Chapter 13 Waterfall Woes
After breakfast, Yeseus gathered all the Entities.
Angus and Suneia sat opposite of each other. On the seat that was next to Suneia, there was a shy girl with long dark blue hair. When Klishei entered the dining area, the girl bowed her head, making her hair cover her face.
Klishei sat beside Angus.
“That’s Naelyr,” Angus whispered, pointing to the girl. “She’s a water nymph who once served the sea king. She cooks the best among us, by the way.”
Naelyr kept on pinching the tips of her fingers. Klishei understood her nervousness because the air over them was heavy. The presence of the different Entities made their auras clash against each other. It was obvious that everyone was not in a good mood, especially Suneia. She never gave Klishei a glance.
“I guess there’s no need for formal introductions. Let’s get right to the point. Daevar and his pack are sniffing us out. They have already reached our boundaries. It will only be a matter of time before they find our entrance.”
Angus raised his hand. “But you said that the werewolf essence of Daevar and his pack have been greatly diminished and so they will have a hard time in breaking through the mirage. Maybe it will take them days or weeks. Shouldn’t we take it easy?”
Yeseus shook his head. “Daevar is an exceptional one. The rare blood of the Proy, the strongest pack, flows through him. Had it not been for me destroying the order of our clans, he would have already ascended to alphahood. I’d say give him only a day or two, which brings me back to the main point. We have to evacuate and proceed to plan B.”
Angus made a silent ‘Oh’. Naelyr’s fidgeting became more aggressive. Suneia, on the other hand, just looked at the floor. Klishei’s face reflected her question. Yeseus cleared his throat, preparing to explain.
“We have to find where the Phoenix's Nest is located where we can awaken the sleeping goddess inside Klishei. That way, the Phoenix can ascend to the cosmos and Daevar’s dream of restoration will be gone. I was planning on visiting Tara's Talking Spring for answer but again, you have two choices."
"I have no right to force you if you don’t want to come. If you stay here, your safety is guaranteed because Daevar’s only goal is Klishei. Or you can come with us just to assist us. I will give you time to think until tonight and I'm sorry if that's the only time I can give you. The Twin Golden Sun's appearance where the barrier between Earth and the Cosmos is the thinnest is in six days so we really do not have that much time. Now, let the sanctuary be our witness that there will be no enmity between us no matter what your choice is. That’s all. Thank you.”
As soon as he said his last word, the elf stood, making her chair screech. She walked out loudly, the displeasure obvious in her face. Gone was the friendly face that she showed when Klishei first met her. Klishei grieved at the fact that Suneia's act of waving at her and letting her borrow her pen was fake. But then, she could not really blame her.
Klishei’s heart hurt. It seemed like they were living peaceful lives before her her arrival shattered everything.
She stood, attempting to trail after Suneia.
“Klishei, it’s okay. Just give her time,” Angus called out.
“Don’t worry. I just have something to return to her.” Klishei walked out of the hall, gripping the wooden pen tightly in her palm. She was afraid that she would lose it. Klishei was always the person to return things.
Klishei kept a distance, not wanting to scare her for following her. The two entered the forest. Up ahead, Klishei heard the flowing of water. Suneia was so angry that she did not notice Klishei had followed her up to the waterfall, the edge of the boundary of the sanctuary.
Klishei noticed a movement from the trees.
A shadow appeared at Suneia’s back, clamping Suneia’s mouth. Klishei held her gasp as she instinctively ducked in a nearby bush.
“Answer me honestly and I will let you live. Scream and I will kill you instantly, you understand?” Suneia’s eyes were already screaming in fear. She slowly nodded and Daevar released his hold on her mouth.
“Where is the Phoenix Bride? I know that you are hiding her with that cursed Yeseus!”
Klishei felt her heartbeat pick up. Daevar was here for her. And Suneia was about to get hurt if she won't speak. Klishei was torn if she should just leave her to ask for help. It was a long way back to the house. There was no guarantee that Suneia would still be alive by then.
The logical thing to do was just answer the questions. But amazingly, Suneia only cried, dropped to her knees, and begged for her life. “Please, please, please. Spare me.”
Daevar’s red eyes showed themselves. He held his hand high, showing his claws, making Klishei look in terror. He was not joking. He really would kill Suneia.
Klishei could not stand it any longer. Without thinking, she bravely stood, deliberately rustling the bush loudly.
“I’m here,” she announced.
From that moment, she knew she was screwed.
Daevar's head turned to her direction. “Oh, there you are, sweet Klishei. Don’t think about calling your protector.” Daevar’s finger went under Suneia’s chin.
“Stop. You don’t have to manipulate me. Do what you want with me. Just leave her alone.” She looked at the shocked Suneia and gave her a smile.
“If you let her go and guarantee her safety, you can have me. But if not,” She pulled the cover of the pendant of her necklace, revealing a tiny silver blade whose sharp edges glinted under the light of the sun. Daevar hissed at the sight of the weapon.
“I’ll just end my life myself. Don't think that I can't do it.” Klishei pointed the blade at the heart of her neck. “What will it be, Daevar?”
Without any second thoughts, Daevar withdrew his hand. Suneia dropped to the ground, catching her breath.
“You made yourself a deal, Klishei.”
Daevar took one step forward and in a whirlwind, he was already in front of her.
"You're pretty obedient today."
Klishei felt fear creep inside her. "You already got me. I believe you don't have any more reason to harm Suneia, right?"
"I don't care about the elf. But if you try to escape, you know what will happen."
Klishei avoided his eyes. "So are we just going to stand here? Come on, do what you want with me already." Suneia looked like she still had not gotten over her shock. Klishei pleaded with her eyes for her to get out and call for the others already.
But then, all it took for Daevar to knock Klishei out was a single punch, giving her no time to relay her message.
Suneia opening her mouth to scream was Klishei’s last vision before she was consumed by darkness.