The Audience.
This chapter is supposed to exist before the other one, there's a big possibility I'll end up editing this one, might be continuing it, or cutting it into another chapter.
I'll see when the time comes.
The young woman sat outside the Central Chamber, where her audience with The Three Elders and the Heros will be made. She held her skirt nervously, wishing for the opportunity to stay with the creature she had found.
Erzebeth was probably the result of the atmospheric change in the earth once the Great Catastrophe ended. It's humanoid nature could be seen aside from the ebony fur that covered all its body, the large lion-like tail emerging just below its back, and the canine face it possessed. Ivohn had found it when investigating around some ruins on a mission. She had unleashed it from the cave it had the misfortune to find itself imprisoned. The creature spoke in the tongue of the earth and promised her complete loyalty. And it was what he did, protecting her in a couple of quests, even when its on life was on stake.
But The Elders disapproved of it as soon as they knew about its existence, and saying it could be a danger to the people, demanded it to be killed for it now knew the way to The Order. Luckily for her, the Hero of Drought was a wise man, and opted to arrange an audience with the Three Elders, the Hero of Fire, and himself to debate the correct decision.
She was indebted with The Green One.
-Has the audience started already?!
The voice and the sound of someone running at her made her rise her eyes lightly.
She was out of breath, so the Angel wondered how long had she run to get there. The girl stopped in front of the huge doors, and clutched to breathe, placing her hands above her knees.
Ivohn looked at the figure in front of her. The face of the stranger was hidden by messy brown curls. She wore a cape that lowered little above her ankles.
-I don't think so.
The other girl rose her face and her almond hazel eyes looked around.
-I don't think you need to stay out like a dog.- she added.
-They told me to wait outside.
The girl stared at her, surprised.
-They told you to stay out here?! -she exclaimed, as if offended- Those bastards. - she muttered while standing and opening the door harshly.
The Camber of Audience was small, intended only for a small or null group of spectators. The Elders already sat in the Atrium, and the Hero of Drought was already in his seat at the right side of them. Ivohn had no time to wonder who the girl was before the Elder in the middle spoke with authority.
-Punctuality is admirable habit, Hummingbird of the South.
-Organization is important, and Bureaucracy isn't organization. I had some reports to fill.
Ivohn was impressed, for the Hummingbird to be such a young woman, and still being overworked by The Order. Times sure were harsh if she didn't even had a day of rest between missions.
She was so inmersed in her own thoughts she got a little surprised when The Green One spoke.
-I think little Phoenix is the last person you should be dropping charges against. She's got it hard right now, being the only Hero able to go around.
Ivohn could feel the huge sadness spoken with those words, at least someone seemed to be worried of the girl going up the atrium, completely ignoring the following remarks from the other Elders.
“For being such wise figures they sure have some discriminating opinions.”
The Elders were known for their inability to accept women as powerful. The Angel still remembered the fuss they made when the young Hero of Fire was found, refusing to aknowledge her because she was a woman and even had her go into the woods to the Sacred Temple a such young age. And to think she even returned safe and sound, with the wisdom of the Gods on her eyes.
That moment they closed their mouths shut, because they had to respect the Heros.
Seems like that didn't stop them from saying hateful things to her, though.
-Ivohn.
The mention of her name made her rise her sight, all of them were standing, receiving the audience with respect.
-We're reunited now to discuss security issues for The Order, specifically, the stay of a beast inside its Headquarters and the service to the Greater Well.
Something told her it was going to take a long time.
The Heros were the first to talk, though, The Green One was the one that started, followed by The Hummingbird. Both of them spoke in favor of the Angel keeping the creature, having read the observations made by Ivohn, and some references of it's behavior. Ivohn had to smile at such open people, wondering why The Order needed The Elders when they had such knowledge as the Hero's between their numbers.
The Elders on it's on way were spiteful and refused nonchalantly the stay of the creature, saying a creature born with the corrupted atmosphere of the world was probably raging, and needed to be cut off for the safety of the people, even ignoring the loyalty it had showed to the Angel that saved it.
Well, she did know the odds were against her.
Mentally prepared to be facing the death of her newfound friend, she almost stood to receive the bad news, until a harsh sound took her attention up at the atrium, where The Hummingbird had stood from her seat, looking indignant at the three Elders at her right.
-You must be joking.
-This is no matter or comedy, young Hero of Fire. We are completely sure that creature means a threat to us and the citizens of this small world.
-I haven't heard of it breaking havoc into townspeople. The report even describes how it saved a kid who fell to a well, and aids the people taking care of it.
-That could be invented.
-Accidents are never invented.
-That is a creature that holds a mind of it's own, you can't know what it is thinking.
-Then what differentiates it from Huitzi?
That was far off Ivohn's understanding. Who was Huitzi?
-That is a part of you, you are in complete control of it.
-Who says so? -She added, raising her hand, were small embers appeared and began to revolve around her wrist. -Fire holds no master.
Ivohn shivered a little in surprise. The Hummingbird seemed young, and she might be a young woman still. "But who can take off the vast violence of War she has in her soul? She's probably the only person anyone wouldn't like as an enemy."
And that seemed to be the case, as the Elders seemed completely intimidated by her presence, refusing to even spare a glance at her.
“Is this why they don't like women? Because they can end being even more powerful than them?”
Ivohn glanced at The Green One, he held a peaceful expression, completely aware of what was going on, but sharing The Hummingbird's posture.
She didn't know what to think, but she believed in the Heros.
And if they believed in Erzebeth, there was probably nothing wrong with the creature staying.
~°~°
Well, she guessed it could be worse.
After more attempts of the Hummingbird to try and make The Elders understand the creature was fine, The Green One proposed a period in which Erzebeth would be under careful observation.
Ivohn liked the idea, more so because the one in charge of it was the Hummingbird herself.
They were supposed to meet at the entrance of The Order at noon, so the Angel supposed the Hero's schedule had been changed, and will stay around the Town Erzebeth was staying in for a while.
The task of guiding the Hero there was up to her, though, and making use of her time there she would probably give some medical assistance at the local medical center. The thing that excited her the most was the fact she would be around the Hummingbird for probably two whole weeks.
The Hummingbird of the South, the Hero of Fire, bearer of the God of War.
She was a sensation at The Order.
Not many knew her, probably only a couple of people aside from her. She was always doing something, almost always out.
Doing missions, saving people, or those things Heros do.
Hummingbirds in fact were really popular, mostly for their historical importance.
"No, I think it's more because the importance of her soul, or the God residing in her."
The God of War.
The only one able to stop the God of Discord.
The Angel trembled a little in fear, the Smoked Mirror was a topic not many people got into.
"Even though the reason the Hummingbird is treasured revolves completely around him."
-Hey! Ivohn
She jumped a little, and rose her sight from her lap, where her bag was resting, to the brown eyes of her old friend.
-Eiser! You scare me.
-What are you talking about? I've been calling out for you for a while, you should pay attention to your surroundings, even if you're so near the entrance some beasts still wander around.
-You're so annoying, I'm just waiting for someone. You got back already? So fast!
-Nah, I forgot something, I had to return.
-How stupid of you.- she joked.
It was right for him to return, sometimes a forgotten possession was the one that saved your live. Most of the travels here sometimes required for them to be away for months. But they received respect from the people, even free stuff and housing whenever they went, so it made the trip a lot easier.
-I can't spare time and get nagged at by you, so I'll be leaving now. -he commented, walking into the gates of the great wall, where some guards checked his badge before letting him enter.
-Don't mind me, I'll stay here and be productive.
She heard his chuckle, and smiled to herself.
Almost not time had passed, until the Angel saw the Hero exit the gates of The Order, giving a small bow to the guards.
Ivohn noticed how they bowed back, as if her going in and out was usual.
-Hey.- the Angel greeted, a little nervous.
The Hero smiled a little, and replied with a nod.
The Angel eyed the girl, seeing her bare handed, and she felt a little ridiculous with the bag in her hands.
-Are you ready?-
-Yes, guide the way.-
Ivohn stood quiet, staring at the Hero before her, just a little bit shorter than herself.
-I'm sorry for intruding on your personal matters, but aren't you bringing something with you?-
She knew she was being the rudest ever, but this was probably as important as anything else.
Though she was a Hero, she must know what she was doing, shouldn't she?
"But going without even a weapon?"
The bright haired Angel saw the brunette girl raising her left arm, lifting with it her cape. She had a small purse attached to her belt.
Small enough that not even a dagger would fit there.
The Angel was starting to get worried, but said nothing.
"I'm sure she knows what she's doing."
Wandering in the world was dangerous, even more than what ever had. Just as Erzebeth, many creatures were born from the changes in the Earth and it's environments. Creatures that raised tall enough to be seen from the horizon, or small enough to pass by without one paying notice. Adamant enough to be domesticated and having around, or fierce enough to destroy entire villages.
But the Angel supposed, if the small Hero walking beside her, with her strong stance and secure step, had survived such world with just a small pouch to hold her belongings, then it might be okay for her to let the other be.
"After all, I don't think we'll be able to encounter a stronger being than the Hummingbird." There was probably no safer place in the world than beside such person.
The Hero of Fire.
"I'll love to see her fighting sometime."
-Excuse me.
The voice of the smaller woman was sweet and harsh at the same time, what can one supose of a person based on the sound of their voice?
-What?
-Where exactly did you find the creature?
The Angel kind of respected the theme the Hero chose for conversation, weather wouldn't be such an interesting subject.
-On the ruins South of Ocre Mountains.
North, far North. Almost on the limit of the cold ocean that blessed the frozen places.
-Ocre Mountains. -she murmured, as if analyzing something, but didn't speak further.
Seemed like conversation wasn't the Hero's strong point, and the Angel tried to think of something.
"We have a two day travel ahead of us and a couple of weeks together, I can't let awkwardness start at such a time."
Just before the Angel could open her mouth, a rustle in the wind, far louder than the sound of leaves, surrounded them.
Then she could feel it.
It was near.
Before them.
The Hummingbird moved fast, though. Jogging before the Angel and lowered her stance, arms spread, knees bent, feet apart. The Angel felt a shiver up her spine, anxiousness and something else.
The Hummingbird, she was going to see the Hummingbird on action.
The first thing that changed was the temperature, far too hot under the shadow of the trees.
Something had her glancing at the girl in front of her.
She saw her hands.
Small embers danced from her hands, and around almost all her body, and she saw the small ball of black matter too. It was changing, molding. It got long and sharp, it took form, and in a moment, the Hummingbird had a blazing sword on her hands.
She didn't react, even as the wild feline rushed out from the bushes. The small push the Hero used to take her out of the way didn't register. She just saw, she just analyzed.
The Hero was agile, moving her static body out of the way and managing to evade the tackle of the beast. She saw how she taunted the beast out of the Angel, and how the sword she made landed in specific places of the mammal. Never harming it lethally.
She had an awful control of her movements.
Were all Heros this habile? This trained?
No wonder Angels weren't even up to compare.
With a swift movement of her arm, a shield of fire was created between the Hero and the beast. With the blazing flames so near itself, the mammal gave a harsh growl and retreated to the woods, groaning in protest.
The Angel, that still lay on her butt on the ground, didn't had time to ask or think anything, even as the Hero walked to her, holding out her hand.
-I'm sorry for pushing you, but we need to leave. Before it brings back the pack.
-What?
The Hero still had the sword on her hand. "Where did she get the black stuff, anyway?"
But she couldn't ask, as the strong hands of the woman took her off the ground and ran away from the place.
"Yes, we need to get away."
With the dangerous atmosphere of the world, almost all mammals now lived in packs.
Even humans.
They ran a while, the Angel's legs hurt, but she kept the pace of the girl.
"She has great stamina. What exactly had she ran from?"
The Hummingbird noticed the other's lack of breath, but she was so used to go around by herself, she didn't know what to do. The Hero started jogging, thinking maybe the other wasn't used to such marathons outside The Order.
"She seems like a clumsy Angel." the bird snorted.
"Don't be rude, I'm sure she's a paper-worker or something." the Hero answered inside her mind.
"Can I come out now?"
"No."
The bird snorted again, bored inside the mind of the Hero.
"Remember you need to halve your powers, or you know what can happen."
"Yes, you can go out and make guard while we sleep."
The bird didn't say anything else, taking cover in the confines of the mind of his bearer.
"Alright."
The Hero felt a jolt on the movement on her side, and stopped. The Angel let go of her hand and placed both on her own knees, taking deep breaths.
-I'm sorry.
Ivohn raised her head, looking at the Hummingbird in the eyes. Her face was stoic, showing no more than a subtle lowering of her lips and eyebrows. But her eyes showed what her face didn't.
-No nonono, don't apologize.- she took a deep breath.- You did it for our sakes, it would have been a problem if we would have encountered the entire pack. I just, don't have enough breath.
The Hero didn't say something else, but the Angel saw her expression soften a little, and realized that even though the other was pretty stoic, her gestures were honest and quite prone to be noticed.
"What she doesn't show with words shows up on her face."
Pretty face it was, in fact, and with that running she wondered the other had a strong pair of legs.
But she mustn't distract herself with such matters.
-You can't keep going.
-What?
-We'll camp here. -The Hero said, looking around. She glanced at the bushes, the grass, the trees. She seemed to like what she saw.
-We're too South from Rebel territory, and the beasts must not have followed us, but we should sleep in the trees anyway.
The Angel was surprised, and clutched at her knees. Stay there?
The Hero didn't had to look at her to know she wasn't used to the nomad life.
"I told you she was clumsy."
"Shut up."
-You must have supposed something?
-Yes, that we'll be staying in an Inn or something.
-There are no signs of a village near here, you know a route?
The Angel looked down, a little embarrassed. -No.
-But you supposed there'll be one. Don't you travel this way often.
-I- Ivohn trembled -I always took a caravan.
The Hero sighed, and the Angel supposed the Hummingbird must have been displeased with such behaviours.
-Then you normally slept in the chart.
-Yes, that's why I only have a sleeping bag.
-That's why you have such unnecesarily big bag.
The Angel felt a little more embarrassed every time she spoke. She feared to look into the Hero's eyes, kind of afraid the emotion she'll see in such honest eyes.
-I'm sorry.
-Don't need to apologize, I just want to understand.
She heard a loud thud, and the Angel looked up, finding the Hero looking around interested.
-I don't think they'll be villages near, but we can look around for an hour or so. If not, this type of tree -she pointed a one of them, that was big, with a trunk reaching arm wide width. -They're pretty comfy with a pack of their large leaves, they'll go nice with your sleeping bag, I think.
Her voice was sweet and harsh, but her words were kind.
The Angel had feared the Hero would look down on her, but such words spoke as if she was used to dealing with this, like just an everyday occurrence.
Even though if might have been the first time she had wandered the wildness with someone else.
And the fact that was always taught to them, since the beginning. The Gold rule.
"Hero's are the purest beings, that's why the Gods chose them."
That's why they were trust worthy.
She could trust her life to her, and know it was in good hands.
°~°~
In the end they managed not to find anything nearby, and with a little embarrassment on her part, the Angel agreed to sleeping up the trees for a change in her life.
She couldn't help but think she was kind of spoiled, always traveling in luxury, when the small woman beside her slept over dirt and dust. But the other never showed any sign of annoyance, and having noticed her companion was prone to honest gestures showing on her face, the Angel believed she didn't find it as bothersome as she thought.
In fact she didn't seem at all.
They didn't camp on the spot they had found at the beginning, their wandering left them actually closer to their destination, so both chose just to stay there. Under the dim sunlight of the evening, the Hero aided the Angel into climbing a tree, something she hadn't actually thought of doing sometime, and placing the sleeping bag over the widest branch of tree they could find. After explaining her companion how she could lay over it, to avoid falling to the ground, she climbed further up, laying her agile body over a couple of branches.
ctjsy
I'll see when the time comes.
The young woman sat outside the Central Chamber, where her audience with The Three Elders and the Heros will be made. She held her skirt nervously, wishing for the opportunity to stay with the creature she had found.
Erzebeth was probably the result of the atmospheric change in the earth once the Great Catastrophe ended. It's humanoid nature could be seen aside from the ebony fur that covered all its body, the large lion-like tail emerging just below its back, and the canine face it possessed. Ivohn had found it when investigating around some ruins on a mission. She had unleashed it from the cave it had the misfortune to find itself imprisoned. The creature spoke in the tongue of the earth and promised her complete loyalty. And it was what he did, protecting her in a couple of quests, even when its on life was on stake.
But The Elders disapproved of it as soon as they knew about its existence, and saying it could be a danger to the people, demanded it to be killed for it now knew the way to The Order. Luckily for her, the Hero of Drought was a wise man, and opted to arrange an audience with the Three Elders, the Hero of Fire, and himself to debate the correct decision.
She was indebted with The Green One.
-Has the audience started already?!
The voice and the sound of someone running at her made her rise her eyes lightly.
She was out of breath, so the Angel wondered how long had she run to get there. The girl stopped in front of the huge doors, and clutched to breathe, placing her hands above her knees.
Ivohn looked at the figure in front of her. The face of the stranger was hidden by messy brown curls. She wore a cape that lowered little above her ankles.
-I don't think so.
The other girl rose her face and her almond hazel eyes looked around.
-I don't think you need to stay out like a dog.- she added.
-They told me to wait outside.
The girl stared at her, surprised.
-They told you to stay out here?! -she exclaimed, as if offended- Those bastards. - she muttered while standing and opening the door harshly.
The Camber of Audience was small, intended only for a small or null group of spectators. The Elders already sat in the Atrium, and the Hero of Drought was already in his seat at the right side of them. Ivohn had no time to wonder who the girl was before the Elder in the middle spoke with authority.
-Punctuality is admirable habit, Hummingbird of the South.
-Organization is important, and Bureaucracy isn't organization. I had some reports to fill.
Ivohn was impressed, for the Hummingbird to be such a young woman, and still being overworked by The Order. Times sure were harsh if she didn't even had a day of rest between missions.
She was so inmersed in her own thoughts she got a little surprised when The Green One spoke.
-I think little Phoenix is the last person you should be dropping charges against. She's got it hard right now, being the only Hero able to go around.
Ivohn could feel the huge sadness spoken with those words, at least someone seemed to be worried of the girl going up the atrium, completely ignoring the following remarks from the other Elders.
“For being such wise figures they sure have some discriminating opinions.”
The Elders were known for their inability to accept women as powerful. The Angel still remembered the fuss they made when the young Hero of Fire was found, refusing to aknowledge her because she was a woman and even had her go into the woods to the Sacred Temple a such young age. And to think she even returned safe and sound, with the wisdom of the Gods on her eyes.
That moment they closed their mouths shut, because they had to respect the Heros.
Seems like that didn't stop them from saying hateful things to her, though.
-Ivohn.
The mention of her name made her rise her sight, all of them were standing, receiving the audience with respect.
-We're reunited now to discuss security issues for The Order, specifically, the stay of a beast inside its Headquarters and the service to the Greater Well.
Something told her it was going to take a long time.
The Heros were the first to talk, though, The Green One was the one that started, followed by The Hummingbird. Both of them spoke in favor of the Angel keeping the creature, having read the observations made by Ivohn, and some references of it's behavior. Ivohn had to smile at such open people, wondering why The Order needed The Elders when they had such knowledge as the Hero's between their numbers.
The Elders on it's on way were spiteful and refused nonchalantly the stay of the creature, saying a creature born with the corrupted atmosphere of the world was probably raging, and needed to be cut off for the safety of the people, even ignoring the loyalty it had showed to the Angel that saved it.
Well, she did know the odds were against her.
Mentally prepared to be facing the death of her newfound friend, she almost stood to receive the bad news, until a harsh sound took her attention up at the atrium, where The Hummingbird had stood from her seat, looking indignant at the three Elders at her right.
-You must be joking.
-This is no matter or comedy, young Hero of Fire. We are completely sure that creature means a threat to us and the citizens of this small world.
-I haven't heard of it breaking havoc into townspeople. The report even describes how it saved a kid who fell to a well, and aids the people taking care of it.
-That could be invented.
-Accidents are never invented.
-That is a creature that holds a mind of it's own, you can't know what it is thinking.
-Then what differentiates it from Huitzi?
That was far off Ivohn's understanding. Who was Huitzi?
-That is a part of you, you are in complete control of it.
-Who says so? -She added, raising her hand, were small embers appeared and began to revolve around her wrist. -Fire holds no master.
Ivohn shivered a little in surprise. The Hummingbird seemed young, and she might be a young woman still. "But who can take off the vast violence of War she has in her soul? She's probably the only person anyone wouldn't like as an enemy."
And that seemed to be the case, as the Elders seemed completely intimidated by her presence, refusing to even spare a glance at her.
“Is this why they don't like women? Because they can end being even more powerful than them?”
Ivohn glanced at The Green One, he held a peaceful expression, completely aware of what was going on, but sharing The Hummingbird's posture.
She didn't know what to think, but she believed in the Heros.
And if they believed in Erzebeth, there was probably nothing wrong with the creature staying.
~°~°
Well, she guessed it could be worse.
After more attempts of the Hummingbird to try and make The Elders understand the creature was fine, The Green One proposed a period in which Erzebeth would be under careful observation.
Ivohn liked the idea, more so because the one in charge of it was the Hummingbird herself.
They were supposed to meet at the entrance of The Order at noon, so the Angel supposed the Hero's schedule had been changed, and will stay around the Town Erzebeth was staying in for a while.
The task of guiding the Hero there was up to her, though, and making use of her time there she would probably give some medical assistance at the local medical center. The thing that excited her the most was the fact she would be around the Hummingbird for probably two whole weeks.
The Hummingbird of the South, the Hero of Fire, bearer of the God of War.
She was a sensation at The Order.
Not many knew her, probably only a couple of people aside from her. She was always doing something, almost always out.
Doing missions, saving people, or those things Heros do.
Hummingbirds in fact were really popular, mostly for their historical importance.
"No, I think it's more because the importance of her soul, or the God residing in her."
The God of War.
The only one able to stop the God of Discord.
The Angel trembled a little in fear, the Smoked Mirror was a topic not many people got into.
"Even though the reason the Hummingbird is treasured revolves completely around him."
-Hey! Ivohn
She jumped a little, and rose her sight from her lap, where her bag was resting, to the brown eyes of her old friend.
-Eiser! You scare me.
-What are you talking about? I've been calling out for you for a while, you should pay attention to your surroundings, even if you're so near the entrance some beasts still wander around.
-You're so annoying, I'm just waiting for someone. You got back already? So fast!
-Nah, I forgot something, I had to return.
-How stupid of you.- she joked.
It was right for him to return, sometimes a forgotten possession was the one that saved your live. Most of the travels here sometimes required for them to be away for months. But they received respect from the people, even free stuff and housing whenever they went, so it made the trip a lot easier.
-I can't spare time and get nagged at by you, so I'll be leaving now. -he commented, walking into the gates of the great wall, where some guards checked his badge before letting him enter.
-Don't mind me, I'll stay here and be productive.
She heard his chuckle, and smiled to herself.
Almost not time had passed, until the Angel saw the Hero exit the gates of The Order, giving a small bow to the guards.
Ivohn noticed how they bowed back, as if her going in and out was usual.
-Hey.- the Angel greeted, a little nervous.
The Hero smiled a little, and replied with a nod.
The Angel eyed the girl, seeing her bare handed, and she felt a little ridiculous with the bag in her hands.
-Are you ready?-
-Yes, guide the way.-
Ivohn stood quiet, staring at the Hero before her, just a little bit shorter than herself.
-I'm sorry for intruding on your personal matters, but aren't you bringing something with you?-
She knew she was being the rudest ever, but this was probably as important as anything else.
Though she was a Hero, she must know what she was doing, shouldn't she?
"But going without even a weapon?"
The bright haired Angel saw the brunette girl raising her left arm, lifting with it her cape. She had a small purse attached to her belt.
Small enough that not even a dagger would fit there.
The Angel was starting to get worried, but said nothing.
"I'm sure she knows what she's doing."
Wandering in the world was dangerous, even more than what ever had. Just as Erzebeth, many creatures were born from the changes in the Earth and it's environments. Creatures that raised tall enough to be seen from the horizon, or small enough to pass by without one paying notice. Adamant enough to be domesticated and having around, or fierce enough to destroy entire villages.
But the Angel supposed, if the small Hero walking beside her, with her strong stance and secure step, had survived such world with just a small pouch to hold her belongings, then it might be okay for her to let the other be.
"After all, I don't think we'll be able to encounter a stronger being than the Hummingbird." There was probably no safer place in the world than beside such person.
The Hero of Fire.
"I'll love to see her fighting sometime."
-Excuse me.
The voice of the smaller woman was sweet and harsh at the same time, what can one supose of a person based on the sound of their voice?
-What?
-Where exactly did you find the creature?
The Angel kind of respected the theme the Hero chose for conversation, weather wouldn't be such an interesting subject.
-On the ruins South of Ocre Mountains.
North, far North. Almost on the limit of the cold ocean that blessed the frozen places.
-Ocre Mountains. -she murmured, as if analyzing something, but didn't speak further.
Seemed like conversation wasn't the Hero's strong point, and the Angel tried to think of something.
"We have a two day travel ahead of us and a couple of weeks together, I can't let awkwardness start at such a time."
Just before the Angel could open her mouth, a rustle in the wind, far louder than the sound of leaves, surrounded them.
Then she could feel it.
It was near.
Before them.
The Hummingbird moved fast, though. Jogging before the Angel and lowered her stance, arms spread, knees bent, feet apart. The Angel felt a shiver up her spine, anxiousness and something else.
The Hummingbird, she was going to see the Hummingbird on action.
The first thing that changed was the temperature, far too hot under the shadow of the trees.
Something had her glancing at the girl in front of her.
She saw her hands.
Small embers danced from her hands, and around almost all her body, and she saw the small ball of black matter too. It was changing, molding. It got long and sharp, it took form, and in a moment, the Hummingbird had a blazing sword on her hands.
She didn't react, even as the wild feline rushed out from the bushes. The small push the Hero used to take her out of the way didn't register. She just saw, she just analyzed.
The Hero was agile, moving her static body out of the way and managing to evade the tackle of the beast. She saw how she taunted the beast out of the Angel, and how the sword she made landed in specific places of the mammal. Never harming it lethally.
She had an awful control of her movements.
Were all Heros this habile? This trained?
No wonder Angels weren't even up to compare.
With a swift movement of her arm, a shield of fire was created between the Hero and the beast. With the blazing flames so near itself, the mammal gave a harsh growl and retreated to the woods, groaning in protest.
The Angel, that still lay on her butt on the ground, didn't had time to ask or think anything, even as the Hero walked to her, holding out her hand.
-I'm sorry for pushing you, but we need to leave. Before it brings back the pack.
-What?
The Hero still had the sword on her hand. "Where did she get the black stuff, anyway?"
But she couldn't ask, as the strong hands of the woman took her off the ground and ran away from the place.
"Yes, we need to get away."
With the dangerous atmosphere of the world, almost all mammals now lived in packs.
Even humans.
They ran a while, the Angel's legs hurt, but she kept the pace of the girl.
"She has great stamina. What exactly had she ran from?"
The Hummingbird noticed the other's lack of breath, but she was so used to go around by herself, she didn't know what to do. The Hero started jogging, thinking maybe the other wasn't used to such marathons outside The Order.
"She seems like a clumsy Angel." the bird snorted.
"Don't be rude, I'm sure she's a paper-worker or something." the Hero answered inside her mind.
"Can I come out now?"
"No."
The bird snorted again, bored inside the mind of the Hero.
"Remember you need to halve your powers, or you know what can happen."
"Yes, you can go out and make guard while we sleep."
The bird didn't say anything else, taking cover in the confines of the mind of his bearer.
"Alright."
The Hero felt a jolt on the movement on her side, and stopped. The Angel let go of her hand and placed both on her own knees, taking deep breaths.
-I'm sorry.
Ivohn raised her head, looking at the Hummingbird in the eyes. Her face was stoic, showing no more than a subtle lowering of her lips and eyebrows. But her eyes showed what her face didn't.
-No nonono, don't apologize.- she took a deep breath.- You did it for our sakes, it would have been a problem if we would have encountered the entire pack. I just, don't have enough breath.
The Hero didn't say something else, but the Angel saw her expression soften a little, and realized that even though the other was pretty stoic, her gestures were honest and quite prone to be noticed.
"What she doesn't show with words shows up on her face."
Pretty face it was, in fact, and with that running she wondered the other had a strong pair of legs.
But she mustn't distract herself with such matters.
-You can't keep going.
-What?
-We'll camp here. -The Hero said, looking around. She glanced at the bushes, the grass, the trees. She seemed to like what she saw.
-We're too South from Rebel territory, and the beasts must not have followed us, but we should sleep in the trees anyway.
The Angel was surprised, and clutched at her knees. Stay there?
The Hero didn't had to look at her to know she wasn't used to the nomad life.
"I told you she was clumsy."
"Shut up."
-You must have supposed something?
-Yes, that we'll be staying in an Inn or something.
-There are no signs of a village near here, you know a route?
The Angel looked down, a little embarrassed. -No.
-But you supposed there'll be one. Don't you travel this way often.
-I- Ivohn trembled -I always took a caravan.
The Hero sighed, and the Angel supposed the Hummingbird must have been displeased with such behaviours.
-Then you normally slept in the chart.
-Yes, that's why I only have a sleeping bag.
-That's why you have such unnecesarily big bag.
The Angel felt a little more embarrassed every time she spoke. She feared to look into the Hero's eyes, kind of afraid the emotion she'll see in such honest eyes.
-I'm sorry.
-Don't need to apologize, I just want to understand.
She heard a loud thud, and the Angel looked up, finding the Hero looking around interested.
-I don't think they'll be villages near, but we can look around for an hour or so. If not, this type of tree -she pointed a one of them, that was big, with a trunk reaching arm wide width. -They're pretty comfy with a pack of their large leaves, they'll go nice with your sleeping bag, I think.
Her voice was sweet and harsh, but her words were kind.
The Angel had feared the Hero would look down on her, but such words spoke as if she was used to dealing with this, like just an everyday occurrence.
Even though if might have been the first time she had wandered the wildness with someone else.
And the fact that was always taught to them, since the beginning. The Gold rule.
"Hero's are the purest beings, that's why the Gods chose them."
That's why they were trust worthy.
She could trust her life to her, and know it was in good hands.
°~°~
In the end they managed not to find anything nearby, and with a little embarrassment on her part, the Angel agreed to sleeping up the trees for a change in her life.
She couldn't help but think she was kind of spoiled, always traveling in luxury, when the small woman beside her slept over dirt and dust. But the other never showed any sign of annoyance, and having noticed her companion was prone to honest gestures showing on her face, the Angel believed she didn't find it as bothersome as she thought.
In fact she didn't seem at all.
They didn't camp on the spot they had found at the beginning, their wandering left them actually closer to their destination, so both chose just to stay there. Under the dim sunlight of the evening, the Hero aided the Angel into climbing a tree, something she hadn't actually thought of doing sometime, and placing the sleeping bag over the widest branch of tree they could find. After explaining her companion how she could lay over it, to avoid falling to the ground, she climbed further up, laying her agile body over a couple of branches.
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