The Red Nobody

~ Eightteen ~

We arrive back at Raylas hut puffing and panting. Nivin lets out quick breaths as she collapses onto the ground beneath her.

"Oh get up you weakling!" I growl at her.

"In case you didn't realise, I... won... that..." she face hits the ground and a puff of dust rises into the air, making me cough.

"Sure, in your mind, you won that race." I give into a small giggle. I pick her up and cradle her in my arms, she lets out small, soft breaths. I never knew how unfit Nivin was. I lay her in a pile of dead leaves next to Raylas hut so she can get some much needed sleep.

I knock on the door, no answer.

"Rayla? Rayla are you here?" I knock once more. Again there is no answer. Worry begins to crawl under my skin. I gently nudge the door open and peak inside.

"Rayla, are you home?" I ask. I fully open the door and study the room, there are no signs of Rayla. The fire has burnt out and smoke still rises out of the hole in the roof. I walk in and look all around.

Rayla still isn't back.

It makes me feel sick in my stomach.

I walk around slowly, seeing if theres even a small chance that Rayla returned. The house is so still, so empty, and so sad. There is no way, that Rayla can be okay. She needs help, now!

RAYLAS P.O.V

Suddenly, I have no idea who I am anymore. Twenty five years of my life escaped my very grasp in an instant. I was the girl rescued from the tree by Superior Zenüas, I was taken, healed, and saved. My name was Braixen, I had forgotten my last name. My story, well, that was nothing of what had happened...

FLASHBACK

"There!" Zenüas pointed to a large, old oak tree. Seven of his men came running up behind him, armed with spears and swords, and covered in red chain armour. They march towards the tree holding there spears in a battle stance.

"Take to the sky, find that fugitive, and take them hostage." The guards immediately respond with loyalty, and do as their Superior says. Three soldiers, Zenüas' best warriors, guard the stump of the tree, as the last of seven men take to the canopy.

Minutes into the search, one of the seven searching the tree drop dead, leaving the search crew in shock and silence.

"You will continue your search, understand?"

"Of course, Sir."

"Good, Xzavier, Gloxinia, Vixen, come with me. We shall find out what happened with this... dead soldier." The three follow without hesitation.

"What do you suppose could be in the tree?" Gloxinia wondered aloud.

"Gloxinia, I appreciate your desire to find out, but leave that to my weaker men, this is no task for you, merely a chore."

"Sorry Superior Zenüas." He responded instantly.

Zenüas just giggled. "Try to have a bit of fun Gloxinia." Gloxinia shrugged and pushed his long dark red hair behind his ear. Seconds later a large shove was forced upon him, as Xzavier dodged another dead body.

"Do you have any idea how long it takes to brush all my hair Xzavier!" Gloxinia shouted.

"Would you to princesses stop complaining about your hair and wings for one second, and actually help us see what has killed these men?" Vixens words cut through their skin like a knife. She was a harsh woman.