Omega's Rebirth-Chapter 500: Many Steps ()

Neveah had not really planned on making a mess of things, she was not certain what she had planned for exactly,

But it quickly became apparent to her just how wrong her choice was when she tumbled head first into King Jian, crashing into his chest.

Neveah winced on impact, fully expecting to topple him over but King Jian was not the slightest bit shook,

His arm wrapped around Neveah’s waist on instinct and he spun them both out of the way, just in time for the sharp sting of the shadow beast to pierce into the ground right where they had just been.

The force of the attack tore into the earth and spread waves of shadows that sent trees crashing down, with dirt and debris flying everywhere.

Neveah’s back was pressed up against a tree, and King Jian’s broad structure completely shielded her from all the pandemonium behind.

His left arm rested against the tree above her head, shielding her face, while his right arm was still securely wrapped around Neveah’s waist.

Neveah’s eyes were tightly shut in shock and as she slowly opened them up, she stared right up into those mismatched orbs that were fixed on her.

King Jian’s slow, somehow still calm breaths fanned over Neveah’s face with how close he was, their faces only a few inches apart.

Neveah’s arms were pressed against his chest where Neveah realized she had grabbed fistfuls of his robe.

Neveah slowly eased her grip, lowering her gaze to the creases formed on his robes from her tight hold and she stared at them intensely like they were the most interesting thing she had ever seen, but it was simply because she could not stand the intensity of King Jian’s gaze,

And Neveah was unsure how to face this situation she had put herself in.

Somewhere behind them, the shadow beast shrieked in rage and trashed the forest in desperate search of them, creating even more destruction and debris that hid them from it’s sight.

"Everyone else runs from danger, but you have chosen to chase its tail at every opportunity you get. Shall I call this bravery? Or stupidity?" King Jian finally asked, his tone dark and displeased.

Neveah cringed, having absolutely no words to argue King Jian’s assertment.

"I... I thought..." Neveah stuttered out, trailing off when King Jian’s gaze narrowed.

"That I was not aware the beast stalked me? Now, what is the likelihood of that?" King Jian deadpanned.

Neveah winced visibly as she nodded slowly, now that she finally thought of it, it was completely impossible that King Jian did not know of the attack.

It had been so sudden for Neveah that she could not help panic, but thinking of it now, Neveah could see King Jian had long sensed the shadow beast, perhaps even before she took Xenon through the portal.

"You knew it was coming... that is why you said you would handle yourself better alone..." Neveah finally caught onto the situation of things.

"I do not look so alone now, would you not agree?" King Jian asked pointedly.

Neveah winced again, she herself could see how she had completely ruined things.

The portal had crashed and she was now an unnecessary presence in the battle to ensue, a distraction King Jian did not need to have hovering around him.

"I..." Neveah began to say but before she could even complete her statement, a warm liquid sprayed all over her face.

Neveah’s eyes widened as she glanced up to see the tip of the shadow sting had pierced right through King Jian’s shoulder and the warm liquid was infact his blood.

"Your Grace!" Neveah exclaimed in horror.

"Hush now, do not scream. It still does not know where we are." King Jian said, his tone slightly strained as the stinger was ripped out again, leaving him bleeding profusely from his shoulder.

"That... why..." Neveah stuttered,

She was going to ask exactly why King Jian had not dodged out of the way of this attack, but sparing a glance around, Neveah understood immediately.

All around them were fallen trees, there was no way for them both to move swiftly enough to escape the attack.

King Jian on his own could surely pull it off, but with Neveah, it was more complicated.

Had King Jian moved, she would have been the one hurt by the stinger and so...he stayed in place.

Neveah’s heart weighed down in guilt.

"You should have ignored me and moved. I can take care of myself..." Neveah began to say but King Jian cut her off.

"You have no business being concerned for my well being. What is it to you if I did not know of the beast’s presence behind me? What is it to you if I was going to be poisoned in the light hall? Who are you to be concerned about my safety?"

"Yet here you are... doing the last thing that is expected of you...as always." King Jian reminded Neveah.

With King Jian’s counter, Neveah could not even question his decision to protect her at the risk of his ownself.

"In a moment, it will relent in it’s rage and it’s senses will become sharper."

"I will take you to the cave before it notices us. This time...stay put. If I find you charging behind me with your righteous sense of justice...or whatever it is... I will feed you to the beast." King Jian made clear.

A chill ran down Neveah’s spine at King Jian’s threat and she knew he was more than capable of doing exactly as he had said.

"I want to hear you say you understand me, Neveah. I will not believe you otherwise." King Jian insisted.

"I will not move an inch." Neveah promised.

King Jian hummed in approval and finally, he leaned away.

With his arm still secured around Neveah’s waist, he moved at a blinding speed, navigating his way through the destruction caused by the beast and with such speed, Neveah herself did not catch sight of the beast and Neveah was certain it was the same for the beast.

It was a realization Neveah should already have had, but it dawned on her once again that even out here in unfamiliar terrain... the dragon king was always many steps ahead of everyone else.