The Chase

"Thea?" Riz Crimsonflame was shocked to see the princess. "You…"

"It's been hours since I forced my way out of the chrysanthemum bud," Thea grinned. "I visited Gia and she told me that you are here, looking for a seal bearer."

"She sent you here?" Riz was aggravated. "She knows how dangerous seal bearers can be. How could she send you here alone?"

"She trusts in my ability," Thea glared and crossed her arms over her chest. "Unlike you and my father."

"It is my duty to protect you, Thea," Riz calmed down a bit.

"I know and it is my duty to protect the entire Daybreak Realm."

"It's not," Riz was getting angrier again. "Leave that to the King."

"Well, the King doesn't want to," Thea furrowed her brows in frustration. "So, I am taking that responsibility. Let's not waste time, Riz. Destroying the seals are far more important than my safety."

"I know destroying the seals is our sworn mission but your safety should be my priority. I should not drag you in a dangerous situation when you've just recovered. Maybe we should spar for months before I let you accompany me in perilous investigations like this," Riz reasoned a little calmly.

"I promise to fly somewhere safe when things get too dangerous," Thea promised. "Believe me. I don't want to get in serious trouble and sleep for another one hundred years."

"Fine. I'll let you come with me," Riz finally agreed. "But if you get seriously wounded, you will stop hunting seal bearers for good."

"Deal!" Thea agreed with a smile.

^##########^

"Help!!!" An old fairy was carrying an unconscious child in his arms. He was running instead of flying because his wings had been seriously damaged. A hideous monster with a huge body, clawed hands and feet, and enormous fangs was chasing them. It also had wings but was too small to carry its massive body. It looked somewhat similar to the monster Asuren encountered when he met that beautiful fairy.

The old fairy, in his haste, had slipped and tumbled on the ground with the child still in his arms. The monster rushed at them, but its enormous fangs failed to pierce its prey, thanks to Asuren. His emerald blades, covered with a strong gust of wind, had caught the fangs of the monster.

Asuren shoved the monster away from its prey and, out of nowhere, a wooden arrow pierced the forehead of the hideous creature. The monster collapsed on the ground, still alive. It was trying to pull the arrow from its forehead but before it could succeed, Asuren quickly cut its chest and stabbed its heart relentlessly even after it stopped moving.

"Asuren, stop! It's dead," Ayhan emerged from the shadows of the trees and grabbed the arms of his friend.

Asuren took a few deep breaths before pulling the wind blades from the chest of the dead monster. He turned to face the old fairy but instead of showing gratitude, the old fairy darted away from them with the child still in his arms.

"You're welcome!" Ayhan yelled after the old fairy.

"Who will not be terrified?" Juliann, another friend of Asuren, descended from the branch of a tree and glided at their direction. He was holding a bow in his right hand. "Asuren is not only covered in blood but also releasing an ominous aura. I came here to check if the Evil Witch is in this forest, fighting you. Fortunately, I was wrong," he added with a smile then seriously told his blood-soaked friend, "I can safely tell you now that Calix found a seal bearer. He is trailing it right now."

"Let's go," Asuren said but before he could soar away, Ayhan pulled him back to the ground.

"We will join Juliann and Calix later."

"Why?" Asuren was getting more impatient. "I had a few hours of rest. My chest wound is healing faster. I can help with the search."

"You have to clean yourself first," Ayhan glared. "Not just from the bloodstains covering you but from the intensifying influence of the Evil Witch."

Asuren reluctantly covered one of his eyes and asked, "They changed?"

"Only your right eye," Ayhan tapped him lightly on the shoulder and added, "You are also getting reckless. You didn't even hear what Juliann had said about the ominous aura you are releasing."

Asuren closed his eyes and slumped on the grass-covered ground.

"I didn't notice…"

"Because you are too eager in saving that old man, his grandchild, and the rest of the Fairy Realm," Ayhan reasoned.

"Asuren," Juliann grabbed his shoulder. "Get yourself together. We need you in this mission. Do not let the Evil Witch and her rage get into you. Calix and I will keep careful watch over the seal bearer. I will leave traces for you to follow. Calm yourself first and strengthen your mind against the Evil Witch."

Asuren nodded with eyes still closed. Though he had decided to rejoin his friends, he was still anxious the entire time he was with them. It was only a few hours but he was starting to lose control of his body.

"We will join you later," Ayhan promised. "Just be careful."

"You too," Juliann beamed before leaving.

^###########^

Thea was floating on top of a sturdy branch, well hidden by the leaves. Her eyes were shut tight as she listened intently to the wind. She could sense something ominous in the silence of her surroundings. Riz was probably right. A seal bearer was nearby.

She and Riz decided to split up and cover more ground. Amethyst Forest was big. The seal bearer could be hiding anywhere. They had to find it soon and prove to everyone that she and her friends could destroy a seal. She wanted to say to herself that she did not waste one hundred years sleeping on a chrysanthemum bud.

Thea. The voice of Riz inside her head sent chills up her spine. The last time they used that type of communication was a hundred years ago. She almost plummeted to the ground because of shock.

"Did you find the seal bearer?" Thea asked after regaining her balance.

Yes. Riz lowered her already toned-down voice. Thea had to focus harder to clearly hear her friend. It is near the eastern barrier. Alone.

"Good," Thea smiled. "Wait for us. I'll inform Sel and Gia. Don't engage in a fight. We'll be there soon."

"Be quick," Riz urged. "We've been trailing this seal bearer for years and this is the only time we've gotten this close. We cannot lose this monster again."

Riz cut their magical connection and Thea quickly inquired with her other friends.

"Sel –"

Thea! I'm in the middle of a fight. Hideous monsters have gathered here.

"Hideous monsters? Where are you?"

I can handle this. Sel reassured her. I'll see you later. Right now, I need to focus.

Sel cut the connection, leaving Thea with a dreadful sensation.

"Sel will be fine," Thea repeatedly told herself before contacting Gia.

Thea, let's talk later. Sel came across a group of hideous monsters. I need to help her.

Gia dropped the call before Thea could respond.

Thea, you need to hurry. Riz buzzed at her head. We will lose the seal bearer if we don't act now.

"Okay. I'm coming," Thea took a few deep breaths to shake away the feeling of dread surging from within her before rushing towards Riz.

^#########^