I was amazed by the respect I was given after the display of my ability to control pure mana. Candy even stopped with her harsh comments, though I could still feel her dislike for me and Beatrice. There have been two other attacks over the river since we've been here, which has only been two days, and I took out each group on my own with mana. But I felt it, they were getting smarter and more cautious.

Each group had more mana users than the last one and soon I knew they'll figure out that someone on our side could also use mana in a destructive way as well. We've had no word from Ashwini either about having found anything about their camp, so we stayed waiting for anything from them.

Over those two days, we've had more injured fairies come into the camp from other camps along the front line when they heard about Georgia and two Nightwalkers being there. Slowly fairies started to heal and a few were even able to start fighting again so they went off to replace the injured from other camps.

But right now I was standing at the ridge looking over the river when I felt something strange begin to happen. All the mana around me started to flee while a sick and vile feeling overcame me all of the sudden. It was heavy and I felt my skin crawl like a thick goo was sliding against my skin.

Beatrice! Hurry to the river something's happening and I can't use mana! I called for her down the bond and I felt her sudden panic.

We're on our way! Was her quick response.

A thud made the ground shake before a pain spread through my side when I was suddenly hit by something. I cried out as I hit a tree and crumbled to the ground. How did they get behind me without getting noticed? I thought as I quickly got up holding my side. I looked at what had hit me only to find a giant of an orc with a hammer the size of a tree in its large fists. No wonder the hit hurt so much, but how the hell did he get behind me?

He roared at me then, spittle flying out from his ghastly mouth with yellowed teeth and rotting tusks. I jumped to the side dodging a swing from that massive creature while pulling out my sword and rhoa az from their sheaths getting ready to attack.

I gasped in shock as I was hit from behind. I rolled along the ground and turned to find five smaller orcs had come up from behind me. How is this happening? They not only stink, they're clumsy as and always have heavy foot steps. How could I not have heard them?

Dodge to the right. A familiar voice echoed through my head but it wasn't Beatrice's. Not questioning the order or who spoke I did as told.

I jumped to the right just in time to not be squished by the giants hammer. I gasped in surprise at it. Don't just stand there! They're coming! The voice once again echoed in my mind shaking me from my surprise. I bent backwards dodging a swing from a rusting axe that came from one of the smaller orcs. I blocked the next downward swing with my sword before slicing though its thick forearms with my rhoa az just as I spun around to face all who were attacking me.

They're big and slow, you're smaller and faster. Use your speed and strength. Take out their legs. The voice ordered and she hasn't been wrong yet so I did as told.

Setting my sight on one of the orcs I ran at it and within seconds I was in front of it. Duck! I squatted down and spun to avoid a large iron sword that came down from an orc behind me. Using my sword, I slit the legs of the orc in front of me toppling it to the ground while I rolled over the ground to once again dodge the sword wielder.

Incoming! Above! The voice once again warned. I jumped back in a flip just in time to avoid the giants massive hammer from squishing me. Your left! Slide between its legs. In a rush I ran at the approaching orc I was warned about and slid under it as told to, taking out it's legs with my blades as I went.

I flipped back to my feet and took off the orcs head before twisting and blocking a heavy axe strike from another orc. Using my strength, I pushed the axe away and with my speed spun around it to impale my sword through its back taking out its heart, if it had one. Four orcs down, the sword wielder and the giant to go.

Sword wielder roared at me as it approached. Horizontal strike! Duck under it and move inside his guard. Take him out with your knife. The voice ordered as it approached. No longer questioning where the voice was coming from and how it knew what to do, I ducked under the orcs swing, stepped forward while raising my rhoa az to stab through the orcs chest then pulled it down to gut it. Before it's black blood could get onto me I spun out of the way and let it fall.

I looked up at the giant orc when it roared and was forced to run backwards when it brought down its massive hammer. Use the hammer to get to him. The voice advised, so I ran at it and jumped up onto it as the giant began to pull it back up having left a hole in the ground from where it had landed.

When the hammer was all the way up and I jumped onto the giant's bald head. As I landed I impaled my sword into its skull and through it's brain. The giant orc stopped moving for a second before it started to convulse and tremble until it suddenly dissipated into a black substance that stunk of dark mana. I fell to the ground from the sudden loss of footing but landed on my feet easily. I looked around at the carnage with a sigh before hissing and holding my side where I was first hit with the giant's hammer.

Are you okay? The familiar voice asked worriedly.

"Argh... yeah, I'll be fine in a moment." I replied while coughing up blood. My insides must have been damaged pretty badly from the hit for me to be bleeding and not healing as fast as I usually do. I looked around me trying to find where the voice was coming from and why I recognised it. "Where and who are you?" I asked out loud straightening up with a wince as I held my side.

It's me. The voice sighed and suddenly a familiar brunette that made my heart constrict with pain appeared in front of me.

"S-Sylvia?" I gasped out in complete shock. "What? How?"

She smiled at me sadly before pointing at my rhoa az. I was killed with that, meaning my soul is now inside it until I move on.

I couldn't reply, I was still in shock as my heart hurt worse than my side. I dropped my blades as I stumbled a step towards her. I needed to make sure she's real. How was she here? I thought... I thought I killed her. I lifted my hand wanting to touch her but to my shock my hand went through cheek which I was meaning to caress. Her smile turned even sadder as tears stung my eyes and my heart could barely handle the pain anymore.

"I'm sorry... I'm so so sorry Sylvia." I cried wanting nothing more than to hold and touch her my friend again, but she wasn't alive.

I forgive you Vaden. I have already forgiven you back when it happened. Please don't cry for me, this was my own fault in the first place.

I shook my head my shoulders slumping in disbelief. "But how are you here? Why are you here? Should you not be in heaven or wherever?"

Sylvia sighed and ran a hand through her hair. Like I said, because I died by your hunting knife my soul was taken into it much like all the other animals and people that the previous wielders had killed with it. I will be able to move on when I'm called to, but for now I'll be able to stay with you through your knife. I wasn't expecting to appear here in front of you but it seems I was allowed out because you were fighting with it.

"Anon did say, I could possibly speak to the souls within the blade and the king said I could gain their knowledge too." I sighed and rubbed my forehead.

"Vaden!" A voice shouted taking my attention from Sylvia. I turned to see Beatrice and a group of fairies running towards me. "Oh my god, are you okay?" She asked when she got to me and immediately pulled me into a hug. I groaned from the pain in my side where she was hugging me. "Oh god, I'm so sorry!" She gasped pulling away quickly and looking at me with so much worry.

"It's alright, I'll be fine in a moment." I told her through bated breath while holding my side.

"What happened here?" Candy asked looking at the dead orcs spread out over the place and the holes in the ground.

"For some reason I couldn't sense them when they approached me. The mana literally fled the area making it impossible for me to use it. Then a giant orc appeared. I think it was made out of dark mana because when I killed it it disintegrated into black powder before disappearing." I explained.

"You killed all of them by yourself?" She asked and I had to fight a smirk when I felt her reluctant respect.

"I had help." I told her.

"From who?" Beatrice asked helping me to stand.

"Sylvia." I answered making Beatrice look at me in disbelief.

"What? How? I thought... I thought you killed her?" She asked softly and awkwardly obviously not wanting to bring it up.

I sighed and looked to where Sylvia was looking just as awkward. "I did kill her, but her spirit's now in the rhoa az, which I used to do it. Like the king said, I can speak to them. Well, she actually spoke to me. She helped because I couldn't sense when the next attack was coming but she told me, like she was my eyes in the back of my head."

Beatrice smiled. "Even in death she's still a wonderful friend."

I laughed softly and looked at Sylvia who was blushing and looking at the ground. "She is." I agreed with a smile.

She lifted her head and smiled back. I'm going to go, just call for me if you need me. I'll always come to help.

Thank you Sylvia. I thanked her in my mind as she faded out. A little of the guilt I still held within my heart for what I've done lessened slightly because even though I can no longer touch and hold her, she was now always going to be with me.

"Come on before there's another attack." Candy ordered.

"And you need to rest too." Beatrice told me.

I nodded my head in agreement as I winced when I bent down to pick up my sword and rhoa az that were sticky with black blood. "I need to clean these." I muttered to myself as I sheathed the blades after wiping them off as much as possible with a sleeve.

"I'll do it while you rest." Beatrice told me helping me to walk back to the camp. My side was really hurting, I think all my left side ribs are broken, but at least I could feel my insides healing.

*

As I woke up I heard a soft purring and it wasn't coming from me. I opened my eyes only for them to widen in shock at the sight of a giant cat curled up against my side, though I couldn't feel it. I swallowed nervously at the sight of it. It had white fur looking as soft as silk and as pure as snow as a thick dense mane covered its neck. Black stripes marked its fur along its slim body, long tail and large head. It suddenly opened its eyes and I was amazed by the sight of ice blue eyes that stood out from the black of its eyes.

It's purring became louder while its eyes became half lidded like it was about to fall asleep and completely comfortable. Even though it was lying against me I couldn't feel it, which meant that it must be a spirit from my rhoa az. It was stunning and unbelievably beautiful.

Continue to stare at me human and I'll bite you. A gruff voice growled softly in my head making me jump slightly having not expected it.

"Sorry." I apologised to it out loud before looking around quickly to make sure no one heard me. It was night and most fairies were asleep in their tents. I smiled softly at the sight of Beatrice asleep and curled against my back beside me. I lifted my nose in the air and was able to scent that everything was in order with the sentries at their correct posts.

I turned back to the large cat who was still looking at me with its blue and black eyes. By the way, I'm not a human. Not anymore at least. I told it, speaking in my head.

I don't care, you look like one so you are one. He gruffed along with a huffed breath before he stood up and stretched. I was amazed by how big he was. His body was slim like it was suited for running at a high speed, while it's long limbs looked fit for climbing. Large retractable claws though looked sharp enough to slice through meat and bone with ease. He yawned and I was slightly terrified by how large its teeth were. He was the definition of a predator.

Even after all these years it amuses me how you can still look at me like that little one. He told me while looking over his shoulder at me.

I tilted my head in wonder. What do you mean after all these years?

It was your father who killed me, which placed me under his control, but he was a good man, I suppose. All he wanted from me was to protect you when you were a child. I was surprised as much as your father was when you could see me since no one besides the wielder of the rhoa az should be able to.

I sat up and looked at him in surprise as he sat before me. Why don't I remember you? I remember almost everything about myself now besides for a few things.

He shook his head which made his mane swish. When you got older you could no longer see me. When you were a baby is when you were able to see me, so of course you wouldn't be able to remember me. But that doesn't mean I wasn't watching over you either, until your fathers passing of course.

I sighed softly as I looked at him. I looked to my side when I felt arms wrap around me. I couldn't help but smile seeing Beatrice wrap herself around me while she was still sleeping. Softly I moved hair out of her face and caressed her face lovingly. Thank you for looking after me then. I said looking back up at the large cat who was looking down at Beatrice almost curiously.

Is she your Mate? He asked which I answered with a nod. She's incomplete.

I frowned at that. What do you mean?

Her soul, it's incomplete. I'm not sure how to explain it, but it feels to me like she's missing something that she should have.

I don't know what you're talking about. I frowned at him, not liking how he was talking about Beatrice. She is fine, there's nothing wrong with her.

Don't glare at me child. There isn't anything wrong with her, she's just not complete like she should be. He rolled his eyes and huffed out a breath again.

I huffed as well before I looked back down to Beatrice. "You're perfect." I whispered to her bending down and kissing her cheek softly. I smiled as I felt her grip around me tighten.

You need to get up. There are enemies coming. He suddenly spoke up making me look up quickly to see him standing near the entrance of the tent we were in.

Do you know how many? I asked slipping out of Beatrice's grip without waking her.

I'm not sure, but there's more than usual. You won't be able to defeat them all on your own. Sylvia suddenly appeared beside me as she answered my question making me jump. Sorry.

Why isn't anyone calling the alarm then? I asked shaking off my surprise.

They're dead. The cat answered still at the opening of the tent.

Vaden we have to hurry. Sylvia said joining the large cat at the tent.

I nodded my head and started shaking Beatrice. "Wake up, we're under attack." I told her hurriedly and quickly moved on to everyone else in the tent when I felt her wake up.

"How do you know? The alarm hasn't sounded." Beatrice asked quickly getting ready for a fight.

"They're dead and a cat spirit told me." I told her waking everyone that I could and telling them to get ready.

"What's happening?" Tora asked after I woke him.

"Under attack." I stated before moving to the next tent.

"How do you know?" Honey asked with a yawn.

I growled in annoyance. "Because I bloody well do! Just get ready!" I shouted my patience gone when I felt the mana flee the camp and then came along the stink of orc and blood.

A cry of pain sounded from the edge of camp in the direction of the river. I ran to it, only find the camp being overrun by orcs.

Beatrice, get Georgia and the injured out of here. I'll hold them off as long as possible, but you need to get everyone to safety. I shouted down our bond as I pulled my blades out and ran at the attacking orcs.

What about you? She replied worriedly.

I'll be fine just go! I ducked under an axe swing while stabbing my knife into his knee before decapitating him with my sword.

Vaden use us! Sylvia said from beside me.

"How?" I asked not bothering to speak in my mind.

I don't know! Just let us help. She huffed, not being much help in the moment.

Place mana into the blade child! The giant cat hurried out as I dodged a hammer to the head.

"There isn't any here!" I gritted out as I blocked the hammer with my sword before spinning and slicing out the orcs throat with my knife.

If there wasn't mana then there would be nothing here! Mana is in everything child!

Damn it! I gritted my teeth as I felt something hit against my back sending me tumbling forward. I quickly rolled and stood up finding myself surrounded by orcs. I breathed in and out slowing trying to calm myself. "Fine, let's do this."

I searched for mana and found it hiding in the ground and even inside myself. Using the mana inside me I pulled it out and flowed it into the rhoa az. "Fichat hatif! (Bring forth)" I called pointing my hunting knife out in front of me. "Narga! Sylvia!"

A blue/black glow shined from the black blade before the big cat spirit jumped out of it with a roar. The glow then turned silvery black and Sylvia landed on her feet in front of me with two swords in hand. I fell to me knees as the world spun around me. Too much mana left my body too quickly, I wasn't ready for it.

"Vaden! Get up!" Sylvia shouted at me as she picked off orc after orc along with Narga who was shredding orcs like they were nothing.

I felt like vomiting but I pushed the bile down and stood up still feeling slightly dizzy. I held up my sword and knife and breathed in trying to tame my nausea.

No way am I being killed here.

Please comment and vote if you like the story so far! Thank you!

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