' Thud!'
Luc fell to the ground with a loud thud, blood oozing out of the corners of his lips. He had bruises all over his body and his clothes were not in a good condition either. He didn't know what was going on.
One minute he was looking for Lyra and the next minute, he was being attacked by some bluish...elves? He didn't know what they were or why they were attacking him. But they were abnormally fast and skilled. They didn't use magic but they relied on their combat skills.
That was enough to demobilize him entirely. Now, he didn't know how many bones were broken and how many weren't but he knew the broken ones were more than the good ones. The bruises on his body hurts a lot. His insides and outsides aches and even if he had the ability to fight back, he wouldn't be able to in this state. He was broken.
The blue elves kept on attacking, they were showing no signs of stopping. At this rate, he'd die here.
But then, a calm yet slightly panicked voice echoed throughout the woods, " What do you think you're doing?!"
Luc looked up to see his saviour. He was a little surprised but at the same time, he wasn't. It was the little witch. He was surprised because she was helping him, again. And he wasn't surprised because...well...she was bound to come back anyway. She lived here, at least that's what he thought.
The girl's eyes were blazing like green fire as she glared at the elves. The eleves glanced at each other and back at Lyra. They sensed that this witch wasn't an ordinary one. She was definitely stronger than them. Even if the were to face off two against one, their chances were still slim.
The two elves, having a mutual understanding, took a step back. Lyra frowned and yelled, " Scram!!" .
The elves ran away like little puppies that had been scolded, though the weren't as fast as the snow kept slowing them down. But Lyra didn't care. She sighed as her eyes returned to normal.
She walked to the battered Luc. Her eyes immediately scanned his injuries. The were bruises, and she could tell he had broken a run or two. Plus, most of his face was swollen with purple marks. Ad on his arm, were...bites, elf bites.
Lyra frowned. She took his arm and examined it. The bite didn't seem too deep and it hadn't been for long. But it was till fatal. She cursed as she tore a strip of her cloak and tied it tightly around his arm.
Luc laughed, " Is this how all your neighbors treat visitors?" Lyra ignored him as she focused on wrapping his wound. Right now, she needed to get him back to her treehouse for treatment. The wind...a blue elf's bite....it was fatal.
Lyra held his arm as she helped him stand up. Luc noticed the extra attention she gave the bite marks on his arm. He didn't know why but something was telling him that those marks were deadly. Plus, the elf had made sure to bite on a veiny spot, and now, he began to feel lightheaded.
" Lyra...." Lyra looked at him and tha was when she noticed his eyes. They were about to close up. She slapped hu cheeks softly as she said, " No, no, Luc, you cannot go to sleep. Keep your eyes open. Stay awake, okay? I'll bring you back to the treehouse, I have some medicine there. Just hang in there".
Luc tried hard to keep his eyes open as they walked towards the treehouse. Lyra couldn't use a teleportation spell as she could only teleport one person at a time. That would lead to her leaving him behind. Therefore, the had no other choice but to walk.
While they were walking, they heard a ruffle in the bushes. And then, another. Someone was following them. Lyra furrowed her brows. Could it be another elf? Why were they so interested in Luc? What did he have that they wanted?
Taking note of her surroundings, she put her guard up. When she heard another ruffle, she blasted a green ball of energy in the direction of the sound. But then, she heard it again.
Se was beyond frustrated. She really didn't have time for this. Luc's eyes were closing and the venom was spreading rapidly. She needed to give him treatment ASAP.
With no other choice, she asked, " Who's there?" But there was no reply. Figures. Slowly, she kept on moving ahead and the ruffles didn't stop, the only got louder until suddenly, a brunette girl jumped out from the bushes and in front of Lyra and Luc.
She was tall, slim and had a fair skin, it looked like that of a doll's. She had sharp blue doe eyes and brown, mid length ,wavy hair and round pink plump lips.Her attire was kind of like thabkf a hunter. She looked rugged but ik a cool way. She was very pretty.
But her expression was not friendly. She glanced at Luc and her gaze turned threatening, " What did you do to him, witch?"
Lyra didn't bother with her as she took a step forward but in the next minute, a sword was pointed to the tip of her throat. It was a shadow, but it wasn't like what Luv described. This really was an ordinary shadow. But its weapon, the sword, felt real. It was real but in the form of a shadow, just like it's holder.
Lyra glanced at the girl in front of her and smiled, " Shadow manipulation, that's dark magic-—" But the girl cut her off saying, " Ah, it's not surprise that you know. Is that what you used in him?" The girl gestured at Luc.
Lyra sighed as she said, " I really don't have time for this. He needs attention". The girl sneered, " And you of all people would give it to him? May I remind you of what you are and what your kind do?"
Lyra smiled mockingly. She really didn't need to be reminded. No matter what she did or how she proved she was different, it wouldn't change a thing. She was still a witch. And witches, in everyone's eyes, are evil creatures that do not deserve to see the light of day.
Lyra repeated, " Ill say it one more time. I don't have time for this. He needs attention, quickly. I cannot let him sleep!" The girl senses something was amiss as she looked at Luc.
She asked, " What happened to him?"
Lyra immediately said, " It's none of your -—" but was cut off before she could finish by the girl who looked angry and slightly panicked, " As long as it concerns him, I make it my business. So, tell me, what happened to him?"
Lyra glanced at the girl. She seemed genuine enough. It didn't look like she was with the elves. Plus she could really use help carrying Luc, " He got bitten...by a blue elf".
The girl's eyes flew wide in shock. The shadow that was pointing a sword at Lyra vanished, probably due to its user's change in emotions. Lyra quickly said, " I can help him. But we need to get to my treehouse first. I have some herbs that can help him there".
The girl didn't know what to do or say as she quickly stuttered, " O-okay. I-I'll help you". Lyra nodded as both took each sides of Luc's hands and body. Together, they made their way to the treehouse.
....
Lyra had mixed a few spices and herbs and given them to Luc. She had also extracted most of the venom. The herbs would take care of the ones left in his body. Currently, both girls sat down near Luc's bed. Luc laid there, peacefully, though his face was unusually pale.
The girl was worried about this but Lyra reassured her that the herbs would soon take effect. Lyra stared at Luc as she asked the girl, " So, how do you know him?"
The girl smirked as she responded, " I should be asking you. How does my brother know a witch?"
Lyra frowned when she heard this. She didn't know Luc has a sister. But that wasn't a surprise since they literally just met. She didn't know him at all. She smiled self mockingly.
" Don't look so surprised. He doesn't even know I exist yet...and I would like to keep it that way for now, if you know what I mean" The girl said. Lyra was confused as to why Luc's sister wanted to keep her existence secret. Wouldn't he be thrilled to meet her? Or was there a family problem she didn't know of? But she nodded anyway.
" And also, this witch has a name. Lyra, Lyra Monrae" The girl raised a brow as she chuckled, " Aerin, just Aerin. How do you two know each other?"
Lyra answered honestly, " We just met actually. Not really close. I just gave him a place to stay while the blizzard was going on" Aerin nodded. But then she furrowed her brows as she asked, " If you gave him a place to stay, what was he doing outside?"
Lyra was confused too. " He must've been going back to Tenoria. But there's just one thing I don't understand".
Aerin frowned, " Which is?" Lyra stood up as she began pacing slowly, clearly deep in thought. " Blue elves shouldn't be in this area. It's why I chose this place to build my treehouse, it's secluded and hidden from other creatures. Even if Luc wanted to go out, he should've been safe. But blue elves suddenly attacked him. And even but him".
" I examined his bite. It wasn't in the spur of the moment or something unplanned for. It was planned. Those elves wanted to bite him from the start" Lyra concluded. This conclusion only made Aerin's frown deepen.
She stood up as her hands clenched into fists, " You mean to say someone is deliberately trying to kill my brother. Does that person have a death wish?"