Xylia

Twenty Three

To put a not so dramatic end on how things boiled down in the cave, Volkan didn't die... yet.

I spared another glance at my friend who was being herded by Black Beard and friends while Drea, Everest, and I trekked through the forest for spirits knows what.

"Ya better not be playing any games with us," Black Beard warned, giving Volkan a not so encouraging shove.

Drea shot daggers at the action, and I could tell she was barely restraining herself. I for one, was happy that her anger wasn't directed at me... for now. Ever since she told me I was going to cause Volkan's death, we hadn't talked all that much. Surprising I know.

Suddenly Everest stopped, sending me face first into his back. The others stumbled to a stop as well, one Cyran almost dropped the plagued earthborn. I winced internally for the dude, not only was he in immense pain from spirits infesting his body, but now he's being dragged around the forest like a sack of spoiled Cyran potatoes.

Before Black Beard could rush out a slur of insults, Everest whirled on the group. A snarl marred his face, and for the first time since I've met him, I remembered the true intensity of his being. Primal. Predatory. Inhuman.

"You conniving little traitor!" I was so taken aback by his expression, it took a second to realize he was talking to me. Everyone turned to me as if yo say: what'd Xylia do now?

I raised my hands in defense. "Dude, I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about."

His gaze didn't falter. The group took an uneasy step back, and Drea remained eerily quiet. Only Volkan offered muffled protests in his gag.

"You know exactly what I'm talking about, Bellum." He hissed the name out like one would talk about the Beast.

Ahh that makes more sense, my mind rationalized. It was quite easy to get irritated or annoyed at the spirit that resides in me, but it didn't make this encounter any less awkward, considering I was still the one getting scolded at.

Well?? I asked Bellum. Had I been facing him face to face, I would've crossed my arms and done the classic mom look. The one with both hands on her hips, head cocked to the side waiting for an explanation, before delivering the crushing lines of: I'm not upset, just disappointed.

The spirit remained mute, and Everest was still glaring at me.

Come on Bellum just fess up!

Radio silence.

It was Black Beard who finally asked the million dollar question.

"What in the spirits is he talkin about?" Of course he punctuated his statement with a glare at me, like I had all the answers...

I mean technically I do with Bellum, but since someone was being a drama queen, it simply left Xylia as the scapegoat.

Everest's frosty glare remained as he answered Black Beard, and I tried my best not to look offended. Truly I'm the victim here, can't he see that?

"Unfortunately he can't kid", said a familiar voice. But it didn't come from my head.

All heads whipped around to see the infected earthborn smiling lazily. His bloodshot eyes glistened with life. With Bellum's life.

"Bellum, what in the spirits is going on here?" I demanded, a flash of light burst a stone's throw away from us.

"This area is in imbalance with the spirit world. The perfect bridge for my redemption. " He murmured to himself like a madman- excuse me, mad-spirit.