The booming voices from the outside came thrilling my ears. The Echelons are ringing us so early in the morning.
"Wake up! Wake up! Rise and find, rise and find!"
A bright light hit me in the face. It's not coming from the rays of the sun, it's Nathalia's light! Her hands were aglow again irritating our dear eyes.
"Get your light away from my face you witch!" Corinthians spat angrily as she tried to push the light away from her face. Nathalia seems to be enjoying as she just chuckled at our reaction specially to Corinthians's annoyance.
"I'm trying to wake you up, duh? Let's get ready!" Nathalia said, still chuckling as the light from her hands slowly ceased. Corinthians and I could finally breathe and move properly as our vision adjusted to the sudden darkness. I squinted my eyes and roamed around the smokey woodland. I could see nothing but white smokes, the early dusts in the forest.
The sun hadn’t risen yet, but we had to hurry with the search because we weren’t the only ones looking. The other group is probably seeking now at this hour.
"Pack everything we need." Chrysler ordered from the outside. The two women began to move immediately as if they had not slept or they had been awake for a long time. Normally, the person who has just woken up will stare first into nothingness before moving. Then, they'll move too slowly since they're still adjusting. Now I see the difference between a normal person and these people beside me. These aristocrats are weird. They're acting as if they already have the energy even though they had just awoken.
"Good morning my darlings!" Greyson greeted as he entered the truck. His smiles were bright, causing annoyance to the two girls as he looks so flirty, "Hi, good morning baby!" He greeted me when he finally entered. I didn't say a word and just watched them pack their things.
"Where is my gun Nathalia?" Greyson asked.
"Just wait your ass up Gray! I'm still busy here!" Nathalia complained as she opened the big bag containing different kinds of weapons.
"Okay, okay, fine baby, fine." Grayson said with his hands raised as if surrendering. Nathalia just rolled her eyes.
"Hey..." Chrysler then greeted as he entered as well. His gaze turned to me, I felt him grin as I avoided him. Due to his game last night, I am no longer comfortable with him around. How dare he make me float? I was so freaking scared for my dear life!
"Where are my daggers?" Chrysler questioned.
"Can you wait please? Corinthians and I are still fixing everything! Take it easy!" Said Nathalia. It's still early in the morning and yet Corinthians is mad already, her complaining tone thundered the truck making the boys fell into silence.
"Where's the prince?" Corinthians asked.
She just mentioned the Prince and my heart began thundering like crazy. Of course it's normal to ask where the Prince is because we are his team and he should be with us always, what's abnormal is the beating of my heart whenever he's near, whenever I hear his name or even feel his presence. This is so weird. I think, I'm too scared at him. I squeezed the my clenching chest. Why is he making me feel uncomfortable and ease at the same time? Yeah, I'm telling you, I'm getting weird feelings. My heart seemed to race every time the Prince is on the topic. I can't believe this! I really need to get out of here as soon as possible. Once I really find the stones, I’ll get out of here right away!
Suddenly, the strong presence of the Prince hovered around. And I was startled when he finally showed up.
"Orientation first."
What, we're starting already?
"We only have 1 month to find the stones, hence, this team is required to search within this week only. So we need to search as fast as we could and as much as possible, avoid any troubles. We can't zone out, you are my Echelons, I know you won't disappoint me." The way Prince Zavan speaks, one could immediately tell that he is respectable. His baritone voice adds authority to his powerful voice.
"Nathalia, we can't lose your presence. You are the only mender sorcerer here, we badly need your healing here. We can not avoid injuries, so immediate treatment is a must. Give fast aid to anyone who gets injured, that's a part of this search. Make sure everyone finds Nathalia for immediate treatment." The Prince said and Nathalia nodded in response while the other Echelons remained silent, as if they already understood everything and no need to speak since they already get the situation. The prince has great confidence and it impacts everyone. I am even feeling brave even though I am just a bait who acts as if I have no idea they brought me here to be a pawn.
Nathalia pulled out her bag full of herbs. She then took out a gun and a katana. I think it's her weapon. Gosh, they are very dangerous.
The Prince looked at the blonde girl, "Corinthians, I trust your moves. You're the chess master here, you are the player, the manipulator. Control everything here within your radius, keep your contact close to everyone as always. Your hypnotism is needed here. Everything in this woods has roots, it's your specialty right? Control it. "
"Yes prince." Corinthians responded seriously. The tension was so high, I don't even know if they could still feel my presence or if they even had an idea I was still there.
"The nature is you Corinthians. Think well." The Prince added.
Corinthians now holds two guns. One by one to her right and left. Then, I smelled the poisonous bullet of it and I was sure anyone who hit it would die. I wouldn't tell if not for my ability. I could now determine which smells off and which smells good. I think I made an improvement.
The Prince then looked at the eagled-tattoo guy, "Greyson, our primary defense. I trust your skills, where are your bombs? Use it well. I have nothing else to say, I know you already know everything you're going to do." The prince's voice gives advice and threatens at the same time. The deeper the conversation, the tension arise. I could feel the chills massively spreading through my body.
The eagle tattoo on Greyson's neck moved. I even made sure I wasn’t dreaming at the moment by rolling my eyes. I had to make sure I was in reality. Because, what the heck? How could that tattoo move? The eagle tattoo turned into a real one, it came out of Greyson's neck! The tattoo on his neck is gone, it's a full -fledged eagle. Oh my gosh!
"Check the area, Fray." Greyson commands the eagle. It immediately flew up and wandered around.
"I missed playing with Fray, you just locked him around your neck." said Nathalia.
My eyes widened in disbelief. Oh gosh!
"Well, Fray is doing a good job right now." added Corinthians.
Grayson grabbed his bag and released small bombs, "I brought 500 pieces of these." Greyson said while holding the strawberry-like bomb. Anyone who sees that will be fooled, it looks tasty.
"Be careful with that, we might explode here." Corinthians noted.
"Don't worry baby, it'll only explode when shooted." Greyson replied with a wink.
"F*ck you!" Corinthians bawled gnashing her teeth.
"Baby, what I mean is, to make it explode, I'll need to throw it straight at you or you eat it." Greyson smiled.
Corinthians just shrugged and rolled her eyes in displeased. Her mood is totally ruined and Greyson just keeps getting into her nerves.
The Prince turned to Chrysler, "Where are your guns?" he asked.
"Right. I asked you earlier Nathalia, where are my guns?" asked Chrysler.
"Here..." Nathalia handed Chrysler a large gun. Well, Chrysler is our primary offense, of course he will be needing a big gun.
"Hey, Chrysler. You are the primary offense, I trust you'll know when to attack and initiate a fight. We've been here, but now's the real deal. I have nothing else to say, you know very well what you have to do."
Chrysler just nodded in response. He was now holding a bag. Its contents were daggers and he had a gun in his right hand. He has his powers within his hands, he won't be needing any of those. But we don’t know what will happen in this jungle, each of us needs a weapon.
Fudge, now that I realize... how about me?
"You know how I deeply trust each and everyone of you. We just have to find atleast 8 stones. I don't know if there are any other precious stones in this area besides the stones on our list. Let us do our best to find the stones. "
They are all preparing to embark on the vast and scary forest. While me... What the heck am I supposed to do? I have no special power, and I am deprived with a weapon? This is suicide!
“There is only one rule I have for everyone. Don't die on me. Come home alive. "
Behind the dark sides of everyone, I know each of these people deserves to live and come home alive. If anyone in this group do not survive, it'll probably be me since I lack knowledge about everything. I have no place here, I'm just a pawn. I don't belong here, I am just a bait.
"You guys ready?" Chrysler asked.
Everyone is ready, except me. There was no other equipment left, I feel like the bullet myself.
"Do you have nothing else to use?" I asked. I couldn't help it, I still want to live, I don't want to die yet. I need something to atleast save me in case I get in trouble. They all turned to me. Gosh, I really am the mood destroyer.
"Oh..." They reacted. I looked down, 'oh?'
"Okay people, we'll all come back alive. That is my rule, and a rule is a rule." The Prince eventually said disregarding my sentiment.
My forehead furrowed, wouldn't they really pay attention to me? Then, can I just stay here or drive home? But... I'm sure prison is within reach. Once I go back, the palace guards will catch me. That's why I can't go home yet. No, I won't come back, I'll be the shield and the bullet of myself then.
"Let's go." The Prince finally said signaling that the search is about to begin. With that, the said Echelons came out one by one. I just want to be on the side and crouch down because I have nothing to carry, as in nothing. But no, this is not the time to be weak.
The prince came out last then I followed.
"You don't have any weapon, right?" He suddenly questions before walking away.
"Nothing."
He heave a deep sigh. Gosh, I felt the heaviness of that sigh. I am such a burden.
"Don't worry. My weapon are yours." He said and continued walking.
What?
My heart almost jumped with joy. I returned to the bag that was supposed to be for the prince and immediately opened it. I want to be happy, but I feel a bit disappointed. I know I have no right to complain, but a bow? The prince only got bow and arrow? That's all? How will I protect myself using this bow and arrow? Not even a knife or a sword?
"Don't make me lose my patience, move faster!" After the prince said that, I immediately took the arrow and ran towards him. I wore it on my back, I'm actually thankful the prince gave a weapon. It’s better than nothing. I only have 30 arrows. I don't think it'll be enough for a week, what more for a month?
"Here take this." The Prince lend me a box.
I immediately accepted the box given to me. My heart raced with what I saw. It contained ten darts, maybe the prince had a lot of confidence in me for being a target that's why he's giving almost his everything. I will not complain anymore.
"Lead the way to the cave, we're all going in there first." the prince commands everyone and me.
My eyes widened in shock, my heart throbbed. Oh gosh, did I heart it right? I'm not zoning out, I cannot just believe it. Was he really serious with what he said last night?
"M-me?" I stuttered, not sure of what to do.
"Who else do you think?" The Prince glared.
I haven't complained yet, I just asked but the Prince is showing me his authority already. It's as if he's screaming that he's the boss here so I should do nothing but over him immediately. I sighed, I guess I don't really have a choice. I'm already here, there's no turning back. Just then, I activated my ability. And in an instant, my abilities were suddenly alive. Finally, I could act beyond the limits. From a distance, I could see the little cave I had seen last night. It’s clearer now because it's morning, it’s easier for us to get there.
I unconsciously walked to the place. But amidst walking, I suddenly stopped. I just stopped walking. I was suddenly nervous. My colleagues are more powerful than I am, they have well equipments too. While I only have my senses, how am I going to lead them and survive this adventure?
Am I really coming home alive?
"What's wrong?" Corinthians asked.
"Keep going witch." Said Nathalia.
I was about to turn back when a pair of hands held my back and pushed me to go lead the way.
Just then, a voice whispered in my ears giving me chills, "You don't have to worry about everything..."
That was soothing.
"I got your back..."
It's calming me. Until I slowly realized, I'm finally leading the way to the cave.
"You have me." The Prince whispered.
What? Where is this confidence coming from? I just... started walking again towards our destination on front line. The Prince, succeeded. The Prince made me... lead the group to the cave.