Welcome everyone to chapter 25!

So this takes place immediately after Amira disappears after battling Jason. So it's like we're taking a step back.

I hope you enjoy and let's get right into this!


"That was so incredible! How did you do that?!"

Despite the tiring battle she just had against Jason, Nico, and Piper, Amira was running fast as Adrenaline pulsed through her body. She and her accomplice had run from the battle scene while using the shock of their disappearance as a cover. After the trick they pulled, they ran down a previously concealed hallway and were still running as they prayed that the others wouldn't notice and come after them.

"I honestly don't know! I was just so nervous that it wasn't going to work out and I would get you stabbed or something!" Amira's helper replied as they ran.

"However you did, it was amazing. If I did not have the knowledge of what was planned, I too would have believed it to be real." The Alagaesian admitted.

"You're just lucky using the Mist doesn't tire me as much as it used to." Hazel laughed. Amira returned the gesture, beyond glad her friend agreed to help.

Despite the other's disbelief, Hazel believed her when she explained her actions and why she did what she did. She was happy knowing her friend trusted her, needing help.

Amira had been commanded by Tartarus to get rid of her friends but she had found a loophole. When Tartarus told her to destroy them, he had been angry so he told her to "get rid of those half-bloods".

But he had said Greek.

He had forgotten about the Romans at that moment. Not all of The Seven were Greeks. She knew Jason and Frank wouldn't listen so she asked Hazel, begging her to help. Tartarus was watching Amira most of the time so she taught Hazel how to open her mind to speak mentally and together, they formed a plan. The girls agreed that in order to make Tartarus truly believe Amira was loyal to him she would have to do something bad.

So they decided to fake a death, Hazel's death to be exact, and everything had gone perfectly.

Their plan had been dangerous and risky: Hazel would use her underground skills to lead the other demigods into a cavern where Amira waited. Before they arrived, the magic-user would create another tunnel off to the side that linked around in a giant loop and connected Hazel's tunnel. Once in the cavern, the Roman would quickly use her Mist magic to hide the secret tunnel from view.

They knew that when Amira saw the others she would get the urge to attack them because of the oath she made. Since Jason was kinda a Roman-gone-Greek and was one of their best swordsmen, they decided to use him as their target.

Amira would challenge him then use her powers to create a rock wall to separate them from Hazel and the others. Sometime during the fight, Hazel would then destroy the wall (knocking Amira out hadn't been part of the plan but they managed to use it) and would then proceed to "kill" Hazel while using the Mist to make it look real. They also knew that she would be attacked after so during the fight, Hazel would again use the Mist to make it seem like Amira was still fighting when in reality she and Hazel would flee down the hidden tunnel.

The last part was a split-second change and it had been really nerve-wracking, but they managed to pull it off. It had been a lot of work to plan and it paid off.

At first, Hazel had been reluctant. She didn't like the thought of lying to her friends, especially about her dying, but Amira reminded her that she could tell everyone what happened after they defeated Tartarus. Hazel relented after realizing that Amira would be stuck with her vow and kill every demigod she saw if she didn't help. Knowing Amira was more skilled and stronger than anyone, she agreed.

"Can we- stop- for a- minute?" Hazel gasped as they ran.

Amira nodded in agreement, having to remind herself that her friend didn't have the same stamina she did. The two girls slowed to a stop and practically collapsed the tunnel's wall. They didn't know how long or how far they had run but it felt like miles.

"I am so sorry, I should have suggested a break sooner. I had forgotten you have not the same energy as I do." Amira apologized. "I believe we should be good for a short while."

"It's alright. And that's assuming that everyone doesn't notice the tunnel immediately." Hazel pointed out.

"That is true."

"So how did you do that?" Hazel asked after a minute of silence.

"What?"

"The battle. You fought against an enraged Nico and Piper, who are half-gods and have been training for years, and still managed to win. Well, kinda."

"While they are half-god, I was an Alagaesian Rider. After being claimed by a dragon the chosen Rider becomes… changed. They become more like elves." Amira reminded, having already explained a lot to Hazel. The Roman nodded though she saw the pain in Amira's eyes.

"What's it like?" Hazel wondered.

"Well... once chosen, your speed increases and you tire less quickly. You require less sleep, gain the ability to learn and work magic, your stamina in a battle or training increases, and your senses become sharper. It is rare to become a Rider but even more so for one my age as you become immune to death by age."

"So you're immortal?" Hazel gasped in surprise.

"As long as I am not killed, yes." Amira confirmed. "I will continue to grow older and develop from my current age but from what I have been told, age cannot kill me. Unfortunately, I do not know as much of this topic as others."

"That's so cool! Are you friends with any other Riders?" Hazel asked, really intrigued by Amira.

"Yes. My teacher Eragon is one, his dragon Saphira. I have been his apprentice for many years. He has taught me almost all I know, though he is focused a lot more on physical training and swordsmanship. My friend Arya helps me with my magic. She is an elf so her magic is strong."

"Is she a Rider too?"

"Yes. Her dragon's name is Fírnen. Like me, the two are relatively new Riders though they have been together longer."

"Is there anyone else? Or is there just the three of you?" The demigod wondered, completely absorbed in Amira's life. The Alagaesian grimaced.

"No, there is one other: Murtagh and his dragon Thorn. He became a Rider not long after Eragon."

"I'm assuming from the sour tone that you don't like him?" Hazel guessed even though she had already met Murtagh. She then decided to wait to tell her friend that the other Rider was on earth. Amira shook her head in agreement.

"Not in the slightest. Though I know the two were under the control of another, I can never forgive them for what they have done to me." She stated, her voice hard.

"What happened?"

Amira didn't answer.

She instead stood, helping Hazel to her feet. They began walking down the tunnel once more though this time at a casual pace. After a hesitation Hazel slipped her hand into Amira's, squeezing it gently. Then the purple-haired teen sighed deeply.

"It was close to a month after I was chosen as a Rider." She began. Hazel looked to her friend, listening intently. "I was in the market in Surda, the city where I lived. I had met Eragon just moments before and I was on my way back to my home to get Balenda." Amira's voice cracked hard when she said the dragon's name, stumbling slightly mid-step. "I was almost there when I heard a strange noise. I turned to see a red dragon flying overhead, followed by Eragon and Saphira. I was shocked, not knowing there was another Rider besides myself and apparently Eragon. He had warned that someone was searching for me so I quickly ran home but the Red Rider saw me. "

Hazel could feel her friend choking up and gave her a side-hug before returning her hand to hers.

"He followed the path I was running and caught sight of my home, flying ahead of me and reaching my house before I. The red dragon unleashed a wave of fire across the ground and I- my home burned. The flames were so hot that I could get no closer. I tried to yell to my Aunt and Uncle to leave but they could not hear me. I screamed for my family to leave but they… they did not survive."

Tears were slipping from Amira's purple eyes as the past was brought to life again. She felt so young again, kneeling on the hard ground and watching as the flames covered her small house. The memory was all too real; the flame's heat biting at her skin as she tried to near the burning building. The tears falling in streams down her cheeks as she screamed, seeing the red dragon circling overhead. Struggling against Eragon as he tried to bring her away, how she cried her heart out as they flew on the blue dragon, her own wrapped in her arms.

"Eragon found me crying and tried to bring me away." She continued. "He grabbed me and Balenda and pulled us onto his dragon with him. I cried as he flew us away. The town was burning and the red dragon tried to follow but was not fast enough and was soon too far behind."

"That's so awful, I'm so sorry." Hazel shook her head slowly. There was a moment of silence, the only sound was their muffled footsteps. "Are you okay?"

Amira took a deep breath, wiping the tears from her eyes. She paused, leaning against the wall of the tunnel, and took a shaky breath.

"I do not know. Ever since that day I have feared fire and have always hated the red dragon and his Rider. Even after years… I have not nor will I ever forgive Murtagh and Thorn for what they have done."

Hazel's golden eyes widened slightly.

"They're the ones who did that?" She asked, forgetting how the topic had begun. She was suddenly very glad she hadn't told her friend that Murtagh was currently on earth. Said teen nodded slightly.

"We should keep moving. I do not want your friends to catch us." She urged, holding a hand out for the Roman.

Hazel smiled and accepted the gesture.

== Ω Ω Ω ==

Amira and Hazel continued for several more minutes before they arrived at the entrance of their secret tunnel.

Using her underground skills, Hazel opened the rock door enough to squeeze through. Amira smiled and stood in the sun, letting it warm her skin. She made sure to keep Tartarus's mark covered with a thick piece of cloth she wrapped around her wrist as he would be able to tell she was outside.

"How I have missed this." She sighed happily.

"Missed what?" Hazel asked, sitting in the shade of a tree a ways away. Amira joined her but kept the mark covered.

"The sun, the sky, the warmth; there is nothing like it in the Underworld. Dark and cold with not a speck of sunlight anywhere; it gives one the feeling of emptiness." She reminded her friend. "Being born in a place of sun, I feel at home in its light."

"Same. I was born over 70 years ago but even now I get overwhelmed by the things here. I love just standing in the sun, which may be weird for a daughter of Pluto." Hazel grinned.

"I agree." The Agalaesian looked around her and frowned with a sigh. "This world is just so different than Alagaesia. The tallest of our building are the castles and the largest number of people found are at a market. Our way to travel is by horse, walking, or dragons if you are a Rider. We have no electric technology as you do."

"So cars are a big shock?" Hazel guessed. Amira chuckled.

"I wonder how many back home would believe me if I were to tell them that I was sent to a world of skyscrapers, electric cars, and cities filled with thousands of people." She joked. Hazel giggled.

"More like how many would understand you!"

The two girls laughed, enjoying the small moment of peace, but they were disrupted by a rumbling. Amira looked over and saw the rock door beginning to open.

"Hazel, quick! Before I can see them!" She quickly yelped, her gaze locked on the stone. Hazel's own eyes widened when she saw.

The demigod jumped to her feet and grabbed Amira's hand, pulling her with her as she ran. Amira fought hard to resist the urge to turn around for fear she would see any of the Greek demigods. The two girls ran across the park and reached the center of LA streets, ignoring the looks they received.

They looked desperately for a place to hide but Hazel suddenly gasped and pushed Amira forward again. The purple-eyed teen wanted to look but didn't let herself. They continued to run, ignoring the curses thrown at them when they bumped a pedestrian.

"Are they behind us?" Amira gasped.

"Am I allowed to answer?" Hazel asked as a reply, not wanting to risk saying something that would cause her friend to attack.

"As long as I do not- see them my oath- has no control."

"Then yeah, they're behind us. They're right behind us!" They quickly put on another burst of speed.

Amira gritted her teeth as she did three things at once, knowing that failing even one would end up with her dead:

First, she was fighting with all her might not to turn around as she might see one of the Greeks and be compelled by her oath to attack.

Second, she was trying to keep on running so her former-friends wouldn't kill her, seeing how they believed she killed Hazel.

And third, she was trying to keep her mark covered. If Tartarus sensed the sunlight on his mark then he would know she was outside instead of in the Underworld. And holding Hazel's hand while covering it with the other and running was very difficult to do!

"What the-! How can they still see us?" Hazel exclaimed.

"Perhaps because we are the only ones who are running?" Amira suggested sourly.

"...Good point. On three, stop and jump to the left." She instructed. "One, two… three!"

The two girls suddenly jerked to a stop and jumped to the left into a large crowd. They turned their backs and Amira pulled up both their hoods, shutting her purple eyes hard as she could as she heard several people run past.

Hazel's hand was still in hers and she squeezed it tighter. The urge to open her eyes and see the demigods run by was almost too much but the thought of having to kill them if she did helped her.

"You're good, Amira." Hazel whispered after a minute. Cautiously Amira opened one eye and sighed in relief when she saw no swords, daggers, or tool-belts.

"Thank Islanzadi." She muttered.

"Who's that?" Hazel wondered.

"Islanzadi is our former elf-queen." She explained. Hazel nodded. She looked behind them then quickly turned back.

"Laugh. Laugh like I made a really funny joke." She instructed quickly.

The two girls laughed really hard in different voices, bending down like the joke was super funny. Hazel swung her arm over Amira's shoulders, pulling her hood up in the action, walking forward with the wave of people like they were best friends. They stopped at a crosswalk and waited for the light to change.

"Ugh! This is hopeless!" A voice suddenly exclaimed.

"I told you already, I saw her run this way. Just trust me." A different voice replied.

Amira's purple eyes widened as it sounded like they were just a few steps away.

"Out everywhere in the world, why would she still be in LA? Piper, it doesn't make sense! She's smarter than that." The first voice responded.

Amira's eyes snapped at Hazel, who gave her a worried and panicked look. Her hand started twitching towards her sword so Hazel reached down and grabbed it with her own. The crosswalk light turned green and the group started across. Amira was fighting harder than ever to not grab her sword but she was getting tired from battling herself.

'Calm down, Amira, calm down. There are many people with the name Leo and there has to be more than one Piper in this world…' Amira thought, trying to convince herself. It worked slightly and she felt her oath's urges begin to lessen.

A group of runners then passed by and bumped the two girls, making them stumble. Hazel managed to catch herself but Amira wasn't so lucky. Her foot caught on a crack in the sidewalk and she tripped. She would have fallen on her face but someone managed to grab her arm before she could.

"I'm so sorry! Ar- Are you alright?" The person worried.

Amira quickly looked down to hide her face with her hoodie and nodded. She slipped her hand into her pockets to hide her marks and turned to leave, her head down, but they hadn't let go of her arm yet.

"Are you sure? I mean, that was a pretty nasty trip. You didn't hurt your ankle, did you?" Leo pressed.

Amira shook her head, forcing herself not to look up. The urge to attack was stronger than ever. Her hand was twitching to her waist. She tried with every ounce of strength to resist herself but it was getting harder with every second. She mentally thanked Hazel for concealing their weapons from sight.

"Hey, you look really familiar," Piper commented, coming to stand next to her best friend. Amira absolutely refused to let herself look up.

"Yeah..." Leo agreed.

Piper narrowed her eyes then Amira betrayed herself, a thick strand of her distinct purple hair falling into view. Their eyes widened.

"Wait a sec-!"

Amira cursed under her breath. The wind blew her hood off, her face now clearly visible and purple hair in plain view.

"Amira?!" Piper and Leo exclaimed in unison.

"I am so sorry." Amira apologized miserably. Piper and Leo's eyes widened.

They had already figured out that when Amira said sorry, she was going to do something they wouldn't like. And she did do something. In fact, she did a very unladylike something.

She kicked her leg, hitting Leo directing in the place it hurts most.

Leo doubled over in pain, stumbling back, and she punched Piper in the stomach, causing her to double over as well. Amira's hand shot towards her sword but Hazel, hood up, grabbed her hand and pulled her away before she could. She heard the two calling her name as they ran but they didn't stop.

"What should we do?! I do not know anywhere here!" Amira reminded while running. Her body was tugging against Hazel but her friend held her in a tight grip.

"I don't know either, I've never been-" Hazel cut herself off when she saw something up ahead. "Never mind, I have an idea: on three, run into that building."

"There are a million buildings!" Amira exclaimed with wide eyes.

"The gold looking one on your right, the one with the open doors and dark windows."

"I see it."

"Ready? One, two... three!"

The two girls quickly leapt to the right and bolted through the huge doors.

Hazel immediately pulled her to the side and they each ducked behind the large pillars. Amira's heart was pounding as she tried to get air back into her lungs. She took a few deep breaths and tried to calm her racing heart.

Inside was the fanciest building Amira has ever seen. There were men in expensive suits, another one of the moving-box-rooms with the pushable circles, a large desk in the front, and a giant sparkling... thing hanging from the tall ceiling.

"I think they left." Amira could hear the sadness and disappointment in Hazel's voice. She knew she didn't like lying to her friends, especially since they thought she was dead.

"I am sorry Hazel, I know you do not like lying to your friends. I will not stop you if you wish to return to them and tell them the truth of what happened." She sighed, making sure to keep her voice quiet enough for only the two of them to hear.

"No, Amira. You're right that I don't like lying to them but I want to help you. Honest. If there's a way to help you out of your oath then we will find it. Together." Hazel promised. Amira could tell that she wanted to go to her friends but was grateful when she denied the offer.

"Thank you so very much, Hazel. But I am sorry that I dragged you into this. I had no right to." She apologized again, eyes down.

"No! No, don't be sorry. I already told you I'll do anything to help you and I will."

"But by helping me your friends now think you are dead. There is no doubt that they are torn with emotion." Amira wouldn't meet her friend's gaze until Hazel took her hands in hers.

"I do feel back about lying to them and I never would have thought of doing this before. But your situation is really bad and you're my friend. I'll always help a friend in need." She told her sincerely. The purple-haired teen smiled gratefully.

"I am admitting that I am in need." She agreed. "Again, I thank you deeply. As I am quite curious, however. I must ask, how were you able to speak so clearly?"

"Do you mean mentally?" Hazel clarified, moving to sit on one of the fancy chairs.

"I do." Amira agreed, sitting beside her.

"Um, actually not sure. I heard your voice in my head and just thought of a response."

'Was your mind having to focus or did your thoughts flow easily?' Amira mentally asked, mouthing the words but not saying them. She shifted so she sat with one leg crossed over the other.

'Um, I think easily. I did have to focus on what you said but I just kinda thought of how I would respond and I guess you heard me.' Came Hazel's voice mentally, also unconsciously mouthing the words.

'Were you aware of when you were speaking?'

'I think so, yeah.'

'Were you aware you were speaking mentally now?' The half-elf asked with a grin, no longer mouthing the words.

"Wait, what?" Hazel's voice came back, blinking.

"You have a gift that few possess. Speaking mentally can be very hard for some as it can be difficult to open your mind and allow others in." Amira told her friend, thinking about how Murtagh was so stubborn when Eragon tried to speak with him. "But you know what you are doing and speak easily. Not many can do so without practice. You are very strong, Hazel Levesque. With the abilities you have, you would make a fine Rider."

"Wow, thank you! But… no offense, but I don't think I would take the chance if given." Hazel rejected politely, cheeks darkening from the praise.

"I understand. Besides all that is happening now, you have a good life that I too would not wish to leave." Amira nodded.

'That is quite a shame. She has strong potential. Hazel would make a good Rider.' She thought, this time to herself.

"We should find a place to stay," Hazel suggested. "I'm not really in the mood to stay in an alley tonight."


And that concludes the twenty-fifth chapter of A Strange and Different Land!

Thank you all for reading and I hope you chose to continue the story. Please feel free to leave a review. Criticism, advice, compliments or corrections are welcome.

Have a good one and I'll see you later!