A Priest

Opheli looked at the three monsters, but the thought of Valencia shifted her focus. She stood and hurried to the tent.

“Your Grace!” she called. Valencia stood and looked at her, Valencia’s eyes returning green before her presence. “Are you alright?”

“I…”

“Get her out of there!” Kael commanded.

“My apologies, Your Grace,” Opheli bowed. Then Opheli grabbed Valencia and princessly carried her out of the tent.

Valencia stood in the center with the team surrounding them. She turned and glanced at Falren. He stared at her and nodded.

“Your Grace, I’m Priest Falren. Did you have any injury?”

“If she does, you’re all paying for it!” Kael demanded.

“Yes, Commander!” they shouted together.

Valencia shook her head.

“I’m fine…” she answered. I hope they didn’t see the Void that pierced through. Her eyes gazed at the three monsters she attacked. Her Void diminished into ashes, leaving no trace behind.

“Don’t worry. I made sure it’s as small as a needle,” Vrastos stated.

She crept a little closer to the inner circle, standing behind Kael.

Falren stared at her. Is she… the Guide that His Grace brought with him? As her gaze shifted toward him, he flinched, his eyes widening. Her… her eyes?! There are purple stars! Just like—

“Watch out!” Valencia yelled.

Falren froze. A monster jumped over Kael and his crew, launching its claws at Falren. Valencia reached her hand over Falren’s head, pushing him down.

“No! Valencia!” Kael screamed and ran towards her. He summoned a Light spear and threw it—

The spear landed, yet the claws scraped her back. She groaned. Gusto leaped in and hammered the monster away.

“Commander, there are too many for us! We need to escape!” Gusto suggested.

Kael grabbed onto Valencia’s waist and hugged her. He gazed over his shoulder as he looked around. More monsters appeared. How could there be so many monsters? Did my eight years of absence cause this? He clutched onto her sleeves tightly.

“Mount on and hurry to the main base!” he commanded.

“Yes!” they obeyed.

Jun and Falren mounted together as the others followed. They hurried out of there.

Once they reached the main base camp, the monsters stopped and growled, retreating. Kael turned back to watch the monsters scurrying away. Then he looked down to find her green eyes staring up at him. He sighed and pecked a kiss on her forehead. She quickly flushed and pushed him off the horse.

Everyone stopped, dropping everything in their hands, and turned to them.

“Commander?!”

Valencia quickly covered her red face behind her gloves.

“Why did you do that suddenly?!” she screamed.

Kael chuckled as he looked up at her. He leaned his head against his wrist.

“I just thought my wife was adorable,” he replied.

Valencia clenched her fists as she shut her eyes tightly. This bastard! Took me by surprise.

“Did they say His Grace had returned?!” an elderly man’s voice questioned, opening the tent. Then he locked his eyes on Kael as Kael stood and reached out a hand to Valencia.

“Let me check your wound behind your back—”

“Your Grace!” the man called, slapping Kael on the back.

“AHH!” Kael screamed in agony. He crouched as his back ached.

Valencia peeked between her fingers and looked at them.

“Who’s this?”

“You’ve finally returned! After eight years!” the man cried happily.

Adon and Detri sighed, shaking their heads.

“Captain Xavier…” Opheli said. “Don’t injure our Commander when we still need his help.”

Xavier laughed and patted Kael’s shoulder.

“This little man left and made everyone think he was about to die. Now he returns, so of course, I will be too happy without controlling myself!”

Kael groaned and glanced over his shoulder to look up.

“At least, give me a warning… before you embarrass me in front of my wife.”

Valencia bit her lower lip and averted her eyes. Ack. The scratches hurt a little. She moved her head a little.

Falren watched her trying to look at her injuries. He dismounted and walked to her. He reached out a hand to her.

“Your Grace, I can take a look at your injuries,” Falren claimed.

Valencia turned to him immediately. She gulped and looked at his hand. Wait… isn’t he a priest? Wouldn’t he be able to tell if I’m an Esper?

Kael glared at Falren’s hand. He slapped the hand and stood between them.

“I can heal my wife’s injury. You go tend to the others,” Kael ordered.