Mirae Walkers

❗Chapter XIV❗

Earlier...

"State your intentions!" A thick accented Mir-Cognate bore his teeth. His foot was still pressed on Keoni's chest, making it hard for her to breathe.

Her vision was beyond cloudy, all she could see were blobs of light in her sight. Any magic left in her body seemed to be harming her. Keoni's whole being felt as numb as rubber. She opened her mouth to speak, but her voice didn't comply.

Kaedin lingered nearby, helpless as the Cognate pushed his knife harder against the soft skin of Keoni's neck. Ryley finally spoke from nearby, though Keoni couldn't see him.

"We don't mean any harm. Izov."

The Cognate glared at Ryley with a look of disgust on his face. "Cheak muhtohiy ajo ew quch punvauvo ij un injaph, Phys-Conidae."

Ryley winced, clearly hurt by his words.. "Please let my friend go."

"She poses a threat." The Cognate answered. "Her ability to bend magic will be taken from her to protect the country of Finx." It sounded like he was reciting it from memory, not from the knowledge of Physcia.

Kaedin stepped forward. "Off her, Poww."

Poww stared in shock at Kaedin. "But... but you..."

"Off."

Poww obliged, stepping off of Keoni and dissolving his weapon into the air. It'd felt so real, Keoni didn't realize it was made of magic.

Kaedin proceeded to tell him something in Miraen, which Poww nodded and stopped shaking.

"Under the law of Finx, I can't let you into the Mirae." Poww finally said. "Even if... even if... umm."

"It's alright." Ryley told him. "Can you send us back? Gently." He added.

"Yeah... I can do that." He glanced at Kaedin one more time before opening a Mir-Gate below them, returning them into Keoni's home.

Keoni was still laying on the ground. Her head felt light, but the dizziness was slowly fading away.

Ryley bent down next to her. "Are you alright?"

"I just had a magic knife held to my throat, do you think I'm alright?" Keoni angrily responded, feeling her neck for any cuts.

Ryley was taken aback at her response. She had never sounded angry. Ever.

She noticed his surprise, realizing how she snapped. "Sorry," She glanced at her hands. "I... my head is spinning." Her vision was still blurry and spotted. It seemed to very slowly fade away, though.

Ryley helped her stand up and lean up against the wall. "Take your time."

He walked into the kitchen, looking for something easy for her to eat.

Caste suddenly flashed into view. The light triggered Keoni's dizziness, and she jumped. "Caste! Don't scare me like that!"

"That's deserved, Keoni," Ryley giggled.

Caste opened his mouth, but a loud rapping on the door interrupted him.

Keoni smiled with elation as Caste jumped from the sudden sound. "I wish that was planned."

"You have to answer the door. You know it's a check." He said.

The mood faded quickly. "But-" But you're a Mir-Cognate.

"Trust me."

Uneasy, Keoni walked across the room, still queasy, and opened the door. Three Mir-Hunters, not bearing the symbol of the Quuarks, rushed inside. Ryley and Keoni rejoined Caste on his sides.