A very strong onslaught of pure power shot out from nowhere and hit me in the chest. Caught off guard, I staggered back in the air, coughing up blood.
"Who--?!"
"Me!"
She was standing directly in front of me. How she had gotten here so fast, I didn't know. Her eyes were blazing. Most of her flyaway hair were hidden under a collosal looking helmet. Without warning, her long arms gripped my shoulders.
"Are you crazy?! What are you doing here? Who will protect grandmother and Rudolph and the clan?!"
I didn't remember when she made me protector of the clan, but I bit back my retort.
"Listen to me first! Stop making a scene!"
I noticed a strange gleam in her eyes.
"I'm not listening to you. Return at once to Hakorhi!"
It was my turn to grab her shoulders.
"What's got into you? I said listen to me!! Do you think I'd come here without reason??"
She calmed down long enough to say.
"It's not safe out here, Nei. Go back to Hakorhi. There's Shaw. Whatever happens, send Shaw to me."
"Well, I'm here now, and I'm not going anywhere until you hear me out!"
A general approached.
"Alliance head, I'm sure alchemist has something important to say, for her to come in person. Please give alchemist enough face and allow her,"
Turning a savage face to the general, she growled.
"If anything happens to her while she's here, I'll hold you responsible!"
The General bowed in mid-air.
"Alliance Head be rest assured that alchemist will come to no harm under my watch,"
She flew off towards the center tent. After beckoning to Hhamir and Thanos, I followed.
Iria was seated at an oak table, on which curious looking contraptions were displayed. I glanced at them once, then turned to my sister.
"You are poisoned," I didn't ask as a question.
She didn't say anything.
"Iria, why didn't you tell us?" I went over to her side.
She said nothing.
"I'll--"
"You can't do anything," she muttered. "Only the person who sealed me with the poison can undo it." She looked straight ahead, "and he's dead,"
I was shocked.
"It might not be true," I tried to grasp at some shred of hope.
Iria laughed. An hollow laugh. Just like mine, after I had killed the Lion-Ant King.
"Nei--what is it you have come to say?"
I sat down next to her.
"Do you know Canolita?"
She scowled.
"I sent messengers to ask for their support. They kept ranting about their not being able to make any major decisions until they found their Imperial Princess. Freaking hell, they haven't in twenty years helped anyone!"
I slowly smiled.
"They will now,"
Iria tsked.
"Why?"
"Because, their Imperial Princess is sitting before you,"
Iria gasped.