CHAPTER 20: SETTLEMENT

 "Don't you dare touch him," Alexa said firmly to Loris.

Loris coughed, pain evident as she pushed herself up.

"Calm down, Alexa. She is one of us now," Hazel said to Alexa, his tone even.

"Who is one of you? I will destroy you for killing my father!" Loris shouted, her anger still burning.

"You can't hurt me even if you try," Hazel said to Loris, turning to walk away.

"Then I will destroy your buildings and kill all your people!" Loris threatened.

Instantly, Hazel turned back, his gaze piercing. Fear gripped Loris's heart, and she stumbled to her knees, her own words seeming to choke her. Her heart pounded in her chest.

"You wouldn't try that now, would you?" Hazel asked, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"I... I... I..." Loris stammered, trembling.

"That's what I thought. Alexa, show her around," Hazel said, walking away.

"Hahahaha," Ashton chuckled. "I just can't get enough of this guy. He might end up becoming the world's strongest."

"His acting tough again. I can't wait to pound some sense into him," Darwin grumbled.

"Don't mind him, and don't worry. He's nicer than you think," Oscar said to Loris, extending a hand to help her up. "He just cares for others a lot and will do everything to protect them."

"Yeah, you're in good hands now," Mia added reassuringly.

"I don't need your help," Loris said to Oscar, pushing herself to her feet.

"Oh, and Alexa, you've been acting all weird around Hazel lately. Hope it's not what I'm thinking," Darwin teased.

"Shut up, you twerp," Alexa retorted, hitting Darwin on the head.

"Yeah, she's been sticking to him like a magnet. Wait, are you in love with him?" Mia said to Alexa with a teasing smile.

"Shuttt upppppp," Alexa exclaimed, blushing furiously. Unable to handle their teasing, she immediately shadow-jumped, taking Loris with her.

Alexa reappeared in front of a hotel. "This is where we all sleep. We have our own rooms, and I'll show you yours later."

I can't believe this. Do I really have to stay here with worthless humans? Loris thought, a sense of disdain washing over her.

"Look here," Alexa said to Loris, her tone suddenly serious, a hint of a dangerous aura surrounding her. "I don't want you causing trouble for Hazel. If you try anything funny, I will personally deal with you."

"Alright, now let's move on," Alexa said, her demeanor shifting to a more pleasant one.

What have I gotten myself into? Loris wondered.

As they walked, they passed a house under construction.

"This house being built is a mansion. Not now, at least, but it will be soon," Alexa explained. "This place will be where Hazel and the titleholders will be staying." Alexa's thoughts drifted. I do hope I can share a room with Hazel. That would be the best.

(Alexa in thought): Hazel... Alexa... sleep right next to me, and let me coddle you from the back as we sleep. Alexa's face flushed pink as she daydreamed.

I guess they weren't joking about her being in love with him, Loris thought, observing Alexa's dreamy expression. That must be why she kicked me so hard that time.

"Do you still have anything to show me, or do you want to keep daydreaming?" Loris asked, trying to snap Alexa out of her reverie.

Alexa blinked, returning to reality. "There's not really much else to see. So, let's go see your room."

"Lead the way," Loris said to Alexa.

Alexa took Loris back to the hotel and inside.

"Most of this place is in ruins. How come you have electricity?" Loris asked curiously.

"Well, that's thanks to one of our people. He has the power to manipulate electricity and is a bright future warrior. After us, he and two others are next in line for their potential," Alexa replied.

If we had known this is what or how things would have gone, we would have tried forming an alliance with them rather than becoming enemies, Loris thought, the memory of her father's death causing her to clench her jaw in anger.

Alexa spoke briefly to someone inside, then turned to Loris. "Let's go see your room."

Alexa led Loris up the stairs, and they walked through the hotel hallways before stopping at a door.

"This will be your room. Let's go in," Alexa said, opening the door.

Loris was surprised to see a relatively intact and clean room, considering everything. Is this a trick, or is this really my room? she wondered, her shock evident.

"Yeah, it's yours," Alexa confirmed.

Loris walked over to the bed, pressing her hand onto the soft surface. "What is this thick but fluffy thing?"

"Wait a minute. You don't know what a bed is?" Alexa asked, her eyebrows raised in surprise.

"Yeah," Loris replied.

"Wow, now I'm the one in shock," Alexa said, walking to the bed and sitting on it.

Loris watched her and then decided to copy, sitting down on the surprisingly comfortable surface.

"So, this place is for sitting? Then why do you have chairs in the room again?" Loris asked, confused.

"No, silly. This is for sleeping," Alexa explained.

"Wait, humans don't sleep on rock?" Loris asked, a hint of disbelief in her voice.

"Hell no, we don't," Alexa replied.

"Well, at least do you bathe with lava?" Loris asked.

"F*cking no! If we tried that, we'd all be dead!" Alexa exclaimed. "Anyways, let's go see Hazel's room. It's right next to yours."

"Wait, why am I next to that monster?" Loris asked, fear creeping into her voice as she remembered his terrifying gaze.

Like seriously, I think you're the monster here, Alexa thought to herself, rolling her eyes inwardly.

"Anyways, let's go," Alexa said aloud.

"No, please! Don't take me there!" Loris begged.

"I think you're being a little too dramatic," Alexa said.

"Well, it's okay if she doesn't want to see me," Hazel said, leaning against the doorframe of Loris's room.

"Hazel!" Alexa called out, a blush spreading across her cheeks.

Loris gulped audibly. "A... I... Ha..." She froze, words failing her.

"Don't worry, I won't eat you," Hazel said, a hint of amusement in his voice.

Yeah, you won't, but your eye might, Loris thought nervously.

"Enjoy your stay. I'm leaving," Hazel said, turning and walking away.