Chapter 11 Making an appearance

She stood up from the vanity table lifelessly and walked to the door of her bedroom. She didn't know but she felt dead! She should have run but found it hard to move, she was being manipulated to do someone's bidding. What to do, she didn't want to go, someone anybody help her but no one seemed to care.

The helpers followed behind her closely, the snake skin cloth was so heavy. How do these people walk about so gracefully with such heavy clothing. It was half her weight but what to do, she found her self walking forward to the staircase. For the time she was in her room, her home had been changed, it was decorated with wild flowers and green vines embedded themselves coiling the railings of the staircase, the walls around the house. It didn't look bushy at all but rather gave a fond feeling of nature. But was she in for admiring this, no! She wanted to leave, this beauty didn't fascinate her at all but rather sent ripples of chills along her spine, her chest tightened at the ominous feeling she felt from the guests in the hall. From where she stood, she could see that the people, no...creatures in the ceremonial hall had tripped in number. She grew numb. 'All these creatures were here in order to win her over!! Was she that special or had they just made a mistake? 'Yes probably..... no definitely it was a mistake!', she was going to find a chance to talk to them about it. 'Would they listen?', she doubted that but what of her family, 'they would listen right?!'

"Pa, Andy, Mom!!" her eyes stung, she wanted to scream or atleast yell but it came out as a whisper, her vocal cords felt tight, like someone was blocking her voice from coming out.....it only meant they couldn't hear her? No, they wouldn't!! This realisation struck terror in her and she started scanning the people down in a bid to find her family.

When the guests who were chatting noticed her from where she stood, the ceremonial room fell into grave silence and their undivided attention shifted to Eleanor greedily. Eleanor had to brace herself and prevent her body from trembling in fear at their stares, her eyes glittered with unshed tears and this gave them ( her eyes) a distinctive sparkle, her lips were pursed. She continued to descend and no body spoke but had their eyes follow her hungrily escorted by lady she didn't know appeared from where till she reached the raised platform where a throne like seat was. There was another lady waiting next to that seat and when Eleanor reached, she was directed to sit down which she did and looked at the people from where she was and got the chance to notice their outlined features. They had only disguised as humans her father had told her and the points from which she could notice their flaws and on close inspection, one could easily see them.

They had unrealistic eye colours, they were red, orange green, purple, pink, yellow....this was unearthly. Her desperate eyes continued to scan the room for her father or possibly her brother and mother but caught sight of none of them however her eyes locked with a pair of green eyes. She had seen this man earlier, his eyes were intense with a storm of emotions brewing in them. He smiled happily at her puzzled expression and withdrew his gaze when he had enough. She had grown so well, innocent and cute!

That was a wrong move, she had been compelled. She held her gaze in his direction but when she went back to scanning the crowd, she had a blank expression and no emotions could be seen on her. She sat there like a statue and watch everything happen but could do nothing about it.

"Welcome, male and female, the strong, the wise, the brave and the mighty!! You've travelled from far and wide to this auspicious occasion and we hold honour to have you with us. Tonight, the essence of the great protector blooms and tonight we witness it with all glory!!!" the lady's enchanting voice like a spring breeze amplified in the hall bringing a burning excitement in the crowd.

"In the past, all of this failed and many are a witness to that ordeal but now....we stand strong and we will claim!!" Wierd sounds of growls, grunts, gruffs, silent squeals and stampings filled the room.

We won't stand on ceremony and the occasion shall begin but before, I invite the representative of the council Moham to say a few words." She announced.

A man with an all white head, old and wrinkled but still steady walked gracefully to the platform. Moham was the oldest in the hall, among those that survived the first apocalypse, the war with the angels when their kind had disobeyed the creator. He and the others had established the council to out see the regulation of their arrogant kind. He was a guest of honour on tonight's event.

"We are here to make claim to the protector," his stern voice left no room for discussion, "as everyone one of you is entitled to take part in the challenge but the one who successfully makes the claim shall not use this power for their selfish interests. The council shall intervene and life shall be taken. Thank you!" He took a subtle glance at Eleanor and with that, he left the platform and went back to his group of council members whom of which stood Xafir, the guardian.

Finally joining his comrades, Moham tensely asked. "When did you last see Zeyn?!" The protector looked exactly like that girl from before!

Xafir remained silent, his eyes on Eleanor, she looks so much like her, his thoughts were in a jumble. She looked so much like her!! This.....Zeyn...where are you?! She's back, she's here!!

He was at short of word, immediately, his eyes scanned through the hall, he didn't find it important at first as these were faces he had grown to see but right now, he needed to find Zeyn, maybe he could be somewhere around in disguise. However, he felt a chill run down his spine and uneasiness settle on him when he spotted green eyes looking his way, the owner even winked at him provokingly and an evil smirk braced his gorgeous face.

Ethy!!!!!! This..he was here? If he managed to learn about her then, how about Zeyn?

Ethy left hand his spot and walked to where Xafir was. Almost all of them had not noticed his presence up until Xafir noticed him.

"Your art of concealment he's improved Ethy!" a council commented in passing. He was rather startled seeing this boy in the venue. Ethy dispelled his concealment and his presence became more apparent.

"You flatter me Moham! Try being docile for thousands of years and see if you wouldn't do the same!!" came Ethys' sacarstic remark.

Moham looked at Ethy with a sharp gaze but the toddler didn't back down in the stare contest. This boy was so daring but looking at his expression now, it was different from the crazed expression from thousands of years from ago. "Hopefully you've turned a new leaf!" Moham said with a warning glare. The toddler only smirked with repulsion.

Or not!! Moham was slightly alarmed. He looked at Ethys' wrist and relaxed. He wouldn't be able to break free.

Lots of love from litto-ways ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️