33 Cursed Part III (1/2)

(The next morning)

I'm getting used to waking up early; which means that I could do a lot more than usual!

Getting up to see everyone, Dai-tai, Niroja, and Young Mi in the living room, sound asleep. This home is starting to feel like a lounge now that everyone is back and staying over more often.

It's actually fun and everyone loved the cookies I made!

Noting that Lilith's futon was empty, I searched the likely place where she'd be, Steven's room. She's been secretive to him about it, but she's been nursing him while he slept.

I find her, as expected, gently combing his hair with her right-hand fingers while using her other hand that was glowing a deep purple to keep his health in shape. After noticing me, she puts her finger to her lip as to ask me to keep quiet.

Choosing to sit across from her, she finishes up by checking his temperature by hand.

Lilith: ”He's still burning, but I think he shouldn't be as fatigued as before. I know he'll be feeling better in a couple more days.”

Madelyn: ”That's good.”

That's one weight off of everyone's shoulders.

Lilith: ”He looks really peaceful.”

She smiles.

Lilith: ”What do you think?”

He looks like someone that's indulging in the fact that he's being coddled by so many women. In fact, it wouldn't surprise me if he ends up faking it later on.

Madelyn: ”I guess he is.”

I'll make sure that doesn't happen.

A minute of silence between us and a slight curiosity begs me to ask about the 2 of them.

Madelyn: ”Why did you fight with Steven?”

Lilith: ”I guess I was blind. I wanted… wanted to impress my dad so much that… I didn't think about how I was affecting him. Then I realized that dad passed away, and since, it made me think. I… don't think sorry would be enough for him.”

She struggles to get the words out.

Madelyn: ”I'll help you in any way I can.”

Lilith: ”I lied to him. I told him that I was actually curious about how he'd adapt to a different society. He might think I'm pathetic if I told him the truth.”

I reach out and pat her on the head and she gives me a bittersweet smile.

Lilith: ”I told him a lot of lies because I was scared. The fact that he was kidnapped was for research. And… that one time… I… I… actually… killed his friends, Madelyn.”

The tears on Lilith's face began to build up and fall. Her guilt is chewing her, but she's scared of what might happen. I just realized that mending this relationship would be a great task.

Madelyn: ”It's fine…”

Lilith: ”I'm scared…”

I take Lilith's hand and try to comfort her with a hug.

Madelyn: ”I know, just let him heal first.”

Young Mi: ”Madelyn, you need to see this!”

Young Mi: ”Everyone, wait!”

Standing down the street was the evil Elf, Wilburt, and Biyu from the Royal Family. We stood in shock when Young Mi calmly walks out and stands in front of us acting as a body shield. Biyu, preparing for a fight, pulls her hood up and enters a fighting stance.

Wilburt: ”Ah, I recognize you. You're past due for execution. Where is the other one and Lady Lilith?”

Steven: ”I'm right—right here.”

He exits the house, using the walls to keep himself standing. Slowly making his way besides all of us and finally standing on his own. Wilburt noticed his weakened state and laughs.

Wilburt: ”And what are you going to do? Limp towards me? You wouldn't last a minute against me!”

Steven: ”Maybe, but I won't sit around and let you hurt these people.”

Wilburt: ”We'll see about that.”

He slowly raises his hand and with a quick downward thrust, a knife is thrown at Steven. Before he was able to react, Lilith jumps in the way, taking the knife in the right side of her chest and collapsing to the floor, letting out a loud painful scream.

It happened so fast!

Madelyn: ”Lilith!”

Biyu: ”Wilburt, you moron!”

She berates him when she realizes Lilith took the blade.

Steven: ”Li-lith?”

He stands there, shocked before gritting his teeth.

Steven: ”Holy Warrior!”

He explodes in a flash of light, moving as fast as the wind. He moved so quickly that the dirt kicked up and a small wind blew in the direction he went. Appearing in front of Wilburt and using a sword made of pure light to pierce him in the chest, with such a force that he falls back hard on the floor as blood rushed out of his wound.

He then jumps behind all of us before the light surrounding him faded and he drops to the floor like a ragdoll.

Biyu: ”Damn it!”

Young Mi: ”Dai-tai, Niroja, grab Lilith and Steven and take them inside, now!”

She demanded.

Young Mi: ”Lady Biyu, you annoyed the wrong person.”

Young Mi removes the new coat that Steven and the others bought for everyone and passes it to me. Her hair faded into an ice white, and eyes become a pale blue, like the color of her hands when she uses magic. A small blue diamond-shaped marking materializes just below her left eye and the rest of her body is enveloped in a thin layer of ice that continuously boils into a small mist.

Biyu: ”Impossible… Ice?!”

Young Mi: ”I'll give you a choice; leave, and never come back, or, be used as a target for my Iced Spears.”

Biyu: ”And by what—”

She's interrupted by a shard of ice grazing her neck and cutting through her hair.”

Biyu: ”I… I'll leave, Wight, but don't think I'll be gone forever.”

Another shard of ice zips through the air and hits Biyu in the leg, making her fall and scream in pain.

Young Mi: ”Try it, and you won't live to see another day.”

Biyu: ”Damn you!”

Young Mi: ”Be thankful that your sister wishes you to still be alive! Now leave and never come back!”

She shouted; her voice echoes throughout the small road in the village.

More and more of the villagers start coming out investigating the commotion. Seeing that she'll have little to no chance against so many villagers and a Wight, she hurriedly grabs what's left of Wilburt and disappears behind the nearby treeline.

Villager #1: ”What's all the commotion, Young Mi?”

Villager #2: ”Were the people that ran into the trees bandits?”

Young Mi: ”Could you ask Nikita to come to the house, please? It's important.”

Villager #2: ”I'll do it.”

Young Mi: ”Thank you.”

Before being able to fully understand what just happened, Young Mi gently pushes me back inside. Sighing when she sees Lilith silently up against the wall trying to heal herself with magic and Steven knocked out on one of the futons.

Young Mi: ”I told you all to wait. Lilith and Steven wouldn't have been injured.”

Niroja: ”I'm sorry, mama.”

Dai-tai: ”Sorry, mom.”

Madelyn: ”Now wait, it happened so fast. Besides, we didn't know Lilith and Steven would end up like this. I'm still trying to understand what happened.”

I came to everyone's defense.

Lilith: ”I, ow, Madelyn's right, Miss Young Mi.”