"Bethma's in trouble!"
Raven shakes his head in disbelief," I can't believe they let that dragon out."
"We should see how the others are doing." Eve suggests--- already rushing toward the others.
Without another exchange of words Raven and I follow shortly after her. I soon grow worried at the smell of blood, its scent growing stronger with each step we take; I don't know if it's blood from the dragon or from one of our team mates, but something tells me the dragon left its nest without a scratch.
"You big idiot!" We hear Aisha screaming. "You shouldn't have taken my place!" She can be heard bursting into tears shortly after.
We arrived to a horrific scene. Elsword, with his hands covering his wounded stomach, is laying weakly on the ground; blood can be seen oozing from between his fingers. Aisha is in tears beside him while Chung is busying flipping through a thick book.
"She protected my sister from being hurt by the dragon's claws." Speka filled us in quietly. She kneels down beside Aisha. "In a state like this I'm not sure if he can survive."
"Don't say something like that!" Aisha snapped back, with her hands tightening into a fist.
"Aisha--"
"I-I'm sorry." She quickly added on, with her eyes still glued on Elsword. "I-I'm just . . . unstable."
Speka nods, understanding what her sister is going through. She gently wraps her arms around Aisha, pulling her into a gentle hug. Aisha caves into her sister's arms, crying hysterically onto her shoulder.
"I-I can't think of a potion to help him!" Chung's sudden outburst made me jump. He throws the book aside, nearly knocking it into the lake of magma as a result. "I can't do anything to help!" He buries his face in his hands.
Gingerly I help myself down from Yang, my legs instantly turn to jelly the moment they touch the ground. I use my spear as a cane to help navigate me to Chung. I don't know what I should say to him, nor do I know why I've decided to comfort him. I guess I've grown to hate him less during these past few days, he really isn't that big of a jerk.
"Hey," I greet him softly, while helping myself down beside him. "How are you holding up?"
"I feel awful," he replied without lifting his head up. "I can't do anything to help my friend, he's going to die and there's nothing I can do."
Chung's voice sounded with genuine hurt and confusion, and I hate to admit it but it pains me to see him like this. He may not be the nicest person on the team but he's still a good team mate; he's a good friend.
I force on a confident smile and say," the Rapunzel I know is much stronger than this." I punch him playfully on the shoulder. "We'll find a way to help him and we'll definitely avenge for him. So stop whining like a spoiled brat and help us think of something."
"You're awful at comforting people." He lifts his head up, and a small smile can be seen on his lips---I mentally gave myself a pat on the back at his reaction.
I roll my eyes," and you're any better? You're the one who demands others for their share of food; how is that any good?"
"Fair enough," he said with an approving nod.
He averts his attention to our injuries friend; almost instantly his smile drops. "What can we do though?" He asked in a soft whisper." We've got some crazy dragon on the loose while one of our friends is half dead."
He has a good point, if we help Elsword the dragon would destroy Bethma, but if we look for the dragon Elsword will end up dying. In the end there is no win-win situation.
You're not seeing the full picture, Ara. Eun piped in. Unlike before you have a large group of friends to help you out. So why not send some to aid Elsword while the others look for the dragon?
At that moment something clicked in the back of my mind," thanks, Eun, you're the best!" I blurt out loud.
Ignoring the strange stares my friends are sending me I hurriedly explain our plan," we should have people escorting Elsword back to the village while the others look for the dragon! It's a no brainier that Yang will be the one helping with the escort!"
"But who will be doing what?" Raven asked--- knowing each and every one of us would like to take that dragon on.
"I'll be fighting." Aisha volunteers--- wiping her tear filled eyes. "I'll help avenge Elsword."
"In that case I will be coming along." Speka joins in, with her eyes burning with the desire for blood-shed. "I'll be fighting for grandpa's sake." She added on, with an ominous dark aura surrounding her.
I would also like us to join the fight. I would like for us to personally take back the El Shard.
'In the state I'm in do you really think it's a good idea for us to fight?'
Child, I will be here to help you when you're in trouble. You mustn't worry so much.
'If you say so, Eun.'
"I'll also be joining Aisha and Speka." I spoke up; my friends send my worried glances in response.
"Are you sure?" Raven asked---probably hoping for me to change my mind. "You still seem quite weak after the last incident."
I nod," I'll be fine. Eun will be with me throughout every step."
"In that case I'll be joining her." Chung roughly punch me on the arm. "I'll need to help the twins out when this fox lady runs out of juice."
How dare he think so lowly of us! If he were an enemy I would've ripped him apart!
"In that case Raven and I shall escort Elsword back." Eve concluded; she eyed each of us sternly. "I expect a victory out of you all, failure is not an option."
"Don't worry, Eve, we'll get out of this with a win." I reassured her; exchanging reassuring glances to everyone I add on," let's get going guys, the sooner we track that thing down the sooner we can end this nightmare."
"We'll take care of Elsword from here." Raven said softly---his words mainly pointed toward Aisha. "Don't worry too much about him, we'll keep him safe."
Aisha nods," I understand." She whispers while gently cupping Elsword's cheek. "Please stay strong for us---for me." Reluctantly she helps herself up on her feet. "Let's get going."
My face flushed in embarrassment at my jelly-like legs. While everyone is already up on their feet I'm still struggling to get up, I can't even begin to imagine how the fight will be if I'm still stuck in a state like this.
"Eun, help." I whispered; mentally crossing my fingers in hopes that no one has heard me.
"You're absolutely hopeless." My grip tightens at the sound of Chung's voice. "I hope you aren't this helpless in the fight."
"Chung, you should piggy back her." Aisha suggests with a sly smile; Chung sends her an icy glare in return.
"Don't worry I'll just ask Eun--"
"Eun will only have so much power to support you." Aisha points out matter-of-factly. "You should save Eun's energy for the fight."
Darn it why does she have to be right? I glanced over at Chung, from the look on his face I can assume similar thoughts are running through his mind. I kicked his foot," so are you going to carry me or what?" I asked annoyingly.
Groaning he hesitantly kneels down," does it look like I have a choice?" He grumbled angrily. "Just hop on and shut your mouth."
With that I help myself on his back. Eve and Raven waved us good bye as we made out way out, once we left the nest none of us exchanged words to one another. We were all preparing ourselves, both mentally and physically, for the final fight for Bethma.