15. Zyx

15

ZYX

W e make it a few days without incident. We're nearing the coast now, where we can take a boat to Caelus. Nearly out of the deadliest part of the realm.

But not quite.

I tense, my wings flaring slightly as the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Something's off. The forest is too quiet, the air thick with an unnatural stillness. My eyes dart around, scanning the dense foliage surrounding us.

"Wait—" I start to say, but it's too late.

They burst from the undergrowth like shadows given form. Bandits. At least six of them, armed and dangerous. My body moves on instinct, positioning myself between the attackers and my companions.

"Get behind me!" I snarl, my claws extending as adrenaline surges through my veins.

The first bandit lunges at me, blade glinting in the dim light. I dodge, my wings snapping out for balance as I counter with a swift uppercut. He stumbles back, giving me a split second to assess the situation.

Kairos has taken a defensive stance, his demonic nature evident in the way his eyes glow with barely contained power. Naia's hands are raised, magic crackling at her fingertips. But it's Bronwyn who catches my eye. She's grabbed a hefty branch, holding it like a club, her face set in grim determination.

Pride and fear war within me. She's a fighter, but these aren't the orcs she's used to. These are Nythorran bandits, desperate and unpredictable.

"Bronwyn, stay close!" I shout, blocking a strike aimed at her head.

My wings become both shield and weapon as I fight. I use them to buffet the attackers, creating space and confusion. My fists connect with flesh, my claws raking across arms that get too close.

A bandit slips past me, heading straight for Bronwyn. My heart leaps into my throat.

"No!" I roar, pivoting on my heel.

I launch myself at the attacker, tackling him to the ground before he can reach her. We roll, a tangle of limbs and wings. I come out on top, pinning him down with a snarl that would make a ursini proud.

"Zyx, watch out!" Bronwyn's voice cuts through the chaos.

I whirl around to see another bandit bearing down on me, blade raised high. There's no time to dodge. I brace for impact, but it never comes. Instead, I hear a solid thunk and the bandit crumples to the ground. Bronwyn stands over him, her improvised club still raised.

Our eyes meet, a moment of connection amidst the frenzy. A grin tugs at my lips despite the danger. She's magnificent.

I pivot, my wings flaring wide as I assess the chaos around us. The forest has become a battlefield, shadows dancing between the trees as the bandits unleash their dark magic. My muscles tense, every sense on high alert.

A tendril of shadow whips towards me, and I duck, feeling it whistle past my ear. I spring forward, my claws slicing through the inky darkness. It dissipates with a hiss, but two more take its place.

"Kairos, on your left!" I shout, spotting a bandit trying to flank the demon.

Kairos reacts instantly, his own shadow magic erupting from his hands. The two forces collide in a spectacular display of power, sending ripples of energy through the air. I use the distraction to close in on another attacker, my fist connecting with his jaw in a satisfying crunch.

Naia's voice rises above the fray, chanting words of power. The air around her shimmers, and suddenly, the shadows seem less substantial. Her magic is creating pockets of light, disrupting the bandits' abilities.

"Nice work!" I call out, grateful for her quick thinking.

But there's no time to celebrate. A massive shadow construct, shaped like a monstrous wolf, lunges at me. I meet it head-on, my wings becoming razor-sharp as I slice through its form. It's like fighting smoke, but I can feel the malevolent intent behind each attack.

Bronwyn's shout draws my attention. She's holding her own against a bandit, her makeshift club keeping him at bay. But another is creeping up behind her, hands wreathed in shadow.

My heart leaps into my throat. Without thinking, I launch myself across the clearing, my wings propelling me forward with incredible speed. I tackle the shadowy figure just as he's about to strike, my momentum carrying us both into a nearby tree.

The impact knocks the wind out of me, but I recover quickly. The bandit struggles in my grip, his shadow magic seeping into my skin like ice. I grit my teeth against the pain, tightening my hold.

"Not today," I growl, slamming him against the trunk once more. He goes limp, the shadows dissipating.

I turn back to the battle, ready for the next threat. Kairos and Naia are working in tandem now, their combined magic creating a dazzling display of light and shadow. Bronwyn has managed to disarm her opponent, wielding his own weapon against him with surprising skill.

Pride swells in my chest, but I push it aside. The fight isn't over yet. More shadow constructs are forming, taking the shapes of twisted beasts and writhing tentacles. I spread my wings, ignoring the ache in my muscles, and prepare to face them.

"Stay close!" I shout to the others. "We're stronger together!"

As one, we face the encroaching darkness, ready for whatever comes next.

I scan the chaotic trail, my senses on high alert. The clash of metal and the crackle of magic fill the air, but something else catches my attention. A flicker of movement in the corner of my eye. I turn, my heart nearly stopping as I spot a bandit creeping up behind Bronwyn, blade glinting wickedly in the dappled light.

Time seems to slow. Bronwyn's focused on fending off another attacker, completely unaware of the danger at her back. I don't think, I just move.

"Bronwyn!" I roar, launching myself towards her with every ounce of strength I possess.

My wings propel me forward, faster than I've ever flown. The distance between us vanishes in an instant. I see the bandit's eyes widen in surprise as I hurtle towards them, but it's too late for him to change course.

I throw myself between Bronwyn and the attacker, my wing snapping out to form a protective shield around her. Time catches up in a rush of pain and sound.

The bandit's blade slices through the delicate membrane of my wing. White-hot agony explodes through me, radiating from the point of impact. I can't hold back the cry that tears from my throat, a sound of both pain and fury.

"Zyx!" Bronwyn's voice cuts through the haze of pain, laced with shock and concern.

I grit my teeth, forcing myself to focus despite the burning in my wing. The bandit stumbles back, clearly not expecting such fierce resistance. I use his moment of hesitation to my advantage, lashing out with my uninjured wing to knock him off balance.

Warm blood trickles down my injured wing, each movement sending fresh waves of pain through me. But I stand my ground, keeping Bronwyn safely behind me.

"Stay back," I growl, both to the bandit and to Bronwyn. I won't let her put herself in danger, not when I can protect her.

The bandit recovers, raising his blade for another strike. I brace myself, ready to take another hit if it means keeping Bronwyn safe. But before he can attack again, a blast of shadow magic from Kairos sends him flying backward.

I turn to check on Bronwyn, my injured wing drooping slightly. Her eyes are wide with concern, fixed on the bloody gash across my wing.

"Zyx, your wing—" she starts, reaching out towards me.

"I'm fine," I assure her, though the pain is becoming harder to ignore. "Are you hurt?"

She shakes her head, and relief floods through me. I'd take a hundred slashes if it meant keeping her safe.

As the last of the bandits disappear into the shadows of the forest, I let out a shaky breath. The adrenaline begins to fade, and the pain in my wing comes rushing back with a vengeance. I stumble slightly, my good wing flaring out to keep me balanced.

Suddenly, Bronwyn's at my side, her warm hands steadying me. Her touch sends a jolt through my body that has nothing to do with the pain.

"Zyx," she breathes, her voice thick with emotion. "Your wing..."

I follow her gaze to the gash across my wing membrane. It looks worse than it feels, blood matting the delicate skin. I try to flex it and can't hold back a wince.

"It's not as bad as it looks," I lie, attempting a reassuring smile.

Bronwyn's not buying it. Her green eyes, usually so full of wonder at this new world, are now clouded with guilt and worry. She reaches out, her fingers hovering just above the wound.

"You got hurt because of me," she whispers, her voice cracking.

I catch her hand in mine, ignoring the way my heart races at the contact. "No," I say firmly. "I got hurt protecting you. And I'd do it again in a heartbeat."

Our eyes lock, and suddenly the forest around us fades away. There's just Bronwyn, her hand in mine, her eyes searching my face. I see gratitude there, yes, but something else too. Something that makes my breath catch in my throat.

She steps closer, close enough that I can feel the warmth radiating from her body. Her free hand comes up to cup my cheek, and I lean into her touch without thinking.

"Thank you," she murmurs.

The air between us feels charged, electric. I'm hyper-aware of every point of contact between us - her hand in mine, her palm against my cheek, the way her body seems to gravitate towards me. My wing aches, but I barely notice it anymore. All I can focus on is Bronwyn, the way her eyes flick down to my lips and back up.