The Mystical Princess- Kaarmanet Series (Book 1)

Fight or Flight?

**Rebh (POV)**

 **[Kaarmanet, Warfaind Mystical Woods]**

When Chocopie had started running towards the growls, I felt she was stupid too but then when she was looking for ways to save the trapped griffin despite knowing how dangerous it could be I felt she was brave; in reality, she was just that kind, so kind she couldn’t see the suffering of the mystical creatures whatsoever. It was however my dragon that pointed out it was just in her nature; she was born to rule and protect them. My job as her elder brother is to support her and help her in the path she chose, whether it was dangerous or not, and I would do just that. She didn’t choose an evil path or plan on hurting people for her benefit; she chose the path of kindness and bravery and I’d stand by her in this. I was swelled with pride when I looked at my baby sister, who’d gone through so much this whole day and yet was ready to do anything to save a creature. She was angry seeing how much these hunters were hurting the creatures, so angry that her elemental powers mimicked her emotions aggressively; yet she used her brain to solve the obstacle, instead of letting her emotions sway her. She deserved the role, destiny chose for her, I had a faint smile when she freed the creature from the net.

I noticed Vann’s reluctance, and I understood it too. He’d just found her after 8 years of search, his search for his mate was like a penance he sincerely followed. The only reason he remained at least a spirit in this world with any chance of revival was her. She didn’t know it but she was the very reason for his existence, and that made him love her even more. I knew it though he wouldn’t outright admit it in front of me, for he knows how protective I am of my baby sister. His fear was not for no reason, I understood all too well that after the day we’ve had and everything all of us have gone through for years, it won’t be the wisest decision to fight the ruthless hunters this very moment. He was driven by his instinct to protect her too, just as she was driven to protect the mystical creatures.

That’s why when he stepped up to help free the griffin from the gin trap I was surprised and amused. He just proved that he truly would do anything for her, her safety, and happiness; this made me happy beyond measure. But their flair for addressing each other with weird nicknames is beyond me. At least I only have one for her, Chocopie, but these two make them up now and then! And to think they just met a few hours ago!

“Big bro, do you hear them too?” She looked at me.

She didn’t have to explain further as my dragon confirmed, “Many of them, and they’re close!”

“The hunters… they’re coming here! F**k, they are very close we can’t outrun them with Beasty injured!” I told the both of them as I heard leaves and twigs crunch, and they were moving fast towards us. Just as I was trying to comprehend whether to fight or take the flight response…

“Taking what’s ours?” said a voice behind Vann, his face hidden in the shadows.

“And, what is yours?” Cahaya snarled getting up and taking a step in his direction, dear gods she was angry. Just as she calmed down after freeing Beasty, she said was his name, these guys show up. Now only gods would know what she wanted to do to them and whether she’d succeed.

“Oh, she’ll succeed alright!” My dragon remarked.

“I sure hope so! Her body is still weak after everything!” I told him.

“True!”  He agreed.

“Our trap captured this mutt and that makes him ours!” He remarked stepping out from the shadows. He was wearing all black, dark leather pants and a leather vest that scream classic hunters- they captured creatures in the dark so the choice of clothes was obvious, but his yellow teeth with green fungus that showed when he smiled looking at my baby sister and bright yellow eyes gave away his true identity.

“Dradnetians!” Vann gasped.

“Who?” Chocopie asked with a frown that showed irritation and her body language scream defiance. Looks like all Frost siblings inherited defiance from our father.

“They’re not local hunters, they’re from Dradnet- the dark planet!” I quickly offered; I knew she was losing patience.

“And these morons think they can waltz in here and capture the creatures?” She lashed.

“And who’s gonna stop us, beautiful? These pretty boys?” The Dradnet hunter mocked.

“He has a death wish! First, he insults Beasty and now he’s challenging her!” My dragon was quick to pity the Dradnetian. Honestly speaking, I felt pity for him too. I had not seen the full extent of her power but if the legends are true and considering how the elements reacted when she was angry, I had a fair estimation of what she could do and that didn’t go well for this guy at least.

“Pretty boys?” She turned to look at us with a brow raised, she looked us up and down and smirked. That made me flinch, it looked dangerous. Looks like the gods didn’t choose the subtle kind of mage to make peace between elements! This looks like she doesn’t shy away to kick some a*s when she deems it necessary, and now by the looks of it, she deemed it absolutely necessary. My dragon was so right to pity this moron!

“Don’t worry handsome they’ll stand back!” She continued turning to look at him, she gave the flashiest smile a girl could give and if I’m guessing it right, she’s playing him; she took a few steps and suddenly pouted. “But tell me this handsome, why do you capture these creatures? You can’t possibly fetch a good price if they’re so badly injured!” She quired so innocently, I almost believed her for a moment there- almost! From the corner of my eye, I could see Vann to my left, clenched his fist controlling himself, he’s always been the super possessive type and here he was witnessing his mate flirting with a Dradnetian.

“Relax dude! She’s trying to get information!” I whispered.

“I know, but that doesn’t make it better!” He muttered.

“Who’s going to sell them beautiful! We will send them back to our glorious planet, drain them of their magic and sell their magic to citizens for a hefty price!” The Dradnetian replied with a proud grin as if he just scored the girl by admitting his cruelty.

“She’s going to kill him!” My dragon deadpanned like it was something she did every day! But I knew better than to argue with him, he seemed to know her caliber more than I- I don’t know how but he does!

Cahaya took another step closer to him, her flashy smile returned as if she was impressed but we knew better. She put her hands around his neck and held the back of his neck in her palms (What is she doing?); the Dradnetian was the same height as her so she was at ease. She looked him directly in the eye, “Don’t tell me you came alone to capture the beast here!” She questioned nodding towards Beasty, who was still laying in his position and constantly looking at Cahaya without so much as blinking. Beasty literally looked like he was waiting for orders before shredding the hunter apart and I also noticed Sky rigid and focused to act the moment he was asked. Wow, these creatures were loyal to her and they just met her!

“Though I can handle this mutt myself beautiful, 5 of my friends are coming, I’m the fastest one you know!” He responded with a smirk.

She bent her head to the right with a smile and we saw the hunter’s face turn blue like his blood froze and his eyes widened. “Apparently, not fast enough, handsome!” She pouted and as she took her hands off his body dropped with a thud.

I gasped and so did Vann, “Love!” “Chocopie!” We called her at the same time, the same questions running in our heads. How did she know to do that?

“No, I’ve not become a cold-blooded killer! And yes, I’m fine!” She responded sighing heavily.

“Didn’t the legends say the mage with purple hue brings peace?” Vann asked with a frown knitting his eyebrows but a smile on his face.

“Sometimes, war and death are necessary means to achieve peace!” She deadpanned.

To say I’m impressed would be an understatement!

“Chocopie, how did you do that? You froze his blood! That takes ages to master!” I quired.

“Oh, that! I used common sense and science: You see our body consists of 70% water- well, at least that was the statistics on the world I grew up in, but the anatomy didn’t seem too different; which means a huge part of our bodies consist of water! So, when I got closer to the mongrel, I placed my palms directly at his vertebra and focused on the water element and imagined the blood flowing as I did with the fireball; then imagined all water content in his body freezing to the absolute zero! The final result is in front of you!” She pointed at a heap of crushed ice.

“How did that happen! Even my dragon’s ice spray can do that!” I pointed out incredulously.

“That’s because you use zero as your freezing point and I choose the absolute zero! Which is −459.67 °F, where nothing in the universe can sustain!” She explained like it was common sense. Well, it’s general knowledge but not common sense!

“Yet as a water mage and an ice-dragon, we should know this!” My dragon pointed. I had to agree there!

“So, pretty boys, is it going to be fight or flight?” She asked folding her hands below her chest.

Huh? Oh, yeah! The dead guy did say 5 of his friends were coming! I turned to look at Vann to see what he thought, he seemed to be considering and we heard Beasty whimper. We turned to look at him and he was paling from the extreme loss of blood. The burns from the dark metal net weren’t helping his condition either.

Cahaya was quick to act, she ran to him and knelt to check on him. “Does any of you pixies know how to heal?” She asked, her voice raised with concern as she looked around to look at all the pixies who’d come out of hollow trees looking at the dead hunter. “Sky says, some of you can!” She continued.

I never expected to see the sight that was unfolding in front of me. A group of pixies came flying towards her lead by a beautiful tael pixie with lavender-colored wings. They landed like the air around Beasty, that’s when I noticed they had tiny herbs in their hands and wordlessly got to work on his injuries. The tael pixie who was leading them went closer to Cahaya and held her finger while she looked into my sister’s eyes; they seemed to be talking something, Chocopie just smiled and nodded. The pixie squealed and took whirls in the air before going back to Beasty’s injured paw. As they worked, I saw the pixies glow green, the tell-tale sign of nature magic, and the burns on Beasty started healing. Beasty was giving out a soft white glow himself, I noticed it was similar to Tani and Sky’s glow when they used their powers. For some reason, it all felt connected and it was confirmed when the leader pixie glowed white too. This had something to do with the strong bond they share with Cahaya, but what it was, I didn’t know. The tael pixie flew over and came back with a long blade leaf and wrapped Beasty’s injured paw with it and hovered over to his head like cuddling him. The scene was so adorable that I couldn’t help but smile, and I saw Chocopie do the same as she stroked Beasty’s back.

The adorable exchange of affection was short-lived though as I heard footsteps getting closer to her, I noticed Beasty alarmed instantly and Chocopie’s eyes glowing purple told me they were communicating. She turned to look at Sky with a serious expression and nodded to him. Their silent communication puzzled me, but the phoenix seemed to understand for he took flight and vanished like he’d done when he left to find Beasty. You’d think watching this unfold I’d feel left out, but to be honest with you I was amused. My 18-year-old sister who just realized who she is and doesn’t know much about is so confidently dealing with this like it was all-natural.

“So, you kids decided to steal from us?” said a gruff man, he had a dirty beard, his clothes were the same as his dead friend and the same dirty yellow teeth and bright yellow eyes.

“What a birthday! Can’t a girl can’t get some peace around here?” Chocopie shot up from where she was sitting and exclaimed, rather dramatically might I add.

“Oh, birthday girl wants some peace? Why don’t I kill you and give you some?”