Lost in the Crossroads

Thirteen - Gamble (Abelone)

Abelone pursed her lips and wondered if God was laughing at her or something. Kael, the watch for the night, thankfully never commented of how ridiculously she looked as a human pillow. Apparently, Night Elves are more active in the night and they can perfectly see in the dark—something she was envious of. If only she knew they would end up in another world, she would have brought her tactical gear along with a tank.

Her not so important regrets aside, Abel tried to twist her left foot away from Drishti’s hand. Why the woman was holding it in the first place was mystery she would rather not find out. Who knows what was going on inside her friend’s head. Probably something to do with Night Elves and their activeness in the night. Abel mentally shuddered on how those words transmitted into Drishti and Dein’s mind—God those two.

As if sensing her thoughts, she heard Drishti grunted and tighten her hold on her foot. Slightly frustrated, Abel lowered the map she was studying on her lap, jostling Alex’s head on her left shoulder and peered over the small red-head. She saw Kara’s head first on her left thigh with Alex’s legs draped over her body before Abel find Drishti curled like a cat around her feet. Her left leg and foot was getting numb from the attention it was receiving. She was about yank her foot away from Drishti when she saw the hard expression on her friend’s sleeping face. The red-head was frowning hard and her mouth was twisted down in her sleep as her hold tightens on Abel’s foot.

Abel’s petty frustration ebbed away and she leaned her back on the log she dragged in the camp. Their camp fire crackled behind her as the scent of death dances with the wind. They were supposed to be sleeping in loose circle around the camp-fire, the night was quite chilly but as time passed by, Abel noticed her friends slowly but surely started crawling on her position as she poured her attention on the map, studying it. It was endearing albeit a little bit disturbing.

It must be the smell, she thought. The stale scent of death in a hospital was different from the rancid and pungent smell of death in the battlefield. Though, they were death all the same. Dying in the battle field was nasty. The metallic scent of blood was mixed within the earth and it could never be scrubbed away nor whatever excretions the body released.

Her nose wrinkled in distaste. It was their decision to camp on the training grounds for the night. She should have protested if only she knew they will react like this to the smell.

Smoothing down her expression, Abel let her eyes gaze down on the map she was holding and allowed the torture on her body continue. Nothing much she could do now.

The letters moved on the map. At first it was unreadable, twisty letters of unknown language before it shifted to English alphabet. It was strange and confusing phenomenon and Abel chalked it up to being in another world.

Must be a Harry Potter thing. She dismissed the strangeness of it. For she was definitely not a demi-god and doesn’t have dyslexia.

The Crossroads, the one Kael had told them about, lies in the middle of the continent. It was a city in a crossed road and a Neutral ground. Though, what it was being neutral to, Kael failed to share. Abel doesn’t ask. Not yet.

The kid was still not aware of them being in another world. Abel guessed the elf had never been into close proximity with humans before. So, he doesn’t understand the depth of their abnormality in this time and world. Asking what could be a common knowledge might tip him off.

To trust or not to trust. A gamble she was well-accustomed.

Her eyes found the back of the Elf, crouching in front of the poncho enclosure that was smoking the strips of meat. He was adding hardwoods in it, poking to prevent the fire from getting bigger. The kid doesn’t look bad, doesn’t felt as one and her instincts was not screaming to threw a knife on him anytime he moves but Abel was well-aware that the Elf doesn’t trust them.

He doesn’t mention his twin-brother. She doesn’t fault him for that. They were practically strangers to him whom he only needs for help. Not to mention, they were humans.

“Say, Kael.” She whispered, calling him lightly. Elves are known for their superior hearing, Kael was no exception. The Elf perked up and turned to face her, eerie golden eyes inquisitively met her gaze.

“Do you believe us?” she questioned, watching his expression carefully.

Frowning slightly, Kael blinked in confusion.

For a moment she thought, he doesn’t understand what she meant but then he answered simply. “Yes.”

Naïve, she thought. She wondered how old he was. Surely the elf cannot be so trusting?

“Even though, we’re humans?” she asked.

Realization dawned upon his face as he finally understand the meaning behind her question. “Even though you’re humans.” Yet, he still nodded.

“Why?” She couldn’t help but ask. “Aren’t men known for their greed and easily corrupted hearts?”

“Indeed. They do, my lady.” He replied. “Yet you have shown me kindness even without knowing who I am and you agreed to aid me with my mission. I am willing to believe in you and your friends kindness, Lady Abelone.”

“Did anyone mention you’re naïve?”

His mouth clamped shut as his body stiffened at the remark.

Ah, probably his brother. She mused. Touché.

“Well, if you’re that willing, I guess I should tell you a secret.” She said, catching his attention.

“A secret?” He asked, curiosity lacing his voice.

“Yes. Something no one should know.” Abel nodded. “Can I trust you with it, Kael?” she asked seriously.

Abel watched as he appeared to choose his next words carefully and waited for a response. It was no ordinary question and might have been a first from a human to an elf. It was heavy, far too heavy and Abel knows what she risking. If he was willing to believe in them, so does she.

He decided to walk in front of her and the sleeping pile of her friends and sat cross-legged facing her.

With a hand over his heart, he gave her his promise. “With all my life, Lady Abelone.”

She would have laugh if it weren’t for Alex leaning on her left shoulder or the scent of battle and death rich in the air or the ruins of an Elven village. It was so peculiar; she should have been relieved with his words but instead she was disturbed. Kael had painfully reminded her of what she was before. Sweet naïve little child, prepared to lay down his life for a small promise that was easy to break. It seems like he forgotten how capable she was of killing him.

Or he was that determined to keep the promise. Another part of her helpfully supplied.

So be it.

“If you say so.” Abel finally said, steeling herself. Hopefully, she won't regret this gamble in the future. “Then, I shall tell you that we came from another world.” The words easily escaped her lips, used to the one simple yet bizarre fact.

Kael stared at her, stunned to silence. Clearly whatever he had expected her to say, it had not been that they were from another world. Well, it was strange and hard to believe. Though, that fact—no matter how weird it sounds—could actually brought danger to her and her friends. Who knows what the people of this world would do to them once they find out.

Abel waited patiently for his response. It seems like he was having hard time processing the information, even she struggled for a moment before her survival instincts and training kick her into gear. She really doesn’t care if they were in another world, so long as they’re capable of breathing the air and living. The only family she had left was the idiots surrounding her. She'll manage.

“Are you telling me that you came from another world, my lady?” Kael finally spoke, still looking surprised. “You and your friends?”

“Yes.” She answered.

Kael blinked, opened his mouth before closing it. His golden eyes traveled from her and one by one to her friends before he closed it. She almost felt pity on him. No one deserved such mind-blowing information. If only she didn’t need his help, she won’t even exert an effort to tell him.

“That is impossible.” Kael stated, once he gathered his wits. “You cannot be from another world."

“Why not?” She asked, frowning. Already expecting the worst from him. Maybe an outburst or dramatic denial speeches not some rational statement.

“You have no magic, my lady.”

“Of course, I don’t. I’m human.”

Again, with magic. It seems like magic was fundamentally used in this world.

“Lady Abelone, if one were to be summon a living being from another, they would need a massive amount of magic to tether them here. Even being as the Mythos would have difficulties coping and there are ten of you.” He explained, gently and patiently like he was speaking to a demented person. He almost sounded like Alex.

Abel tucked the information aside for further processing and did her best not to be offended by his condescending tone. She can’t blame him if he thought she was joking or going mental. Besides, her friends went hysterical.

“I don’t really know about magic and its capacity. Not to mention, Mythos. But we really are from another world, Kael.” She reasoned, mind swirling with thoughts on how to convince an Elf that they really were from another world. Abel was tempted to fire a shot in the sky just to prove a point but that would do no good and will wake up her friends. “Believe it or not.” She added for good measure.

Kael frowned, staring at her once again. “You are not lying.”

“Do I look like someone who would lie about an important thing?”

A pregnant pause.

“It was the most incomprehensible thing I have heard. I am having a hard time believing it, my lady. Yet what makes it so important?” He asked suddenly, genuinely curious.

Abel tilted her head, surprised at his own curiosity. She had to admit it was just a simple thing, not much of a problem if one would ask. But sometimes that smallest tear could actually be the most problematic of all. “Well, for starters our world is different and far beyond advanced than yours so I believed if someone would ever have heard of this, if they believed it, they would want information from us and do their best to extract it. Probably with torture and blackmails.” Her face hardened, all sort of scenarios is running in her mind if ever someone find out. Someone with a curious mind and up to no good. She was already expecting the worst. “We almost died before arriving in this world, Kael. The last thing I want is for my friends to suffer in the hands of an ambitious man wanting the knowledge from another world.”

“If ever something bad happen to them, I swear with all the power I have, I will tear this world apart.” She promised darkly.

He looked taken aback with her words but Abel could care less. She had managed to protect them in their world just because they were in another world doesn’t mean she’s going to be complacent. They were the only thing left for her, she wasn't going to let anything bad happen to them.

“You are trusting me with such importance?”

“Just like how you’re willing to believe in us.” Abel nodded. That was then she realized, he was starting to believe. She should have threatened him in the first place. Less effort.

“Then, I shall believe you and keep my word.”

“Good.” She breathed out, feeling a heavy weight lifted over her shoulders and its definitely not Alex’s head on it. “Now that we have established that, I got questions regarding with this.” She waved the map in her hands. “Feel free to answer it or not.”

The elf eagerly leaned forward, curiosity shining in his eyes. “If it was not too much, I would like to inquire some things too.”

“Go on.” She urged, willing to indulge his curiosity.