Chapter 009

Azriel said to his big wolf, "Lowell, protect Selene."

With that, Lowell, his creature-like pet came closer to me, standing in front of me.

Azriel stood ready, his black and red misty trident gleaming in the evening light. The air around them crackled with tension as they locked eyes, each waiting for the other to make the first move.

Abaddon raised his hand and a ball of fire appeared, hurtling towards Azriel. Azriel quickly raised his trident and a shield of mist formed around him, blocking the attack. As he did, my breath hitched as I peeked from the side of Lowell.

My eyes enlarged as I saw them fighting with magic. Well, I shouldn't be surprised anymore. I have seen magic a hundred times now.

Abaddon chuckled evilly. "Impressive, but not enough to stop me."

Azriel didn't respond, instead he lunged forward, his trident slashing through the air towards Abaddon, making him dodge to the side, narrowly avoiding the attack. Shiny black and white particles left the trident as Azriel moved with grace, throwing white orbs at Abbadon which he again successfully dodged.

My guardian manipulated the air about him, flapping sounds of wind, rustling of trees, was all I could hear. It was so powerful, it made my heart race even faster than before. I trembled behind Lowell. My hair flew in my face, blocking and blurring my vision.

When I cleared my hair out of my face, Abaddon smirked, getting a chance to attack him. His hands moved at the speed of light creating black fire ball and throwing it on Azriel. I saw his eyes widened, before a black light beamed, a thud following soon after.

My eyes tried to make out what is was I was seeing. Deep red. Abaddon's laugh rang in my ears as the scene before me finally came into my view.

Blood. He was covered in blood. His abdomen was bleeding heavily. There was blood all over the grass, going down to the pond, adding the color to the bright water. I gasped. I was about to run there but the wolf growled at me as if telling me not to go there.

"Stay there!" Azriel said, standing up as fast as possible, as if he didn't get hurt badly. Why was he so fucking idiotic!

"You don't know when to give up, do you?" Abaddon chuckled evilly.

Azriel's movements were fluid and graceful, while Abaddon's were brutal and savage.

As the battle continued, the ground beneath them became slick with blood, making their footing unstable. Azriel's movements were becoming slower and weaker, and Abaddon seemed to sense this. He lunged forward, his claws outstretched.

But Azriel wasn't ready to give up yet. With a burst of energy, he raised his trident and a surge of mist and what looked like air blades shot out towards Abaddon. The latter let out a cry of pain as the mist engulfed him, burning his skin.

But the victory was short-lived. Abaddon managed to break free, and with a swipe of his claw, he landed a blow on Azriel's already wounded abdomen. Azriel stumbled backwards, falling to the ground.

I watched in horror as Abaddon stood over Azriel, ready to deliver the final blow. But Azriel wasn't finished yet. With a last-ditch effort, he raised his trident and plunged it into Abaddon's chest.

Abaddon let out a bloodcurdling scream and collapsed to the ground. Azriel lay there, his breathing ragged and labored. He was losing his breath and I could feel that. The wolf beside me growled painfully.

"No, no, no," I rushed to him, and crouched down, as he gazed at me with tired eyes. "Az, no, fuck." I was panicking, not knowing what to do.

"You shouldn't have come here. Go back." He whispered.

"Are you crazy!? No."

"Yes. You have to-" His sentence was cut short as he coughed out blood.

Tears escaped my eyes, "Why do you have to be so goddamn stubborn, you fucking idiot."

But he didn't respond. His breathing was shallow, and I knew he was on the brink of death. I looked around frantically, hoping to find something that could help. Then it hit me. It was the only option. I looked at the guardian's pale handsome face. He was dying now just because he had to protect me. My mouth let out a whimper and without thinking anything more. I bent down, pinched his nose, and attached our lips together, my heart racing in my chest as I gave my breaths to him. I placed my hands on his left part of the chest, bouncing them in attempt to save his heartbeat.

I lost the count of how many times I did this. I cried out, "You just met me. You're going to leave me too?" I repeated the procedure again, bawling my eyes out as my tears mixed with the bleeding cuts on his face.

All of sudden, I felt a faint heartbeat under my palms. It was weak, but it was there. Azriel's eyes fluttered open, and he looked up at me in confusion.

I breathed a huge sigh of relief with my mouth open, and I instantly hugged him, crouching down. "Thank god. Thank god. Thank god." I cried as he groaned slightly.

But as I felt his body wince in pain, I realized that my embrace was only causing him more pain. I jumped back, my nerves suddenly on edge, as I tried to avoid eye contact with him.

In that moment, I cursed myself for giving into my emotions and allowing myself to hug him. But deep down, I knew that I would do it all over again if it meant saving his life.

"You scared me...fucking idiot." I said as Lowell came towards him giving him a lick.

He sighed, somehow knowing that I helped him get his breath back. "Thank you."

"Huh?"

"For saving me. Thank you."

I looked at him goggle-eyed. Someone said thank you to me. Wow. That felt good. But as quickly as the moment of vulnerability had come, it was gone, replaced by my usual sarcastic defense mechanisms. I averted my gaze, and with a gruff voice, I shouted at him to shut up.

He rolled his eyes, smiling faintly, glancing at me before trying to get up on his own, groaning.

"Where should I take you?"

"Hang on a minute." He mumbled, halting his movements. "Where's Abaddon's body? I killed him, right?"

"I d-d-don't know. I know that he was bleeding black blood from his chest. I don't know how his body disappeared."

I saw anger and disappointment flash through the guardian's eyes.

"He took my trident too with him."

"You mean he's alive?"

"Yes. He is. I though I killed him finally. But I have failed yet again."

"You-" I gulped down my saliva. It was very hard to say something good to someone, "You fought well, though."

"Well," He smiled tiredly yet again, "Fighting well is in no way enough to kill him. He is very strong. I almost died, killing him." He grunted in pain in last of the words.

"You tell me where I have to take you or you'll die again!" I yelled at him, with difficulties, helping him to stand up. He hung his arm around me, "Beyond the waterfall. Can you take me?"

"Yes." As soon as I said that, I stumbled. My eyes closed in embarrassment.

"Are you sure, Selene?" He teased.

"Hey!" I yelled, "I'll drop of you off here and run away! I said I can do that!"

"Okay, okay." He sighed, too tired to argue.

A low growl came from behind us, the huge wolf turning into small pup as I tried my best to skip the stones on the waterfall of problems, with him hanging around my neck. God, was he heavy. He towered above me as I finally stepped beyond it. Falling immediately, as my leg twisted.

I shrieked as fell on top of me.