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Chapter Four

Ixal pushed open the door and outside was burning crimson. Flames had almost engulfed the entire village in such a short time. The six stared speechlessly at the dreadful view, especially Ixal and Isri, their expressions had a mix of hatred and agony.

"Ixal..." Axvel muttered.

Klapse had growled and snarled at the fire enraged, but helpless and unable to do anything about it.

"We should get out of here! What are we doing?" Sayrim shouted, awaking the group from their silence.

"Hurry!" Sayrim repeated herself, this time much louder.

The group made their way out of the cottage and started running towards the forest, only to be spotted by their attackers, sending two after them, they accelerated much faster, as Ixal pulled out his bow and aimed at one of them, killing him on the spot with his arrow. Preparing to pull out another one, Axvel held out his staff, mumbling a spell and a blast of ice had escaped his staff, directing it at the other attacker, knocking him out and causing him to shriek noisily.

The clamor of the villagers slowly drifted further and further away, until they could not be heard at all.

The group had halted to a stop, taking a break, but they were not safe yet. They were now surrounded by the somber dark forest and clouds had drifted over the moon, as complete darkness had fell upon the area.

"Ixal!" Isri called out to him. Her voice sounded like a wail and her usual soft voice was now strained from the fright and the loss. Ixal embraced her, as the others watched wistfully, unable to form comforting words for the siblings. Isri had sobbed into her brother's grasp, unable to pause, even for a slight second.

The group had been silenced after Isri's cries had finally came to an end. The forest was too cold and bitter for them to bare but going onwards was too risky.

"Who were those people?" Xenovix asked, breaking the silence.

"Shadow Flame Cultists, also known as Fire Elves." Axvel replied.

Xenovix turned to look at the muted siblings, their expressions were as dull as ever. Xenovix glanced over at the direction they had came running from, as hints of glowing flames were spotted in the far distance.

***

The sun rose from behind the shadows of soft murmuring trees that managed to peek through leaves and shine upon the group that had barely caught up with their sleep. Axvel had awoken first, shading his eyes from the beaming sunlight. He stood, picking up his staff as he navigated the place, making sure no unexpected and unwanted guests had arrived.

"Axvel?" Isri's delicate voice had interrupted his thoughts as she stood up from her spot, making her way towards the wizard who had flashed her a courteous smile.

"I think I know where we should go."

The company had lit up a sizzling fire that was made by Axvel's staff, despite the morning sunlight that burned furiously down at them. Xenovix gazed longingly into the luminous flames as they danced along with the fragile breeze. A faint image was seen in the docile blaze. He stared long and hard and before he knew it, it slowly departed. His eyes followed the smoke that had drifted away with the wind.

"We should get away from here, the more further away, the better." Axvel claimed, as he watched the trees rustle softly. "It will be dangerous here if we stay any longer."

"Where are we going?" Sayrim questioned, tying a red ribbon around her charcoal hair.

"The elves' territory should be fine."