It was five in the morning, Lexy and Varikin were all ready to go with her mech, backpack, and at the entrance into the woods. Lexy made sure to leave a note for Thokath not to worry. Lexy used her ability and smells the stale air that used to be strange to her is now comforting rather than one choked with warfare.

Lexy and Varikin quickly passed by some people setting up the plateau with the rebellion door on the other side of the flat rock.

The duo entered the base and it was much quieter than it used to be. Yes, a few members were walking around and doing what they're told. Lexy was quickly approached by a female beast-blooded, a renegade with gold and blue-colored fox ears and tail.

They come up to the blond “excuse me are you Lexy?”

The blond gives a slightly nervous expression “yes I am”

The beast-blooded has a stoned expression “good we will be taking off in five minutes for the escort mission here is your flight equipment.”

They hand Lexy a white ribbon. she puts on her classic smirk “I will get ready immediately” The beast-blooded noded “good, see to it”

Lexy, knowing she was short on time, rushed to change into the equipment. She put the ribbon into her flight helmet and with a soft click it spins up all the info. Lexy only had about three minutes left, so she put on her mech and backpack. Then headed out of the rebellion door to the paltoue with Varikin in his ferret form and on her shoulders. Already at the flight range was the fox beast-blooded from before, Alcore, Meko, Fendres, Varikin, and a few others.

Lexy put on her helmet and goggles. Then turned to Varikin, “so are you going to come with?”

Varikin held a calm expression while he raised a brow, “well I will just turn into one of my smaller forms and be in your backpack as usual. What do you think”?

Lexy blinked “oh that makes sense- “ she was quickly interrupted by Fendres shouting like drill sergeant style, “Alright, boys, we are heading out in less than two minutes. But before that, I wanted to bring up a few things. I am aware that we have a few rookies among us! Heed this I will not have stray offs doing what they damn please even if it seems like I’ve lost my marbles. Always follow upper-rank orders even if they are from a different branch. THIS IS A WAR. Now wings up.”

During this Varikin climbed into Lexy’s backpack. Lexy then pulled the white cord on her mech creating the metal wings to appear. “ENGINE READY!” Fendres shouts, pulling her cord to start her engine.

Lexy jumped up creating the force to let her hover five feet in the air along with her allies. “TAKE OFF!” Fendres shouted.

She looked up to the sky, her comrades doing the same. Their mech’s engines roar, sending them flying into the sky. Lexy did her best to stay close to the group and not speed past them. The group stopped descending and Fendres took the lead of the group creating a v formation.

Lexy struggled a bit with the speed and put the mech on its slowest level. From there she had smooth sailing for them but as the sun rose. She could feel tension spreading through the group. She looks for what could be causing this, but she doesn’t find anything that would cause this. So maybe it is because the sun is up. The blond thinks about why this would cause tension while focusing on where she is going.

Lexy then realized it would be easier to spot the group and that’s probably why they left so early. She heard the com link beep in her helmet, “alright we're going into a straight formation from here.”

Everyone gave a thumbs up and started getting in formation. Lexy ended up in the tail of the formation when she heard whale sounds, but that’s impossible because whales don’t fly. The group does not waver to the sound. They act like this is a common occurrence. The group went above some clouds and that’s when a large head raised out of the cloud its head is like a dragon, but it is white in color and has a large set of blue antlers.

Lexy watched out of the corner of her eyes as this creature raised it to have a worm-like body with long thin arms from what she can tell. The blond activates her com on her helmet “what is that should we be worried”

Shortly after this, she heard a beep, “Nah it’s just a weather worm but it's harmless, those noises you’re hearing are talking to the rest of its pod. Well, correction is harmless until provoked. Just don’t bother them and they won’t bother you. Also, the rest of my rookies don’t get too close to it; If you do well let’s just say it will lead to a shocking experience”

Lexy looked at it and yes, it was breathtaking as it is magical but decided to take Fendres’s advice on this and stayed away. A few more weather worms followed but are not as close as the first one. Some of them have colorful markings while others are just one color.

Lexy was filled with wonder but reminded herself that she was over one hundred feet in the air. She looked back ahead and felt terror grip her with its cold claws. when she saw there about to enter a giant thunder cloud. She hears her com beep, “alright we're here now for those experienced go first. Rookies follow the example and pull the black cord when they do while driving. Alright. FOR TODAY!”

Fendres while turning to dive pulled her black cord and with a poof, her mech turned into a pair of huge light orange wings. Others follow the same actions, their wings light shades of different colors. Lexy got to the dive point and pulled her cord. The engine of the mech quieted and her huge black and dark purple wings spread into the air.

Lexy dived not too far behind from the gravity pushing her down thru the storm wind whistling against her. Lightning clouding her vision, thunder drowning her ears. She noticed their heading into the heart of the storm when the wind howled louder she heard a soft beep in her com, “All alright heading to land in ten” Lexy watched as the group headed into the eye of the storm. She felt herself brace for the worst.

Lexy entered the eye of the storm and watched when the storm somewhat melted away. She continued to follow the others as they landed on the familiar giant turtle. Lexy’s eyes widened when she looked around. Having not expected to see this place again. She hears her com beep “welcome to the rebellion of turtle golf.” Fendres spoke through the com unit.

Lexy followed the others when they landed on the tallest building’s roof that had colorful markings like an airport. She gets ready to make her landing and runs onto the roof gradually slowing down and stops but a little too fast her wings continue and smack her in the face. She huffs and looks at the others who just stare at her. Lexy looked at the other's shock written all over their faces. She gave a confused expression “hey what’s wrong?”

Fendres and Alcore take off their helmets and glance at each other. Fendres just shrugged and Alcore is the first to speak, “you have black and purple wings. Were used to their being white and light shades of color but this. This is different but we are here. Now, where is Phenic?”

Fendres was about to speak when a familiar feminine voice to Lexy interrupted, “right here staro”

Then came up the bipedal tall bird that was dressed in a rebellion-themed vest with a black set of pants. Had a bamboo hat and a small smirk. Phenic looked at the group, “so you brought some rookies with you are you sure they can handle this? Oh, hey kid” she said waving to Lexy and then turned back to her commander.

Alcore looked at the group and a confident smile appeared on his face “yup I would not have picked them if I thought otherwise.” Phenic raised a brow at the sight of Lexy “Risking our ace?”

Alcore nodded, “yup I chose each individual for what they have to offer and went from there”

Phenic shrugged “alright I trust your judgment” Phenic’s gaze slightly lingering on Lexy.

Lexy pulled a cord coming from the wings and with a puff, they turned back into her mech. She opened her bag to find a sleeping Varikin curled up still in his ferret form. Lexy felt a rumble in her stomach and forgot to eat breakfast. She turned her attention to her other group members and the fact that they were leaving.

Lexy rushes to follow the group and goes up to Meko. She gave a smile, “hi Meko.”

Meko gave a small smile from under his hood and then remembered he had a question to ask her but maybe later as he eyed the leaving group. The group follows Phenic through the city made of wood, steel scraps, and rope. The giant pistons let off hot puffs of steam when they move.

The place smelled like humidity and sweet-smelling fruits, unlike last time. Phenic leads the group through the lower levels of the town. Children who were once playing stop to watch them pass by. Some of the residents stopped as well.

The group reached a docking area for ships. Lexy noticed fewer citizens and more members of the rebellion. Lexy could tell by the emblem on their uniforms. She also has noticed that yes there are similarities in the uniforms, but distinct differences are highly present.

Phenic lead the group to a large sailboat with engravings on the dark-colored wood. The sails were made of white unstained fabric. Lexy flinched when she heard a raspy voice, “alright I will be your captain, and this is my ship the Serpentine. My name is Mafo, but you can also address me by captain. We still have an hour till we depart.”

Lexy looked at Mafo. He was a red panda with an eye patch. Mafo was wearing a male version of an old-styled kimono. He had a long mustache but despite him looking old he still looked tough.

Phenic stepped up, “in the meantime feel free to grab some food or extra supplies. Notice to those who haven’t been here before. We do have links to the black market. That is all” Lexy watches as everyone else starts to go off in smaller groups.

Lexy felt a tap on her shoulder and turned to see Meko. Lexy gave a smile, “hi Meko do you need something?”

Meko brought out his communication hologram device and typed, “yes I was wondering since this is my tenth time here would you like some assistance?”

Lexy gives a nervous smile and scratches her neck. “yes, please this is my second time here” She feels her stomach rumble.

Meko typed “Hungry? I know a good place where we can get breakfast. Where is Varikin?”

Lexy sighed “I am, also to your second question Varikin is asleep in my backpack we should get him some food two.”

Meko noded and typed, “sure I'll lead the way.”

Meko led Lexy to a café that was only a few minutes walk up a sloped road. The interior of the cafe had wooden tables and chairs. Candles lighting any dark corners and generally a cute-looking café. Meko got a bar seat and Lexy got one left for Meko. Lexy opened her backpack to see Varikin was still asleep as a ferret. She gently picked up her friend, “Varikin wake up.”

Varikin woke up with a jolt and looked up at Lexy, “Lexy? Where are we?”

Lexy giggled, “you fell asleep on the way. We are already here, are you hungry?” Varikin before answering hopped over to the seat left to Lexy.

With a huff, Varikin turned to his human form, “yes, yes I am also hi Meko”

Meko wavered and a waitress came up to the group. She was a bipedal dark green lizard beast-blooded like Talo. Her white hair is frizzy and white while her skin was dark-toned.

The old woman smiled, “hello Meko what can I get you and your friends. We have fresh fish, fruit, and dried meat today.”

Meko typed, “I’ll have fish and I’ll pay.” The waitress nods and writes down on a stained piece of paper with a quill.

Lexy after some quick internal debating “I will take a bit of fruit and meat, please.” The waitress nodded and wrote down her order.

Varikin took no time to decide what he wanted. “I will take some dried meat,” The waitress wrote down Varikin’s order and headed into the back.

Varikin starts first “so Lexy I heard you did well during the whole siege event. Sorry, I missed your battle against the king by the way, what is he like?” Meko nodded in agreement.

Lexy shuddered, “he, I want to say psychotic, but he seems too smart for that may be a mix. His magic is from what I can guess. a kind of mind control and energy control.” Right as she finished her rant. The waitress came in with their food and set the plates of food in front of each customer.

Meko ended up with a cooked two-inch-thick fish steak covering the whole plate Meko gets a fork and took a bite of his food while he typed, “interesting you know there has only been a hand full of rebels to survive him in hand to hand combat and so just wondering how did you’re encounter go with him?” a shadow looms over Varikin’s and Lexy’s faces.

Varikin takes a bite of his food before talking “that actually was her third or fifth encounter; her first was what happened after her third or fourth day after joining us. She walked away from that just fine too.”

Lexy nodded stuffing the food in her mouth and then swallowed “the first time we met he recognized that I was from the veil. He found it amusing that I joined the rebellion, so he considers that I and him are pretty much playing a game of chess or cat and mouse nonsense. I fought him then and he absolutely totaled me.” She said with a frown and then sighed,

“Now come most recently I put up as much fight as I could against him, but I only was rewarded with him now part def. He has not yet fought back against me like he does others. Which honestly is strange.”

Lexy continued eating. Meko now halfway through his food typed, “oh since we are here how about after we finish eating, we should see the Peryton farm it is not that far. It's right near the docks''

Lexy blinked as she thought back to Callum “Sure I'd love that! I've seen one before.”

Varikin tilted his head “Wait when have you seen one?”

Lexy frowned Mako was the first to finish then Lexy, Varikin. Meko paid for their meals and began to lead the group past the houses and docks to a fenced-off pasture, five minutes from the docks. Lexy stared and smiled as she looked at the peryton.

Lexy looked back to the docks, “as much as I would like to stay and pet one, we have a job to do and I see the others getting on the ship thank you Meko for breakfast and for showing me this.”

Meko noded and Varikin turned back into his regular wolf form. The trio headed back to the docks and boarded the boat with the others.

The captain standing at the wheel looked at the group, “All alright now that my crew is ready, and you are on board. We have a few rules here. Number one never questions my orders, or you get thrown overboard.

The second rule is you need to look like us other ships will be having suspicions if they see you in, you’re uniform out on deck.

Third, the second we get to those inspection points I want all of you down in the hidden deck unless I say otherwise. I will tell you twenty minutes prior. This will be a three-day trip. That’s all my rules. There are beads prepared for you on the hidden deck. Oh, and stay alert, the king's goons are not the only danger in these waters as of late.”

Lexy watched when the crew lowered the sails and the ship moved with a sudden jolt. She hears the waves crash against the ship when it moved. The humid salty air filled her nose.

Lexy, Meko, and Varikin begin to wander around the ship to find the hidden deck. They found their way to the wine cellar where a few crew members were having a drink. One of them came up to the confused group “are you three trying to find the hidden deck?”

Lexy nodded and the crew member chuckled, “well you’re already close to it here let me show you” the crew member led them to a shelf of barreled alcohol, “this is it” he reached in between the two barrels and pulled a lever. The group heard gears click and shift as the shelf split into two revealing a spiral staircase down.

Lexy looked with awe, “thank you” She said to the crewmate. Lexy followed Varikin and Meko to the hidden deck. Half of the hidden deck was filled with boxes and crates, the other was a bunch of hammocks. Lexy walks up to an empty one that hazes a bunch of white sheets on it.

She goes to touch it and the sheets with a puff of smoke turn into clothes that are just her size. Lexy looked in awe, grabbed the clothes, and headed to one of the restrooms to change her clothes. Once dressed in her sailor or her opinion pirate-like outfit. Lexy then headed back to her bag of equipment and grabbed her utility belt and quiver. She loaded her quiver up with normal and splitter arrows.

Lexy grabbed her bow, which is in its compact form, and put it in her utility belt. Now ready she put back on her bag and mech. Lexy turned back to the hammock to see Varikin in his ferret form and he hopped onto her shoulder. “hi” she says with a smile.

Varikin smiled, “hello.”

Lexy turned around to see Reba and Espa, “oh, hey you two I didn’t know you would be here.” She said with surprise

Reba and Espa turn to the duo. Espa in her wolf form looked to the duo and Reba smiled “hi.” Her voice was soft but with a firm undertone.

Lexy looked at Reba and saw the stitches around her neck and smiled, “oh you got that thing out that’s awesome Reba.”

Reba and Espa noded “yes the others got theirs removed two. I see you already have the garbs of requirement on”

Espa was the next to speak, “Yes Zoric, Menarie, Resper, and Valour all got assigned to go and negotiate with the thunder pixies.”

Lexy tilted her head and Espa continued, “Thunder Pixies were hoping they’ll be an ally in all this and help free the slum zones.”

Lexy frowned, “what are the slum zones and these magic robes are garbs of requirement?”

Reba glared at the horizon, “the slum zones are the place families is sent to starve and then be killed as for your other question these are magic clothes woven by a star dwarf”

Lexy nodded, “got it well I’m heading to the upper deck you are coming, right?”

Reba nodded,

“understood but no I am to stay down here under head captain Alcore’s orders.”

With that Lexy and Varikin head to the upper deck. When she reached the open air. She felt the wind ruffled her hair and the soft splash of water. The salty air was slowly fading as they approached an entrance to a river. Lexy watched birds fly by ship and listened to the splash of water. She watched when they entered the mouth of a river. It was clearly a river but what is weirding her out was she cannot see the other part of it.

Lexy walked up to Alcore,

“Hey Alcore, are we entering the river of shadows?”

Alcore snapped out of staring at the horizon and looked to her,

“huh oh yes we are why you ask?”

Lexy’s face scrunched a bit with confusion,

“I only see one side how big the river is?”

A smile found its way on Alcore’s face, “oh that’s because it's too large to see the other side”

Lexy’s jaw dropped, “this river has to be over a mile wide!” she exclaimed flabbergasted.

Alcore shrugged, “We chose the river of shadows because it is not nearly as hectic as the river of wonder. The river of wonder splits and flies in the air.”

Lexy’s expressions changed from shock to confusion, “how can a river fly? Oh, wait let me guess magic?” Alcore nodded.

Lexy gave a hum. “So if the river of wonder flies, why is this river called the river of shadows?”

Alcore’s smile faded “well that’s the reason we are escorting the ship while the river of shadows is not as hectic as the river of wonder it is more of what is in the river than the river itself. We will probably have monsters and checkpoints to deal with.”

She nods and then she remembers another question that had been on her mind “also by the way where is Fendres?” Alcore’s soft smile returns “Fendres- “

As if right on cue the captain shouted, “checkpoint! all escorts on the hidden deck in twenty minutes or less!” Lexy walked to the front of the ship to see what the checkpoint looked like.

The checkpoint didn't look like what she expected. It is a ship much larger than the Serpentine; it had a three-headed horse carved out of wood on the front of it. The sailing black midnight in color looked so beautiful, yet she knew that danger lurked from its core. Yet despite that, she can’t help but be captivated by it.

Reality snapped back into Lexy as she heard the captain, “Two minutes till checkpoint!” She rushed down the decks and made it to the secret deck. She sat on a hammock when a few of the others were or like Alcore and Miko they were sitting on the ground.

But no one dared speak, the air felt like you could run a knife through it and a single noise would cause suspicion. The captain can feel the tension coming off his crew, yes, they are used to checkpoints but this time it is much different. They have illegal weapons and fugitives of the law on this boat.

If these inspectors suspect anything, they have every right to dissect the ship for anything and if they find anything that proves any of his crew or himself are against the crown, they will all be sentenced to death. They know one rebel is enough to get them killed but fifteen that means a fate worse than death.

He himself was a part of the rebellion as well as his crew but since they just run supplies from one base to another or stage as a fishing boat to spy on coastal bases. But it was not just the extra passengers that had him and his crew stressed more than normal, it was what he was hauling that required an escort.

The captain steadied the ship as his crew lowered the sails and prepared to be boarded by the checkpoint ship. The ship stops next to the checkpoint ship. With a loud clack, a board was set onto the two ships to act as a bridge. One of the first inspectors came onto the ship. They have high-rank clothing with laces. They look almost human if it is not for their deep ocean blue hair and cat-like eyes.

They straighten their jacket and pull out a scroll,

“By the orders of his majesty, every boat is to be inspected high and low for any illegal weapons or artifacts of any kind. Furthermore, if we find any ship hiding rebels, we are to bring the rebels to his majesty, and as for the crew that hides them his majesty himself shall choose their fate of his preference.”

They put away the scroll and put on a soft smile.

“Good morning captain, it has been only a week since I saw your glorious Serpentine sail. I hope you had a good fishing trip.”

The captain gave a smile, “well we did pretty good until a freak storm hit us barely got out, I think something has the weather worm’s wrath possibly or another fool tried to capture one for enchantment dust. But yes, it is good to see you, my friend. How is being on high ranks doing you for being a water mage?” He let out a chuckle trying to not let tension hang.

The inspector gave a soft laugh, “you know I would not put it past some of those idiots out there. There are some creatures you just don’t bother. For your second question not bad I think I am doing well my magic helps greatly” He lets out a whistle and five other men board the ship.

One wolf beast-blooded. Second, a blue and yellow dragon blooded. The third was a bipedal frog with a peg leg. Forth was a beast-blooded with goat legs. The fifth was a bipedal jaguar missing an eye. The five begin to search the ship for anything that would raise suspicions.

Lexy heard the shifting of items and loud footsteps from above her head. She put a hand over her mouth and nose not wanting dust to get her and so many others caught, When what felt like hours passed it stopped.

Silence hanging over them for a moment and through the silence they heard “alright your ship is clear, have a safe trip.”

With a soft clank heard in the background and a minute later they feel the ship move again. “Alright, we're in the clear!”

Lexy, Alcore, Varikin, Meko, and a few others all head to the top deck. Varikin starts a conversation with Alcore and soon Meko joins.

Lexy however wanted to sightsee more. She eventually found her way to the back of the ship and was captivated by the rippling waves coming from the ship and the passing lands. It was after a short moment of this that she began to hear the soft almost angelic sound of feminine singing, coming from the left back end of the ship.

This intrigued her and she headed to the other side of the backend of the ship. It was then she saw many small ripples in the water get larger. Until the heads of horses emerge from the water. Their fur and mains are an iridescent dark green, as they emerge further from the water these gorgeous captivating steeds’ mains catch in the wind and flow as if magically through the air. Their hooves are dark black.

More and more of these steeds rise from the water until there are at least twenty of these magical steeds. Lexy so fixated on these gorgeous and captivating creatures could hardly bring herself to look away. She sighed “maybe Alcore or one of the others know about these pretty horses are”

Lexy headed over to Alcore, Varikin and Meko, “hey Alcore” Alcore, Meko, and Varikin stopped their conversation and change their attention to Lexy.

Alcore was the first to respond, “yes Lexy?”

Lexy gave a soft smile, “do you know what type of horses can move very fast in the water? Are they magic?”

Alcore’s expressions furrow with confusion, “magic water horse none that I can think of that are friendly in freshwater, why you ask?”

Lexy’s expression changed to only more confused, “well there is a whole herd of horses behind the boat and they are swimming about as fast as the boat if not faster.” She said, perplexed.

Alcore’s and Varikin’s eyes widened and the two rushed to the end of the boat. Lexy and Meko quickly followed. Alcore eyes filled with worry turned to Mafo, “Captain we have a hungry herd of kelpies on our tail!” The captain has someone take over steering for him.

The captain stared out at the herd of Kelpies, “Draw your weapons and ready the cannons!” Mafo draws his katana as his crew scurries to ready the cannons and weapons. Alcore drew his sword, Varikin turned to his larger form, and Lexy readied her bow with a splitter arrow.

The herd splits into three groups one on the left the second to the right the third staying behind. Lexy walked up to Alcore, “can we outrun them?”

Alcore grimly shook his head, “no this is a snail pace for them”

Lexy heard cannons fire at the kelpies. The sound of demented nickering quickly followed. Alcore rushed to one of the boat sides, his sword extended to attack the kelpies that were going to jump onto the boat.

Lexy now realizing what was happening ran to a boat side Varikin on her tail. Lexy released her arrow at the kelpies and to her surprise they doge. Then suddenly she heard a hiss as the arrow that was now in the water exploded and sent out a large burst of black tendrils that began to drag and devour three of these creatures.

One of the kelpies leaped to the side, railing its black eyes to meet her own, filled with terror as it had just barely missed Lexy. Varikin lurched forward and bit the creature's face. The horse hissed and went back to where it came from.

Varikin now by Lexy’s side snarled at the girl, “keep your head in the game.”

Lexy nodded and pegged another splitter onto her bow. She looked at the once magnificent steeds. Their once glossy coats were now rotted. Flesh falling off leaving a skeleton. Some of the others who were escorting the ship focused on battling the kelpies that jumped onto the ship and started to attack the crew.

Meko lowered his hood and took off his cloak. His skin is black in color, his eyes deep brown hazel. He had axolotl gills and a tail. His hair was coal in color and puffy.

He rushed to the back of the ship and stepped back just in time to dodge a kelpie that jumped up and tried to bite him. He summons two whips made from water. That quickly appeared in his hands. Meko jumped off the boat and used one whip to attack the kelpies while another kept him attached to the boat.

Alcore attacked the kelpies when they jumped up to attack him. The last thing they needed was more kelpies on board. Alcore heard cannon fire and then the kelpies screamed with absolute furry. He thrust with his sword making it extend and kill the last few kelpies on his side of the ship.

Lexy stopped shooting when she saw that the kelpies were trying to hug more to the boat making it much harder for her to get a good shot but just beneath enough to not get hit by cannons. She pulled back the string on the bow, loading it for another shot.

She summoned her magic creating a portal beneath her and another about five feet away from the ship. Lexy felt herself fall into the portal and then jumped out of the one five feet away. She felt as if time was in slow motion, she aimed and fired. All within a few seconds killing off the last of the stragglers on her side with a splitter arrow.

Lexy let herself fall back into the portal she had jumped out of. She jumped out of the portal on the boat and closed it before she fell back into it.

She then closed the one on the side of the ship. Lexy heard kelpies screeching mixed with the snapping of whips coming from the back of the ship. She rushes to the back of the ship and loads her bow for another shot. Lexy looked over the edge to see Meko create a shark out of the water and send it after the Kelpies. The demented steeds screech and then stare at Lexy for a swift moment and leave.

Lexy sighed, she put her arrow away. Meko in swift movement tugged on one of his whips and was sent flying through the air and landed on the deck of the ship. Varikin sighed, “that was crazy.”

Lexy nodded, “yea go talk to Meko to check if there are any of those things left.” Varikin nodded and went to do his given task.

She walked up to Alcore, “so I am going to guess that they were after something on the ship.”

Alcore shook his head “they don’t usually come in a hearing like that. Kelpies hate sharing food. They were probably desperate and really hungry.”

Lexy frowned; she knew a lie when she heard one especially when they suck at it. She raises a brow putting two things together in her mind “uh we're hauling the soul stone are we not? Why are you trying to hide that?”

Alcore’s eyes widened “How did you?”

Lexy just smirked and tilted her head to the side, “do you really take me to be so stupid? The soul stone got an enchantment put on it by the blood king. I wouldn’t be surprised if it attracts monsters.”

Alcore blinked “no I wasn’t expecting you to or it to. What?”

Lexy shrugged, “oh it's ok I just figured it out on my own. I won’t tell the others unless you want me to.”

Alcore nodded, “yea please no.” Silence fell between the two and he smiled “you know I have had short glimpses of the veil and to most around here humans are the stuff of myths. The times I have tried to be in the veil I would get horrible headaches.”

Lexy chuckled, “Then what about the first time we met you didn’t seem to have a headache then you had a hole in you the size of a dinner plate, and what did you tell me. Oh, right I remember now. I am fine, don't worry about me.” A sarcastic tone lased in her voice as she tried to impersonate him. A soft smile lingering once she was done with her performance.

Varikin chuckled when he came up to Lexy, “all good.” He looked to Lexy who mouthed a thank you.

Alcore tilted his head, “I really was fine it healed really quick, so I don’t understand why you were so freaked out. Is being immortal rare?”

Lexy burst laughing, “rare? Rare! Rare doesn’t even describe it as impossible! People know of magic in the veil; you could say they just believe it’s fake because it is something they don’t understand. People or humans whatever you want to term them to. They hate not understanding things, so they chart magic as a child’s imagination or fake.”

Alcore noded took a short moment to think of what he was about to say. “So, I have wanted to ask what your home is like if you don’t mind me asking? I mean you just come and leave but the only one who remotely knows anything about you personally is Varikin”

Varikin nods “yea but even then. She’s just staying with her uncles or Cousins' house.”

Lexy hummed “well my home currently is really nice. I love the people there like a bunch of siblings I never had and no I don’t have any siblings. The place is surrounded by a bunch of forests and wildlife. I guess I am pretty lucky to even know what living trees look like.”

Alcore can agree to that but there are still a few more questions he has for her. “What are your parents like?”

Lexy flinched; she didn’t expect him to ask that. THAT question she hates. It was what kids almost always asked wherever she went. No, not immediately but like the reaper of death it would followed. She remembered the other kids saying my dad’s going to bring me ice cream WHAT'S YOURS? My mom bought me a new bike for Christmas WHAT did YOUR MOm GET YOU?

No, there was a better question than that. WHERE was her mom for the moments that another kid just wouldn’t, no, couldn’t think of their parents being gone for? Like Christmas, a birthday, happy anniversary, winning first place in an archery competition, Mother’s day, Father’s day, these are events kids expect their parents to be there.

Not hers, no her mom was too busy for her, her mom didn’t have time for her, her dad left one present and left. That was the ONLY present she had ever gotten from either one of her parents. Mother just had the audacity to say, “Sorry dear, I'll remember next year.”

The other people who did take care of her never really stayed long and once she showed she could manage on her own her mom left her mostly alone. She would just get visited by someone who would make food for her clean a bit, teach her that day's lesson and then leave. If she was lucky, they would leave a book for her.

Lexy shuddered, “well I don’t remember my father. My mom, she is…” What was her mother to her? Lexy sighed and looked to Alcore, “Can we change the subject please.”

Alcore frowned and another question surfaced that will hopefully be a happier subject for Lexy, “what is the veils culture like or at least where you’re from?”

A smile formed from Lexy’s lips a silent tear fell, “well I think I speak for most people you have not lived if you have not had a burger of which you have not. So, I am going to change that before I leave for good. Got it?” The tone Lexy spoke from was that of passion.

This to say the least left Alcore confused. Why would she be so obsessed with food? Is it really that good? Alcore shrugged, “sure why not. But you know I think I can relate a bit. My mom died when I was born. My dad died in battle against one of the kings while he killed him.”

Lexy tilted her head “wait what? Is the king we have old or new?”

Alcore’s response was immediate and dark, “he’s new he only came to the throne ten years ago. His grandfather was killed by my father. His father was the one who sentenced my little sister Lily and my stepmother. To death by being burned alive. They killed my family. I'm going to kill theirs.”

Lexy nodded silence fell between them and Alcore smiled, “hey did you know whether worms are so big that the veil covers them up with clouds and thunderstorms because it just can’t handle them all that well.”

Lexy looked at the sky while listening and the sun was setting, the sky barely changing color. Panic struck her in the chest, “oh shoot I have to go!” she rushed to the hidden deck “Varikin!” she says with a shout.

Varikin was lying down and dazed when he heard her. He jumped to his paws and ran up to her “Lexy wha-”, He was quickly cut off by Lexy, “I have to get home!”

Varikin noded turned into his ferret form and jumped into her backpack. Lexy buckled the straps on from her mech and rushed back to the top deck. Lexy stopped by Alcore “Alcore how do I get home?”

Alcore chuckled, “well I actually am a step ahead on that.” Alcore pulled out a jar containing a large red and purple swirl-marked butterfly. “you tell it where you want to go and then it will lead you there” he handed it to Lexy. “See you tomorrow?”

Lexy gave a thumbs up. “See you tomorrow” She then opened the jar, “lead me home please” The butterfly rose out of the jar and led the way of the ship. Lexy pulled the black cord on her mech and in a puff outstretched her black and purple wings. She took off after the butterfly wanting to get home as soon as possible.

After following the butterfly for fifteen minutes she could no longer see the ship or the river. Thirty minutes later the sun was halfway set and she could see the rebel's base now Lexy didn't land there though. Lexy closed her eyes and thought of the forest near the mansion. She opened her eyes to see from there she could see the mansion.

Lexy slowed down and prepared to land. She got into a glide position with her wings and in a short few moments, she landed near the mansion. She took off her bow and quiver. She looked at her outfit it changed into a black hoodie and a pair of genes

She put her wings away and let Varikin out of her backpack. Varikin transformed into his wolf form and then put on the illusion that makes him look like a Doberman pinscher.

The duo carefully walks inside the soft click of every step on the checkered floor echoing around the massive ballroom. Halfway through the room, the silence is shattered. “so, what captivated you so long that you were going all day?”

Lexy turned around and scratched her arm, nervousness beginning to take hold. There standing behind her was Thokath looking at Lexy with a narrowed disappointed gaze while he tapped his foot against the tile impatiently. Lexy sighed and averted her gaze from Thokath’s disappointed one. “I and Varikin were playing by a river we found the other day and we lost track of time. Sorry”

Thokath sighed, “it's ok just leave your note somewhere more obvious next time k?”

Lexy nodded and she felt like she was starving. But her lack of sleep was more pressing than eating her as of now, “ok I am heading straight to bed and good night Thokath” she said trying to sound like her cheery self. She headed up the stairs down the lavish hallways and to her bedroom and flopped onto her bed and let herself fall into sleep.