LARIAT AND GWYDION.

The old man with an excited face that he couldn't hide like a child when he sees the stars for the first time approached Elise,

-I never imagined seeing one with my old eyes, she really is a Lunar sylph, come here little girl, let this old man see you up close.

- Is she really one of them?

- I can confirm it just by looking at it, you know, "experience supports me"

- Come on, I can't wait to examine it.

They both ran towards Elise who was still a bit dazed on the ground, however, Tylos quickly got in her way pointing his sword charged with light at them.

- Stay away, they won't take her away.

- Calm down young man, it's not what you think, we have no intention of hurting him, why do you think that?

- Do not take another step, or I will attack you.

- You look very determined, but I don't think you want to face me.

- You look very confident; I won't hold back because of your age.

- That sounds nice, but don't be rash.

The old man who had his eyelids almost closed decided to open his eyes a little and stare at Tylos, his penetrating gaze had no lie and was as threatening as a giant beast, but Tylos stared at him with a look even deeper than certainly. It made the old man lose his composure a bit.

- Lariat, in all my life, since the power resides in me, no one has dared to challenge me even without knowing who I am, I don't know if he is very stupid or really intends to duel with me after seeing my eyes, but it is interesting.

- Master, you just saw him in the fight, right? He's not someone normal, and that sword looks a lot like you-know-what.

The sword's energy faded until only the blade remained without any trace of light, then he sheathed it and put it on his back again and told them to enter the cave.

-Very well, I will introduce myself, my name is Gwydion and she is my granddaughter Lariat, and as you can see, we are both magicians, and she is my apprentice, although she will frankly surpass me very soon.

- Don't be exaggerating, Master, nice to meet you, I'm Lariat... well, he just said it...

- My name is Tylos, and she is, eeeeeee what was your name?

Gwydion and Lariat stared at Tylos with a frown, Lariat clutched her head and looked upset with what she said.

-It means that you were going to fight with us to the death for that little girl without even knowing her name, you have to see that there are idiots who do not value her life at all, you would not even have lasted a second against us.

- I'm not so sure about that Lariat, but leaving that aside, something unusual is happening here, could you explain to me why it has that mark on its back? you have done, then tell me what is happening.

- I don't know, I found her injured while walking through the woods yesterday afternoon, some guys were chasing her talking about a trophy or a hunt, I really didn't understand what they were referring to, they thought I was some kind of mercenary too , I kicked their asses and escaped with her, who was on the brink of death, when I woke up she had already recovered, however, even though I got a long way from the site, they came for her at dawn, we fought a bit and those things appeared that they see out there dead, and then the giant that disappeared moments ago.

It sounded like a rather complicated story, was what the wizards thought as they turned to look at each other, then the little girl broke the silence again.

- My name is Elise, and this gentleman saved me and has been protecting me.

So, your name is Tylos, thank you so much for saving me!

Elise bowed her head in thanks and decided to sit next to Tylos, so they all sat down to continue talking about what was happening.

The old man approached Elise and spoke

- There are many things I would like to ask you little one, but this is more important, show me your back please

- Hmm, is it necessary?

- I'll help you if possible.

- OK. Here I go…

The old man's face paled as Elise turned around since her white dress had been stained with blood from the mark, dark and lively hues stained the fabric, it was evident that she had been bleeding for a long time, the question was how she had survived in that state.

Slowly and with great embarrassment she lifted the back of the blood-soaked dress, and immediately Gwydion frowned in annoyance.

- I supposed it, it's about him, but I don't understand it, because he's doing this.

The old man hit one of the walls of the cave making his fist bleed in anger and frustration.

Lariat approached quickly and seeing the mark that was deep in Elise's back he couldn't hold back her tears as he covered her mouth.

-It's horrible, because he does these things… brother… is it really you?

She placed her hand over the mark, and this brought excruciating pain to Elise who began to scream.

- What the hell are they doing… this was what they wanted.

- Relax boy, the process is painful, but it will be removed.

- It can't be, you lie, only those who have cast the curse can remove it.

- That is also true, but there is something apart from what you mentioned, "blood ties", certainly a person with a blood relationship to the caster can cancel the spell, and that will depend on how strong each one is, and how much vital force have the one that was marked.

- Even so, this girl can do something like that? I mean it looks very dangerous and Elise is suffering too much.

Rays began to come out of the mark, something was wrong, no matter how hard she tried she couldn't do it, and the little girl was starting to turn pale.

Damn, because it's not working, and her life energy is running out.

-This is malice, that fool she got into this time, this is inconceivable, she will not resist it.

Tylos, as if he were in a trance, took Elise's hand, and Lariat could feel the enormous flow of energy that was passing through her and the mark began to disappear like a kind of squeak that gradually purified itself until it was gone. there was nothing left.

- Quick, give me something to bandage it with, teacher.

- Here you go, do it quickly while I heal him,

However, the wound began to close rapidly until it healed completely, and it was then that Tylos came to.

- What happened… is she alright?

Both mages were dumbfounded, but suddenly Lariat grabbed Tylos by the neck rather elatedly with a desperate look.

- What the hell was that? that energy almost burned me inside, I had never felt so much power, who the hell are you, explain yourself and that feeling, I can't describe it, is like "falling into the dark towards nothing".

- My body moved by itself.

- Lariat! Enough, this is not the time to argue...

-I can't trust him, take his hand and he'll realize what I'm saying.

- No way, I'm not going to hold the old man's hand, that's weird.

- Ehhhh, it's not like I like the idea either...

The atmosphere of being tense became relaxed, Tylos looked away with a face of little interest and a bit creepy, while Gwydion said: "hey don't look at me like that either, it's not something I want, but let's try" but more They had to shake hands, they looked like they were doing an arm wrestling because the two were red from exerting force, until Lariat gave them both a cane and some laughter was heard in the place, it was Elise who had come to and couldn't contain herself the laughter to see both lying on the ground full of bumps.

- You've woken up little girl, I'm glad the spell is gone.

- Are you okay?

They both came to see her and ask her how she felt or if she was in pain, while Lariat with tears in her eyes about to cry said

- I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, I thought you wouldn't make it, I was reckless, I'm really sorry.

- I'm fine, so nothing has happened, thanks for saving me.

- Thank that weirdo over there.

- Yeah, seriously I don't remember doing anything.

Elise flew over and landed on Tylos's legs, and she put her hands on Tylos's hands and said:

- "They are already two people to whom my life belongs", but if I were allowed to be even more selfish than I have been up to now, I would like to ask them for help, I am a witness of their strength, and that is why I will do what let it be to pay them, please save Alexa.

- That young lady you speak of, where is she, little one, does it have something to do with the mark you had?

- She sacrificed herself so that I could run away, everyone in the town is crazy, they have her, they…I…I'm sorry…I didn't want to run away…then one of them marked me and I had no choice but to escape.

- We'll go, there's someone we're looking for and maybe he's there, but I don't promise you anything.

- I'll go too, I'm better in combat than healing, you'll see.

- The truth is that it's none of my business, but I'm passing through... so let's go there.

And so, the small group set out on the journey taking Elise at her word.