Four
“Your gonna eat it?”
“Um, not until it’s cooked.”
“Seriously?”
“I’m serious. I’m not gonna eat that when it’s raw.”
“You mortals are so picky.”
“You eat this raw?”
“Demon remember? I don’t need a silly fish to be cooked in order to eat.”
“Well, I’m a mortal remember? I need my fish to be cooked.”
Necra rolls his eyes annoyed, before snapping his fingers and the fish steamed up before becoming cooked. A little too cooked, but I’m not gonna complain anymore. I’ve annoyed him enough today. I wish there was silverware I could use, but I guess I have no choice and eat it with my bare hands. I highly doubt a demon would know what silverware is anyways. I blew onto the fish trying to cool it off a bit, before picking it up and taking a small bite of it. Much cruncher than I prefer it, but at least it’s food and it’s cooked. I ate most of the fish, as I left behind the tail and its head.
“You aren’t gonna eat those?”
“No.”
“Those are the best parts.”
I scrunch my nose up in disgust as I watch him eat the tail and head. He burps in satisfaction as he pats his stomach. That was disgusting, and I hope I’ll never have to see that again. I don’t think my stomach will handle it the second time.
“You ready to get going then? We still have a long journey to go.”
“Yes I guess we shall, before it gets dark.”
“Don’t worry about that. We still have six high stars left of sunlight.”
“What! How am I gonna survive in this world?”
“Stop crying and let’s go.”
I groan as I stood up and followed him out of the cave. I hate that the days are longer here, but at least I finally got something to eat. I didn’t sleep long though, as by the time I finally fell asleep Necra woke me up what felt like five minutes later. He swears that I was sleeping for two hours, or in his world two high stars. It didn’t feel like it, but maybe because I’m tired. As we continue our journey, my mind swirled with what I leaned so far. This world is real. It’s not a dream, and I’m really here in Faelania. The time difference is very different, the days and nights are longer as they don’t say hours but high stars. Mythical creatures are very much real. Dragons, demons, centaurs, Minotaurs and who knows what else. I have a bound mate that I have to find, and I have no idea why or who it could possibly be.
I glanced over at Necra, and tempted asking him questions about Destiny and about my bound mate. I’m curious on how much he knows about her, and what he knows about bound mates. Why are they rare, and why do I have one when I don’t even belong here? I feel like it would make more sense if people from this world would have bound mates within this world. Having a bound mate from a completely different world doesn’t make sense, and seems almost cliche. I just have so many questions that want answered. I knew he probably wouldn’t want to tell me, as in his eyes that would involve in helping a mortal. He’s only helping me as it is because we made a deal. It’s not like we are friends, it’s not like he wants to help me out of the kindness of his heart. Does demons even have hearts?
I look around the woods, wondering how long this journey is actually gonna take. Will it take days, weeks, months? God I hope not months or even weeks. I just wish we can get there now, so I can get my answers and maybe hopefully get home. I let out a quiet sigh as we walk in silence, but questions just keep swirling through my mind. What do I even do? What can any mortal do in a magical world? I need to figure out how to survive, how to protect myself when Necra leaves. The wind blew making me shiver a bit, and making him stopped dead. Oh no. Don’t tell me we have to hide in a bush again. I open my mouth to say something when a big gust of wind sent us both flying. I screamed as I flew in the air before landing on the ground rolling, before slamming into a tree. I let out a gasp of shock and pain, as I rubbed the back of my head and arched my back as it flamed up in agony.
I then heard what sounded like fighting, and I stood up wincing a little as I limped towards it. I didn’t get far as a gust of wind knocked me down again, but it wasn’t as strong as before. Just strong enough to knock me down. I sit up quickly and my eyes widen in shock at what I saw in front of me. There’s a flying woman with eagle like wings. She’s wearing like an armored outfit and has long red hair in a braid. What is freaking me out though, is the fact that she has a spear pointing at me.
“State your name.”
“It- it’s Kiera.”
“Kiera. Mortal. You’re coming with us for questioning.”
“Wha-what for? I didn’t do anything!”
I heard struggling and look over to see three more flying women coming over. Two of them had Necra in their grasps, and he looks beaten. I became afraid, and knew whoever these creatures were they meant business. They obviously didn’t like Necra either, and I have a feeling we don’t have a choice but to follow them. I let out a sigh of defeat, as I knew I’m never gonna get to Destiny and get my answers now. I’ll probably get killed from these flying women, and I don’t know what to do. If they managed to beat Necra, then they have to be powerful. The red haired woman flew down and grabbed me, as yellow rings appeared around and surrounding us. I knew instantly that we were teleporting and I wasn’t ready for it.
When we reappeared I bent over to throw up, as once again my stomach was weak to teleportation. The flying lady waited until I was good to go, before grabbing me and pulling me along. I glanced behind me and saw that Necra got teleported here as well. He was still held captive by the two ladies with wings. I look around at where we are, and saw that we were like on a floating island. A waterfall was flowing down in the middle of the island. I saw a bunch of more of these ladies with wings. They all stopped to stare at us, which just makes me even more nervous. I then noticed a big castle like building, it was built out of tan bricks and had vines all over it. I was in awe even though I knew I was more likely in danger. There was even an arch that was made from trees that lead to the entrance of the building. It’s just something else that makes this world like it’s straight out of a fantasy show.
When we entered, it was big and round with a throne looking set up in front of us. Lanterns hung down from the ceiling giving off a faint glow, as there were more ladies with wings standing side by side holding spears. Necra and I were shoved down to the ground. The lady who had me flew towards the throne set up, before flying into the back. I glanced over at Necra seeing that he has an annoyed look across his face. The two who had him were standing behind us, standing guard. I lick my lips feeling my heart racing from fear, as I glance over at him again and whispered lowly.
“Are they gonna kill us?”
“Perhaps.”
“That’s not helpful.”
“They’re valkyries, so they aren’t kind beings. Especially towards demons.”
“Is that why they brought us here? Because of you? Because you’re a demon?”
“I’m hundred percent sure that’s the reason why.”
“Hey quit the whispering!”
“It’s okay, Hrist. Let me speak with them.”
I look up to see the red headed Valkyrie coming back out with another one, but she seems to be slightly taller. This one had long blond hair with little braids on each side of her face. She seems to have a kinder face, unlike the others that I’ve met so far. She’s wearing armor but her armor is made out of gold, while the others are made out of silver. She’s wearing a cape unlike the others, and she seems to be in charge. Which isn’t rocket science to figure out since she’s taller than the rest, and she just sat down on the throne chair.
“Step closer you two.”
Necra and I stood up and walked slowly towards her, before kneeling again. I still felt my heart racing as I don’t know what’s going to happen to us. The lady told us we can stand, as she leans forward to get a good look at the both of us.
“A demon and a mortal traveling together. What deal did you make with this demon, girl?”
“Um, to help me get to destiny’s lair.”
“Ah to see the prophet, the seeker, the fate herself. Why do you need the assistance of a demon to get there?”
“I don’t know how to get there. I’m uh, I’m not from around here.”
“Not from around here? Where are you from?”
“Destiny brought me here from my world. I’m not from this world.”
“Another wo- your from the prophecy aren’t you?”
“Um, I don’t know. I was just dumped here and was told to find my bound mate, and I need to speak with Destiny.”
“You have to be the girl from the prophecy! Kara, Hrist, Sigrun, do you three know who you brought in?”
“A demon and a mortal?”
“Not just any mortal, Sigrun. You brought in the prophecy girl that was foretold by destiny.”
“What seriously?”
“Excuse me, does this mean we are free to go?”
I look over at Necra who just has a bored expression on his face. I let out a gasp when he gets kicked down onto his knees by one of the valkyries behind us. He lets out an oof before he groans as he rights himself up onto his knees. He glared behind him before glaring up at the lady in charge. I look back towards her as she stands up and walks towards Necra. When she’s right in front of him she slaps him across the face, before grabbing into his cheeks firmly.
“Demon. You aren’t allowed to speak freely here. You’re nothing but a parasite. You aren’t free, and will never will be.”
“Wait please! He’s my friend and is with me. He’s helping me get to Destiny's lair.”
“This demon is your friend?”
I quickly nodded as she stares at me shocked, then lets go of Necra before stepping back. The kindness on her face is now filled with disappointment. She turns her back towards us, as she tells the red headed Valkyrie to kick us out. My mouth opened in shock as I can’t believe they are just gonna kick us out. The other valkyries seem kind of shock as well. As we are grabbed and pulled out of the building, my mouth spoke before I could stop myself.
“If you’re truly good, then help us. The faster we get to Destiny the better. For us, and maybe for you guys as well.”
“You know nothing of us, or of our world.”