Chill out

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Riven POV

I was lost in my own thoughts when a sudden, sharp pain jolted me out of my reverie.

"Ouch," I muttered under my breath, rubbing my arm where I'd been struck.

Another blow followed, harder this time, and I winced in pain.

I rolled up my sleeve to inspect the wound and saw that blood was beginning to seep from it.

A wave of anger swept over me as I realized that the source of the pain was the little girl, Hazel. I knew that we shared a connection, and her suffering was causing me physical discomfort. But that wasn't the only thing that was bothering me.

I closed my eyes and focused, reaching out with my mind to connect with hers. Through her eyes, I could see that she was in a dangerous situation. She was being whipped by a man, while a group of evil elves looked on and cheered. The scene filled me with rage and frustration.

I could have transported myself to her location instantly, but I hesitated.

Why should I have to bear the burden of her pain? It wasn't fair.

But as the whipping continued, I found it increasingly difficult to focus on anything else. My body was covered in bloodstains, and I couldn't bear the feeling any longer.

Finally, I couldn't take it anymore.

With a deep breath, I willed myself to Hazel's side.

The sight that greeted me filled me with even more anger.

Without hesitation, I snapped my finger and broke the black magic circle that the night elves had created. It was simple magic, but it was enough to disrupt their plans.

Then, I turned my attention to the man who was whipping Hazel. With a wave of my hand, I dispatched hundreds of elf soldiers who were fighting alongside him. It was too easy, and it only served to fuel my frustration.

But despite my impatience, I forced myself to focus on the task at hand. I couldn't let Hazel suffer any longer.

Another young girl rushed to Hazel’s side. 

“Who are you?” I asked her. 

“I’m Anna, I’m her childhood best friend.” She said to me with her eyes twinkling, unable to look at me. I could tell that Anna was up to no good and had manipulated Hazel into danger.

I was livid when I saw Hazel's injury. How could she have come to the Dark Night Bazaar and gotten hurt? And why hadn't she been taking care of herself? I scolded her for not resting and taking her medicine, telling her that her chest injury would only get worse if she didn't.

Hazel looked at me strangely, as if she didn't understand why I was so upset. But she didn't say anything. 

“I was only here to send something for my best friend Anna. My mother asked me to do it.” Hazel said to me. I was even more upset as she clearly lied to me. 

That only made me angrier. How could Anna have let Hazel come to this dangerous place? It was clear that Anna didn't care about Hazel's well-being at all. 

“Anna is clearly not your friend if she is bringing you to a place like this.” I said to Hazel, I then turned to Anna. 

“You should be ashamed of yourself. She could have died. You deserve to be whipped just the same as she has been.” I said to Anna, but Hazel once again put her body between her beloved person and I. She was seriously going to have to stop doing that. I was getting sick of her self sacrificing ways. 

“I’m sure she didn’t mean to, I will go home now.” She said to me. Anna looked terrified over Hazels shoulder. Good, I thought. 

“I will go with you. Who knows what other traps this snake has set for you.” I said to Anna with angry eyes. Anna didn’t speak a single word as I helped Hazel gather herself and lead her from the market. 

I wanted to transport Hazel and I back but she insisted that we walk. For just being whipped she seemed rather okay. Maybe she wasn’t as weak as I had thought, but she was definitely annoying. 

Hazel and I eventually made our way back to the college together.

***

But as they left the chaotic Dark Night Bazaar, a strange figure appeared, bringing a sense of calm to the market. It was the leader of the night elves, the one who controlled the market from behind the scenes.

Hazel chatted with Riven as they walked but Riven’s mind was elsewhere. He let her ramble on as he used his powers to watch the Dark Night Bazaar. He felt something.

The leader of the elves saw the destroyed magic circle on the ground and the black fire still burning. Bodies of dead elves decorated the room, courtesy of Riven. He knew that it was the infamous dragon who had returned.

The Elf ruler used his psychic powers to relive the past. He seemed particularly fascinated by Hazel, and a small birthmark on her neck.

The Elf ruler had been searching for Hazel for a long time.