Omega's Rebirth-Chapter 687: Intentional ()
After many days since the shadows swallowed up the skies, the sun had finally begun its ascent, casting its warm rays over the dark lands and banishing the shadow people and beasts to the safety of the dark forest.
The vast plains of death and decay that was the dark lands were now visible for miles, bounded by the dark forest on one side and the rocky mountainous terrain on the other.
Of course, one could not see as far as the barrier of Dune City from this point, with how deep into the dark lands the shadow tower was, it would take at least a few days of flight.
Xenon stood in the courtyard of the shadow tower, he tilted his head back, so the rays of the sun directly hit his face. The warmth of the sun presented a distant feeling of familiarity, and it dispelled the chilling cold that had engulfed Xenon’s heart with each moment he spent in these shadowy plains
"I see you did not have much success." Verothrax’s voice once again drew Xenon out of his musings.
Xenon glanced over his shoulder, regarding the shadow tower with a blank gaze. Many pillars had crumbled and the already ruined tower now lay in even greater ruins, yet the shadow tower was a mighty structure that covered the expanse of an entire estate and there were still parts of it that withstood.
It was a difficult endeavour to flatten it completely by the might of Xenon’s flames alone, the tower was so vast that it would take Xenon half a day to fly around it, and it was particularly built to be fire resistant,
As an added measure, there were magical wards protecting the shadow tower which still endured to this moment, feeding off of the dark magic that had seeped in deeply and tainted the earth and so it was not assured that bathing it in Xenon’s flames would crumble the tower for good.
"Yet still, you have had more success than many others. If you insist on levelling the shadow tower, we may lose the daylight." Verothrax added, also regarding the tower in silence.
Though Xenon was deeply tempted to test his flames against the wards still protecting the damned tower, Xenon knew he could not indulge in that desire, he had an even greater need.
’Home... I have kept Veah waiting long enough.’ Xenon thought to himself.
Xenon was about to respond but the words faded when he set eyes on a very unwanted presence.
She carried with her a small satchel and cautiously walked over to Verothrax, making certain to give Xenon a wide berth.
Xenon could tell what that satchel indicated and he had even predicted this would happen, though he had hoped Verothrax would be wiser.
Xenon’s questioning gaze moved to Verothrax, his brows furrowed in displeasure.
"No." Xenon stated in a cold, flat tone that left no room for arguments.
"The flames you set spread into the only residence hall left, almost everything is burnt down. There is nothing left and the condition is no longer livable...not like it was in the first place. Naturally, we cannot leave her behind." Verothrax reasoned, his tone calm and unfazed by Xenon’s disagreement.
Xenon did not even wish to entertain this discussion or waste his words and so his eyes merely narrowed into a glare, a glare that spoke volumes all on its own.
"This is not a place habitable to the living. While it is true that we do not yet know how she got to be here, I dare say if she intended to do us harm, she had sufficient time and opportunity while we were unconscious." Verothrax insisted.
Ida, the one in question swiftly concealed herself behind Verothrax, to escape Xenon’s glowering gaze.
"How is that any of our business? Leave it where you found it." Xenon dismissed uninterestedly.
"Her’...you mean. It has been so many centuries and you still lack basic decorum. That is no way to speak to a lady." Verothrax pointed out, his arms crossed behind his back.
"Do not push your luck, Verothrax." Xenon warned, his tone now dangerously low.
Verothrax tilted his to the side and then shrugged his shoulders casually. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶
"I have given my word that I will take her back with me so she may trace her roots. The world of living is on the other side of the barrier and not out here."
"Putting aside the fact that we have been here for weeks and all our affairs were tended by her, we would not have made it out alive if she did not take us out of the open plains before nightfall...our kind never overlooks a debt of gratitude, this is what you taught me." Verothrax reminded Xenon.
Xenon frowned deeply, he clenched his fists for a moment before he grunted beneath his breath.
"I will have no parts in this. It will be entirely your responsibility, from this moment to the very end." Xenon made it clear to Verothrax.
"Naturally. The only woman whose business you would care to have a part in is ’your beloved woman’ whom you never quit talking about." Verothrax replied, unsurprised.
Xenon passed Verothrax a dirty look before he glanced over at Ida who seemed intent on convincing herself that Verothrax was a broad enough shield from Xenon.
That feeling of unease kicked up once again and Xenon pursed his lips. He could not understand why this strange woman unsettled him so, but if there was one thing Xenon knew to trust, then it would be his instincts.
It was only that Xenon could see Verothrax had gained some form of attachment to this strange woman whose face they had never even seen, and Xenon could not help his suspicion that it had been intentional on her part, tending so closely to Verothrax who she knew nothing of.
Dangerous and fearsome as Verothrax was, he had slumbered for most of his life and was still a naive child at heart.
The shadow dragon was completely adamant and Xenon knew Verothrax’s emotions influenced his magic, it would be of no benefit to push him.
’I will have to keep my eyes on her...’ Xenon thought, his gaze narrowed meaningfully.
