The Gems of Element

Part 2: Earth Region ~ Chapter XII

"Ge......way! You fil.......ter!"

As I slowly begin to regain consciousness, I forcefully try to lift my own eyelids open. I'm able to do so, but they feel like a thousand million pounds, giving me a tiny headache. My hand clutches the side of my head in order to relieve the small pain that had appeared from my uncomfortable position on the what feels like grassy ground. I squint my eyes to try and focus my currently fuzzy vision on the scene that's happening just a few feet from me.

The last patch of blurriness disappears from my sight and I immediately run over to where Amice is currently trying to hold off a shadow creature, her bow and arrow pointed straight at the humanoid creature's head. As the monster pounces on her from its crouched position, Amice releases the arrow and it shoots straight into its head. The thing lets out a whimper and speedily crawls away from her. She lets out a shaky breath and wipes her forehead, checking around her surroundings for any more enemies. Her eyes stop on me when she sees me shakily holding my daggers in my hand.

"Oh finally! You are awake... and not dead! Perfect. We must leave the area, immediately." She says, taking long strides towards me. She wraps an arm around my shoulder, lifts me up, and drags me further into forest. As we make our way through leaves, around trees, and above various shrubbery, I manage to take a glance behind us and see that the kingdom isn't anywhere in sight.

"H-Hold on! What happened to Namu?! How far away from it are we?" I say to her, craning my neck to face her from the side. She spares me no glance and continues trekking on.

"Far, very far. Now stop talking, we must continue on."

"What? Where?!"

She decides to ignore my question altogether and pick up the pace.

"Amice! I asked you a question!"

Still no answer.

"Amice!"

Nothing.

"Will you-!" When she decides to ignore me for the third time, I plant my feet into the ground and use all my strength to drag the metal plates of her armor back. She spins around with an irritated expression on her face. "Will you stop walking for one damn minute and tell me where we're going?!"

She lets out an annoyed grunt and very passive-aggressively responds to me with: "Wow you are quite demanding now, are you not? I had suspected being a princess would have gotten to your head eventually, but I did not expect it to be so quick! Would you like me to do anything else for you Your Highness? Perhaps carry you in my arms to safety? Or would you prefer it if I built you a castle from the forest wood? No? Well then let us stop wasting time, and keep moving." She then turns around and continues walking off, not bothering to wait for me to respond and not caring enough to see if I'm following her.

My mouth hangs open in part offense and part confusion. 'Wh-What?!' I bolt from my frozen position and run to try and catch up to her. "H-Hey-! Where the hell did that come from?!" I try to reach for her shoulder yet again, but somehow she dodges my hand. "Do you even have a plan?! Why are you ignoring me?! Will you-!" 

"I DO NOT HAVE A PLAN! There, I said it! I do not have a plan! Are you happy?! Happy I finally responded to you?! Well there is your answer, Princess. I have no plan, I have no idea of where to go now, and that fact terrifies me! You think I want to be this useless? To feel this useless?! I am sorry, but at the moment all I am able to provide you with is my protection, and I am sorry if it is not enough for you." And at that, she continues walking. This time a little slower now, with her arms crossing together. Her shoulders visibly rise and fall along with her breathing, she's exhausted.

'...Well how am I supposed to respond to that...' I chase after her. Gently putting my hand on her shoulder, I carefully turn her to face me. Her head hangs low as she moves. "Amice... I'm-"