(Character image: Nyx Helion)
I find myself trotting over to where the Nocens are, along with a few locals that they managed to rescue before I can even think of lying down. I'm so tired, but I know I have to help run things smooth before resting.
Shoving the exhaustion down, I square my shoulders and put on a show of swaggering my hips so I can face the terrified villagers. I have to be strong. I have to be strong for them to have someone to lean on.
Trying to emphasise my confidence, I make my blue eyes glow as if they are burning orbs of fire themselves, even if fatigue is burning me from the inside out.
Finally reaching them, I survey my surroundings. All Nocens are safe, as I expected. They aren't the best of the best for nothing.
The sun is setting, and its warm yellow glow is bleeding into the evening, blanketing the forest behind us in golden hues. Everyone is spread out in a grassy plain with evergreen trees granting foliage.
The villagers have mostly minor cuts or burns, and Orpheus and Yrene treat the ones with severe wounds. I can see Yrene muttering some healing spells and Orpheus wrapping bandages and comforting children that are scared.
Aether, my brother, stalks from where he was talking to Nyx (who I don't refrain from scowling at when he locks eyes with me) and looks me up and down.
"Gwyn. What the hell was that back there? How often do I have to tell you not to be so risky? You can't keep ordering us around and try play hero all the time." He says, frustrated. He also makes a show by throwing his hands up in an exasperated manner.
I suddenly have the urge to find out how far my eyes can roll back into their sockets purely to irk Aether even more.
"Funny, I didn't say I was a hero. Nor did I try to be risky. I tried to reduce risks by evacuating everyone before finishing those faeries off. " I say in a matter-of-fact tone. I continue.
"To be honest, I don't want to continue this conversation either, which we have had multiple times before. Instead, I'm going to go to my favorite person ever- which isn't you- and thank her for being a great second in command. Also, because I feel like it." I pause and wink. Turning around, I pat him on the back and go to Valaeri. Thank Gods she's in her human form.
But to my utter disappointment, she's talking to Nyx. Muttering curses to all Three Goddesses under my breath, I saunter and interrupt their conversation. On purpose. Because I'm so lovely, I know. I turn to the beautiful woman and link my arms with hers.
"Hey, my favorite person in this world. What're you doing here without me?" I beam at Valaeri. She had just opened her mouth to reply to me, but Nyx didn't even skip a beat and interrupted,
"See? I'm the favorite. I knew you'd say it one day, Angel. I'm proud of you."
I feel my eyes flare. I settle my gaze on him and glare straight into his depthless black eyes. As deep and black as beautiful darkness.
"I'm not talking to you", I growled. I can't help but hate myself for admitting his eyes were always his most attractive features. I don't hide the bitter tone in my voice either, though. "And I'm not your 'Angel'. You're not my favorite either. I was referring to Valaeri. Not your arrogant ass." I add.
Surely enough, this remark finds its way under his skin, and his eyebrows raise in challenge. I simply blow him a kiss and half-drag Valaeri away from the self-centred bastard.
When we're a good few metres from him, and I'm sure I've gotten rid of his deep reverberating voice out of my head, Valaeri finally decides to say something. Look who's joined the party late. Internally rolling my eyes, I look at her.
Now, I have stated that Valaeri is very pleasant to look at but I never can seem to do justice to her beauty. Her perfectly slim body with curves in all the right places, her almond-shaped dark green eyes and her hair as black as night itself is enough to turn heads from miles away. I'm not kidding. On the rare occasions she chooses to take her human form while travelling, I always spot men and women alike gawking at her. It's almost scary. Almost.
