The Chronicles of the Weaver: What is a Beginning? (V4V, C4C, R4R and F4F)

The Unknown(Part 2)

I burst through the other side of the portal, stumbling headfirst, and landed in an awkward heap. Uff, I groaned, spitting grass and dirt out of my mouth. Was dirt supposed to be salty?

"What is it with Earthborns and their effortless grace?" the pale grump grumbled.

Oriden extended a hand, his expression unreadable. I took it, surprised by its strength as he pulled me up. Brushing myself off, I took in my surroundings.

"What can I say? We're just so amazing, right?"

The air was thick, heavy, and sweet, the sky a mixture of blue hues that swirled and danced above me. The trees were taller than any I had ever seen; their leaves seemed to glow from within. Strange, exotic purple flowers bloomed in profusion, their petals a riot that dazzled the eye.

"Well then... I think that's enough gawking for now," he yawned. "You won't have to worry about sightseeing if you keep acting like a tasteless—"

"A tasteless what?" I snapped, finally finding my voice. "Look, buddy, I don't know what you are or what you want from me, but you can keep your snarky comments to yourself."

Oriden raised an eyebrow, a flicker of amusement in his eyes. "Feisty, aren't we?" He chuckled, a low, rumbling sound that seemed to echo through the very air. "Cute. But you know, I don't recall your mate saying that I had to be nice to you. Safe—that's all I promised."

Mate? I thought, skin paling. And humans are the weird ones?

Before I could retort, a series of voices rang out through the forest. Oriden's face hardened, and he quickly pushed me behind him. "Stay close," he commanded, his voice low and urgent. "And whatever you do, don't make a sound."

I nodded, my heart pounding in my chest. I didn't know what was out there, but I had a feeling things were about to get interesting.

The voices grew louder, and soon I could make out the sound of footsteps approaching.

Suddenly, a group of figures emerged from the trees. They were tall and muscular, with skin that ranged in color from deep blue to emerald green. Their eyes glowed with an eerie light, and their teeth were sharp and pointed.

"Scouts," Oriden greeted discreetly.

The figures stopped in front of us, their eyes scanning me from head to toe. I could feel their gazes piercing through me, and I shivered involuntarily.

"What is this?" one of the figures growled, his voice deep and menacing.

"An Earthborn," Oriden replied, his voice calm and collected. "She is my prisoner."

The figures exchanged glances, their expressions a mixture of curiosity and suspicion.

"And what do you intend to do with her? Even you Holders have to obey the law," another figure asked.

"This is none of your concern," Oriden retorted, his voice laced with pure amusement. "My fun... is my fun."

What did that mean?

The figures bristled, their hands clenching into fists. A series of clicks and whistles rang out. For a moment, I thought they were going to ask more questions. But then, the first figure lifted three fingers to his chest. Some sort of courtesy to rank, maybe?

"Very well, great Holder of Usul," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "We shall leave you to your... pet."

The figures turned and disappeared back into the forest, their footsteps echoing through the trees. Oriden flashed me a smile, then to my surprise and alarm, picked me up—princess style.