The Alpha King's Nemesis-Chapter 198: The Fool ()

Zariah’s breathing sounded ragged even to her own ears, she was drained of her strength and exhausted and it had only been a short time in combat, not long enough for Zariah to have broken a sweat on any normal day.

But this was not a normal day, this had not been a normal period for Zariah at all. It was not even a normal lifetime.

’Speed, stamina... everything is just out of order. A mere four rogues and I am almost spent, I am no better of than a human now...’ Zariah thought.

Zariah chuckled quietly to herself, it was ironic how she was now so dreadfully weak, she who had stopped an entire army of forsaken in the Sea Kingdom barely two months back, cleansing the seas with the Crimson flame.

And it seemed this was the perfect time for the enemy to take advantage, with the Crimson wolves away and Askel and Zariah at odds, Zariah was out in the forest all by herself, with no aid coming from any side.

Zariah’s blade dripped with blood and she tightened her grip on it, sucking in a deep breath to stabilise her breathing.

Four more rogues circled Zariah, large and hideous looking, with maws dripping and their blood thirsty gazes fixed on Zariah.

The original four lay dead on the ground, slashed by Zariah’s sword, just those four had drained Zariah greatly but Zariah held it together.

’This is what Caedmon wants, is it not? I should give him a perfect show.’ Zariah thought.

Zariah prepared herself as the rogues lunged as one, Zariah leaped upwards, spinning through the air, she landed on one hand and launched a powerful kick at one of the rogues.

Zariah’s kick did not hold nearly as much strength as it should have, that one blow would have shattered the rogue’s skull if Zariah was at full strength.

Zariah flipped back immediately, narrowly escaping the claws of one of the rogues.

Zariah knew she was in luck that these rogues were not the finest fighters either and were somewhat sloppy, leaving sufficient openings for her.

A rogue leaped at Zariah and she slid beneath it.

Zariah swung her blade, slicing the underbelly of the rogue clean open as she went by.

"Zari!" Caedmon called to Zariah from a distance.

Zariah scoffed quietly beneath her breath as all the rogues turned their attention to Caedmon.

’Ah...so it was a save the damsel in distress play.’ Zariah thought to herself.

She had noticed the rogues refrained from dealing her any physical harm even at the cost of their lives.

Zariah was not at all surprised, Caedmon had done the exact same thing in the previous lifetime... the best way to gain the trust of another was to place your life in danger for them.

Zariah could already predict how this was going to play out the moment Caedmon’s form leaped into the midst of the rogues.

’One unexpected rogue pops out of nowhere...’ Zariah thought, her gaze roamed around the clearing, catching sight of a swift movement behind some trees.

’Comes straight at me...’ Zariah thought, her gaze trailing the movement of the rogue hidden in the trees and sure enough, it stealthily made its way to her.

’He leaves himself vulnerable to protect me, and gets badly hurt in the process. And just like that, all my guard drops...’ Zariah thought.

Zariah knew it so well because Caedmon had done the exact same thing even in the past lifetime.

And now, once again it was about to play out right before Zariah’s eyes.

’Not if I can help it.’ Zariah thought.

Zariah studied the battle going on before her, keeping an eye on the rogue hidden in the shadows at the same time.

Caedmon was far more skilled than any of the rogues or even all of them combined, despite being in human form, he was just that capable, he could make quick work of them.

’He is dragging it out...’ Zariah observed.

Zariah sighed quietly, she knew exactly what to do to shift the outcome of this play, whatever the intent was.

But it would cost her quite a bit... however, there was no cost Zariah could not afford.

Zariah gathered her strength and moved swiftly, as she moved, she subtly tossed a small pebble at the hind limbs of one of the rogues that had already lunged for Caedmon.

An attack that had not been intended to be lethal switched immediately as the claws of the rogue went straight for Caedmon’s neck.

Zariah was already on the move and she arrived just in time, throwing herself in the way of the attack and shielding Caedmon.

Zariah gritted her teeth, preparing herself for the pain she knew was to come but nothing could have prepared her for the hot white pain that shot through her as sharp claws tore through the skin of her back like a knife to butter.

Zariah could not even let out a scream as she collapsed into Caedmon’s arms, his panicked scream somehow still grated on her nerves despite her situation.

"Zari...oh heavens!" Caedmon exclaimed as Zariah’s blood seeped out onto his clothing.

’Nine rogues...my initial count was quite far off...’ Zariah thought as she stared up at the darkening sky.

The stench of blood was pungent all around her and Zariah knew not all of it was hers, but she had her fair share blended in there somewhere also.

At this very moment, Zariah lay in Caedmon’s arms, a small smile on her lips as she stared into his panicked eyes, reading the mixed emotions in them.

Confusion, guilt, dismay, concern... and there was a hint of something deeper there, something that had always been there but not quite as obvious as it was at this moment.

’Love?’

It was amusing to think of. It was even more funny to Zariah that the rogues seemed to have disappeared precisely at this moment.

"Zariah... love, oh heavens, stay with me!" Caedmon panicked, actual tears slipping out his eyes.

Zariah’s gaze moved back to the darkening skies. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

’Checkmate...you will learn how it feels...to have your emotions played with, to be the fool in this lifetime.’ Zariah thought.