Hiss of Deception & Protection(Leif x OC)

Chapter 65

Rhys's POV

"Hold on hold on , you're telling me that ," Leif cut off the whole sudden twist of event and asked , "You are 200 year old old woman with a fluffy tail and a child like face? Turns of event indeed-"
With such a comment , Miss Sody hopped off from Asch's chest and gave Leif a nice headbutt in the head and at the mean time , Varon managed to stand up with his damaged legs and gave Leif another hard punch in the stomach.

"Bwah-! Leif!"
"Dude for what?!"
Leif questioned the enraged snake hybrid.

"For what?! Have none of you Daemos realised?! This what you called , 200 year old old woman with a fluffy tail and child like face , was one of the greatest species existing on Medonax. Practically speaking , you are insulting a great entity who was the last one surviving!"
Varon said as he stumbled before was held by Pierce and supported by his tail.

Greatest species?
Great Entity?!
Why in the world Asch wanted to mess with one horrifying sound character??? Every time , I was serious about this!

"Great entity? How great can she be? She was merely up to my waistline-"
I smacked Asch by the back with my staff , hoping Asch to shut up for once. She was the last thing  I wanted to mess with now...

"Last surviving?"
"Red pandas were the most harsh species on Medonax. Mother set it the second rank level for protection purposes..."
Upon the topic of the Queen , Varon seemed not pleasant. After all , the Queen judged an unfair result on the game.

"Now , back to topic ," Miss Sody sat on the table with her both legs swinging in the air , "The souls can be in fact used for your.. 'magic crisis solving' ding dong thingy."
Hold on what?
She would be so kind to offer to us?
But didn't she-

"Ha! See , what did I mention? She was going through a typical child tantrum. Kids were usually easily persuaded ," Asch said with pride in his tone , "Now , hand over the soul bottle."
Asch said with his hand reached out , ready to take the soul and ready to make a run for it. 

Upon the situation , Miss Sody was the one who refused Asch's threat towards the offer of soul and yet a sudden , she accepted the offer? It would not sound like a type of child tantrum a 200 year old woman would throw , not to mention the so called 'greatest species existed on Medonax'.

Something's off...

"Heads up."
I looked up to look at the bottle threw towards me upon my surprise , which I swiftly caught in my palm. I took a glance at the bottle that was held in my hand , with the soul flickered in my hand as it danced in the small tight space. 

Through the glass , I can felt a warmth...
A warmth brought up my familiarness...
A warmth I touched once...

Where was it from?
The hot weather from Ear-th?
One of the heat from the potion test back on Daemos?

No...
Neither...

What could it-

Wait.
This...warmth...

I felt my mind buzzed for a second over the truth revealed before my very eyes.
"Rhys , hand me the bottle now."
I looked up at Asch whose hand reached out , wanting the soul from me.

"Yea , Rhys ," I turned to look at Miss Sody , "give him the bottle. Just like what he wanted~"
Miss Sody's smirk even confirmed my assumption with her gifting of the soul. I wished to freeze her now , yet due to respect and my current situation , I shall not cause a scene.

"Rhys , quit the waiting and give it to me now."
I looked at Asch with his usual demanding demeanor as I narrowed my shivering eyes and said , 

Noi's POV

"No. I-I'm not. I apologize in advance , your highness."
What?
Rhys...refuse?

I looked at Rhys shockingly as I was amazed with his actions and decisions that would cost his life easily. 

Rhys was known for endless loyalty and holding the grudge caused by Asch. He was the most loyal among all four of us , yet here we are , with Rhys against an order , an order that might be able help out our dear Daemos that we left God knows how long...

"Excuse me?"
Asch's deep voice echoed this hallow tree home , sending shivers down my spine. 

"I afraid I have to refuse to hand over the soul , your highness."
Rhys's determination brought up my attention on the bottle in his hand. If I were Rhys , I would in fact hand the bottle to Asch , after all , there was a chance that Daemos will be saved and we no longer live in sufferment.

Something must be going on with Rhys and the bottle.

Was it possession?
Was it magic?
Or was it... something else?

"Rhys , what's with the nonsense you're making?"
"It's not nonsense I'm making here , your highness."
"Would you like to hear whatever that was spill out from your mouth?"
"I have awareness with my words , your majesty."
Rhys fought back.

"Eh... Shouldn't we be doing anything?"
Leif asked as Varon claimed to be entertained by this fight between the prince and the advisor.

"Rhys , give me the soul."
"As I have mentioned , I would have to sadly refuse , your majesty-"
As Rhys protest once more , Asch being impatient , grabbed Rhys by the collar and glared at him menacingly.

"Listen here , I tried to act nice here , hence , you better not light up the fuse. The orders are simple , Give. Me. The. Soul."
"I-I...Have to refuse.."
Asch grumbled , clearly his fuse was lightened up. His hand glowed in red as I can see the small burn on Rhys's robe.

"Give it to me , or you shall join the screaming souls depth below us."
"I have mentioned this  , no means no , your majesty."
Rhys declared as Asch and him begun to fight for the soul.

"It all could've been easy if you just give it to me!"
"I refuse and I am determined with my decision!"
Rhys raised a ice wall from the ground as Asch easily destroyed with his fire magic.

"Miss Sody-"
"Nah nah , let them be , couple's stuff what can I say?"
"WE'RE NOT A COUPLE!!!
Rhys shouted as Asch took the opportunity in attempt of stealing the bottle.

He was close , yet far.

He did touched the bottle , but the bottle was pushed out from Rhys's grip , with the risk of falling on the ground. Rhys rushed towards the bottle , even falling hard on the ground for his body to reach to the bottle on time.

"Argh..."
"Dude , Rhys , it's just a soul. No need to be risking your body over it , do you?"
"Just... A soul?"
Leif's comment raged the advisor as Rhys commented , 

"What if Zinnex , was in this bottle , tell me Leif?!"
"And why would you use her as an example , I wonder?!"
And of course , it was a sensitive topic to Leif , but what Rhys said was even more sensitive to us , 

"BECAUSE IT WAS AVA IN THIS BOTTLE!!!!"