Page 135 of The Last Guardian

Familiar faces turned their head to us—Bennett smiled broadly next to Sam, who waved in my direction. Seth was present too, and next to him was a dark-skinned woman I hadn’t met.

Lyra stood next to me, whispering in my ear, “More than one pretender then?” She winked. “Good job.”

I elbowed her in the side, widening my eyes. “Shut up.”

Nefeli made her way to meet us, reaching her brother. Her black hair swayed with her every move. “Finally, we were waiting for you!” Nefeli breathed as she glanced at her brother. “Who’s coming with us? I counted Arthur and Dorian, but⁠—”

Dorian was coming too? Panic stirred in my heart. I shot a look at Dorian, who avoided my gaze as much as possible.

Lyra stepped up. “I’m in too.”

No, no, no.

Arthur turned quickly, and his mid-length hair flew in a swift motion. His brown eyes fell on her as he ordered, “You are not coming, Lyra.”

Lyra narrowed her eyes, crossing her arms. “I’m sorry, did it seem you were part of my decision in some way?”

A red flush spread on Arthur’s neck as he took a step closer to her. “You are not going, end of discussion.”

Lyra shot him a warning look, her amber eyes sharp. “You don’t control me, Arthur. You have no right to decide where I am going.” Arthur stumbled slightly, his jaw clenched, and Lyra added, “I’m not leaving Alyana alone.”

“She won’t be alone,” Zaid chuckled, sliding his hand in his pocket. “I will be here.”

Lyra’s eyes glinted as she assessed the commander with a smirk. “I’m sure I’m a better companion for her.”

“Debatable,” Zaid said, arching a brow and sneering, as if challenging her.

“Lyra—” Arthur declared, stroking his new beard.

“Shut the fuck up, Arthur,” Lyra shouted, her face flushed. “You are not in charge of me.”

“I’m—” Arthur arched a brow.

Lyra snarled, anger taking hold of her, “Oh, don’t finish that sentence or else I will cut your balls off.”

Dorian spoke at last. “Seven freaking Hells! Just fuck already and be done with it. I can’t take this anymore.”

I bit the inside of my cheeks, the metallic taste of blood touched my tongue.

Lyra remained silent, stunned by Dorian’s outburst. Meanwhile, Arthur fixed Dorian with a glare that could melt steel.

“Well, that was fun to watch.” Dax clapped his hands and gestured towards the training room. “We’re leaving in two days, can we get some practice in? As well as explaining areas to avoid while we’re at it.”

We nodded in agreement.

“Alright, count her in,” Zaid said to Nefeli. Arthur stiffened, and the commander added, “The more we are, the better, Harenvald. You know this as much as I do!”

Arthur curled his fist, trying to keep his composure intact.

Lyra frowned, ready to lash out, but Dax clasped his hands together again. “Great! Show’s over!” He instructed all of us, “It’s time to plan. Everyone, gather!”

Dax pointed to a massive map nailed on the wall as people moved to face it. The map was divided into four different areas: North, East, West, and Middle South.

“Everyone will depart together.” Dax paced in front of the map, as Nefeli and Zaidkiel waited at his side. “Sam and Bennett will head east with Seth. Dorian and Jekya will head south with Nefeli.” Dax pointed out to the west and added, “Lyra, Arthur, and I will head west, while Zaidkiel and Alyana search the north. Are you all aware of what is looming in the dark shadow of Myrh? What are we searching for?”

Bennett lifted his hand, his short brown hair moving as he glanced at the general, who nodded for him to talk. “The Guardians.”

“Precisely,” Dax replied, his hands behind his back. “The Guardians are divine creatures—but they are afraid. Their home has been in ashes for hundreds of years. They will act like beasts because they have to protect themselves,” Dax explained in a dark tone. “If you look a Guardian in the eye, they’ll take it as a challenge.” He stopped his pacing, looking at each one of us. “And this challenge will end in two ways: either they choose you as their wielder, or they kill you.”