Chapter 55: Distinguishing Marks

Natalina felt her bones ached. Her muscles hardened and stretched. It's her fifteenth strike but her body is not taking it all up easily. Her vigor and spews are getting frozen and her movements are now halted. Her whole grament are soaked because of sweat.

Lila slump on the ground not wanting to move. The numbness coming from within her system like a numerous ants or tiny insects are on riot. The cup of magma spilled on the bottom. The book on top of her head jolted and created a loud thump.

Lehi just floated on the surface of the water unconscious. Taw just saw the young ladies laying on the rough floor.

"I guess this is it for today. " Taw muttered.

Taw snapped her finger and transported the fallen ladies. She cleaned and washed them before tucking them inside the capsule bed they prepared. Cyrus is currently lecturing his son who is throwing a tantrum over his scraped body and skin. Urchin just assisted her in cooking for dinner.

Yodh simpered at the slap, he can't say it was powerful but it was biff and sharp. Yodh punched Nevi on the jaw and almost fell of the cliff but Hexel was able to grab his wrist. Nevi is currently hanging on the cliff. The inhale and exhale coming under him changes his gravity and weight.

Yodh confidently proceed to their direction. Ophir stood to protect Hexel and Nevi. Ophir waited for Yodh's attack when his fingers pulled his hair that it lift his body from the ground. Ophir thwack his wrist with his right elbow and Yodh release his hair. While mid air Ophir zapped his knee to pound on Yodh's chest that caused him to hit the ground backward.

Nevi selected the precise moment when the breath would push his body up and sync with it causing him to join Ophir and Hexel on the surface. Nevi thanked Hexel and Ophir for rescuing him.

Yodh got up rubbing his chest and congratulated them. He applauded them . Yodh commented as he invite them to stand by the edge lined up with him.

"You are well trained, I can say that you are puissant. Especially the slap I'd ever recieve my entire life. "

They all laughed at Yodh's joke and he cut off with a smile.

"Do you want to know what was under this pit? "

Hexel, Ophir and Nevi nodded with interest. He winked at them and said.

"Then let's find out! " He declared as he pushed the three before diving in.

"What kind of teacher are you? " Hexel's voice echoed as they all descended to the bottomless pit.

They landed in the middle of the woods with dried vines and shrubs.

"You perfectly tricked us. " Ophir commented. Yodh just snickered at his statement and informed them.

"We are here for a mission. Let us follow through the woods. Taw and Cyrus knew about this, so don't fret just enjoy the process. This training will help you a lot."

The woods got pitch blacked when the sun retracted. Number of people wearing a scarlet cape and robe marched holding up a torch. They chanted a foreign language.

Welsh chwerw "bitter,"

skulle "skull"

brǣth "breath"

enfaunt "infant "

A woman who is clamant tied on a wooden altar. The wooden rectangular altar were encircle by engraving of number 6 and a star. She whimpered as the men in scarlet robe encricled her tied body. Her plaintive broken sound became a lamenting whine.

They encircled her body as they burn a vine shaped in ring before the altar. They burnt her altar and her cries quaked the whole area.

Ophir made his way and tracked the source of the scream. They rushed toward the place and found a burnt bones and skull on the altar. Nevi surveyed the altar and saw a three ring set up before the altar. His ear suddenly bleed. It was too much that Ophir got worried.

He removed his vest and offered it to Nevi. When the bleeding halted the tiny skulls fell from his ear.

"How did that thing got inside your ear?" Yodh asked and Nevi just uttered a stiffled.

"I don't know. "

Hexel swinged his sword to get some woods for a bonfire and his sword caught a reflection of Nevi and a lady in white standing beside him.

Hexel's lips quivered in fear.

He took another glance and saw the lady following Nevi all around.

Suddenly the whole team got encompassed by the men in scarlet robe. They all chanted in unison.

" hiere habēn kiosan thæt persone "

"She have chosen that person."

The men in robe started to attack them. Yodh grab and threw anyone who got near them. Ophir used his elbow and knee to strike and beat them. Hexel withdrew his sword and started kicking while Nevi slapped with his free hand.

Yodh commanded a retreating sign. The enemy had outnumbered them.

When they ran far enough from them.

They panted in catching their breaths.

Hexel drew his sword and saw the lady still following Nevi. Hexel called everyone and show them what is terrifying him. The lady kept tailing Nevi's movement. They all felt a goosebump .

"If i understand their chanting correctly then it would mean they are after Nevi."

Yodh informed when the chanting got louder from their east side . Yodh splitted the team.

"Ophir protect Nevi. Hexel and I will distract them so hide Nevi properly. " Yodh instructed. Ophir and Nevi run to the left while Yodh and Hexel waited for the chanting men to spot them before running to the opposite direction.

Ophir saw a small muddy wall when they unexpectedly heared another men upfront. Ophir grabbed Nevi and they crawl under the thorny bush. They both held their breath as the presence getting near them enveloped the area in a spooky manner. It was like they are on a horror movie. It just that they were the one being haunted. Nevi and Ophir hugged each other shuddering while they felt some sticks breaking. It was too late when they hauled them. Ophir had his neck hit something hard while Nevi struggled to fight back and drag Ophir with him.