The damp droplets of sweat trickled down Arzoth's forehead, and the cool night breeze washed over him like a lifeline. His breathing grew heavy as his lungs expanded to absorb as much air as possible. Walking through the mountainous area was never easy, especially in the dark. He could hardly see anything except the two forms walking in front of him, showing no hint of exhaustion. The dragon moved with such poise and confidence that it seed he owned the place. No one would doubt him if he claid it as his own.
The ground was rocky and rough, making it difficult for the prince to keep his footing. Though it was not the first ti he had traveled this route, this ti it was much more challenging. He didn't know for sure if it was the unstable ground, the blinding night, or his mind playing tricks on him. For so reason, he didn't want to go to the crystal cave, which was now just a few minutes away.
The prince's eyes never wavered from the little girl who walked one step ahead of the dragon with heavy, purposeful strides. Her eyes narrowed, not so much from concentration as from a resolve to strengthen herself. If it weren't for her stubborn determination to leave this place once for the crystal cave, no matter how dark it gets, we wouldn't be here at this hour.
The little girl struggled with her three-year-old body to stay stable on this unstable ground, and yet she refused to take help, refused to slow down.
Arzoth quickened his pace, catching up with the duo. He asked, "Arisa, do you want to lift you? You'll get exhaust-"
"I don't need your help. I can walk by myself." She said sharply, cutting Arzoth off. Her steps quickened as if to prove her point.
Skor watched the exchange and how the demon princes dismissed Arzoth's offer so crudely, making both of them halt on their way.
Skor glanced at Arzoth, whose eyes were still stuck on his daughter. The prince sighed.
"This is bad, she wasn't supposed to grow up so fast. On top of that, she knows the future. I can't bring myself to trust her."
"I am not sure if she thinks of like Arzoth, or just soone with his face. Either way, I have to be careful and make sure she doesn't go against ."
"The fact that she said that she will listen to raised so many questions in my mind, but for now, I need to focus only on one thing at a ti."
"I need to stop her from growing up, no matter the cost."
"Don't be so upset now, I am sure she is just eager to go to the cave," Skor said, his expression knowing and understanding rather than reassuring.
He looked ahead in the direction in which Arisa had left before moving his gaze back to Arozth. His lips curled into a pleasant smile.
"So, you want to stop her growth. Is that right?"
Arzoth's eyes widen, he looked at the dragon with surprise flash on his features.
"How did you know?"
Skor's smile only widened. "I can see that you are not so pleased with her growing up so fast. And I get it, in a way. Parents, especially humans are rather very sensitive to these things."
"You don't get it, Skor."
The dragon chuckled; his eyes closed in the attempt before opening up again to et Arozth's as if reading his thoughts.
Arzoth ntally shacked his head and asked, "Can you help in it?"
The dragon studied the prince for a mont before saying, "I can." After a thoughtful pause, he continued, "But-" his expression grew hesitant and so did his voice.
"But?" Arzoth pressed.
Before Skor could say anything, a loud thud echoed across the region, gathering their attention in its way. The sa direction in which Arisa walked. A growing sense of unease washed over Arzoth, he made no ti in rushing towards the direction followed by Skor.
He paused at every hideous spot. No sign of Arisa. He looked around before running towards the deeper part of the region, only to reach the tree line of an odd forest containing dry trees with no leaves on them. The moonlight was the only source of light. The ground was no longer unsteady but flat and filled with dry, fallen leaves. Skor followed shortly after him. The prince was about to step into the dry forest, but Skor's hands on his shoulder gave him pause. He looked over his shoulder with a questioning look.
"You can't go in there."
Arzoth's brows frowned, his eyes flushed with rage and fury. "What are you talking about?!" What if she is in so danger? We need to go-"
"Arzoth! We can't go there. If we enter this forest, we can't co back! It's Vyrmire's forest!" Skor sighed. "Even if Arisa is inside, she will be able to co out safe and sound. She is strong, you know that."
Arzoth yanked his hand off his shoulder as he said, "I don't care what forest it is, I need to go; she needs !" Arzoth turned to face the forest and walked past the tree line of the dry forest.
Skor watched the prince take his first few steps inside, he said in a raised voice, "She needs 'You'?! you can't even protect yourself, Arzoth!"
Arzoth gritted his teeth. "Shut up!"
Soon his steps grew impatient and anxious. His breathing heavied, and heartbeat increased. He looked around himself, desperately tried to finding any sign of Arisa, any hint that she was here, that she was safe. There was none.
"Arisa!" He called out, only to be responded by the deafening silence of the trees around him.
"ARISA!" he called out again, but this ti, instead of the silent breeze, he heard another thud behind him like the one he first heard. He turned around sharply. The blue aura illuminated the land far ahead, which was clearly visible as the impact of the aura was so giant that almost half the forest got illuminated blue.
"That's Arisa! I know it's her!"
Arzoth ran towards the blue aura which was still lingering in the air. He ran deeper and deeper into the unknown forest. He knew he was making a mistake, should have listened to Skor and stayed back and waited. But it was also true a nagging voice behind his back scread at him to go inside the forest, to find her before it's too late. Sothing told him that Arisa won't co back.
As Arzoth approached the grounds from which the blue aura ca from, his system flashed a glowing screen in front of his face.
[System Warning]
[Vampires Detected]
[Resolve: Find escape route]
"What?!"
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