'Yeah, I can do that…it'll be okay… I think?'
I tried to lift the sword, but barely even lifted it. Finally, I decided to tie it to my back, using a magic spell to lighten it.
Then climbing the stairs one by one, I came out of the dusty and dirty underground gallery, arriving in the back forest.
I looked around, seeing if there was anything particular, before activating another spell—this time a localization one.
For it to function, I used a piece of fabric from Daniel, that I had gotten my hand on.
Then, I waited a few seconds for it to find Daniel.
"Come on, go faster!" I uttered while I fiddled with my sword, kinda stressed.
I didn't know how long Daniel could go on or if he was in a dangerous situation. And I wasn't ready for yet another death.
"Ah! Finally! You took your sweet time, huh."
The spell, reflecting in a red light on the ground, led towards the north, ahead of me.
Following its signal, I ran as fast as I could, using one of my spells again, and went straight in that direction.
I was now using multiple spells at the same time, which was very complicated.
After a good long while of running, passing through the dark woods, I landed in a meadow, deserted from any living.
As I observed the surrounding landscape I remembered coming here, at one time but forgot when and why.
'Ah! Isn't it the same place I landed last time? In Daniel's dreams?'
In the middle of the open land, just as before, were the numerous statues.
I walked towards it slowly, while I didn't let go of my vigilance.
"Daniel?"
In the same place, I found myself before, sat Daniel—his back to me.
"Daniel!? Are you listening?"
Seeing that this one didn't answer, I closed the distance between us— reaching my hand to his shoulder.
"What are you doing here?"
"None of your problems. Go away."
"What!? No. I am not. Not after I went looking for you everywhere." I said, as I stood on my ground, displeased.
I didn't do all that just for him to say to get lost. If I knew that all I would get for my hard work was ingratitude, I wouldn't have done all that.
"Stop pretending. I know what you're like. You are not some saintly person."
I opened my eyes and mouth, flabbergasted at his words.
Who would think that, to thank my kindness, I would receive in return scorn and despise?
What did he mean by that? That he knew me?
But none of them did.
Not my mother. Not my brother. Not even myself.
And now despite the generosity I had shown him, he was saying those bullish?
"And what kind of person am I then? Tell me?"
"You…you are selfish. But so stupid that you forget it. A coward who acts heroic. Lost but always tries to find your way, even though you know it's no use."
"What? Are you trying to bring me down or compliment me?"
"I am not doing either. I am stating the truth. I bet you, yourself, didn't know this." He said as he looked at me, with a sad smile, "But I passed years observing you, trying to find what was so special in you for him to be so subjugated."
"I know you enough now." He ended by saying as continued to look into my confused eyes.
I…didn't know what else to say.
He had what? How come I didn't notice?
"And right now you're asking yourself how you never felt it, right? See? I know you better than yourself."
"You…! What are you—no, it's not time for this. We should leave first. "
"No, I am not moving. I need calm right now. And it's not some monster that'll make me afraid."
"Oh really, how about me kicking your noble ass if you do not move right now then? More scary for you?" I said, threatening him with a menacing gaze, ready to apply my words without hesitation.
"Hahaha! You are so predictable. Okay, okay." He leisurely said as he lifted his hands above his head, standing up, "but you have to accompany me to a place first."
Trying to remain calm, I took a deep breath to control my frustration and anger.
I think of all Mainu's lovers, Daniel might have been the worst in terms of character.
He was by definition, the hardest to handle.
"Where?"
"Not too far. But be aware, it's full of those vile creatures. They appeared around a few minutes ago, lurking around and waiting for their prey to weaken naturally."
"So you want me to go with you on a suicide mission?"
"Yeah."
"Do you think I am crazy? If you want to die, go die alone." I said frustratingly as I passed by him, nearly pushing him.
I really wanted to kill him.
I walked a bit before stopping and returning to where he was. As I did so, I stomped my feet on the ground.
I held my head for two minutes before lifting my head and looking at him.
This one was still smiling, visibly amused.
"That too, I guessed you would do that." He said, proudly, as if had won a medal.
I was now contemplating all the different ways I could go:
Option number 1—I let him alone here and hope he won't die of beasts' attack.
Option number 2—I bring his damn self back, with or without his consent.
Option 3 and the last one—I do what he requires and finish it quickly to go back.
I sighed, once again since I found him, as I rolled my eyes upward to see the sky.
"And what are you intending to do?"
"I think I know where the intruders are hiding."
"Don't tell me you went all this way just to get them? Are you crazy? Do you think you are some kind of superhuman?"
I was stunned by the teenager's words and logic. You say to me that you went your own way, in the middle of a terrorist attack, to go beat up those said terrorists, all alone in the middle of a forest by night?
And you still acted like you were sane?
No, he was even crazier than I thought him to be. All those beatings he received as a child must have gone to his head.
"No, honey, I am more than a superhuman. I am a genius one." He replied with the exact same confidence, not faltering one time.
'Oh god, I wish I could bring some sense into that bullhead!'
"Daniel, do you understand the consequences of your actions? You could die! And me too, if I listen to you!"
"No, I won't. That's why I am confident. And don't worry, nothing will happen to you. "
"Woah, what a confident, stupid prick. And how are you so sure? You had a message from the gods."
"Hmm, how did you guess?" He asked, sarcastically, as he smirked.
"Oh, stop it, this isn't a game! You know what you are? Suicidal!"
"Which makes us a pair, then."
"Aah!" I screamed, in a muffled sound, as I bit my arms out of frustration.
'Georgia, breathe slowly. You can do it. Breath in. Breathe out. '
"Aaah…. Okay. I will help you. But at one condition!"
"Okay. Which is?"
"Tell me you will accept first, no matter what I ask for."
"… Hmm…okay, I accept. Done."
"If I feel any danger —and mean I and only me—feel any danger or threats whatsoever which could immediately endanger our lives, we leave without questioning. Got it?"
I put my condition as I delved into his eyes, trying to find some kind of fear that would make me take him this instant to the shelter, with a strict and severe tone.
"Got it. Can we go now? Because if we continue this way, they'll be gone before long."
'Did he even listen?' I thought to myself in yet another sigh.
"Which way?"
"Follow me." He said, smiling with excitement —nearly laughing—as he directly flew into the sky.
Yes, not hopping nor running with an acceleration spell but flying.
That was a move that only the best of the best of the oldest mages could do at wish.
But Daniel was barely seventeen yet…
That was even more impressive than encountering a senior mage flying. It was on the level of a miracle.
'So he truly is a genius.'
As for me, even though I had powers unparalleled to no one, I didn't have all the skills to go with them yet. I had four years of practical and theoretical practice to catch up.
That is what happens when you never get an instructor to help you. Even self-learning has a limitation.
.........…
"It's here. Right ahead, can you see them?"
"Yes. How can you not? That's all there is to see."
Not too far from where we were, we saw the center of an enormous drawn magic circle surrounded by a bunch of weirdly clothed people, all in red hidden inside their caps.
They were singing a strange song, not quite one but not truly a magic spell —or at least not a legal one—as differently shaped creatures came out of the circle. They were continually, without a stop, coming out.
When they arrived above the ground, we distinguished two patterns: the first one was for them to go and stand between all the other monsters at the back, lining like an army. The second one was to go wild, eat one of the summoners, and run out of the forest, where all the humans were.
And that is probably how the dragon escaped. Meaning that it wasn't their plan and from the beginning, they had something else, a more destructive approach.
"So they are the summoners and the sacrifices?"
"At least that's how it seems."
We were now hiding behind some bushes, kneeling on the ground to be smaller.
"Why did the reinforcements not come here?"
"Still occupied with the dragon. They probably sent the weakest of their ranks, thinking it was a child's play."
'Look at the genius talking! Taking people from above.'
"And how, did you, find out about this place?"
"Because I was there once, I saw one of them sneak into the woods. After Mainu went after you, I went to take a nap at the meadows."
"So you saw them by surprise? But how did you know he went here and was not just taking a detour?"
"Because I followed him."
"…"
'Make it make sense, please.'
Stopping asking him questions, finding no utility in those, I concentrated on the mysterious ritual that was led under my nose.
They were still chanting without even taking the time to barely breathe as more and more monsters came out.
Nonetheless, because of a non-detection spell, we cast on ourselves, none of them noticed our presence.
Looking farther, toward the back, I soon spotted a peculiar head from the other beasts —a handsome blond human being with, a gagged mouth and having fainted.
I didn't have to think twice before getting who it was…
"The prince?"
"Yes. And the most favored one, the proud son of the king, Aria Trictarion."
"So they already got him? Why didn't they leave then?"
"Don't know. That's what will figure out." Said Daniel with a grave expression, not amused anymore.