Grace. I've never wanted to kill somebody this much. Even Azriel is bearable but she's absolutely not.
As we continued our journey towards the Granzy tower, the presence of Grace became increasingly grating to my senses. Her high-pitched voice and constant physical proximity to Azriel were like nails on a chalkboard, testing my patience at every turn. It seemed as though she couldn't resist the urge to touch him or grab his attention, which only fueled my growing irritation.
I clenched my jaw, doing my best to keep my composure and not let her actions affect me.
As we walked, Grace would occasionally giggle and tap Azriel on the arm, or lean in close to whisper something in his ear. I was screaming from inside and I had to remind myself that whatever I was feeling was nothing, and that Azriel and I had our own complicated dynamic, and that his interactions with Grace didn't necessarily diminish our connection.
The news that she would be joining us on our journey to the Granzy Tower, until we retrieved the trident from Abaddon, only added to my growing agitation. It felt as though there was no escape from her presence, and I couldn't fathom why she was so intertwined in our mission.
As I listened to Jared, Azriel, and Grace share their laughter and memories, a familiar pang of loneliness and longing tugged at my heart. The reminiscing reminded me of my own childhood, a time when I had friends, or at least people who were around me. But they had left me, leaving me feeling abandoned and isolated.
They had been the source of laughter for like a year before they all left me, and all I felt was left out, that I didn't belong here. That there was darkness inside me. It was cold, and it was ugly. They made me feel that I was ugly, that I didn't deserve anyone.
They told me I killed my parents.
I took a deep breath and blinked the tears away that has started to form in my eyes. It was okay now. I was alone, yes but it was better that people breaking me again and again.
I felt Azirel's gaze on me so I turned o look at him, and he was staring at me. Something inside me fluttered when I saw his face. Our eyes met, causing me to feel warm instantly. Any feeling of loneliness washed away just from his gaze.
Without breaking eye contact, Azriel slowly approached me, breaking away from Grace's grasp as she laughed at something Jared said. She didn't even notice him coming to me, she was too busing with Jared.
His presence enveloped me, and I felt a comforting energy radiating from him. There was something about him, something that made me feel safe and understood.
There was no difference in walking, except now I had Azriel walking beside me. Then he decide to speak, "Lonely, fiery?"
I smiled, how did he know every time. "Mr. Guardian, you should really mind your own business sometimes," I looked up at him, turning my face to him.
He wore a teasing smile, looking straight into my eyes, "Don't know how to do that sometimes."
I chuckled softly, unable to hide the amusement in my voice. "Clearly, minding your own business isn't your strongest suit, Azriel."
He grinned mischievously, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "You know, fiery, you're absolutely right. I should mind my own business... but where's the fun in that?"
I rolled my eyes, unable to suppress a smile.
"You're the same though, remember, curious cat."
I let out a small laugh at his words. It was from the conversation from the terrace of his secret hideout.
"Yes, closed-off turtle."
Then, I remembered our kiss. Angry one. It was out of anger, and I knew it didn't mean anything but I knew very well I blushed. Hard.
I glanced at Azriel, his smirk still lingering on his lips, and I couldn't help but feel a mixture of annoyance and attraction. He had a way of getting under my skin, of igniting a fire within me that I couldn't easily extinguish.
"Stop smirking like that," I grumbled, attempting to hide my embarrassment behind a facade of annoyance.
"No." He replied, chuckling.
"Oh no, I have feeling we'll fight again." I said, slumping my shoulders very tired from all the walking, when he kept his hand on my lower back, all of a sudden, and said, "Your second lesson, always keep your back straight and be aware of your surrounding, and remember my words."
My back straightened at his touch.
"Walk with your head high. You're not alone," He whispered in my ear, his hand still on my lower back.
My heart fluttered and I wanted to punch him for making me feel that, making feel so warm. I am not alone.
"O-okay." I replied.
The Granzy tower loomed ahead, its ancient architecture a testament to the mysteries it held within.
Azriel shifted closer to me, his eyebrows going down, forming an attentive expression.
"You, selene, you stay close to me, and be alert. This is the town where Abaddon once lived. It can affect you badly."
I nodded, nervously. Being anywhere close to Abaddon's things and place made me want to vomit.
"And if I remember correctly, he has his secret hideout here." Jared let out, and Azriel nodded.
Purple light emerged from behind me and Azriel, making me jolt. It didn't even faze Azriel because he knew it was Grace's magic. I turned around to see Grace's brown eyes growing purple and her blonde hair defying gravity.
To say I was amazed was an understatement. My eyes grew wider as her sparkly violet, blackish magic gave us a direction to follow.
The amber-eyed man turned to me, his expression serious. "Selene, this is our chance to locate Abaddon's hideout. Stay close to me, and let Grace guide us."
I nodded, my nervousness momentarily overshadowed by the urgency of the task at hand. Grace's magic provided us with a clear direction, leading us deeper into the Granzy tower's mysterious corridors.
As we ventured further, the air grew heavy with an otherworldly energy, making my skin prickle with unease. Every step echoed with a sense of foreboding, as if the tower itself held the whispers of forgotten secrets.
The purple glow from Grace's magic danced and flickered, casting eerie shadows along the walls. It was both mesmerizing and unsettling, reminding me of the darkness that Abaddon had once embodied.
Azriel's hand reached forward and a black and red sword, shiny as new, formed, leaving little white sparks from his hand. "Selene, you are with us in this. And you have to try to fight...I promise that nothing will happen to you, and I'll protect you at any costs."
I nodded, getting more nervous as he handed me the sword. It was heavy with magic.
Jared, ever the loyal companion, stepped forward with a reassuring smile. "And don't forget, Selene, I've got your back as well. We're in this together, no matter what."
I nodded again, but I didn't feel at ease. I only trusted Azriel, and I made a mental note of what he said that I should walk with my back straight and be attentive.
I gulped as we walked, the shadows seemed to grow deeper, the air thicker with an ominous energy.
I let out a shaky breath, air visible from my mouth that I let out because of the cold. We weren't walking in sunlight now, there were just dark angry clouds in the sky.
Azriel came closer to me, his presence again comforting me, and putting me at ease.
As we stood before the ominous house, darkness seeping from its very foundation, a shiver ran down my spine. The air felt heavy with an unsettling energy, and the stormy clouds above seemed to mirror the turmoil within me.
The dried leaves rustled in the wind, their brittle sound a stark contrast to the eerie silence that enveloped the area. There was no denying that this place held a deeper, darker power—one that matched the darkness I carried within myself.
This was Abaddon's hideout.
I tightened my grip on the sword as the man beside me whispered calmly, "Me and Selene will go in first. You guys come afterward." He said to Jared and Grace, who's eyes had stopped glowing purple and hair were down like normal, obeying gravity.
"Remember we're here only for my trident. Once we get it, we have to go as far as possible from here." He added.
He creaked the door open, painfully slow, the nervousness just kept on building with me. What if I had to confront my own darkness? I pushed thought aside.
Now, Jared and Grace followed closely behind before Azriel told us that we that we should split up.
"N-no," I whispered. "Every horror movie ends up badly if people split up-"
Azriel interrupted and spoke sternly, "This isn't a movie, Selene. Be serious."
"I am serious." I furrowed my eyebrows. "I just think that it's a-a bad idea."
"A bad idea is an inexperienced individual like you to have a say in this." He whispered, his eyes glaring at me.
My glare intensified as I locked eyes with Azriel, refusing to back down.
"Let's see if you have this same anger when you confront an attack. As far as I know, you'll cower, Selene. Not so fiery."
My heart hurt because I knew he was so right.