The days that followed were lighter, the summer spell worked, the small camp now wouldn't suffer from winter, so activities returned to normal.
Rex was in his forge with Stitcher, forging a new weapon. Stitcher was quiet, always living behind Rex giving him ideas for new weapons and inventions. The young demigod had short, curly black hair, his skin was black as night, his eyes brown like tree trunks, hidden behind the hood of a white cloak.
—Give me the unicorn fur... - Stitcher hands Rex a ruff of white fur that glows a rainbow in the furnace light.
Rex was albino, had blood red eyes, old and dirty clothes, unlike Stitcher who wore noble clothes although he was also quite dirty from the time he spent in the forge.
Rex curled the hairs into a circle fitting it over a compartment in the middle of the blade, an intense multicolored glow came out of the blade. Rex was impressed by his upbringing.
— Wow. says Stitcher, impressed to see the dagger at the ready.
— Do you think Nicolas will like it?- asks Rex admiring his work. A white blade with a multicolored glow, the pommel shaped like a black unicorn's head.—It's not a trident like he wanted, but I think it looked good on him, don't you think?-asks Rex, keeping the dagger in the white leather sheath.
—I'll call him ..- says Stitcher leaving the excited cave.
Rex stared at the dead unicorn's head at the back of the cave, the fangs like a shark's, eyes like a serpent's, the white fur and horn on its forehead.
—I think I can make a wand for the Nix brothers with this horn.- Rex thinks aloud while staring at the corpse's horn.
A pentagram appears on the ground in front of the forge, a boy is slowly revealed coming out of the ground amidst the shadows, his eyes glowed in an intense red, his skin was black and his long hair covered by dreadlocks tied in a ponytail.
—Hi Umbra, did you get what I asked for?-asks Rex without looking back knowing that it was his friend who had emerged from the shadows.
The boy carried a leather bag that was moving violently, the pentagram stopped glowing and disappeared as the boy got off him with a scary smile.
—It was very difficult to get him out of the underworld, if Hades came after me, you're the one who's going to talk to him!- says Umbra throwing the bag on the floor as if it were a bag of potatoes
—Relax, the gods cannot pass through the barrier, Lepus is very good at that.-says Rex opening the bag where a man tried to escape, but he hit his face on the ground, as he was completely tied up both in his arms and legs.
—Is that a scout knot? How do you know how to do that?- asks Rex seeing the man lying on the ground.
—I have no idea what a scout is... - says Umbra laughing.—But it was my father who taught me how to make this knot, it's really useful isn't it? I'll teach you later, it's very easy... What is this? -Umbra takes the dagger in awe, easily distracted.—Wow! Cool, is it unicorn fur? Is this not dangerous? - asks Umbra admiring the blade.
—I thought Nicolas would like it.-Says Rex not taking his eyes off the man lying on the ground.
—It's just like that little fish.-Says Umbra admiring the blade.—Can you make one of these for me? Only without all that glitter? - he asks
—The weapon has to reflect its user, and let's agree that you with a dagger with unicorn hair is the same as giving a nuclear bomb to a sociopathic child.-Says Rex grabbing the man by the hair lifting him up.
The man was tied up but I could see that he was much bigger than Rex, his blue eyes looked furious, his fangs appeared to intimidate the boy who didn't seem to be afraid. The boy's eyes stared into the man's, his look of pure contempt for the boy was clear in his gaze.
—I've seen that trick, it doesn't scare me.-Says Rex putting his hand on the man's mouth and removing the fang. —But a vampire fang would be very useful...-he says removing them and placing them on the table.
The man screams but his voice doesn't come out, Rex throws him to the corner next to the unicorn's head while his teeth were regenerating, Umbra grabs a cloth that was on top of the bench and throws it over the man before Stitcher arrives with Nicolas.
— And there? Have you made my weapon yet? It's good she's as amazing as I am!-Says Nicolas throwing his blue hair back.
—It's here.-Says Umbra handing the sheathed dagger to the boy.
Rex sat in the chair to see her reaction, Stitcher looking excited as well as curious about what Nicolas would say. The boy took off the scabbard and his eyes sparkled when he saw the multicolored shine of the dagger.
—This is amazing! It's small and delicate, but its shine is divine just like me!-Rex gave a smile seeing that his friend liked his work.
—But be careful, the unicorn fur gives a very destructive power, it is the same material that some wizards and witches use to make wands...-Nicolas didn't pay much attention to what Stitcher was saying, he was admiring the colors that came out of the dagger.
—That's capable of piercing a dragon's skin, so try not to play with it, little fish!- says Umbra leaning against the wall.
—Amazing! -Says Nicolas totally ignoring the warnings still amazed by the light of the blade and leaving the forge.
—Is everything going to be okay?-asks Stitcher looking at Nicolas distracted by the light of the blade.
—It's better to go after him, or you already know, right?!- says Umbra pointing to Nicolas who was going towards the hut.
—You're right.-Says the boy going after Nicolas.
Rex and Umbra looked at each other and a tension took over the forge, Rex turned and removed the cloth that hid the vampire who looked at him with hatred in his eyes.
—I need information on Mr Bloodsucker. - says Rex supporting his hand on the table.
—I won't say anything! -he says showing his fangs again.
—Why not? You're already dead anyway!-Question Umbra curious leaning against the wall.
—I would never betray my kingdom! No matter what you and your little friend say, I will never tell the Dragoness's secrets!- he shouts.
Rex and Umbra looked out of the forge to see if anyone had heard, Rex punches the vampire who is dizzy for a while, the boy grabs the man by the hair lifting him up, the blood comes out of his mouth and a stubborn smile will bloom on his face of the creature.
—And who said that's what I want?-The vampire looks at him confused, Rex gets up and looks at the man from above.—I want to know if it's true that Kaoru de Flora was the one who gave Lumen's sword out of his own free will.-Umbra took a step back, Rex's eyes were bright violet and the vampire will be paler than usual.
—You are... that boy! Impossible, I killed you!- he says incredulously. —I hit your heart!
—Do not. You killed my brother.-Says Rex with an icy tone that makes Umbra swallow hard.
—Hey...I think it's better to calm down there, Rex or Shiro will come!-Rex takes a deep breath, agreeing with Umbra, and looks at the man.
—Tell me the truth.-the man gives a smile understanding the situation.
—If that's all, I see no reason not to tell! That miserable fat man just wanted to save his own skin, he betrayed Felix by his own free will, he gave us the sword of Lumen and with it we killed each other...sorry, Me! I killed your brother and his miserable race!-he says spitting on the ground hitting Rex's shoe.
Rex punches the man in the face causing him to instantly turn to dust, Umbra swallows hard feeling a shiver, Stitcher appears panting.
—Rex!-Rex looked at his friend, his violet eyes alive and his face contorted with hatred..—My father...he.—Rex looked down at the ash on the floor and took another deep breath to calm himself. After a few moments the boys calmed down.
—"Flora" are the ones you said before?-asks Umbra after realizing it was safe to ask.
Rex smiled even though his expression was one of sadness. He left the forge and headed towards the forest, crossing the barrier, shortly after Umbra and Stitcher could see an explosion in the center of the forest and hear a scream of agony and hatred from Rex that made all the boys gather worriedly near Umbra and Stitcher who were standing at the edge of the camp looking at the sky, where several birds were flying away from the explosion caused by Rex.
"Rex, calm down! The gods will see if you don't control yourself! You'll put everyone at risk!"
screams the voice in her mind.
—They betrayed the A-humans, Tenebris! How can you not be furious?!-screams Rex to the creature inside him.
"Of course I am, but you have to stay calm. You can't win any war or battle being so unbalanced!"
—And what do you know about battles? You're just a voice in my head...
"I'm more than that you kid!"
—I'm going to kill them!-Says Rex with hate.
"And what will it do for you? What will it do for you on your journey?"
—will satisfy me! I'm going to avenge my brother!- he shouts
"He's dead! And killing Ikke or Kaoru won't bring him back!"
—It doesn't matter! I just want to see those traitors suffering for eternity!- shouts Rex.
"You can't kill the Flora!"
—I can! I will go! - he screams
"I don't see any future that shows you being capable of such a thing!"
Rex fell silent, angry and frustrated, with so much rage he felt his body would explode at any moment.
Meanwhile at camp, the boys wanted an explanation from Umbra.
—What was that?- Shiro asks approaching the group that had gathered.—Is that Rex's voice? he is...
—He's cool!-Says Umbra calming everyone down.—Just really angry, I think he's going to kill someone! - he says with a sadistic smile.
—Who? -Ask Lepus worried.—He can get hurt if he tries to face someone too strong!
—Some guys called "Flora" apparently they betrayed his race, does anyone know who they are?-asks Umbra looking at everyone.
Shiro was still wide-eyed at Umbra. Umbra just noticed Shiro at that moment and covered his mouth quickly seeing what he had done, in the next second Rex appeared in the middle of the fire flames and was received with a punch in the face by Shiro who looked shaken and furious. Rex was motionless for a few seconds, Shiro's punch didn't have much result, Rex still looked stunned because he didn't expect such an action.
"Rex, Rex, Rex, CALM DOWN, IT'S Shiro! DON'T DO ANYTHING YOU WILL REGRET!"
Everyone stood still, Shiro never really hit anyone, he was always looking for trouble but never went that far, and no one would ever think that Shiro would hit Rex.
—What are you doing?-the wind hit his face showing his bright violet eyes that stared at Shiro waiting for an answer that would make him not attack.
"Rex! Rex, LISTEN TO ME! DON'T ATTACK! YOU WILL REGRET IT! DON'T DO THAT!"
Shiro's expression scared everyone, Rex, however, seemed to already foresee such a reaction which will make everyone even more confused, Lepus tried to intervene, but Umbra covered his mouth with his hand preventing him from going, holding him close to the others.
—Let it roll, I've never seen these two fight!-Says Umbra smiling.
Shiro and Rex stare at each other, Rex ignoring the voice that screamed in his mind to control himself. The boy looked at his companions, they all looked scared with Rex's look and Shiro's reaction.
—Who told him? - asks Rex.
Everyone pointed at Umbra who smiled and waved goodbye as she covered Lepus's mouth.
—Did you think you could hide it? I won't let you attack the Flora!- says Shiro ready to fight for it.
—I know the relationship you have with them, or rather with that shitty little prince. But I don't care about that, I'm going to kill them very, very slowly, I'll do the same as the Dragoness did with my father and my brother.-Says Rex, snapping his fingers.
"YOU ARE CRAZY?"
The silence made the voice in Rex's mind echo even louder, but no matter how much the voice screamed, Rex just ignored it as he was being guided by his own thoughts and not Tenebris's, the image of his father dying and asking to be saved. him running away with his brother into the forest, the intense feeling of regret and shame that Rex will feel for not being able to save his brother, crossed his mind and all he wanted was revenge. He felt that this was the only thing he could do for them, and now Shiro was in his way, he should put him in his place, show that Shiro was not above his goals, he should show that to everyone and especially to himself.
—Either you're on my side or you're against me.-Says Rex taking his bone dagger and throwing it on the ground.—If you're against it, I won't hold back.
—Then that's it? Are we nothing but servants? You think I'm a pet you can control?! -he asks nervously, he could feel the murderous intent of Shiro and Rex, Shiro's ears got bigger and his canines too. —He is my friend, I protect my friends!
—He's a traitor! Because of him my family died!-screams Rex surrounding Shiro.
—I thought we were your family!-Says Shiro pointing to all the worried boys there.
"Rex..."
—I thought so too.-Rex advanced and threw a punch that opened a hole in the ground.
"NOOOOO! STOP IT!"
Shiro dodged, his hands turned into werewolf paws and attacked.
—We are not your servants, sir "A-human!"- shouts Shiro hitting the ground that shatters and vines grow, thorny and poisonous, they go to Rex like tentacles that moved on their own. — You think you're stronger than us! You think you can control us by force?! Do you think we'll comply?!
—I never ever considered them servants or anything like that! stop talking nonsense!- says Rex dodging the vines, his hand touches the roots and they go into flames, Shiro jumps among them and scratches the air, catching part of Rex's clothes and some strands of his fringe.—If you like the Flora so much, why are you going to live there?!-screams Rex raising his hand and lightning comes out of his fingers heading towards Shiro who dodges as if he knew exactly where each lightning bolt would fall. —oh yeah, i forgot! you can't because you're a hybrid!-screams Rex fire blasts come out of the ground.
Umbra conjures a protection at the door of the forge and the boys hide there so as not to be caught in the fight, nobody said anything they were focused on the discussion.
—Ikke is not like the other humans in Flora, he is kind! His father is an idiot!-shouts Shiro protecting himself with a dome of vines. Rex stops in front of the dome without being able to attack him until he leaves it.
—Swallow Ikke then! but know that he doesn't care about you! and at the first opportunity he would leave you behind!- shouts Rex standing in front of the dome, he was furious, but his eyes had changed from a bright violet to an intense red. —Do you think he cares about a weak Hybrid like you?!- says Rex raising his hand and launches a fireball towards the dome.—PAY ATTENTION Shiro! HE'S JUST A HUMAN SHIT!-screams Rex and the fireball turns into a large sphere of ice that breaks the dome and falls to the ground.
—Ice? Rex could do that? Caerula asks Umbra in surprise.
—there's…no…-Umbra's mouth was open, which makes the rest apprehensive, Umbra being surprised by something was never a good sign.
Shiro is visible now, his eyes full of tears and frowning, Rex stops, and from his feet, ice starts to come out spreading in the middle of the floor already brittle from the fight between the two.
—IKKE LIGA YES! HE IS MY FRIEND! AND IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT YOU SAY! I KNOW HE IS A GOOD PERSON! AND I WILL FIGHT TO KEEP HIM ALIVE!-shouts Shiro crying.
—I feel sorry for Shiro.-Says Venator making a sick face when saying that.
—yeah… he just wants to protect his human friend… but he understands Rex's anger…-says Cook.
A blizzard starts around Rex who clenches his fists and turns an angry face.
—so...-His violet eyes return to Shiro and on impulse Rex went towards Shiro.—I'm going to break all your bones, so there's no way to stop me!-Says Rex going towards Shiro, taking an icy wind with him.
A black wall rose over the two, Umbra was pale and looked at Rex scared, everyone looked at Umbra who looked in shock.
—Rex! It's better to stop.-says Umbra trembling.—This is not you.
—Oh, you're wrong.-Says Rex picking up his dagger on the ground and keeping it in the sheath of his belt.
—I didn't understand, I thought you wanted to see everything burn! - says Magi.
—Pay fire, not freeze.-Says Umbra looking at Rex.
Rex looks up, a black cloud was flying over the sky. He looks at Shiro who still had his werewolf hands and with a scared look on his face but kept standing, staring at him determinedly.
—Something tells me this isn't over.- says Lepus.
—Of course not.- says Shiro.—He won't hurt Ikke, he'll have to go through me if he wants to do that!- says Shiro nervously, returning to normal.
—Something tells me that Shiro had spoken the truth about meeting a lord…-says Bellator.
—Who knew.-Says Caerula in a sigh and looks at Rex in the forge freezing everything inside.