Embers of Sun and Flame (Fuegoleon Vermillion x OC)

Chapter 7 Stitches and scars

I have already spent too much time grimacing over my own emotions, she thought as she hurried down the corridors of the base, heading towards the courtyard after collecting herself for a moment. But what was the glow that surrounded the base a while ago? I thought that it felt like his mana, but it couldn't have been just his accumulated mana flowing out as a result of waking up, right? And there was... something else that felt faintly familiar. Mixing together with his mana... What was that?

Sounds of battle had echoed in the distance a moment ago, but now had quieted down, leaving only two options: either Randal, and anyone else who might've been breaking havoc around the base, was subdued, or then everyone had died. The latter being a possibility that Solara didn't want to acknowledge, but had to, nonetheless. So, she clenched her jaw, her mind on a straight track to move forward, out of the door and into the courtyard.

Dozens of eyes turned to her, Randal's unconscious body on the ground, restrained, and a small outline of a figure moving away from the base at high speed. Her eyes had just enough time to register this piece of information, her brows still furrowed as she had prepared to be faced with the worst possible outcome.

"Solara aneue!" Leo called out, hurrying to her.

Thank the gods... They're all alive... For now... as the battle isn't over yet. Too much has happened in a short timespan for this to be an isolated event, she thought as she let out a sigh of relief.

"What's going on?" She asked, her gaze settling on Leo as he was closest to her.

"Something happened to Randal. He was saying something like 'us humans need to be eradicated' and then he attacked us. And we almost lost..." his tone grew more silent and strained along with the last sentence. "I wasn't strong enough to protect the squad..." he paused, biting down his molars. "But aniue woke up and defeated him!" His said with his voice regaining a bit of its usual enthusiasm.

Solara's brows fell into a melancholic frown as she placed her hand onto his shoulder. "I'm sorry that I wasn't here when it happened," she stated, sadness and sorrow tugging her heart, while simultaneously denying herself of getting caught up with the mention of his brother. He's right... I should've rushed to them instead...

"Don't blame yourself, my Lady," Gareth said as he approached the two. "We should be able to handle ourselves as Magic Knights. We can't expect to have someone glued to our side at all times," he continued.

He's not wrong, she thought. But I should've come to your aid, rather than his. Even if... But he was helpless in that state. But also, less of a threat. Though also not under attack... after the swords... I just...They don't seem to have noticed the surge of mana that left from me earlier. That's good. She sighed before replying: "That is true, but still I feel that I should have been here sooner," she stated and paused, marking the end of that conversation. "But the battle is still ongoing, and we should see to it."

"Yes. We received orders from the former Captain Vermillion before he headed out," Gareth stated factually, making a tense, forced, grin appear on Solara's face. One that wasn't a result of amusement, but rather that of determination and nervousness. The kind that speaks of unpleasant feats up ahead, feats that need to be completed.

"Then what are we standing here for? We have our orders and we should follow them without wasting any more time!" She called out, her tone growing louder with each word as her posture straightened, readying herself for the battle up ahead.

"Yes Ma'am!" The men replied and saluted, quickly starting to make their way forward.

"Leo," Solara half whispered, half said while still placing her hand on the young lion's shoulder before he could slip away.