Even though Cristhine couldn't deny the importance of what Nendula said, she knew that Gregory was to blame for the entire situation—or at least that's what she thinks. If he had said something about his mental state, none of them would have risked entering AZL 4.
For all intents and purposes, they were entering an AZL 4 with a relatively experienced Statera. This is the minimum required by any Regional Council, and they obtained permission after completing all tests. They were qualified to enter.
They thought they were ready to train in such a place, but they didn't know they were taking a risk. It was like blindfolded walking, the last thing they saw being the safe path they should follow, but forced to remove the blindfold after hitting a wall.
If they had heard someone scream, they would have stopped, and nothing bad would have happened. But who is the real culprit in the situation? Those with the blindfold who kept walking without knowing where to go, or the one who saw the danger and still said nothing?
"It would have taken just one word, Dula, one word, and we would all have left immediately and not taken any more risks, no, we wouldn't even have entered there. Feli, tell her, tell her what kind of Statera puts their Bonds in danger out of sheer cowardice and stubbornness."
Feli, lying on the large bed, looked exhausted and sick. Her eyes were sunken, and her dark circles were even worse than before. She was staring through a hole in the cabin's roof, as if trying to imagine something.
Despite listening to the conversation between her sorors, she didn't react to anything they said. Her confused feelings were gradually consuming her sanity and health.
She didn't want to succumb to anger and start venting all her frustration, as she also felt betrayed. But she also knew she couldn't trust someone who had already betrayed her and could do so again.
Both indecision and guilt were consuming what remained of her resilience. The anger she felt deep down was only contained by the simple desire not to see them all killing each other.
She didn't want to take sides in this fight; she didn't have the capacity to make a decision for it right now. But that was also making her weaker and weaker. Her friends and sisters were fighting; her Statera was nothing more than an empty shell.
Their hopes were gone... What should they do now?
"Leave Feli out of this, Cris... She's already hurt more than enough."
"And whose fault is it that we're all like this?"
"Cris, please, don't do this, don't give in to anger."
"I only have her to sustain me now, Dula. Nothing else is left for me. No plans, no strength, no hopes, and certainly no sanity. Everything is gone."
"Not everything, Cris, we still have each other. As long as we don't succumb to madness and anger, we can try to think of something."
"There's no way out. There's nothing left. No future for us. If we're not executed on sight, we'll be taken to the capital to be judged by the Supreme Council."
"Please, Cris, stop this... Let's try to think of something. I'm sure our Masters can help us..."
"There's nothing more to do, Dula, even if we're not killed, we'll live the rest of our lives wishing for it. I don't want to live like a madwoman for the next 1000 years, Dula... I PREFER TO DIE."
"..."
Everyone in the room knows that no punishment from the Council will be better than death; history has proven that. The only mercy they can hope for from the council is to receive a swift death.
Felicia knows that the only thing they can do now is pray that Aura wants to embrace them when they die, IF they die. They don't know when all this will end, and as Cristhine had said before, all that's left for them is to wait.
"It's been over 30 days since the incident, and he didn't even consider doing our treatment. I'm sure even his apology was empty, much more for himself than for us. Even when we're almost fighting, he doesn't react..."
Even if your requirements weren't high, Cristhine always valued excellence in some basic things in a Statera.
Being emotional support, knowing how to control and manage tensions, helping organize the emotions of their Bonds... All these are basic things a Statera has the responsibility to be good at. They are trained for that...
It's not just about learning how to tune and share Aura or how to help in their training... A Statera must be more than that. They must be the one to whom they can show a moment of weakness, share secrets and opinions...
Even if females fight, shed blood, and hardly ask for help, Stateras must be what they need most after all this: someone to say 'good job' or 'You were amazing'...
"A Statera who can't even provide emotional support for their Bonds... That's a joke. You disgust me, Gregory. I regret the day I chose you as a Statera."
Even sitting in a dimly lit corner, the look of disgust on Cristhine's face was visible to everyone in the cabin.
"It's all very interesting, girls, but I think I have everything I needed... Let's talk face to face."
It's not known where or from whom the voice came. But everyone in the cabin heard it. They were surprised, but soon they went on guard and were ready to take their original forms to fight.
"???" Cristhine got up from the chair and ran toward Nendula. As soon as she stood by her, Cristhine began trying to find the owner of the voice.
"What...?" Nendula was confused, looking at the front door and wondering if it was a good idea to go outside.
"Who?" Felicia got up from the bed slightly and ran toward the door... But stopped before reaching it, as if deciding it wasn't a good idea to go out.
Only Gregory didn't react to the voice; he sat there motionless, just trembling uncontrollably. He looked like someone who had just seen death with his own eyes.
The voice was not heard again for a few seconds. Only tremors and a loud, strong rumble, followed by the sounds of breaking trees, were heard after the voice finished speaking. Something very large landed, probably a dragon and the owner of the voice.
How did they not realize that someone was nearby watching them? How long had she been there? Who is she, and what does she want? Why was she listening to their conversations?
"I hope you don't try to run, it never works and only complicates my life."
The voice was heard again after the intense noises there had ceased; it was the same voice, only now it was louder and clearer.
After the voice spoke again, the girls began to hear the steps of a much smaller being, meaning she had transfigured into her human form.
After a little more than 10 steps, the woman was already at the cabin door. But she stopped before opening it, as if checking something. After a few more seconds, the door opened, revealing the woman.
"By Aura... I know you're in a desperate situation, but could you at least try to keep the place clean... This is a mess."
With a disgusted look, Nala took a handkerchief from her pants pocket and covered her nose with the hand covered with the handkerchief.
"Lady Nala... hahaha... We're screwed." It was the only thing Felicia managed to say before collapsing on the floor near the door, where she had stopped. She could only look at Nala and then lowered her head, starting to cry softly.
"..." Nendula couldn't say anything; no words came out of her mouth because of the fear she instinctively felt. But she began to approach Gregory to prevent Nala from seeing him in that state.
"Lady Nala... I... I... It is an honor to meet the Strongest Great Dragon Lady. My mentor, Lady Tatiana Petrova, told me about your deeds..."
As soon as Cristhine recognized Nala, she immediately knelt on one knee. It wasn't flattery or empty words; admiration was evident and sincere in Cristhine's eyes. She was truly honored to meet the figure her Mentor praised so much.
"Hmm... You must be Cristhine Ferguson..." Nala looked at the kneeling Cristhine, she took off the handkerchief to speak, and then made a small smile, waiting for the response. She seemed interested in Cristhine.
"Yes, Lady Nala, this is me."
"Hmm... Lady Tatiana told me some things about you, girl. She told me that you were very close to ascending to Dragon Lady and being recognized as Ingenious. Is that right?"
"Yes, Lady Nala, I have already started the ascension process... My goal was to ascend in 20 years or less, but..."
"But you and your Sorors ended up massacring more than 200 people. Wasn't that so?"
"Yes... Lady Nala..."
Only shame remained in Cristhine's expression. Feeling the scrutiny in Nala's voice was enough for all her insides to twist in agony...
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I hope you can help me correct any spelling errors in the chapters.
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