7 Welcome to Crystallia (2/2)
Having resigned to her fate, the girl stared at nothing. She had only the pack on her back and a hollowed expression on her face. ”Could I at least keep the food that I have now? This is all I'll have for the next week.” She asked with a glint of hope in her eyes.
The guard looked at his boss. ”I don't think that would be possible, our provisions are low, and we need dinner with our new entertainment!” he laughed while putting his sword away. ”But I'll tell you what, why don't you come back with us to the capital? We'll make sure you are good and fed for the rest of your life.” He said with a wink. The girl just winced in fear as one of the men came up behind her.
The guard walked forward and took the already frightened woman's arm and began to drag her the opposite way of where she was going. ”I thought we were going back to my home? Where are you taking me?” she asked with a small fearful sob escaping her throat.
The boss looked back at her, his eyes slowly undressing her in his mind. ”Change of plans, we're just going to take you with us for the cost of your crops.” He said with a menacing laugh. The girl could do nothing, so she went completely still, allowing the guard to drag her by her waist.
At his last string of tolerance, Will jumped out of the trees onto the path and ran toward the guard as fast as he could. Before they could react, he swiftly grabbed the girl out of the unsuspecting guards grasp. Not expecting any resistance, it was easy for will to take her. The surprised guards turned to see an oddly dressed man holding their new toy.
The guards boss looking incredulously at the young man, he drew his sword. ”You dare attack The Crimson King's representatives?” Rage replacing his shocked expression as he charged the strangely dressed man.
As if in a trance fueled by his rage, Will felt the comforting warm aura that helped him in the desert change. Instead of the comforting campfire like presence, his rage had fueled it into what was more like a forest fire begging to be released. His insides thirsted for the blood of the men who dare attack and take advantage of an innocent woman. There was a pull from deep inside him, as if a door was inside begging to be opened. Deep within the trance, Will opened the door within his mind.
A pressure was released from Will as red flames spiraled upward, his bloodlust only served to fuel the fire. The guard stopped his charge, his face paled. Looking into the spiraling ruby red inferno, he saw a set of dark eyes void of mercy. His gaze shifted between the two who had seemed to have just wet themselves.
”Why is a Royal Flame attacking the Crimson Knights?” The guard asked when stopping his advance.
Within the storm of rage, Will raised his hand out to the subordinate guard. The flame in a thin stream flew past his head. The prior assailant looked past at a tree in which the flame hit, a flaming hole set in the center. Within moments, the tree caught flame, burning to a crisp in a manner of seconds.
”Leave.” The only word that escaped the inferno. His hatred for the men consuming any other part of him. His rage begged him to kill, to allow none to survive. It was a struggle just to contain such thoughts.
The guards picked up their wits and fled the way they were previously dragging the girl as fast as their legs would allow. Will watched them disappear down the path, if they looked back, they would see a pillar of ruby red flame parting the clouds.
Will tried as hard as he could to cut off the power, but he still knew nothing about it. All he wanted to do is chase those men down and sear the flesh from their bones. His rage had taken over completely, he felt his legs start moving towards the men ever so slowly. He felt like he should give them at least a head start.
”Please stop!” A voice cried out from beyond the inferno. Will didn't know the voice, nor did he care. All that mattered was the guards who were about to die. ”You've done enough, please just stop!” She cried out again, hoping to wake Will from his trance. ”I can't thank you enough for saving me, but if you could just calm down a little, you can allow your flames to dissipate.” She said calmly into the fire.
Will calmed down enough to see through the flames, to the woman who had been in trouble before. Seeing that she was safe, he was able to allow his flames to go out completely.
Having calmed slightly, Will felt intense fatigue set in. His face paled as his legs fell from under him. It felt as though every ounce of strength was taken in order to fuel the fire. As he lay on the ground facing the sky, he smiled. 'I'm glad I was able to help,' he thought as the darkness started to sink in. The woman raced to his side with a concerned expression, which was the last thing he saw before the world went black.