Rae’s POV
I wonder how much time we’re given as I quickly make my way through the thick brush beneath the trees. I end up stepping on a rock wincing in pain as I stop to see the damage. I have light cuts on the bottom of my feet. I never liked being barefoot, maybe they did this so we couldn’t get far away. I wont let that stop me and pushed forward.
The terrain is getting steeper and there are more rocks and larger ones at that. I can hear what sounds like water. After pushing myself further around a bend I found a crystal clear stream. I scoop the water up in my hands and take a drink, it’s cool and refreshing. Maybe I should clean my feet some hoping I don’t get an infection.
While rubbing my feet in the water I notice the shackle on my ankle, it has a blinking green light. I don’t remember there being a light before. Staring at it all of a sudden it dawns on me. They are tracking me. Terrified, I realize my dis
Jeong’s POV Looking down at my wrist I can’t help but feel slightly annoyed at the securely placed tracer. The tracers are meant to link together to initiate the bonding ceremony once the chosen target is acquired. At least all the formalities are out of the way and I’m sure no one else besides Zviad dares to challenge me for her. I find myself walking to one of the windows watching the landscape move underneath. It amazes me how a structure as big as this stays floating in the air. Artifacts are truly surprising. An all to familiar voice pulls me from my observation. “You think you can claim her?” with a voice laced with anger. Turning around Zviad is standing tall glaring at me arms crossed. I cant help but let out a chuckle. “I don’t think, I know.” It’s a pity we are restrained from using our powers against other competitors otherwise it would disqualify us from claiming a woman. But that
Jeong’s POV Searching more I finally found another set of footprints that lead into the water facing up stream. I decide to follow the stream looking for any signs of her exit. After a good twenty minutes I still have yet to find any indication she left the water. I’ve been checking my tracer on and off this whole time for her light. I know it’s not her, if she managed to take it off she wouldn’t put it back on. That’s when I noticed her light went off, Zviad must have found her tracer. Worry reaches me when I find myself in front of a huge cliff side that goes straight up the side of the mountain. Water is jutting out of the cliff like a waterfall into the stream. There must be an underground lake that feeds it. Turning around I begin running back the way I came. There must be something I missed. Where did you go? I stop to lean against a large rock catching my breath. Looking up at the sky I can’t help but wonder
Jeong’s POV I’m not sure if I should be impressed or upset as I continue forward past the barrier. Looking at the distance there is no way she could have jumped between some of these rocks. She must have learned how to use her power, that’s the only logical explanation. No normal person or team of people can get past the amount of beasts that lay in wait from the other side. And, I don’t think anyone else would have realized she would and could cross the barrier. I am worried seeing the amount of blood showing. I even notice there was some blood on a few thorns. “Not good.” The thorns have a toxin, when it enters the blood stream it causes server drowsiness and an over dose can be fatal. Not finding her body is a good sign showing she hasn’t taken in to much of the toxin yet. That’s why this barrier works so well, it doesn’t matter human or beast it affects the same to both. I felt relief when I saw the edge of the
Rae’s POV I was about to give up and suddenly Jeong comes smashing into this creature out of no where! Is he after me too? What do I do? I don’t know if I can move. It hurts so much. I’m so tired. Oh no, that thing is getting up. “Hang in there. I’m here now.” with a panicked look on his face. Slipping in and out I see my platform shatter in front of my eyes. I need to recast it, but I can’t. Oh, it’s so cold. Am I dying? I vaguely see Jeong, is he hitting it? I’m so tempted to close my eyes. Sleep sounds so good. “Stay with me!” Jeong shouts. Huh? What? I try to focus on him and see blue lights coming out of his hands going around my leg. Why does he care so much? Does he really want me to live my life as a slave birthing children? Why can’t he just let me… There is a pin on his lapel, my eyes widen as I look at it. A gold filigree ring with a fl
Rae’s POV After cleaning all the blood it seems rather awkward now. I’m still not completely sure if I should trust him, but something is pulling me to. I’m in no position to run and barely understand my supposed power. What do I do? I don’t want to become some sex slave popping out babies. Jeong breaks the silence “I’m going to give it to you straight. You have two options.” holding out one finger “One, you can die.” I burst out “How is that even an option?!” is he crazy?! Annoyed “Let me finish!” as he shouts then looks serious as he holds up one finger “You can die either by killing yourself, go back and have those beasts kill you, or die by my hands. Option two.” holding two fingers “You agree to be bound to one of the two men who want to claim you. There are no other options available. If you want to leave this place that is.” Clenching my teeth and holding back te
Jeong’s POV After destroying three drones I clench her tightly in my arms. Dodging trees and jumping over brush and fallen debris, the only thing I can think about is getting to the ship with her. But wait, what if she doesn’t want me? What if she chooses death? Considering she might choose death over me a drone caught me off guard knocking the wind out of me as I came in contact with the ground. When I finally was able to shake off the impact all I saw was her legs being hoisted up above the tree tops. Her scream filled me with panic as I rushed to reach her but got pummeled by another drone. They are keeping me from her, but why!? That’s against the rules! Staggering to stand, still taken back from the impact of the drone, anger begins boiling inside. How dare they get involved. Blinded by my moment of rage I didn’t hear him walk up. “How pathetic. And here I thought you would be more of a
Rae’s POV Carefully walking through the trees listening for any sign of Jeong or Zviad. I don’t know where they are, he said they were fighting. You’d think I would hear something. I find myself tripping over exposed roots ever since the sun began going down. It’s getting to difficult to see. I think I’m going in the right direction. Those orb things came from this direction, maybe, but everything looks different from down here. Ugh. Stopping beneath a large tree I close my eyes and listen. I can hear the breeze gently rushing through the leaves. There are light humming sounds of insects darting around. I’d say this place was peaceful if not for the whole hunt thing. Out of no where I hear a faint cry in the distance, that must be them! Taking off in the direction of the cry I hope Jeong’s alright. Jeong’s POV I may have the upper hand with my speed but every blow Zviad
Jeong’s POV This is so embarrassing that I needed her to help me. I should be the one coming to her rescue not the other way around. It’s a struggle to keep hobbling leaning on her, the pain is unbearable. All I can do is swallow the pain and pretend it doesn’t bother me. I’m not at ease until we reach the ship. What if Zviad wakes up and gets here before we get to the ship? All I can do is push forward. After what seemed to be an hour we finally made it to the edge of deck. Mr Takvorian and Woo Soo Yun are both standing there arms crossed. The only sound that comes from Mr Takvorian was “Tsk” as he left inside the ship. Woo Soo Yun just stood there and watched as I struggled to hop up the stairs leaning on her. I ignored him as we passed him. Once we made it through the door I instantly fell into the closest chair panting. For the moment she’s safe. If Zviad were to come now there would be n