Chapter 91
There was no shouts, no cheers, because King Micah was quick to order his men to check for wounded. Before he could rest he knew he had to take care of those who needed help. Casting a few glances in the direction of Vorbuk's group as he ordered his men around the streets.
As much as he wanted to confront the group it was too soon to deal with them. King Micah knew that they had helped the kingdom rid itself of something that could have been worse. That realization, however, did not mean he held no grudge at all against the destruction that had occurred. Whether it was against the god Chynir for sending the undead king to attack his kingdom, them, or both parties was unknown. His men could see the uneasy look in their king's eyes. Vorbuk's group were too worried about their fallen member to see his stern gaze.
"Zoe!" Daryl called out to her, hoping for her response that never came, as he dashed through the streets. Heading straight up the building. There was no longer stairs that could help him climb higher.
Climbing the rubble bit by bit he made his way to the rooftop. The others following behind him closely in order to make it to her. It went unnoticed by himself that he was out of breath as he considered the risk that she could be in because of over using her mana. His chest felt tight as he saw her lay there motionless.
"Zoe, can you hear me?! Are you alright?!" Daryl made it to the top and ran straight for her. Under him the building creaked from its weakened state. Dust wafted out from cracks and piles of rubble causing them to cough and cover their faces as best they could.
Kneeling down beside her he reached out and placed his hand by her in order to make sure she was still breathing. Her soft warm breath weakly exhaling against his hand. The sensation was enough to ease his worry. She was only asleep but he knew it was too early to call her unharmed.
"She'll be fine, but we can't stay here. This building is dangerous." Leo said trying to reassure him that she'd be fine. He was worried about her too. Though Leo knew they had to try to keep calm while they were standing in such a dangerous place.
Zoe's cat ears twitched slightly as if she could sense them near while she slept. Dirt had coated her body from the battle just as it had everyone else. It was Almost hard to tell that her dress had once been yellow at all. Everyone was worn out and the battle finally was over.
"We should get her out of here. We don't know when this place will collapse." Daryl said as he knew that Leo was right. He wrapped his arms around Zoe and lifted her from the roof.
"Are you alright to be doing that right now?!" Leo asked surprised to see Daryl pick the girl up so casually. He was worried Daryl might be too exhausted and drop her by accident.
"Aren't you worn out too? I can do this much." Daryl shook his head in order to reject the idea that he was unable to help the girl. He felt a sense of responsibility when it came to looking after Zoe. They had known each other long before she joined them on their journey together.
"Alright! I give!" Leo surrendered his thought of trying to help and watched as Daryl started to climb back down the building while holding Zoe unconscious in his arm. Pondering how the two of them even met. Prince Leo knew that Daryl was one who had traveled throughout all twelve kingdoms and knew many sorts. Some people he knew were good and others he knew were even along the darker side depending on how you looked at them. Zoe never spoke about herself and kept a quiet temperament during most situations.
Where does this crazy cat even come from? Prince Leo pondered. It was like she had fallen from the sky without a word. He did not even know which kingdom she came from. Only thing he knew about Zoe was that she was a beastman.
The stone that was in Zoe's hand fell onto the roof. When Leo caught sight of the stone he picked it up and carefully slipped it into his pocket. Unsure of what they should do with it. He could only consider the thought of holding onto it for her. A faint vibrating could be felt coming from the stone as his thumb caressed it within his pocket. Curiosity only crossed his mind for a moment before he pulled his hand from his pocket and followed after the others back down.
Around the streets the king was having anything dangerous whether it was corpse or something covered in the blood of the undead removed from the city and burned away. If the undead were not cleaned up properly even though they were no longer moving it would become dangerous. Undead gave off a poisonous toxin in the air when they were left carelessly. They had to be removed thoroughly to prevent an outbreak among the population of Cista.
Running through the streets of the capital the group looked for somewhere they could take Zoe to be checked on. Many people were hurt with more obvious wounds and crowded around all the healers that were close by. Having no other option they could only take caution while moving her further from the area that had been hit by the destruction of the battle. Time was something they had to endure as they moved.
They were not aware at the time that off in the distance their entire battle had been watched over by an even greater power that resided under the evil god Chynir.
"Such a pity.. Such a pity it is.." The man smirked faintly from where he stood atop a large tree's branch.
"What is it, Sir Heket?" Another man asked him from down below. He worked under Heket in serving Chynir.
"He's not going to be happy about this.. but I seem to have found something quite interesting. Too bad. I don't have time to play around with them right now." His tone seemed full of disappointment that he could not yet meet those in the distance.
"It's scary how you can see them so far like that.. What is so interesting about those people now?" The subordinate sighed quietly.
"Come now. We must return and continue our preparations for him. If we delay you know how terrifying he can be when we slack. Our task here was only to see how that one did. This task was a failure.. but not not entirely." The last of his words were like a whisper to himself. Heket took a step forward and his body shot downward. Landing on his feet with a thud as if stepping from high places was but a natural thing for him, causing the other man to flinch slightly when Heket was instantly beside him.
Without a word further the two of them were gone without a trace.