Guardian(Part IV): Revelation

Chapter 27: Penny

I managed to get Nyxa away from the battle in Athari, and a day had passed since we did. She had calmed down and wiped her tears from her face. At least she had stopped crying, because I couldn't even bear the sight. I had already started calling Nyxa a friend when I took her out of the Ilentia ruins in Aderas, and seeing her in such a mess was absolutely heartbreaking. I could only imagine that someone memory-deprived and not used to... anything, including the violence of a battlefield. If I was to avoid that again, I needed to get Nyxa to Cordinshire as quickly as possible, without stopping. That was why I hadn't slept since we escaped Athari.

"Penny," said Nyxa. "You seem very sleep-deprived."

"I just want to find a place to rest," I assured. "Then we can get some sleep, safely."

"That Aderasian soldier knew you," Nyxa reminded.

"Well, my father is actually King Olgierd's Court Mage," I admitted. "And I talked to General Rutka a lot, when he wouldn't."

"Was your father neglectful?" Nyxa wondered.

"That's one way to put it," I chuckled. "I always wondered what I was to him, because it wasn't a daughter."

"Could a parent really treat their own child in such a way?" asked Nyxa, with a nervous feeling in her voice. "Did my mother?"

"All I know is that my father definitely did," I said. "I ran as far away from Dizrija as I could."

"I thought the King's name was 'Olgierd'," Nyxa reminded. "Or is that your father's name?"

"No, it's Aderas' capital city," I corrected. "I don't even know how I managed to wake up in Cordinshire to train as a Guardian."

"It must have been a long walk," Nyxa guessed.

"No, I actually just woke up there," I corrected. "On Xyhra's doorstep."

"The same Xyhra who trained you?" asked Nyxa.

"Along with others," I reminded. "But yes. That one. She told me it was destiny."

"Like our meeting?" Nyxa wondered. "I don't even know how long I was frozen, but you freed me, Penny."

"I don't know, Nyxa," I sighed. "But I didn't plan on fighting a war, running from one, my friends being forced to separate. That isn't destiny. That's a cruel, cruel turn of events. None of us could have seen this coming. I doubt Xyhra could have, either."

"I see," Nyxa understood. "I suppose while we are talking, you should know that I've seen something else. It was likely awoken by the violence yesterday."

"What?" I wondered.

"There's a woman," Nyxa informed. "She's much taller than me, and the other two from my earlier vision. What were their names?"

"Luna and Ametrasa," I reminded.

"Well, this taller woman wore white," Nyxa continued. "She had incredibly long, blonde hair, and blue eyes."

"Wait, that's what Xyhra looks like," I recalled.

"I was standing right in front of this... Xyhra," said Nyxa. "And my sisters stood with me, in a circle around her."

"Was it some kind of ritual?" I asked.

"I can't be sure," Nyxa answered. "There weren't many other details."

"I see," I understood.

We got a little further when I could suddenly hear a familiar noise in the distance. Dropships.