Stitched Heart

Chapter 20: Precipitously

Gradient and Crescent silently made their way towards the horse. Crescent grabbed the rope and started to guide it back to the stable where it would be safely put back in its stable. As they made their way to the stable, Gradient couldn't help but think of their conversation.

She knew that eventually. She'd convinced Crescent to help her put security around the border. To be sincere. She didn't know what was harder. Convincing him and his stubborn yet sometimes not stubborn at all mind. Or putting up the actual defences without being caught.

Of course, none of the two would be easy. But they weren't impossible so that was able to give Gradient some hope of her plan she was currently building and already creating in her head.

✩•̩̩*˚ Gradient ˚*•̩̩͙✩

"So... your plan is for us two to start setting up traps, leaving things that allow us to know if someone entered the territory and-"

"You get the point Crescent, and lower your voice" Gradient hissed.

Crescent scoffed.

"I know it sounds stupid, I know it's a lot to understand but-"

"What? This is to protect our family and friends?" Crescent grumbled "I bet you're doing this to show that-that... you just want to get into my kingdom's business, so that then you 'must' help me and then we 'must' make an alliance! I bet you don't even care about anyone else, you just want to snoop into everyone's business" Crescent hissed, he knew if he raised his voice it would be suspicious.

"That's not true and you know it!" Gradient said, anger laced her words.

"Oh shut it! You are just faking being our ally, you're actually so annoying!"

Gradient gasped, annoying? What about Crescent with all his stupid stubbornes and all that! But she couldn't say anything else. Her thoughts and words were cut loose. She knew things were about to get bad. Especially if she did nothing.

Tentacles... they went from a dark grey, sprouting from his back and now ripped top clothes. And the tentacles ended in a beautiful cyan colour. Gradients had been carried by them. They had given her comfort. It had protected her. But now... now they were doing the opposite of what they had done the first few times.

With trembling legs, Gradient tried to turn around. Tried to run out of the stable, to cry or scream for help. She would probably look weak and worthless like Cecelia. But at least she actually had a reason. Firstly off, Gradient had never fought against magical tentacles. She only knew how to use the bow and arrow which she currently didn't have in hand.

And since she had no other weapons on her. And hadn't really learnt much about physically fighting. Gradient was dommed. She was in so much danger.

The tentacles quickly shot forward. Wrapping around her body. Tying her arms behind her back, one around her waist and another one around her neck. As if threatening to choke her. He extends one of his hands and grabs her chin. Glaring into her eyes.

Gradient couldn't do much, her mouth felt dry. It was shut tight. What could she do? She wanted to scream but she was curious as to why Crescent had reacted this way. And if they were found like this. Crescent would be in a lot of trouble.

Suddenly Gradient was dropped, Crescent stumbled away. He stared at his tentacles before quickly getting rid of them. They disappeared once again through the halls that his clothes now had. His shirt was ripped, he frowned in annoyance at that but looked over to Gradient. He suddenly started trembling, and slapped himself.