Chapter 15: Savior in a cloak
"Safety wall."
Malene felt someone jump in front of her, his thick wizard's cloak brushing over her feet. She knew who it was by the icy and dark tone of his voice as he cast his spells.
"Ice wall."
He quickly turned and tugged at Malene's hand, pulling her along as he ran down the conveyor belts of the factory, taking the shortest path possible in order to reach the exit.
"We have to hurry...that ice wall won't hold him for long."
The huntress struggled to keep up with the wizard, who was quite swift. When they were nearing the exit they heard a thunderous roar followed by thunderous footsteps headed in their direction. They both stopped for a second, allowing the wizard to cast yet another ice wall.
"Come on...we're almost at the exit."
Malene could feel her heart pounding in her chest as she fought to catch her breath. Her legs were tired, but she knew that taking a rest would cost them their lives. Fortunately for them, the deformed reindeer-like creature known as the Stormy knight was a bit slow, and after some time, he was unable to keep up with them.
Just as the earth began to rumble from a Lord of Vermillion attack cast by the stormy knight, Malene felt herself being pulled down a makeshift stairway comprised of boxes wrapped in fancy paper and ribbons, making it difficult to tread on their slippery surface. They continued running until they had reached the main entrance.
"You have to be more careful. Next time, watch where you're going."
Malene stood up and faced the wizard, half tempted to remove her mask. There was clearly a look of annoyance on her usually blank face.
"There you are! Are you two alright?"
It was the voice of Jasper, who had run downstairs after the "earthquake."
The ever so charming Cryptos scoffed and exited the factory, not bothering to wait for the others.
"What happened?"
"I was attacked by the Stormy Knight...and he saved me. I don't know why..."
"Wow Malene, he must really like you."
"Why do you say that?"
She could tell by the tone of the knight's voice that he wasn't joking when he said this.
"Because if he didn't, he would have probably left you to die. He's done it before and I wouldn't put it past him to do it again."
It wasn't long before the rest of the group arrived at the entrance and, after hearing about the Stormy knight being active and awake, to all decided to head back home.
And Malene was once again left to wonder what was going on around her.
Midnight. Malene's favorite time. She had wandered up to the attic of Galena's house and onto a balcony. Though she could never experience the simple pleasure of gazing at the endless curtain of sparkling gems known as stars, she had her own favorite pastime. She loved to sit and feel the wind blowing on her face, the sounds of the night filling her ears. Though she hated stairs, she would climb a staircase to the sky if only to feel the gentle caress of the night winds.
As always, she lost track of time and lost herself in her world of sightless beauty when out of the blue, she felt the presence of another being. She knew who it was, even without him speaking. The ever so sociable wizard known as Cryptos had once again decided to grace her with his exquisite presence. What? Is my sarcasm that obvious?
But something stirred within her when he did speak.
"Hey there."