Probably not, but cheers to trying
Yep, he is still a dick.
Nothelpful, jerk. I’m assuming you’ve returned from yours. Good. Now let me be great on my first one. I’ll text you once back at the Academy. We can exchange stories.
SHINING KNIGHT
I look forward to our date. See you soon.
NOT A DATE!
Pocketing my phone, I contemplate where I went wrong as Niro strolls off.
“Uh, excuse me, we need to find our entry location.”
“Who said we’re not already here?” he voices over his shoulder.
My magic hums, a flourishing reminder that no more than a few minutes ago the tether was disconnected. Adrenaline, ravaging through my veins, gifts me a confident high for those we are here to protect, adding to the success of this mission.
My time with everyone in the Missing Room was short lived, but with this group of overly powerful fay, any fight seeking us will soon regret it.
Catching up to Niro, I see him kneel, retrieving our map and glancing over it with a determined expression. Focused.
I copy him, tapping his shoulder, and mouth, “What’s wrong?” knowing covert missions works best if we aren’t spotted.
Lush fields of grass sprawl to our rear, deep greens, vibrant yellows, and cooling browns. A chill floats amongst the air. A breeze, hinting this part of their realm is nearing a seasonal change.
“This is us.” He points to a red ‘X’ surrounded by detailed trees. Surveying the area, I can tell it’s damn near close to Alex’s drawing. “All others have made it to their points and are now closing in on one another. We have a more difficult task at hand. These trees may be riddled with waiting enemies, traps laid for unexpected travelers, or an ambush of the worst kind.”
Scrunching my brows, I demand, “Explain.”
Removing the stem of his candy and peering into the thriving woodlands, Niro folds our map and stands. “Death isn’t the worst thing a fay can endure.” Meeting my attention and knowing he has every drop of it, he continues, “Glooms can steal your soul. Your essence. Harness it for themselves and ascend. Those killed are then turned into the very same beasts who snuffed out their life force. Leaving them to spend eternity in a walking hell. Killing until they meet the same fate, never again knowing peace or what’s beyond.”
Unwrapping another sucker, he pops the cherry flavor in his mouth as mine all but drops from my lips.
“So…” My thoughts are racing, remembering the two death dealers I encountered. “Every gloom is a fay without their soul or aura?” I don’t want an answer, but rather, I need it.
“Exactly. You’ve never wondered why our Academies are hell bent on becoming strong? Ridding the world of those weaker?”
“All the time, it’s borderline savage and disgusting.” My tone is below a whisper.
“Good. It means you still have a heart. But it’ll change.” He shrugs, and I’m taken aback by his insinuation.
“I won’t change.”
“When you’ve murdered those you once considered your close friends because they were hunting you, or another you care about, it takes a piece of your soul, regardless. Until you’d rather not offer our enemies a chance at claiming a weaker fay, they’ll be forced to fight you. But what do I know? Out of ten, I only have one friend left. The other nine were changed, slain by my hands, and buried.”
This is too damn deep and depressing.
“Why are you telling me this?” I ask, noticing the blues of his eyes, lost behind a memory of unimaginable torture. Blank and expressionless, there are no hints over his features, and for a moment, I let him endure it. I hope he will find the good amongst the bad, if only for a second.
He blinks, and a warming tone expands beneath his skin, bringing life back into him. “If we venture into these woods andwe’re attacked, run. Use this map and signal the others. I’ll hold them off. And if my fate meets–”
“No.” Invading his space, I force his neck to bend down in an uncomfortable angle. “We’re partners; I’m not leaving you. Fight together or not at all.”
“We–”
“I’m not done.” Holding up a hand, I find his newfound smirk isn’t helping with my more serious demeanor. “If all we need to do is get beyond this point unnoticed, you might have lucked out. I’m the perfect one for this job.” Stepping back, I pray I’m not being overconfident.
