Falling for the Olo'eykte

✧Chapter 21: Maybe it's time to leave

Neteyam's POV

"Azura!" I shouted as I ran towards her defenceless figure lying on the ground. Kneeling, I carefully took her head in my hands and rested it on my lap. A drop of blood slowly fell down her forehead, leaving a trail of its way. "Lor syulang, please wake up!" I begged as I rocked her body side to side. "Open those beautiful eyes" I continued, but it was useless.

A burst of strong and deep laughter suddenly interrupted my actions. "This is pathetic" Quaritch spat out while walking to us. "Does she really believe she can protect her people when she can't even defend herself?", he rested his hands on his belt and licked his lips. "I hope this little play has shown you what happens when you decide to disobey me. Doesn't matter where you go or who you ally with, I will always find you"

The colonel turned to leave, yet before he could take another step I spoke. "You have no idea what you are talking about. This clan has more strength than any I have seen before. Their unity and their values are what makes them invincible" I said with rage. Slowly, Quaritch turned half of his body to stare at me. A sickening grin appeared on his face as he raised his eyebrow.

"And who is going to lead them? Mhmm? The worthless fool lying before you" he sneered. "Do not dare talk about her like that!" I defended the innocent and unconscious female. "You know nothing about her Quaritch. Azura is the most caring, strong and brave leader her clan has ever had. She would do anything for them, even if it meant dying to save her people". Shaking my head from side to side I pointed in his direction, "So I will never allow you to look down on her. You hear me?"

"Wow. Sully's son got some balls" he said with his hands in the air, "But that won't save you from me". He snapped his finger to indicate the members of his squad to pick up the others and to start leaving. "Hear me out and do it carefully, because I won't repeat myself", the colonel stared into my eyes and knelt in front of me. "Hand over your family before tomorrow's eclipse and I promise her clan won't suffer"

He stood up and walked towards where his squad had gone, "Do it for her. Don't be selfish and make her lose her loved ones just because you love her, just like your father did to your mother". And with that said, he left, leaving the place where chaos erupted a few seconds ago in complete silence. I could only hear the sound of his footsteps as he walked away, less and less audible.

His last words repeatedly hovered through my head, speeding up my breathing to the point where my vision blurred and I was short of oxygen. With my hand on my chest, I tried to control my breathing so it would return to normal. Right now I had more important things to deal with than the threats of an old and vengeful man who was completely out of his mind.

Looking back at Azura, I rested my hand on her cheek and caressed it softly. "Azura please, I need you to open your eyes", I felt tears in my eyes at the thought of her not waking up. "I don't know what I would do without you by my side" I continued while taking her hair out of her delicate face. "You have brought the light back into my world when there was nothing but darkness"

I kissed her forehead, "Don't leave me my love" I whispered into her forehead as my tears ran down my cheeks. Seeing she was unresponsive, I took her in my arms bridal style and headed for the river as fast as I could. As I ran through the forest, I could feel the branches of the plants tearing my skin and the pebbles on the ground against the skin of my feet. But I didn't care, all that mattered to me in the moment was Azura's safety. 

When I finally reached the river, I laid her body meticulously on the floor with her head near the water. Filling my hands with water, I started to clean her wound while I watched the path of dried blood on her forehead fade. When she was clean, I took a leaf I found nearby and made a basin to fill it with cold water in order to refresh her body so she would regain consciousness.