the {eye} of the {storm} || the blairs

Cadmus {cb} Blair

Pandora {pb} Blair

The stairs that lead to the basement creak on every step lower, like they know what's going on. I almost laugh; the stairs knowing more than me; but that's not really that uncommon. I would be the last person to know anything in this family. even Kirrily knows stuff before I do, and she isn't one of us in the same way. She's still wholesome, and unbroken. She's the only non-murderer.

The monster stand's beside me, and motions for me to take a weapon from the table in front of me. They're only practise weapons, but they still bloody hurt when they hit you. I deftly pick up the spear, and spin it between my fingers. The spear, of all of the weapons, has to be my favourite, if I had to pick one. It's more me; it's light, and is more graceful than anything else.

I'm glad that Zephyr's down here with father, Cadmus and I, because he isn't that hard on me, and makes sure everything's fair. Cadmus, Cadmus, well, he scares me a little, because he's... what's the words? Focused? He want's no more than to hurt people. And then father booms again. 'Cadmus, You ready to fight Pandora?' His voice was a question, but in a way that was expecting no answer. 'Take a weapon then,' he continued. And I began to wait for the pain to start.

Zephyr {zb} Blair

As Zephyr stood silent, he thought of the many things which could go wrong with this situation. If even one child refused, it could all end extremely badly. When Cadmus opened his mouth, Zephyr gave him a stern look, but he wasn't quick enough. The words spat out of Cadmus's mouth for what seemed like forever to Zephyr. He could just imagine where it was headed.

"Why are you having us two fight again? Every time I easily defeat her so I don't see the point."

Surprisingly, their father only growled at Cadmus. Though, the danger had not disappeared. Now Zephyr had to watch his siblings fight off against each other without interfering. He knew if he even opened his mouth for a tip to either one, he'd be growled at. He had to please his father. It's what was right. At least for now.

Their father shouted for the fight to start, and Zephyr felt like just closing his eyes. Though, he played it strong and acted attentive. Watching. His father wanted him there because he knew he'd break up a fight if one started for real. Especially if the fight was between his father and a child. In reality, Zephyr would join his siblings if they were to rebel against their father. But he couldn't show his true self to his father if he still wanted his approval. Priorities had to be decided. Zephyr would break up a fight, and would have to take his father's side if one happened.

There was a silence before Cadmus struck towards Pandora. Then the opening move was initiated. Zephyr couldn't help but clench his teeth as a substitution for closing his eyes.

Pandora {pb} Blair

Kirrily is in the basement. All of my thoughts jump out of my head like a bee stung my brain. Kirrily. Is in. The Basment. During a fight. The looks that all the others gave showed me that they had the same shock as I. And then I looked at Cadmus. He smiled at me, and I knew then I had to defend for my life; he was out to hurt me. Not because he's nasty, but because he loves me. He want's to get me able to fight for myself. I want to show him that I can.

He jumps at an accidental gap in my defence, and I roll back instinctively, my body taking over with the drills I was forced to do. I try and find an opening, but as he's trained a lot more than I have, I couldn't get near him. Again, the practise blade swipes at me, and I only just avoid it again. Under the staring eyes of my family; Father, Kirrily, Zephyr, and most of all, Cadmus, I begin to panic again. My training days flash before me, and the last time I fought Cadmus. And the blackness of being knocked out.

Finally, when I come back into the real world, I notice rather quickly that Cadmus got a few hits on me when I was out. And then, the time slows, as I spot an opening on Cadmus. The legs! I sweep the spear along the ground, pushing his legs from underneath him. And I move towards him, and hit the spear towards his chin, hopefully knocking him down and out. I had won, against Cadmus!

Yeah, like that's going to happen. I grip the spear, and get back off the ground, and swing towards Cadmus's feet.

Zephyr {zb} Blair

Zephyr watched as the two had at each other. He could see both the regret and enjoyment in Cadmus’s eyes. He knew his father wanted them to be ruthless and brutal, but a young human could only take so much before their true colors show. Nobody in this family wanted to kill, besides their father. It was obvious that somewhere, deep inside, everyone had a little god in them.

As Cadmus saw his opening and rushed for the painful blow to Pandora’s back, he shuffled towards his father. He spoke low and silent to his father, as to not disturb the sparring practice.

”Father, I think they’ve had enough—“ Zephyr was then interrupted quite quickly by his father, though he spoke in quite a louder and more harsh voice.

”I’ll say when they’ve had enough!”

It was almost as a growl, mixed with discipline and order. Zephyr shuffled back, shoulders shrunk backward, ”Yes, father…”

There was a moment of silence before the strike would hit, so Zephyr could do nothing but wish for mercy towards Cadmus. Something Pandora was probably not going to get.

Pandora {pb} Blair

And I was right; Cadmus didn't fall for it. He hit me really hard with the sword and I went down again. And a voice I don't normally hear arguing with Father spoke up. Zephyr. 'Father, I think they've had enough-,' and unsurprisingly, was shot down in flames, by a growl, a normal reply from father at anything.

I get back off the floor again and the lull in the fight is strange. I turn towards Virrily, for I still don't why she's still here. Seeing her family fight was one of the worst ways of seeing them.

Me and Virrly have never really been that close, and unlike all of the others, I don't click with her. Maybe because she succeeded where I failed; not becoming the killers father want's us to be.

Given the chance, I would try and get rid of him. Father that is. All that he seems to do is cause trouble, and just throws us apart. But I wouldn't be able to do it myself; I would need someone like Zephyr to help, because by ourselves, he would trounce us.

And the fighting starts again. Cadmus comes towards me, and flicks the sword and me, and I step back, tripping over my own feet. That always happens when I panic, and I fall on the floor, but defending for my life. And I kick Cadmus back and stand up, and drop my weapon.

Father seethes at me, 'What the fuck are you doing?! Are you STUPID?' And I laugh at his face. I regret it at once, and say quickly, 'I'm not fighting anymore. I'm done with Cadmus at least. He always beats me, because I don't want to fight him!'

And father slaps me, hard, across my face.. 'Fight,' he said, 'Or die. Your choice. I will kill you now if you don't Pandora. I'll go all the way.' I back away, a reflex away from him, and faster then is natural, I pick up my weapon, and with tears on my face, swing at Cadmus. 'I'm sorry Cadmus. I'm sorry.'