The Warlock's Azalea (EDITING) ✔

Chapter 4.2 - Ashes

Chapter 4 – Ashes

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"You... are you the one from another world?"

With four gazes striking her in the middle of the silence, Keir glanced at Aziel. Is she supposed to hide that fact? Or is that something Swai can freely know of?

"Don't worry." Aziel mouthed, which somehow instantly made her stiffened shoulders drop.

Keir faced the kobold, her brown hands in fists in front as if what she was anticipating finally came to fruition.

Keir nodded.

Immediately after she did, Aziel's arm stretched in front of her as the rest bombarded her with questions.

"You're the one with the same energy and value as the stone, then? The key?" The cute little kobold asked first.

Aziel met Keir's eyes. "People in Swai are bound to refer to you as the key because of it." He briefly explained before facing the kobold's big eyes in a low voice. "Yes, she is."

"Is she powerful?" As soon as Altair questioned, he received a tap on his head from one of Jax's arms.

Keir shook her head, her hands gesturing a no.

Jax flew towards her ahead of the others and on top of Aziel's still stretched arm. Her body tilted. "Wow. Does everyone in your world look like you?"

"..Maybe, in a way."

Jax zoomed away from her forcefully and threw a questioning glare at the owner of the hand that pulled one of her arms.

"Hush down, you two." Aziel lowered his arm as Exadrin approached and smiled. "My apologies for the commotion you've encountered us in. I hope you find Staile comfortable so far? Ah, and be at ease—you are allowed to rest when you're exhausted. I'll make sure you get the hospitality you deserve—that's also just me hoping you aren't feeling too heavy with the responsibility." A hand was placed on his left chest, his eyes full of earnestness, its color resembling someone else's bright green eyes.

"Thank you."

A broad six-fingered bronze hand pats her shoulder. "That's the future Elven chief for ya!" She pointed at Exadrin with a thumb.

An obscure hint of red crept on the corner of Exadrin's cheeks. He looked away, lips pursed. "You didn't have to mention that, Hale.." The kobold, Hale, chuckled in response.

She bumped Exadrin's sides with a gentle fist. The two exchanged gazes, later both smiling at each other.

Elves...

"I'm counting on ya regarding the collaboration between our kinds in the distant future!"

Exadrin sighed with a small eye-smile. "Mm-hm!"

"Fufu." The elf turned around to the smug tone coming from the moon jelly. "How sweet."

He rolled his eyes and crossed his arms. "Don't give me that, Jax."

"Tch! Lame! Heirs following their chief's footsteps? Blech!" Everyone shot Altair a blank look, who only crossed his arms and pulled out his tongue.

"It's okay, Alt." Exadrin nodded at Hale's assurance.

"It can't be helped." Two of Jax's arms rose as if imitating a shrug. "Not everyone is as edgy and rebellious as he is."

"Jaxith!" His face heated up. One could almost see smoke coming out from his nose and slightly bent ears full of different types of earrings in gold and a few reds. "Shut up!"