The note vanished into dust as soon as Zenyph finished reading it. The eerie silence was deafening. Alice and Asura both stood behind Zenyph waiting for his next move.
His eyes scanned the room nervously. "Is something wrong?" asked Alice anxiously.
"Not exactly." replied Zenyph distractedly. "It was just a poem about the apocalypse."
"Can you recite it?" asked Asura curiously.
"No. It vanished when I was done. I can't remember the exact words." denied the water dragon prince shaking his head.
Asura narrowed her eyes at him. "Hmm."
"This place feels creepy. What do you guys think about finding another spot?" suggested Alice nervously glancing around.
"Good idea." agreed Asura.
Zenyph agreed. "Let's leave."
The three made their way outside and headed further away from the abandoned church.
After a few minutes of walking Alice started to limp. Blood was staining the left side of her shirt and she was making pained noises every time she put pressure on her leg.
"Wait." said Zenyph stopping abruptly. "Alice let me carry you."
Alice's face flushed red and she quickly shook her head vigorously.
"No thank you." declined the shy girl politely.
Zenyph sighed exasperatedly. "Come on Alice it's not that big of deal."
"O-okay." Alice reluctantly agreed and looked at Zenyph with pleading eyes.
Zenyph nodded in confirmation before picking the cute potion maker up bridal style and resuming walking.
The forest grew darker as night approached. Moonlight shone through cracks between the leaves providing a faint illumination.
"Something doesn't feel right." said Asura frowning.
She turned around to glance at Zenyph. "You haven't sensed any presences either."
"Nope." answered Zenyph curtly.
Asura sighed audibly and pinched the bridge of her nose. "Great. I guess we'll keep moving."
They walked quietly until Zenyph spoke up.
"Hey Asura why do you have such a hatred towards me? What did I do to offend you so badly?"
Asura rolled her eyes at him.
"I believe I already told you that back at the opening ceremony didn't I? You're incompetent and irresponsible. Even worse you allowed Alice to get injured today."
"The Alice part I understand but why do you care that I'm incompetent. Why have you been paying so much attention to me? You've known me for like half a day and yet you act as if we've met before. " questioned Zenyph.
Asura stopped dead in her tracks. Her hands trembled and she looked back at Zenyph with an expression filled with disbelief mixed with sadness. She opened her mouth ready to answer him but no words came out. She turned around and continued walking.
"Why won't you talk to me Asura. Let's end this stupid rivalry once and for all. I don't hate you and I don't think you hate me either. So please let's just start fresh and make friends." urged the dragon prince.
Asura kept silent refusing to meet his gaze.
Alice began fidgeting uncomfortably in his arms. "Maybe we should stop talking about this."
Zenyph glanced down at the human potion maker and saw her eyes filled with pity.
He looked away embarrassed. He didn't need her sympathy. He was trying to mend things with Asura. If she hated him so much then at least they could call a truce.
They proceeded to walk in complete silence for a while. None of them dared to speak. Zenyph had no idea where they were going so he simply followed after Asura blindly.
Suddenly Asura suddenly stopped again turning her head towards him.
"I'm sorry. I really shouldn't be treating you this way. I thought I was over it but apparently I was wrong. I apologize." said the vampire princess genuinely remorseful.
Zenyph let out a long breath. Finally she opened up to him. Maybe they could reconcile.
"Don't worry about it Asura. Everyone makes mistakes and sometimes even those who mean well accidentally-"
His words was cut short when a dagger made out of darkness hit Asura in her stomach. The dagger entered her back and exited in the front with a piece of her lungs stuck to it. Asura collapsed on the cold frozen ground that was barely lit by the moonlight.
The culprit, a giant snake with human like arms that acted as claws, descended from a giant tree branch. His entire body was covered in shiny obsidian scales except for the light grey pattern along his back which resembled two slits for pupils and one vertical slit.
Zenyph felt as if someone poured cold ice onto his entire body. The same feeling he had when he lay on the sand-filled ground back on Earth with his blood slowly escaping from his body. He didn't want to die again. He didn't want to feel hopeless ever again. But more importantly he despised seeing someone hurt Asura. Seeing her on the ground helpless infuriated him. She was supposed to be strong. How could someone that's supposed to be powerful be defeated so easily.
Zenyph laughter echoed through the forest breaking the eerie silence. He instinctively extended his dragon claw on both of his hands and gently put Alice down on the ground as he looked into her precious eyes. Eyes that reminded him of puppies. He had to protect her.
"Don't be scared Alice. I'm not going anywhere. Stay with Asura while I handle this." ordered Zenyph with a charming smile.
Alice nodded timidly and limped over to the dying Asura.
The monster hissed excitedly sensing prey nearby. It was hungry.
Zenyph licked his lips in anticipation as his muscles tensed. His adrenaline pumped and his heart beat faster. The icy air caressed his cheeks as his nostrils flared up taking in the sweet scent of his prey. The anticipation and thrill of a hunt excited Zenyph. This was the last push he needed. The destruction of his previous planet. The feeling of hopelessness against Lynette at the castle and now with this abomination. He acted as human, he forced his dragon body to accommodate him. No more. He was the predator here. He was the one in control. It was time to finally let loose and let his instincts take over. He wouldn't hold himself back anymore.
A crazed grin spread across his face as the hairs stood straight on the back of his neck.
He stretched his neck to the left cracking his shoulders. He flexed his arms and cracked his knuckles before letting out a terrifying roar that frightened the prey and even shocked his comrades.
His blue eyes turned a tint of green and a pair of majestic dragon wings appeared on his back. A crazed grin appeared on his face as he finally felt free.