Blade(Part 3): Dusk

Chapter 7: Shala

Eleus was reduced to ruins when the Skaolans took it two years ago, and Shala could sense both anger and sadness from Queen Anorae and Lady Cytheris as they looked around to the state of their home. The palace in the center of the city was destroyed the worst, though. Nothing was left of the biggest, oldest building in the entire city, and the entire country. Shala explored what was left of the city, seeing the destruction that the Skaolans brought. She had seen plenty of villages in the colonies burned to the ground by their march, as well as piles of burnt corpses on their outskirts when she fought alongside the rest of Fireteam Ocelot, but a city as ancient as Eleus was destroyed. Its walls were torn down, along with its palace, and many of its buildings where the sky-scaled draconians of the city lived were completely destroyed. Shala had learned that King Atreus had no choice but to retreat from the city when the Skaolans attacked it, but instead of it being reduced to ruins, it was spared destruction by the Shadow, Xerxei. When Aziz came here, he's the one who must have razed it.

"So, what exactly is the Queen's reaction to seeing her home like this?" a familiar voice said. Shala knew who it was, though she hadn't heard her voice in a year.

"Probably the same reaction I had when I saw my family murdered, Zoya," she guessed, then they both turned towards each other. The Huntress looked much different from when Shala last saw her. Instead of a sleeveless cuirass, she was wearing a jacket and a pair of pants that had green, brown, and black colors all over both. They were camouflage colors. Shala almost didn't recognize her by that alone, but what she was wearing on her head made her think she was a completely other person. Instead of over her eyes, Zoya was wearing the Fold of Artemisa around her forehead. Shala waved her hand close to her eyes. She was blind last time she saw her, and yet she was wearing something that would help her see above her eyes instead of over them. Suddenly, Zoya raised her hand and caught Shala's.

"In case you were wondering, Guardian," the Huntress hissed. "I can see just fine, now."

"Good for you!" Shala congratulated. "How? Because you slipped into that coma? You were out for a whole year."

"Shala, if I told you how I could see again, I'm not sure if you would believe me," Zoya sighed.

"Right," Shala agreed. "Have you seen Alexius, yet? He's been worried about you the entire time you were comatose."

"No, I haven't," Zoya admitted. "I was looking for him when I found you."

"He's with his brothers and sister," Shala enlightened. "His epsilon ones, and Marcus."

"Oh, right," said Zoya. "I forgot he was nephalem." Shala could only imagine how much Zoya wanted to see Alexius at the moment.

"Come on," Shala led, and they both went towards the center of what was left of Eleus. The Guardian began to sense nervousness from the Huntress. She had no idea what she would say to Alexius when she saw him again. She was awake, and also able to see.

"Don't be nervous," Shala advised. "Both Alexius and Zabaia had their suspicions that Dameon and I had feelings for each other. To be honest, I would be lying if I didn't suspect you and Alexius."

"Don't even think about it," Zoya hissed, pointing a finger right between Shala's eyes. Shala sensed denial from Zoya, but she saw the Huntress' face turn completely red.

"You do have feelings for Alexius," Shala teased. "You know, he'll be able to sense it."

"I'll let him figure it out for himself," Zoya declared, lowering her finger.

"Zoya!" Marcus suddenly cried. He threw his arms around Zoya, and squeezed her as tightly as he could.

"Marcus," Zoya greeted. "Where's your brother?"