The War Within

Chapter 8

Blocking out all sounds, I focus and lock my eyes onto the words in the book again . I had been reading for a couple of hours and nothing had caught my eye. "Next book" I slammed the book in my hands closed. It let of a loud echo into the cave. How bothersome. Placing it next to the rest of the ancient books I read. I flicked open the next one. As soon as I flipped to the first page. Something caught my eye. It was the map of our nation. But there were kingdoms and lands I had never seen before on the castle maps. Was our kingdom hiding something? Were there really other lands that are owned by other Kings and Queens? The kingdoms seem to be located on the outskirts of a forest I never heard of. "The lazuert Forest?" I mumbled to myself. "The lazur.. What?" Anakin claps his hands together as he walks into the cave. "Its a forest. For your case, A bunch of trees and shrub squashed together" I rolled my eyes. "No need to get quirky your highness, I was only asking." Anakin squats down beside me, leaning over as he tries to get a better look at the book. "And I simply replied" Not looking at him. I quickly flicked through the pages till I found what I was looking for.

"The Zaet kingdom? I've never heard of it" Anakin read over my shoulder. "Neither do I," I shuffle, it feels weird when people read over your shoulder. It made me feel queasy. Like they are judging everything I read. "That's why i'm reading it." Shuddering of the feeling; awkwardness. I continued to read over the many pages. Each one with more and more writing than the last. "Aha" I finally reached what I wanted to know. I began to say aloud- "The kingdom of Zaet is also formally known as the kingdom of Angels. They are fierce leaders, but they also have no allies. Since they are an independent and self trusting tribe." I sigh. Wow. "Self trust my ass. They are enemies." Anakin scoffs. Why would Angels be his enemy? He's just a guard.. Wait.. Is he? "Shoosh your mouth," I return his glance then begin reading again.

"They are pure good and allow only people who have light in their hearts into their kingdom. No mortal with even a drop of demon or dragon blood can't pass into their kingdom." I lift my head from the book and look at Anakin's mortified face, "That shouldn't be a problem for us now will it?" Chuckling nervously he gulps, "Course not." Weird much. "That's about it, and their weapons are made out of pure light." I rub a gentle hand on the page of the weapons. I sigh. "It's swords, bow and arrows, axes, all the mortal kind of weapons with light in it, basically."

For some reason each picture of the weapons reminded me of the shadow weapons. Deadly tools used by the shadowhunters, only they can wield them. They were gastly painful to be attacked by. The shadows that surround the weapons burn awfully. But not scorch marks are left on the skin. Were these weapons the exact same? Maybe different properties? "I'm sure it will serve us no trouble" I mumbled uncertainty. I might have to act wisely on this next stop. Don't want any more trouble. Finally closing the book. I looked back up at Anakin. "I think it's best if we get some sleep. We can began our travels tomorrow. In the light." As if it was perfect timing, a large yawn made its way out of my mouth "Alright goodnight." He says. I curl up into a ball slowly closing my eyes I feel a body against my back and I freeze. "Move back Anakin, no touching." I growl. He shifts backwards so I turn my head and look at how he's curled up in a ball with only his black hair showing. Cute. Wait why did I just think that?! Ugh. Anyways. "Goodnight."
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I had a restless sleep. Tossing and turning all night long. It wasn't that I was uncomfortable. It was more than that ... I had a bad feeling. A feeling which had my nerves on fire. My body is tingling and my is heart beating faster every second. The feeling of a gastly presence lingers on my heart. I don't think we're alone... "Anakin... Wake up" I begin to shake his shoulder ruthlessly. He groaned in response. Wow. Not a morning person I presume. Looking over my shoulder, I gulped. Shaking much more rougher. "Anakin. This is an emergency." at that, his whole body flung upwards and he was in a battle stance. His hands clenched tightly into fists. He glares at me. He blinks. Once. Twice. Thrice. "Liora...?" he spoke. Awareness in his voice. "What the hell are you doing? This is no time for jokes..." He said in a hushed tone. "I'm not joking." I glared at him. Locking eyes. His eyes held fear... and confusion. "What do you mean..." He spoke louder. I brought a single finger to my lips. I could almost swear I saw his pupils turn into slits.

"I had feared this would happen but I didn't actually think it would." I couldn't help but look around at the cave. "What would happen..." Anakin mumbled. "We're not alone... at the moment we are... but have a look. Freja" I called out to my dragon. Who was also awake. Flying over, she perched herself on my shoulder. With a shudder she puffed out a fire ball. Which flew over into the depths of the cave. You could hear the echo as is bounced onto something. And within a matter of seconds the cave was lightened with light. Blinding light. It wasn't that warm feeling, but the miserable one. Shivers went running up my spine. The source of the lights weren't crystals even though they were transparent and glistening. "Pabetl Eggs...." My gaze shifted to Anakin. "Uh did we read about that.. the parabetl thingy." He gulps. "How do you know what it is anyways?"
Sighing, I lower my voice. "It doesn't matter how I know about them, what matters is being as quiet as we can and getting out of here as soon as possible." I whisper because raising my voice even once, no matter how annoying Anakin is, is a stupid idea. The "beast" is sleeping. I hope. "Alright well can't we just walk over to the entrance of the cave and just get out of here?" Anakin questions and starts to make his way towards the cave entrance. No. I put a hand on his shoulder, forcibly pulling him back, "No Anakin, it senses even the slightest movements, don't move or else you will wake it . Please just for once use that brain of yours." I lower my voice and mumble , "If you even have one."

"Heard that." A deep blood curdling growl escapes from the back of the cave. My hairs stand on end as my eyes widen. Oh no. It's too late. It's awake. A creature, I've only ever heard of but never seen, emerges from the darkness of the tunnel. It glowing blue eyes is the first feature of its body I see , but when I saw its overall appearance I could have fainted if I wanted to. But no. Princesses don't faint. Total Lies. Anyway. The pabetl reminded me of a large caterpillar. Instead of a hairy body, it has plates of transparent armor. Like a shell, it protects the Insides. The legs, the load of hundreds of legs stick out from each side. The entire beast itself reminds me of a crystal ornament. Its transparent, it glistens and it just looks like a damn jewel. An ugly one.
It's mouth is oozing black spit, I don't wanna be near it if it roars. They are known to be able to 'roar' it's enemies head's off.

The low grumble snapped me back into reality. As much as I want to study the details of this horrific monster. I would prefer run. "Ok. You can run now." With heads high and an invisible tail between our legs. We bolted like our lives depended on it. Because they did. "Anakin!" I yelled over my shoulder. I was now aware that the Pabetl wasn't chasing us, it was digging after us. "Quick, Move to the left" As soon as I commanded that we both lunged to the left side of the cave. Why was this cave so fricken large. A few milliseconds after, a large crystalized body spurted from the ground. With a large earthquake 'crack' the beast began chasing after us. Damn that thing can run. A small lump was caught in my throat. Taking a peek, I noticed Anakin also wouldn't be able to sprint the rest of the way. It looks like it was time for plan B.

"Anakin, Get ahead of me!" I didn't see or hear his reaction. But soon enough he lapped past me. "Now get out of here" Shoving him, I did a full rotation. Facing the ugly brute. Gulping. I ran towards the creature. I watched as the top half of the body began to raise and the razor sharp legs swiped downwards. Ducking, I slid across the floor. I watched as another leg came down and I dived over it, rolling on the ground as I hit it.

"Opazey" The simple word brought chills down my spine. As along the centerpedies. I grinned shortly after as I watched Ice began to clamp the centipede's claws to the ground. It wouldn't last long. "It's a frickin five thousand legged drill, I'm not going anywhere your highness." Anakin folds his arms near the entrance. "Freja" I spoke to the small dragon hurriedly. She nodded her head and took of. Forcefully grabbing Anakin's shirt and dragging him along. I watched sadly as he flailed his arms around uselessly. A loud crunch had my attention back at the beast. The ice holding it in place was melting. "I forgot this creature's body is like a volcano!" With a squill. I took my chance and ran as fast as my short legs could carry me. This thing was mad.

As I got closer to the entrance I could see a small figure. Anakin. "ANAKIN JUMP OF THE CLIFF." I boomed out. "Are you crazy!" I could hear him. I ran faster, Knowing the creature was just behind me. Panting loudly. I got closer and closer to the entrance. "Just do it idiot" I could now make out his shocked facial figures as he also began to scurry away. Closing my eyes for a blink second. I got a sudden burst of before death energy and pushed my legs to move faster. Damn I can run.

I was now at the mouth of the cave. I noticed Anakin near the ledge of the cliff. Mumbling about nonsense. Looking at the monster behind me, My jaw dropped. Where did it go? Not wanting to find out. I reached Anakin and pushed him over the ledge, holding onto his torso. We were beginning to fall. A second later rocks began to rumble as the creature stuck it's build from the cliff side. It took a swipe. Then another one. I heard my shirt give a loud tear as pain ruptured my back. I let out a small cry and held onto Anakin. Who seemed unaware of what was going on. "I'm going to die.. And I haven't even gotten to kiss you yet." His mouth moves but nothing seems to come out. The winds too loud out here and the thudding of my back makes it harder to concentrate. The Pabetl seemed to have lost us in the fall. I blinked back a few tears. I could see a river getting closer and closer. The last thing I remember is Anakin holding me tightly. Then all goes black.

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Carlos Pov

I had just completed my task of hunting some Deasling. The small birds were difficult to find and only lived around the cliff rivers. Strolling down the bank I watched as the world moved around me. The river flowing north and the tree's bending over in the wind. Halting. I blinked a few time. Tilting my head, I noticed a large figure in the distance. Maybe it was a free kill? Smirking at the idea. I moved a bit faster. Shuffling in the muddy dirt. I held my bow tightly as the shape began to become more clearer. It was no animal. It was... A boy? He seemed to be holding onto something. Furrowing my eyebrows. I continued to approach the person until I was standing over them. My shadow looming over their figures. Yes. Theirs. In the boy's arms was a girl. Huddled tightly to his chest. What happened to them?