34 Kill the Trust

It was already morning. As time goes by, the sun slowly rises at the peak of Mt. Brimlet. The dragons have awoken as well. As usual, everyone was having their breakfast and afterwards proceed to their training.

"I found a nearby river yesterday. Why don't we take a swim today?" Zhia suggested while they were having breakfast.

"You mean the one near the spring?" Maku asked.

"Yeah! How did you know?" Zhia asked.

"We we're already there the other day." He replied.

"We should go!" Faye interrupted. "I was thinking of grooming myself today." She said fiercely as she examined her flawless skin. "Anyone up for a swim?" She asked.

"I guess so. I have to go fishing since we're out of food for lunch." Jeruzen said.

"I'll go as well!" Chaneri cheerfully raised her hand.

"Anyone else?" Zhia asked.

"I'll pass for now." Dave said with his arms clutched together. "I will explore the forest within the area and try to see if there's a wild pig that I can hunt. We can't just rely on fish only." He added.

"Then, I'll go with you." Marjorie said.

"There's no need Marjorie. I can do it alone." Dave instantly replied.

"Okay! Okay! I won't be messing with you this time. I'll just be out in the woods picking berries or any fruits I can find." Marjorie said.

"How about you Isidore?" Faye asked.

"I'll catch up. I have to see Valor first." He replied.

"Maku? Mizuki?" Faye asked them."

"No, were good." Maku replied.

"Yeah. There's still things to do at the inn anyway." Mizuki added.

"Okay, fine then." Faye replied with one of her eyebrows raised again. "How about you old man?" She looks toward Balthazar.

"I'll be out to see the revolutionary army and see if there is any valuable information I can get." He answered.

An hour later, everyone proceed to their individual chores.

"I guess it is you and me again, huh." Maku said.

"I guess it is." Mizuki replied.

Meanwhile back at Nethilor, the Orions were packing up for something. They

Hatysa have just return after days of brainstorming whether to continue being a member of the Orions or to go back at her homeland, Sylvaria.

"Oh, Hatysa! What a surprise?" Bellatrix gasped.

"Seen a ghost, Bellatrix?" Hatysa said fiercely.

"I thought you have died back there." Bellatrix couldn't believe what she saw.

"I am not that impotent to be defeated easily, Bellatrix." She said as she walked past her.

The others have arrived as well and was surprised to see Hatysa before their very eyes.

"Hatysa!" Meissa gasped.

"Where have you been all this time?" Epsilon asked her.

"I was taken by one of them during the battle." She replied instantly.

"And perhaps do you know where they are?" Zeta asked her with vicious looks trying to get her.

"That…" Hatysa stammers as everyone watched her in the eye waiting for her answer. "That is what I do not know." She cleared her thoughts. "They left me unattended in a forest near the southern boarder." She added.

Hatysa knows exactly where this is going, so she lied to them instead of telling the truth. After what had happened, she lost faith upon the empire. The only thing left in her mind right now is to go back home and start a new life.

"How come you came from the south when in fact the rebellions were---" Meissa said but was interrupted by Bellatrix. She grabbed her shoulder and look her in the eye to which Meissa quickly understood.

"Since you were here already, why don't you lead a search party at the southern border. Perhaps the enemies were still lurking nearby." Bellatrix said. She sensed something was not right so was trying to catch Hatysa to find out the truth.

"Is that an order?" Hatysa asked.

"It is. I'm sure you're kind enough to do it." Bellatrix uttered with a malicious smile carved on her face.

"I'm sorry to disappoint you but I only take orders from Rigel." She said with arrogance. "Who even appointed you to lead the group while he was away?" She asked.

"His highness, the king." Bellatrix replied.

"Oh, that filthy ruthless monster." She whispered under her breath.

"What was that you're saying?" Bellatrix asked with suspicion on her face.

"Nothing." Hatysa just gave her a look and a placid smile. She simply shook her wings and walks away.

"Where do you think you're going?" Bellatrix asked her.

"I'm going to get all my stuff at the arsenal since I'm leaving anyway. On this day forward, I am no longer a member of the Orions. I'm going back home to Sylvaria." She stated that shook the others.

"Going home in a middle of friction? That doesn't sound like you Hatysa." Bellatrix uttered.

"Why? Would you miss me if I go?" She replied sarcastically.

"Where is your belief of condemning those criminals who dare to interrupt the accord?"

"There's no need for that. You are all sinners anyway." Hatysa uttered that left the others aghast.

Hatysa went off to the arsenal and packed her possessions. She took few gears to wear for the trip. She knows she's very far from home and it would take months to travel.

While suiting up herself, a thought suddenly come across her mind. 'What could be possibly waiting for me back home? But this is not right, I should not be going back home yet. However, being with the Orions doesn't feel right.'

Her conception was distracted when a light reflects from one of the weapons hanged on the wall and eventually hits her eyes.

She approached it to take a better view. Her eyes widen upon seeing the accurate appearance of the said weapon. It was Jeruzen's daggers. She clearly still remembers it from that day. But she was wondering how did it get there. They must have confiscated it from the battle that had happened three days ago.

She secretly took the daggers off the wall and hid it on her satchel.

She walks out of the arsenal cautiously. Along the quiet hallway, she heard footsteps approaching her way.

She quickly hid behind the group of armors which were neatly arrange in the walls.

She waited for them to arrive when she overheard a woman's voice. "Why didn't you tell her the truth?"

Then, three figures appeared from the corner. It was Bellatrix, Meissa and Saiph.

"There's no point on telling her anyway. I'm pretty much sure she's hiding something." Bellatrix said. "Get everyone ready, we'll lunch an attack at Mt. Brimlet right this instant. Saiph, you stay here and be on guard in case something happened." She ordered them.

"Wait, are we really going to do this? The fact, that Zeta found their hideout doesn't mean we can barge right there this instant." Meissa said.

"You worry too much, Meissa. Relax!" She said vehemently. "Gladly, I have these." She smirked holding a bottle of unidentified tablets. "One pill makes you twice stronger than your usual self. Two pill makes you even more stronger."

"What happens when you take ten pills?" Saiph asked.

"Then you're as strong as a god. However there are complications, your body cannot withstand it." She stated.

"Wait, where did you get that?" Meissa asked.

"I found this medication inside Betelgeuse's lair." She smirked.

Meissa was terrified to hear Bellatrix. "You sneak inside Betelgeuse's lair? Bellatrix, you know that's illegal."

"Relax. You'll thank me later."

Upon hearing the conversation, Hatysa quickly sneaked out of the arsenal and quickly flew away of Nethilor.