Dread. Tessa threw it away and twisted to look at them as it pinged at her for two heartbeats. The clearing became more confined, with a precipitous drop at the end and two large rock stacks on either side.
She questioned Michael, "Is there a way to climb down?"
His terrified eyes were fixed on her as he said, "No."
"Alright." The boys were forced into the corridor by Tessa, who then positioned them as close to the edge as she could. "Stay here, and don't move."
However, there are a lot. The young boy next to Michael appeared to be on the verge of passing out from dread as Michael's voice came out in a frightened whisper.
Tessa pulled her final arrow from the quiver and sent a critical glance Michael's way. Give the little man some comfort while I finish off these morons. He is unaware that the Warriors are unbeatable.
Michael nodded with a somewhat more alert appearance.
When the first three guards stormed into the clearing, she was down on one knee with her arrow ready. Only two of them could fit through the narrow passageway at once. Before the other two could strike their daggers, Tessa shot the first one that entered, then pulled out her sword and severed their Achilles tendons.
She faced the newcomers after taking the arrow out of the first man's side and reattaching it to her bow. This time, there were more of them, and the sound of crashing steel mixed with agonised shouts and reverberated in the hallway. As Tessa battled, two by two, bodies started to accumulate. She used the guards' shields to deflect the pickaxes that were flying at her head as she pulled her arrow out of countless torsos.
She leapt over a swinging dagger and brought the hilt of her sword down on the back of a bald head while her muscles wailed in protest. There was no time for the man to feel relieved as he passed out.
"Be careful!" Behind her, Michael's voice could be heard. As her power was dwindling, she raised her sword to parry two dagger attacks simultaneously and then pushed the new assailants over the bodies of their friends. They stumbled back and landed on two more people who were attempting to cram into the passageway. She had to call the heat, but once she did, she had no idea how long the power would last. If she couldn't kill them off with the extra energy, she would be left unable to fight. Damn it, she wouldn't live for much longer.
The young boy suddenly stood up and began yelling, "JARA! JARA!" while pointing at the tiny opening in the sky above them. The gathering at the entrance to the corridor looked surprised as they followed her pointer to the enormous birds in the sky.
The phrase "IN KACH!" Somebody shouted.
The guard, who had been battling Tessa, abruptly surrendered, turning in terror and stumbling over the bodies of his fallen friends. What on Earth? As the huge birds dove for the rushing swains, Tessa gazed in disbelief. She didn't notice the men riding the animals until later. "Right now, we need to find cover," said Tevvuk's bear. When Tessa turned to face the boys, she discovered them grinning as they were observing the sky.
Michael said with wonder, "We're saved."
Tessa turned her head back to the sky as she observed the large animals snatching up human beings one by one with their powerful claws. The beasts screamed as they picked up their victims before throwing them over the edge of the plateau and into the depths of the crags.
She turned to Michael and asked, "Explain," the anxiousness still present in her body. What if the creatures then pursued them?
Michael nodded towards the young child whose hand he was still holding and stated, "They've come to save him. They'll be appreciative because you also assisted him, they say.
"Maybe." Tessa turned to face the wounded guys in the area. While some were moaning in agony, some were silent. She drew out her arrow after spotting it lodged in a stout leg near the top of the pile and then tugged at Michael's hand. I said, "Come on."
The boys followed her out of the passageway and across the mass of dead. One of the beast-like birds descended in front of them as they were once again in the clearing. Tessa just widened her eyes and put her palm on the hilt of her blade as the lads raised their hands to shield their faces from the wind created by the enormous wings. Four additional animals touched down behind the first, and soon after, men wearing blood-red uniforms began to drop from their backs. The warriors approached them with their long, slender swords tapping against the sides of their legs as sunlight glinted off their silver winged helmets.
"Jara!" In pursuit of the front rider, the young child ran. Tessa saw that, in contrast to the other uniforms, his had golden birds sewn on the sleeves, denoting a higher position. The man ordered the youngster to "lay in Yaka!" as he drew the child to him and wrapped him in his red robe.
Tessa grimaced and raised her sword as four riders surrounded her and had their swords ready.
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Rud, Rud. The child yelled at the troops before turning to face Jara. The child's words spilled out, accompanied by a lot of pointing and waving, which Tessa disregarded as she devised a strategy. There was just one escape route from this plateau if the men attacked; they would have to take one of those birds. The ferocious-looking monsters jerked their bright green heads as if they sensed her plan, but how in the world would they ride them?
"HAT RA!" Jara phoned. The soldiers all stepped back and lowered their weapons. Tessa took a cautious breath and pointed her own weapon downward without drawing it.
Jara advanced until he was just beyond her sword's range, inside the semicircle of his soldiers. He then took off his helmet, revealing piercing grey eyes and waves of silky auburn hair. Tessa couldn't recall ever seeing hair of such a shade. A: "Sin iz mik?"
Michael approached her and gave her a soft elbow prod. "He wants to know who we are,"
Tell him to let us pass and that he is welcome. Tessa answered quietly.
After some hesitation, Michael followed the instructions. As he listened to the reply, Jara's brows furrowed before he exclaimed, "Din kurtar shim kar im ben. Sun yor ist ne, le soy.
He tells me to tell him what I want and that you saved his sister." Confused, Michael translated. They both watched as the young person they had mistakenly assumed to be a "boy" smiled and removed her hat. Her back was covered in long strawberry-coloured hair that cascaded over her brother's cape.
Tell him that the only thing we want from him is for him to move out of the way. Tessa scowled. She had zero faith in these outsiders.
With a grimace on his face, Michael stood in front of her. Please think it over, Warrior. How are we going to leave this place? The portal is no longer accessible, but I suppose you have a method to return to Gaia. And the previous individuals, you do not know the owner; he will not permit this to end.
Tessa spoke to Michael while maintaining her gaze on the soldiers surrounding her. The portal will reopen in half a moon cycle, so don't worry. I will keep you hidden until then and have lots of food tablets. That boss of yours lost many guards today and will anticipate that we left with these birdmen.
Michael slowly nodded, but the fear remained on his face. Tessa put a hand on his shoulder and noticed the sharp wounds on his arms. She said, "I know you've been through a lot these past few days, but no one will hurt you anymore; that is a warrior's vow."
"I'm grateful, Warrior. I wait. How many days did you say? His intensely blue eyes were fixed on hers. "What do you mean, days?"
The quick onset of his worry perplexed Tessa. You fell through the portal ten days ago, didn't you?
"Stop, stop, stop. No, this is not possible. Michael started to pace while raising his hands. The child tugged at his hair, and Jara's soldiers tensed as they watched him approach her once more. "How old did my parents claim I was? What did they say about me to you?
With a foreboding sensation prickling her nape, Tessa went inside her breast pocket for the tiny and held it out to Michael. They told me you were nine years old when they gave me this. You're not nine, though, are you?
As he regarded his photo, Michael's hand began to tremble. No, I'm not nine. It has been four years and fifteen days since I entered the portal. I'm now thirteen.
Terrible Diya. That is not possible. Even as she spoke, Tessa shook her head in agreement that the sentiment was absurd. She had entered a different planet through a portal and was now surrounded by men riding birds of prey. And if Michael hadn't been staying here for a while, how could he have picked up the language? Nothing was impossible.
On Asch, time must function differently. Naturally, how could it not? The bird-soldiers were once again on edge as Michael began to pace once more. "If the portal will reopen after half a moon's cycle on Gaia, and 10 days on Gaia are equivalent to 4 years here, then...that means...that means." He looked Tessa's way with pathetic eyes. 6-year period. For the next six years, we cannot return home.
She felt as though she had been punched in the gut with an iron fist. 6 years? Tia. Was she all right? She was necessary. She moved her attention away from the peculiar agony that Jothan's name brought up, knowing that Lady Mirabel would fulfil her word and that she was a nice person. This is my mission as a warrior. Only death will stand in my way. She fixed a steady gaze on Jara's perplexed features. "Tell him that I need somewhere to stay for a few days for the two of us. I am willing to work for money. She only required a few days to gather information, after which she would determine the situation.
Michael rapidly translated, then listened in awe to Jara's response: "He claims he will give us a place to stay, food, and everything else we require. We are his permanent visitors.
Forever visitors? She had no intention of leaving this terrible plateau and returning to captivity. "That won't work. A few days should be sufficient, and I'll work to justify our stay.
After Michael had finished translating, Jara moved closer, his lips pursed. Inquiry: "Na ba ven gu sun mi yor?"
Michael answered warily, "I suppose he feels insulted because you are implying he can't provide for us.
Tessa moved closer to Jara by shoving her blade into its sheath and taking a step forward. "Do you believe we will survive on your generosity?"
Michael hesitantly translated.
Jara moved forward in a menacing manner. When the young girl tried to approach her brother, one of his soldiers grabbed the hilt of his sword and held her back.
Tessa remained still. She didn't even flinch when Jara moved even closer. His fury quickly subsided as he grinned, and he then extended a hand towards her face. Tessa grabbed his arm, turned it, and used her shoulder to push him off balance before his fingers ever touched skin. The bird-soldiers charged ahead before stopping at their commander's order to "HAT RA!"
Tessa had Jara's throat pinned with one hand as he stood on the ground and looked up at her while his hands began to free themselves. She wasn't squeezing him; all she was doing was exerting enough pressure on certain areas along his spine to make his lower body useless. He spoke softly after something changed in the depths of his grey eyes.
Michael hurried to explain, his eyes jumping between Tessa and the angry-looking troops surrounding them. "He says he will hire you," he said. He wants you to look after his sister personally. We will be provided with a place to stay, food, and everything else we require in exchange.
Tessa let go of her grip and took a step back. Tell him I accept, please.
Jara got to his feet as Michael sighed in translation. His sister triumphantly threw her arms around Tessa after escaping from the guards and advancing past her brother.
What on Earth? Tessa reflexively took a step back, but the girl only tightened her grip.
With a frustrated expression on his face, Michael reached out and yanked the girl back. He shook his head and used low-pitched language that Tessa could not comprehend. She appeared to be discouraged after hearing that, yet she still reached for Tessa's clothing. The girl smiled while clinging to her coat and gazing up at Tessa with admiration.
Tessa realised that it would be difficult to safeguard this girl. The young child not only found herself in that gaming establishment disguised as a boy, but she also appeared to behave without any thought. Tessa was unable to fully comprehend this state of being. Terrible Diya.
"Heads up!" Tessa turned to look at the man who was now standing up and wiping red dust off of his clothes when she heard a deep laugh. After seeing her gaze, Jara gave her a crooked smile that softened his angular features and made him appear more approachable. What age was he? He was in his mid-twenties somewhere. He appeared to be a strong, self-assured man based on what she had seen thus far. Being lowered to the ground in front of his men would have been too much for a man who lacked self-assurance in his talents. A: "Min is ne?"
Michael stated next to her, "He's asking for your name." "Warrior, what is your name?"
"Lieutenant Tessa of the House of-" Tessa paused abruptly when she realised that the majority of those words had no real meaning in the world. Her mind was working hard to keep up with the reality of the odd realm she had travelled to, and her muscles were sore from the fight. She exhaled slowly, put it all away, and turned to face Jara with her shoulders back. "Tessa. Call me anytime, Tessa.