The Unknown Realm #4 (Waverly Stump and The 7 Realms)

XXXIV

"Rhos. Please leave." Waverly entreated.

"And allow this cursed creature take you away from me?" Rhos retorted. His tone was laced with anger and hatred.

"How dare you?" She hissed.

"You revealed that you traveled with a companion and was attacked just above the gorge. Who else could have done it if not him? There is no other possible explanation as to who had attempted to kill you in the deserted island of Etne which is where the ravine trails down to Erci. He left you for dead, Waverly."

"Gātho!" Waverly cried. (Silence)

Rhos ignored her and walked toward Judson, who was still glaring at him. "Even after you attempted to take her life, you still dare to show your face here. Take whatever evil you carry with you and leave this place, or else. . ."

"Or else what?" Judson asked, his eyebrows lifting by a tad.

"I will make sure that you join those fallen Outcasts." Rhos completed through gritted teeth.

By now, both boys stood close together, staring dangerously at each other. Rhos was a head taller, and so he stared down at Judson, but the latter appeared more intimidating widthwise because of his large wings.

"Judson, please ignore him." Waverly cautioned. The inside of her palms felt sweaty, and she remained rooted to the spot for fear that any movement from her would turn the ugly spark between both boys into infinite wildfire.

"Have you not done more than enough harm already?" Rhos went on in a knowing tone, pointedly lifting his chin for emphasis. "I can sense the aura around you. It is vile, abusive and wicked, and it steers you like an uncontrollable chariot. It drives your hand to hurt her, and tell me, how often do you refuse it?"

Judson's eye twitched, but he kept quiet.

"Leave her." Rhos admonished, his voice barely above a whisper. "She is safer here. She belongs with me."

"Did she tell you that herself?" Judson tabled coolly. "Or are you simply delusional as you are daft?"

His tone was calm, but it somehow irked Rhos to fury, and the Gypsie immediately reacted by lifting a hand, but before he could do any real damage, Waverly had appeared next to him and shoved him to the side. Nonetheless, white mist appeared right next to Judson's face and whacked him on his cheek. He flinched and stared at the curious phenomenon that danced before his eyes, until it suddenly drained into his nostrils. Waverly gave a fearful gasp as she watched him visibly struggle with whatever unspoken spell Rhos had cast.

He blinked a few times, shook his head once, and stared at the spot where the nebula had hovered then turned to look at Rhos with a pitiful expression.

"Terrible!" He exclaimed with a tsk.

The courtyard shook to its core as the old tree stump behind them suddenly began to regrow thick roots. They lashed out noisily and grabbed Rhos by his hands and legs. The dead tree grew anew until it was a great sycamore again. It drew Rhos in and nestled him within its branches, but the Gypsie was far from comfortable. He shouted terrified screams, kicking and wiggling, but the sycamore, though immobile, was powerful and much bigger.

"No, Judson. Let him go."

Waverly hurriedly turned to Judson. The latter's angry gaze was fixed on Rhos, but as soon as he saw the tears rolling down her face, he willed the tree to let its victim loose. Rhos fell to the granite ground with an unceremonious thud and a painful yelp. Waverly felt conflicted on whether to go to him, or to remain put. She turned to Judson again and saw that he looked deeply hurt.