Bad Euphoria 2: The Four Tribes

STROLL

Braxton walked through the palace halls looking for Imani. She wasn't in any of her usual places but he tried to look thoroughly before turning the palace upside down.

He walked into the conference area where Victor and Yannis discussed upgraded security cameras with the guards.

"I can't find Imani. She's not anywhere in the palace."

"What?!" Anger on both the brother's faces showed immediately.

"When did she awake?" Yannis asked.

"This morning, Oliver took her breakfast."

Nathan walked into the room with Katrina on his heels. Since his short encounter with her...She's now become his shadow which of course annoyed him.

"Imani isn't in the palace....Did you see her leave?" Braxton asked, ignoring Katrina's presence.

"No...the last I saw her was this morning. She was getting dressed before I left."

Yannis and Victor stared at him, sensing he knew more than he spoke. Hasani soon appeared observing the discussion.

"I want all the guards on search, tell Fallon to start on the palace grounds....I will go to the border."

"My brother and I will come with you," Victor added.

Hasani watched as they walked out with the guards and Braxton. He soon turned to make his exit.

"I was just angry...I would never hurt her." Nathan spoke, knowing Hasani sees many things.

"You already have, but that's not my business." Hasani walked away, fading into thin air.

While everyone began their search, Euphoria heard the sound of horns coming from the palace but she continued to move forward. The warmth that filled the air grew colder the further she walked. Green grass beneath her feet turned hay brown along the way.

"This is it..."

She walked for another fifteen minutes then stood a few feet away from a trail leading into a spread of dark blood red leafless trees. Spikes of branches pointed to the sky letting peaks of gray clouds show. A deep breath left her lips as she prepared to advance forward.

"How nice...We finally have a visitor."

A low shriek spoke to the right of her. Euphoria could feel the dark energy oozing around the air. The voice was formless.

"Thank you for the warm welcome," she said, still facing forward.

"Sorry to disappoint, but this isn't a welcome...it's a warning. Turn back while you have the chance."

"What will happen if I don't?"

The voice chuckled. "Be my guest and find out for yourself."

Euphoria wasn't shaken as she took a step forward.

***

My heart remained at a steady pace with each step I took. The Demented Woods was eerie but for some reason it also felt calm. As I took another step, I heard a familiar voice.

"Where are you going, Euphoria? Everyone is worried about you."

I turned to see the ever so gorgeous King Hasani standing before me. His golden eyes reflected through the foggy air. A smile formed on my face at his tall stature and breathtaking midnight skin.

"I'm going for a little stroll...no need to worry."

He looked around. "Sketchy place to desire strolling. You shouldn't be walking out here alone."

Hasani turned as he looked around him, his beautiful mid back locs hung over his shoulders.

"I'm a big girl, your majesty. I can take care of myself."

He bit his bottom lip at my words and like lightning, four claws scorched my arm.

"Dammit!" I yelled from the pain as Hasani quickly covered my body.

Whatever just attacked me was not in view but its movements were heard by the slow crunching of nature's debri on the ground. It was prowling.

"I'm getting you out of here."

"No! I am fine." I stood up as the wounds healed.

"I need to find the witch to negotiate so she can pull back her beast from attacking the palace."

"Queen, I don't think the attack was her doing."

Growls began to sound around us so we prepared ourselves for another attack. Hasani's eyes glowed as a large gold machete formed in his hand. He stood in front of me, waiting for the creature's next move.

"I can smell them," he said.

The attacks were sudden with growls and claw swipes coming from every direction. Hasani slang his machete with ease, slicing limbs of whatever came towards us.

Each limb from the beasts that fell to the ground sizzled to nothing as if covered in acid. The grotesque head that fell next to me made me latch on to Hasani's arm. Its face looked melted with an abnormally large mouth. The skin was like gray slime with blisters popping green goo....a long black lumpy tongue hung from its mouth.

"Ugh! Disgusting!" I yelled, kicking it away from us.

I felt the hairs stand on the back of my neck and turned quickly in the direction my back was facing. The creature was already on go when I let out a powerful surge of electric current that shocked the beast in its place.

A shriek rang in our ears then instantly the creature dropped to the ground...black liquid oozed from its eyes and crooked mouth that was full of sharp razor teeth. Hasani sliced the head off the final attacker.

"Are you okay, King Hasani?"

"Yes...Are you?" He asked, eyes still glowing.

"Peachy."

Suddenly, claws came inches toward Hasani's chest. I caught the beast's wrist, shocking it and causing its body to explode from within. We ducked as guts, limbs and body parts flew everywhere....Hasani stared at me in awe.

He definitely wasn't expecting that...

"That was close, huh?" I smirked as we both stood back up.

Hasani grabbed me close then softly kissed my lips, causing me to moan and my body to vibrate. He pulled away and smiled.

"Thank you."

My heart skipped a beat and I blushed.