Chapter 19: The Day before Arriving to Intel-City

The gang spent the rest of the afternoon travelling through the forest before it got too dark to travel. When nightfall arrived, they decided to set up camp without Silva’s help since she is too weak from the attack she pulled with the dragon. Lisa and Scout had to do most of the work since the boys were too exhausted taking turns from carrying Silva around on their backs.

Silva continues to sleep soundly while the others take turns watching her hoping she will wake up soon.

Three days have passed since they entered the forest and continued to travel. They would stay, if they were not in a hurry to get some medical attention for Silva, so she stayed on Rajah’s back the entire time. Everyone is eagerly awaiting for her to wake up, but Lisa, being not so patient one, was not feeling the same way.

“Seriously, why does Silva always have to be the damsel in distress? Also, what is the big deal with that book she is holding onto so tightly?” Lisa says getting impatient.

“Lisa, you better chill or I will chill you out myself. You have to understand, Silva inherited this new found destiny and new found magic, she never wanted in the first place and she has to deal with it. Now we have to do the best to help her out,” Rufus explained, sounding annoyed.

“I get that, but it is such a pain. But, I will admit, I do not think I ever saw this side of you before, you really do care for Silva,” Lisa teased for a bit.

“I will always care and love her no matter what,” Rufus counters by saying.

“Oh, that is too cute, you actually care. Not like that one time, you pushed her off a cliff and you didn’t bother to save her,” Lisa reminded him.

“Yeah…Well…that was for training purposes and besides she did come out of it alive,” Rufus explained, trying to defend himself.

“Ok, whatever, I just hope this whole “destiny” thing ends soon and I get my Sil back,” Lisa admits.

“Lisa, you of all people should know Silva never wanted this destiny in the first place. She hated magic and never even used it. She didn't ask to inherit the magic of our former goddess Solaria,” Rufus explained.

“What do you mean?” Simon asks.

“Yeah, what do you mean by that?” Lisa asked.

“I would like to know as well,” Julius said, joining in on the conversation.

“Me too,” Scout admits.

“When Silva was part of the Guild League, she was the best guild member of the league. She did not get her reputation of “Silva of the Desert” for nothing. She was the kind of girl who was daring, fearless, and most of all very skillful. Silva might have been born with magic, but she never was the kind of person who was never into using magic. It is amazing how she earned the title of “Silva of the Desert” on her own by defeating the desert challenge no one was able to do before her,” Rufus complemented.

“Yes, Silva sure was amazing,” Julius remembered that day.

“Shut up Julius,” Lisa shouts.

“Sorry,” Julius said, afraid.

“Watch it or I will cut up your face,” Scout warns.

“Whoa, sorry,” Lisa said, freaking out.

“Rufus does have a point. Silva is our friend and we must be able to do everything we can to protect her,” Terrance agrees.

“Well, fine, if you put it that way, but still I wonder what that book is and what it says?” Lisa said, eager about the book.

“We just have to wait for her to explain once she wakes up. It seems the book is very important to her,” Terrance said calmly.

“Yes, let her rest,” Rufus said calmly.

After their conversation, an hour has passed and they are waiting for Silva to wake up.

“Seriously, I can’t take this anymore. Silva, wake up already,” Lisa shouts, pissed off.

“Right, you really think you can wake me up by yelling when I am already awake,” Silva complained as she was waking up.

“Silva!” everyone shouted.

“Silva, how are you feeling? Are you alright?” Terrance said, hugging Silva.

“Hands off lover boy,” Silva said, shoving Terrance off.

“Oh, that is the Silva I remember,” Rufus teased.

“So, where are we and could you tell me what happened?” Silva asked, annoyed.

“You really don’t remember, well we just got out of the tunnels of the outpost and now we are at the outskirts of Intel- City,” Seth explained kindly.

“I forgot we are heading there. I thought Rachel was supposed to help us to get in,” Silva said, trying to remember.

“They bailed, but they gave us a map on how to sneak in,” Rufus points out.

“Right, so let’s get going,” Silva said standing up feeling a bit faint still.

“Silva, I think you should rest some more,” Terrance said, catching her.

“I think it is a good idea,” Silva said, sitting back down.

“Ok, since we cannot go anywhere, so Sil, care to tell us what happened down there in the tunnels,” Lisa asked, getting to the point.

“I do not want to talk about it,” Silva plainly replied.

“Silva, maybe it will help you deal with the pain if you talk about it with friends, so you will not be alone in this,” Terrance advises.

“Very well,” Silva agrees.

Silva takes a deep breath and begins telling her friends her story.

“Well, fine, I guess there is no point in hiding it. When I got separated from you guys, there was a strange light. It teleported me to a strange room which led me to the past. It was horrible what happened to the people of the former temple. I met a woman, Sarafine, who was the temple priestess and told me a story about how, once upon a time, goddesses once lived among humans. It was a peaceful time until something happened. It was around the time of the great war, the kingdoms asked the goddesses for help, but when they refused to help, the kingdoms decided to hunt them down and kill them. I even witnessed the horrible scene. I wished I could help. Before I was sent back to the present, Sarafine gave me this book written in some kind of language I do not understand, but I hope traveling to Intel-City will help me to translate the book,” Silva explained feeling kind of depressed.

“It is not a bad idea. I have heard the city is the central source of information, they should have something,” Julius said kindly.

“I know, that is why we are heading there. It is just I do not want to remember what happened there the last time,” Silva said, to Julius.

“Hey, sorry, I did not know,” Julius said, trying to apologize.

“Yeah, little miss special, you never talk to my boss like that,” Scout said, trying to pick a fight with Silva.

“Right, let’s just get in and out of there as soon as we arrive. I do not want to stay long,” Silva said, getting up still feeling a bit weak.

“I think it will be best if you rest for a little bit more before going to the city tomorrow,” Terrance suggests.

“Fine, whatever, come over Rajah,” Silva said, wondering off on her own.

“Hey, wait Silva,” Lisa said, running after her friend.

“Jeez, Silva has an attitude,” Julius said out of anger.

“She has good reason to, but anyone close to her promised to keep this big secret for a long time and we are not breaking this promise,” Rufus pointed out.

“What is this big secret?” Julius asks.

“The secret is about my twin daughters,” Silva said storming back in.

“What do you mean?” Julius asks.

“My daughters are from Intel-City. I will do anything to protect them. I had to be apart from them for so long, but for now, I will do anything to protect them no matter what,” Silva confesses.

“I understand. Thank you for trusting me,” Julius agrees.

After the conversation, they finish setting up camp and enjoy the rest of the day together bonding over things they try to have in common.