Leora stood by the door trying to catch her breath "don't...go..yet" she said
Ashley ran to her concerned "are you okay" holding Leora up, helping her walk to a stool so she could sit
"I'm sorry Ash—I should've been here a while ago but the veil seemed to have weakened even more, shadow creatures are pouring in..." Leora said still panting
Handing her a cup of water. she looked at Kyle —pleading for a little more time before they leave.
Not able to contain her smile "I'm happy you came" she said, feeling lighter with the thought that her best friend didn't hate her
"I couldn't just stay without saying good bye properly...what kind of friend will I be" Leora replied. placing the cup away
"Thank you" Ashley said
At least now leaving won't feel so heavy
"But before you go"
turning her gaze to the cloaked man standing in front of them. Her finger pointed at him
"you're the reaper" she said
"Yes" Kyle replied flatly
"Prove it"
Ashley's eyes widened "Lee stop it... I've already told you, how do you want him to—"
"If he's the reaper he should prove it" she cutting Ashley off
"But...."
"Prove it"
Ashley's eyes widened " Lee stop it...I've already told you, how do you want him to—"
"If he's the reaper he should—" she Paused mid sentence. something wasn't right— she had made that sentence before
"Are you satisfied?" He spoke— a hint of cockiness in his voice.
"You just manipulated time" Leora said. Glaring at him
No powerful mage could manipulate time. for someone to unlock that extent of magic— that person had to be a God or a being that didn't belong to this world— she had come to challenge to expose him for the fraud he is—she knew too well that the reaper wanted nothing to do with the human realm
having little knowledge about the reaper through her grandmother's journal left to her before she died. while her grandma was alive she had encountered the reaper—tge reason she died
The tension in the room thickened " you are the all powerful Reaper" her glare turning into a frown
Kyle stayed silent. He didn't have enough patience to exchange words with this mortal
"You killed my grandma" she said her voice filled with hate
Shocked Ashley's eyes darted between them. Leora never told her, her grandma had experience with the reaper—the only part of her grandma's death she knew was that she died while protecting the town years ago
Kyle didn't speak, he had nothing to say—he didn't know who her grandma was —he didn't care. he killed many people in his long life time its not like he kept a list
"You're not going to say anything?" Leora said, getting up from the stool. unsheathing her sword
'uh hell no'
"Leora put away your sword" Ashley said, trying to hold her back
"You took my grandma away from me...now you want to take my best friend— the last person I hold dear in this world" she said her face burning with anger
"Lee calm down...it's not his fault, it was my choice to go with him" Ashley stood in front of her trying to stop her from getting close to Kyle
"Step aside Ash" she said, holding herself back from pushing her aside forcefully
Ashley didn't move—the last thing she wanted was loosing her best friend before she even leaves to save her. She didn't know the extent of the reaper's power but she was pretty sure if he wanted Leora dead she would be
"Lee...let's take a moment to breathe" she said, gently holding Leora's hand
Leora moved her hand away from Ashley's grip "step aside Ash... he's not taking you, I won't let him"
Standing there between her best friend and Kyle she was at a loss of words
Hearing a snap— she watched Leora fall on the floor unconscious
Ashley's eyes snapped towards Kyle "what did you do?" Shock and Disbelief written all over her face
"She's asleep... she'd wake up after some hours. let's go" Kyle said stretching his hand out—he had lost his patience
He had thought of taking her life—but it seemed like his bride cherished this one closely so he decided to just put her to sleep instead.
Seeing her hesitate he added "I give you my word, she's fine...she will wake up before dawn"
"She better" Ashley said glaring at him. Walking to the sleeping Leora she tried raising her up from the ground
"What are you doing"
"Taking her to my room"
"There is no time—"
"Then help me" Ashley cut him off. There was no way she was leaving her best friend on the floor
Grunting impatiently Kyle waved his hand over Leora making her disappear into black smoke
"W...where is she?" Ashley asked panicking
"I sent her home" he replied impatiently "give me your hand"
Still unsure Ashley placed her hand over his—worry etched on her face. She hoped he wasn't lying. Feeling bad for leaving Leora like that.
Black mist engulfed them, slowly they vanished— leaving behind Ashley's sack of clothes
The journey had just begun