Tailroad
Emerald Forest
"You should rest, Minerva."
Dimana couldn't take it anymore. The moon was about to sink behind the hills, and Minerva was still looking at every hill, every cave, every damn stone. Even if the witch was really here, she should have heard her breath from afar.
Minerva pointed another cave on a rocky hill with her finger.
"That- Cave-"
She couldn't even finish her sentence because of tiredness, but she started walking again.
"Do you feel-"
"No!"
"Watch your tone, Dimana!"
Minerva turned to her angrily, Dimana looked at the cave and bit her lip. No, she didn't feel anyone. The damn woman was asking about it every time she breathed. When they stepped into the cave, Dimana created flames in her hand and lit up the inside. Not even a cave. When she turned around, the sorceress was watching the forest. The sky was dark blue, there was little time before the sun came up. Minerva glanced over her shoulder, breathing deeply.
"Lets go."
"Where?"
"I hear sound of water. We have to check."
Dimana wiped out the flames, came beside the woman and checked around. There was still no movement but she could hear the sound of water from a remote location.
"You stay here. I'll check and come back."
Minerva frowned.
"Don't be silly. You can't go alone. She might be nearby."
There was a little consent in her voice. Dimana immediately tried again.
"I'll always keep my senses open. If I sense someone, I'll be right back."
Minerva thought for a moment, but when she shook her head, Dimana grit her teeth. The sorceress sat on a rock and said.
"Stay with me. I'll get some rest."
Dimana opened her mouth to protest but closed it again. Her objection would only upset her more. Minerva took a deep breath as she wiped the sweat from her forehead, sat next to the woman, pulled her knees, leaned her head on her arm. She didn't want to be completely useless, but the sorceress left no choice.
"We've looked everywhere, Minerva. Maybe you're the only human in this woods."
Minerva spoke while still looking into the forest.
"We've looked everywhere and haven't found her yet. It's a great reason to be more suspicious of her being here."
Her words didn't make sense, but her voice promised that she would continue to search for weeks.
"Why do you want her so bad?"
"Her knowledge will be an excellent resource for me to think, to make a plan."
"For wh-"
"Enough."
Dimana, again, leaned her head back on her arms after she heard the answer she was waiting for.
"Is that so?"
Dimana frowned, staring quickly at Minerva. The sorceress who still looked in front of her had the same expression on her face. The voice was definitely unfamiliar. The succubus shouted quietly, jumped to her feet and looked behind. She saw the woman, fifteen feet high on the hill, sitting calmly on a rock. Her white bun and blue eyes were glistening under the darkness. The skirt of her dark green gown was swaying slightly in the wind. She didn't feel the woman, although all her senses were open! Even when Dimana quickly created a fireball in her hand and threw it at her, she didn't move. Even when the flames surrounded her, she stood steady. She wasn't even looking at her. When the flames disappeared in the air, Dimana fearfully cast her spell for the second time.
"Stop it, Dimana!"
Minerva's sharp voice stopped her. The witch was still there and smiling. Actually, the succubus was the only one who got up. Except for her deep breaths, the forest was completely quiet. What the hell was the sorceress trying to do? The witch spoke as Minerva continued to look at her.
"A justice bringer and a succubus are fighting against evil. I've been following you for hours, but I've made no sense of this sweet contrast."
Minerva continued to look at Dimana with her sharp eyes. Was she trying to say something? Dimana couldn't make any sense of her gaze, but turned her eyes to the witch, trying to follow her every move.
"Since you haven't attacked us yet, I'm assuming you want to talk, Ambryn." Minerva said calmly.
Ambryn rubbed her nose with back of her hand.
"That can change at any moment. What's your name, sorceress?"
"Can I turn?"
"No dear, I don't think so."
Minerva's facial features trembled nervously. The sweat coming down her cheek and her slightly shaking voice were revealing her discomfort.
"You can make better sense if you see my face."
The witch was quiet for a while. Minerva continued to look at Dimana, and she continued to look at the witch. Dimana didn't even dare to move.
"I know your face very well, sorceress. That's why you're still alive. Answer my question."
The fear in Dimana's mind changed with curiosity. Two people should have met before. That was the reason for the coldness between them. That was also the reason the witch has not yet attacked.
"Minerva."