Chapter 31: Chapter 31

I groaned and cried. My red cloaked slightly covering my head and face from the sun, but I was still sweating pretty badly as I rode on Cloud. The other princes were on their horses as well and covered in their own respective cloaks. We left before the sun could even rise and now the sun was slightly above us.

I breathed and wiped the sweat off of my forehead. “And this is why we should have brought the carriage.” I muttered angrily. Custard was not helping either. His thick brown fur just helped to increase my body temperature.

“And must I keep on reminding you that we are taking a shortcut where no carriage can enter?” Ace was clearly getting annoyed. He doesn’t have to pull his hood down for me to see his expression.

I clicked my tongue in annoyance. We have been in the forest for hours now that I could already see that your horses were panting tiredly. Ace must have noticed it too. “There’s a river nearby. We’ll take a short break.” He announced and led our small pack to an open area where the river was.

For this journey it was only me, Nate, Ren, and Ace. PRINCE Ace insisted that we only need a small party on our trip. He sent the knights away to search at different areas as a distraction in case anyone was spying on us.

We got down from our horses and dropped the saddles and bags from them before we led them to the river to drink. Unfortunately, Cloud was too happy that she did not only drank, but started playing in the water - splashing us all with cold water from the river. Yes even the princes got wet and also their horses. I saw Garius - Ren’s horse - spitting as it’s wet maine covered it’s eyes.

With wet hair dripping over their faces, they all turned to look at me accusingly. I raised my hands in surrender. “It wasn't me! It was Cloud!”

Ace wiped water from his face with his hand. “We know. And it is your duty as it’s master to train it.”

“Don’t blame me! I got Cloud from Nate!” I pointed at the vampire prince who only brushed his wet hair back from his face.

“Honestly? I don’t know what happened because Cloud was trained and bred to be fit for a princess. Now…” He looked at the white stallion who was now doing a circle and splashing us with even more water. “...I have no words to describe the feeling that I have right now.” He sighed sadly.

“Hey, she’s just happy that she gets to cool off. Besides, not all of my partners are like that. Look at Custard. He is very well mannered if not lazy.” I pointed to an empty space beside my riding boots. I looked baffled for a second as I circled around to look for my little brown wolf. “Custard? Here boy. Where are you?!” I yelled out in hopes that my lazy wolf could hear me.

There was a yip as Custard emerged from the river and ran alongside Cloud as they played together. I bit my upper lips as my eyes rolled to where the princes were and saw them giving me looks of disapproval. I pointed to Cloud and Custard. “Is it too late if I disown them?” I suggested with a smile.

Midnight - PRINCE Ace’s stallion - let out a lout and annoyed snort as it went away to dry itself under the sun. It even has the gal to look back and seemingly point a glare at Cloud.

Sheesh! Even the animals that come close to him are getting possessed by his evil voodoo.

And speak of the devil himself, I did not fail to miss the look in Ace’s eyes when I realized that he was planning something. “Well, since it might take a while for us to start on our journey, might I suggest taking this time help the princess with her training?”

“I OBJECT!” I screamed.

“Great idea.” Ren grinned.

“I’ll get the wooden hook swords!” Nate ran for his bags. When he came back, he already had the hook swords in his hands. I pointed at them with a horrified look on my face before glaring at Nate. “WHY’D YOU BRING THEM!?” I demanded.

“His idea.” Nate pointed at PRINCE Ace.

“Sure it was, Nate. Sure it was.” I said suspiciously.

***

One of these days I swear I will disown Cloud and Custard for getting me punished for their actions. My arms ached and so did my wrists as I kept on swinging the hook swords.

I swear these just look like fish hooks and I do not know why the princes won’t admit it.

I have just changed into dry clothes and now I am wet with sweat again!I have been doing a lot of these infinity shaped movements with the swords. And the one where I slice with one hand and deflect with the other. My hair even got caught in the hook one time and I yelped when it even hooked my shirt. Ace snapped at me because of that because apparently, I brought the hook down too low.

Ren is currently my sparring partner. He was using his own sheathed sword and he makes a slow jab and slice that I have to deflect and dodge. Ace even scolded him for going easy on me at the speed that he was going for.

Nate was busy starting a fire and cooking our food. I kept stealing glances at the fish on sticks that were being roasted near it. My mouth watered and I was temporarily distracted that Ren was able to jab at my stomach.

“And you’re dead.” Ren grinned.

“I’ll show you dead.” I swung my hook sword at him. The hook caught the belt of its sheath that made Ren drop his sword on the ground. “Ah ha!” I pointed at the sword on the ground. “I win!”

“No way. I stabbed you first!” He argued.

I falsely brandished my swords arrogantly. “The cut was not deep enough you foolish wolf.” I whispered in a different voice. “No one can defeat me! The tamer princess and the most skilled fish hook swordsman!”

“Wanna bet?” It was Ace this time as he unclasped his bow to make it into twin swords.

Ren and I exchanged nervous glances when we saw the serious expression on his face. “You know I was kidding, right?” I kicked pebbled out of the way as I slowly walked backward.

He was brandishing his swords and I saw sparks flew as the blades met. “Surely I would like to spar with the most skilled fish hook swordsman.”

I was sweating and I looked at Ren for help. He pulled me behind him as he raised his hands with his palms up towards Ace. “We’re just joking.”

“And you both should know that we are still in training.”

“Are you all going to kill each other and leave me with the food and cleaning?” Nate demanded. I peaked behind Ren and saw Nate giving me a wink. Well thank the heavens that Nate has the right sense of mind to intervene. Ren and I were now looking at Ace expectantly.

“Alright. That’s all for the fun and games.” He says as he attached his double sword to make a bow before flinging it onto his back again. Nate chuckled at Ace and handed him a barbecued fish. “Your sense of humor is too dark. Stop scaring them.”

“Hang on.” I moved away from Ren just so I could fully look at them. “You were joking?” I asked Ace.

“Do you really believe I would waste my skills sparring with you? Heck, I am already wasting time teaching you.”

The moment that Ace turned his back to me, I flashed him my middle finger. Ren immediately slapped my hand away when Ace turned to us again as if sensing that I was cursing him behind his back. “What?” He demanded.

I was busy glaring at him that it was Ren who answered for us. “Nothing! Thanks for the food. We are hungry!” He said enthusiastically. Once Ace’s back was turned, Ren pinched my cheek. “Be rude when it is safe.” He whispered to me.

“Why does he get to be rude ALL THE TIME?” I questioned him. Ren simply shrugged and I followed the wolf boy as we ate our lunch.

After lunch and once our stuff was dried we started getting ready again. Ren secured my red hood over me before helping me put the saddle back on Cloud. Along with my sleeping bag and other change of clothes. There was minimal break this time and whenever we led our horses for a drink, it would be Nate who would assist me with Cloud - so that she wouldn't splash us with water again.

Night came and we had to set up camp. Nate was doing the cooking while Ace hunts. Ren is out to fill out water bags while I was the one who gathered some fire woods. Ace was able to hunt down 3 rabbits and 2 birds that Nate had to gut and clean. I helped him of course. But I did not help him skin them nor did I help him clean out the guts. All I did was hand him a knife and a bowl. That is it.

That is all my contribution for chef Nate.

After dinner we were all gathered around the fire to warm ourselves. Our sleeping bags were placed surrounding the fire, but far enough not to get caught in flames. The princes wanted to sleep early but I suggested doing some campfire stories to make it more exciting. They were all hesitant at first but spoon followed when they realized that they couldn’t sleep since it was too early.

“There was once an old legend back in my world. We have this area called the bermuda triangle, that if you attempt to cross it by air or water, then you will vanish and find yourself in a mysterious place deep underwater. A place of science and fiction.” I started to tell them about the rumours I heard back when I was in my world. “People whose relatives vanished never heard from them ever again. They all believe that people from a place called Atlantis are taking them.”

“What is...Atlantis?” Ren asks, seemingly interested.

“It was a very old place or a country that sank many years ago. I don’t even know if it is real. But people who do come back claim that they have been taken by the Atlanteans to save them from the people who hunt people with their genes. There are even stories that the Atlanteans below have a reincarnated demigod who can control both the sea and sea creatures.” I continued as I recalled all the information from the book/blog that I read called “Submerged Land” from somewhere. “And you know what’s the scary part?”

They all shook their heads, but the light from the flame was enough for me to see that they were all paying very close attention to my every word.

“It is said that there is a sea creature sleeping within an island. It was said that it belonged to the original demigod.”

“What...kind of sea creature?” Nate gulped.

“A sea serpent. One that is big enough to swallow ships!” I grabbed a firewood and pointed it at Ren making him gasped. “And a roar powerful enough to summon storms!” I pointed at Ace, who only raised an eyebrow at me. “And it is that it is actually a - “

Something suddenly touched my neck and I screamed. I swung the fire wood behind me only to hit a vine that was slowly starting to retreat back into the woods. I frowned because there is only one man who can do that. I turned to glare at Ace.

The prince only raised an eyebrow at me in question. “What?”

“You used your powers to scare me!”

His brow furrowed at the accusation. “I did not. I was busy listening to your nonsense of a story.”

I placed both hands on my hips as I glared at him. “Well if it is nonsense then why -” I screamed again. This time the princes were at their feet as the vines started dragging into the woods.

Okay. Now I believe that Ace was not doing this. He may be evil but I am pretty sure that we won’t abuse his powers like this. I could feel myself being dragged deeper and deeper. The shirt is almost choking me because whatever was dragging me, it was using the back of my shirt to pull me away.

“Gotcha!” Ren was able to grab whatever was holding onto me. When he looked up he panicked as he ran along.

“What? What is it?”

“Nah. Nothing.” He lied and shook his head.

“Ren.” I warned him with my tone.

“Fine. No big deal really. Just a cliff.”

“Ah I see.” I nodded despite being choked. “A cliff.”

“Yeah.” He agreed and we both started laughing despite our situation. Then we briefly locked gazes with each other before snapping into action. Ren got out a knife from his belt and started cutting at whatever was dragging me.

“A CLIFF, REN, A CLIFF! HURRY UP AND CUT ME LOOSE!” In my state of panic, I grabbed his collar and screamed.

“I AM TRYING!” He yelled and when he looked up, he gasped in horror. Then he raised the knife over his head and cut whatever was holding me. “YES!” He yelled in victory.

Meanwhile, I was crossing my arms over my chest and rolled my eyes at him. “Gee great, Ren. You did well.” I said sarcastically.

“What’s wrong? I got you out?”

“You feel the wind, werewolf boy?” I gestured at the empty space around us. The thing that was holding me threw us up in the air while this idiot was busy stabbing at it. We catapulted the moment this guy got us free. We are currently free falling and I was busy sulking because we are about to die in the most stupidest and funniest way in history.

Ren immediately grabbed me by the waist as he readied himself to grab the edge of the cliff as we were falling. I have to give it to Ren, he managed to accomplish that. I looked below me and saw thick fog. No way of knowing what was down there.

“Ren? Rose?” It was Nate.

“Over here!” Ren called out and his voice echoed at the vast and empty space below us. I gulped and looked up. Ren still has his hold on the edge and I could see Ace and Nate’s head looking down on us.

“Hang on.” I narrowed my gaze at the spot that they were standing on.

“Grab my hand.” Nate instructed and reached down towards us. “PRINCE Ace, help me pull them up.

“Hey you moron! Watch where you guys are standing!” I scolded them but it was too late. The ground started to crack and I went back to sulking. “Great. And I thought I was the stupid one.”

As soon as I said that, the ground finally gave way under all our weight. My hands were crossed and I was glaring at the cliff while the princes let out panicked yelps. Ace, Nate, Ren and I were now falling into the misty depths of the unknown.