264 264: The ruin deal [pt2]
Angela ran as fast as her tiny legs could take her. Her body was hot because of the pressure she had to face. She was currently running away from the beasts that were trying to chase after her.
But no matter how bad the situation was getting, she refused to turn around. She had been warned to do that and Angela wanted to trust the people who had helped her out this far.
‘Remember Angela, we will take care of anything that might come after you. We will protect you as you open the way for us. So don’t look back and trust us.’
It was a difficult decision for Angela to trust these foreigners but she still decided to run as fast as she could.
The words Ava had said to her about helping Angela to achieve her dream, she wanted to believe in those words.
Her actions were fueled by both fears as well as desperation to prove herself.
It had all started when Angela had commented that only the people with local blood could open the passages. She had just wanted to share the information, not spread awareness about this fact.
But that one fact had sealed Angela’s fate and she had to do her job.
Currently, the beast after her life was closing in around Angela but she could only see it was a shadow behind her. A lot of beasts had been killed off already.
Another one was shot dead in a matter of seconds by Ava. Angela could only tell that it was Ava because of her familiar energy.
“Ava, make sure to keep their bodies intact. I cannot control these beasts if you keep on brutally killing them. I am a beast tamer, not a necromancer.”
Rita complained but Angela still knew that she had taken control of the dead beast. She had enough mental strength to move even the empty shells of the beasts.
It was a talent Angela had only heard about before but seeing it happen in front of her was something different.
“Yeah, you did say that but I told you that I am not interested in being your work lady. If you want unharmed bodies then you work for them yourself.”
Angela would never have spoken like that to Rita. the redhead scared her a little but Ava was too courageous.
‘I want to be like Ava. she’s so cool and powerful.’
Just the sight of Ava standing behind these beasts and killing them with her cool and calm expression did things to Angela. She could feel her heart skipping a beast just thinking about it.
However, these feelings were not something Angela wanted to put labels on. She wanted to be as free as she could and not think too much about something.
“Ava, less talking and more shooting. I cannot keep Ur under control much longer. He’s getting too excited.”
Quince yelled from above. Both the dragon and the boy were a mystery to Angela. They had nothing in common with the group and often chose to keep to themselves.
And yet, they were still sticking around with the group. Angela just did not understand why that was.
“Don’t pay attention to them. You look ahead and make sure you pass the gate. I will provide you with the window of opportunity to do so.”
Aurora’s voice spoke directly in Angela’s ears. If Ava was incredible then Aurora was someone who was beyond the human level. There was something in her aura that made Angela want to be close to her.
But at the same time, she felt as if she was being choked when she stepped near Aurora. There was an invisible pressure around her.
“I am trying my best. I will make it past the gate in the gap you gave me.”
The strategy was coming to bear fruit now. Angela could see the end right in front of her eyes.
But just then, a huge monster emerged from the shadows and headed toward Angela. The suddenness of that action caused Angela to stop moving and freeze.
She could feel that no one would be able to help her out in time. The others were too late and their attacks would not reach Angela in time.
“Don’t stop. I asked you to keep on moving so just move. Leave your life to me.”
Angela was afraid, terrified even. But she still chose to move as soon as she heard Aurora’s words. They were the only source of encouragement she had.
She had already crossed the threshold when Angela realized that she had made it past the danger. She had not been killed by the sudden emergence of the beast.
Angela turned around with a surprised look on her face, only to see Aurora’s hand having served the monster’s head from its body.
Her blue hair had a flash of dark red splattered all around it and there was a maniac look on her face. Even the sword she was holding was filled with blood and looked like it had seen better days.
But despite such a ragged look on that beautiful face, Angela could not help but think of her as beautiful. It was a kind of beauty that only came with power and authority.
No one who looked at Lady Aurora could deny that she was beautiful and deadly. She was like a poisoned-filled rose, deadly but also unattainable.
“Angela, hurry up and open the gates for us. The more time you spend looking around, the bigger danger you will be in.”
Angela snapped out of her dazed thoughts at Quince’s yelling. That boy was good at interrupting someone’s internal thoughts.
Angela’s cheeks colored at the serious and scolding tone. She instantly opened the gates and waited for the group to head toward her.
With this, the first big hurdle in their path had been cleared. It would allow the group to head toward the clearance area without having to worry about access restrictions.
Or at least that should have been the case. But as soon as the group made their way inside, the ground could not keep holding itself together, and cracks formed all over the surface.
“Rita, take hold of Angela and go together with Ur. I will find a way to you.”
Aurora yelled as she tried to straighten her position. Even if she could use magic, she needed a steady hold of her magic and a clear sense of the space around her.
But the falling motion made it difficult to achieve. Not to mention, the dark and heavy feeling of the pit also contributed to this.
Thankfully, Rita managed to reach Angela in time for Ur and Quince to make their way to her. On the other hand, Aurora reached out toward Ava who seemed to be finding it difficult to use magic as well.
For the outlander, this might have been the first time to face such a situation. She was confused and frustrated about what to do next.
“Ava, hold my hand. Otherwise, we might get separated.” Aurora reached out toward the overlooker who looked startled.
But she reached back without much thought and grasped Aurora’s hand. It was an unconscious action on her part and even Ava looked taken aback by what had happened.
Her expression of shock was something Aurora rarely saw on her face. But it was well worth it to endure the fall like this.
Aurora managed to maneuver herself in such a way that her back was the one that came in contact with the ground rather than Ava’s. It was to ensure that not everyone was hurt once they reached the ground.
As for herself, Aurora managed to cast cushioning magic so that her fall was not painful. So when her back connected with the ground, it was still bearable for her to straighten herself.
“Y-You! What do you think you are doing?”
Ava looked flushed and frustrated at the sudden turn of events. It was an unlikely scenario for her to think of.
Someone had just tried to protect her, an overlooker, from some harm that could have easily been avoided by her.
The thought of such action made Ava enraged but excited as well. She had already lost her words for the moment.
“What is wrong with what I did? I protected you because you are a precious friend of mine. Besides, I cannot let you get hurt because we still have work to do.”
That should have been the end of it. But for some reason, Ava looked hurt and also pissed off at Aurora’s confession.
Aurora waited for her to confess what had pissed her off but Ava kept her mouth shut. Surprisingly enough, she had enough patience to keep holding on to a grudge for something this minor.
“Ava, what is wrong-“
“Never mind. I guess I was just being a little sensitive right now. You don’t have to pay any mind to me or my mood.”
Ava sounded bitter but also resigned. And Aurora had a feeling that Ava did not want to say anything regarding what happened.