Chapter 48 An Alliance Against Angus
Yeseus pulled Klishei closer, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “But you still need to rest. And we need to assess the damage. Angus will not have gone far. He’s confident. He thinks he’s won.”
“He hasn’t won yet,” Klishei declared, her voice firm, resolute. She looked around the ruined room, then back at Yeseus, her Alpha, her protector, now restored. “He has no idea what he’s up against.”
Together, they walked out of the shattered room, a united force against the encroaching darkness. As they descended the stairs, the scent of pine and damp earth began to reassert itself, slowly pushing back the stench of decay. The faint light of dawn, filtering through the broken windows, painted streaks of gold across the dusty floor.
Lo Garyan and La Meiphi met them at the entrance, their faces etched with relief. Lo Garyan’s eyes, usually so stoic, watered at the sight of Yeseus, restored and whole. La Meiphi rushed forward, embracing Klishei, then Yeseus, her hands patting his back, checking for injuries.
“My boy,” Lo Garyan rumbled, his voice thick with emotion. “You’re back.”
The old man understood as soon as he saw Yeseus’ eyes. He was indeed manipulated. Even when his granddaughter told them what happened between them, he could not imagine Yeseus actually leaving her. Lo Garyan had witnessed the young couple’s love blossom even before they noticed it themselves.
“I am,” Yeseus affirmed, his gaze meeting the old man’s. “And I remember everything. No wonder Daevar was able to enter our territory without us being alerted. Angus had registered his scent with us. It took us too long to realize his scheme. But this time Angus is not going awa..”
“He won’t,” Klishei promised, clutching the wooden flute to her chest. “Not this time.”
The sun began to rise, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink. The destroyed sanctuary, though still a mess, seemed to hold a new kind of energy, a fierce determination.
A sudden echoing sound alerted the small group. Yeseus’ senses made him point to the origin of the noise. It was from the nearby well.
He motioned for the others to stay still. Yeseus approached the well, his claws ready to incinerate whoever was there.
There was a splash and out came a woman whose blue hair covered her face.
“Naleyr!” Klishei exclaimed and ran towards her friend. She helped her climb off the well. La Meiphi’s eyes went round as she was stunned by the water nymph’s blue hair.
Naelyr felt something itchy in her nose. With a loud sneeze, all the water drained from her body and she was dry like the rest of them.
“What happened, Naelyr? How did you escape?" Yeseus asked, his brow furrowed with worry.
Naelyr took a moment to catch her breath before speaking. "I was in the forest, trying to find Suneia because I have not seen her for almost a night when Angus suddenly appeared out of nowhere. I did not know why he suddenly attacked me, but I managed to escape with the help of the waters," she explained, her voice still shaky.
Yeseus and Klishei exchanged a worried glance. "Then we have to find Suneia first,” Yeseus said, determination flashing in his eyes.
Naelyr’s face dropped. “What do you mean about Suneia?”
Klishei gave her a quick briefing of what was happening. After she was finished talking, Naelyr put her palms to her face. “No wonder Suneia was acting weird these past few days. Oh my, an army?”
Klishei put her hand on her friend’s shoulder. “We will find her.”
“About that, I have a clue,” Naelyr continued. “Angus has a place he loves to visit deep in the forest, just past the waterfalls and only a few feet away from the boundaries of the mirage. As you all know, I control the waters and I always feel him step into the waters around that part. That is the only plausible place where he can have Suneia because sunlight does not go through that part.”
Yeseus nodded. Then, he turned to face Naelyr's grandparents. "You need to go back to Spasio City and wait for our arrival. Naelyr will accompany you for her safety," he instructed, his tone firm.
Water nymphs were soft spirits, not really meant for combat. He could see that Naelyr was still pretty shaken even if she was trying hard to compose herself. Her rush of words gave it away.
“Klishei, how about you–”
“I’m going with you. You can’t rescue her alone if you were to fight Angus.” Admittingly, she was correct. Yeseus can fight, no problem. But to rescue and fight at the same time would be risky.
“All right, then,” he gave in.
The elderly couple nodded, understanding the seriousness of the situation. "We will do as you say, Yeseus. Please, keep our granddaughter safe," Naelyr's grandmother pleaded, her eyes brimming with tears. Another dangerous mission. Why was Klishei always doing something heroic? Couldn’t she be just a normal lady?
Yeseus gave them a reassuring smile. "I will do everything in my power to protect her. Now go, and we will join you soon," he said, urging them to leave.
As Naelyr and her grandparents made their way to Spasio City, Yeseus and Klishei set off towards where Suneia was being held captive.