Chapter 69: THE HIDDEN CAVE

It was already mid-night, and I still couldn't find Alda. I was so worried until I saw the note she left in my suit jacket.

“I'm sorry I left without informing you, but I want you to know that I'm safe. I will be back before noon tomorrow.” That's all; she didn't even bother to give me her location.

"Were you able to reach her? I can't believe she left without her phone.”

“Yeah, it seems she sent me a message. She said she would be back by noon.”

“Dad is not yet back; I wonder what is taking him so long.”

“Maybe he went to have a drink with his next-to-be son-in-law.” I teasely said to Emily.

“I don't think Charles and I still have a future together. Don't get me wrong, but he is actually the one who doesn't want to have anything to do with me.

I won't deprive him of the benefit of being Elara’s father, but I won't marry him because of Elara either. I want to marry someone who loves me, not someone who wants to be around me because of his daughter.”

She was angry; I could tell from the way she sounded that she wasn't happy with Charles, but yet I wouldn't really blame him. 

“You both need to let go of your past and try facing the future. And forgiveness is the only way you both can raise Elara in one love.”

“I know, I'm willing to cooperate for Elara’s sake, but I won't have dad force Charles to marry me. I will gladly respect his decision; he doesn't want anything to do with me, so why pressure him?”

“Let's just go in and rest for the day. Today has been quite a long day for everyone.”

“Yeah, but it's still the day I reviewed all my secrets.”

“Can I follow you to the airport tomorrow to pick Elara up?”

“That will be very nice. I can't wait to introduce her to everyone.”

“I can't wait to meet her. Goodnight Emily” 

“Goodnight, I will just wait up for dead a little more before heading back to my room.”

“Okay, see you in the morning.” I went to sleep with Alda on my mind. I was worried about her safety and her health, but then again, what can I do?

Siofra's POV

It took us about an hour to exit the passageway. We ended up in the woods, but it didn't seem like we lost the armies.

“They are still coming after us; I thought you said this tunnel was the safest way to avoid them.” 

“Yes, it is the safest way, but like I said, they have sensitive hearing.”

“Guys, why is the ground shaking?” Alda asked, calling for our attention. I could hear every single step they took, and it sounded like a thunderlight to my ears. And when it let out a growl, I thought it was going to damage my earbuds.

“When you said armies, did you mean giant rock monsters!?” The creature I saw right in front of me was made of rock with a giant height. It looked like broken rock pieces came together to form this ugly-looking creature.

“This is one of the biggest of them and also the leader. We need to run; they will soon surround us.”

“Where exactly are we running to?” Alda asked. The monster kept pacing around and literally breaking and yanking at all the trees that stood in its way. The way it picks every tree up like it was some toy to play with.

“I have a safe hideout deep in the woods, so all you have to do is follow me.”

“I think we should stop the little chat and get going; these trees won't keep us covered for long.”

“If we are going to run, then we are taking these heels off, or we will just fall flat on our faces." Alda said, taking her heels off and leaving herself barefooted.

“I don't think taking your shoes off is a good idea; you might get hurt.”

“I will rather have a few cuts than get picked up by that monster.”

“You two should try and keep up,” Elba said and dashed off. I let out a sigh and went after her. Even though we used our reflexes, we couldn't outrun the monster, but with time, its growling sounds became distant.

I followed Elba up to a mountain, where she reviewed a hidden cave. 

“What is this place?” I asked her.

“A hideout. I found it while running from the monsters, and a few other elves are here. They are the few who managed to escape your sister’s armies.” 

She just swiftly shifted the big rock blocking the entrance, and that had me surprised. I thought she lost all her powers to Alma.

“Stop looking at me like that. I only lost Almaruda’s power; my elf powers are still intact.”

“Oh, I see, you have super strength."

“I have a lot more powers you don't know about," she said, stepping inside as I followed. Alda's painful hiss drew my attention to her. Her legs were bleeding. Given that we were both in the same body, I felt the pain.

“Come this way; I will have someone look at those injuries and find you a pair of boots.” Elba said, closing the exit door with the rock again.

We followed her deep into the cave and ended up besides a waterfall. Wow, how on earth did she discover this place? No one can tell that between these dark caves lies the beauty of nature.

“Siofra, I think I have something stuck under my feet, and it is cutting into my flesh.” 

"Let's find somewhere and sit; we need to rest for a while.” I went over to the water and splashed enough on my face after leaving Alda's body. 

On the other side, she sat besides a big rock and rested her back against it. Her legs were bleeding massively. I just hope I can be able to heal her. My powers have been acting up lately.

“Hey, I'm really sorry you had to go through all this because of me.” I apologise to her.

“It's okay, and you don't have to apologise.”

“Aren't you scared? What if you die while helping me?”

“I'm not scared of death; I'm just scared that I might not be able to set things right. And I'm also scared that I might not be able to say a proper goodbye to someone.”

“Xender?”

“Yeah”

“Well, let's try not to die. This might hurt a little bit. Placing my hand in both her legs, I looked through her wounds and saw broken bottles stuck in her flesh. This is going to hurt. I took a deep breath and started healing her wounds from the inside, which caused the broken bottles to start pulling out on their own.

I heard her groaning in pain as the piece of glass found its way out of her leg. It didn't take much time for the wounds to heal, showing that nothing was preventing them from healing.

“Do you think you can catch a fish? I'm starving.” 

“I thought you had dinner before we left.”

“I don't even think I took two bites out of my food.”

“I can catch a fish; how hard can that be?”

“You have never tried fishing in your life, have you?” 

“Don't worry, Alda. I will get you all the fish in that river.” Alda shook her head hopelessly at me.

“I think you should ask Elba for help; she seems to be good at everything.”

“I can do as much as she can, you will see.” I glared at Elba, who seemed to be doing some chanting near their river. I walked up to her and stood besides her, watching her. Her eyes were closed as she continued chanting. I wonder what she is mumbling about.

I was a little startled when I felt a movement in the water. I looked closely, only to find a fish swimming around the water. A smile crept into my face as I tiptoed into the water, trying my best not to scare it away. Just when I thought I had it right on my target, someone shot it with an arrow.

I was a little shocked at first, but then I was angry because I actually thought it was Elba’s doing.

I turned around in anger, only to find familiar green eyes staring at me. At first, I thought I was imagining things until she called my name.

“Hey princess!”

It was Eldarion and his annoying sister Albina. What are they doing here?