Sorry for the late update, guys. I went on an eight day trip and then I put off typing for a while, and then school started and I got lazy. :D
Brightloud0915: Thank you! :D
Smiles1998: Yes, Rachel does have feelings. Strange concept, no? :3 And, speaking of Yeshai, his lack of optimism shall return as well. And thank you!
Cahaya Nightdreamer: You'll have to keep reading and find out if there are more villagers. And thank you so much! That means a ton to me! :D
Transformerspup246: Hey! What are you doing here? This isn't your fandom! U But, glad you like it, sister! O3O
*\./*\./*\./*
I traveled for the rest of the day, putting some distance between myself and First Squad. I noticed neither Dazaan nor Azaan were with my former team. My heart constricted in worry; I hoped they were still alive. My thoughts were interrupted when I suddenly heard voices. Ducking down into the sparse undergrowth, I listened in and recognized Yeshai. My heart jolted nervously; how did they get up north so quickly?"
"So… any word from yer siblin's?" Yeshai asked quietly.
"Gone. Taken out during TwinMasters' rule." Aslan responded, almost inaudibly. I winced, my heart going out to him in sympathy. His siblings had helped us steal a medallion from Big Green before the war ended.
"Bloody 'ell…" Yeshai sighed. "So, they're gone, and what 'bout Rachel's boys? Azaan and Dazaan?"
"Gone, too. Lost in a landslide." Aslan answered. I froze in place, eyes widening as my heart constricted in grief. Azaan and Dazaan were two of the three remaining lion cubs I had taken in. Their older brother had died during the war, but I hadn't expected to hear that the remaining two were gone, as well. However, as much as I wanted to break down and cry, I couldn't. I had to get away as quickly as possible. I turned on my paws and quickly crept off, keeping low to the ground. Unfortunately, I met a large river of lava slowly making its way across the ground. I knew I couldn't double back, so I kept a safe distance from the area before suddenly getting an idea.
When I was young, I had discovered that I'd had a small elemental control over ice. However, I had no idea how I got it; I always assumed I'd been born with it. Remembering this power, I cautiously approached the river of lava, my paws creating a small line of ice as I traveled over the ground; the heat became intense, but the ice kept it to a bearable temperature. Reaching the edge of the river of lava, I willed my courage and leapt. As my paws hit the surface of the lava, a thin layer of ice shielded me from jumping headfirst into death; despite the temporary coolness, it gave me a enough purchase to leap across the river and land safely on the other side where I collapsed, panting more out of stress than exhaustion. After a few minutes, I got back on my paws and headed off quickly. The only sounds were my paw steps breaking through scorched grass. I shuddered at the unnatural silence. I had only heard silence like this before, during TwinMasters' short reign in the Hidden Kingdom when he had destroyed nearly everything. Upon that memory brought another one, where I had nearly died. I have no idea how I survived a sword to the chest, but something saved me. I know it wasn't Dragonsong, the leader of the Dragon Clan in the mountains of the Northern Kingdom. No, there was something else in that ice cave she'd taken me to in her palace.
I was suddenly snapped out of my reverie by faint voices behind me. I turned to listen, silent. The dead silence of the world allowed noise to travel so much farther, and I heard what the discussion was.
"Why in the world is there ice here, near lava?" I recognized the voice as Gray. No doubt my former team had found my trail. I cursed myself for leaving evidence. But, since I knew the lava river would give me time, I took off through the forest, kicking up ash and dust in my wake. I sped along before the ground underneath me suddenly collapsed and I disappeared into the ground. After tumbling a few times I hit the ground with a thud.
"Ow…" I looked up, dazed, and saw that I was in a cavern. No doubt the earthquake weakened the ground above it and any good amount of pressure would've made it collapse. That good amount of pressure, unfortunately, was me. Staggering to my paws, I quickly explored the edges of the cavern, searching for a way out. Unfortunately, I found none. The sides of the cavern were smooth, probably eroded by some long ago river. My eyes searched for some form of salvation, some way out. I wasn't going to die in some hole in the ground or starve to death. Starting to pace, I continued to search for a way out. This continued for about ten minutes before I heard scuffling above me and shadows were cast along the edge of the ridge, and I looked up. I spotted there, on the edge, Aslan, Yeshai, and Gray. My hopes soared, half from seeing a form of help, half from just being able to see them after so long.
"Need help?" Gray called.
"Please," I nodded, quieting my voice so they would've recognized it. Luckily for me, ash had still stuck to my pelt, giving it a dusky gray look; they obviously hadn't recognized me by colors or form, yet.
"Move back," Yeshai grunted and stomped at the edge of the ridge. There were a few moments of nothing before the side of the ridge crumpled down, causing an incline. I quickly made my way towards it and climbed quickly up the rocky side.
"Thank you," I nodded stiffly to them. Surely, they'd recognize me now, being this close.
"You're welcome," Aslan nodded. I was wrong; they hadn't noticed it was me, yet. "What are you doing this far north? All the survivors have gone south."
"I'm looking for more survivors," I admitted. I noticed Gray giving me a musing look out of the corner of my eye, but ignored it.
"We're from the east; let us help ya." Yeshai offered.
"No, I'll be fine on my own." I quickly shook my head; too quickly, for my liking.
"Then at least let us chat for a night, shall we?" Gray suddenly suggested. He was up to something, I just knew it.
"Fine." I nodded. Gray suddenly turned to lead the way, walking a ways farther north. I didn't know this end of the valley as well. The tom cat led the way over a small, stream. Out of some strange stroke of luck, it wasn't as clouded with ash, and I knelt down to lap from it. Something suddenly hit me from the side and knocked me into the water, the running water washing over my pelt. Struggling to my paws, I quickly shook myself out.
"I knew it!" Gray hissed. Aslan and Yeshai stared at me, eyes wide. I looked at myself, starting when I saw that the ash had been swept from my pelt, showing off the gray and black fur beneath. "Where the hell have you been, Rachel?!"