As Aife and Se slaughtered the royal force and retrieved Kita from his refuge, the snake and the kid snacked a bit, and three of them set off in the direction of the darkest forest they had ever seen.
Once they arrived, they had to slow down their pace. It wasn't the leaves or the dense woods that made it shadowy, but mist that wasn't relevant at all. But leaves and the wood's skins were a darker shade of their natural color indeed.
Aife had seen many troublesome places, but this one was oozing the ominous aura. She had a scowl on her face as she scanned the danger zone with an intense gaze. Se was there a few months ago but didn't recall this place to be as perilous as it was now.
Aife didn't even flinch when sinister murmurs drew near them. She took off her ring to let it charge its' energies back.
"Aife?" Kita glued to her side as he clasped her hand tighter.
Se scoured the area aiming to detect the source of the vexing whispers. Aife had the same intensity in her eyes as their gazes met each other once again.
Aife motioned with her eyes towards the close-knit woods. Se grasped her intentions, as she wanted to take the more complicated path for the hefty beast to chase them. Se nodded at her and followed her in the darkness.
Drops of water hitting the metal object rang in their ears as the mumbles subdued. Se was guarding their backs while Aife was seeking the opening to another place. Presumably, the castle Se's lord lingered. Aife had to pore over about him as well since 'dark lord' was a newly spread phrase and ominous one, too.
"Aife, we are being followed."
"I know." 'They needed dripping water sound to cover the rustle of leaves as they walked.'
"They," Se warned her.
"I know."
"Beasts?" Asked confused Kita.
"Beasts, but in human forms."
"How do you know, Aife?"
"They walk on two. By the soft and short sounds, they are light-weighted."
"Hmmm…"
As Aife was about to step further, a child appeared before her, making her freeze in her place. Se stopped breathing and gazed upon the kid.
"Go away," he said.
"Who are you, child?"
"The forest baby. You better retrace. The dark lord is the biggest gift this universe could ever wish for. We will not give him away."
Aife and Se looked at each other, contemplating their next move.
Se dared to ask, "What if my lord is against him being captured?"
Aife sensed cynism in his words.
"He will not, once the immense power will be granted to him."
"Perfect. And may I ask where can I get the free "immense power'?"
Aife snickered at his sarcasm and shook her head slightly.
"You are mocking us?" The child started to grow in size as Aife parted her lips, and Se followed his gaze at the child as he towered over them. He had kid's forms but in more significant proportions.
"…I was." Stated Se before shouting at the two, "RUN!"
Aife hoisted Kita in her arms before bolting in the opposite direction. Se slid at his side as he heeded the giant child advancing towards the two. Every magical forest had 'Forest Children,' the beasts in human forms. Usually, they adapted to the habitat, and the aura styled their shape. It was no surprise to Se this woodland constructed such disturbing figures.
Se chased after the monster but was stopped midway as he noticed three other baby-beasts dashing in Aife's direction.
"Ai…"
Someone grabbed Se by the tail and attempted to smash him onto the tree, but he turned around and attacked his opponent biting out a big chunk out of his face. Then Se snaked around him as he muffled now his prey's cries and squeezed him with his whole body. It was a matter of seconds before the monster exploded with a shriek and bathed the area with his blood, entrails, and limbs. Se was on his way again.
"Aife, he is catching on us."
"Hold onto the tree," Aife ordered and tossed the boy in the air as he gasped before gripping and hugging the tree branch.
Aife briskly turned around and threw kunai at her opponent as it slashed into his head, killing him instantly. The witch only heard the thud as she advanced towards her other opponents bolting towards her.
Suddenly, Aife rolled on her knees to the side, behind the trees, and the two forest children came across Se. The snake crashed into them as he thought Aife would duck to give him a better angle for an attack but was surprised by her swift actions.
Both children caught the snake and stepped in the other one's opposite direction to rip the reptile. This condition stupified him as his jaw dropped and goggle-eyed the trees.
In a bat of an eye, Aife jumped from the branch of the tree behind them and wrapped arms around the one forest child's neck, cutting off his air supply.
"Aife," gasped Se as he flashed her his pleading eyes. He had never been so vulnerable. He was only a serpent in his village who worked with humans, and his trust was very hard to gain, but once it happened, he would cooperate with his comrade unconditionally. Aife's mistake sliced their understanding.
The beast tried breaking the witch's grasp on him but in vain as it was unwavering. Se bit the second one and surged venom in his body. He rarely used his ability, but Se was too stunned to think of another way right now.
Aife choked the magical creature in her arms before strolling towards the struggling duo and unsheathing her Dadao.
"Se, get away from my way," she commanded with a stern voice.
Se obeyed her, and Aife swung the sword at the beast and splitting him open.
"We are done here," she mumbled and walked away, returning it to its' place behind her back.
"Thanks," Se uttered.
Aife didn't say anything, only pursuing walking to Kita.
"I want to pay the debt. Like my lord."
"Then don't mention to him I am a woman."
"What?"
"He shouldn't know I'm a woman."
Se shut his mouth unpleased. Aife would have been a perfect mate for his dragon lord, and Faum would have been glad Se found her for him. But the promise is a promise.
He nodded his head, and somehow Aife, without turning around, understood his approval. The more Se viewed her, the more convinced she would be the perfect candidate to rule the world alongside his lord, Faum. It's a pity he made such a futile decision.
Aife let out a satisfied sigh as she caught Kita from the branch and gently placed him.
"Seriously, you are so COOL!" The boy couldn't hide his fondness for his friend, "But why did you avoid the hit when you knew Se was behind?"
Aife just smiled at him.
"I guess heroes also make mistakes. You are still awesome!"
Or was it a mistake? Se's promise was worth it.
Two hours and they emerged at the destination – the castle. A malicious aura reigned as the dry trees were stripped from leaves, barely standing there lonely and naked. Lifeless. Ominous. Dark. These were the adjectives that described this place the best.
"Now what?" Asked the snake.
"Now I need a camouflage. "
"You?"
"Yeah. You two stay here."
"Aife?" Kita asked with a shaky voice and ogled the snake.
"Kita is right. How can you trust him with me?"
"I can ask your lord to kill you, you know?"
"Oh, so now you are blackmailing me?"
Aife grinned and ambled towards the colossal entrance while Se took the boy to the safer place. The serpent was so close to freeing his lord he couldn't contain his elation. But the most intriguing part was Aife meeting Faum. Yep, it sure was the culmination of this whole adventure.
The witch put on her ring. Instantly, Red lights loomed around her, and she grew in size. Se hissed as he shook his head.
The two slender and fragile men dressed in formal but pink attire with earrings on their ears were guarding the stairs inside the castle, which was pretty unusual since they were leaving the opening for the enemy.
Aife took out from her pocket a tiny pot but still looking like the real one for boiling. She ducked and advanced as she opened the jar, and a blood aroma hit her nose. It was the general's blood that was suffused with sin.
Aife pierced her arms so the poison wouldn't work on her. That's how high-rank soldier's blood from the Taiyang kingdom worked.
Men started to doze off, complaining and trying to gain other's attention as they sensed that something was off.
"Dude, the fuck…."
Aife stalked to one of them and clamped her hand onto his mouth as he slumped down and into her arms. She raced towards the second one and did the same as she dragged them under the stairs.
'Fuck,' Aife thought, 'They are too light, and I'm looking like a hulk here.' She referred to her fairytale hero. That was exaggerating tho.
Aife swiftly exchanged hers, and the guard's outwear and climbed up the stairs. She tried not to be too apparent as she examined the castle.
"Hey, you!"
'Oh, no!'
Her heart drummed in her chest as she froze in her place.
"Hey, you! Can't you hear your boss?"
The annoying woman slapped Aife's arm as she gazed down at her.
"Wow… You look nice!" Her exasperation was replaced by satisfaction as she took in Aife's appearance.
'Don't cringe, don't cringe, don't cringe.' Aife begged herself because that lady looked like an old but slut. Her wrinkled face was desperately tried to be covered by the powder, as lipstick was applied unevenly and eyes colored with pink and blue. 'H-E-L-P M-E!'
Desperation could be readen in Aife's eyes as sweat beads were evident on her temples.
"Follow me," the woman ordered her and walked as she swayed her hips. Aife wouldn't call it swaying more like… breaking your bones. She was tempted to ask the woman if she was doing okay or going through a severe breakdown.
"I must check on the prisoner."
"Huh?"
The woman turned around with a distasteful expression as her nose crinkled.
"Two men were knocked out down there, and I must check if the dark lord is untouched."
"What?"
She rushed to Aife again and studied her expression with narrow eyes and gaped mouth. Her breath was odious as Aife held her breath not to be poisoned.
"I ordered others to check on them."
"Let's go."
She led Aife into the darkest lockup and unlocked it before beckoning her to get in quickly. Aife rushed in and, in a flash, caught the woman, closing the door behind with a leg and choking her.
"You thought I wouldn't notice?"
The woman gaped her mouth but shut it as fast because of the lack of oxygen. She collapsed on the floor as Aife yanked keys from her and stood on her feet but halted in place.
Faum bore wholes into her soul. He wasn't expecting anyone to put this kind of stunt to free him.
Aife froze at the man once in her life. She had seen many pretty boys, but this one was magical. His taunt muscles couldn't have been described as other than God's as they flexed and tensed under the dim lights. The thin layer of sweat making it harder to terminate gaze from the man as they glistened and visualized what this beast would look like in a bed. His dazzling orange hair was glued to his forehead, but some of them dangled as his arms were restrained, hanging in the thick air, and his head fell in front. Until he looked up.
The most memorable part of him had to be his emerald eyes. His fierce glare could wrack anything. Aife couldn't recall seeing more outstanding and enchanting eyes on a being.
'Se.' Faum thought before parting his plump lips, "What are you looking at? Release me!" His voice was unwavering and full of authority. As if he vibrated the whole room with his growl.
'Perfect. Another 'I will rule the world'-type.' Aife sighed and raced towards him. 'Hydra chains.' Only special keys could open them since they were unbreakable. Any thought of destroying them would send unendurable shock waves through the person in them. The keys were the same color as them – the blue, covered with snake's, polished scales.
Once the male was liberated, he clenched the chains and yanked them as he tore them off the wall. Aife ducked her head as the chunks of the stones followed the ends of the chains. Faum slammed them into and through the door and crushed the wall.
"I thought 'keep it down' was a decent plan," Aife stated with a stunned expression while Faum walked out of the room from the hole he made in the wall.
The sounds of swords unsheathing reached Aife as she took out her Katana. She was aiming for that man to return as undamaged as possible. In one piece, you may.
"How may I call you?" Asked Aife, grinning childishly and rushing after him but not anticipating an answer.
"Faum."
To her surprise, the ravishing man responded her while glaring at the army in front of them.
Aife couldn't believe how many people have mobilized to imprison him again. Maybe Faum really was a big deal.
"Lend me a weapon?" He asked while facing her. His furrowed eyebrows, gaped lips as he breathed rapidly, and sweaty but perfect tanned skin on a display for her. Aife was shocked at her own self as she couldn't blink an eye at him before coming to her senses and lending him her Katana.
He didn't even ask about her capability or skills for the upcoming fight. Faum just swirled the sword in his hand like it was a feather, and the smug smirk graced his perfect features.
'Snap out of it, girl!'
'Let's see how great of a warrior he really is.'
Aife raised her head high and took a fight stance. The main course still was waiting for them.