Chapter Twenty Seven
Illusions
‘Is he always going to stay that far back?’ I asked, glancing behind to see the wolf figure in the distance. ‘Not that I mind, but he’ll need to be closer when we get to the entrance for Laven.’
Dagan shook his head, distracted as he stopped in front of Line Woods.
‘He won’t enter Laven. No immortal may enter without all the elders consent. Earth immortals can enter Line Woods, to reach their realm, but they’re not allowed near the elves or the seal.’
I frowned, glancing back again.
The seal and the main earth realm entrance are different?
Yes, Firo answered, clear again now we were near the woods. The seals lead to a hidden part of each realm. It is connected to the realm, but it is not the main entrance. It was the only place I could hide it, from both humans and immortals.
Hide what?
She didn’t answer.
‘Well, we better get moving.’ I said pointedly after Dagan just stood staring for two minutes. ‘The faster we are the less likely anyone else will realise we’re here.’
Dagan sighed but stepped forward into the woods.
‘This should be fun,’ I muttered, glancing back at Ulmar in the distance. He had stopped moving closer when we’d stopped at the entrance.
‘Hurry up!’ Dagan called back, irritated and anxious.
Dagan started acting weird soon after I caught up, batting his arms at something in front of his face.
‘A fly?’ I asked, not seeing one.
His gaze whirled towards me, scowling like he’d never seen me before.
‘Who are you?’ he almost growled, his frown turning into a manic grin. ‘Have you come to try your luck against the black scurge?’
‘What are you talking about?’ I asked, wondering if he’d whacked his head on something when he’d gone ahead.
‘You’ll never win.’ He smirked, the look in his eyes leaving no doubt he would happily kill me. ‘I’m too strong. You couldn’t even touch me.’
I gave him a deadpan look and poked him in the chest. The look on his face was priceless, his mouth open like a gaping fish as he stared at my finger in complete shock.
‘But that can’t be…’ he quivered, making alarm bells ring in my head.
‘Dagan, are you okay?’ I asked, trying to place a hand on his shoulder. He skidded back, eyes staring at me in horror.
‘I won’t let you take it, human! You can’t have my magic! My wings…’ he trailed off, gazing off to the left, forgetting I was even there.
Then his attention snapped back to me, leaping forward and knocking me to the floor.
‘I’ll kill you first!’ he snarled, grabbing the top of my wings and pulling. ‘And take them back!’
I cried out in pain, my tail sweeping round to whack Dagan off me. His grip pulled my wings even more, but luckily he let go before they were ripped off.
‘What is wrong with you?’ I asked, wincing as my hands went to massage my wings. ‘Attacking me won’t get your magic or wings back.’
‘It’s the forest,’ A female voice answered, making me whirl around and look up.
Just like six years ago, Zara was sat casually on a tree branch, swinging her legs silently as she smiled down at us.
‘W-what?’ I asked, hearing Dagan groan and begin to stand behind me.
‘This forest casts illusions in people’s minds to prevent intruders.’ She giggled, swinging her legs high enough to jump off the branch. She landed gracefully in front of me, making me skid back. ‘Everyone sees something different, but it’s usually something personal and painful.’
A knife slammed into my shoulder blades, where my wings connected to my back. The knife bounced off harmlessly, making me spin around in surprise and Dagan curse darkly.
‘Protecting yourself with magic, you foul creature?’ he spat, staring at me with such hatred that I felt a spark of fear. ‘I won’t rest until you’re a rotten corpse in a forgotten ditch.’
‘I see your bloodlust hasn’t simmered.’ A child’s voice spoke from behind Dagan. I’d half turned when Dagan attacked me, keeping one eye on him and the other on Zara. Dagan did a similar pose now, allowing me to see Vance beyond him. The young-looking earth immortal wore a satisfied grin. ‘To think you’d be stupid enough to come back here.’
Dagan’s gaze was unfocused, eyes staring past Vance with a confused frown.
‘Amelia, what are you doing here?’
Vance let out an amused chuckle, moving closer.
‘Look how pathetic you are now! You can’t even guard yourself against an illusion. I think I’ll take my time carving up your face while you-’
‘As if you could reach.’ I scoffed, trying to sound casual.
Vance’s childish glare immediately landed on me, stalking past the inactive Dagan to stop near my left side.
‘As for you,’ he hissed, vines beginning to grow near our feet, ‘I don’t care what Ignatius says, I’ll never let you become one of us!’
I saw his hands twitch and swung my tail, sending him flying into a tree in front of me. The impact made me wince in sympathy.
I glanced at Zara, who was watching her master with a blank look.
‘Don’t just stand there.’ Vance wheezed, struggling to stand.
‘But he managed to hurt you.’ Zara said, voice void of emotion. ‘Doesn’t that prove he’s one of us already? V and Z wouldn’t stand a chance against F, let alone an original.’
‘He is not one of us! Now attack, that’s an order!’
Zara sighed. Something snapped around my ankles, making me glance down. Vines were wrapped around my legs, locking me in place. I tried to swipe her with my tail, but she was too far away.
As the vines climbed up me, trapping my tail and lower body, huge vines began to grow near me, covered in thorns. They joined the normal ones, twisting and wrapping around me. Some managed to wedge themselves between my scales, cutting the flesh beneath.
Don’t let them take your blood! Firo’s urgent warning rang through my mind.
I began to cough, feeling like I was choking. There was something rumbling in my throat, moving up. Smoke trickled from my mouth, making Zara’s eyes widen with fear and back away.
‘What are you doing?’ Vance snarled at her, glancing my way. I saw him audibly swallow, but a moment later his own sharp vines began to slither up my body.
I opened my mouth, ready to unleash something…
…When a shaggy figure stepped in front of me, forcing me to swallow whatever it was.
‘Ulmar?’ Vance asked, voice filled with disbelief. ‘What are you doing with them?’
Ulmar didn’t answer. He glanced briefly my way, touching the vines around me and making them wither into nothing. I winced at my multiple small wounds, but was relieved to see the bleeding had already stopped.
‘Do I always have to rescue you?’ The wolf man sighed. ‘Take that idiot and go. I’ll keep these two occupied.’
Vance laughed.
‘Oh really?’ You’re only one above me Ulmar, and there’s two of us. Don’t be so delusional.’
I didn’t want to hear more. I grabbed hold of the glass-eyed Dagan, leading him as fast as I could towards Laven.
Despite everything, I had to fight myself not to glance back.
The journey to the entrance took twice as long as usual. Dagan’s blank compliance didn’t last long. At times he tried to attack me again, others he clung to me, weeping in fear and despair. I tried to erase these moments immediately from my memory, knowing neither of us wanted me to witness it.
Damnit, I don’t want to feel sorry for this guy! He’s crazy, and I get the feeling he’ll get me killed if I’m not careful.
I’d thought Dagan would start to calm down once I activated the lift. Boy, was I wrong.
‘Don’t take me back there!’ he screamed, clawing at my face in a desperate attempt to make me let go. ‘It’s so dark. So, so dark!’ he sobbed, ‘I can’t bear it anymore! Just kill me! Kill me!’
Anymore words were lost as the platform shot up into the trees.
Scribbled Thoughts 