Twenty

"Hey, Lennon?" I said, turning to him. "What's the plan when we get to Anehate?"Lennon's expression turned solemn. "Thadeus is sending Valtara warriors to meet us at the border. They'll take you to the royal manor where he lives with his mother. Thadeus already has a room for you ready. Sorelle will be there too, she's been living at the manor doing research in their libraries.""She was so much fun on the rooftop, I feel a little better knowing she'll be there." I sighed, relieved there would be some familiar faces.As we mounted Ozzy's back, Lennon turned to me with a mischievous glint in his eye. "I'm sure she'll be excited to have you there, if only to provide a much-needed break from Thadeus's daily doses of... enthusiasm," he said, his voice dripping with amusement. "I mean, even the most patient of souls can only take so much of his... unique charm."I couldn't help but laugh at Lennon's teasing. "Hey, don't be mean!" I joked, playfully nudging him with my elbow. "Thadeus was really nice, and he's helping me out. I'm sure he's not that unbearable."Lennon chuckled, his eyes sparkling with mirth. "I know I know, I'm kidding," he said, holding up his hands in mock defense. "I love Thadeus like a brother. He's just... a special snowflake, that's all."I rolled my eyes playfully, shaking my head and laughing as Ozzy launched into the air, his wings beating powerful and strong, straight toward Anahate.As we soared towards the border of Anahate, Ozzy's wings slowed and we descended towards the ground. The scenery transformed beneath us, the vibrant blues and lush forests of Visu fading into the emerald hills of Anahate. I felt a thrill of anticipation mixed with a hint of trepidation as we touched down on the border. As we dismounted Ozzy, three figures came into view, their features becoming clearer with each passing moment. They were fierce warriors, clad in battle-worn leather that spoke of their expertise and bravery. Two of them adorned themselves with vibrant hues of gold and yellow, radiating warmth like a desert sun. But the third warrior stood apart, donning a unique array of cream, white, and grey shades that seemed to shimmer and gleam in the waning daylight. As the warriors laid eyes on Ozzy, their faces froze in a collective gasp, their mouths agape in unison. It was as if time itself had stuttered, the very air thickening with their collective astonishment. For in all of Numariya, only eight Pegasus existed, their kind as rare as the stars on a moonless night. Their eyes widened in wonder, their gazes drinking in the sight of Ozzy as if they feared he might vanish into the ether at any moment. They had heard the stories, of course - who hadn't? - of the Pegasus, those mythical creatures said to possess the essence of the ancient magic themselves. But to behold one in the flesh... it was a wonder that left them breathless, their minds reeling with the sheer improbability of it all. Lennon stepped forward, his eyes locked on the warriors as he introduced me."This is Kiah and Valen of ManPuri Valtara, and Zane of Viya Valtara. They'll escort you the rest of the way." he said, his voice smooth and confident.But I couldn't help but notice a subtle shift in his tone when he introduced Zane. It was a slight hesitation, a brief pause that spoke of unspoken tension. Maybe it was just the weight of our departure, the knowledge that we were leaving the familiar behind and stepping into the unknown. But I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to it, that there was a story behind Lennon's words that I had yet to uncover. As I turned my attention to the warriors, I was struck by their beauty. Like every Sidhe I had ever laid eyes on, they were stunning, their features chiseled and perfect. Kiah and Valen had flowing locks of golden hair that fell in loose waves. Their skin was a deep, rich bronze, radiating a warm glow as if kissed by the sun itself. Their eyes were piercing shades of yellow that blazed like molten gold, igniting the essence of summer within them. They tilted their heads in unison, their gazes locked on me as they greeted me with a quiet dignity. But it was Zane who truly caught my attention. His gaze was like a dagger, piercing and intense, and it seemed to bore into my very soul. His energy was unreadable, a complex mix of tension and confidence that left me feeling both wary and intrigued. He didn't break eye contact, didn't even glance at Lennon as he greeted him, his focus fixed solely on me. I felt a shiver run down my spine as I met his gaze, my heart pounding in my chest. There was something about him that was both familiar and yet completely alien. His hair was the color of pale moonlight, similar to my own but with a glimmer of silver that caught the waning sunlight. His eyes were a shimmering glacial blue, with a silver hue that marked his Sidhe heritage. We stared at each other for an uncomfortable few moments, the air thick with tension.I broke the silence finally, my voice a little shaky as I said, "It's a pleasure to meet you all. Thank you for picking me up."As I stepped closer, crossing the threshold of Visu and Anahate, a new form of currency flickered to life in my holographic wallet vision. It was an empty heart, a symbol of Anahate's currency of genuine kindness and acts of service. The image was a solid reminder that I had made it, that I was out of The Dread and into a new unfamiliar world.Kiah smiled and said, "It's our pleasure."But before I could respond, Zane's deep voice cut through the air, "Let's go."As I turned to Lennon, my heart swelled with a mix of emotions, the ache of impending separation threatening to consume me. I flung my arms around him, and he wrapped his own around me, holding me close as we both struggled to contain the turmoil brewing within. The warriors watched us with somber expressions, they knew that the bond between Lennon and I had grown strong, forged in the fires of our shared adventures. As we clung to each other, I felt the desperation rising up, a desperate longing to hold onto this moment, to freeze time and keep Lennon by my side. But I knew it was futile - I had to move forward, had to continue on my journey, no matter how much my heart rebelled against it. Lennon's arms were a warm, solid anchor, his heartbeat a steady drumbeat against mine, and I knew that I would carry the memory of this moment with me always. As we pulled back, my eyes still shining with tears, I noticed the subtle shift in my holographic vision - the heart now glowed with a faint green light.I pulled back from Lennon, my eyes still shining with tears, "The heart just turned green a little bit."Lennon smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "That's because of our genuine hug," he said. "It gained you some Anahatean currency."I chuckled through my tears, my voice shaking. "Well, it's a lot easier to gain currency here than in Visu," I said, trying to make light of the situation.Lennon raised an eyebrow, "Tell me about it."I smiled, feeling a sense of sadness wash over me. I knew that I would miss his wit and humor, miss our banter and our laughter. I sent a message to Ozzy down our telepathic bond, asking him to stay close to Lennon, to keep him company in my absence. I promised to return soon, to make my way back to this place, to him.Then I looked to Lennon, my eyes locking onto his. "Take care of Ozzy for me, okay?" I said, my voice shaking. "I'll be back soon."Lennon nodded, his eyes welling up with tears. "I will," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'll take care of him for you."Zane's throat-clearing broke the spell, a harsh reminder that it was time to leave. I took a deep breath, the ache in my chest threatening to overwhelm me. This was it - the moment I would say goodbye, would walk away from the one person who had become my anchor in this strange, new world. I turned, my heart heavy with emotion, and began to walk away, the sense of somberness settling around me like a shroud. I glanced back, my eyes locking onto Lennon's, and smiled through my tears. He stood alone, Ozzy by his side, a small, steadfast figure in the fading light. I knew I would return, knew that I would see him again soon. But for now, I had to let go. So I did- I let go, releasing my grip, knowing it was the right thing to do. Every fiber of my being screamed for me to return to Lennon's side and demand he let me stay, but I resisted the urge with all my strength. I forged ahead, leaving him behind in this new beginning, activated by an ending. At least for now. The manor was a short walk further into Anahate. I fell into step beside Kiah, her solid, sturdy energy a comforting presence beside me. It was as if the very land itself had taken on a gentle, reassuring quality, and I felt my shoulders relax in response. Kiah's hand rested on the hilt of her sword, the leather creaking softly as she moved, a subtle reminder of the warrior's instincts that lay beneath her calm exterior. I glanced over my shoulder, my heart giving a pang as I watched Ozzy and Lennon soar into the sky, their forms dwindling into the distance. A pang of sadness struck me, and I felt a lump form in my throat. I was leaving behind a piece of myself, a piece that I wasn't sure I'd ever get back. But right before I turned back to face the direction of the manor, my gaze caught on Valen's intent expression. He was scanning the surroundings, his eyes narrowed as he searched for any sign of danger. And then there was Zane, his piercing gaze still fixed on me, his eyes burning with an intensity that made my skin prickle. I forced a nervous smile and turned back to Kiah.As we walked, I asked Kiah about the Valtarean warriors. "We're ManPurian, but we stay in Anahate since it's centrally located," she explained, her voice low and smooth. "It's closer to Visu, and that's where we need to be these days. Since the war ended, our main job has been to escort criminals to The Dread."I turned to Kiah, my curiosity getting the better of me. "What about Zane?" I asked, trying to sound nonchalant. "Where's he from?"Kiah's gaze flicked to Zane, her expression softening ever so slightly. "Zane is from Viya, he's the leader of the highest level Valtarean squad there. He works directly with Their Majesty Cade. It's an honor to work with him." she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "He's been working with us recently, enhancing his skills. The original Valtareans are from ManPuri, so many Valtareans from other regions come to train with us regularly. Though I think he's taught us more than we've taught him."As Kiah spoke of Zane, a subtle shift in her demeanor caught my attention. A softness crept into her voice, a gentle warmth that seemed to emanate from her very pores. It was a look I'd seen before, a look that spoke of unrequited longing. I couldn't help but wonder if Kiah harbored a secret crush on the enigmatic warrior. And who could blame her? Zane was a vision of rugged beauty, his piercing gaze and chiseled features enough to make even the most hardened heart skip a beat. But before I could pry further, Zane and Valen fell into step beside us, their presence a gentle reminder that our conversation was not as private as I'd thought. I let the subject drop, instead turning my attention to the Valtarean training.My voice a little hesitant, I said, "I'd love to learn more about Valtarean training. I recently had a... run-in with The Frygt, and I realized just how unprepared I am."The warriors exchanged a look, their faces set in identical expressions of shock and awe. "You're lucky to be alive," Kiah breathed.I nodded, a shiver running down my spine as I recalled the terror of that encounter. "Ozzy, the pegasus, warned Lennon, and he was able to get me out of there just in time."Valen whistled softly. "You owe that Pegasus a debt of gratitude, then."I smiled wryly. "I do. And that's why I'd love to train with you. I don't want to feel helpless again, like I did with The Frygt. I also got attacked by truth farmers and I want to be able to defend myself, to protect those I care about."Zane's eyes lit up with an almost fervent enthusiasm, his words tumbling out in a rush, "We'd love to have you train with us!"Valen and Kiah exchanged a look, their eyebrows raised in surprise at Zane's eagerness. And then, with a mischievous glint in his eye, Valen spoke up. "Only if we get to ride that Pegasus in return, of course."I laughed, the tension broken, and the warriors joined in, their laughter a warm, rich sound that seemed to fill the air around us. But as I glanced at Kiah, I caught a flicker of something in her eyes - a spark of amusement, perhaps, but also a hint of something more. A spark of possessiveness, maybe, a sense of unease at Zane's sudden enthusiasm about the training. I wondered, just for a moment, what secrets lay hidden beneath Kiah's calm exterior. As we continued towards the manor, we traded tales and delved into one another's lives. I found myself drawn to their charisma and effortless charm, making conversation a breeze. A natural rapport seemed to form between us. Valen and Kiah were easy going, their banter easy and relaxed as they finished each other's sentences. Zane's energy was a bit more serious, but I saw his tough exterior crack a couple of times. He seemed like the type that needed more time to trust, which I could definitely understand. I was relieved that we chose to walk to the manor. It gave me a chance to bond with the warriors, and I couldn't wait for the chance to train with them in the coming days. The grand manor loomed ahead, and Thadeus burst forth from its imposing doors, his boundless energy radiating as he sprinted towards us. Our gazes locked, and I couldn't resist grinning. Thadeus exuded a warmth that seemed otherworldly. His energy was infectious, and simply being in his presence brought a sense of joy. He greeted me warmly and with open arms, making me feel like I was part of the group, accepted as if I were one of them and not just a human outsider.Thadeus eyes sparkled with amusement, "I see they've managed to bring you in one piece!"Kiah's laughter was like a joyful melody that filled the air. "It was a team effort," she said, her voice light and playful. "I took the lead, Valen navigated, and Zane provided the tough-guy intimidation factor."Valen's eyes gleamed with mirth as he jumped into the banter. "And Zane's intimidation factor is still in top form. Maybe you could send him to negotiate with The Frygt next time, Ace."Thadeus's expression turned curious, his gaze meeting mine with a mixture of surprise and intrigue. "The Frygt?"I laughed, "It's been quite a journey," I admitted, the words barely scratching the surface of the trials I'd faced.Thadeus's arm wrapped around me, his eyes sparkling with interest as he began leading me inside the manor, "I would love to hear all about it."But before we fully turned away, Zane's deep voice interrupted, "Will you be at dinner, Ace?"I looked at Thadeus, who smiled reassuringly. "Of course she will!"I locked eyes with Zane once more. There was something about him that I couldn't quite put my finger on, a mystery that lingered just out of reach. But with the excitement of arriving and the warmth of Thadeus's manor enveloping me, I brushed it off and strolled inside, the grand halls and opulent decor a testament to the beauty and wonder that awaited me.