Allegiance

Chapter 42

Tessia stepped through the portal of the floating castle, entering Xyrus City. Night had fallen, and there wasn't a cloud in sight, providing a clear, beautiful, starry night with a full moon, giving ambient natural light.

Tessia relaxed as the hard part was over. She was a little nervous that the human guards would begin to question her, asking who she was or where she was going. But to her dismay, they didn't ask her a single question when she requested they open a portal to Xyrus City. However, she supposed getting into a secured floating castle would be more challenging than leaving one.

Sensing Aya and Sylvie behind her, Tessia began to walk away from the portal, wanting to get well out of the guards' ear and eyesight before Aya and Sylvie became visible. Once the portal was well out of sight, Tessia stepped into an alleyway, ensuring it was empty with her sensory magic.

After ensuring the alleyway was void of anyone other than the three of them, Tessia turned to face Aya and Sylvie, deactivating her necklace and taking her elven form. "It's clear."

Aya waved her hand, dispelling her illusion, and became visible right in front of Tessia's eyes. Sylvie jumped out of Aya's arms, shaking herself off.

"Alright, Sylvie," Tessia began and looked out to the entrance to the alleyway, expecting Sylvie to start walking. "Lead the way."

"I will," Sylvie replied as she closed her eyes and concentrated. "But first."

Tessia's and Aya's eyes snapped to Sylvie, seeing her begin to glow brightly with a golden hue. Surprise washed over Aya and Tessia, not knowing what was happening, and they both took a few cautious steps away from Sylvie. The golden light subsided, and Aya and Tessia looked to where Sylvie was previously standing and froze.

Aya's and Tessia's eyes went wide, and their mouths agape, completely stunned by what or who stood before them. Gone was Sylvie in her fox form, replaced by a girl who looked no older than eight or nine, with yellow eyes and long, choppy pale wheat hair, wearing a simple black robe. However, the most notable feature was the two black horns jutting out of the side of her head.

"By the stars," Aya breathed out in disbelief, thinking her eyes were playing a trick on her.

"H-How... S-Sylvie?" Tessia stuttered, making sure it was really her.

Sylvie didn't respond as she held up a finger and looked deep in thought, nonverbally telling Tessia and Aya to be quiet. Sylvie was utterly still for a few moments, focusing on her presence. Aya and Tessia shared a baffled look, wondering what exactly was going on and who Sylvie really was. Aya and Tessia felt Sylvie's presence slowly fade away until they couldn't detect her.

Sylvie let out a stiff sigh, like she had been holding her breath, and looked at Tessia. "Sorry," Sylvie said with a toothy grin. "I had to make sure my presence was hidden before we continued. But yes," She motioned to herself, "I am indeed Sylvie."

"How?" That was all Tessia managed to say.

"I'll explain on the way," Sylvie said hastily, her smile fading. "Unfortunately, we don't have much time, as I can't stay in this form for very long."

Tessia nodded, and she and Aya flew after Sylvie as she burst high into the air and began to fly toward the Leywin estate.

"So, I bet you have a lot of questions," Sylvie began as they flew through the air, the wind washing over their bodies. Sylvie looked between Aya and Tessia, who nodded. "Well, I'll explain everything, and you can ask questions afterward," Sylvie said, looking forward.

"First and foremost, I am an Asura," Sylvie began, and Tessia and Aya looked at her with surprise.

The Asura are a species that the inhabitants of Dicathen regard as legendary deities. They are incredibly powerful beings that some even worship. There have only been a handful of occasions when an Asura has interacted with the Dicathen races, and neither Aya nor Tessia expected to meet one.