Vice and Virtue

Chapter - 8

Renae did disappear from the woods but she still wasn’t completely recovered from her trip to the Flare city. She got weak before she could reach a safe house in one of the western tribes villages. These tribes were formed by the Cyan that recently woke up from the dead and ended up guided by one of the emperors. Each tribe had their own way of life using each and every one of their abilities to make their daily lives easier. They refused to ally with The Order or the rebellion because the only authority they accept is their respective emperor. We had an acquaintance from the phoenix tribe situated in the mountains. She stood up for us with the phoenix when we got lost near their village while on the run a couple decades ago, nearly saving our lives from certain death. Sure, Cyan are immortal but as I said, not invulnerable, so burnt or blown away into bits and pieces meant death because we can heal cuts and wounds but not grow limbs or anything, except the organs, the organs are an exception.

She messed up and ended up on the mountain but a bit far from the phoenix tribe. Evidently, she didn’t have the energy to even move properly but she willed herself towards the nearest tree on the rocky slope. At the base of the mountains, it was not safe from danger because of all the smaller predators that settled in the area. Renae struggled to stay awake, took long breaths and with her back to the bark of the tree and her handgun ready for action. The night was cold, especially after the heated encounter with the phoenix. The sudden change in the temperature was making her lightheaded and drowsy. The silence was reassuring for her while the slightest little pop of a twig cracking or an insect buzzing made her jump up a bit, which was kind of helpful in its own way. She focused more on the sounds than the rest of her sense to conserve what little strength she had left and also because the nighttime didn’t allow her the comfort of relying on her sight. She closed her eyes and kept track of very little snap she could hear. Sometimes it was a random off beat with low growl somewhere far away or a slight steps far too close to her. What bothered her most were the same set of movements and the brushing of leaves on fur at random times. She could hear the rustling get louder and faster. Her grip tightened on her handgun as she waited for whatever that was on to her to get closer. Its steps took random turns but indefinitely sounded closer to her with every passing minute. Clicked off the safety and arms at the level of her shoulders, she took aim but kept her eyes closed. When it was sure that it was right in front of her, she opened her eyes and locked with those of the winged reptile. It had a single wing, which explained the odd movements, crimson eyes that glowed in the darkness of the night and claws sharp enough to rip her limbs of in a single stroke. It was hurt, yes, but she wasn’t going to take any chances. Yet, she put her g*n down and smiled, ever so slightly, waiting for it to be swept away by something it probably never expected.

A white wolf, the size of a polar bear, stood proudly beside her, with the little wyvern’s remains clutched in its jaws. ‘You’re here for me’ Renae smiled as she felt its fur with the back of her hand. ‘Take care of me for a bit, Snow’ she uttered weakly as she lost conscious and fell asleep, leaning on Snow. Snow was one of the few animals that didn’t just evolve but actually got back from the dead. She had the mysterious energy but she only used to strengthen her physique and get more agile. She was an arctic wolf that got caught up in the war like the many other animals but she was special because she was able to survive without aid from the emperors or the humans. A lone wolf in the midst of this chaotic land tends to get smarter and stronger. She was also the reason for us to get in trouble with the phoenix but she grew fond of us after. After Renae fell asleep, she picked her up onto her back and kept moving to keep her safe. The arctic wolf was pretty much the opposite of everything the phoenix tribe believe in but it didn’t matter for her to carry Renae there.

As soon as she arrived at the border of the village, she got surrounded by the hunters. They allowed her to enter after they noticed Renae on her back. She didn’t bother to even let out a soft growl but instead, she took Renae straight towards Lauriel’s home. ‘By the fire’s grace, Snow’ Lauriel exclaimed when she saw Snow, strutting through the village towards her. ‘Come on girl, it’s been too long since you paid me a visit’ she smiling gleefully with her arms on her waist. Snow brushed her snout on Lauriel, nearly knocking her to the ground. ‘Easy girl, you might just suffocate me if you fall on me’ she chuckled, grabbing Snow’s ears and petting her. Snow brushed her to the side and sat down at the entrance to her house. Lauriel got serious as soon as she saw Renae on her back. ‘Is that Renae on your back? okay, settle down slowly and let me take her inside’ she quickly slid Renae off Snow and on to her back carrying her inside, ‘Now you behave yourself big girl, I don’t want no trouble like last time, you hear me’ she glared at Snow before she went in, at which Snow just grumbled in disappoint and relaxed on the porch outside.

Lauriel placed Renae on her living room’s couch and went upstairs to get her medicine. She lived in a rustic, wooden lodge with ample luxuries and space enough for a small family to live in. The whole village was comprised of similar houses with a population of about three hundred. She came down with some herbs and clean towels to treat her. ‘Definitely overworked herself this time, no serious wounds, temperature is normal, shallow breaths but I guess she will survive’ she muttered to herself while tending to Renae. She whipped up a concoction out of blue beet leaves, a poisonous herb similar to beetroots, and made her drink it. She undressed her and then cleaned her wounds with towels dipped in water from the hot springs near the village. The village was situated on a volcanic mountain, so the hot springs were quite rejuvenating. Lauriel dressed her in some fresh clothes and made sure she was comfortable before she started to make some food. Snow was greeted by little kids, who kept trying to catch her ears. It ticked her off but she didn’t mind amusing them for a while. The village was peaceful and felt safe, devoid of politics or greed that plunged this world into chaos.

This peaceful village was thrown off its balance by the first shockwave from the battle between the phoenix and leviathan. Snow, instantly stood up with alertness, having sensed what was happening, nearly toppling the kids down. Lauriel nearly spilled hot water on herself while making tea and Renae woke up to the sudden disturbances in the atmosphere. Lauriel rushed outside to confirm her suspicions. Snow was growling aggressively towards the direction of the fight, pointing everyone towards the cause of this trouble. Renae was conscious but not exactly back to form though. She sat herself up and took a look around her surroundings and realized where she was instantly but had no idea as to how she ended up there. Lauriel’s concoction worked really well, Renae felt a bit more energized, still tired but active enough to be able to walk around a bit. She slowly made her way out of the house, a bit shaky but manageable. The cold breeze greeted her at the entrance and she could feel the ominous pressure and vibrations in the air. It has been quite a while since she fell asleep but it was still really dark outside. She found Lauriel and Snow staring at the rumbling sky outside and as she stepped out to call for her, there was a bright red lightning stuck in the direction everyone was staring at. ‘Lauriel… Lauriel!!’ she called out as hard as she could in her state. Lauriel turned around ‘Oh, Renae… you’re awake, good but I’m afraid it’s not a good time for a leisure talk’ Lauriel seemed quite perplexed and worried, in fact all of them looked quite  perplexed and worried. ‘What’s happening, Lauriel? Why is everyone acting so strange? She asked her while holding her at the shoulders and shaking her frantically. ‘I don’t know… but I’m pretty sure, the phoenix is over there, going crazy doing whatever she’s doing’ she trembled slightly as she pointed towards the sky. Snow was still growling and getting impatient beside them. So, Renae went over to Snow and placed her hand on her mane and tried to feel her emotions. Snow was pretty tense and felt offended by whatever that was happening in the distance.

Renae held her head as she got down to the ground, she still felt a bit dizzy and every muscle in her body ached in pain for some rest. Lauriel was too preoccupied to notice her and so was Snow. It was then she felt her link break. No matter what happens or where they are, Renae linked herself with me in a unidirectional distress monitor. She always knew the danger I was in but it never broke before. She got flustered by the thought of losing me and started to panic. She quickly got on Snow and ushered her to rush towards the eye of the storm in the distance. All her pain and fatigue were overcome by her fear as she dashed towards the storm through the woods, riding a great white wolf. They did have a few close calls of Renae falling over or the smaller wyverns knocking Snow to the ground but neither of them gave in or slowed down. The impact from the battle was enough to blow some of the smaller ones, a few feet into the air, so the closer they got the less trouble they had to deal with. They were pretty near to me when the final impact made the ground tremble, stopping them in their tracks for a second but Snow already picked up a familiar smell. He dashed towards his left and towards my helpless body in freefall and loped into the air, intercepting my fall and carrying me away with a bit of a jolt.