XIAO POV:
I was mad at myself. I lost the person I was to follow. She waltzed into a corner and just disappeared into thin air. She must have noticed me following her.
Soon, I heard a knife pop up behind me, heading for my neck. I quickly created a spell and countered the attack.
"Whoever sent you must be highly skilled. Too bad you won't live to credit your mentor" said the voice from the dark.
"I'm not here to fight you. I was sent by....".
Another knife heading for me stole the remaining words.
I was already pissed off. Mage-Lord specifically told me not to attack her in any case of direct confrontation.
I parried again with the same spells. I quickly conjured an armour for myself.
"Interesting choice of actions. This won't be as fun as I thought".
"I won't fight you".
"Your gimmicks won't work on me".
I heard her feet shuffle behind me. I quickly ducked to the left, just in time for me to dodge her attack.
She swung her swords as swift as light. I wasn't sure I would be able to defend her expertise efficiently.
I sustained a slight cut to my left shoulder. She paused for a moment.
"Still won't fight?".
"An order is an order" I replied.
"Fine by me. I won't go easy on you".
She fought even harder, making the first round like a warm-up.
She sliced my shoulders and laps like onions. I could only parry the ones to vital areas.
I was cornered to the wall. She swooshed her swords to my neck and chest at alarming rate. I was stunned momentarily. I couldn't choose which to parry in time. I just swung my arms in response to reflexes.
I heard a powerful clanging sound. The resultant force ruffled I saw the swords stuck very close to my neck and chest. The nib even tore my vest.
"Enough! Take on someone your own strength".
I recognized the voice instantly.
"I accept your challenge".
I quickly ran to Mage-Lord. I looked to his face for answers. He wore a disguise spell.
"I followed you to ensure your safety. You did well to last this long in a duel against the Valkyrie".
My eyes popped in utter shock. I was sent to track the most badass Illuminator/Mage warrior on the planet, dueled with her, and I survived to tell the tale. I was surely due for promotion.
"I'm not that skilled, trust me. Besides, that was hardly a fight".
"Prepare for a real one".
"Bring it on".
***********************
Their clashing of swords was reiterated once again in my memory. They fought for a long time without sustaining a major injury. She was swifter than Mage-Lord but he defended her attacks excellently. They clashed swords again and grappled for balance.
"You fought pretty good. It defends your position, Sally".
Sally? Mage-Lord was named Sally? Wait a moment! She knew him?
"Thank you, Agatha".
Agatha? He knew her? WTF?
She conjured light and treated his minor cuts. They both removed the disguise spells from their faces. They shared a hug for some time.
I remembered her face instantly.
"Aunt Aggie!".
I removed my disguise spell and hugged her tightly.
"Xiao? What are you doing here?".
"I am a mage under him. I was sent to track you".
"You did pretty good. Show me your injuries".
She healed them instantly for me.
"You are the Valkyrie?".
"I guess we all have our fair share of secrecy".
I understood what she meant.
"I hate lying to them but I can't tell them yet".
"I understand you. The same goes for me".
"How is Drekov?".
"He hasn't found closure yet. And I had to reveal myself to him like this. I'm sure he hates me now".
"Nobody will hate a person....".
"These wounds aren't fresh? Where did you get them from?" Sally said.
"I am being hunted. My return to the underworld was met with the expected response. People are after me and Drekov. I had to put him in a safe location".
"That must have been very hard for you".
"This is what it has come to. I have to break a promise to keep it".
"Why did you return? You were at peace when everyone thought you were dead".
"The pureblood was kidnapped. By the Expunger".
"You got the intel too? I was really in luck to search for you. I need your help".
A dagger flew past us. The chants of assassins filtered into our ears.
"We have company".
"So it seems".
"I think I need your help first".
She turned to me.
"Whatever you do, don't tell anyone what you know".
"I won't. Let's get through this first" I replied.
"You can't fight with us. You need to be with your friends for what will happen next".
"What do you mean?".
I fell into a portal as I was about to brace myself.
"No! I can fight!" I yelled as I fell through the portal.
"Xiao! Xiao! Where have you been?".
I was shocked to see Shola. I was right in my hostel.
I breathed long and hard as I stared blankly at him.