Air Kingdom

Chapter 47-Dance

I hit the ground hard on my left side, the explosion causing me to even roll over a few more time. I could barely make out Seiro struggling to get up, but failing. There was a ringing in my ears that wouldn't go away no matter how hard I shook my head. My hands tried to cup my ear to help regain its hearing, but when I pulled away, my hands were soaked with blood. I wiped my hands on the burning sand and tried to half-crawl, half-drag myself to Seiro.

He started talking to me, but it looked like he was only mouthing words. I shook my head and pointed at my ears for him to understand. His gaze went to something behind me and I spun around, ready to sock the Krey in the face.

But it wasn't a Krey. My fist was only a few centimeters away from breaking Serena's nose. She raised an eyebrow and spoke to me, but I still couldn't understand her. I made a few gestures to show her I was currently deaf. Understanding lit in her eyes and she took out a sword. She gently rested her hand on my ears as she healed me.

As always, I felt a wave of peace and euphoria when either Serena or Emily healed me. My hearing slowly came back with each passing second. The cuts and bruises I received from before vanished as well. Serena withdrew her hand and returned her sword back into the sheath.

"Why the hell did do you think running off was such a smart idea, Emma?" Serena shouted at me. I blinked, not expecting the sudden lecture.

"Because it was a smart idea?" I responded.

"Smart my ass. Do you know the trouble we would have to go through to find yours and Seiro's dead bodies? Knowing how damn big that place is, it would've taken a couple of days."

I smiled genuinely. "I know, I miss you too."

She rolled her eyes. "C'mon, let's go tell the others you weren't blown up."

We walked over to where Emily and Seiro were. She was just finishing healing Seiro who looked much better compared to before. Serena nagged us a little more with Emily joining in a couple of times. Careless, stupid, reckless,  and idiot were a few words that popped up throughout the lecture.

We neared the big rock where everyone else and the camels was, receiving sighs of relief. Ellia was the only one who had a frown on her face.

"Aww man...." She complained. "All my hard work was for nothing..."

"What do you mean?" I questioned.

"She was creating your graves," Sam explained to Seiro and I. The illusion had worn off and he looked like his usual self. "Despite the fact that I knew you were going to come out alive."

I looked at the tombstones that Ellia created. At least they looked like actual ones. "You can't always trust magic," Ellia warned. "It could stab you in the back."

"Nice to see you care...." I murmured before turning towards Sam. "Let's go back to Vernon."

Outside of the barrier, a guard was waiting for us. The second he saw us, he jumped up from his spot and ran to Sam's camel. He kneeled before him and gave Sam a hug when he told him to rise. Before we headed in, Sam took down the illusion, revealing the quaint town hidden by his magic. The busy citizens wandering around instantly cheered at the sight of us. They crowded us as we rode down the streets of Vernon. I was extremely content and I could see everyone else enjoying the attention as well. I received many thanks and flowers from kind, weary seniors or even bright, energetic children. At the castle, General Anthony congratulated us on our accomplishment, but his excitement was slightly less than the citizens. The maids swarmed Sam, making sure if he had any injuries or if he was feeling under the weather. The guards stayed on the side keeping a careful eye out for any threats, but they still had broad smiles on their faces. I smiled at the affection Sam got from everyone, even his staff. They all truly loved and respected him.