SECRETS OF EXOCLYUS

11: OLD ALLIES AND OLD WOUNDS

"Why isn't she waking up?"

"Because she's clearly very tired, Usgard."

"But I've tapped her like seven times."

"Yes...that is concerning."

"And she's snoring so loud I thought you transformed again."

"She's also drooling."

The last comment woke Stella up immediately, she sent glares at the men looming over her, then slapped Usgard's ankle in anger, causing the giant knight to keel over in pain.

"Owwww! What the fuck was that for?!"

"You don't watch a woman while she sleeps!" She snapped. "And you do not comment on her sleeping habits!"

"Koma mentioned your drooling!" He shouted back. "Why don't you hit him?"

Stella turned to Koma not sure whether she was actually going to do it, then she noticed his appearance had changed. A lot.

His almost waisted length dreadlocks had been cut to the point that they only fell across his forehead, and his sides were trimmed down neatly. His beard was also shaved, leaving only a small patch of it on his chin.

"You cut your hair...why?" She asked.

Koma ran a hand through the short dreads. "The incident in Luro probably has me on hunter boards across the country by now. If we're to move around I need to look different and avoid detection. Even though killing bounty hunters would be more efficient."

Stella admired his foresight, although she was a bit worried at how he found the idea of murdering anyone who got in their way easier. She wasn't trying to drag attention to herself, and Usgard probably won't allow unnecessary killing considering he's still a knight of the kingdom.

"We'll give you some time to get ready." He walked off with a limping Usgard and Stella cleaned herself up then joined the two men waiting for her.

Together the three walked out of Nevcram forest and to the steeds that had been safely kept within a large barrier spell that Usgard had made on their first journey here. The two horses backed away at the sight of Koma, either because of stranger danger or most likely because they could sense the beast within him.

"Easy, girl." Stella soothed her stallion. "He won't hurt you, right Koma?"

Koma gave no reply, which didn't help in reassuring her mount. She rolled her eyes at him then pulled out the torn map piece that had been stored in a small glass case since she left home. It had barely seen the light of day these past two years, only bringing it out when she needs a reminder of the mission.

And now it was finally going to be used.

Finally...her journey for justice...for revenge could begin.

She opened it and got out the little torn piece of paper inside, its age showed through its yellow tint, but it was still held firmly together by magic.

She handed it over to Koma, who pressed his fang against his thumb in order to bleed, then with he pressed the blood against the paper and the results were...nothing.

Nothing happened. No grand light, no sound, nothing. The paper remained the same, only with a smudge of red on it.

"That doesn't seem right." Usgard remarked.

"No." Stella quaked. "No, no, no, no. It has to work, it has to be god blood, it's how the legend goes, it's how it's supposed to work. Why won't it work? The map is supposed to show itself, why isn't it-"