Survive As The Brute's Wife-Chapter 177: On The Dune of Doom

{There is a monster that needs your help, Arimelda!}

Alexandra pulled back from the kiss hearing Kefir’s not-so-humble request. Well, she has to agree that handling the beast is now the priority.

Kissing Maximus, she transferred some of her mana to him and he was able to float.

She pointed at the big ball of fire approaching them and smiled ever so cutely at Maximus. "I’ll handle..."

"Go..." Maximus chuckled. He would like to hold her forever but only she can handle the beast who is a danger to all. He cannot hold her back from doing what she ought to do.

With the loving smile of Maximus imprinted in her heart, Alexandra turned to face the oncoming fire. She raised a shield to protect everyone behind her back, and without any hesitation darted towards the fire. She drew her sword out and the sword split the fire enabling her to reach the beast.

The beast’s glowing eyes saw Alexandra getting closer and it let out a wail.

"Enough, Rufus!" Alexandra rebuked. "Do you not recognize me?"

With her voice powerful as who she is, and filled with the love of a mother, the beast froze. It let out a whimper, closing its mouth.

Alexandra did gather from the vision she was shown that Rufus must be the monster that is now called Rephelim. He did have trouble drinking water when it is available. At times she would wonder if he is a horse or a camel. He needed a lot of water comapared to other horses. But she loved that horse. He was always her companion in battle next to Tubby.

It must have happened during her death in her previous life. Her trusted companion must have followed her and accidentally should have drank the water that was mixed with her blood. Since it was done in such a manner, the horse must have transformed into this hideous and strong beast. She knew her father was the one who sealed the beast here. She was thankful that her father didn’t kill her horse.

"There...there..." Alexandra got closer to the beast. She knew the beast cannot understand her, but she was surprised the beast appeared to be understanding her. She pricked her finger with the blade of the sword and rested her hand on the beast’s head.

Her blood spread over the beast, and with a scream of pain, the beast reduced in size. And in front of her stood her trusted white horse.

"Rufus!" she held out her hand and the horse walked to her and placed its head on her hand. It snorted and whined, rubbing its head on her.

"I know, Rufus... I know... I missed you too... I am sorry for letting you suffer like this, alright?" she petted the horse. "Are you thirsty, boy?" she asked, recognizing the weird noise he made. "I know... you suffered a lot. Here, I’ll give you water..."

Alexandra spoke a spell and stuck her sword on the ground. And from the hot sand of the desert, a spring came out. The water was cold and refreshing. Rufus started to slurp on the water gladly.

"Drink all you want, buddy... No one is going to stop you."

Alexandra chuckled. She was happy she had this reunion with her horse.

"Maximus, did you see?" Alexandra looked in the direction of Maximus. But her heart slipped and her gut sank.

A dark mist that appeared like a swarm of bees, swallowed Maximus, and he disappeared.

"Max!" she screamed and went to check. There was nothing. And she saw Arioch lying on the ground bleeding out. And near him were pieces of the orb, shattered to pieces.

[Inanis is out!]

"You lost, Alexandra!" Arioch laughed holding his abdomen. There was a big gash on his clothes and everything was covered in blood. Alexandra could see that he is gravely injured. But if he is smiling, then he should be in a good mood, right?

"Oh, how?" she asked walking closer to him. "By the way, have you figured out that I was playing you this whole time?" she asked. "Eh," she waved her hand as he struggled to breathe. "Never mind. I’ll explain everything to you later. Now I am in a hurry. I need to rescue my husband."

She stood tall with Arioch lying near her feet. It reminded her f the day that everything went wrong. She was hoping that Luke would come to her rescue, but he joined with her persecutors and treated her badly. He shamed her. She didn’t want to help him now.

Her dismissive tone made Arioch’s pride hurt. "Oh, kill me and get on with it. Isn’t that what you wanted?" He asked. He couldn’t bear the pain and he thought death would be more pleasant than the suffering he is going through now. He didn’t like the feeling of being abandoned by everyone he put his trust in. He does not deserve such cruelty.

Alexandra chuckled.

"Oh, you will not die today, Arioch," she placed her hand on his forehead and put a spell of healing on him. "You’ll have to suffer a lot more." She looked at him with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

"Kefir!" her eyes ended up at the Lion. "Let’s go!"

With his big wings flapping, Kefir got to her.

"What should we do with him?" Kefir asked.

"Rufus will carry him," she turned to look at the horse. He was still drinking water. "After he finishes his drink. Or... Ithildin, will you?" she asked Ithildin and Ithildin agreed to carry Arioch.

And so they flew where Iorhael is. Alexandra knew that is where Inanis has taken Maximus.

They reached the vast plains of the desert. There was a battle going on. The loud shouts and cries of the men in armor holding weapons, attacking the enemies, and the scent of blood... It was all too familiar for Alexandra.

She searched for Iorhael, mainly to find out if Marcus is safe. Marcus was not with Iorhael, but she saw Maximus’ army banner and she saw the one leading the charge was Lord Zoros. And at the far end, there were some armored soldiers doing their best to protect someone from the brubt of the war. She figured that it should be Marcus.

She took another glance to see if she could locate Maximus. But she couldn’t see him anywhere. As she looked around, she saw the big dune—one that was very similar to the one she saw in her vision.

She closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. She knew it. She knew she should step on that dune for Maximus to some n front of her.

Till now, a lot has already changed. Maximus is not sitting on Ithildin. Arioch is with her. And Rufus is not with her. She hoped she doesn’t get to feel the last beat of Maximus’ heart in her hands.

"Kefir..."

She said, her voice shaking. She didn’t have to tell Kefir everything for him to know exactly what she feels.

{It will be fine, Arimelda. Remember, you never lose.}

Kefir spoke his mind. He knows what he feels. To put a sword through the heart of the one she loves... It will kill her if she fails. He hoped that doesn’t happen.

"I hope so, Kefir... I hope so..."

Alexandra landed on the dune. The arrival of a mystical beast no onehas seen in a long time attracted the soldiers fighting on the battlefield.

Iorhael met eyes with her. Even at his age, he was pretty good with the sword and Alexandra nodded at him.

They did make a plan and followed the plan to a tee. And it appeared to be working out well till now. She stood and looked up at the sky. There were no clouds and the sky was of clear blue color. Her heart started to pound.

[Will it work out?]

She gulped. She turned to see Rufus at a great distance running at them. As a warhorse, he won’t be startled by the noise of the beating war drums and the war cries of the men.

[I need to do it before the arrival of Rufus]

Alexandra set a time limit for herself so to gather her courage.

"Where are you, Great King? Where are you hiding after sending your men to war? Are you hiding in your mother’s skirt?" she shouted, drawing her sword.

"Come on! Show yourself, Great King! Show yourself with your mighty summoned beasts!" She shouted.

She looked around the sky for Maximus to appear, but she looked down hearing the voice of a man shouting at her.

"And who are you?" he asked.

By his banner and his flag, along with the uniform he wore, Alexandra could see that he was one of the Chiefs of the desert tribe.

"Me?" she smiled. "I am "The Brute’s Wife" this time around!" she shouted, answering him.

She knew the desert tribes believed reincarnation, and they believed some people retain memories of their past. And she decided to do what Maximus wants to do.

"And who were you in your previous life?" the Chief asked. "And what’s the sword you have in your hand?"

"In my previous life, I was known by a flower and was hailed as a great warrior," she answered. "This sword was mine then too. The Hashomer!"

She lifted her sword up and the sunlight reflected on her sword.