Air Kingdom

Chapter 17-You

There was an ancient cottage, all covered in moss. It looked adorable, just like in fairy tales.

I would have loved to spend the night there if it wasn't for the peculiar aura it was giving off. I didn't want to move any closer to the creepy house. It didn't feel right and was giving a back off feeling.

I grimaced at the sight before me and offered Serena my hand. She gladly accepted and hoisted herself up from her little mud pool. "Ugh. Thanks, Emma. At least someone was helpful." She narrowed her eyes at Ellia who pretended not to see anything.

I wiped my now dirty hand on a tree nearby and took a deep breath in before saying my next words. "Let's go check it out."

A heated debate broke out about who should lead.

No one wanted to let Serena go since she was the healer in the group and if we lost her..... well, you get the drift.

"Fine... fine.....I'll stick in the middle.... But only if I can get out of these filthy clothes."

"Sorry Cleopatra, but we don't have time for that kind of luxury." Ellia joked, finally speaking up, not knowing that Serena was about to explode.

"THIS WAS COMPLETELY YOUR FAULT! IF YOU HAVEN'T PUSHED ME DOWN, I WOULD STILL BE CLEAN!" Serena burst, her cool façade crumbling.

'If I haven't pushed you, we wouldn't have found the house." Retorted Ellia.

They went back and forth, bickering like an old married couple. Emily stepped up and closed her eyes, with both hands closed around the hilt of her sword. She seemed to be concentrating on something dire. At this point, all eyes were on her. Even Serena and Ellia had the common sense to stop their bantering and focused themselves on Emily.

Nothing happened at first, but we all stared at Serena when she let out a soft gasp. Mud was slowly fading from her contaminated clothes and it was gradually returning to their original state.

We all gawked at Serena as all the sludge vanished from her clothes. Emily released her sword and put it back into her sheath. She met our astounding eyes and open jaws. Serena and Ellia had the same reaction as I did, but Seiro had a knowing look in his eyes.

"The hell was that?" Serena exclaimed, snapping us out of our shock. I even forgot about Serena's cussing.

Emily had a blank face on, the same as always.

"What do you mean? I could always do that."

"But-but-but-" I stammered, while Emily continued her explanation.

"My sword can do almost anything. Heal, do mundane chores, grant my allies special abilities, and more."

Realization dawned on me. "That was how I survived the plane crash! You granted me invincibility."

She nodded. "Just for a few seconds though. I don't know how you managed to fly back onto the cloud."

Great. More mysteries. My favorite.

"Why didn't you tell us earlier?" Asked Ellia.

Emily shrugged. "It didn't seem necessary."

At those words, we returned back to our debate and made up a plan. I was going first, then Seiro, Emily, Serena, and Ellia will be watching our backs.

Emily, Seiro, and Serena took out their deadly blades while I nocked an arrow in my bow. Ellia already had her katana out, prepared to slice an enemy in half.

"Yeah, we look badass!" Commented Ellia. I shook my head and murmured, "Language."

We moved in a single line, silent as we crept over to the tiny cottage. If someone was watching us right now, they would be thinking that we were playing Follow The Leader.