Chapter 48: Ecdy!

Chapter 48: Ecdy

At the break of dawn, the forest came alive with the sweet symphony of birds chirping, their melodies threading through the rustling trees. The air was cool, the gentle breeze swaying the branches, as shafts of golden sunlight peeked through the canopy. The warmth of the day was slowly unfolding, and the scent of the blood moon flower filled the crisp morning air.

Tessa stirred, the fragrance of the flower drawing her from her sleep. It was intoxicating, like the very essence of nature, rich and rare, caressing her senses. She blinked slowly, her eyes adjusting to the soft light filtering through the thin fabric of her tent.

On the small wooden table beside her bed was a steaming cup of tea, brewed from the petals of the coveted blood moon leaf flower. The locals guarded the flower fiercely, knowing its value, its rarity, and the power that clung to it. Not a single petal was ever wasted, and for her, they had prepared this cup—a gesture of reverence for the incarnation of their moon goddess.

Tessa sat up, taking the cup in her hands and sipping gently. The warmth spread through her, calming her heart, which had raced through the night, haunted by her mother's voice. The dream still lingered in her mind, but the taste of the tea grounded her, the subtle sweetness easing her troubled thoughts.

A figure stood outside her tent, and she knew it was him before he spoke. Ecdy, a young man from Nyala's group, was always near, always waiting to serve, to attend to her every need. His devotion was unlike the others.

While the rest of Nyala's people treated her with awe, with a respectful distance, Ecdy's eyes held something more—a depth of feeling he tried, but often failed, to mask. It was in the way he quickly fetched whatever she asked for, the way he lingered just a little longer after completing his tasks, as if reluctant to leave her presence.

Today was no different. The moment he heard her stirring, Ecdy appeared at the entrance, his voice soft yet eager. "I brought you the tea, my lady. I hope you like it, Is there anything else you require?"

Tessa shook her head with a smile, amused by his attentiveness. "No, Ecdy. Thank you."

He nodded but didn't leave. Instead, he hovered near the door, his gaze drifting over her face as though committing every detail to memory. His devotion was clear, even without words, in every glance, every gesture. It wasn't just reverence—his feelings for her went beyond that, though he never dared speak them aloud. There was something protective, almost fierce, in the way he regarded her.

As the morning stretched on, Tessa prepared for the journey ahead.

Ecdy continued to linger by the entrance, his eyes soft and eager, waiting for any request. His devotion was palpable,

"Lady Tessa, is there anything else you need?" he asked again, his voice gentle, almost reverent.

Tessa smiled at him briefly, shaking her head. "No, Ecdy. I'm fine, thank you.".

As Tessa continued to prepared for the journey ahead, the group gathered outside. They would soon ride to through the Zyeck zone, a dangerous path that demanded every ounce of their strength and focus.

Tessa pulled her cloak tighter around her shoulders as she stepped out, greeted by the sight of the majestic deers that would carry them on their way. These creatures were no ordinary beasts.

Tall and strong, their sleek coats shimmered in the sunlight, and their eyes held a deep intelligence, as though they understood the weight of the journey ahead.

The deers moved gracefully, their hooves barely making a sound on the soft earth as they approached the riders. They showed particular affection to the Rhemonic people, nudging them gently with their noses, as if sensing the bond between them.

The locals, in turn, treated the deers with quiet respect, stroking their sleek necks and whispering soft words of gratitude before mounting.

Tessa watched the interactions, her heart swelling with a mix of awe and appreciation. When her own deer approached, it bowed its head slightly, acknowledging her presence as if recognizing her status.

She placed a gentle hand on its neck, feeling the warmth of its body beneath her palm. The creature's eyes held hers for a moment, and in that brief connection, she felt a strange sense of comfort.

Ecdy, as always, was at her side, helping her mount the deer. His hands were careful, respectful, yet there was an underlying tension in his touch, as though he longed to linger but forced himself to remain in control.

Adrian mounted his own deer with effortless grace, casting a quick glance toward Tessa. There was a subtle tension in the air, one that had been growing between him and Ecdy for days now. Adrian, ever observant, couldn't help but notice the way Ecdy hovered near Tessa, his feelings poorly concealed.

As they prepared to ride out, Ecdy's silent admiration for Tessa had grown more obvious, and today, his emotions seemed particularly raw. He stayed close to her, almost too close, and Adrian's gaze flickered with amusement. But beneath that amusement was something else—an unspoken warning that Ecdy seemed either unwilling or unable to read.

The group moved forward, the deers' hooves striking a rhythm against the ground as they began their journey.

The forest around them grew denser, the sunlight thinning as the trees thickened. Tessa's mind wandered, focusing on the weight of the day ahead, but always, there was that lingering awareness of the people around her—Ecdy's constant devotion, Adrian's unwavering presence. The road was long, and the challenges ahead even longer, but for now, they pressed on, riding in silence, the hum of the forest and the gentle breath of their deers carrying them into the unknown.

With every mile, the tension in the group rose. The danger that lay ahead was palpable, yet none spoke of it. They rode with determination, knowing that hesitation now could cost them everything.

The 72 strongest of Nyala's people accompanied them, each person hardened by years of survival in these treacherous lands. The stakes were high, and every step, every hoofbeat felt like a march toward an uncertain fate.

Ecdy rode close to Tessa, too close, and his watchful eyes never left her. Adrian, who rode on the opposite side, glanced at Ecdy with a knowing smirk. It didn't take an alien to see what Ecdy felt for Tessa. The young man's devotion had transformed into something deeper, something dangerous.

Adrian leaned over slightly, his voice teasing yet sharp. "You know, there's a certain distance you should keep when riding beside someone important, especially someone like Tessa."

Ecdy's jaw tightened, and his eyes flashed with annoyance. "And who are you to tell me where I should ride?" His words came out harsher than intended, but his emotions had been brewing under the surface for days.

One of the older locals, sensing the rising tension, rode up beside Ecdy and spoke in a low, warning tone. "Careful, boy. Adrian- almost as special as -- moon goddess herself. You'd do well --show respect, lest you find yourself on the wrong end of his power."

But Ecdy's emotions clouded his judgment. He couldn't hear the wisdom in their warnings, couldn't see reason. All he saw was Adrian, close to Tessa in ways that burned at his heart. The way Adrian would glance at her, the quiet conversations they shared, the unspoken understanding between them—it gnawed at Ecdy, a jealousy he could not shake.

Adrian, however, seemed indifferent to the brewing storm beside him. He was relaxed, his confidence unwavering, even in the face of Ecdy's growing ire. He shot Tessa a playful look, as if to say, I told you this would be interesting.

But there was a subtle shift in the air. Tessa, sensing the tension, turned toward Ecdy. Her voice was gentle but firm. "We are all on the same side here, Ecdy. This journey is dangerous enough without us fighting amongst ourselves."

Her words cut through the tension like a knife. Ecdy lowered his gaze, shame flickering across his face, but the feelings remained, simmering just beneath the surface. He would not—could not—give up on her, no matter how dangerous it might be.

The ride continued, but the unease lingered. Adrian, ever aware, kept his distance from Ecdy, but the silent battle between them was far from over.