41 Awaken

They circled around the area and approached at the back of the cabin.

Allyria positioned herself to where she could get a close look on them. Kaius followed behind her, crouching down to make sure they're unnoticed. She took a glimpse from the back and saw rebels busy talking to Silas.

One. Two. There were six of them—all wearing the same Cesparian armor. It was difficult to recognize their faces especially with the steel helmet but she knew those figures. From the night of Vysela's party, it was them. However, the three were new to her. As far as she can remember, she and Kaius gave the rest a good beating during that night. Probably, they must have brought another round of back up.

"This is an order from His Highnesses, King Maximillian and King Averardus," one guard said, rolling the scroll and showing it to Silas. Forged. They even reached to the point where they used their father's name to deceive the people.

Silas laughed, "I told you, I didn't see any princess or prince. Try the other houses. They must have fled there."

"We are to check every house in the kingdom. As a noble citizen of Vervali, you must abide by the rules," the guard replied.

"I'm not—"

The larger guard stepped in, cutting his sentence, "Old man," he addressed, "Step out of the way or my men will do it for you," he said in a low, sinister voice. The other guards looked trifling beside him. He gave the impression of a superior, the alpha of the pack, probably the commander if Allyria was not mistaken.

Silas moved back, seemingly intimidated by the guard who was two feet taller than him. He was a new one, unfamiliar. "Okay, okay. Check it for yourself. I tell you, you'll find nothing there. You are only wasting—"

The guard jerked his head towards Silas. Allyria couldn't see his facial expression but she was sure it wasn't anything good.

Silas zipped his lips shut and looked at the guards as they entered the cabin.

"Tybout and you two, search inside. Buckley and Regnald, you come with me," the guard said.

Tybout and the others entered the cabin, their boots creaking from the outside. The rest, together with the gigantic guard, walked around and searched the forest within the perimeter. Allyria and Kaius crept away from their sight slowly as the guards were already checking the back.

"See? I told you—"

Silas paused when he saw the royal children huddled over a corner. His eyes went round, surprised they arrived earlier than expected. Any minute from now, the guards would be able to find them if they don't think of a solution.

Kaius and Allyria bent over the window as one guard passed by from the inside. Allyria gripped the handle of her sword tightly. Something tells her this will be another period of her life waiting to wreak havoc.

She forced herself to think of something, anything to save them from this. Getting away was the easier plan but she couldn't afford to leave Silas alone with these hounds.

However, one look from Silas, it seemed like he already had something in mind.

"Excuse me sir!" he called out, making the two of them stop in their tracks. A creak from the door also told Allyria the others went out, curious.

"What?" the commanding guard asked. Allyria could see them clearly from the side but it was too risky. She backed away from the corner and tread softly towards the back, hovering over a window and stared at the guards talking to him.

"I think you lost this," Silas said, lifting his left hand from behind as if a magician doing a trick.

Allyria's forehead creased. 'What is he doing?'

"Are you playing with us, old man?" the large guard snarled as soon as he saw his hand with nothing in it. Amusement was plastered all over Silas' face. The large guard doesn't daunt him any longer. It's as if the mask he's been wearing for so long was finally taken off.

Silas lead his cane forward, "Please leave now while I'm still asking kindly."

The large guard guffawed like he couldn't believe what he was saying, "Do you hear what he just said?" he said to no one in particular. His companions just looked him, no reply. The guard stomped his feet toward Silas and pushed him, Silas almost stumbling back, "You think we can be tricked? I know you're hiding them somewhere."

"The two of you!" he motioned the others, "Finish this worthless lunatic. He's wasting our time."

Blood drained from Allyria's face. "Kaius, we need to help him," she whispered.

"I need to get my sword inside. Distract them, I'll come for you," he said.

Allyria nodded.

Kaius gave her a tap on the shoulder and entered the cabin using the back door. Allyria stood, heaving a deep sigh. She peered over the front yard, the guards walking towards Silas, a smirk on their faces. But Silas was calm, no fear found from his eyes. He only stood there, waiting for death to come for him.

Before the guards could reach Silas, Allyria emerged from the back and rushed towards him, "Run!" she yelled.

The guards turned to where she was, not surprised. They already expected this to happen. They unsheathed their weapons and readied themselves for another round of fighting.

"Get the princess!" the commander bellowed.

The guards pushed on their feet and dashed towards her. Allyria had nowhere else to go but forward. She ignored her chest hammering and focused on her task head on. The guards roared, their eyes blazing with fury. They're not just here for a mission. They're here for revenge. She's already taken one life from the troop. She wouldn't hesitate doing it again.

They were already in the front yard. The guards were about to clash their swords onto the princess when beads of water started to rise from the ground. The trees rattled as the water from the leaves compressed and formed a seamless river running towards their direction. She whirled around, rendered speechless. It was everywhere.

The six of them were sent reeling backwards, watching the wall made of water in an unblinking stare.

She searched for its source. There, she found her answer. On the other side of the wall, Silas raised one hand, summoning water from different areas of the forest. The barrier was already closing in on him but he didn't seem to be alarmed.

"Allyria! I'm—" Allyria turned to Kaius who was still as a statue, jaw dropping, "W…what is happening?"

"Silas," was her only reply.

"A heretic!"

"Kill him!"

She could hear the guards' voices from the opposite side, silhouettes of their figures showing through the water. Something was happening in there but she wasn't sure what. The walls were becoming too thick to see.

"Silas!" she screamed.

He didn't answer. The water was drowning the scene. She could only listen to the sounds of steel and struggle. Allyria and Kaius stood in front, waiting for the chaos to die down.

It took them a few minutes before a huge whole appeared from the wall, giving way to Silas who moved his hands in swift motion, calling his element, while the other held his cane. Allyria could barely recognize the man in front of him. He seemed great, resurrected; the feeling of power released from within renewed him as if he's another human being.

The guards yelled, trying to pass the water but Silas' walls were as firm as stone, drowning anyone who attempted to. In one drop of his hand, the walls collapsed, drenching everyone who stood near.

"Get them!" the large guard, who was now drizzled in water, pointed them and his guards followed like bulls eager to crash onto the target. She could see five of them, the other one, she doesn't know. He was nowhere to be found. Silas must be responsible for it.

But before the guards could reach them, the water rose once again. This time, it was different, a whirlpool formed in the air. Faster and faster, it spun.

"Allyria," Kaius held her hand. Allyria couldn't focus anymore, her eyes directed on Silas' calm face. She couldn't believe it. No other living Vervalian could.

Silas faced the two of them, "You need to escape now. Go back to the castle. You are safer there."

"But..." Allyria couldn't finish her sentence as the whirlpool devoured a guard striding towards them.

"Don't worry about me. I can handle this," he said without looking. His hands moved and in a flick of his hand, the whirlpool siphoned the other.

"AAAAHHHHHH!!!" the guard screamed but no one can escape his magic.

"Leave now," Silas said for one last time and stomped towards their leader. The other remaining guards trembled in fear but the face of their leader told them this is not the time to be cowards.

"Get the princess and the prince! I'll handle him," he said, marching towards Silas, each step heavy with anger.

"Allyria, we need to go," Kaius pulled her arm.

Allyria looked at him, shaking in disbelief. Silas. He needed them.

"Go!" Silas bellowed for one last time.

Allyria stepped back, hesitating but turned towards the opposite direction, running, her brain desperately scrambling to make sense of it all. She never realized it. There weren't any signs but it is real. The Ikigais are real. Silas is one of them and they are very much alive.