What Lurks Behind The Trees

Breathing

Am I dead? I can't feel anything, where am I? Am I breathing? I think I'm dead, maybe that's for the best, after all... Jase died because of me, so I think it's only natural that death has been chasing me since that very moment. I think it's better this way, maybe I'll see him...

"Alan..."

Aden?

"I don't know if you can hear me, but please don't die... I don't think we can carry on without you,"

What is Aden saying? Of course, they could carry on without me, they don't need me,

"Alan, we need you,"

No.

"Please come back..."

Is Aden crying? Why? Why do I need to go back? I'm tired...

"He still hasn't woken up?"

That's Gregor

"No..."

They both sound really sad, maybe I should just wake up now, but I can't, I can't feel a thing, I can't open my eyes.

"Hey, can I check the bite?" Gregor asked

"Go ahead,"

Gregor unwrapped the cloth around Alan's bite, he examined it, they had cleaned the purple liquid that was oozing out of it, but it was still a nasty black colour.

"Maybe we can pour the turquoise water on it,"

"You can try," Aden said

Gregor took out his turquoise water and poured a bit of it on the bite. Alan twitched.

"He moved!"

"What? Are you sure?" Aden said, moving closer.

Alan's lips twitched, "I can't even die peacefully..." his voice was rough, his eyes were still closed. Gregor and Aden looked at each other in surprise. Alan smiled, "You talk too much,"

"S-so you heard what I said?!" Aden stuttered, embarrassed at what he said.

"Yes, that's very sweet of you Aden," Alan's eyes were still closed.

Aden crossed his arms and looked away, pouting. Gregor looked between the two and burst out laughing. Aden glared at him and shoved him away.

Alan opened his blue eyes and smiled at his friends, he wasn't ready to die, he had to finish this journey with them.

"Stop laughing!" Aden said and Gregor continued to laugh obnoxiously.

"I'm thirsty," Alan muttered, Aden and Gregor stopped their bickering and scrambled to get him water.

"Can you sit?" Gregor asked

Alan sat up with their help and gulped down the water in one go.

"We should get going," Alan said and started standing up but Aden's hand on his shoulder stopped him.

"You need to rest,"

"We can't stay here, the Vonks will find us soon, don't worry I can walk," Alan said, standing up and stretching. The bite was still very painful, he couldn't move his left arm, but it seemed like the turquoise water had really flushed his body from the venom and he was able to move it fine.

"Gather the men, we need to move,"

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"Even though these Vonks are scary, I think they only focus on one person at a time, we only lost one man yesterday," Aden said throwing a berry into his mouth as they walked through the forest.

"Yes, but I think they are the strongest creatures yet, it took all of us to kill only that one, and the killing blow was on his face," Barton said

"I guess the face is their weak point," Rowan muttered, adjusting his bowstring.

"Let's just hope we don't run into another one," another man named Finn said.

The morning always felt more peaceful than the nights, maybe because they could hear other living animals and that made them feel like everything was normal. But they didn't know if the Vonks only attack at night so they stayed cautious and on guard.

"Hey, want one?" Aden offered Gregor a berry, who was too busy tying his hair neatly.

Gregor shook his head.

"What're you thinking about?" Alan asked

"I'm just... so scared, we're so close, yet it feels like we've failed,"

"and why is that?"

"We've lost so many men, so many of the people we promised to take with us," Gregor sighed.

Aden chewed slowly on the berry "From the beginning, this was the wildest idea, from the moment we decided to escape from the dungeons,"

"Yes, I know, and the closer we get the more I'm thinking, that what if in the last second we don't make it, after all this?" Gregor said.

Aden clapped him on the back "Don't worry, I'll make sure you get to your brother no matter what!" he said grinning widely.

Gregor and Alan smiled.

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"So what's the plan?" Dyron asked.

"I'll make it quick because I have to leave," Darren said and Dyron nodded "The queen gave birth to a son a few days ago, so the king has to hold a ceremony to celebrate the birth of an heir to the crown,"

Dyron nodded again.

"On that day, everyone that works in the castle will be busy, the ceremony will be held in the great yard outside the castle where everyone can see, and so the back gates will be guarded by only a few guards. I'll come here on that day, I'll find you some armour as a disguise and get you out through the back gates,"

"Thank you, Darren,"

"Thank me after you're outside the capital, we don't know if we might run into some trouble," Darren said, standing up and making his way to the door.

"I'll be waiting for you on that day," Dyron said smiling.

Darron smiled and nodded before leaving.

Dyron smiled to himself, finally, finally he can leave these walls, finally, he can look for his family. He closed his eyes and rested his head on the wall, exhaling deeply, letting out all the built-up worry and shame.

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"So Rupert is saying that Cedric stole his money? and that he's working with magicians?" Edmund said, resting his chin on his intertwined hands.

"Yes, my king," a masked man said

"I see..." The fire reflected in Edmunds' eyes as he stared at it "... magic, dragons, money."

"It seems like Cedric's pride has finally reached its peak, after all his city is always number one in people's eyes," another masked man said.

"Rupert may be lying, and this wouldn't be his first time,"

"I agree,"

"My king, would you like a member of the flame council to go to Cruin and investigate?"

"Yes, you go, I want to know all the details, I want to know if this means war,"

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War?! Guys I know the whole thing with the magicians is quite confusing, but it'll all come together later, but for now lets all hate on Rupert.

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