Outcast

As the moon began to rise, Valencia frowned while her chin pressed against the pillow. She glared at Kael as he stood by the table, pouring water into a cup for her. He smiled at her, shirtless.

“Yes?”

“Can’t you take away the pain?” she questioned.

He chuckled, sitting beside her. Then he raised his hand to her forehead. His Light aura lit on her as she closed her eyes.

“Anything?”

She groaned.

“Nothing… it’s useless!” she yelled, pushing him away.

He laughed and grabbed her shoulder. He carried her with one hand, pulling her to his lap.

“Drink some water, maybe this will help.”

She stared at him with a pout as he placed the tip of the cup on her lips. He tipped the cup up as water streamed into her mouth. She gulped a few times, then pushed the cup away gently. She leaned against his thigh.

“It still hurts…” she mumbled.

He chuckled and put the cup down. He brushed her hair behind her ear.

“I need to go check with others. I’ll be back. Make sure to eat, okay?” he asked.

She repositioned herself as she rested her head on her elbow, then she looked at him.

“I’m not a baby… I will eat,” she answered.

He leaned down at her, pressing his warm breath on her ear.

“Good. Eat a lot, my dear…” he responded, kissing her. Then he stood and grabbed a shirt. He put it on and walked out of the tent.

Valencia’s face reddened as she covered it on the bed. She sighed in frustration.

“Why is he treating me like I’m needy?” she muttered. She turned and grabbed her clothes, changing into them. Then she walked out of the tent, noticing that the important leaders were inside the tent with Kael.

Adon walked to her side.

“So, what’s Commander up to now?” Adon asked.

Valencia turned and shrugged.

“What do you mean? Aren’t you supposed to ask him, not me?”

“He walked straight into that tent… the knights wouldn’t let me in because I’m a mage,” Adon mocked.

“A mage? Why is that a matter?”

“You tell me… those knights think mages are cheats. I spent years mastering my power, and only Commander was the one who respected my powers,” Adon replied.

Valencia’s eyes widened. Another outcast that Kael recruits? Is that his specialty? Recruiting bullied victims? Like me?!

“Oh…”

“Look, I don’t care if anyone bullies me, but you… if someone bullies you, let Commander know.”

Valencia froze, processing. She tilted her head a little.

“Why—?”

“Commander will ignore those who speak badly about us, but you… I can see that he is willing to dig his sword into anyone’s heart. Take advantage of this. Most of these people here are under the Imperial Knights…” Adon whispered. Then she looked around before tiptoing closer to Valencia’s ear. “The Royal Family is spying on us. So be careful around here.”

Valencia tightened her jaw as the words echoed in her mind. Her eyes slowly hollowed as she stared at the ten, catching a glimpse of Kael instructing the leaders. For a second, he saw her and smiled before returning to his command. So… are they trying to kill a Light Esper this time? Is that why you were concerned, Vrastos?

“Heh… you read me well after finding clues now, little vessel. I feel eyes at all corners of the base camp. Not just that, monsters biding their time from a mile away as well…” Vrastos responded within her.

She frowned, glancing at each corner. Her eyes moved slowly to the scouts that faced inside the base, not outside. Her lips stretched thin.

“So… there are eyes on us, both inside and out.”

In the Void Dimension, Vrastos rested his arm on his knee as he looked forward. His hand opened slowly as a void ball formed. Then he dropped it to the never-ending ground, rippling like dark water. Simultaneously, an invisible dark cloud spread around the base camp, dropping from Valencia’s fingertip.

What are you doing? Valencia clenched her teeth.

“Keeping a radar.”

Her brows furrowed. Of what? The only thing you’re causing is alerting those who can sense an Esper that a Void Esper is here!

“So what…? They won’t know it’s you. You acted as a Guide and only registered as one,” Vrastos added. Then he stood, his eyes changing black as he spoke to himself. “I wonder… where did those bastards bury Eureon?”

Valencia sighed in frustration. Did he just stop talking to me after causing a huge mess? That priest may already have sensed me from afar… She glanced over her shoulder toward a tent where the injured knights rested.

Priest Falren stared at the entrance, not realizing that Valencia was staring back. That enormous aura… am I the only one who felt it? It’s… so dark. He clenched his fists.

Another lower priest shoved his shoulder as he stumbled.

“Oops. My bad,” the priest chuckled. He walked to the other priests who lingered in the tent, joining their laughter.

“Just because the Head Priest praised his power, that doesn’t mean we have to respect this slum bastard,” another chimed in.

“Watch out… a slum priest might know how to curse you for touching them.”

The priests laughed. Falren took a deep breath before stepping out of the tent. His eyes caught Valencia’s purple hair. He paused.

“Purple hair…? Green eyes? Isn’t that an Elyane heir?” he realized.

William suddenly walked by and slapped Falren’s shoulder. Falren flinched.