Ignite: The Archangels Chronicles

No one had slept in those few hours between the attack and our departure from the glorious shade of the Demora Thicket, and out into the blistering heat of the Singing Sands. They had left in a bit of a hurry, feeling like it was only a matter of time before an even larger platoon of soldiers came looking for their missing brothers in arms. Some didn't understand Azreals rush, she had decimated the last group of soldiers what was a few more?

Azreal knew she could kill a large quantity of Death Dealers, it would be easy, her magic begged for it. That deep primal side of her powers scared her. But she knew that even with all her newly found skills, she wasn't ready to take on the False king just yet. No she would have to build her powers a bit more, hone her abilities, so when the time came she could crush him in the way he deserves.

The heat was further oppressing her people as they trudged through the sand. We had only a few injured left, and Azreal had mastered a few basic healing lessons with Nadie, before being drilled on various different ways to charge her patients chakra so she could help their healing process along. She had to be extra careful not to send too strong a power wave, lest she fry her patients instead of heal them.

The strongest of the group carried the large containers of water that was so essential in their journey across the blasted sands.

Azreal carried the heaviest pack to Eros' utter dismay. After last nights events Eros had been the mother hen of the group, making sure everyone was accounted for and had their ration of food and water. Lucia on the other hand, was still keeping her distance, every once in a while Azreal caught her staring, but the stubborn girl would quickly look away as their eyes met.

Azreal would have to make a point, to go out of her way to talk to the girl. Lucia was strong, brave, and charismatic. Azreal needed people like her in her inner circle if she ever wished to rule. Shaking her head Azreal also thought greedily, 'If i can take my people to the Eternal gardens they will be safe, and maybe i might get to know peace there as well...'

No one with a malicious intent can enter the city, it has one of the oldest and strongest barrier spells protecting it. Not to mention the gigantic stone warriors that stand guard outside the city. There has only been one written occasion when the massive marble sentinels had been called into action by the barrier spell, when the first beings had come here and cast the barrier spell to protect the magical land and its inhabitants.

Azreal was lost in her thoughts and didn't hear Cameron shout her name as he ran up to her side. "Hey I've been looking for you all morning!" Cameron exclaimed, panting.

Azreal grumbled "oh really?" Annoyed with herself for slipping up.

Azreal had been avoiding Cameron all morning. Finding small tasks to do for Nadie while practicing her magical control, It had grown quite a bit, and Azreal felt more comfortable in her abilities.. The practice also kept her busy and away from where Cameron might find her. Even now she had chosen to walk towards the middle of the group in an attempt to loose him for as long as possible.

The ever persistent Cameron was, as always, unfazed by her grumbling and obvious annoyance as he said "How are you feeling after last night?" Azreal glanced sidelong at his overeager profile. Cameron was handsome in a rough puppy dog sort of way. She felt guilty for ignoring him all day when he was only worried about her. "I'm fine.." she trailed off getting an idea.

Trying to knock out two birds with one stone...

"But Lucia isn't, will you talk to her for me? Ive just been so busy and I'm exhausted." Azreal lied, letting her shoulders slump forward, slowing her pace a little to really take it over the top.

Cameron jumped right into her scheme, "yeah, of course Az, don't even worry about it!" He sounded so sincere as he puffed up his c.h.e.s.t feeling helpful.

Azreal glance over to Lucia to find the girl watching the exchange with a scorned look on her face, upon noticing Azreals attention the girl immediately flushed, and went back to staring at the sand.

"You should go talk to her now," Cameron looked about to object, having just found her, so Azreal pushed out quickly, "I have lessons with Nadie on healing, you can join us after we make camp for the night."

Seemingly satisfied by her answer Cameron nodded. As he started to turn away he brought his fingers up to drag through the tips of Azreal's hair as he said "I'll see you later then" his storm blue eyes were dark as they narrowed on Azreal, giving her the distinct feeling of being prey, which was a new thing for her.

One of Azreals eyebrows pitched up and she gave him a nervous glance as she said "um yeah.." and pretended to focus on her walking. When she looked up she saw Cameron's muscled back striding towards Lucia.

The girl hadn't noticed Cameron's approach and was muttering to herself while she kicked at the dirt. Cameron caught her by the elbow, surprising her. Her whole aura changed when she heard his voice. Lucia brushed a few strands of her golden locks behind her ear as she blushed at whatever Cameron had said to her. Lucia was easy to read, she wore her emotions openly on her face, something Azreal had been trained from birth not to do. It made Azreal like her more.

A peel of laughter rang out from between Lucia's pouty pink lips. Cameron was smiling down at her and Azreal couldn't help but think how cute they looked. As if Cameron could sense Azreals stare, he glanced over and waved to her in signal to join them. Lucia didn't exactly frown, but her lips were definitely pursed, unhappy at the prospect of losing Camerons full attention. Azreal shook her head and waved them on. Lucia gave her a small nod and a thin lipped smile as she looped her arm through Camerons and began saying something else to him, leaning up closer to his ear. Feeling nosy Azreal looked away.

They looked good together, and Lucia was obviously enamored with Cameron. 'Why in the seven hells was he pestering her?' Azreal grunted at the ground in frustration, humans made no sense to her.