Omega's Rebirth-Chapter 149: The Better Option ()

As Neveah stared at the man in black with narrowed eyes, the man also stared right back at her,

Neveah could not see his eyes since they were covered by a full faced mask, but Neveah did not care to see them either.

The only thing Neveah wanted to see in the eyes of the man in black was that moment when the light in his eyes slowly died out as she snuffed the life out of him.

It would take just one leap...a single leap and Neveah would make quick work of the man in black, sinking her canines in and ripping through his flesh.

Neveah made to move forward but frowned slightly when her limbs would not move, like an unseen force tightly held unto them and kept them in place.

"Do not try to move. If you struggle, you will feel the bounds grow tighter and tighter till it crushes you...so if I were you, I would stay in place... and not move an inch." The man in black spoke from where he sat.

It was only then Neveah understood the calm and unfazed aura around the man in black even when Neveah had just ripped off the head of his pet.

’Sorcery...’ Neveah’s wolf thought to her and Neveah’s eyes narrowed to an even more deadly glare.

Neveah struggled against the force restraining her but could not overcome it, how could she defeat what she could not even see?

A pained gasp escaped her as the bounds tightened with every movement just as the man in black had said, till Neveah felt as though her bones would be crushed if she moved one more time.

"Give me back the little girl, would you?" The man in black asked after a moment of just watching Neveah’s struggle in silence.

’The bastard!’ Neveah’s wolf raged.

Neveah shifted back to her human form, her limbs still held in place as she stared blankly at the man in black.

"Do you really think you can leave here alive?" Neveah asked him the very same question he had asked her.

Neveah knew her words infuriated the man in black but he maintained a calm demeanor.

"Do you know why magic is considered the deadliest force of nature?" The man in black asked casually.

Neveah’s brow curled up but she did not respond.

"It is precisely because it is the weakness... even to the strong." The man in black continued as he leaped off the tree branch and landed perfectly on his feet.

He stalked over to Neveah slowly while she could do nothing but just stare at him, not even her head would move at her will.

It was like all her muscles and joints had been bound with invisible chains that kept her rooted to spot and in exactly the position the man in black wanted her to be.

Neveah was not bothered though, she only waited and watched for she knew in a little while, her wolf would grow accustomed to the bounds and then break past it.

"You hide behind spells and petty tricks, for how long do you think that can give you a upper hand?" Neveah asked with a blank tone.

"Long enough..." The man in black replied easily.

"In this time, I could either kill you..." The man in black began as he arrived before Neveah, just a step away from her.

"Or take a closer look at you." He completed, his hand moving to trail down the side of Neveah’s face, brushing back the strands of hair that had gotten out of place.

"That hand...you will lose it." Neveah vowed in a dark tone.

"Is that a threat?" The man in black asked curiously as he leaned in closer to Neveah so their faces were just inches apart.

"I do not make threats." Neveah replied coldly.

"Interesting...I would never have known that the new presence in dragon keep would be such an intriguing one..." The man in black murmured to himself as he leaned away.

"I would never be silly enough to underestimate the one of ruby scales... but I did underestimate you and so I should admit defeat." The man in black continued.

"In honor of our first encounter, I will step back first. In hopes that we shall have many encounters after this..." The man in black added.

"As many as it shall take to have your head." Neveah replied blankly.

"Indeed... what is your name, little girl?" The man in black asked.

Neveah did not respond, only glared at him with a dark look in her eyes.

"Very well, I shall ask again when next we meet." The man in black decided.

With no further words said, he took some steps away from Neveah and walked a short distance away before he stopped.

"If you wish not to meet again, there is still an option...but as long as you are by the side of the dragons, we are fated to meet. If I see you again, I shall take it you have accepted... our fate." The man in black added.

As he disappeared from sight, Neveah regained control of her limbs and she gasped for breath.

The bounds had grown tight and suffocating that Neveah could hardly take in any air, her hand shot up to her chest and she sucked in large amounts of air to ease the ache in her chest.

"Veah!" Menarx’s voice broke through Neveah’s gasping episode and she glanced over at him, watching as he rushed to her side, his eyes wide with panic.

"Shit!" Menarx exclaimed as he saw the remains of the kobold Neveah had decapitation and realized Neveah had also been attacked.

Menarx did not say a word of it or ask any questions, instead he placed a hand on Neveah’s back and rubbed soothingly.

"Breathe... just breathe..." Menarx coaxed.

Neveah followed his words and took slower, but deeper breaths that helped ease her.

"Are you alright?" Neveah asked as she steadied her breathing slowly.

"I should be asking you that." Menarx replied with a frown.

"I’m fine..." Neveah assured as she moved away from Menarx and headed over to her satchel.

Neveah leaned down, heaving a sigh as she stared at it.

"How long do we have left till we have to return? The patch I found is ruined already." Neveah said to Menarx who walked over to her.

"Not long, we should head back." Menarx replied in a grim tone.

"But we cannot return without finding it." Neveah insisted.

"Our whereabouts have been compromised, this mountain is no longer safe. If we stay any longer, you might get hurt... and what use is staying back when the day comes to it’s end?" Menarx reasoned.

"I do not think you have the luxury to worry about me at this time. If we do not find it, Lady Kaliana will die...as will I." Neveah reminded him with a pointed look as she pulled open her satchel.

"Scales! You don’t think I know that, Veah?! But just a moment ago, when I could not even find you, I was not even certain if you were still alive! I..." Menarx began but trailed off.

Neveah was stunned by Menarx’s outburst and just stared up at him, blinking in shock.

"You... what?" Neveah asked after a moment.

"I panicked, Veah. And I do not remember the last time... such a thing happened..." Menarx replied with a sigh.

Neveah blinked, uncertain what exactly she was to say in response to that, but the honesty in Menarx’s words and the sincerity in his eyes struck her.

Neveah hardly knew Menarx but she had seen how objective he was, he was one who dealt with everything with a calm, purposefulness...he truly did not seem like the type who could panic about anything.

So why exactly did he panic for her safety?

"Just...let me get you back to safety, Veah. You should not have to be involved in this in the first place... regarding my family, I will take care of it in my own way." Menarx assured, stretching a hand down to Neveah.

Neveah just stared at Menarx’s offered hand, before she glanced away to contemplate her options and it was then she noticed the patch of flowers peeking out of her satchel.

Of the patch she had harvested, most had been completely crushed but the root of the patch was still intact... the flower itself was never of any consequence, all that mattered was the root.

"Menarx, this can still be used!" Neveah exclaimed in relief as she quickly took Menarx’s hand and got up to her feet.

It was only then Neveah recalled they no longer had a way to go back.

"Wait... the horses got eaten..." Neveah began, shuddering visibly at the memory.

"How do we get back?" Neveah asked with a frown.

Neveah’s attention was drawn when Menarx tightened his grip on her hand slightly before letting go of her hand.

"Why do you think I offered my hand?" Menarx asked with a raised brow as he slowly backed away from her, a small smirk settling on his lips when Neveah’s eyes widened in horror.

"No way!" Neveah refused immediately. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

"We are half a day’s ride from the keep, four hours away from the human settlement by foot...all of which are time we do not have to spare."

"We are expected back to the keep in three hours, do you have a better option?" Menarx asked, tilting his head to the side questioningly.

Neveah shook her head slowly and Menarx shrugged.

"I thought so too." Menarx replied.