I realized my brain was not in the right place. No, I didn’t realize a few things.

First and foremost, I am not at anyone’s mercy to be saved. I can get out on my own. Second, the corridors are empty as most of them would be occupied with Adriel. This gives me a clear opportunity to run away. Third, this guy is using flames inside the building so there is a sure chance he will burn this place down.

Without any thought, I started to run towards the faint presence of Quentin I could sense. If I were to dump that ice guy on this shapeshifter as well, Quentin will accompany me then. If Quentin is with me, then I can make sure to get away safely.

Not that I don’t trust Adriel, but I don’t want to be called as a damsel in distress. I hate those good-for-nothing damsels. I will risk my life, but I won’t bare myself to be called that.

I was almost there when suddenly, a mountain of ice broke in the corridor. I stopped in my path, saved from being frozen a second time. Quentin poked his head out of the wall in his usual fashion and was dumbstruck to see me there, looking at him.

“Are you dumb or something?” He asked quietly.

“No, follow me.” I commanded him.

“You wanna join me in my ghost party?” He asked, still amazed by my stupidity.

“For god’s sake follow me!” I spoke abruptly.

Quentin groaned in annoyance. Then, there was a roar of the walls shattering. Blizzard started walking towards us. I started to run. Quentin gave him a final splash of water, to stun him momentarily and hovered besides me.

I ran through the corridor. Every instinct screaming inside me. I took a quick glance behind.

Dude was ice skating at the speed of light-

I ran the fastest I could, faster than the time I won a silver medal in my high school. If only he would have been chasing me then, I would have entered nationals.

I reached those two guys. Who were still indulged in fighting. The shapeshifter turned into a serpent and swiftly dodged his flames. There was now a cloud of smoke engulfing the area. Great! The building was on fire. That’s what I exactly needed.

“Nick!” I called out. I was feeling embarrassed if I called out the wrong name, but that was of my least concern.

The two figures stop moving and stared at me. I ran towards Nick or whoever he may be and pointed out towards the ice guy, who stopped at the end of the corridor.

“He’s trying to kill me!” I shouted.

He looked at the guy. His white cloak was torn and water dripped from his body. Quentin surely gave him a hard time.

“I will handle him, don’t worry.” He reassured me and turned into a magnificent serpent.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

I shot a victorious glance towards Quentin who was oblivious to what I was scheming.

Walter leaped at Nick, with fire enveloped around his fist. Nick slithered away to the left swiftly.

The ice guy leaned against the wall casually. He was perhaps confident that Walter will handle it.

“You are pissing me off.” Walter hissed, “This time I will put an end to your little games!”

He took a few steps behind and summoned a spiral of fire around him. The ice guy suddenly ran towards them, “Stop it, Echo!” He shouted, “You will burn the whole building!”

But he didn’t budged, it was impossible for him to take back this much amount of magic back.

I started to back off slowly and then in a second, I started to run. Quentin followed me.

“Quentin, get me out of here!” I said in hysterics, “I don’t wanna die!”

“Stop.” He commanded, “I have an easy way to get you out of here.”

I looked at him, my eyes twinkling with hope.

He sighed and ran his hand through his blue hair. “Stay still and cover your head with your hands.”

I did as I was told. He was the only support I had right now.

He stood seriously in front of me and exhaled loudly through his mouth.

“Ready? 1...2...3... and...”

I felt pressure over my body. Before I knew it, I was flying backwards inside the water. I couldn’t breathe. I wasn’t ready for this. My ears were filled with water and I couldn’t hear anything. I felt numb... and dumb to trust this guy. Why didn’t Satan drag him to hell already? What sins I did to end up here? After a while, I felt a blow of wind running through my whole body. I opened my eyes and realized I was descending towards the ground. I wanted to let out a scream, but I couldn’t. I felt drowsy. That’s not what I planned. The idiot ruined it all. If only I had some strong powers then maybe...

*****

(Adriel)

I was still standing face to face in front of behemoth. I could sense the entire Karma headquarter around me. One move and they’ll attack at me together. But do I care? Am I afraid? No.

I just stood as still as a stone, staring him in his soul. But he’s also a brat, he won’t give up that easily until he irks me up completely. How I wish to snap his turtle like small neck at this moment. This anger won’t subdue. Why am I angry? I’m not angry for her surely. This guy just got that kind of face and I can’t help it.

I was dancing with my own thoughts when a loud sound of a glass break and the splashing of water ringed in our ears. We all looked outside. There was a girl falling before our eyes. There was Lovisa falling before my eyes. A part of me wanted to kill Behemoth there only, but I rushed towards her through the broken window of his office.

I swear I have never felt so afraid. It’s all because of that idiot Lovisa. Even her name makes me cringe out or maybe not.

*****

(Quentin)

Shit, I went overboard! My hex is running out and my control over my powers is losing. Anyhow, I need to save her, although a ghost friend might be good too. I shook off my evil thoughts and flew across the broken window. I peered down, she was falling. I tried to do water bending, to cushion her fall with water, but I couldn’t control it.

Suddenly, suddenly, the winds grew violent. I looked at my left, it was a guy coming to save her. I don’t know much about Lovisa, but she doesn’t seems like a princess who would love to be saved by some random guy.

I immediately looked towards the ground. A faction of seconds. I have to save her in a faction of seconds. I put all my hex in controlling the water. Anyhow, somehow, please work. The other guy was almost near and could save her.

Oh blue waters, hear my call...

The water glittered and enveloped around Lovisa. From the water, the heavenly maiden ‘Umika’ summoned. I couldn’t believe it, never in my life as a human was I able to summon a water deity. Her ethereal glow, her long silken hair shimmering in the darkness set the whole surroundings in silence. She’s the 12th maiden of the water shrine- the dew deity. She might be of the lowest rank in the water shrine, but she’s the youngest deity the shrines have ever had. She is just like a 9 year old human kid in physique and mentality. But that makes her the most difficult to summon as she is a stubborn child.

Is Lovisa a lucky charm? If I stay with her will I get more shrine deities? Or is it solely because of my capabilities?

Umika laid Lovisa on the ground and the other guy watched from the distance. I still can’t understand how I summoned a deity?