Chapter 19 An Amazingly Normal Day Until...
By the time they got out of the forest, the sun was already out.
The scenery before them was stunning. Fields of all kinds stretched before them. The sweet smell of grass and earth relaxed her body along with the gentle move of the wind. Beyond the fields were the outlines of towering mountains, all of them full green and some having a shade of blue at their tops, like they were taking some of the sky.
When Klishei asked how they were going back to the sanctuary, Yeseus just scratched his head. “I ran miles for hours nonstop at topspeed. Even if you shared your power with me, my body can’t take another burst of energy. I’m sorry, Klishei, but even an Alpha needs time to recover. Also, your powers can't be shared during the day. It will only be effective during the night.”
Daevar also mentioned it. Klishei just gave him a smile. “That’s fine. So I guess we will be going home normally.”
Their walk made her think back on Daevar's words. He really was after the power inside her, the same force that was fueling Yeseus.
Klishei put her hand on her heart. Was it a good or bad thing that the Phoenix chose her? And in the first place, why was she chosen?
When they spotted a fraction of a grey pavement, their eyes lit up knowing that they reached a road. Although there were no cars, there were people traveling on foot. Rice fields were on both sides of the road.
Although Klishei and Yeseus wore city clothes, they blended pretty well because they were so dirtied and ragged like they just came from some far-away place.
Yeseus approached one of the farmers. “Excuse me, we were a little bit lost. Can you tell us the direction that leads to the town where we can get a bus ride to Spasio City?”
“Just go straight north.” The farmer did not even look at them. He was busy planting.
Klishei and Yeseus looked at each other before thanking the old man.
“You did not ask what the name of this beautiful place was,” she said.
“I’m guessing it's Xykar, Efarlise’s farthest province in the east.”
She heard of the place at school. It’s not well-known because transportation was a little hard. Well, Klishei saw why Daevar chose to build his base here. Few people came here.
“Oh, looks like you know your geography well.”
“Living for 150 years will make you memorize your maps, Klishei."
Klishei kept on checking her back and the surroundings. Despite the warm and sunny weather, there was still that icy cold feeling at the back of her neck like Daevar would appear anywhere and snatch her back inside.
Her experience inside that tent gripped her inside. It was just for a few moments but it felt like eternity. Daevar's touch, the hungry look of his companions, her near-death scene from one of them had Yeseus not shielded her.
“Yeseus, why did Daevar let me go to you?" She finally voiced out her question. "He was quick to let me out of his grasp as if he did not go to such lengths just to kidnap me."
"You must have refused him. It is an established rule that during procreation, a werewolf can only get nourishment or be recharged if there is consent and not under manipulation. If you strongly turned him down, he must have already felt that it was useless to keep you. Another possible factor is that I showed my true form."
“Your beast form?"
"Yes. Only few had seen me in that form. I'm guessing it was Daevar's first time as well. Daevar is not dumb. He knows I can wipe them all out and that they do not stand a chance. You have seen his camp. Its obvious that they are not doing well although I expect that he will be launching his attack not long from now. The Twin Golden Sun is just days away. I'm sure he has set his goals."
Klishei was so absorbed into what Yeseus was saying that she almost tripped. Yeseus was still quick as lightning to steady her. They heard the sound of engines and smelled traces of smoke. They were near the town. The surroundings were also getting noisier with the emerging stalls. It looked like they just stumbled into their public market.
“But he just declared war on you. Although they are weakened, they are still numerous than you, Angus, Suneia, and Naelyr combined."
Yeseus pulled her away from the road that was starting to get wider and busier as they walked. Motorcycles and cars were now appearing.
“One problem at a time, Klishei. But to ease your fears, the sanctuary has long been prepared for such a situation. There's a reason the sanctuary has stood strong through the years.”
It did not take long for them to find a bus station. Then came the dilemma. They had no money. Klishei looked at Yeseus, showing him her empty pockets.
“Well?” The ticketing officer was starting to look at them suspiciously.
“Ugh, I hate doing this,” Yeseus said.
“Doing what?”
Instead of answering, Yeseus looked at the man straight in the eye. His irises glowed. “But officer, we already paid.”
The man blinked twice. “Oh, uh, yeah, yeah. Here’s your tickets. Enjoy the trip.”
Klishei was bewildered.
“Your expression is the reason why I told you I hate doing it. My kinsmen started with little acts, until they decided to trample you just because you had no such powers."
As they were about to enter the bus, someone tapped at Klishei's shoulder while Yeseus was busy presenting their tickets.
She looked back, thinking it was Yeseus, and was startled to see that it was an adult wearing the same city clothes.
"Ms. Aizal?"
Klishei jogged her memory. The man was familiar but why was her brain not able to come up with his name? Was he a distant relative? But he used her last name formally. Was there any such person in her life?
"I'm sorry, do I know you?" She asked bluntly.
Then, two kids popped on his side, one girl and one boy. They were clearly his children as they carried the same face. "Daddy, is she one of your students also?"
Something popped in her brain. She knew this man.
The father smiled at his son's question. "She is---"
Yeseus suddenly appeared, pulling Klishei away from them. "Our bus is departing."
She had no time to look back because the doors closed as soon as they entered. When they were able to take their seat, she could no longer spot the man because a new crowd rushed in to secure their tickets.
Klishei tried hard to remember. At the mention of school, she probed the names of her teachers.
Her heart sank. Not even a single name came to mind.