Serene’s POV

I screamed for Mikasim’s wolf to stop and turn back. A whole herd of Sumire’s could be seen in the distance, they seemed alert. Their eyes fixed on me as if assessing the strength of their enemy.

Mikasim’s wolf had screeched to a halt and turned around to head back, the whole herd chased him. He was out of Famios’s shield range. Instantly I reached out and covered him with mine.

Steadying my bow I wanted to hit a few of them but something in my gut prevented me from hurting these magnificent creatures. I was reminded of Suri. Instead, I landed right in front of them as they advanced toward me, galloping on all fours. Their ferocious eyes focused on me, and low growls resonated within their throats. The gold in their fur glistened like fireflies between the grass.

Extending my shield I created a barrier between myself, my comrades and them. They halted right behind my shield and gawked at me. One of them who seemed to be their leader pranced forward, its head held high and its intelligent eyes scanned me, his nose sniffing the air, maybe taking in my scent.

It let out a small growl which was not threatening and shook its head at the herd that stood behind him.

I removed my bow from the attacking stance and stepped back, indicating that I wasn’t going to attack them. They reminded me of Suri and I did not want to hurt them. They seemed to sense something too, maybe they could sniff Suri’s scent on me.

Hearing a commotion behind me, I knew others were there. "Go, run away." I shooed at their leader and it seemed to take the cue. Giving me a slow whimper it turned around. They began to retreat, scampering away into the shadows they had emerged from.

"Sereneeee," I heard Zeph panting behind me. He sprinted toward me and stopped inches away. His face depicted the worries he held for me.

"I am fine," I reassured him with a smile. Others soon joined us and Ayrden held another glass jar in her hand with a small creature trapped inside it. They had been able to capture another one.

"What happened? Where did that Sumire go?" Lavaria Sensei inquired seeing my shield.

"He had a whole herd with him. After I warned Mikasim and erected my shield. They left, seeing they couldn’t get past it. They are smart." I explained and turned around to see any of them still lingering around but they were long gone.

"Good job, Serene. But we should head back now. We got what we came here for." Famios instructed us and began to lead the way back. We quietly followed remaining vigilant.

I removed my shield as Famios covered us with his. A few small creatures tried to attack us but they couldn’t get past the shield.

Something tickled my leg and I found a silverish-black insect crawling up my leg. Stifling a shriek I tried to flick it away but Zeph took out an empty vial bottle from his pants pocket and captured it in it. The silver lines on its elongated body glowed a silvery hue. It held a mesmerizing beauty. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"You were about to scream, weren’t you?" Zeph teased me with a knowing smile.

"Alright, I don’t like insects. Don’t be so smug about it." I said in my defense, throwing him an annoyed look.

"Only you can be bold enough to face the most dangerous creatures of our realm and be timid at the same time to be afraid of insects." He nudged me a little, his tone still taunting making me scoff.

We reached our Chariots and they were still in one piece. No creature had ravaged them, Lavaria Sensei and Famios still checked them thoroughly before letting us in. Mikasim was still in his wolf form and had decided to ride with us on the way back. Lavaria Sensei took the driver’s seat and we settled in the back.

After settling down we started our return journey. I noticed Ayrden was eerily quiet. "What is it?" I wrapped my arm around her shoulder. Ayrden was extremely sensitive and I had noticed the news of the barrier-breaking and her possession by Meliana didn’t sit well with her.

She didn’t speak much and mostly stayed quiet now. She used to be our constant chatterbox our permanent bond that held all of us together. Ayrden loved us unconditionally and she never fought with anyone of us. We had so many issues with one another but Ayrden would always try and resolve them.

"I miss Arlo," she spoke in a small voice, her lips quivered and her words had me jolted. It had all of us jolted for Zeph stiffened beside me and turned to look at her as well. Mikasim’s wolf was perched on the seat in front of us and it lifted its head to stare at her with gloomy eyes and offered her a small whimper. Ayrden hid her face from us and began to sob visibly.

"All of us miss him, but he is strong so have faith in him." I hugged her tight.

"Is he still alive? Or are you people hiding something from me? Serene why did you let him go?" Her sobs had turned into cries. The only other person Arlo used to talk to was Ayrden and he listened to her requests. She understood him and figured him out better than any of us.

Now Ayrden had spoken what had been on the back of everyone’s mind. We were just too afraid to speak or think about it. Her questions had me jolted and I couldn’t help but think about our last meeting. How he seemed to be saying goodbye.

I never told anyone what Arlo had confided in me.

"Ayrden his family was there, he had to go back for them. We couldn’t have stopped him." I lightly rubbed her back, trying to calm her down.

"We will get him back Ayrden, don’t be disheartened. He is our team member and we will go to every length to get him back." Zeph finally spoke up, holding a determined look on his face and I peeked at him with gratitude.

Mikasim’s wolf leaned closer and placed his snout on her hand, a slight whimper escaping it, letting her know we were all in this together.

"Yes, we won’t abandon him. I have spoken to Artins Sensei and they are formulating a plan to overthrow Meliana and her evil regime in Wampir Realm, we will free him and all the innocent people of the realm. Stay strong for now." I patted her head and she nodded at us. Her body relaxed a bit and soon she was asleep in my arms.

"You miss him too, don’t you?" Zeph asked me quietly. We never spoke about him, it was like a taboo between us. But Zeph understood that I carried a lot of guilt when it came down to Arlo and his absence had affected me. No matter what I did, a part of my heart longed for him.

"He has been an integral part of my life Zeph. He brought us together, how can I not." I closed my eyes so Zeph won’t see the emotions rampaging in them. I sensed his arm around my neck and leaning closer he kissed my temple but said nothing.

The rest of the journey went smoothly and we reached the Institute barrier safely. Screeches of gigantic bird-like creatures could be heard in the distance but once we had crossed inside, everyone felt safe.

The two Slayers praised our efforts and took their leave, for they had to report to Razor. Lavaria Sensei instructed us to take the creatures to Mariela Sensei. Mikasim went to his room to shift while Ayrden wasn’t feeling up to the task. She was feeling down so I dropped her into our room.

Zeph and I took the jars to Mariela Sensei. She had a secret room to which only Senseis had access too. A place where she created and kept all her creations and also the captured monsters were safely held there. We had never seen it, only heard stories from our seniors.

She was in her study when we reached her, seeing as she quickly got up. In the past few months, Mariela Sensei had transformed herself. She lost a lot of weight and stopped wearing heavy makeup. She appeared rather slim now, she smiled more too, well all the authority was there like it used to be.

"What have you people brought back?" She asked rather inquisitively and we showed her the jars of the creature we were carrying.

She squinted her eyes and peered closely at them. "A Warmingtin and a Gaucho, not bad at all," She beamed at us. "Let’s tuck them away, safely. Follow me."

She advanced to a wooden door at the back of her study and turning a key she carried around her neck, opened the door. We stepped inside with her and were awed in astonishment at the sight that met us.