Slowly opening her eyes, she yawned, rising up from her bed. " Why am I?" She muttered rubbing her eyes with bloodied hands." Hiss." Her eyes burned. " Ahh!" Tears spilled from her eyes and her wounds throbbed. Reminding her of what happened yesterday. Let's just say blood was never meant to enter the eyes.
Feeling the intense stinging, she was compelled to rub her eyes. And as anyone had guessed, it just made it worse. " Son of a goblin!" " Alexia!" A voice in her head cautioned her. " But it hurts worse that... anything you could ever imagine."
Trying to leave the bed, she feels forward. Only to slip on the blanket and fall to the ground. Groaning, she just lies there. " Talk about an eventful morning." The floor muffles her voice.
She pushes herself up from the floor using her hands. She made her way to the vanity, eyes closed. Bumping into something hard, she stifled a cry, bending forward. Feeling something cool and smooth, she smiled. Using both hands, she brought the thing to her face.
* Splash*
The sound of water hitting her face was heavenly. Her shoulders relaxed slightly, feeling blood drain from her eyes. ' Now let's hope it isn't mine' . She blinked trying to see, but everything was blurry.
Sighing, she placed the bowl back where she remembered it to be. Her hand bumping into something hard but smooth. " Hmm?" She brought it to her nose. " Sandalwood?"
She knocked on it, hearing a dull thud.
" A wooden box?" Where did it come from and why was it on her table? " I bet that little elf would cry when he realizes he's so easily forgotten." The voice voice spoke once more this time accompanied by a low, amused chuckle.
' Elf boy? Is it talking about Evan?" Recalling what happened at her tent entrance. She lightly slapped her head. " How could I have forgotten?"
Feeling the warm box, she shook it. " What do you think is inside?" " Won't you find out once you open it?" The voice in her head had accompanied her since she awoke her powers. It was one of the many unique things she learned about herself.
" It's right." Cautiously, she lifted the lip. She knew Evan won't hurt her but some bad habits die hard. Her mouth drooled as the aroma of food attacked her senses. " Wipe your mouth. What would your mother think if she saw you?"
Of course, she'd probably burst into tears but that was beside the point. Reaching into the box, she grabbed the roast meat and stuffed her mouth. Every single etiquette lesson had been tossed out the window.
" Ahh" she sighed, with a mouth full of meat.
Evan was an angel. He would always bring her delicious food after a hunt. Like a little wife, serving her husband after a war. ' What a strange thought.'
She gave a light dismissive shake of her head. Trying to erase the image of Evan from her head. ' Food was more important '.
Somewhere in the camp, Evan sneezed. A soldier beside him looked at him with worry. " Are you alright, sneezing in this heat?" The guff voice said. Rubbing his nose, Evan sheepishly nodded. " Don't worry about me"
Back in the tent, Alexia had finished her meal. Dropping the plate, she hummed softly, patting her belly. Now two options lay before her. One was to go meet Evan, so he could heal her wounds. And the second was to go to the spring to shower. Partially blind while trudging through a deadly forest.
" That's an easy question. The second option of course." She said, snapping her fingers. " Oh dear gods. How does her brain work?" " Emm... intuition. Can you please direct me? As you can't see my eyes aren't the possible reliable part of my body right now."
" From a mythical helper to a plain GPS. What a promotion." Chuckling it responded to her. " Turn to your left and move forward."
Following it's instructions, she left the tent. " " Hiss " Feeling the sun on her face, she shielded her face.
" Calm down, vampire. Go left now unless you want someone to see your not so child friendly state." " Ha." Alexia laughed dryly, turning left. " Turn right, keep moving forward. We're following the back passage." Alexia followed its instructions. " Are you sure about this?" She asked uncertain. " Oh please. Have a little faith."
Hitting her head on a tree branch, Alexia laughed. " Now I'm very assured." Grunting, she moved into the crimson forest.
***
Do you know what's worse than walking through a deadly forest, injured and unprotected? Walking through it partially blind while being led by an unreliable voice.
Tearing off a tree branch, Alexia wondered if it was possible to become smart by hitting your head. If that was the case, she should be called a genius by now.
" Are we there yet? If not my face would be ruined at this rate." Stepping over a vine, she asked. " It's not my fault your height makes it easy to hit low growing branches." " Care to elaborate?" she spoke through gritted teeth, her knuckles itching for some action.
Surrounded by rustling leaves, hanging vines and annoying branches, Alexia's nerves were already stretched taut. Her eyesight and the smell of blood emitting from her body were no helping either. She was really about to snap and if this voice kept provoking her, she might just...
" We are here." The familiar voice brought her back to reality. Listening to the sound of moving water, all her evil thoughts vanished into thin air. " I knew you could do it." She says with a smile already moving to take off her clothes. " Ouch." The dried blood has bonded her armour and skin but that didn't stop her from stripping.
Sprinting forward, she jumped and fell into the water with a splash, giggling. She shivered slightly when her skin came into contact with the water. Bringing her head up to the surface, she gasped. Using her hands, she gave her hair and body a good scrub.
Deftly massaging her sore muscles, sheet out a contented sigh. " Ah. This is the life."
After carefully cleaning her eyes, she blinked. Though everything thing was still blurry, she had no trouble recognizing shapes and objects.
Leaning by the river bank, her gaze travelled. Staring at the river, she sighed. She had gone great lengths to find this river, considering the hot climate of the lava forest. Looking up, the sky was signifying the onset of dusk. She turned her gaze to the trees.
The trees were in there usual shade of ebony black with their crimson leaves, akin to flowing blood when they swayed in the wind. At night they shone with an eerie glow reminding her of ghosts and wandering spirits. Each branch bearing red fruits that had a bewitching light that felt as if they were calling out to your very soul.
Shaking herself out of that trance, she reluctantly stood up. Stretching out her wrist, she tapped on the bracelet on her wrist. Soon, a light peach coloured dress appeared, accompanied by matching boots.
She put on the knee length dress. Stepping out of the river, she sat down on the ground, putting on her boots. Satisfied, she smiled getting up. Feeling water dripping down her back, she wrung out her hair gently before trying it into a high ponytail.
Admiring herself, she whistled. "Narcissist."
Rolling her eyes, she commented. " You're such a killjoy. You know that?" Not waiting for a response, she walked back into the forest.
"Why the rush? Need a little assistance?"
" I'm expecting someone and no. I think I can manage it from here." In a deadpan tone, she replied. " Suit yourself."
***
Alright, maybe she couldn't handle it. Looking like a wounded rabbit, Alexia once again rubbed her itchy teary swollen eyes. Already this close to the campsite, she half expected to hear shouts, crude jokes and unrestrained laughter. But right now the only sound in the air, were the orderly sound of footsteps.
" He's here ." Yes, the only one who could be responsible for such an atmosphere was her never smiling uncle. ' Except when it comes to me'. She lifted her nose proudly at the thought.
Her uncle was the highest ranking general in the Aetherian army. Some even said that he was favoured by the heavens. His sudden success was attributed to her father's influence. Though this was miles away from the truth.
He was also somewhat a protocol enthusiast, he must already be drilling the soldiers, now that he was back from the expedition. Rubbing her palms together, she grinned darkly, already imagining their tortured expressions.
" Ooh. Mummy, I'm scared." She let out a frustrated groan. " Done yet?" She asked, her hands on her hips, her foot tapping lightly on the floor. "Yes. Yes I am."
Casually strolling inside, she hummed as she walked, trying not to give away the fact that her eyesight wasn't all that great. Nobody paid her much attention. ' Why did I think they'd care? They must be worrying about bigger problems '. Her face brightened at the prospect of all them being thrown into battle against rank two beasts.
' Or maybe even a pack of demon wolves.'
She giggled to herself going towards the healing bay. Right now, she desperately needed a healer and Evan was the only...
She shook her head. No, he was the best choice.