"What happened!""Would you shut it with the questions and heal me already!"The other figure dropped to one knee and rolled up sleeves of his robe. He began a familiar incarnation."I call to you great presence. Heed to my orison and grant me your unfathomable power! For we serve you oh great link, our path to Tomasa!"The gush of wind and an orange halo ring appeared as usual. The injured figure took his time before getting up."What happened?!" the spell caster asked."Well it seems your plan was not that fool proof!""It wasn't my plan it was the administrators'. And he accounted for everything.""Well he didn't account for me getting hurt!""But that's why I gave you two miracles, one to leave behind for Martha and another for yourself in case you got hurt!""Yeah that was the initial plan, until circumstances arose that weren't planned for!""... Which ones?""Tulip! She's still alive!"There was a brief moment of silence before he continued his speech."Tulip? You mean lady Mel

Reene relentlessly plucked the strings of the citole as he danced around the podium bruising people's eardrums with his torturous voice. Others booed him, others showed appreciation for his effort, while others just laughed out loud. He never cared none the less, and pushed on with his performance. Alicia stood by the podium, masking her laughter. She covered her face with her palms and tried hard to act as composed as she could hope to be in that situation.With one last heavy Crescendo that drained out all his breath, he raised his arms and gave the crowd a bow before he choked himself out. They all clapped, others thankful for the end of the torture, others appreciative of the effort, while others just thanked him for giving them a good laugh. He walked over to Alicia."So. . . How was it? "She couldn't hold it in any longer. She burst out laughing so hard she started snorting. She knew it was awkward but there was no way of stopping it. Although the laughter of the crowd masked h

MEANWHILE“Okay let's move. The rain will help cover our tracks so we better make hast and utilize it.”. So began their exodus, a muddy, cold, and wet journey across the woods, a plight for freedom and safety. Though they were thrilled to be free nobody bothered to ask about the cost of their freedom. The mysterious savior who called himself Anato Strider could not have just decided to wake up one day and free them. They lived long enough to know that everything comes at a price, so what was the price tagged in their freedom? One would have to wonder what lay ahead, hopefully, it would be greener pastures.Lora and Jrue were lost in the woodlands, limping through puddles of mud, occasionally stumbling to the ground and taking forever to get back to their feet. Their bodies had been broken, Lora’s left shoulder was heavily swollen and her ribs made breathing one painful task. On the other hand, Jrue's leg was also not looking as good as her sister’s. He broke his fall with his lower bo

On the other hand, his sibling was tranquil, and he was very different from his other half. Even though they had the same looks, they were quite different. Something flared inside Valmon about a month after they were knighted, and he swiftly altered. He recognized that what Drom had told them was correct: prejudice and maintaining class divisions had no place in the army. He knew that if he was going to survive, he needed to adapt, thus he began his journey from crested brat to honorary state guard. His only wish was that his scared brother would man up and change, follow the path he took if only his wish was heard."Sal, be quiet! The commander might hear you.""I don't care if he hears me, Val, I'm not doing this... after this mission, I'm quitting the State Guard core and returning home.""We both know that father would never allow you to pass through the gates.""I'm done with it...""Would you please close your hole, if you don't have anything meaningful to say, keep your blunt c

Finally, the snapping of dry leaves and the splitting of branches from shrubs could be heard. Over the passage of time, they grew more aggressive and louder. A sharp shriek reverberated across the woodland, disturbing the sense of tranquility. The noises were more intense, and they seemed to be coming from the direction in which Alicia and the guy were looking.Alicia's limbs were weakened by another shriek that echoed through the open field It was right there, just a few inches into the night it approached. A shrub gave way a few seconds after the screech and its impact died down, revealing a massive monstrous foot walking into the light. The entire leg and an arm were then covered in scales. Finally, the figure wanted to stick out its whole body.With a massive mouth ripping up half of its face and huge arms and claw-like claws poking off the end, it was vile. Its canines protruded from its muzzle, one of which was entangled with a vine, most likely from running around in the forest