Oblivion, A Timeless Void

Chapter 23: The Elven Huntress of Astarot

The world was silent. So much so that one could hear a pin drop onto the soft grass. Even the rain that had accompanied them ceased to fall at some point. Adira had been relishing that silence, wishing the world would just stop and let her be.

On the other hand, all eyes were on Alcestis as she raised her head slowly. Mavis watched as her daughter eventually straightened up and looked right at Izara. She wanted to search for anything to make heads or tails of this wild situation, scrutinising Alcestis in hopes for an answer.

Yet in those wisteria eyes, she saw not a shred of clarity. They looked almost alien. Clouded by an obscure emotion that seemed to elude her time and time again, they became fixed on the elven woman, the thoughts swirling behind them all but unreadable.

Noticing the countless curious gazes fixed on her, after what felt like an eternity, Alcestis eventually broke out into a small, civil smile.

"She knows I figured those dragon shifters out the moment I saw them, so she's mildly inconvenienced. Please, don't pay her any mind."

The Elementals' breaths of relief echoed in the chilling winds. "Then why didn't you say something earlier, Al?" Layth reprimanded, his face stern.

"I apologise," Alcestis replied with that same smile. "I thought you'd brush me off by claiming I'm too young to make a sane judgement. I didn't realise my inexperienced opinion mattered enough to be voiced out loud. This humble one apologises, father dearest."

Sensing the sarcasm in her tone, Layth took a step forward, wanting to lecture her further for her disrespect. However, Mavis freed a hand to hold him back, silently conveying that now was not the time.

Izara, with whom Alcestis had been caught in a staring contest, let out another low chuckle as she finally broke free from Theodore's embrace. "You're a magnificent actress, Ashwood."

Alcestis inclined her head sarcastically. "Much the same could be said for you, Miss Viceroy." Every word she spoke was dense with loathing and meant to provoke Izara and the dragons in presence.

Izara clicked her tongue as an angry smile spread over her lips. This kid was much more annoying to deal with than she'd anticipated. She raised a hand, silently signalling the Draconi to strike.

The fifty Draconian warriors thus surged forth, only to be met with the strongest of the Elementals in their attempt to besiege the baby lamb of the group. Deyanira was the first to intercept them.

As her arms were now healed, the woman found within herself the strength to push forward once again. With the guilt of failing to protect Alcestis, Nikos, Naomi, and even Hugo eating away at her psyche, the fire-headed woman struck true, her blade raised with an elegy sung to the highest heavens.

One after one, the warriors locked blades with her, their inhuman strength overwhelming. However, Deyanira's bubbling rage was a blade sharper than any gift of existence.

Similarly, Layth had taken on a particularly ferocious Draconian. A little farther, Mavis was caught in a dance of swords with Theodore. Even Alcestis had taken up her blade and was felling warriors left and right with surprising precision and just enough force behind her blows as to conserve her energy.

Deyanira wondered when she had become this powerful. Alcestis was surely a quick learner, but wasn't she a lot... weaker than this? Deyanira didn't ponder on it much longer as the Draconian she'd been fighting fell at her feet with a heavy injury, and a new opponent blocked her path forward.

The woman's white wings flared, a shortsword tightly gripped in her hand. Deyanira raised her arm once more, pointing at the woman with the tip of her katana.