' How come the afterlife is so rocky? And do I feel like I've just been through a meat grinder when I'm already dead?' Her little face scrunched up as she thought of something else. ' Are spirits capable of thoughts? And where's the white light?'
That's when an annoying voice shocked her awake."Gosh! Congratulations on staying in the land of the living and to your disappointment you are not dead...yet." Sitting up straight, her eyes opened as she gasped. " What? " Frantically touching her body, her voice choked up a bit." I'm still alive? But how?"
" How would I know? I'm just your guide. Not a free surveillance system." Recalling what happened in the tunnel, Alexia's fists clenched. " Since you're here to guide me why didn't you try to get me out of that tunnel?"
"It's night time, I'm tired. I won't be around for a while. Try to stay alive while I'm gone." Hearing that, Alexia's breathing turned erratic. " Don't try to change to change the subject. "
But nobody responded to her. " Quit hiding. Hello?" After trying a few more times, she was sure that the voice was gone for now. " Lousy low down swindling cheat of a guide!"
Heaving, she took out the luxstone from her storage bracelet. " Fine. I don't need you. I'll advance all on my own."
Gripping the stone tightly, Alexia absorbed every bit of essence she could. ' Now this is what a call essence.' She smiled, singing " I'm going to saturate my soul. I'll annoy his royal highness. Goodbye to this dead forest." Blowing away, the glittering white powder in her palms, she threw a punch forward.
Feeling the improvement after soul saturation, she felt everything was worthwhile. " Faster, stronger, more powerful. That's what we're talking about."
She turned her gaze towards the crimson forest, smiling. " Let's see what we can do."
Sprinting forward, she leaped off the ground, holding unto a tree branch. Swinging her body, she performed a summersault in the air, catching unto the next tree. Like an agile monkey, she swung from branch to branch. " While I'm testing my body, let me see how strong my fire is now."
While still in the air, she let out a burst of flames into the sky. This action was followed by a shriek. Confused, she caught unto a branch and looked back. Behind her was an agitated bird, it's tail feathers were burnt badly.
*Chrip*
It kept on chirping hysterically. ' Is it cursing me'. The bird nodded as if it could read her thoughts. Alexia blinked. " Emm... sorry birdie. Hope it grows back." Ignoring the wild chipping behind her, she made her way to the camp.
Looking at its guarded walls, she leaped over them. Midair, she watched the guards' widened eyes and gave them a wink. Landing on the ground, she bolted in the direction of her uncle's tent. Behind her she heard a bellow" Assassin! Stop him." Followed by frantic footsteps.
' Assassin? How?' But as remembered her bloodied face and black bodysuit and flashy entrance, she thought their worries made sense. Listening to their panic, she shrugged. " Oh well. Not my problem."
She heard another bellow behind her. " Fire. You fools." Followed by bursts of bullet sized flames. " Oh come on." This would have been a life threatening situation, if those idiots didn't hit everything except her. " Useless. Utter useless." She uttered under her breath.
" Thank Lugus, uncle is already rank three. Otherwise with these kind of guards, I'd have to prepare an early funeral." Smashing her fist into her palm, she exclaimed. " They need more drilling." With the tent in sight, she ignored the mob behind her. Lunging forward, she rolled in through the entrance.
" Hey" she waved only to be faced with three stern faces, each with swords aimed at her throat. She stretched her neck, looking at the chestnut-haired young man indifferently gazing the other way. She yelled to catch his attention."Sir, I'm here to report urgent information."
Before he could answer her, she felt lightheadedness and blurry vision. " Dang it." Those were her last words before her eyes rolled back. Falling to the ground with a thud, her body went limp.
***
Sitting on the high seat, Casen absentmindedly tapped on the wooden arm of his chair. Recalling the quality of his soldiers, his forehead creased. Glancing at his lieutenants, he nodded to himself in approval.
' If only that bunch outside were as fit as my soldiers.' Sighing, he straightened his back. ' That's what happens when a bunch of random people are brought together without training or orientation.'
' What was my brother even thinking when he planned this false expedition to clear the lava forest.' His fists clenched slightly. ' All the officials are aware that it's just a smokescreen. His real goal was always to send Alexia here.' Once again glancing at his lieutenants, who were lost in their discussion, he calmed down.
' And to also hunt down Thrakos, that elusive scorpion.' Though hundreds of thoughts had rushed through his mind, on the outside, his face remained stoic. ' Maybe I should call Alexia back until we find it. But knowing her, once she hears about it, she'll bug me to come along.' This thought made his lips curved up slightly.
' I wouldn't be surprised if right now she's doing something downright crazy to advance her rank. She doesn't even realize that she should enjoy these few somewhat peaceful moments.'
His thoughts were interrupted by the strong smell of coral causing him to frown. "Sir, I suggest we look south; that place is hot owing to the lava lakes. Scorpions usually enjoy such hot environments."
Hearing that sweet voice by his side, he did his best to stifle a cough lodged in his throat.
He turned his head to face the smiling face of a young girl. Her face was small and palm-sized; a diversion of the feminine faces he was used to.
' But why in Lugus' name is her face pale yet colourful. Is that a new makeup trend?" He's brows furrowed slightly. ' I better discourage Alexia from following this scary trend.' Tentatively taking her hand off his shoulder, he nodded. "Understood, Lieutenant Lyra. You may return to your seat."
As he watched the slight frown on her face as she sashayed to her seat. Casen had to resist the urge to knock the head of one of his lieutenants, who's non-existent drool could fill up a river. The little Casen in his mind couldn't resist facepalming a few times.
' Seriously. Who's idea was it to make this woman one of my lieutenants. Even though she's surprisingly efficient, Thane is going to have a nosebleed at this rate." While keeping a straight face, he ignored the rants of miniature Casen. While tapping the table to get everyone's attention, he couldn't resist throwing a disdainful glance at lieutenant Thane.
Feeling a glance on him, Thane involuntarily straightened up when a shiver travelled down his spine. Pushing down his thoughts, he focused on his leader. Sighing, Casen opens his mouth, but stops when he hears the approaching commotion outside.
' What are those idiots up to now?' Clenching his jaw, he was about to continue when something or someone just rolled into his tent. His lieutenants reacted quickly, unsheathing their swords and aiming it at the gusty intruder.
Uninterested, he sat back down. Waiting for his lieutenants to finish the job. This was like an annoying routine for them at this point.
Little Casen shrugged. " If someone has a death wish, it's only right to grant it to them."
That was how he thought, until a familiar voice reached his ears. "Sir, I'm here to report urgent information." Accompanied by a dull thud. Furrowing his brows, he slowly turned his gaze to the tent entrance. What he saw made his heart tighten, his rationality almost slipping away.
In front of him, his bloodied niece was covered in wounds, surrounded by three sharp swords, with an armed mob of people outside trailing not far behind her. Without thought he stood up, his chair falling down with a crash.
Heaving, he picked up the table, flinging it to his front. Startled by the noise, his lieutenants turned back. With widened eyes, they dropped to the ground avoiding the flying table. The table moved, bashing against the mob outside leading to multiple groans and curses.
Yelling, he strode forward. "Everyone out! Meeting dismissed until further notice. Nobody is allowed to disturb us!" Though visibly stunned, two out of three lieutenants heeded his orders. Lyra retained her stance. Ignoring her, he pushed her aside, gently picking up the body of his niece. On his knees, with his eyes focused on his niece, he spoke. " Get out! That's an order."
His voice almost a roar caused her to flinch, her expression a mix of shock and fear. She briefly glanced at the body in his arms, noting the facial features. Before frantically getting up and hurrying out of the tent.
Letting out a deep breath, he sighed, standing up. "This crazy girl. Always running headfirst into danger." He couldn't help lightly scolding her. He stopped talking when he felt a touch on his arm. Looking down his breathe hitched.
Alexia was staring at him with heavy lidded eyes, on her face was a dazzling smile. " Uncle, I did it. I killed Thrakos. I can advance." She whispered, her grip on his arm tightened. Masking his slight surprise, he smiled warmly at her. " I'm proud of you."
Hearing his words, she smiled before slumping back into unconsciousness.
Moving slowly, he placed her on the bed using every gentle fibre in his body. Standing straight, he finally clenched his fists. The sound of gritted teeth echoed in the quiet tent. " That bastard!" Thinking of his brother, he threw a punch in the opposite direction. Only to stop halfway. Heaving, he brought down his arm slowly. Repositioning his gaze to the first aid kit by his bedside.
Picking up the box, he sat down beside her. Gently attending to her visible wounds. Looking at her injuries and scars, a thought flashed through his mind. ' Maybe I should call that elf boy.' Not even a moment later, he shook his head. ' I might kill that idiot if I have to watch him ogling my niece.'
Closing up the first aid kit, he placed it back on his bedside. Slowly standing up, he looked at her peaceful sleeping figure. " If not for that stupid prophecy, she wouldn't have to go through this" he muttered to himself.
Sighing to himself, he turned around to leave the tent. Now he had to find a different place to sleep.