Chapter 4: Luxury Shelter

"I was sent on a mission." The female archer replied without glancing at him.

"What mission?"

"Lich broke out and attacked. Have to gang up with the team and stop him but he managed to escape."

"How come the rest of them aren't with you?"

"I got separated from them."

She wanted him to stop asking. But seeing his glowering gaze, he is intending to know what her true intentions are.

He wasn't like that during the early years. He's supposed to be cheerful, kind and passionate to everyone. As time progresses, his personality had changed. He may have retained his carefree side but for Lire, his attitude is different… and somehow out of character. It's heavily implied because of the events from the past.

Somehow, her stomach suddenly felt better. The pain submerged as her tummy exhausted relief.

"Where are you going to sleep?" she asked while moving her head to look at him.

"On my bed." Ryan replied frankly. Lire couldn't move an inch. She is lying down on his bed apparently.

"Good night." The archer uttered a reply to end their conversation. Seeing that the druid isn't leaving the room, she closed her eyes right away to avoid any more disturbances.

Silence filled the room as the night grows old. Meanwhile, when Ryan finally left his room, Lire opened one eye and sat up. She went to grab her belongings and tiptoed towards the nearest window. She peeked through the door to check if the coast is clear. She went towards the window and jumped right over the pane. She is careful not to make such noises. Upon landing on the soft earth, she hid underneath the thick leaves of the trees.

She slung her bag into her shoulders and made a run for it. She ran away from the druid's haven, escaping from it for good and not willing to get a sight of it ever. Lire stepped over the puddles when her foot touched the dry earth.

The archer felt something grab her ankle, causing her to be pulled back until she finds herself hanging upside down. Her bag straps glided down her arms before falling to the ground. Moments later, footsteps are heard approaching towards her direction. A shadow made its appearance behind the trees. Lire ignored it and put her attention on her bag for her weapons, snacks and water jug are inside. The footsteps grew louder as the owner approached and picked the bag up.

"I thought you're just another poacher." The owner's voice spoke. Lire didn't have to look and see the identity of her attacker.

"Put me down." She simply demanded. "There's nothing useful in there."

"Going to the creek?" Ryan asked while still holding her bag. "If I were you, I'll have to wait. There's a ceremony going on."

"My tummy's feeling better so I don't have to. Just please put me down." The archer replied and looked at her ankle where her foot is secured with a very tight knot. "I'm going back to my hometown. My organization needs me."

"So why escape like a fugitive?"

"Look, I'm in a hurry. Marina's looking for me as well as the rest of my people. I have to at least pay them a visit."

"Alright, already." Ryan unsheathed a knife from his pocket. Before proceeding to cutting the rope, he put Lire over his shoulder. He cut the rope and kept Lire secure with one arm slung around her waist. He took her bag with the female archer over his shoulder.

"Ryan, put me down, I say! I can walk." Lire yelled in rage. Her legs thrashed about, blocking the druid's view whereas her fist his head, knowing that inflicting some injuries would work. However, Ryan withstood them except that he used his free hand to hold her legs together.

"And run away from me?" he asked bluntly.

"That's none of your business! I have to go!"

"No." Ryan replied in a harsh tone that Lire grimaced in his attitude.

"Where are you taking me?" she relented later on.

"Somewhere,"

"Just please tell me. And I don't have any spare clothes with me." The archer told when she gasped. The pain emerged yet it seemed to be coming from the area below her stomach. Ryan remained silent while letting this girl rant over insignificant matters. He then decided to change the topic.

"How were you during the last two weeks?"

"Horrible," the archer replied. "I have to stay in bed just to cure my sickness and look after the garden. Everyone was looking for you especially Ronan. Now you made it back alive."

"You have no idea how hard it was," his voice grew grim. "I'd knew that you would curl into a ball and cry while I fight monsters and deal with snake branches."

"Now that you're done, what are you going to do now?"

"Settle things with you. Let's be personal."

"Ryan, please put me down. I'll just walk." Lire eventually pleaded, getting tired of her tummy pressed on his shoulder. She yelped once more as the pain in the said area grew slightly. Ryan grew alarmed after hearing her painful writhes. Thinking fast, he wore her bag, slipping his arms through its straps. He took Lire off his shoulder and carried her holding her under her knees while the other hand holding her shoulders. Looking at her, he saw Lire's hands placed below her stomach, confirming him that it wasn't stomach cramps.

"Are we there yet?" Lire squeaked a question.

The druid grimaced. The destination is miles away.

Suddenly, a bright light emanated from him as Lire covered her eyes. She gasped when she saw that they are airborne. Sweat cascaded down her face, implying her acrophobic dilemma. Her light green irises shrank and trembled. She wrapped her arms around the nephilim's broad chest and squeezed her eyes shut. The touch of the cold wind caused her to shiver and at the same time cower in fear. The nephilim flew in a moderate speed; however, speed is not the archer's thing.

"Don't go too fast, you idiot!"

Ryan didn't listen to her rants, unfortunately. His aim is to arrive to their destination before something lurking in the shadows implements an ambush. The female Elf held onto him for dear life like he's the last creature of hope she'll ever hold. Her fear of heights is starting to take a toll on her.

"Hold onto me," he said as Lire opened her eyes in surprise.

"H-huh..? What do you m – iyaaaaa!"

Her loud screams sliced the air. The avatar increased his flying speed. A mixture of fear and annoyance filled Lire's expression. She let out curses in her screams which is very unlikely of her. Perhaps her fear drove her to do so. Boy is he going to receive a barrage of punches and slaps from her when they reach their destination.

Lire opened her eyes when the nephilim finally made his landing. He placed her over his shoulder once more instead of putting her down, receiving complaints from the female Elf. Their destination is a somewhat isolated area. A bungalow is constructed. Observing the area, it is the only structure ever built. Ryan must have made an inquiry to the owner for a stay.

There is only one room large enough to host three to four people. A canopy bed is placed at the center with the bed head touching the wall. A pair of lamp shades sat over small bedside tables on each side. The windows are decorated with cream-colored curtains and the floors are varnished. The lamp shades illuminated the room.

The nephilim finally put her down, allowing her to observe the rest of the interiors. Lire gaped while inspecting every corners of the house. The house is of average size. There's a bathroom, a small dining room just beside the room with a wall in between. Proceeding to the back of the bungalow, a small flower garden and a gleaming creek ruled. Looking at the color of the water and its quality, it's perfect for drinking as well. She went back inside and headed for the bathroom to relieve herself.

She entered inside the bathroom. There's a small cupboard above the sink where the sanitary items are stocked, much to her relief. As she is relieving herself, her green irises shrank again followed by a gasp. In order not to let her qualms take a toll on her, she moved right away. She did all she can do. After a couple of minutes, she flushed the toilet and wiped every speck of shark bait before anyone could see.

Lire gasped when she heard a knock. She swallowed and opened the door slightly, providing a tiny gap so she could peek through.

"Yes?"

"Here," Ryan stood outside the bathroom holding a folded robe. He placed it on a table to give way for the archer's bathroom ceremonies.

"Oh, umm… thanks,"

The druid left as Lire closed the door. Her cheeks turned red when she blinked twice. Ryan is going back to his old self. Knowing him, he's not really the silent and aloof type. Perhaps it's his way to be more manlike.

"Are you done yet?" She twitched upon hearing his voice, confirming that he's still there. She quickly opened the door and snatched the robe, removing her clothes and wrapping the robe around herself. The archer exited the bathroom.

"I'm done. You can come in now."

She hurriedly walked past Ryan and headed towards the room. She slid the door closed and threw herself onto the bed.

Why would a site like this be in here? She questioned herself while looking up to the ceiling. The place is beautiful, indeed, even the furnishings and the interior designing is done with expertise. Surely the person responsible for this structure would deserve a reward for an outstanding idea. Lire thought of cooking something to fill their tummies even at this hour. But feeling her tired body begging for rest, she gave in and threw her head on the pillow.

She buried herself under the sheets despite the robe she is wearing. But a gloved hand pulled it off.

"Do you have a moment?" Ryan asked.

Lire sat up when she remembered that he wants to talk about something with her.

"You said you want to talk about something."

The druid nodded. "Listen, we'll worry about the Lich problem later as well as Kaze'aze and the other antagonists in our missions. Right now, this is about you."

The archer blinked in surprise. "Me?"

"Yes, you. Someone's out looking for you. I told Lian not to say any word regarding our whereabouts."

Someone? "Who is it?"

"Someone from the Elven race. I'll make sure that we stay as obscure as we could before someone finds us."

Elven race. Lire has already pictured a hint.

Not you again. I told you not to interfere in my life. Why do you have to do this? She is suspecting her brother, Ladmir. Back from her encounter with her Elven Corps comrades, they were looking for her because Ladmir sent them to search for her. She knew he will be doing anything to intervene whatever action she does.

Her parents may be dead. During Kaze'aze's invasion in the Elven Forest, she was separated from Ladmir in their youth. As time progressed after witnessing her mother's death, she thought that she completely lost her family yet unaware that her older brother is still alive. Before the events of the ceremony held by Clovis, Ladmir sent Marina to become her caregiver. He is extremely overprotective, somehow developing a sister complex. Hence, he was against her when she is joining the Chase, worried about her safety. Her stubbornness caused him to give in and relent.

Now he's out there looking for her.

"I see…" Lire responded. "How did you get the owner of this place to allow us to stay?"

"Lian contacted acquaintances and the owner happened to be one of them. He doesn't mind if we stay here as long as we want as long as we keep this place tidy. Besides, we don't need to pay. He doesn't ask for money, anyway."

"I want to settle things with you. Let's be personal."

The archer knew that he has something else to talk about. She yawned and eventually discarded that thought. They decided to call it a night as the couple tucked themselves to bed.

Lire's lips formed into a smile. She was glad that he still cares for her.

Update: 11/09/13

Note: The rating might change WITHOUT prior notice. Keep track of the changes, people.

Back when I was making Broken and Solitary (the predecessor), it wasn't stated that Ryan and Lire have older siblings. I just discovered it several months ago when I was planning to make this sequel after I researched the GC wikia. But oh well, at least I've conformed with the information, though.

Please review. Stay tuned for updates!