We walked for one to three hours until we took a break. This time I didn't practice my magic. The pain in my back was far too distracting to keep the illusion up.
Over time it only hurt more. Originally, I was hoping that it would come in waves and I would not feel it the rest of the time. But the truth could not be so beautiful.
I grinded my teeth and clenched my fist. I could barely move due to the pure agony I was feeling. It turned out that healing magic didn't ease the pain at all! In fact, it only worsted it since it was probably only speeding the process up.
Given that no one could help me at this point thy just let me be. Only Gert kept an eye on me while the others were resting. Even tough only Yohan, Gwen and I needed it, Allenya and Alex were still happy with the break.
I heard a snapping sound in my back. My eyes widened as I screamed out in pain. In the distance a few birds flew up. fearfully screeching due to the sound that I emitted.
I could feel my skin tearing and the burning feeling of new tissue forming. I bit my hand to distract myself from the pain I felt in my back. The taste of blood filled my mouth. But it was to no avail. I just had to endure.
This continued for almost an hour. Blood slowly ran over my back and eventually hit the grass, colouring it dark red. I was panting heavily while laying on my side. Slowly the pain started to fade away.
Carefully I tried to get up. It still hurt but I could move again. I saw Allenya rushing towards me with a bucket filled with water and some towels.
"Can you please let me see it?"
I was still wearing the cloak that was now tainted with my blood. I with muck caution I took it off. The rough fabric fell on the ground. And indeed, on my back were wings.
I left out a soft groan because of the pain I felt. Slowly I stretched them out so Allenya could take a good look at them. My leathery bat like wings were the same deep red colour as my skin. Black stripes ran over the back of my wings creating a smoke like pattern. However, it was hard to see due to the blood that enveloped them.
"Okay hold still, I will try washing the blood of first. Elisa can you help me?"
She soaked a towel in water and slowly started to clean my wings. I trembled under the sudden touch. She immediately pulled back.
"Does it hurt?"
I nodded.
"I will try to be more careful."
Instead of rubbing my wings with the towel, se made water drip from it to rinse the blood of. This was still incredibly uncomfortable, but it didn't hurt nearly as much as her previous action.
"Hmm. I don't see any wounds. Hey Elisa, can you take a closer look? You're better at things like this."
She then headed of to clean the cloak. Elisa came closer still on guard. She also inspected my back before she went to the others.
While I was still sitting on the grass, trying to recover from growing my wings, Alex ran towards me and nearly nocked me over in his excitement.
"Sorry dude, I just wanted to see your wings up close" He spoke while rubbing the back of his neck. I didn't respond.
"Is there any meaning behind the patterns?"
"I don't know."
Alex looked at them for a little longer before he also let me rest. We waited for half an hour until we started to move gain. Allenya had long since washed my blood from my cloak so there were no dark red stains on it. Only the smell remained, however I was probably the only one who could smell the blood.
Elisa was walking upfront along with Alex and me. Behind us walked Yohan, Allenya, Gert and Gwen. Gert and Gwen both stayed the farthest in the back.
Elisa was holding the same yellowish old map as a few days prior. She turned to Gwen. "There is a monastery right next to the village where we are going. Would you like to go there?"
She stopped with a puzzled expression. "What is the name of the village?"
Elisa took a closer look at the map. The thick paper rustled in her hands. "The village is called the dragon lake village."
"Yes, yes please bring me there. I know some of those nuns who live there!"
"it's actually on the way there. So, it won't be too much of a detour."
This worried me. If only one cross could actually hurt me, then what would a whole holy place like that do?
"Is there a way that I don't have to go there?"
"It was your choice to come along. Feel free to leave anytime you want." Gert said mockingly. I turned to him. His face suddenly grew pale when I did so. This time I didn't actually try to threaten him. Overcome by curiosity I extended my consciousness to break and enter his mental barrier.
It was a lot easier since he was now distracted by his fear. Once I did, I could read his thoughts and feel his emotions. I could feel more and hear his thoughts more than the last time I did it. But the reason behind that was probably the fact that I now had more experience.
What I saw tough his eyes amused me as much as it surprised me.