With Cale's words of 'popping portals' echoing in her head, Alex narrowed her focus and aimed for the small black portal ahead. She gripped her sword tightly as she flew towards it, repeating "just popping portals" under her breath to stay calm.
As she sliced through the portal, a surge of power rushed into her sword and then through her body. But she stayed steady and focused, reciting the mantra until the energy subsided in her mind. She had popped a second, then a third, when she saw it.
The flare.
The Adversary's mark on her chest shot an icy spike into Alex.
It has to be bad for Rile to use the flare.
They had a limited supply of flares from Earth and they were only to be used in extremis. While it only took one speed burst to reach the smoky trail of the flare, Alex had no time to recover for another when she looked down at the two figures below her: Tida and Rile.
Alex tackled Tida to use her as a cushion against the hard cliff wall. After they came to a stop, Alex fought to keep her balance while Tida fell to the ground beside her.
Alex held her sword with a steady hand, the sharp edge pressed against Tida's throat. Her eyes were cold and determined, a glint of vengeance shining within them. "Tida, I am going to execute you," Alex's voice was low and ominous, her words carrying a weight of finality.
Alex's somber voice and face promised death, worse than any shouting or threatening. Tida fired with everything that she had, but Alex anticipated and fired back. The impact of their powers colliding sent shockwaves through the air, throwing both off balance.
As Tida stumbled backwards and crashed into the cliff wall, Alex fell onto the soft sand below. It was all part of her plan - sand was much more forgiving than rock. Groaning in pain, Tida struggled to get back on her feet. But before she could fully regain her senses, Alex was already standing over her once again. This time, she pointed her sword directly at the back of Tida's neck.
"Repent," Alex commanded, her voice filled with a mix of anger and sadness. "I will still kill you, but perhaps it will do some good for your soul in the afterlife."
Tida's piercing scream echoed as a dark portal materialized, spewing black flames that poured into Alex's mark. She fell to her hands and knees, writhing in pain. Tida dashed through the escape route rather than continuing the battle. Alex collapsed on the hot sand, gasping for air and trying to control the burning cold sensation in her body.
Rile: how is he?
As Alex approached Rile's motionless body on the sandy beach, her heart raced with fear. She could see deep claw marks and charred skin where dark power had been used against him. But it was his icy pallor that made her tremble. Summoning every ounce of energy she had left, Alex channeled power into Rile's body and lifted him onto her back, flying him to the infirmary.
In the healing tent, Rile lay on the bedroll, his chest rising and falling in shallow breaths. Alex sat beside him, holding his hand and whispering words of encouragement.
Gabe and Cale entered the tent and immediately went to Rile's side. Cale knelt down and gently checked his brother's pulse, worry etched on his face. Meanwhile, Gabe took a deep breath.
"Alex, I need you in battle," he said, his voice heavy with regret.
Alex's eyes flickered with pain but she didn't look up at Gabe's words. They all knew that Rile would have a better chance at survival if she stayed by his side.
Cale looked torn between helping his brother and serving the greater good. He placed a hand on Alex's shoulder in silent support, obviously understanding the weight of her decision. Gabe also placed a comforting hand on Alex's other shoulder.
Alex leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to Rile's muzzle as he lay unconscious on the ground. She stood up and wiped a tear from her cheek, then turned to face Gabe. "Tell me what you want me to do."
"I want you to take Cale and Ture and collapse more portals," Gabe said.
"Ture?" Alex asked, her voice tinged with surprise.
"He's accepted the risk. I think he's glad for the chance to serve again," Gabe explained.
Alex's expression was unreadable as she replied, "Good for him." She quickly left the tent without another word.
Gabe turned to his brother, worry etched on his face. "Is Alex truly glad for the chance to serve, or is she regretting it?"
Cale shook his head. "I don't know. But let's focus on our fight."
Ture stood outside the healing tent, his youthful aura pulsing with renewed vitality. In one hand, he held a gleaming sword, and in the other, he eagerly reached for Alex's hand.
"I may not be at my best right now," Alex admitted as they flew towards an open portal. "Please don't hesitate to point out what I'm missing."
Cale watched closely, knowing this was another test for Alex to face. But this time, it was much more serious. If Rile died, would Alex become suicidal? She had over less before. Or would she turn to The Adversary once more? Cale prayed fervently that she would pass this test.
Then the Portal Guardian placed a thought in Cale's mind: 'the task will ultimately fall to you, Cale. Will you accept it?'
Would Cale be willing to take on the responsibility of guiding and protecting Alex? It meant giving up his own dreams of having a family and serving Gabe. Clearly, Alex wasn't the only one facing a difficult decision and a potential sacrifice.
Alex flew with Ture and they swept over the circle of small black portals. Collapsing the portal wasn't that difficult and Ture seemed to bear it well. That didn't hold true for the fourth one. But this time, instead of triumph, his face contorted in pain and he let out a groan.
"Ture!" Alex cried out, worry etched on her face.
"We can't stop now," Ture gasped, determination rekindled in his eyes. "Even if it means...my end.".
"Good for you." Again those words, only this time there was a faint tinge envy in Alex's voice.
Ture was unconscious after the next portal, so Alex landed in front of Cale.
"We need to get him to the infirmary," she stated firmly, challenging any objections.
Cale's expression softened as he nodded in agreement. "Good thinking. Let's also check on Rile while we're there," he suggested.
Alex felt a surge of relief knowing that Cale would support her decision. She hadn't used much of her powers, which meant she had plenty left to heal Rile. Cale quickly filled the healer in on Ture's condition, and together they carefully laid him by the blazing fire for warmth and comfort.
Healer Rofe approached Cale without being prompted and shared troubling news about Rile's condition. Alex rushed to his side, her hands glowing with healing energy as she whispered words of comfort into his tympanum and kissed him goodbye.
Cale nodded towards Gabe, indicating that they needed to speak with him for further instructions. They quickly located Gabe and explained the situation at the infirmary, but Alex remained stoic despite their worried glances.
No time for feeling, only for following orders.
Gabe the military commander approved. Gabe her teammate and former lover grieved. Then a horrible thought occurred to him: what would he do if Rile died? Alex would be free for the taking, alone and completely vulnerable. He hoped it wasn't some sort of test.
***
A/N
Dedicated to faithful readers
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Back Home (Edited) Book 4 of the Guardians Saga
Romansa#1 empowerment, #9 superwoman highest rank. Alex and the dragon brothers are reunited on their home world of Olam, but death stalks their every step. Can they defeat The Adversary himself when war breaks out?
