"Ah! In Lugus' name, why does it hurt so much?"
Alexia used her hands to muffle her screams, tears threatening to escape her eyes as Evan reset her bones before gently healing them.
Usually, these sessions were comforting and serene, but now they were so agonizing that she discovered places that could hurt that she wasn't even aware existed before. ' When did I even break these bones?' Jaws clenched, she bit her lip, refusing to let out another scream.
Evan sighed as he continued his work. "Alexia, sorry about the pain, but I have to do this. His brows furrowed slightly, " How did you even become like this?" He lowered his head as he whispered softly, blinking back tears of his own. Of course made sure she would never notice.
Alexia turned to face him. ' How can such a harmless boy hurt me like this? The elders were wise, looks can be deceiving.' Switching tactics, Alexia looked up at him with pleading eyes. Mustering his best smile, he spoke gently.
"Lex, please, this is the last one. I can't control your reactions but please..." He bit his lip, looking away from her. " It's the middle of the night and your screaming like that. People might talk." A subtle blush decorated his face.
But before it could fully spread, his brows furrowed and he sighed focusing back on his task. He involuntarily tightened his grip causing her to yep.
' Is he mad or something?' she thought, her tears finally spilling. Evan's eyes grew wide, as his actions became flustered. Retracting his hand as if scalded, he awkwardly made an attempt to heal her. Soon, she felt the familiar warmth pass through her.
'I'll never get myself hurt again.'
***
Seeing her tears stopping, Evan let out a sigh of relief. But as she stared at her swollen teary golden eyes, he felt a pang of guilt. ' This is all my fault.' He sighed, cautiously sitting next to her.
She stared at him with pouted lips, her eyes narrowed in accusation. Before crossing her arms and looking away. " I'm sorry about that. I really didn't mean it. Are you okay?" He asked her tentatively, his gaze lowered to his laps. Her reaction, a simple eye roll and a huff.
' Great Evan. You really messed up.' He smiled to himself wryly. Lifting his gaze to her back, he gently poked her, before retracting his hand without waiting for her reaction. He heard her sigh. She turned to him, arms still crossed. " What?"
" Emm...if you're still angry. You can punch me. Hitting things is a good type of stress tone. His tone was serious. In contrast to his nervous demeanor.
Her shoulders trembled slightly. Fighting a laugh, Alexia tightened her face. Raising a brow, she said. " You really want me to punch you?" He nodded almost immediately.
" If it will help you can... oof." Wincing, Evan received the playful punch to his chest. His body trembled slightly. ' I really need to train my body more. Dragon strength is really no joke.' Her melodious laugh brought him out of his thoughts, bringing a smile to his face.
" Hope you're alright." She laughed but her eyes contained worry. He laughed. " Hurt or not. I deserve it. I hope you forgive me." She smiled. " I'll let you go this time. But the next..." He shook his head at her statement. " There won't be a next time."
His eyes glinted slightly, he wouldn't harm her again. " So why were you angry?" She softly asked. Her words broke off his thoughts making him nervous. " Me? Angry? Why would you think that?" Alexia raised a brow, clearly not buying his explanation.
"If I may ask, what's your relationship with General Casen? You guys seem awfully close." He said, trying to change the subject. His tone was curious. Though one should note his clenched fists on his lap. " Huh? Nothing special. Why are you asking?" She blinked, closing the distance.
He looked away, face aflame as he tried to ignore her flowery scent. The blood and dirt did nothing to dim it. ' Evan, what are you thinking? Focus.' Taking a deep breath he answered her. " Don't get me wrong. It's just that someone spread a rumor that you guys have...that kind of relationship. Crazy right." He chuckled at the last part. But inside his heart thudded awaiting her answer.
Abruptly, he was jerked forward as Alexia held him on the shoulders. His thudding heart stopped, when she yelled at him." Wait what?"
***
Storming out of Evan's tent, Alexia scoffed in disbelief. " Why are people's minds so dirty?" With powerful strides, she moved forward. " I kind of miss that my stupid intuition. Lugus knows what happened to it." She mumbled to herself earning her some odd gazes from people who saw her. Listening to the hushed whispers around her, Alexia increased her pace.
Her eyes travelled across the scene of hurried packing and laughter. ' Uncle Kace sure is efficient.' She commented lightly though her feet never stopped moving. Unnoticed she left the camp, she needed some time to herself. She just felt suffocated by everything around her.
Moving through the crimson trees, she enjoyed the wind on her face and peacefulness of everything around her. Swirling around, she dodged a falling bird. " What's up with animals today?" She mumbled, walking forward.
The sound of moving water, grabbed her attention. Looking it, she sped through the forest before being faced by a crystal lake. Approaching carefully, she knelt beside the lake observing her appearance.
Noticing her bloodied hair and face, she flinched back, shaking her head in denial. Falling on her bottom, she covered her blushing face with her hands. " How does Evan stand it. I look miserable everything I see him and he never reacts." Widening her eyes, she shivered. " Don't tell me he likes me like this."
Crawling forward, she scooped up water and vigorously washed her hair and face. Looking at her clean reflection in the lake, she nodded in approval. Smiling, she looked around. " Where am I ?"
In front of her, the crimson trees towered high above. Immersing everything in shadows. Only faint specks of light escaped through the thick canopy. The wind sounded like the cry of ghouls, carrying with it a faint chill. Standing up slowly, she gasped. " The southern forest."
Feeling the eerie atmosphere, she pondered. " Should I go back?" She laughed at the thought. " Who am I kidding? This atmosphere is what I need right now." Leaping over the lake, she stepped into the forest.
Surrounded by darkness and ghoulish howls, her thoughts began to churn. "Why am I even rushing home? My father doesn't love me. My family is a mess." Kicking the dirt in front of her, she continued walking. " Almost everyone disdains me." She choked slightly, running a hand through her hair. She paused her thoughts sniffing the air. Holding her nose, she exclaimed, " Sulfur? What the heck? Ssss."
Her brows furrowed as she hissed. Looking down, her eyes widened. Stumbling backwards, she fell on her bottom. Again. Clutching her foot, she looks forward only to gasp.
She was currently surrounded by golden pools of molten lava. Each one having a waterfall, that cascaded like blazing curtains of orange and red. " Wow the lava lakes." She sighed in relief, wiping the sweat from her forehead. " What a close call. I was one step away from hearing the heavenly chorus."
Getting on her feet, she mumbled to herself, moving forward. " This place is known to be home to the deadliest mystical fire beasts and demon beasts because of their hostile environments. " Her eyes sparkled. " Am I going to see a legendary beast?"
She had to admit her interest was piqued, lava forest was said to be one of the battlefield fields of the gods. People theorized that the trees had crimson leaves because they grew on holy blood. And that the lake and darkness were left behind by the actions of the dragon god, Lugus and the demon god during the ancient war.
Lightly knocking her head, she mumbled. " What's the name of that deity again? Forgetting the demon god's name seems a little disrespectful." Turning back to the lakes flowing around her, her boil boiled.
Maybe there was a secret passageway or abandoned ruins. The warzone of the gods should at least have one or two mysteries right?If not what did they expect the future generations to do? She scanned the place with her golden eyes.
Noticing a cave, some distance away. Her eyes lit up. "Found you." The only problem now was that it was surrounded by literal pools of boiling lava. Shaking her head, she walked towards the lake. Eyes glued to the floating rocks in the lake, she smirked. " Time to do something crazy."
Taking a deep breath, she leaped unto the closest piece of rock. The impact of her jump made the rock unsteady as it dangerously rocked side to side. Flailing her arms about, she leaped unto the next rock . She kept moving forward, not slowing down in the least.
Finally landing on solid ground with a thud, she heaved a sigh of relief. Currently panting, with her hands on her knees, she looked forward.
Infront of her was a cave, occupied only by chilling darkness. She smiled, standing straight. Without hesitation, she walked into the cave.