Armoury: An Apocalaptia Prequel

Chapter 9: Unease

The outfit was gentle quite foreign to he usual war like attire armour that clung to her adorning her with protection stripping Athylia of her vulnerability it made her feel alive.The elegant Greek dress contrasted starkly with her usual combat attire, offering a sense of vulnerability and femininity that felt strangely foreign and refreshing. As the soft fabric caressed her skin, it was as if the outfit itself came to life, embracing her form in a gentle yet liberating hold.

Athylia couldn't help but smile at the contrast, the delicate material of the dress replacing the sturdy armor she usually donned. It was as if the dress was stripping her of her warrior persona, unveiling a more fragile yet vibrant side of herself that she seldom got to embrace.*She quickly got out of the bathroom before halting at her steps meeting Henron her father it's been hours since she came out his frozen artic blue eyes contrasting with his fear skin and pale golden locks the very traits Athylia shared

bone to bone with her father,he scrutinised her fiercely knowing something was off he knew Athylia was hiding something maybe something happened on her way homel it shouldn be too surprising given her status as an infamous warrior but his daughter just looks too tense awfully shallow his paternal insticnts wordlessly insisted wondering what got Athylia so shaken up now.As Athylia stepped out of the bathroom and found herself face to face with her father, Henron's arctic blue eyes bore into her with a relentless gaze, searching for any signs of concealment. His pale golden locks, much like her own, framed his face as he scrutinized her intently.

His fatherly instincts kicked in as he observed her tense demeanor, his concern escalating each passing moment. It wasn't uncommon for her to return home after battles, but the intensity of her expression and the subtle shake of her hands hinted at something more than usual battle fatigue.Henron noticed the unsettling quietude of his child's usual distance as if she was avoiding something trying to focus her mind elsewhere . He waited expectantly for an answer,silence followed and when it stretched don for a second longer or two he finally confronted her "What happened on your way home" He asked flatly.

"The usual event I killed some Illanoises and Custodians that's all...And happened to be involved in some conflict" Athylia stated,technically she wasn't lying telling him about those custodians threat was one thing but telling him about that enigmatic stranger she encountered who appeared to be her assailant and having a kinky,weird dream about said stranger after that encounter was different plus it'd be shameful for her to admit such a foul thing outloud especially toward the man she knew as father okay.Henron listened intently to Athylia's words, his eyes narrowing with concern and perhaps doubt. He knew that his daughter was no stranger to battles and skirmishes, but the casual nonchalance in her tone didn't sit well with him.

"And that's all" he repeated, his tone laced with skepticism. "No complications? No unexpected encounters, no signs of danger beyond the usual?" "Or... For some unknown reasons find yourself entangled with a new threat arising that specifically targets you?" He enquired outwardly,the question momentarily snapped Athylia out of her nonchalance and almost made her flinch by Henron's percise guess but she managed to remain stoic,realising she cant hide it any longer she told him snippets of her encounter with the previous custodian she killed who warned her freedom was limited and her victory was short lived telling his daughter that her victory was short lived,reciting the wrods the custodian told her Athylia described the person aiming for her downfall to be a he who was described to be the one to truly hold power in this world but didn't mention anything about her third pursuer who happened to be that stranger who appeared in her slumber.Henron listened intently to Athylia's account, his expression growing more grave with each word. The detail she mentioned about the individual who threatened her downfall sent a shiver down his spine, and yet, she conveniently left out crucial information.

Henron leaned forward, his gaze piercing into Athylia. "And this... individual who has been targeting you, did you happen to see his face?"he asked, a sense of tension crackling between them. "Not that I know of" She replied,reminiscing the encounter with the pragmatic stranger,she wonders If her third persuer has some connection to the said danger she wasn't privy to or was the suspect himself "Atleast for now...." Athylia added absent mindedly.Henron's eyes narrowed at his daughter's uncertain response, a sense of unease settling over him. "At least for now?" he repeated, the weight of her words sinking in.

The fact that she was not entirely sure about the identity of the individual targeting her only heightened his concern, and as she added the words "at least for now," a sense of foreboding enveloped him.

Henron's protectiveness flared, his gaze fixed on his daughter. "What do you mean by 'at least for now'?" he inquired, his tone leaving no room for evasion.