The Warriors and their King

CHAPTER TEN

    A great fall had begun in Nevaeh. Everyone was blinded by the darkness flooding through them and Lucifer's deception - all but one: Jose. 

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    Olive made her way to the Walters' home, pebbles crunching softly under her footsteps. It had been a while since she'd seen Adriel. Ever since their new guest, Adrianus, took refuge in her friend's home, Adriel hadn't come out to see her as she used to every day. 

Olive knocked on the back door of the Walters' home. It was Jose that greeted her.

"Why, hello, Olive," He said with a smile.

"Hello," She replied, grinning. "Is Adriel here by any chance?"

"Of course. Shall I get her for you?"

"Yes please."

A few moments later, Jose returned with Adriel by his side.

"Olive," Adriel said quietly and reached out to hug her. There was something different about Olive's friend, though she couldn't quite put her finger on it. She was more...silent. Sad.

"I haven't seen you in such a long time," Olive said, squeezing her friend. 

"Shall we take a walk in the forest together?" Adriel asked.

"Let's go," Olive replied, grinning, and took her friend's hand.

Jose smiled and watched them leave, leaning against the door frame.

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"Are you all right, Adriel?" Olive asked, brushing a strand of blonde hair that had fallen from Adriel's braid. They had walked leisurely for some time in silence and Olive couldn't keep her unspoken questions inside anymore.

Adriel swallowed and stayed silent for a long moment. 

"If you're about to say 'I'm fine' I know you're lying," Olive said, attempting to make Adriel smile. 

Adriel remained silent, biting her lip nervously.

"What's wrong?"

Adriel shook her head. "I don't even know."

"Why?" Olive stopped and turned to Adriel. Her friend bowed her head, her long lashes hiding her eyes. 

"Something's changed in me," Adriel said so faintly Olive had to lean closer to hear. "And I don't know what to do about it."

"What do you mean 'something's changed in you?'"

"Ugh...I don't know. But I'm so afraid all the time. I never used to be. I don't feel like...a Warrior - who I've been trained to be."

Not knowing what to say, Olive could only wrap her arm around Adriel and continue walking. 

The two girls made their way to a stream that flowed into the great river and took off their shoes to dip their feet in the cool, fresh, water. 

"Why don't you come out to see me anymore?" Olive inquired.

Adriel shrugged. "I haven't really thought of it."

"Oh." Olive knew that Adriel used to never miss a day seeing her. It was out of her character to just...stop. She felt a surge of anger but swallowed it down. She was known for her temper, but always practiced controlling it. Perhaps she was just being melodramatic, her temper making things seem worse than they actually were.