Harem Tournament of Champions

Outside the citadel,

Solara had managed to sneak outside with the help of Zui.

They had all sensed a disturbance in their marks which could only mean something was going on with their lord.

No one was told about Hisha's trip to the forest, the only exception being Solara and Alta.

Immediately she felt the ripple sensation, she knew it was the perfect moment to sneak out in search of Hisha.

Without his rule or return, the whole land would be thrown into anarchy, and almost certain that a tyrant ruler from the tribal chiefs would fight and kill one another till there was a victor who would usurp the throne.

'No!' Solara shook her head to the thought and focused ahead.

Looking back at the citadel with a satisfying grin at successfully escaping, she thought about how she could prove her sincerity.

Placing her hand on her chest, a smile began to grow when she realized that she could still feel the presence of his mark–this could only mean that he was still in a stable condition.

She was just about to run off into the thick forest path like she had remembered the description by Kritz, that Hisha would have taken for his hunt when she was held back by Zui's hold on her wrist.

"Wait! I don't think this is a good idea." She whispered in worry, scared of what would happen to them if a rumor spread about them escaping even though it was for the right reasons.

"Don't tell me you would like to back down at the crucial moment?" Solara snatched her hands away from Zui in disappointment and disbelief.

Pointing accusingly, she lowered her voice for them not to be found out.

"You've come this far and now you want to back out? Do you know what that means for you if you're caught and he's still not back?"

Zui looked down as she fiddled with her fingers, unsure of how to make out the awkward situation she put herself in by helping.

Even though they had managed to leave, returning wasn't an option without being with Hisha–being their only hope of returning safely.

"I had simply done it to help, I didn't think you'd drag me along..." She paused in her words as she stared ahead in a trance-like state.

Solara looked behind her and couldn't understand what had gone remotely wrong with Zui.

Waving her hands in front of Zui to get her attention, "Kurg to Zui!!"

Whoosh!

Alta glided above them, making a U-turn before hovering and getting to her feet slowly.

The gust of wind caused by the swooping blew Zui and Solara's hair in their faces.

Alta had her wings spread out before folding them as exhaling.

"Well, if it isn't the demoness." Solara spat in spite.

Raising her hands in surrender, she finally decided to speak, "I am not here to start a duel but to help."

"Help?" Solara did a bit of body scan of Alta, her brows knitted as she constantly thought back to that unfortunate night.

Holding back Zui, she glared daggers at Alta. "Is this your doing?"

Alta rubbed her chin, leaning forward to have a look at Zui's dazed and distant gaze.

Looking behind her, she suddenly had an idea that sparked her curiosity.

"So...?" Solara questioned impatiently, seeing it almost impossible to stop Zui from moving without hurting her.

"Let her go, trust me," Alta assured with a nod, straightening her posture.

'Trust you?!' Solara did a double take on her assurance, feeling she was being irrational in her interaction with anyone other than Hisha.

Speaking through gritted teeth, she was unable to hide her distasteful feeling about Alta's behavior. "Some of us care about the next person, I don't know if you understand that."

Alta let out a chuckle, "if you're referring to those weak–"

Solara growled at the degrading means she used to call those who had lost their lives with nothing achieved or given the chance to leave like those after the incident.

Alta smiled and shook her head, "I meant those who couldn't defend themselves are not worthy of dreaming of gaining the love and adoration of our lord."

Solara felt disgusted by how true her words were but also how her initial method was barbaric.

"Just stay away from us if you'd bring nothing but trouble," Solara warned and focused her attention on Zui.

Placing her hand on Zui's shoulder, she searched her friend's eyes. "Zui snap out of it."

"The only way to get out of a situation is to tackle the problem, what you are doing is only hindering it." Alta deadpanned and folded her arms.

Reluctantly, Solara let go of Zui and waited for the results.

Staggering at a slow pace, Zui's eyes glow as her ability kicks in, she stopped and pointed in the direction of another path, "I see blood."

Solara looked ahead, worried something had possessed Zui, given the fact that her senses were far superior in smell, yet she couldn't perceive anything.

"You don't need to follow anymore, I'm sorry for dragging you into this," Solara begged.

Alta gently placed her hand on Solara to calm her distressing thoughts. "Would you pull yourself together and see what she wants to convey?"

Creating a magical circle on both hands, Zui slapped them onto the dusty grassy floor which caused a strong gust of wind to sweep across the path and reveal what was underneath.

Losing her balance, her body went limp, and was about to drop to the floor when she was saved by Alta's Sux outlining Zui.

Solara had almost opened her mouth to thank Alta but was stopped in her tracks when she heard Alta's motive.

"You surely can't die now, how else can I tick your flame friend?" Alta snickered and slowly let go of her grip to soften the fall Zui could have undergone.

"What a bloody scene, right?" Alta conveyed with a smirk. "You might want to take your friend back to the citadel so she's not a liability. I await your return."

*****

A/N

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