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‘D- Damnation!’
Rain cursed as she sped through the land of Godgrave, carrying the unconscious Tamar over her shoulder. It was the same situation before she had awakened, unconscious Tamar, an approaching beast, and her tired mind. Just where was her Te- Brother when she most needed him?
[Sunny… I could really use your help right about now…] She said telephacially, gazing into her shadow. But of course, she received no response, like any other attempt she had tried.
It would be a bizarre sight to anyone who didn’t know the truth, which was the whole world really, except for a select few people. A girl talking to her shadow while carrying an unconscious person? Really, anyone would have thought Rain was insane.
‘Focus Rain! Focus! You have to get away!’
Sparing a glance to the clouds above, she desperately wished for the incasedent sun to appear. It would at least stop this game of ‘cat and mouse’, and give her some breathing room. Or it could possibly kill the beast. Her brother’s memory would help her if the end had really come.
But of course, fate felt like mocking her. The clouds had covered the skies for weeks, and shown no signs of retreating. Just why is she so unlucky? Rain was just a mere awaken! Weren’t they supposed to enjoy a comfortable life!?
“Rani…” Tamar muttered, breathing near her ears, “Rani…”
Tamar should be alright, her injuries weren’t life threatening, they just knocked her unconscious. Probably. If only Fleur were still here, she could have healed Tamar. Unfortunately, they were separated, Rain and Tamar had gone ahead to kill a fallen devil lurking near the seventh legion, yet they didn’t know a corrupted beast was nearby. If Ray hadn’t sensed it, how were they supposed to do so?
They could only pray that Fleur and Ray would notice their presence and send help, but that was just wishful thinking, in this period of war, the Song domain could not afford to send a rescue party for 2 awaken.
Rain gritted her teeth, just where was her brother when she needed him! She could desperately use a Lord of Shadows spawning here!
They had only survived the creature as it was injured, close to the brink of death by something most definitely stronger than it. It was deaf, blind, and only through deception learned from her brother did Tamar and Rain manage to survive so far, or how else was a mere awaken supposed to survive a corrupted creature!?
“Damn it Sunny! Damn it! Just where are you?” Rain cursed, yet her shadow didn’t stir. What was her brother doing that he couldn’t be bothered enough to appear? Really, his frail little sister is barely escaping the brink of death, and that bastard couldn’t even spare the tiniest of his essence to transport them away?
It was at this moment, that Tamar chose to wake up, “Sunny…? What’s sunny?” She said as she stirred behind Rain.
Rain cursed, “My teacher. Brother. Whatever. Yes, I know his name is strange. I’ll explain later.”
Tamar blinked, “I’m not dreaming am I? Since when did you have a brother?”
“Explanations later,” Rain panted, “We are being chased by at least a corrupted beast, most likely a demon, can you walk?”
Tamar’s gaze screamed shock, turning into fear, before immediately hardening, Godgrave had indeed turned the proud legacy into a fearsome warrior, standing up to any challenge. The death zone had changed all of them, and those who had survived till now knew the rules of their new lives, it was kill or be killed, the nightmare creatures do not care about the rank of their opponents, “Most likely, when do you think help would arrive? And where is the beast right now?”
Rain stopped for a while, letting Tamar off her back.
They had survived the 24 hours by constantly running, never stopping. She had to use all her memories to try to slow down the corrupted demon, and avoid fights with other nightmare creatures as much as possible. With almost no essence left, they woldn’t be able to survive any longer, something had to change soon.
Sunny wasn’t here as well, just where was the damn bastard!? She really could use a hand right now! Was he busy with something life threatening? Or did he need his shadow? Rain knew she couldn’t count on him right now, she didn’t even know if he could appear. It wasn’t like him to ignore her in their telepathic link.
“We can only hope that Ray and Fleur notice our absence, then, the Song army could come find us. But why would they send a search party for two awaken? They’re busy in the war.”
Rain stared at her feet, before looking back and staring at Tamar’s eyes, “Tamar. We are on our own. Help won’t come.”
Tamar let out a sigh, “I should have expected my life to become like this once I awakened,” She looked at her, “We’ll go through this together, just like old times.”
“You’ll stay with me through the end?”
Tamar nodded, a serious expression on her face, “Rani, trust me I will.”
Rain let out a wry laugh, why were they talking about something as grim as dying? She couldn’t die yet! She still had so much to do in life! Spend time with her parents, her siblings, and Sunny. They hadn’t had any true sibling bonding sessions since he admitted to the truth. Well… She supposed their usual banter could count, but that wasn’t anything new! Her family doesn’t even know she has a long lost brother, or that he was the widely feared Lord of Shadows, or that she was in fact the princess to the Shadow Clan. She still had so much to say, so much to do. She couldn’t just die!
Tamar didn’t even know her true name!
‘That’s right, I can’t die yet. I am Rain, Promise of a Distant Sky, I have to live! I have to live no matter what!’
Roar! A distant sound of the nightmare creature echoed across the area, snapping them out of their conversation.
“Now that’s our cue, Tamar, we have to run!” Rain shouted, before immediately breaking into a stance, running from the approaching threat. Even if she was tired, it was nowhere as bad as her awakening, she didn’t have to pull Tamar, and she wasn’t dehydrated yet.
Tamar registered it a few seconds later, breaking into a run, “What do we do now Rani?” She asked.
“I… I can call for my brother again. But he isn’t responding…” She said.
Tamar stayed silent for a while, “Okay… It’s not like we have any other choice. But can he really help us?”
“He’s my teacher, of course he can! Besides, he lives in my shadow! He can pop out anytime if he isn’t busy! I swear that bastard must be laughing at me right now, thinking something like ‘Nonsense! I had to fight a Great Beast when I was a mere sleeper!’” Rain exclaimed
Tamar stared at her blankly, before they broke out into a laugh. While running of course.
“That’s more like the Rani I know,” Tamar smiled, “How- How can your teacher help you then?”? It’s not like he can teleport here.”
Rain smirked, “You don’t know him. He says the most absurd of things.”
[Brother! Sunny! Come here!]
…Desperate times call for desperate measures…
[Teacher! Lord of Shadows! Ahhh…! A great monster is biting my head off! Do you want your precious little sister to die young!?]
Her heart sank. This wasn’t a joke anymore.
[The danger is real this time!]
…No response,
[...please… where are you…?]
“Rain! Snap out of it. Prepare for combat!” Tamar shouted, breaking her out from whatever telepathy she was attempting.
They shared a glance.
Summoning [Beast of Prey], Rain jumped back, biting her lips. They’ll have to deal with this alone, and it might very well be her last fight.