Ivy and Elise *REWRITING* *SLOW UPDATES*

Chapter Eighteen

Despite their best protests, the group had been gifted with Korran clothing and delicate jewelry made from the shiny cave pearls. Everywhere Elise looked, there were smiles. Just the vision of landwalkers seemed to make the Korrans forget the darkness they had faced.

Different tents had been set up for all different purposes. Unfamiliar but no less intriguing smells and sounds wafted through the air. If she didn't scrutinise the details, the whole affair felt similar to celebrations she had participated in when she was younger.

Just as Elise was about to surrender herself to the food tent, the small group of musicians began a new song. There was a ripple of excited murmurs and people began to couple up. Suddenly Elise spotted Ivy walking towards her with a determined look on her face.

"I couldn't help but notice that you were standing here all by yourself." Ivy said with a smile before extending a hand, "Care for a dance?"

Elise found herself slightly flustered as she took Ivy's hand. "I don't know how to dance!"

Ivy smiled again. "That's fine, I can lead."

The pair found themselves in the middle of the Korrans, twirling in time to the music. In amongst all the motion, Elise spotted Tyran being begrudingly led into a dance by Salaman as Rowan laughed with Terra.

"You know, this might be the best dance I've ever been to." Ivy said.

"Really?" Asked Elise. "I never knew the splendor of a grand castle could be beaten by that of an underground civilisation."

Ivy sighed and her smile faltered a little. "Trust me, anything is better than the balls I've attended."

"Oh?" Said Elise, an eyebrow quirked up, gently pressing for an answer as Ivy let go of her waist and spun her around.

"For starters, my parents were always trying to initiate a marriage for me." Ivy began. "Secondly, I'd say that the roasted hog had more life than most of the attendees."

Elise giggled, prompting a small smile from Ivy. "I'd take a normal life over mine any day. Without my parents or title or riches, I'd be free."

There was a far away look in Ivy's eyes as Elise searched for the right words to say

"I don't think you could ever be normal." She blurted out, feeling slightly flustered again. "You're too strong. Too bold to fit in."

Suddenly a sly smile crept onto Ivy's face. "Too bold..." She murmured, her eyes wandering away for a moment. Then they snapped back to Elise, the purple spheres sparkling with determination.

"When this song ends, lean back into my arms. Just trust me, alright?"

Elise nodded and after a while the last notes of the song drifted into the air. She leant back and for a heart-stopping moment, she felt as though she was going to crash to the ground. And then suddenly she stopped moving. Ivy appeared above her, one had on Elise's waist, the other between her wings.

The pair were so close that Elise could feel the warmth coming from Ivy's body. She tried to ignore the stubborn flush of heat crawling up her cheeks but it was no use. She let her gaze drift upwards to meet Ivy's eyes but something seemed strange.

Her eyes were no longer sparking wih determination. In fact, they didn't seem to contain anything at all. They were dull and flat. Lifeless. Just as Elise noticed this, the hands holding her in place shook and they both began to fall.

*

Ivy looked down to see Elise in her arms. She looked strangely vague and still. She lifted the girl and suddenly her skin seemed to shimmer. Light began to shine from Elise's body until it became too bright to bare. Ivy squeezed her eyes shut, trying to block out whatever was happening. Then Elise's weight disappeared and panic began to roll in.

Opening her eyes, she tried to take in her surroundings. However, as she focused on something, it lit up before slowly dissolving into a strange mist. Ivy found herself falling to the ground as the mist seemed to rise up and form a sinister-looking silhouette.

Out of the gloom, a creature appeared, ten glowing red eyes fixed on Ivy. She could hear a low growl as that beast stalked toward her. She tried to move but she was frozen as her doom grew ever closer.

Suddenly the creature stopped it's approach. It fell silent as Ivy gasped, trying to regain her composure.

Then the beast launched towards her, a mass of ancient power. She had just enough time to scream before the creature collided with her and everything went black.

A/n: Its Thursday and you all know what that means. A bit of a longer, more dramatic chapter for you guys, I hope you enjoyed it. See you nex week, have a lovely day :)

- Love from Poppy x