Elaris picked up her shirt and put it on - the rustling noise triggered something deep within Rath.
And before he himself could realise - he had turned around.
"Um! What are you doing!?" Elaris' face was bright red - she took a quick step back, nearly tripping on one of the rocks.
Rath just stared at her in trance- as if he wasn't there- not in control of anything he does.
"H-Helloo?! Rath?!" Elaris screamed, scared of what might happen. She had bent over forwards slightly, so as to cover herself.
Rath didn't respond - his mouth closed and his face gained a strange calmness. He just kept staring at her right in the eyes and then she noticed- he had stopped shaking.. She exhaled shakily as she got lost in the deep dark abyss of Rath's eyes. And for the first time in her life, Elaris felt truly helpless for she knew - she couldn't do anything to save herself from him.
"AAARGH!!!" Lex hurled himself, like a massive raging boulder, at Rath and tackled him on the rocks beneath - Smashing Rath's face into the sharp, rough ground. "WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING!?" He spat while screaming right into the boy's ear and that finally helped snap him out of it.
Rath's eyes fluttered rapidly as he realized what he had done. No words came out as he didn't know what to say to justify himself.
Elaris' legs shook and she fell down on her knees, sitting right next to her forest-coloured pants. She took a shaky deep breath as she looked up and closed her eyes only to look down right after with both her hands on her face in some strange attempt to compose herself.
"I ASKED YOU SOMETHING!" Lex pressed hard onto Rath's head, almost as if he tried to crush it using the rocks beneath.
"I.. I.." Rath's heart rate sped up.
For Elaris - everything had gone in slow motion, Lex's screaming got muffled, she could see Rath's worried face so clearly, his eyes widening - sweat forming on his face, the veins on his forehead popping from the pressure, his dark hair being pulled even more tightly by Lex's rough hands. At some point her heart was so loud she could only hear its beat.
And so she stared at the only two people that were willingly accompanying her on this absurd adventure as they were seemingly about to kill one another.
"What adventure.. I'm just a coward.." Elaris thought.. She wasn't on some grand quest - she was just a spoiled princess running away from her responsibilities. Her head started to clear.
"I ASKED-" Lex's powerful scream was interrupted.
"Stop!.. Gods.. Just stop!" Elaris' face tensed up, her eyebrows furrowed - she was mad.. But not at either of them.
Both Rath and Lex huffed heavily as they stared at her, taking a break from all the screaming.
"Lex.. He could kill both of us right in this moment if he wanted to and he hasn't done that.. Leave him alone.." Elaris's breathing was unsteady, her rib cage pulsating.
"You screamed!" Lex insisted.
"Yes.. He just.. Made me feel uncomfortable, that's all.."
"I-I'm so sorry!" Rath joined in, worriedly.
"It's alright.." Elaris continued. "Just.. BOTH OF YOU!" Some of that stress came out. " Turn.. around damn it.."
They all went silent, just the river and their heavy breathing sounding the area.
"Y-yes of course.." Lex said as he let go of Rath's hair, stood up and turned around.
Rath tried to do the same but on his way up, he slipped and fell forwards, scaring the princess before he regained balance.
"Sorry!" He said awkwardly with his palms facing her to show he meant no harm after which he turned around, standing next to Lex.
The princess took a deep breath and started putting on the rest of her clothes.
"What the hell was that!?" Lex hissed at Rath.
"I.. Don't know.. Something came over me and.." Rath's eyes were open but anyone could tell he was looking internally, searching for an answer. His legs started to shake softly.
"Came over you? Makes sense the devil would be a nasty pervert.." Lex was angry, he was scared but he could tell - Rath truly meant no harm.. However that did not mean his presence could be accepted or that his life could be spared. He could be dangerous, even if it was unintentionally so..
Rath's brows furrowed - he did not condone what he had just done. Thoughts of Elaris' skin, her curves, her face tried to flood back into his mind but he quickly shut them down.
"All right.. All done.." Elaris patted the rocky white dust off her clothes and stood up.
Out of the two only Lex turned around to face her.
The boy's heart throbbed, how could he meet her gaze after this..?
"Rath.." Elaris voice was soft again.
"I'm so sorry.." Rath mumbled.
"It's alright.. I forgive you."
"I don't." Lex added.
"Lex…" Elaris was tired.
"I am truly sorry, Elaris.." Rath clenched his fist.
"Rath.. shut up.." She tapped him on the shoulder and then led the way, walking in front of them. "Let's go get our stuff - Morniya's just half a day away.
Lex threw one last intimidating glance at Rath. "Aye, princess! As you say!" He marched behind her, armour clanging.
"Rath!" Elaris' loud voice pulled him out of the depths of his mind.
"I'm coming."
…
The group packed their blankets and all they had pulled out of their two adventurer bags and readied the horses.
Elaris gently caressed the dark stallion's face, her fingers tracing the contours of its head, her soft gaze calming the beautiful creature.
"I.. think its best if I leave.." Rath looked defeated.
"I think so too.." Lex added.
"What?! No!" Elaris boldly took a few steps towards the boy. "You are absolutely NOT leaving after seeing me naked!"
"W-what?!" Confusion poured down Rath's face.
"Listen - We need you and you need us - isn't that right?"
" Um - I beg to differ" Lex interrupted.
"Oh really? And how are we gonna save the world without the help of the only person who even knows about these.. Night.. Thingies?! Also must I remind you of the fact that Laraxia is about to be invaded by a bunch of territory hungry kingdoms!?
"First of all.. Not a person - he's one of them - Which means, he's actively putting both of US, in danger! And.. What makes you think he can even help us - the oh so great saviours of the world?" Lex mocked as he stepped closer to her, bringing his intimidating stature into the conversation.
"Well there is only one way we can find out!" Elaris was passionate, her brows were tense- she swiftly turned around, her hair whipping Lex in the face.
"Pft." Lex's body reacted.
"Can you?!" She desperately needed to hear it from him.
".." Rath looked to the side, his dark hair covering his eyes.
"Well??" Elaris's breathing was heavy - she did not want to part ways with him - he was far too interesting to her.
"I don't know.."
" See!"/ "Good enough!" Elaris faced Lex as they spoke at the same time.
"WHAT?!" Lex gasped.
"I thought about it.. And I don't want the people of the kingdom to suffer because of me.. But I also don't want to give up my life for them - so.." She looked back at Rath with hope-filled eyes. "He's the only one who could help us all."
"Gods.." Lex sighed." What the hell.." He scoffed as he looked up, eyes closed.
"Rath - you have to help us keep the peace between the kingdoms! That includes stopping your people from taking over the entire world because I'm certain you don't want that either!"
"I.."
"And whoever forced you into that frenzy - you will make them pay too!" Elaris spoke with great conviction, her eyes blazing with an intense fire of determination.
Everyone was silent for a few seconds - it was the moment of truth.
"Well??" Elaris stopped right in front of his face, searching for his eyes behind that dark curtain of hair.
"..Alright.. " Rath mumbled.
"I did not hear you!" Elaris was a princess - and with that came a great deal of intensity that she possessed.
"I will help you." Rath declared, meeting her gaze for the first time after the uncomfortable incident..
"Gods.. This woman.." Lex sighed and put his hands on his horse's saddle to adjust the straps.
"Great!" Elaris exclaimed - "Now - get on your horse soldier!" She gently pushed Rath backwards in a friendly way. She was happy. And so was Rath.