Omega's Rebirth-Chapter 797: Aloria 3 ()

The Fae contemplated their options and then judging the situation futile, lowered the bows and dropped the arrows.

Neveah did not lower hers. "You will make it clear to your kin that we are not here for you. And you will be no business of ours unless you make yourself our business."

"And if word of our presence spreads beyond this groove, do not think I won’t be back for you if I see the need to."

The arrow gleamed brighter, exuding a strong aura of arcane that buttressed Neveah’s words.

The fairies disappeared in a flurry of wings and panicked eyes. They would not be bothered for now, but it was clear that in a short time, the entire forest would know they were here.

But between the forest intent on driving them out, and the Fae becoming aware of their presence, Neveah was less concerned about the latter.

"The battle fairies will not be as understanding." She said, lowering her bow.

"How did I not sense them?" Xenon muttered, displeased that an arrow had just been poised on Jian and he did not notice it first.

"I did not sense them either. The forest conceals their presence." Jian replied. "It works in favor of them and against us. Neveah’s connection to the arcane defies that principle... plus, her senses are generally sharper."

"The sooner we get to that marker, the better." Xenon decided, obviously loathing the whole idea of being snuck up on.

_______

The first real attack came just when they crossed a wide archway made of thick vines. Xenon was the first to go across and as soon as he stepped over, vines shot up from the root, curling towards his heel.

He sighed, twisting out of the way in a flash. He frowned at the shifting vines as they curled and twisted together on themselves, forming a humanoid creature that lunged at Xenon, shooting vines from its palm.

Neveah and Jian hung back as Xenon released a controlled torrent of flames on the vine creature. It roared as the flames engulfed it, lunging at Xenon.

Blackened vines burst out of its humanoid limbs, expanding in a web-like fashion that blocked their view of Xenon, as the burning humanoid vine tackled him, leaving no space to dodge out of the way.

Neveah drew her bow in a flash but she had to spin out of the way when dozens of vines shot at her from all directions.

A powerful gust of flames engulfed the vines from behind her. "Go!"

Neveah lunged, magic roaring in her fist, melding together to form a blade which she drove into the back of the humanoid vine, slicing through. The flames that engulfed it licked at her but they dealt no harm.

The vine creature exploded in embers and sparks of magic that rained down over them, its disappearance revealing shards of a jump portal scattered on an empty forest ground.

Xenon was gone.

"They want us separated." She realised. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

Neveah spun around instantly, just as a portal opened up right underneath her feet while Jian battled the vines.

"Veah!" He lunged for her but she was pulled in before he could get to her, portal sealing shut above her.

_______

The surge of magic tossed Neveah harshly against a tree, her back slammed hard and she crashed to the ground. Pain exploded down her spine and stars danced across her vision and an ache tore through her temple.

A warm liquid trailed down the side of her head. She hissed beneath her breath, shaking off the sharp ache as she immediately rose to a crouch, hand gripping her bow. Eyes narrowed and alert.

Sure enough, she had been delivered right into a clearing, packed with over a dozen Fae royal guards, swords drawn, blades gleaming too brightly for comfort.

"Playing arcane tricks from the comfort of her throne, I see." Neveah muttered. "Fair enough."

"By the order of the High Queen Keila..." A Fae royal guard began to say but he was cut off, blood sprayed out of his lips as he choked for breath, a gleaming arrow pierced through his throat.

"Neither you nor your High Queen are in any position to give me orders." Neveah clarified.

"She should have known better than to provide me with all this space. But I don’t have the time...to waste on you all."

Letting her wolf rise to the surface with an eager snarl. Her shift ripped through her, bones snapping and reforming in a flash.

She didn’t wait for it to settle. She lunged, tackling the first row of Fae royal guards. In a flash, her claws tore through the Fae, blood drenching her fur.

Neveah saw red, rage pulsing through her veins as she ripped apart whoever got in her way till there was just one left standing, eyes wide with terror.

His sword dropped from his hand as he shivered from head to toe. Neveah gazed down at him, tilting her head slightly as blood dripped from her maws.

The royal guard beneath her paw twitched and she retrieved her paw and then slammed it harshly down, claws ripping deeper into his chest.

He went still for good.

"I... I..." The guard stuttered, he looked like a human doll from this height. And he knew it better. Her wolf’s size took up a quarter of the clearing.

She let him drown in his terror for a beat before she shifted. Now standing a few inches shorter than he was.

He still trembled, dropping to his knees as if he couldn’t bear being on the same level with her.

Neveah crouched down, peering at the trembling guard.

"Do you happen to know where I can find my Lord Dragons?" She asked. "I’m not very familiar with Aloria, you see."

He shook his head quickly.

Neveah exhaled a slow breath. "Too bad. You’re of no use to me then."

His eyes went wide as she withdrew her hand, claws sharp and bloodied.

An unfamiliar voice stopped Neveah in her tracks.

"I believe you’ve taken enough innocent lives, Lady Neveah."