"I still can't believe I'm going somewhere invited!" Said Nefeli cheerfully. "Usually I just break into places."

Emery chuckled at Nefeli's words before frowning and staring at the floor. Nefeli quickly noticed the sigh and dashed to her partner's rescue.

"Hey, is something wrong? That is definitely a look of something being wrong." Asked Nefeli narrowing her eyes.

"... I'm just worried about Viren." Said Emery with a frown.

"Who?" Asked Nefeli in confusion.

"The guy who declared my other identity dead? The dad of Soren and Claudia?" Said Emery raising a brow.

"Oh, that guy. I remember now. He's trying to ignite the war, right?"

"Right. He's always been a little... power hungry. I'm worried I might be entering a death trap by going back to the castle." Said Emery tiredly. "But i don't have a choice, I have a job no one else can do."

"I can protect you." Offered Nefeli surprising Emery. "I'm not good against big tough creatures, but I AM good at taking down soft squishy things...like us!"

Emery smiled. It was weird how close he and Nefeli got in such a short time. Her presence made him oddly happy, even with the troubles it may bring. It was...nice.

"I guess I have nothing to fear then, other than you trying to steal my stuff." Replied Emery cheerfully.

"Hey, I haven't stolen anything for 5 hours AND I give back what I take."

Emery chuckled before he and Nefeli headed out to meet up with the others.

xxXxx

"Soren? Where's Claudia?" Asked Emery in confusion.

Emery and Nefeli arrived at the agreed location, yet only Soren seemed to be there.

"I just want to say, this wasn't my idea." Said Soren causing Emery to slightly panic.

Before the young artificer could react, Soren picked him up in a way that restrained his arms and ran away at full speed.

"H-hey!"

"Sorry, but we're taking everyone home." Said Soren before turning around to see if Nefeli was catching up only to see nothing. "Huh? Thought she'd be faster with those wi-"

Before Soren could finish, a weak punch charged with electricity hit him straight in the nose, knocking him back slightly.

Soren turned to the source of the punch and saw Nefeli standing on a tree branch.

"You zap punched me!" Exclaimed Soren angrily.

"And you betrayed our friendship!" Replied Nefeli angrily.

"Never said we were friends, bird lady." Said Soren pulling out his sword and holding it with one hand as Emery was still under his other arm. "I'm just a nice guy and people get the wrong idea."

"Whaddya know," Said Nefeli clenching her fist and charging it with electricity. "me too."

And with that, a battle began.

Soren was immediately sent into defense as Nefeli attacked him with a barrage of electrified pokes to the skin. Thanks to his physical resilience, Soren was still able to fight. Had it been Claudia, she would've lost in a short time.

Soren quickly realized as he tried to hit Nefeli that a direct attack would be impossible. Nefeli was simply too fast and agile to hit by reacting. He need to predict her next move.

Luckily, he knew she would go for his face since it was the only place not covered in armour.

So, as Nefeli was bouncing between him and the trees around like a pinball, Soren prepared to swing.

And in one crucial moment, Soren's sword slashed Nefeli's back and slicing her wings off.

Emery's heart sank in horror as he heard her pained scream and watched Nefeli tumble onto the ground bleeding over the grass while her wings fell beside her.

Soren, in the moment, accidentally dropping Emery who was still horrified by what had just happened.

Soren paused to take a breather from all the shocks he received before turning to Emery-

-Emery who was pointing his magic gun directly at him.

"Oh no." Said Soren in realization before Emery fired and froze him from head to toe.

Not wasting a moment, Emery ran towards Nefeli and began pulling her unconscious body as far away from Soren and potentially Claudia as possible.

He hid away into the trees and the night as he did all he can to keep Nefeli safe.

He mentally cursed for not having anything for a situation such as this. Nothing to hide them from Soren and Claudia, nothing to help Nefeli's wounds except wrapping the wound in cloth. He felt useless. He soon began to tear up, but immediately held back those tears as he faintly heard Claudia and Soren around.

It felt as if it was all over, they were going to find them. But then, a miracle happened.

The keeper of the ruins they were in for the past couple days stood right in front of him.

She didn't say a thing and only put her hand to her mouth, telling him to be silent before gesturing for him to follow as she helped lift Nefeli's body.

Emery silently obeyed and slowly calmed down as he stopped hearing Soren and Claudia's voices in the distance.

They soon made it to a hidden grotto with a small building inside. Luujane led them inside and layed Nefeli on a table.

"You'll be safe here." Said Luujane calmly. "For the time being."

Emery silently nodded before Luujane spoke once more.

"Emery, right? Would you let me check the wound?" Asked Luujane calmly.

Emery paused before silently nodding as he kept his eyes on Nefeli.

Luujane saw that and inspected Emery's sloppy work on the wound. She grabbed some cloth and began wrapping the wound in it.

It was the longest few minutes of Emery's life.

"Well, I did my best. I'll go...hide this place even more and leave you two alone for a while." Said Luujane calmly. "Just don't try to leave."

Emery silently nodded once more before Luujane left the room.

And as if on que, tears began fall down Emery's face as he held Nefeli's hand tightly.

xxXxx

Sorry for the short chapter, I was feeling tired today but I have to write something eventually.

Tell me how I did. Leave a review.

Toodles.