Omega's Rebirth

"After you." Everon said, gesturing ahead of them.

Before Menarx, a large portal crackled and sparked with magic, looking to be a swirling mass of glowing energy leading to an unknown abyss.

Or at least to Menarx that was just what it looked like.

"It is either this or a day’s flight to the Fodder Grooves, you ordered me to find you the fastest route." Everon added when Menarx just stared at the portal in silent contemplation.

Menarx had indeed given such an order and he had already guessed Everon would employ the services of the mage from the academy of magic that had accompanied the fourth squadron to the dwarven outposts.

Even though he had already expected it, Menarx still required a moment.

In all the centuries Menarx had lived, he could count on one hand the amount of times he had let anyone convince him into travelling through a portal.

There was a myriad of reasons for it and it begun with the fact that dragons just did not prefer being subjected to magical contraptions.

But now, Menarx needed no convincing, the moment he heard Neveah was safe, all Menarx could think of was getting to her.

Before this time, there had never been a place he would need to arrive to with such urgency that he could not do with even the speed of flight.

But now...it seemed a lot had changed for Menarx and Menarx did not loathe it, for Neveah, he was willing to give his all.

The portal looked terribly unpleasant and the aftereffect of bending space and time was always jarring on the traveler, but all of this was of no consequence when Neveah would be right on the other side.

Menarx’s hesitation did not last, he forced away his displeasure and strode right into the portal.

Menarx groaned in quiet displeasure as the magical effect of the portal rushed through him in a flash,

It soon faded off, leaving Menarx feeling as unsettled as he always did when he stepped out to the other side.

A cursing Everon arrived behind Menarx. Lodenworth would command the fourth squadron till Menarx returned with Jian’s decision for the hidden city.

Just as the portal disappeared, a patrolling dragon lord stepped into the clearing.

Menarx was not surprised, the dragon lords would sense any magical fluctuations in their perimeter.

It was after all the second squadron, even on the rank of elite dragon lords, they were ranked at the very top.

"Lord Menarx." The dragon lord greeted, lowering his head to a bow.

The portal had taken Menarx and Everon to a clearing somewhere close to the forest line but Menarx could already sense where the second squadron was camped.

Menarx soon arrived the camp and Cassian already awaited him at the forest line.

Cassian stood with his arms crossed, an amused expression on his face.

"We were not expecting your arrival just yet." Cassian said,

"Too bad, brother." Menarx murmured in response as he brushed past a sniggering Cassian.

"Go see her first, calm yourself... afterwards, there is much we must discuss." Cassian said.

"Where is she?" Menarx asked and Cassian gestured towards the tent Neveah occupied.

"Did she say anything?" Menarx asked.

"Nothing at all, she would give no report of her whereabouts and Jian is raving mad." Cassian warned.

"When is he not?" Menarx retorted.

Cassian rolled his eyes at Menarx’s response.

"It is not an affair we will take lightly, you know this." Cassian said seriously.

"I hear Veah was placed under watch, I also do not plan to take this lightly." Menarx replied, passing Cassian a look before he strode past him and headed to the tent.

The moment Menarx stepped into the tent, the tumultuous storm that had been churning within his heart since he heard of Neveah’s disappearance finally lay still.

It was amazing to Menarx how just a sight of Neveah eased his heart so.

Neveah lay on the bed, sound asleep and Menarx let the tent flap fall, keeping his steps quiet as he walked over to her.

Even with Menarx’s quiet steps, Neveah turned over on the bed, her subconscious taking notice of Menarx’s presence.

The fact that Neveah did not immediately awaken was prove to Menarx that Neveah subconsciously recognised his presence and already considered him someone she trusted.

"She is just fine. She’s not one to let herself get hurt... that much we already know." Everon whispered to Menarx in a low tone.

Menarx sighed quietly, Everon’s words only dampened his mood further.

Because to Menarx, it was no longer just her... why did Neveah have to be fine on her own when she now had him?

Menarx’s concerned gaze examined Neveah from head to toe.

His eyes then spared a glance around the tent before settling on the table, Neveah’s riding dress had been neatly folded and left there.

Menarx walked over to it, at first glance, he could already pick out the blood stains and torn patches.

From the blood stains, Menarx could gauge just how severe the wound had been and he could still smell fresh blood showing Neveah still nursed a wound.

An ache blossomed in Menarx’s heart, he could not believe his bonded was in danger and he was not there by her side.

"She is fine now... because she only knows how to be fine." Menarx murmured in a heavy tone.

"She has a wound to the side... perhaps a broken rib too and a cut on her temple. My guess is she took a harsh hit." Everon assessed, leaning over the bed to inspect Neveah’s condition.

"I had thought keeping her where it was safe was the best I could do, even if being away from her was more painful than being hit by that damned spear... "

"But now, I do not think I could bear leaving her out of my sight." Menarx said honestly as he walked back to the bed.

Menarx took a seat beside Neveah, before he laid down, wrapping an arm around Neveah’s waist.

Menarx drew her closer to himself, careful to avoid her injured side.

"What... Narx..?" Neveah asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Hush... it’s me, I’m here now...go back to sleep." Menarx assured, tightening his hold.