Mega Dragon: Harbinger of Death

THE TRUTH

It was a long walk back to the Healers Nest. They would have to return to the Renoff manor a few days before the ball so they had to relish in the time they had away from it. They did not miss the manor in any way.

In a way, Zhiyi was glad that Yeelva was present in the capital. With someone as powerful and perceptive as she was, the enemy was more unlikely to make a move. And if they did, they had a better chance of dealing with them once and for all. It was a win-win. Perhaps that was what king Reagan Croft was aiming for. He might not just be a stubborn king after all.

She wished their parents would attend the ball but she was certain they wouldn’t. There had been many balls in the capital all the time they were in Juza village and their parents never once attended. They might see it as a chance to visit their children or they might be worried that it was too soon to come to see them. She was certain that Aroha would act out if they came. It was looking bleaker the more she thought about it.

As they walked, Aroha caught a whiff of something that made her choke. Before she knew it a memory ran through her head again. It was a memory she had hoped to forget. While she relived this dreadful moment, well aware that it was a dream, Aroha clutched her chest as she fell to the ground. All attempts to call her passed over her head.

“Aroha! Aroha!” Vela and Zhiyi beckoned at Aroha. They had no idea what triggered her condition, or what it was in the first place.

Ara and Zenon watched beside a fulfilled Yeelva. “I guess I was right after all,” she said.

Ara was enraged. So enraged scruff of her shirt. “That’s all you have to say? Look at the mess you just caused!” he snapped, drawing the attention of Vela and Zhiyi. “Turn it off now,” he said. The dead calm tone stiffened Yeelva. But she was too mischievous to back down.

“I can’t. it’ll stop when she runs out of Nether mana,” she chuckled.

Ara wanted so much to bash her face in, but he knew the consequences. Consequences he could deal with, but consequences they were all the same.

“Oh, and taking her out of my range won’t do her any good,” Yeelva added. She was enjoying it. Seeing the mighty Ara Croft and Zenon Lo at her mercy excited her. Even more that it was at the expense of a Renoff.

Out of nowhere, Jerome appeared before Aroha and cast a shield around them. In a matter of seconds, she was calm once more, but she had lost consciousness.

“Well, would you look at that. The wizard comes to the rescue,” Yeelva goaded.

Jerome looked to Yeelva, his gaze burrowing deep in her soul. His eyes glowed yellow – something that hadn’t happened since the war ended. Jerome was done pulling his punches. “Come,” he said. His voice echoed as though a thousand men spoke at the same time. The space between them shrank and suddenly, Yeelva, Ara, and Zenon found themselves before Jerome.

“What is the meaning of this, miss Aiwan?” Jerome asked. The glow in his eyes had faded away, but the stunt he just played had done its job. Yeelva had been reminded that she had more people to worry about than the Crofts and the Los. That was what made Croft kingdom so terrifying. Ara might have stolen the spotlight, but there were so many powerful individuals as well.

“That girl is---”

“I know,” Jerome interjected.

There was silence for a while. Yeelva was dumbfounded. “What do you mean you know?” she asked.

“Stay out of Croft business, miss Aiwan. It’s for the best,” Jerome said sternly.

Yeelva was yet to take notice of Zhiyi who was way past her boiling point. Without any warning, she charged straight at Yeelva with a punch fully equipped with the death palm. However, Yeelva wasn’t the second most powerful individual on Maori for nothing. Yeelva effortlessly evaded Zhiyi’s punch and Vela was quick to restrain her.

It hurt Vela as she held a screaming Zhiyi. “What the hell did you do to her!” Zhiyi cried.

Vela wanted nothing more than to hit her herself. She was in support of Zhiyi, but she would only harm herself if she attacked Yeelva.

“Prince Ara, could you please escort miss Yeelva to her quarters. We’ll take care of Aroha from here,” Jerome said.

Ara wanted nothing more than to be by her side, but he was probably the only one that could make Yeelva stay put. Zenon who also felt responsible for letting Yeelva have her way volunteered to escort Yeelva as well. The air would remain dense for hours as the onlookers remained uneasy. No one could be calm after witnessing what happened.

***

Ara yanked Yeelva by the arm as he dragged her to her quarters. She couldn’t complain much. She knew she deserved it, and maybe even worse. Yet, she found this side of Ara even more attractive. He cared that much. But the crazy person that Yeelva was only made her want to break the thing that he cared so much for – Aroha.

“You do know that there are only two ways that she could have possessed mana from the Nether, right?” Yeelva said.

“For your own good, shut up!” Ara snapped as his grip tighten.

Yeelva moaned. He was hurting her, but not enough to force her to apologize. “Either she was exposed like us, or she was born with it,” she added.

Ara pulled her to face him squarely. He certainly was in no mood to entertain her nonsense. “I said shut up!”

This time, he held her arm too tight. Yeelva had no choice but to give in. “Okay, okay. I’m sorry. You don’t need to snap my arm in two,” she cried.

Ara loosened his grip, but he didn’t let go.

“But really, which do you think it would be?” Yeelva teased one more time, but Ara’s stare forced her to back down. “Okay. Relax. I was just joking,” she said.

But Yeelva was not one to stop. “I guess the rumors I heard were true then. She really is Raya’s daughter.”