If Briane had a hard time accepting Blame’s death, it was even harder for him to believe that she was alive. Michelle might be a prick, a freak even, but she would never utter a lie, let alone be firm with it. In truth, that’s what made her so annoying. She spoke of the truth without even toning down. That said, she was the one who affirmed that Blame had turned to ashes right before her eyes.
But if that’s true and the Blame standing in front of them, carrying the wielders they were looking for, then what had really happened?
Briane kept her stares on Blame that whole night. He didn’t speak a word, but he was hoping against all hope that Blame wouldn’t disappear. Berry even nudged him to stop him from eating Blame with his stares. He didn’t listen. When everything was already overwhelming, he blurted out the very question that came to mind, “Why are you alive?”
Such a question only merits a chuckle from Blame, but
“I felt nothing at first, but as I plummet further, everything inside me constricted, like something in there was being twisted. It was the worst!”Sloane and Berry were sitting inside the carriage. Sloane has been talking for about an hour, but she was showing no sign of relenting. Berry merely leaned on his seat, his eyes closed, his hand on his temple. He couldn’t forget the fact that Blame just did a technique Dark had used to eliminate the whole school. As far as he knew, Blame Seirt was famously known for being able to read and manipulate someone’s thought, and never was it possible for a Wielder to shift from one ability to another; let alone have two, so it’s either she was not the real Blame or she’s insanely strong enough to withstand two abilities.He groaned when his head started aching. Thinking was his specialty; however, Blame’s circumstances were just way beyond him.“Hey!” Sloane blurted out.
Z locked herself in one of the tents. She didn’t want anything to do with Sloane nor put anyone in danger, but besmirching the wielder who showed her what it means to live was uncalled for and was, thus, something she couldn’t just overlook. Yes, Kleint murdered a lot of people; however, it was in the name of justice. He did that solely to bring out peace and sentence sinners the ending they deserved. He’s nothing but a hero, a soul that saved a lot of innocent wielders from the hands of those who were trying to exploit them. “The tents will be fixed soon,” said Marjorie silently, sitting next to her. “Was I wrong to do what I did?” Z put her arms on her knees, burying her head on it as she rocked back and forth, trying not to waste any tears, especially not in front of the president. Marjorie sighed. “The thing about words is that they’re either a reassurance or the vessel for despair. What Jane said was wrong, but you can’t say you’re innocent either. You a
“I still think we should check it out more thouroughly,” said Briane as he whipped a thick lasso to the Shorne. It neighed loudly before setting off. Sloane massaged her temple as she leaned on the carriage, feeling exhausted despite doing nothing. “Shut it, Briane! Berry has a point.” She had to shout it over the noise of the Shorne’s gallop. Arguing to wielders whose mind was pretty much set wouldn’t do much good, at least in Berry’s perspective. It would be more like talking to a stone, which was why after telling them they’d be going back to the Plazarium, he didn’t wait for their response and made his way to the carriage. His decision wasn’t groundless, though. If ever they wanted a higher chance of moving closer to the forest, they have to bring with them a wielder who, likewise, could manage an almost invisible attack.
“Troxe,” Z was saying. “It took some of my energy and went berserk.” Z was sitting on the ground with her hands wrapped around her knees, the Shadowests squatting closed to her. Briane just finished telling her the accident two days ago, and, somehow, she had an explanation for it. Though there weren’t human casualties, Blame still thought she’s accountable for what has happened. “Troxe?” Berry looked at her with plain curiosity. “Never heard of it.” Z’s eyes lingered on the cloth coiling on his arms. Sloane followed her stares and found herself shrinking. She still couldn’t get over the fact that they’ve almost died because she couldn’t do what she was expected to do. Why did Berry expect, though? She was a Noble, a mediocre being who would never be able to go toe-to-toe with a Skipper, let alone do something big as saving other Wielders. She tried to apologize, but Berry dismissed it by saying it was his fault fo
“Are we just gonna sit like this all day?” whispered Sloane as she tried to free herself from the rope tying both her arms. Briane sniggered. “I know my back is soft, Babe, but stop rubbing it. It tickles!” “Yuck! Don’t you have any dignity left in you?” The Shadowest were sitting back to back from each other, a rope wrapped around their waists as additional security from the rope on their hands. They were supposed to fight, but Blame thought otherwise, so they just let the Zorpheans took them as they please. Despite them being a traitor, they weren’t crude enough to hurt them when they didn’t pose a threat, though they tied them down in case they showed any signs of escaping. “I do hope you have a plan, Blame. They’re just about five. We can take them down—” “For someone who’s intelligent, you sound dumb.” Z sighed. “Look! I know we’re pressed in time, but this will all be worth it if we get to know who’s controlling these rebels.” “I
“Woah! Is this the place, Briane?” blurted out Slone, her eyes so wide Briane feared it would fall. They arrived at the Forbidden Forest a little bit late. It was dusk; the sky blue tint painting the horizon dimmed to indigo but with the hint of the golden and orangeish explosion of colors as the sun made its way to a deep slumber. If it weren’t through the Zorpheans and Berry who needed to rest, they would have arrived sooner. Though the Zorpheans let them go, Briane couldn’t help but threatened them just to make sure they wouldn’t make a move against them. “Don’t be fooled, Sloane!” said Briane to a hush, focusing his eyes on the scope of the forest. “It’s in that very spot that a man had died by merely standing!” They were at the bushes where Briane hid. Thousands of fireflies were fluttering in the air, dancing with the wind, illuminating the path leading to the forest. The bulb on their butts cradled purple light that flickered madly, its colors reflecti
“Look, Zoriah! I don’t know if you’re messing with me or what. You’ve been whining about not being able to help heroes because you lost your eyes, but here I am, trying to give you a solution for your dilemma, yet you’re outright rejecting it. How thick can you get?” Michelle was sitting on a wooden stool—which was literally a trunk of a tree split into six pieces, its other halves placed neatly in the corner. It was hard for her to take Zoriah seriously, especially when her room was filled with vines of different lengths, acting more like a curtain on the wall. On top of that, there were jars, containing slimy liquid and small parts of creatures she couldn’t distinguish, standing in rows on a shelf that looked as though it was about to collapse. If it’s not through the hole in her eyes, Michelle would’ve thought she’s insane. Well, actually, Zoriah’s insane; insanely strong to be able to live without light. “Respect, Child, is bestowed upon my divinity, for it is wh
“Why are we running again?” said Sloane as she halted, putting her hands on her knees. Despite all her attempts to steady her breathing, she still couldn’t collect herself and she felt as though any moment she’d collapse. Briane smirked as he traced his way back to Sloane who was left behind for about twenty meters. He knew she’d give up soon. They were running at full speed for about twenty minutes, and he was ticking off the time Sloane would complain. “What did I tell you, Honeybunch? Didn’t I say you’ll complain soon?” Sloane glared at him, massaging the soreness of her feet. “You’re just arrogant coz you can use your energy to run as fast as you want—” “Well, do not blame me for your inadequacy. Here, hold my hand.” Briane reached out to her, but she merely slapped his hands off. Fumbling on her feet, biting, her lips, Sloane took a deep breath. “I don’t need your help, and for the last time, boy! Stop calling me names! I am Sloane, and I