Chapter 4 - Twist

Staring directly into the soulless, cruelly emotionless eyes of the angel to my front, I prepared to self destruct with a last burst of power. Taking a proud step forward to release my magic, I

... slipped on a strange liquid.

What is it with my face and floor these days? My focus having been disrupted, I couldn't release my power. My heart suddenly leapt as I took the chance to inspect the liquid. It was the rich, blue color of lapis lazuli, which just happened to be the signature of Kai's magic.

Was he here?

Suddenly, I was dragged backward - with my face still against the dirt - by the liquid until cool, gentle hands finally liberated my face from the ground. I managed to catch a glimpse of exactly what was happening.

A slim arm clothed in muted cerulean supported my body, while the other one flung viscous goop at the angels. Kai and I were protected in a clear, swirling orb as we made our escape. Another trail of power drifted behind us, thoroughly erasing the footprints scattered on the ground. Smoothly dodging trees and small bursts of white faith sent by the angels, Kai made his escape from the Garden of Eden with me in tow.

His speed only increased as we passed through blindingly white archway and down the gleaming, golden stairs. Miles away from Eden, we finally came to a stop in the private atemoya orchard of an exotically eccentric nobleman.

My eyelids fully lifted themselves when I felt rough, coarse bark through the thin cotton of my blouse. Kai placed me against the tree and left without a word, presumably to pick some atemoyas. He wasn't appreciative of small talk, and preferred to speak only what was strictly necessary. Our relationship had always been somewhat... awkward after the incident that happened. My eyes closed once more as I waited for Kai to return.

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A ring of four simple, black tents surrounded a similarly black tent that was decorated with golden hangings. Dim stars seemingly hung off the sky, dotting and mellowly completing the picture of a dimly lit night sky. Content silence guided me through the air as my satin shoes glided over the neatly weeded ground.

I noticed a flash of bright red fire flashing around the tents - Adira's security camera of sorts. I myself had created an illusion around us that hid our tents. Peering at the dark sky, I knew it was time to soothe everyone to sleep with the sounds of my music. Taps on the harmonica or a folk song on the harp? My hands reached out of their own accord to retrieve my specially commissioned porcelain harp with strings of catgut.

I had a strangely bad feeling about what was going to happen, although it was a regular night. Regardless, my fingers grasped my harp a little tighter as I strode towards the large, flat rock I always played on.