17. The Dark One.

"Zuri!"

August was the first to wake. How long had he passed out? His eyes roamed about as he searched for the rest of his friends. Ciara was still unconscious next to Gavil. The light that found its way to the vicinity was cautious, as though if it should shone brighter than that, it would be chaotic. But August managed well. Several attempts of waking up Ciara and Gavil failed.

There was still a very important member missing though. That was when he saw it. A pool of blood was stagnant on the floor just a few steps apart, right next to a body. The body was facing the ground so the face was hidden. August scurried towards the body and gently turned to see the face.

Her eyes were shut tight, her whole body still and as he held her close to him, a reeking smell of distinct metallic tang seeped through his nostrils. Fresh blood. "Zuri!" He shook her whole body hoping a miracle would happen somehow. She was the Dark One. Who could had been powerful enough to harm her like that? "Zuri, no-no-no-no!"

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Morning had dawned, but it still dimmed brighter without the presence of the sun. They were all up, anxious as to what had happened. Ciara had proposed they ran, but where to? Could they really outrun the Blood Fairies? Besides, what would become of Zuri?

August was still dumbfounded, paralyzed and depressed. Why did he leave her by herself? "I should have been there..."

Ciara heard him muttered something, and she heard him clearly. Something about August's sudden attraction for the Dark One disturbed her. He had never cared for her as he did for Zuri. Maybe when they first met months ago, he had been sweet and charming. But that was then. "Young man, let's talk." She got up waiting for his reply. "August?" He lazily managed to raise his head up, a blank expression appearing on his face. She heard him muttered a; 'Huh?'. "Get up!" And with that, she stomped off, pretending not to hear the cries of little Gavil.

"What is wrong with you?" Yelled Ciara the moment August arrived at her front. "What is really going on? Do you love her that much that you would neglect our own safety? What if they come back?What if those maniacs come back and attack us because we're still here? Our plan was to leave for the Central City and fetch for provisions, then travel to face Dalia. How can we do that now if we're still stuck inside this bloody woods!"

"Is that your concern right now?" August's eyes worked their way up and down as he scanned Ciara for signs of lunacy. How could she say that when Zuri was laying dead in a pile of her own blood? "Do you really mean what you're saying right now-"

"-I mean every word, August! How do you plan on protecting us-"

"Then leave!" Rage was boiling inside of him as he yelled out with anger. "Why are you still here? LEAVE!" August had not meant to be emotionless, in fact, he was terrified on the inside. His breathing slowed down as one inhale of air became a hard task to pull off. He was afraid of how strong evil had spread in the world. If Zuri could had been like that, helpless and lifeless, who were they to defeat Dalia? To eradicate death of the innocence in the world. To save lives when they couldn't even save theirs. And there was Ciara worried about her own safety when they had failed to save Zuri's. He would not dare look at her. He knew she would had been shocked, bothersome, but he dared not bring his face to meet hers.

Ciara's fear started to haunt her, and the little act August just successfully pulled off, confirmed of her worries. "How could you?" Her voice was croaky from suppressed sobs, but she had to speak. She had to pour out her mind. She was ready to remind August of who he was, the person he used to be and to explain to him just how dolorous he had become. She would talk and talk and cry and she would make him miserable just as he had done to her.

But her mission was forestalled by Gavil's sudden cry. "She's awake! Zuri's awake!"

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Ciara was happy the only hope for their future had cheated death. But she was disturbed Zuri was awake. August hid it no longer—the affection he showered on her, the care that sparked up in his eyes each time he took a glance at her, the regret he revealed for meeting her late. It was like he hoped to had met Zuri before he'd even dreamt of meeting her. Zuri was the Queen of their crew, and even though Ciara used to be the Princess of her kingdom, she was still superior to the so called Dark One. "So what do you mean we shouldn't run?" She asked, her voice coated in disgust. All eyes fell on her, shocked at her question.

"So you mean to tell me that you all are still alive?" Zuri asked, ignoring Ciara's question. She had foretold the tale of what happened, and specifically warned them to make running the last thing on their list. The Blood Fairies would had killed them if they wanted to, and she had overheard Melanie mentioned the name 'Dalia.'

"We are, and so are you." Replied Gavil, a smile spreading on his chubby face. He sat next to Zuri, August sitting on her other side, leaving Ciara to stare at them from opposite.

"We'll do as you've said," August mentioned, and Zuri was pleased.

Although, heavy thoughts overwhelmed her mind, she realized she was happy to had been given a second chance. Before she could go back to her depression, she would save these people. She would protect them from harm, and lead them back to safety. And for that to happen, she needed to see Melanie. The weather had brightened more, elevating Zuri's hope.

"So you just managed to heal up? Even after you were literally dead for hours now?" Ciara asked again, even when Zuri had managed a perfectly good explanation as to what had happened.

"Really, Ciara?" August frowned. "You need to bring back your attention, or did you not listen to anything Zuri had just said right now?"

"I'm just surprised. You truly are evil." Ciara said again, intentionally pouring out harsh words just to hurt Zuri. "I guess you're not as tough as we have always imagined."

Zuri was calm. She had to be, if she wanted peace to reign. Besides, Gavil was seated right next to her. "Continue." She said in a cooled tone.

"You tried to kill yourself for what reason? Because you killed four people of our enemies? How are you going to end Dalia and her whole hundreds of thousands of armies? How will you eradicate death and war from this world if the next thing on your mind would be to end your own life the minute you face a little discomfort. How!" A shrill deafening cry roared out, causing her whole body to shiver as her breathing transformed to short fast breaths.

"Because..." Zuri's voice faltered. Her throat was dry and breathing became nearly impossible. She blinked back a hurtful tear before gathering up strength to speak again. "Because, everywhere I go, death follows." She said. Everywhere was silent. "Some forces even more darker than my powers are roaming about, and if it reaches me and controls me... The world would end." She felt her own voice sound strange, slightly strangled. "Because, I..." She smacked her lips, then allowed herself to seep in cold fresh air. "I'm a curse to humanity." Immediately the words escaped from her lips, they channeled a strong emotion that was dressed in the outfit of disastrous pain. Hot tears began to rush down her cheeks.

What were the fastest means of killing hundreds of lives? War, darkness, death, sickness... Giving life to the Dark One.

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