The bright morning light seeped through Elliot’s eyelids. He tucked his head into his chest, hiding away from the offending sun. He had just fallen asleep and wasn’t ready to continue on their journey. His body was weak, and his chest was heavy. Staying awake with Minari may not have been the smartest decision, but he’d wanted to make sure the older elf was all right.
The pressure against Elliot’s back disappeared. He blinked his eyes, peering behind him.
Minari sat up, shoulders hunched. He placed a hand on his shoulder before rolling his arm. There were dark shadows underneath his different-colored orbs. “We should get moving.”
Elliot stayed silent.
“I know you’re awake.” Minari peeked over his shoulder. “How are you feeling?”
“Mm,” Elliot moaned. “Still tired.”
Minari sighed. “Next time, don’t stay on watch duty.”
“Mm.” Elliot knew it had to be him. Luka and Owen had been in no condition to stay awake. The two ethereals had probably exerted more stamina than he had. Mimi and Sage might have been able to keep watch, but he hadn’t wanted them to. They had left a second time to search for resources to build a fire. If not for them, they would’ve slept without any warmth.
They were also lucky the monster hadn’t returned. Elliot shuddered at the thought.
“There is still time to rest if Elliot wishes,” Luka said. Though his skin was already fair to begin with, his complexion had warmed since yesterday.
“What if that monster comes back?” Minari asked.
“Then we fight it,” Sage said, punching a fist into his palm. “Thing ran away scared when it saw us.”
“Allowing Elliot to fully rest would benefit us,” Owen said. “If he’s tired, it will only slow us down. If he’s well, then we can expect smooth travel.”
Minari narrowed his eyes before shrugging. “Fine.”
Elliot pushed himself up into a sitting position, crossing his legs. “I’m fine to keep going.”
“You just said you were still tired,” Minari said.
“Yeah, but Solime isn’t going to get any closer if we stay here.” Elliot stood, patting the dirt and dust from his pants
“Actually,” Mimi started, “I have a request.” His hands were clasped, fingers fidgeting.
“Hmm?”
Mimi looked at Sage, who nodded, before turning his attention back to Elliot. “The chimeras from yesterday. I’m worried about my tribe. I . . . I recognized them, and I find it hard to believe that they’re . . . feral.”
“You want us to take a detour,” Minari deadpanned.
Elliot blinked. He hadn’t heard Minari use that tone since meeting Chloé.
“The proph—”
“We can,” Elliot said, interrupting Minari. Minari looked at Elliot with wide eyes. Elliot raised a brow. “Mimi’s family could be in danger.”
Minari’s mouth opened and closed, sputtering words.
“Do you have a problem with that?” Sage asked, crossing his arms.
“The prophecy. Did we forget we need to fulfill it?”
“It’s not that,” Elliot said.
“Then what is it? Chloé is stuck in Valquent, and we need to find the last warrior, but you want to wander around to find chimeras?”
Elliot gaped. He was at a loss for words. It wasn’t that he had forgotten about Chloé. He knew she was still in Valquent, but he had trusted Nighthawk to take care of her. It was true that he hadn’t heard from them since they’d been in the capital, but he trusted in them. He knew they would be reunited again.
Ever since being in Ruglow, Elliot hadn’t felt the presence of another warrior. When it came to Chloé, Mimi, and Luka, he’d recognized their presence and auras. Their souls sang in harmony with his, like a chorus that meshed with his verse.
But ever since their departure, he had not felt anything. No pull. No tug. No calling. When Elliot closed his eyes and focused, he still only saw Mimi’s golden string and Luka’s light blue string connected to his pale green string. Their souls were still intertwined. The thin black string was still connected to him, but even now, it didn’t lead to anywhere. It didn’t pull his soul to anyone. Elliot assumed it would lead to the last warrior, but it stayed severed.
“There is no reason to be agitated,” Luka said.
“I am not agitated,” Minari said.
“Annoyed.”
“Not annoyed.”
“Displeased.”
Minari glared at Luka, his lips pressed into a thin line. He threw his arms in the air, shaking his head. “Fine. Let’s put our entire journey on hold and waltz right into chimera territory. I’m sure we’ll find the last warrior there. Then we can forget our trip to Solime and the records in their library. If we’re lucky, maybe we’ll also run into the hero. Oh, and then we can make our way back to get Chloé since the Nighthawk guild isn’t doing anything about it.”
“Minari, what has gotten into you?” Elliot asked.
“Nothing. Someone has to remind you what we’re doing this far away from home.”
“I didn’t forget.”
“I’m sure you didn’t. Just wanted to take a vacation.”
“A vacation? How do you expect us to fulfill the prophecy to save Etheria when we can’t even protect those in front of us?”
“By looking at the bigger picture. We fulfill the prophecy, we save the entire world. If we fail it, there won’t be anyone left.”
Elliot was fuming. He clenched his fists, trying to keep his hands from shaking. He shook his head. “Something has gotten into you.”
“No, Elliot.” Minari stared into Elliot’s eyes. “I was tasked with protecting you so you could fulfill the prophecy. I am your keeper, a scribe, and the future leader of Mistfall. We have other priorities, and we should keep to them.”
“What’s Mistfall? Is that a place near Rainwell?” Sage asked.
Elliot’s eyes widened. He mentally cursed. He’d never told Mimi and Sage about Mistfall.
Minari put his hands on his hips. “Rainwell?” He pursed his lips. “I guess you could say that.”
“How far is the chimeran tribe from here?” Luka asked. Elliot’s shoulders sagged. He was thankful Luka had changed the topic.
“A day’s walk,” Mimi said. “But maybe three days with all of us together.”
“Do you think we can spare three days or so, Elliot?” Luka asked.
Elliot nodded. “If it’ll give Mimi and Sage peace of mind, then it doesn’t matter how many days it will take us.” His eyes shifted to Minari.
The older elf’s expression darkened. His brows were pinched, and the corners of his lips sank. His posture was stiff.
Maybe Minari was anxious. Stressed. He had just lost Xander and had been attacked by a monster the night before. Maybe this was a lingering side effect of the poison.
Elliot hoped this was just a phase.