We crouched low, moving through the shadows. The portal had dropped us in a dark ominous cave, lit only by the faint light of torches on its wall. Droning chants echoed, bouncing along the stone walls.
"Hail the oracle! Hail the oracle!"
Shadows stretched, bending around a corner. We slowly approached, watching our steps as we navigated the rough terrain. I peeped, my gaze instantly falling on an unconscious Kora. Her legs were bound by chains and she was hung helplessly. Her golden hair streaked the floor as she swung gently with the breeze.
I gritted my teeth, my jaw locked tightly in rage. What were they doing to her? My blood boiled but no sooner did my rage disappear. The red hooded man stepped forward and stopped next to her. He turned, locking his eyes on the entrance.
"Come out." That haunting voice boomed.
"I know you are there. Protector."
Protector? Who was he talking about? Suddenly, Lina walked past me. Her hand resting on her blade as she walked confidently.
"Impressive." She mockingly said. "Who are you? I've never seen your kind before."
Her words seemed to hit. The mask folded almost like he frowned.
"I will teach you who I am. I am an apostle, a priest, a saint. One ordained by the goddess Lilith herself, to show judgement against her enemies and retrieve what is hers."
Without warning, that aura filled the cave. Dark and thick. Heavy with bloodlust and malice. My chest hurt, my bones trembled. My breathing became raspy and dry. I felt like passing out again. I shut my eyes, trying to keep myself up when I felt a warm touch on my back.
"Mother's blessing." Sylvi muttered.
Warmth enveloped me. My breathing slowed and my bones relaxed. I opened my eyes slowly, noticing the glowing green shimmer that had cloaked me. I glanced over to Sylvi but she turned her eyes away quickly. I looked at Mira who had the same shimmer on her. She let off a smile different from her usual. This one was soft.
"We need to get to Kora." She began forming a plan.
"Let Lina handle the Heralds while we.."
She paused. Her gaze locked on something. I followed her eyes, tracing all the way to
Kora's unconscious body. My eyes widened, and my jaw dropped. Somehow, Sylvi had gotten behind the entire chaos. She slowly approached the chains and with a flick of her finger they loosened. She caught her limp body, softly laying her on the ground. Then just as quickly as she got behind, she vanished with her.
When did she leave my side? How did she even get there so fast?
"I guess that's that." Mira said with a smile. "Let's get out of here."
She turned and walked away.
"What about Lina?" I asked, lost and confused. "Won't she need our help?"
She glanced over her shoulder with a smile.
"She'll handle them. Us being here only makes it harder for her to fight. But you can stay if you want to risk seizing to exist."
Ceasing to exist?
"What do.."
I had barely begun speaking when the cave began trembling violently. I turned my gaze to Lina who now leaned forward with her hands on her blade.
The air had begun to disperse. The earth beneath her feet cracked.
"I don't know who or what you are. I don't care for your goddess but I do want you to pass a message on when you see her. If she wants Kora, she'll go through me."
Suddenly she dropped low, slicing the air cleanly.
"Molecular Slash."
This time it wasn't anti climactic. The air instantly ripped. An explosion blasting forward towards the Apostle.
"Let's go!" Mira yelled out. She grabbed my cloak and forcefully pulled me to my feet.
The roof began to cave and stones fell, crushing the ground beneath. We picked up the pace, weaving through debris. The entrance was in sight. But it was slowly fading as rocks began to gather at the bottom. Mira jumped through, gliding past with ease. I hopped over the fallen rocks and made my way past. Then it closed behind us. The entire cave suddenly crashed, raising a massive cloud of dust.
"Whew that was close." Mira joked.
I glanced over at her. How could she joke at this time. We had no idea where Sylvi or Kora were. And Lina was likely in that pile of rocks. But she smiled almost satisfied.
The air hummed, splitting suddenly. A creaking sound filled the air. The portal we had come through opened and the girls stepped out. Sylvi held Kora who was still out cold.
Lina's sharp eyes were gone, now replaced by a calmer look. She locked gaze with me, instantly falling back to her usual self.
"Captain." She called out as she drowsily fell into my body. "I'm tired."
Before I could say anything, she was fast asleep. Her chest rose and fell softly and her fingers gripped my sleeve.
This entire day was draining. Insane even. Somehow it started with a sweet and ended with a cult. I stared at the now setting sun, trying to make sense of the day.
How in hell were these four considered weak? Why were they the worst unit? They were far stronger than me and way more gifted. So what was the reason for the label?
My mind wandered.
Did someone spread this misinformation? Why?
Just as the thought crossed my mind, my gaze locked on to Sylvi. Her quiet eyes drifting to and fro. She caught my eyes and froze. Her lips parted as she mouthed out some words. My eyes followed the motion of her lips, catching every phrase.
"I'll..Explain..Later."