Chapter 8. Pact: Ashki's Authority

Carysse almost cried as she bandaged Ashki's left arm. 

Good thing it wasn't his battle arm but it still hurt to see her friend wounded badly. Ashki was the first to be attacked when he scouted for them. He said that they came out of nowhere, the same as how Carysse felt it earlier.

''I don't know but.. it felt like they were waiting for us,'' Ashki said. True enough, the mountain was filled with different routes and trails. Why were they on the specific road that the three of them took? Their attacks were also intentional, intended to kill them. They weren’t holding back. 

Ashki’s words made the atmosphere colder than what the night should be.

Carysse saw Chaos clench his fists near the entrance, his eyes hidden.

''Chaos, do you have any idea who they are? You always distance yourself if you know something.'' Carysse didn't mean to be harsh but if this was part of Chaos' plan, she was not falling for it.

''Then you have to relax yourself. You also tend to pinpoint your fingers when something doesn't go right.'' He looked at her. ''I'm on your side or else why did I bother to save you earlier.''

He had a point but she was not convinced. He had to do better. She was already drained, tired, and sick of being surprised or shocked every minute that she was with Chaos. It was like he was a living manifestation of his name.

''That's what I would like to know. You knew they were already there when I said that I felt someone at my back. How is that?'' she asked, remembering what Chaos said earlier.

Chaos took a last peek outside before walking towards them. He took out a whetstone from his pocket and began polishing his sword, a habit that he hadn't given up and he always did whenever he wanted to calm down or think things straight.

''They're called Mahan, the people of the shadows,'' Chaos revealed as he tightened his grip on his weapon.

''They practice ancient magic. Remember how you said you heard footsteps but then no one was there? That's them, using your own shadow. I've had my own experience with them so I'm familiar with how they work.''

That was new to her. She had heard of the ways of the ancient world. Apparently, people before were obsessed with witchcraft, hidden techniques, strange traditions, and other dark powers. It was only at the age of the kings when all these things started to fade. But she had never heard of such an existing group.

“And? How do you know about them?” she pressed.

“They are a rebel group famous in Apharothia where I just came from. I can tell you more about them but we are running out of time. Believe me when I say that I am also surprised that they are here,” he answered.

''Are they humans?'' asked Ashki as he slowly flexed his arm, fingers, and muscles. Carysse finished wrapping what she could but the blood was still soaking it quickly. She will have to change it again after half an hour or else the dirt will cause an infection. The problem was they didn't have an unlimited number of bandages.

''Yes,'' replied Chaos. ''Humans but with beastly intentions.''

Silence filled the cave for a minute or two. Until Ashki stood up.

''Chaos, Carysse, you all know for sure, that the three of us can't continue together, if we want to get ourselves out of this place.'' His voice was thick with determination, the voice of a true leader. ''They will find us sooner than later.''

Carysse immediately rebutted it.

''I don't think we're having that kind of conversation, Ashki. We're sticking to the original plan. We all participate in Gairoshi.''

But then, Ashki looked at her intensely and she felt herself melting. It was dim in the cave but the moonlight from the entrance reflected Ashki's blue eyes as he held her gaze.

He touched Carysse's face and wiped away a tear that was forming. Carysse realized what was about to happen was inevitable and Ashki knew it was hurting her.

Someone had to be a decoy.

Ashki then let go of her with a smile and walked towards Chaos. They thought he was going for the entrance so no one really expected it when he shoved Chaos in the wall in one swift motion and pinned his neck with his strong elbow.

''Ashki!'' screamed Carysse, her eyes widened at what he just did.

Surprisingly, Chaos didn't take it offensively. Even if he gritted his teeth because of the pain, his composed expression showed that he acknowledged it. He was accepting the pain like a proper warrior.

''Will you swear to me, that no matter what happens, you will return with Carysse in one piece?Will you use your sword to protect her and not use it against her just like you did?''

Ashki was not even talking about the success of their mission. He was talking about them going back alive, win or lose. Carysse could just hold back her sobs. 

''You know me, Ashki,'' Chaos started, his voice oozing with conviction. ''You know full too well that I won't abandon both of you.''

Chaos looked at Carysse.

''Carysse, I know you won't believe me anymore because I...'' His voice trailed off. His brain was choosing the right words because he was in front of Ashki. ''...wounded you two years ago. But hear me out, even I don't remember exactly what really happened.''

He paused, gathering up his strength for what he was about to say.

''When Thalisse was attacked, I had the urge to leave. I know it was selfish and embarrassing for me after all those warrior training but I just couldn't stay. You were chasing me telling me to come back. But after that, I don't have any recollection. I only remember myself taking you back to the village in a bloody state. After hearing you muttering on why I did it, I left again with no one stopping me anymore, not even Elder Shimar. Because my blood-soaked weapon and hands was more than evidence.''

Yes, Carysse heard of that story. No one else was chasing after Chaos, it was only her. So no one could have brought her back to the village hideout except for him. But it just didn't make sense so Carysse didn't really think about it and asked the Elder and the rest of the remnants to keep their mouths shut on what happened to her, not bothering to know the whole story.

But now that she was hearing it herself from Chaos, she was lost on what to believe and what to feel. Her hand was again on her chest, feeling it throb harder. She felt numb to Chaos' reasons.

Ashki then let go of his hold on Chaos.

''Now that it's unclear on what the real story is, I ask of you two, lean on each other, at least for now.''

He then extended his ax towards Chaos.

''Both of you know what I'm about to do. Diversion is where I excel at and I'm the best that you have.''

''Do you even know how many of them are out there?'' Chaos asked.

''Less than twenty. That's few compared to the soldiers that attacked the village two years ago.''

''Ashki, your wound,'' Carysse pointed out in concern. She was not liking this one bit. She wanted to volunteer herself to be the scapegoat. Chaos and Ashki had the two most important roles for Gairoshi. She could be discarded and nothing would happen.

Ashki seemed to read her mind.

''I'm the perfect one for this, Carysse. You have your own mission. No one of us will die.''

Ashki looked towards the entrance of the cave.

The sound of a troup approaching alerted the three, making them all look at the entrance of the cave.The leaves were shuffling and footsteps and voices were surrounding them.

''They're here,'' Carysse whispered, her heart hammering in her chest because she knew exactly what was going to happen next.

''Run and don't look back,'' Ashki finally said as he stationed himself at the front, one step away from the moonlit ground of the cave's opening. ''I'll be returning to the village. Me, Elder Shimar, and Thalisse will wait for you.''

Chaos held his sword and with a soft clink of their weapons, like a toast of wine, Chaos said, ''See you soon, brother.''

Ashki nodded and with a final look towards Carysse, he jumped out of the cave, towards the shadow enemies.