattering into non-existence. How can the one who has always stood stronger than me be breaking? Fear fills my veins along with the ice of loss which has flooded my every senses. I need her now to be brave, to confine the cruelty for just another moment longer. To break just another day later.

    My feet carry me to behind Chaos where I place my hands on her shoulders. My voice is as soft as the sea but my words have to be heard, for Kaydence they must be. "Chaos... There isn't any can't, there's only will. We will help her. We will save her. And we will make the President pay for every drop of blood she loses." I hug my sister tightly from behind letting my heart harden as though trapped back beneath eons of ice. "Kaydence needs us, we have to be the parents we never had. She has her family with her, the others don't. We can't let her go in helpless, even if it kills us all over again."