The Forsaken Arts

Chapter 32: One Down

With Mikhail, Guru, Cavell, and Curran unconscious, the questions that needed to be answered had been put on hold. Approaching Faxon, Cecilee and Llaw were about to make their appearance.

Arriving at Grove Forest, she noticed that Llaw, who had been close by was no longer around. While looking for him, she couldn't help but take in the familiar scents of home. These woods held a lot of memories for her, both good and bad.

Passing a large pine tree, she spotted Llaw who was standing as stiff as a statue, looking up at the sky.

"Are you alright?" she asked.

"Yeah... I'm fine." he replied. "It's just been so long since I last saw this place."

"I do apologize. I didn't know the severity of the situation. I'm glad you took the time to explain it to me on the way back." she said while walking up to him.

Looking up to the sun as it was setting in the distance, he whispered "I just thought it would be fair for everyone to have an accurate idea of what to expect, unlike we did that day...."

"If what you say is true, it truly will take all of us to put an end this." she said placing a hand on his shoulder.

His expression and voice changed from sincere to serious as he turned and walked swiftly back to the main path, "We must go."

Confused, Cecilee looked up as well, "Huh, what is it?"

The sky was steadily becoming darker as the mauve colored clouds quickly began covering it, approaching their location. The two hastened their return to Faxon as they darted off towards Cyprus Woods while the clouds continued to move in their direction as if chasing them.

I hope everyone is ready, she thought to herself, panting heavily trying to keep up with Llaw who was a good distance ahead of her.

Back at the Recovery Center, completely unaware of what's to come; everyone kept a close watch on the injured. Evenharth turned to ask, "Wha... what happened here?"

"I'm sorry Evenharth, but it's to my understanding that Cheyk was responsible for this." Kashif explained, now standing next to him.

"...Was?" he inquired back.

"Yes." Dai chimed in. "Cheyk fell at the hands of Naitosai."

Evenharth and Silvannas looked at Naitosai with awe. However, Silvannas' reaction and expression drew attention, it was covered in disbelief.

"What's wrong Silvannas?" Osyrus asked who had seen the quizzical look on her face.

Tilting her head as if to get a good look at him, she responded, "No offense Naitosai, I just find it hard to believe that one person could defeat Cheyk, he was the most powerful warrior in all of the Resistance Army... granted that was years ago."

"None taken." the dragon knight said with a shoulder shrug and raised hands, "I still find it hard to believe myself." he humbly chuckled.

"Sorry to interrupt, but we should discuss this elsewhere and let these two get some rest." implied the king.

Looking over to take a departing glance at his brother, Naitosai agreed. "Yeah... we should take this elsewhere."

"Agreed, however I'll volunteer to stay." said Osyrus as he pulled up a chair between the Mikhail and Guru's beds.

Dai curiously looked to Osyrus, "Stay here?"

"Yeah, seeing as Jasmine and Sgt. Piper are tending to Curran and Cavell in the Recovery Center, someone should stay here with these two." he replied.

"Good point. Very well, Osyrus shall remain while we gather in the Tactics Room to discuss recent events. I wanted to wait for the others to return, but with four people unconscious and Cheyk defeated, some explanations are in order." Lord Kashif stated.

"Well then, shall we?" Silvannas said while holding the door open.

Lord Kashif, Silvannas, Evenharth, Dai and Naitosai filed out and headed towards the Tactics Room.

This kid is gonna save us all. Dai thought while walking behind Naitosai.