ToA: Novice

Chapter Eight

Author's Note: Pointing out any grammar/spelling errors is much appreciated! Constructive criticism is welcomed too.

Fun fact about this series is that it was started towards the end of 2015 and finished around early February of this year.

Rereading certain paragraphs makes me cringe, either because of the weird wording or grammar errors. But it tells me I've grown as a writer, so I think I'll keep them in here.

... anyone smell the distinct laziness?
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Leeanna trudged through the desert. As she moved, her thick black clothes attracted the stirred up sand like a magnet. She squinted against the never ending dunes that rose and fell and stretched out along the horizon. Miue sat on her shoulder, wilting from the unwavering heat of the mercy less sun sitting high above them. Natalia walked beside her, silence filling her usual prim and lively dementor. Jade turned back to look at her. He didn't say anything; the two exchanged a silent, bitter stare before looking away.

Baticul had been a mess of things. They arrived at the castle with an unwelcoming surprise. Mohs was already there, whispering in the king's ear, and the God-General Dist was leached onto them both like a parasite. Ever since encountering them, the group hasn't been the same.

Ion had gone with Mohs back to Daath, but not before relieving Anise from her position as a Fon Master Guardian. Natalia, who was believed to be dead after the destruction of Akzeriuth, was accused of being an imposture among royal blood. Supposedly, her true name was Meryl. The real Natalia was a stillborn. Luke had confessed and taken the blame for the destruction of Akzeriuth, the mining city, since his hyporeidence was indeed the true cause. This only made matters worse. The two once royal members of the Kimlascan family were sentenced with excitation. No trial would be given.

Asch was also there in Baticul, but not for the reasons Leeanna expected. He had issued a plan to counter Mohs' cruel authority to fulfill the world with an already thrown off Score. Asch rallied the townspeople and Duke Fabre's White Knights to help Natalia and Luke escape the city. Natalia's safety was what fired everyone up. The thought of her not being the true princess was unimportant to them. Many didn't even know what Natalia looked liked, but with the past good deeds she had done to aid the city and common folk life, they didn't care. She was the true princess in their eyes, no matter her hair color or looks.

In all the confusion that still spun her head in circles, Asch told Leeanna to flee with Luke. She didn't put up much of a fight. With all the commotion, Leeanna merely nodded her head with her tail tucked between her legs. She had never seen so much fighting, so much spirit, so much hollering and chanting. It was another world completely foreign from her own.

Now, with the wind as the only source of noise, all seemed calmed. But seemingly unfazed by almost dying, Luke sighed as if there wasn't a care in the world "I wish Asch could have met us in Chesedonia." he looked at Leeanna and smiled. His attempts to make any kind of conversation with her so far have failed. This one was no different. She simply looked at the older teen with a blank expression before turning to watch the wavering path ahead. Her mouth felt too dry to talk anyways. An invisible hand gripped her throat like a vice.

Asch had contacted Luke. Leeanna wasn't exactly sure how, but he said to bring her to the Desert Oasis. Hour after hour Leeanna's feet sunk into the sand, only to be pulled out again and again. Sandstorms slapped her face wickedly, the sun burned her exposed arms and face with fire. She hated the desert. She hated this running around.

Finally, a small speck in the distance, similar to the Tartarus, morphed into tan bricked buildings and lush palm trees. The sight made Leeanna want to cry. She quickened her pace, almost collapsing to her knees as the sand shifted beneath her shaking legs. But her determination shone through, as did her use of fonic artes.