Chapter 16
Lylia just sat on the ground with Gloom in her arms. Harley shook her shoulders with anger.
"Where is Angela?!" he asked once again.
"Don't ask me!" Lylia yelled in response.
"I'm sorry, I'm here," Angela spoke, "I was a bit far from here."
Harley managed to relax and he slumped due to exhaustion.
"Teach me," Lylia suddenly said. "Teach me how you do those spells."
Harley scoffed and rolled his eyes.
"Not until you're not a threat in this mission," he replied.
"I will help you, in return, teach me," she persisted.
Harley stood up and looked down on her.
"Shouldn't you start acting nice if you want something from me?" he stated before turning his back and started to depart.
"Why are you all alone in the Dark Magic Realm, Lylia?" Angela asked.
"It is the most suitable place for me as a dark magician. Just like what that dumbass said before, my ancestors are banned from the Magic Academy," she replied as she shot a glare at Harley's back.
"You magicians cannot control your black magic that is why you were banned," Harley stated.
"Your side is only afraid to be overpowered by us!" Lylia defended.
Harley faced her and a grin is carved on his lips.
"Magicians who are controlled by magic is nothing else but weak magic wielders. Those who control magic are the powerful ones," he said before going back on his way.
"Why does he act like he knows everything?!" Lylia mumbled in irritation.
"I heard he is called a genius mage," Angela stated and Lylia is slightly convinced for she has witnessed his magic first hand.
"Why do are you so attached to Gloom?" she asked again.
That very moment, Harley is thankful that Angela is there to talk with the dark magician.
"It has been my companion ever since I was a child. It gave me the comfort I long for," Lylia openly replied.
"Lylia," Harley suddenly called out which startled the magician. "That pet of yours can travel through space and time, do you mind sending him off to where the others are?"
Lylia scoffed and looked away from him.
"I won't let you use him after killing the Snores!" she replied.
"You lost, that is the consequence of your defeat. Blame yourself with the loss," Harley said as he tried to snatch Gloom away.
But the moment his hands touched it, an electric shock shot right at him. Every nerve from his hand right throughout his body has felt the electrifying feeling.
"Nobody touches him except me," Lylia said with gritted teeth as she shooed him away.
"Look here, Miss Weird-haired midget, I have to catch up with Harith and the others before anything else happen. Now, for once, try to be useful and do what I say," Harley insisted which even angered the girl.
"Don't order me around as if I was made to be used by you, dumbass. The way you act is not how someone asks for a request. The reason why that moon girl died is because of that arrogant and over confidence you have. Until this very moment, you haven't changed a single bit," Lylia responded as she pointed her index finger on Harley.
The mage could not say anything right back at her for she is totally right. He clenched his fists and whirled back into the woods.
"Hmph! His pride is so high that he could not ask for help politely," Lylia said.
Harley may seem like he did not change at all but he has to mask all his weaknesses. If he shows any kind of vulnerability, it would be a target and it shall become his downfall. As long as he is in the Enchanted Forest, he has to put up a strong front so they could successfully leave.
On the other hand, Harith, Nana and Lolita are still wandering in a maze.
"Argh! This is so annoying! We've been here ten times already!" Lolita stomped angrily.
"We keep on going circles," Nana agreed with a tired expression. Her feet are almost at their limits.
It's impossible for them to overlook the whole maze for the walls are too high to climb. There has to be a way out.
"Is there some kind of spell that could stop this maze from playing tricks on us?" Lolita asked as she slumped. Her legs are killing her.
"Harith, we should go back and see Harley. I'm really worried about him, plus, it would be much better for us to stick together to avoid another loss," Nana said but Harith did not listen to her.
He focused his magic in detecting where the wind is coming from. That way, they could find their way out.
"Hermes, keeper of what disappears,
hear me now, open your divine ears,
what is lost, I now wish to find,
help me stop being blind,
Direct me to what I seek,
By fire, air, earth and sea."
Nana was a bit captivated for it is her first time to see Harith chant a spell at a close range. She had seen Harley casts spell before and she had always been awed by it, but Harith gives off a different feeling. It was calm, peaceful and comforting.
Lolita noticed how Nana's eyes are glued at their male companion. Ahe smirked and nudged the pink-haired Leonin on the shoulder.
Nana came back to her senses and stuttered.
"Let's go," Harith said as they run towards the west.
"Why didn't you cast the spell in finsing the way out earlier?" Nana asked as she ran behind him.
"I was trying to recall the spell. I ain't like Harley who could remember a whole chant within seconds," Harith replied.
"Stop!" he suddenly halted. Nana's ears twitched as she heard some eerie echoes.
"Damn it," Harley cursed, "Let's hurry back!"
With the panic and rush evident in his voice, they all turned and dashed back to where they used to start.
"What happened? Is the spell wrong?" Lolita asked.
"Hermes showed the wrong direction, he's playing tricks again," Harith replied.
"Hermes?" Nana questioned.
"He's a god. He could either be of help or not, unlucky for us to be toyed by him," Harith replied.
"Nana!" a faint echo was heard.
"Is that Harley?" she asked as she sharpened her hearing.
"Nana!" the voice repeated.
"Harley, we're here! We're stuck!" Nana replied.
"Of course you're stuck," a hoarse voice remarked and as they face the newcomer, their hair stood at its end.
"Is that a minotaur?" Nana asked with a soft voice.
"It is," Harith replied and each them the bull takes, the ground shook hard.