Ava

6 - Escape

 “My lady, you have to leave this place now!” A panicked voice from the other side of the woods pulled Ava out of her thoughts and caught her attention.

Her eyes widened as soon as she saw Casix running towards her, panic evident in his handsome face. 

“We have to leave now! We are surrounded by Pseudodragons and maybe even Peace Keepers!” He exclaimed urgently as soon as he reached her.

“What?” Ava blurted out before she was swift off her feet and seated at Casix’ back.

 Without another word, Casix ran as fast as he could from that place into the woods. That’s when Ava heard growling from a distance.

“What’s going on?” Ava asked loudly even if she already had a clue what kind of creature made that sound.

“Hold on tight, my lady!” Casix yelled and Ava did as he commanded.

As time went by, she saw dragons screaming above them, soaring, swooping and tearing down the trees, breathing fire. Casix did his best to run even faster. They ran through the forest as the sky burned and smoke blazed in Ava’s lungs. Branches slapped them from time to time as Casix started going into the deeper part of the forest. Ava laid lower, holding unto the centaur’s torso, tightly to avoid getting cuts from it or it would make things more complicated.

Casix snarled and kept running. They were truly caught off guard.

How were they able to know where we are? He thought.

Their village was never discovered ever since the purge and it’s become a sanctuary for the centaurs who lost their homes. No one has ever found them and that kept them safe. But now, he knew what’s left of their village are ruins and ashes. Casix’ heart broke at the thought. His lungs also blazed with the smoke from all over. He was glad they can at least conceal themselves through it, he just need to run faster. He didn’t know how long they’ve been running but he needs to bring the lady to safety as Biron had commanded.

“The man will wake up anytime now, you must keep your distance and make sure the lady is safe.” Biron ordered and he nodded right away.

“You have never worn your armor before, Biron? What is going on?” Casix asked worriedly seeing how their leader prepared himself, he lastly recalled him wearing his armor during the purge, and that was 20 years ago.

“There will be war, Casix. And as trained fighters, it’s time we fight it.” Biron answered.

“I don’t understand.” Casix blurted out.

“The moment you brought home the lady and that man, I knew that the time has come for us to fight.” Biron started to explain. “All of our women and children are already on their way to the Southern Village for safety and protection, they will be staying there until we win this war. The fighters will come with me and face our enemies upfront. Our scout said they are about four hours away from here.”

“Enemies?” Casix uttered, not believing what he’s hearing. They’ve been living peacefully for many years. 

How is it that now they have enemies coming for them? 

“As soon as the man wakes up, leave this place and make sure the lady is safe.” Biron continued.

“I am also a trained fighter, Biron! I can fight with you!” Casix declared bravely. “If you need fighters, you can count on me too!”

“You’re right! I need fighters and you’re one of the best, that is why you have to stay with the lady no matter what happens! Make sure she is safe!” Biron replied firmly, gripping both of his shoulders.

“But father-“

“Enough! Do as I say! We will be blowing the horn to signal you.” Biron interrupted.

He has never openly called him that way ever since his mother died. But knowing that he would go and fight, Casix can’t help but call him his father, as he is.

“You have to keep her safe.” His father said once more.

Then he pulled out his hand and placed a ring on his palm.

“Why are you giving this to me, father?” Casix asked.

“You must give this to the lady. Tell her that this will help her find it. She must find it. Only then will her questions be answered.” Biron said and Casix nodded.

“Stay safe, my son.” Biron uttered and held onto his shoulders firmly.

That was also the only time he called him son after so many years. But without any more words, Biron left the cave with the fighters, leaving Casix teary-eyed.

“Casix lookout!” Ava warned as they almost bumped into a tree whilst running. Thankfully, he was quick to shift his track and missed it. “Are you okay?”

No. He replied inwardly. Hearing the sound of the horn earlier crashed her into pieces. It only meant that his father and the fighters weren’t able to stop their enemies from coming.

Father.

“Yes. Keep holding on tightly!” He replied sternly.

He must not think about his demise for now. He promised his father that he will make sure the lady is safe. He will have his time to mourn later. For now, she is his priority.

Ava knew that Casix is getting tired by the second. Sweat dampened his hair as mud covered her clothes and his body. A sword and bow clanked on his side while his arrows bounced across his chest. At this very rate, Ava’s afraid that his legs will soon throb and his chest would collapse. He needed to rest and she can feel it. She then looked up and realized that the forest canopy was thick, together with the smoke, she could barely glimpse the soaring dragons above. She knew it’s vice versa.

“Casix, you need to rest. We are hidden from their sight for now. Take this chance to rest.” Ava suggested.

“We are somehow hidden for now, but how long?” Casix replied, still running like there’s no tomorrow.

“But at least you can rest and regain your strength. We will not stop from moving, we can walk, I can go down and walk.” She insisted.

“Tsk. We can’t outrun those dragons by walking, my lady!” Casix responded quite loudly as he panted and wiped the sweat off his brows, but still kept running.

“Keep your voice low.” Ava replied softly, a bit annoyed of the centaur’s stubbornness.

“We have to keep running.” Casix said firmly and Ava just sighed.

“Fine.” She surrendered.

True to his words, the centaur never stopped running though his speed began faltering as time goes by. Sweat drenched both of them as they have been running for so long now and the sky is almost dark. By then, they heard voices above, nearer as to where they are. 

“They’re near, I can feel their energy.” A voice yelled as dragons roared. “Tear up every tree!”

Heat covered the whole place as the dragons began firing at the trees covering them. 

“Sh*t!” Ava cursed softly as she tried to cover herself from the falling branches and burning trees.

“What’s that?” Casix suddenly asked and halted abruptly which almost made Ava fall from his back.

A cloud of dark smoke began engulfing them and Ava can’t help but smile as she exactly knew what it is.

“Black.” She whispered, loud enough for the centaur to hear.

She then immediately got down when she saw a silhouette from the corner of the smoke who eventually revealed himself as Black.

“It’s really you.” She managed to say before running towards him and embracing him tightly. “Thank you." 

Like earlier, the feeling of warmth from the woman embracing him made Black froze on his trance. He may not like to admit it, but he has started liking her close to him. This close.

“We have to move.” He then said after recovering. 

Then he instantly walked towards Casix and placed his two fingers on the mark behind his ears which made the centaur feel immense pain but tried his best to hold it in. Falling to the ground, he then transformed into a man. His horse body had gone and was replaced with two human legs. Surprised at what happened, Ava’s mouth was left open as she stared at Casix on the ground. This made Black grunt a little before making her face a different direction.

“He is n***d, woman.” Black said which made Ava crimson red.

Then with a snap of his fingers, a simple clothing covered the centaur’s nudity. Flabbergasted by his own transformation, Casix was left speechless as he began to touch his legs. He’s never shifted to a human form ever since the purge, when their kind was cursed by a witch. He was still young that time, but he remembers himself shifting from time to time when he was a kid. This is the first time he shifted back to his human form after so many years. His eyes then darted to the man who was secretly checking on the woman beside him.

Who is he? 

“Are you hurt?” He asked the lady, eyeing the bruises and red patches on her skin. Ava shook her head. “Good.”

Then he turned to Casix, who was still observing, thinking as to who the man was that he’s able to lift up a heavy curse that easily. “You, can you walk?”

His legs were quite numb and throbbing, maybe due to running, but he surely can walk. So he nodded. Without any word, the man just walked through the cloud of smoke that covered them and Ava nodded at him before following the man.

The three raced between more trees, concealed by Black’s cloud of smoke which camouflaged with the smoke from the burning trees. But still the dragons above them didn’t stop from uprooting and burning trees. Fallen leaves, branches, moss and raining dirt kept coming, less than a hundred feet away. Black then halted at a mossy, twisting oak. Then he began scrambling around the tree. The two also paused from running and as soon as their legs stilled, pain bolted up them, and their head spun as they tried to catch their breaths. This time, Black got down on his knees and began rummaging through the leaves on the ground.

They’re near! Casix thought before taking out his sword, ready to fight up close.

“Black.” Ava said softly as she also began panicking.

“Found it.” Black responded before straightening, now holding a rope that rose from the ground.

In a blink, he tugged the rope and a small door opened from the ground.

A trapdoor. Casix thought as he saw how leaves and grass covered its top and walking towards it, he saw a wooden ladder which led into darkness. How was there a trapdoor in here?

“Go, now.” Black commanded and eyed the centaur. “You first.”

“Right.” Casix blurted out. Taking a deep breath, he entered the door and began walking down the ladder.

“Hum when you reach the ground. These wooden ladder is old; it can only hold one at a time.” Black added and the centaur nodded before quickly going down until he’s no longer seen.

After a few moments, they heard a hum and Black nodded at Ava so she could go next. As soon as Black heard another hum, a dragon dived yards away from him and so he rushed forward and leaped into the ladder and tugged the trapdoor shut. Locking it, he let go of the ladder and swiftly landed at the bottom. Seeing how he flew and landed smoothly, Casix concluded that he was no ordinary creature. It may be dark on where they are but centaurs are also gifted with nocturnal eyesight, he saw everything clearly. Though he wanted to ask questions for clarity, he knew it wasn’t the right time yet. So he dutifully closed his mouth.

Black snapped his fingers once more, producing a floating white flame on top of his other palm, lighting up the place they’re in. Throwing the flame, it bounced on the underground walls and several birds screeched as they flew when it passed, disturbed by the light. There they saw a tunnel with a wooden structure that held its walls and the ceiling. The air was suddenly colder down there and the place smelled earthy, mostly of soil and moss.

“That’s amazing.” Ava commented which made Black glare at her intently.

Instinctively, Casix stood in front of her and hid her from his sight.

“Move.” Black said and shoved the centaur aside, giving him a full view of the woman whose red eye was eyeing him. “If you want to keep following me from here, it’s up to you. But I will tell you this, you’re surely more trouble than your worth. So if you truly want to learn, know how to listen and you have to freaking follow my every order. NO QUESTIONS ASKED, IS THAT CLEAR?”

Ava swallowed the lump on her throat before nodding. “Yes.”

Black then gave her a withering stare before turning his back and began walking towards the tunnel. Ava automatically followed and so as Casix. But before the centaur could take another step, Black swiftly moved from the front and pinned him unto the nearest wall.

“I only asked the woman to follow, centaur.” Black declared dangerously, glaring at Casix. “Not you.” 

“I will not leave the lady until she’s safe, that’s my duty.” Casix responded and met his gaze.

“Black, stop it! Let him go!” Ava also intervened as she came forward and tried to remove Black’s hand from the centaur. 

Black reluctantly let go before taking a step back.

“Can’t he come with us?” Ava asked and stared at him. Black just glared at her like her question was the most ridiculous thing he’s ever heard.

“No.” He responded plainly before turning his back and walking away.

“He also saved my life.” Ava added as she ran after him. “Please.”

Black halted and thought for a moment before glancing at the woman beside him. He sighed. 

“Move faster or I’ll kill you both.” He blurted out before he continued walking.

“Yes!” Ava exclaimed and winked at Casix. “Let’s go!”

***