Chapter 20: Wakey Wakey (1/2)

Almost as soon as Agni made herself comfortable near the fire she drifted off into sleep. Her body was much more tired than she realized and she quickly fell into a deep, restful sleep -- except….

”Agni. Agni..” Agni awoke to the sensation of being gently shaken. She opened her eyes and looked about, only to notice the fire burned out sometime during her nap.

”It's Abeni, quick I need your help! She rushed off to fight a Grimlock!” It was Purscha's voice and the sense of urgency was unmistakable.

”What? Why would she...ugh..” Agni said, quickly getting to her feet. She moved to wake up Katrin who was only a meter or two away but Purscha grabbed her by the arm and whispered, ”There's no time!” as she pulled Agni away.

The two dashed through the woods for some time. Agni kept her eyes peeled for any signs of Grimlock, but she didn't notice anything -- which was good considering they were moving through the woods quite noisily at the moment.

”How much further?” Agni huffed as Purscha led her through the forest, it seemed so much easier for the woman in front of her. Agni noticed that a little light had begun to enter the sky, perhaps an hour or two before dawn which meant she had gotten very little sleep as is. Her body was still heavy and her speed was much lower than Purscha's to begin with thus she fell behind as Purscha darted forth and burst out into a nearby clearing.

Agni prepared her weapon and followed suit, jumping out into the clearing ready to confront any foe in sight. To her surprise she didn't see anyone or anything. Rather than a clearing she was now standing near the bank of a lake. The telltale signs of dusk break had begun to fill the morning sky in the distance.

Had it not been for Agni's bewilderment she might have thought the view beautiful, the water shining against the still waters of the lake.

”He he he.” Agni turned to her left and noticed Purscha step out of the shadow of a nearby tree.

”What? Where is she?” Agni grunted as she held her halberd at the ready.

”Sorry…” Purscha said, clasping her hands together in a prayer motion.

”What? I don't--” Agni's voice was cut off by the sensation of being tackled to the ground. The blow wasn't painful, but it was enough to disorient her as Abeni pulled her to the ground and effortlessly pinned Agni down.

”What the hell?” Agni shouted indignantly, a twinge of anger in her voice as she gazed up at Abeni.

”Yes. That's the look. The same look I had just the other day..” Abeni said as she pushed Agni's hands to the ground.

”Get off.” Agni said, suddenly realizing the purpose of her being called alone to the clearing.