Season 2 - Chapter 54 - Fiery Insult
Season 2 - Chapter 54 - Fiery Insult
The wood burnt with a hiss and the sizzling of the firewood that was placed to create the warmth for
night, light up the area while roasting the spiked fish.
"How many times are you going to swing that iron stick?" Homura questioned as he watched Artemis
swing forward her Katana repeatedly. "Until my arms feel like falling off" she answered with a breath of
exhaustion.
"What is the point of doing in the first place if you know how to beat the metal humans?"
"Because Homura" she coughed "This body is not physically fit to fight" she explained.
Homura stared blankly at her, watching her keep slicing forward with her katana nonstop.
Artemis was dead beat tired, her throat felt raw to the feel, and her breath was quick and short. Her
arms ached for her to stop but she kept on going.
That's when she couldn't take it anymore and collapsed from exhaustions. "Stupid body" she flared
quietly. Artemis fell back, feeling the cool grass beneath her as she breathed heavily.
Artemis lay on the grass floor, her hands and legs spread apart while her she watched the stars above
her. The night sky was beautiful and reflected through her icy blue eyes as if it was a mirror itself.
Such a stunning night but painful to look at it as it brought a painful memory she dreads to forget.
The last memory of him.
'The stars are very beautiful tonight' her red eyes gazed upon the magnificent sky of Tokyo; a wide-
open smile crossed her face with her jet-black hair flowing within the cold breeze of the night.
Itami smiled and followed her gaze while he stood beside her with his hands in his pockets. Both of
them staring silently into the night sky filled with the glittering specks of white while they listened to the
sounds of cars driving below them, the people bustling about on a Friday night.
It was another successful mission for the both of them.
'Itami' he turned his head to look at Artemis who stared back with a smile, her glittering ruby eyes
fluttered his heart whenever he looked through them. He never understood why people hated her eyes
so much, it was the most unique and stunning eyes he has ever laid eyes on.
'Do you think we will survive this world to live and to be happy?' she reached her hand as if there was
something in front of her to grab.
'I want to live, I want to be free, I want to be happy' she turned around and faced him 'I want to be with
you forever'
Artemis suddenly opened her eyes when she felt a warm blow of breeze blew down on her. Blue eyes
met with emerald snake like eyes staring down at her blankly, his nose an inch away from her face.
Demarcus golden scales glowed and was clear to see. Artemis stared baffled at why she could see him
clearly in the night.
"You were sleeping soundly last night that I did not have the heart to wake you up" his voice was
soothing to the ears as he spoke gently to her.
Artemis rose up and ruffled her silver hair, so all the dirt and twigs that tangled itself would fall out. 'Did I
train Diana's body harshly last night?'
She stood up dusting of her kimono before giving a pat on Demarcus' nose for no reason.
"You fell asleep last night without eating your 'cooked' fish, so I made sure no stupid bird ate them while
you slept" Homura groused as he itched behind his ear. Artemis was baffled from his kind gesture, not
something Homura would do for her.
"Uhh thanks" she said awkwardly not knowing what to feel for his sudden consideration.
Artemis ate one of the roasted fish quickly so she wouldn't waste any time and then wrapped the other
in cloth and tucking it away in her backpack.
"Now I have to figure a way to dispose of my presence here" she mumbled eyeing the put-out campfire.
The wood and sticks were already turned and the embers slowly fading away.
'I can't keep making fake graves it will just seem suspicious and out of place'
"Artemis" she turned around at the mention of her name from Demarcus. "Yes" she crossed her hands
and waited for him to speak. Material © of NôvelDrama.Org.
"It doesn't matter if the ground beneath the campfire is burnt. The fairies will restore its vegetation" he
spoke gently. Artemis' stared at him speechless, she didn't know what to say as her mind was
completely blown off.
'Who am I? where am I?'
"I see then, I will just get rid of the campfire then" she mumbled dumbfounded. Artemis started to throw
the stones across and into random places.
"Dragons, talking foxes, now fairies. What's next? a manticore?"
"Manticores are very dangerous creatures. If you ever go to Drakon be careful going through Vegrevon.
Those mountains are the homes of creatures that even mankind are terrified to encounter" Demarcus
tone darkened, and his eyes gleamed with hatred just by the mention of that place. Artemis choked on
her own words. "I was only kidding about the manticore".
'Manticore's are highly dangerous mythical creatures. They are very fast, and their claws can tear
anything apart. Their tail is of a scorpion coated in poison and with one sting your dead in an instant.
I'm definitely not going to get near one however I don't want to lie, I really do want to witness such
creature with my own eyes.'
Artemis used to listen to Itami talk about mythology and mythical beast, she enjoyed those moments
when his brown eyes would light up with fascination towards that subject. It was the reason to why she
started to grow interest in the mythical creatures herself, spending nights reading about them and then
talking it over with Itami.
There was ache in her heart remembering the memory of him and her sitting under the blossom trees
and listening to him discuss about the history of the creatures.
"Is there something the matter?" Homura asked. He watched how her face shadowed so suddenly
when she was clearing away the campfire. Homura couldn't help but suddenly get worried.
Artemis gave him a side glance and hummed in response and then to continue on what she was doing
before. Homura and Demarcus shared a glance of worry but didn't say anything since they didn't want
to pry into her personal life.
"Well then shall we go" she dusted her hands off.
She made her way to Homura and scooped him up. "Careful with the paw" he said. Demarcus rolled
his eyes at Homura's stupid comment.
Demarcus bent down lowering his neck so Artemis can get up after since there was no saddle for to
grab on. "Hold on tight" he smirked spreading his wings wide and kneeling ready to launch himself in
the air.
"wai-
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH"
Homura screamed in fear holding onto Artemis for dear life while she grinned loving the adrenaline
souring through her like lightening and the rapid wind that blew in her face, flying the locks of silver hair
away from her face.
Demarcus flew high into the sky and in the clouds then to soar over the forest floor. No matter how
many times she flew in a plane and seen the sky before it never sent excitement in her heart like riding
a dragon. The feeling of the cool breeze against your cheeks as you breath it in and feel it cool your
throat and the magnificent sight of the world within your view was breathtaking for her. If only they were
here to see and feel the way she is right now.
"I'M GOING TO DIE!" Artemis mood dropped into a scowl. "YOUR FLYING TO FAST. GO SLOW."
Artemis could feel how annoyed Demarcus was getting by his irritated growl and the temptation to fly
fast.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH"
Artemis could feel her ear drums bursting wondering why this snobby fox had to scream in her ears
when there is a whole world around them to scream at.
"Are you done" she snapped with a visible vein throb on her temple. "Have I mentioned that foxes
aren't fond of FLYING!"
"About a dozen of times in this trip" Demarcus snapped answering for Artemis. "Doesn't that indicate
for you to go slower" he hissed.
A low grumbled of annoyance echoed around us. A smug smile appeared on Artemis face when she
noticed what was going to happen in the next 5 seconds. Homura examined her smug look and his
eyes widened in realisation.
"No No NOOOOOOAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH-WHOOOHOOOOO" Demarcus flapped his and he
bolted through the clouds with the screams of terror and excitement reiterating the sky.
~Ventus~
"I assumed you were gone to greet the aristocrats and their snobby asses" Neil gave a side glance
over to Lykos who swirled his cup of tea around, his red eyes following the swirls of the dark liquid.
"I couldn't listen to their fake remorse for my brother" Neil fumed with anger as he took a sip of his
champagne.
"They don't care about my little brother since he doesn't pose any line to the future ruler of Ventus and
too young for their daughters. They just want me to marry one of their daughters to save their asses in
the future" he complained under his breath for only Lykos to hear.
"What do you except from the pretentious aristocrats. Once you broke off the engagement with the
oldest daughter from the Belenair family 9 years ago, the nobles jumped right in for the chance to have
marry their daughter off to the royal family" Lykos' red eyes scanned the overbearing crowd filled with
well-dressed nobles, throwing an insult at each one of them under his breath that even Neil couldn't
hear.
Silver eyes looked over to where a few noble ladies gathered around to gossip, all of them had their
hair styled and presented in jewels to blind anyone that looked over and their giant gowns that
seemingly looked hot to wear as they giggled behind their colourful and decorative fans. Each one
presenting themselves for any noble man to ask for their hand.
Suddenly one of them caught the eyes of the prince and alerted the others resulting them to turn their
attention and look at him in a blushing mess and giggles.
Neil turned his head away coldly and sighed in frustration. "If you want to leave so badly then leave,
stop sulking in the corner for everyone to see" Lykos said.
"You're the one to talk" Neil snapped back.
"Yet unlike you I've hidden it so well that it became a talent of mine"
"You pull the same face at every banquet and social gathering, that doesn't make it a talent" he faced
palmed.
Lykos didn't answer him and kept his gaze upon the nobles, his ruby eyes laid upon a man not far from
where he was. He had a familiar face, clean but small double chin, wrinkled forehead, and small beady
eyes. He had a huge bald spot on the top of his head like a Saxon monk, it was so shiny that Lykos
presumed he would spent hours cleaning it to end it with a shine. From afar people would see how the
green tuxedo he wore is a perfect fit but up close you could see that the belly was trying to set itself
free the tighten buttons.
"That ugly pig has gotten fatter the last time I saw him. I wonder how many cupcakes he shoves in his
mouth every morning. I could see his belly trying to breath under his shirt. Disgusting."
Neil rolled his eyes at Lykos criticism towards Alexander Colester, the Count.
"Does he realise the colour green doesn't go with him and the tuxedo looks like he got it from the back
alley of the market" he mumbled. Neil was used to listening Lykos' rude, but honest complements of
what people wore in every banquet and gathering they attended.
Sometimes Neil wonders if Lykos ever complimented him like that behind his back. This gives Neil the
reason to get Lykos opinion on the way he looks and dresses for any special occasion.
Occasionally it was a pass and sometimes it wasn't, yet the insulting remarks Lykos gave to Neil, he
had never forgotten each one of them.
'If you assume that I'm going in there with a peasant looking prince by my side your dreaming'
'The pants looks like a giant diaper with shit in it'
'Why are you wearing black? No one is dead yet.'
'Was your hair a mating place for birds?'
'You look like a jester with face problems'
"Oi, silver head what are you thinking inside that air head of yours" Neil snapped out of his daze and
looked back at Lykos who stood beside him with his hands half crossed.
"Nothing important" Neil took another sip of his Champagne.
A bright woman no older than the two-princes' approached them. She had light brown hair styled in a
braid crown with a pearl comb in her hair, she wore a light purple laced but frilly dress with a parasol
above her head to keep away the sun.
She bowed gracefully in front of them and greeted them with a smile. "Your royal highness it's an
honour to meet you"
Lykos rose an eyebrow while Neil looked annoyed. 'Tch another annoying woman'
"Lady Katherine of Rosenborne" Neil spoke. "Yes, it is I" she answered politely.
"What is that you want?" Lykos said harshly and suddenly. Katherine was startled a little but contained
herself. She knew what kind of Prince Lykos was, a cold and harsh young man with no care about
public opinion. She had to be careful around him or he would humiliate her in front of everyone just like
Lady Roseline the daughter of Baron who tried to get his attention but was shamed instead and she
didn't leave her home for weeks due to the peoples gossip.
It wasn't his fault in the beginning though, she had played some shameful actions towards him not
knowing what kind of person he really is.
Katherine chuckled behind her gloved hand. "Your royal highness please, I'm not here for anything but
a simple word with his highness" she gestured her hand at Neil.
Lykos hid the disgust in his expression and stared at her. "What is it that you want to discuss about?"
Neil interrupted before Lykos started anything.
"Your little brother how is he feeling?" she asked putting up a fake saddened expression. "He is in bed
resting. Thank you for your concern"
"It must be very hard for you since you two are very close brothers, especially for the royal family" there
was a hint of immoral in her silver eyes.
Neil tightened his grip on his champagne glass at the sly insult coming from Katherine. Everyone in the
whole kingdom knew the truth behind the royal family of Ventus. Each member using unspeakable
methods to claim the throne for themselves even if it means to get rid of everyone in their way.
His father the emperor killed his 2 eldest brothers for the crown.
"I prefer you hold that fox like tongue of yours Lady Katherine if you wish punishment to yourself and
your family" Lykos interrupted with an angry tone, flames encircling in his red orbs frightening
Katherine.
"I must apologise if I said something to discomfort his majesty" she bowed quickly, suddenly nervous.
"If there is nothing else you would lik-"
"Neil!" Neil froze by the mention of his name so casually.
He and Lykos gave each other annoyed looks when they heard the familiar voice of a certain girl.
"I thought you said you would deal with her" Neil whispered angrily. "Blame your mother. She told her to
stay" Lykos answered back with a mumble. "Of course, she had to jump into her rescue"
Bedelia approached them the two princes as her blue dress trailed behind her. Katherine's face turned
into a scowl when she saw the young princess of Drakon move towards where they were.
"Neil I have been searching for you everywhere" she said innocently with her hand behind her mouth
as she batted her eyes at him.
Lykos nearly gagged and Neil was even more furious. First, it's Katherine now it's the annoying
Bedelia.
"Your highness" Katherine bowed to Bedelia for respect even she hated her guts.
"You are?" She said arching an eyebrow while she eyed Katherine up and down like she was some low
peasant.
"I'm Lady Katherine of Rosenborne, Eldest daughter of Andrew Baron. It's a pleasure to meet you her
majesty the princess of Drakon" she bowed her head this time.
"I don't know who the Rosenborne, must be one those low life aristocrats trying to get Neil attention"
Bedelia rudely turned her head. Katherine only held up a forced smile but inside she wanted to set her
long red hair in flames and watch her run around screaming.
Bedelia's eyes turned to face Neil, her red eyes filled with love but soon turned into confusion when the
silver haired prince was gone, and all was left was a gust of wind.
"It seems like you scared away the prince" Katherine mocked from behind her fan making Bedelia
range with anger.
"Then I will be going, goodbye your highnesses" She bowed. "Katherine is it"
Katherine eyed the angry puffed-up princess in front of her. "Yes"
Lykos rolled his eyes and left the two girls to deal with each other and went to look for Neil.
"What did you say to Neil?" she asked impatiently, biting her lip. From afar when she was scanning the
crowd for Neil, she saw a woman talking with Neil. It boiled her blood to see other woman going to near
her future husband.
"What is there to talk about?" Katherine said with a visible vein throb appearing on her temples.
Katherine has seen the way Bedelia acted towards Neil at every banquet. Her sick yet one sided love
was such a revolting sight to her.
Bedelia scrunch the hem of skirt fuming with anger towards this woman that showed no respect
towards her.
"Lady Katherine" someone from the crowd called out. "It seems like someone needs me. I will excuse
myself your highness" she bowed then to turn around leaving the furious princess behind.
The fire between her fingers heated up. "Katherine, I prefer you stay away from Neil unless you want to
get burnt" She hissed.
Katherine span around and smiled "Sorry to say your highness but Prince Neil isn't an object that
belongs personally to you, so please treat him like a human with feelings and choices" her expression
changed into a sinister grin. "He isn't fond of clingy little girl as the future empress of Ventus beside him
with nothing better to do then to chase away ladies who have better knowledge of running a kingdom
and baring his children" was the last thing she said before a fireball was seen flying towards her.