Synthetic Magic

The Underground

"They're over there!"

We had only been running a few minutes before we were spotted. Tyro and I increased our pace, running blindly through the trees, hoping to outdistance our pursuers. Stray branches beat against our arms and legs as we frantically rushed to escape. My heart beat erratically at the thought of being caught and put back in prison spurring my legs to move even faster. I threw a desperate glance in Tyro's direction his eyes saying what I already knew. It was only a matter of time before we were caught.

Making a split second decision I pulled Tyro behind a large boulder obscured by bushes and trees.

"What are you doing they're going to find us!" Tyro whispered anxiously sweat dampening his thick black curls.

"They'd find us even if we kept running we need a plan," I responded, racking my brain for any possible way we could elude the enforcers.

"We need to hide." I said at last.

"That's never going to work Bella the enforcers aren't idiots they're going to search every inch of these woods looking for us," Tyro retorted.

"Well if you have any better ideas I'd love to hear them!" I huffed throwing my hands up in frustration.

We sat there against the boulder for a moment breathing heavily, listening to the shouts and footsteps of the approaching enforcers.

Well, at least I got to say goodbye to Stella.

"Looks like you two are in a lot of trouble," A voice spoke from above. Both our heads snapped up at the unexpected sound. We scrambled to our feet and searched the leaves above for the source of the voice. 

was this one of the enforcers toying with us....or something else? I wanted to shout for the person to come down and show themselves but I couldn't risk calling attention to our already poorly concealed hiding spot. Tyro clenched his fists and got into a fighting stance while I picked up a hefty rock from the ground ready to do whatever damage I could. If I was going down tonight I was going down fighting.

The figure dropped down from the foliage with the ease and grace of a panther. Not an enforcer like we expected but a woman of the likes I had never seen before.

She had the air of a goddess bold and powerful, the most captivating thing about her though were her eyes. It wasn't unusual for children to be born with eyes of any color especially the Unik but never had I seen eyes with such intensity. One eye was a blue so light and clear it resembled the thinnest layer of ice on a freshly frozen pond. The other eye was a warm amber, it seemed to swirl ever so slightly glowing with the intensity of a dying star. Her skin was dark like cocoa or freshly tilled soil while her hair was jet black and marked with a single stripe of orange near the front of her face.

"I won't waste time with pleasantries any enemy of the palace is a friend of ours come with me and you'll be safe" She spoke her voice low and clear before turning and striding away.

I hurried to follow when Tyro grabbed my arm.

"Bella," Tyro warned his voice tense, "she's a Unik."

"And we're two fugitives about to get captured, we don't have a lot of options right now Tyro." I expressed impatiently before shaking off his arm and taking off in her direction.

I worried she may have strayed too far during Tyro and I's bickering but soon caught a glimpse of her dark hair through the trees. She moved as if she was part of the environment, running and weaving skillfully between trees while hardly even making a sound. Meanwhile, I followed behind her crashing through branches like a clumsy intoxicated bear.

I hoped Tyro had chosen to follow me but I didn't dare look behind me in case I lost sight of her elusive form.

Finally, she stopped in front of a small cave and ducked inside. I followed suit and was quickly enveloped in darkness. I walked a few steps forward trying to see through the darkness when a light sprung to life in the center of the cave. I blinked rapidly temporarily blinded by the sudden bright light. The mysterious woman stood across from me with a huge glowing torch in her hand watching me intently.

"This is your super safe hideout this is no better than that boulder we here hiding behind, the guards will be swarming this place in minutes." A part of me melted with relief when I heard Tyro's angry voice behind me. Despite my decision to follow her I still didn't trust this woman it felt good to have someone in my corner in case this was some elaborate trap.

"You are about to enter a fiercely guarded safe haven can I trust you to keep this location secret." She asked seriously.

Tyro opened his mouth to respond but I cut him off in case he decided to be snarky towards our only chance at freedom.

"Yes," I answered quickly.

"And your friend?" She turned towards Tyro not letting me speak for the both of us.

I held my breath as I watched them stare each other down, both of their eyes filled with mistrust for one another. After what felt like an eternity Tyro uncrossed his arms signaling he had made a decision.

"Yes," He responded coldly.

"If you ever reveal this location to anyone who may cause us harm I will personally strip the flesh off your bones, is that understood?" Her voice was like steel, cold and deadly.

I gulped. "We understand."

She walked to the back wall of the cave and knocked three times before walking to the left wall and knocking another three times.

Tyro and I exchanged a look of confusion wondering what she was doing.

Suddenly the floor in the center of the cave crumbled inward causing light to spill out of the opening and illuminate our faces.

"Welcome to the Unik underground."

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To: the one person that is currently reading this

Sorry for the recent lack of updates I have had midterms and a lot of school work in general for the last month but as things are now finally slowing down I will be back on a weekly update schedule. 

I hope you are enjoying the story so far. Nessa (The mystery woman) is my favorite character and I'm glad I can finally introduce her! 

Have a great week :)