When Wyatt came in, he scanned the room before focusing on me.
"Oh, where's your friend?" He asked, handing me a tea that smelled glorious.
I had never sniffed anything like it before. Elves knew how to make extravagant teas, which were highly sought after in Silverant. It was so naturally sweet on the tastebuds—too sweet. Not that I minded; I loved sugary treats.
I never thought I'd have an elf make me tea!
It tasted so fresh, too. And since we were in Azear, they said the best waters in the world were here—the purest and cleanest in Astea.
Wait,we're in Azear, right?
I had assumed we were, but I never asked.
"Alijah left to go try to find my bag, but he should be back soon," I answered, sipping my tea.
Although I suspected it to be more than that, it seemed he needed some time to think about something.
Probably about what I did. If I only knew what it was.
"Oh, will he be fine?" the elf asked, narrowing his eyes.
I nodded, feeling under a microscope. Yet again, I was his patient.
It's only for you to be attentive to me. But why do I…
"I think so," I replied, taking another sip.
The black wolf wasn't helpless anymore as he could defend himself, which meant no one could kidnap him easily.
Though... Edna... Why haven't you made your appearance yet?
The witch loved working from the shadows, but…
Isn't Alijah your goal? What are you planning this time?
"Your friend should rest, though. I mean, after the sprint he did to get here. Even for a Lycan, sprinting takes a heavy toll with the hot weather here." Wyatt commented.
I shrugged, "He doesn't listen well and is stubborn."
The elf chuckled, "You know, he was so desperate to save you. He begged everyone in the village for help, even when doors shut on him."
Impossible… Alijah did that? Nah…That doesn't sound like you at all.
"He did?" I mumbled, grasping the shirt I had on me.
Wait... how did you manage to sink your teeth into me?
The bond should've stopped him from doing so, even if it were to save me.
Did your emotions push past the restraints because of your genuine desire to help me?
"Yeah... we aren't usually kind to strangers. Even less to a Lycans and hybrids, I couldn't say no to his desperate attempt to save you. You were limp in his hands, and he seemed about to shatter into little pieces if I didn't step in." Wyatt commented, shifting his gaze toward the wooden door.
Alijah? Shatter? What? Why is this person saying things that…
After a slight pause, the elf…
"So, I took him in and treated you. That was well over eight hours ago." He added.
I clasped onto my shirt, feeling my heartthrob. Though it seemed unlikely, Alijah would break just because of my death. I expected him to be angry and demanding, not the scared pup Wyatt made him out to be.
Can I… really mean something to you?
"Thank you for helping us," I whispered, biting my lip.
That was when flashes of another memory flowed through me as Alijah, and I fell into a body of water. Snapping back, I realized I was in different clothes from the ones I wore the day before.
Wait! Who changed me?
While I was trying to figure everything out, Wyatt continued to chatter.
"You know, seeing him so desperate to save you reminded me of my dad and mom when she fell ill. Though for her, there was nothing that could be done." The elf recounted as a bitter smile rose on his lips.
"Oh, I'm sorry for your loss." I apologized.
The elf shook his head gently before petting my head, tracing his fingers down my hair. Shivers rushed through my spine as every hair in my body frizzed.
Why am I…
Then again, the only touch I liked was Alijah's, while the other men who had touched me before today were my brothers, uncle, and father.
A perk from being locked inside.
"Actually, forget about the payment." Wyatt declared, leaving me with eyes wide open.
I leaned forward to him, "Are you sure?"
Why don't you want me to pay? I can't accept that.
After all, the medicine for luxorite poisoning was expensive. Yet again, ocean elves were known for being too lenient. Caden called them the carefree beings that he aspired to be. But this was too much.
Although I didn't know if I still had the money I had taken from Silverant, this should've been a blessing.
"Yeah. It was nice to see that again." Wyatt nodded, standing up from where he was sitting and picking up my empty cup from my hands.
He studied it for a moment before placing it on the tray.
"See what again?" I mumbled.
What an odd elf...
He lived in a wooden house, though I imagined the entire village like this. All elves, minus blaze elves, lived in wooden homes. It differed from Silverant and Celestelia, who had them made from cement or bricks. However, in the hybrid country, deep within the desert, some were built out of clay, too.
"Love," Wyatt chuckled.
What?!
For a second, the elf had left me without a thought, and my mind could barely digest what he said.
Okay! You must be severely mistaken or missing brain cells. There is no way Alijah would show any affection for me after I...After... what did I do? Ah... I told him about Lilith. That was why he said we were partners, but then... he... he…
Images of my wolf pressing his lips on me flowed through my mind as I reached to touch them. The memory alone made them burn along with my cheeks.
You really kissed me!
More memories flowed within me while Wyatt got closer to the wooden door.
Ah… I can't let this elf think you—
"Wait, you're—" I went to correct him, only for the lights to flicker before shutting off completely.
Wyatt and I stayed silent momentarily as the feeling of Deja Vu rushed through me. It quickly broke when the eerie alarm blasted throughout the village.
Damn it! Not now!
Alijah was the only thing on my mind again, while a familiar emptiness swelled within my chest.
I need to…
Without hesitation, I threw myself out of the bed, only to meet the floor soon after. Wyatt quickly came to help me when I noticed my legs weren't listening. It was apparent the drug was still within me. However, that wouldn't stop me.
I need to find you before a shadow beast does!
That alarm warned us to evacuate to the shelter while the designated fighters kept the incoming monster at bay, but I hadn't thrown myself off the bed because I wanted to run. The moment I could stand straight, I headed for the door, only for the elf to grab onto my arm.
"I think I know what you're thinking, but you can't! You're going to break your stitches!" He announced, prompting me to wince.
They were already aching, yet…
"I need to find him!" I growled, feeling my heart race faster with each moment.
"You can't find him if you're dead!" He gripped my arm before tugging me out of the home.
"Let me go, Wyatt! I need to—" I went to protest as he continued to drag me through the humble village.
Others were also gathering around and heading towards our destination. The village was far from the ocean, and the salty smell didn't fill my nostrils, which meant we were probably near the cave where I had lost consciousness.
"You don't! You're my patient and, thus, my responsibility! Your friend may be at the shelter, too! If not, someone will guide him there!" He huffed as my gaze hit the floor.
No! Alijah doesn't know what any of this means!
I couldn't say the words without bringing suspicion onto him. Everyone knew what that alarm meant: a gate was opening to the world of the dead gods, allowing them to slip into our world. I tried to pull myself off Wyatt's grip, but I still felt groggy, thanks to the drug in my system.
No! No! I have to find you!
The shadow demons from the soul cairn differed completely from Shade, my mom's familiar. Her power was connected to my mother, while the untamed beasts had no one to channel it through but themselves.
A red moon Lycan could easily defeat Shade by cutting her from Mom's source of magic, turning her into a helpless kitten. However, in this scenario, there wasn't any blocking it. Alijah could've gotten seriously hurt if I hadn't found him in time.
Even if he could defend himself, that beast could easily take an arm off. That wasn't the only thing against the black wolf, as these monsters were immortal in our realm. The only saving grace was that they couldn't remain long in our world before vanishing back into theirs.
Why is everything going wrong?! First, the raiders, and ... then... something happened in the cave. Didn't it? But what was it? What happened there? An earthquake? I hurt my foot... but something else...
Ah... right. We fell into a river... then...
Before I could finish that memory, Wyatt yanked me toward the shelter, the only metal building there. It was built because Cerberus mandated all villages have one. It was the only rule the organization could enforce, as every race ruled by itself.
Lycans couldn't get into elven affairs for other things as that was the council's role. They were made up of every race, including subraces within themselves. I could barely keep up with the ocean elf because of the injuries.
The pain made me want to pull as hard as I could to get away from Wyatt to find Alijah. Yet…
Maybe… you're following everyone there? Can I hope for that?
Wyatt suggested other villagers had probably dragged Alijah there, but that also made little sense. The elf mentioned that they wouldn't typically help strangers.
Contradictory...
However, Alijah could have followed them there, suspecting something if he had returned to the village. When we finally got to the shelter, Wyatt released me, allowing me to search for him inside, much to the peril of my stitches.
Even though my wounds hurt, I didn't care. All that mattered was…
"Alijah!" I shouted, peering around.
All I wanted was to find him, even though everyone looked at me like I was a crazed hybrid. The shelter itself was big, making it hard to find anyone. The tech was nowhere as advanced as Silverant and appeared unmaintained.
After all my screaming, Alijah would've heard me, yet… he still…
Are you still angry with me? Is that why you aren't coming to me? Or are you not here, after all!? No, no! I need to—
My heart stopped the moment they closed the doors. They were made from the same steel blaze elves used to reinforce airships and shelters. At that moment, my mind went into overdrive.
You're not here! Wyatt was wrong!
"Alijah, please! This isn't funny!" I yelled, turning left and right as the entire room spun around me.
This… This is all wrong!