Page 61 of Isle of Beasts and Shadows

“Yes, but don’t worry. We will shield you from harm,” Sirius murmured softly, ruffling Arii’s hair in a reassuring gesture.

Suddenly, a chilling voice pierced the air, sending shivers down their spines. “Zîncœvelí! Get out!”

“Get Arii and Airella away from here, and stay out of sight until this is over!” Sirius demanded, then watched as Jonathan took Airella’s hand and carefully carried Arii by his waist into an iced-over brush, the frosty leaves crunching beneath their hurried steps.

Sirius turned with determination to face the towering ice hellion, a creature of frozen fury. He unsheathed his twin daggers, and his eyes blazed with a fierce resolve as he locked gazes with the monstrous being.

“Who are you?” The ice hellion’s voice, though strained, struggled to form the words in English, its tone laced with confusion and primal anger.

Sirius raised his makeshift staff, its wooden surface catching the pale moonlight. With a heavy exhale, he lowered his head slightly before addressing the formidable foe. As he spoke, he sensed the chilling gaze of Zol, the ice hellion, scrutinizing his every movement.

“I am Sirius, the Miscreant that brought death to your beloved Emmaline.” his voice carried a weight of history and regret.

Sirius leaned on his wooden staff, and he avoided meeting Zol’s piercing gaze. Yet, when Sirius dared to glance up at the towering figure before him, Zol instinctively lowered his daggers, the fierce gleam in his eyes softening as a wave of memories and emotions flooded his being. The pulsating glow in his eyes subsided, and the once menacing figure of the ice hellion simply stood, a palpable tension hanging in the frozen air between them. After a pregnant pause, allowing the weight of his words to settle, Zol clenched his massive fists at his sides, the ice crackling with an icy fury that mirrored the turmoil within his frozen heart.

“Emma? You? You... YOU!” he cried out in a mix of shock and anger, his voice trembling with emotion.

Just before he lunged at Sirius, his eyes filled with a fierce determination. With a swift movement, he tossed his daggers aside, the metallic clatter echoing in the tense silence of the forest. Grasping Sirius by the collar, he hurled him forcefully against the nearest tree, the impact reverberating through the air.

Zol held Sirius in a vice-like grip, his strength and fury palpable as ice encased Sirius’s legs. Despite the cold seeping into his bones, Sirius felt a surge of fear and desperation. Zol’s hand tightened around his throat, cutting off his air supply, while tears welled up in Sirius’s eyes, a mixture of pain and regret clouding his vision.

“I’m sorry... I took her from you...” Sirius gasped out the words, his voice strained and hoarse.

Zol’s growl rumbled low in his chest as he exerted more pressure, pushing Sirius harder against the rough bark of the tree. The wood creaked under the strain, threatening to splinter.

“You took Emma from me!” Zol’s voice was a dangerous hiss, filled with a raw intensity that sent shivers down Sirius’s spine. With each word, the grip around Sirius’s neck tightened, the world around him fading into darkness at the edges of his vision.

“And that is something… I will regret for the rest of my days… but, there is one… Miscreant that you can… let your anger out on. The Miscreant that was behind it all,” Sirius’s plea was desperate, his fingers clawing at Zol’s obsidian skin, seeking any leverage to loosen the hold around his throat.

Zol hesitated, his gaze flickering with a mix of conflict and curiosity. As Sirius’s words sank in, a glimmer of interest sparked in Zol’s eyes.

“Explain,” he demanded, his voice commanding yet tinged with a hint of uncertainty, a crack in his previously unwavering facade.

“His name is Conivx, a shadow Miscreant. We seek your help in reaching him, as he remains beyond our grasp in thisreality,” Sirius said between coughs, his voice strained from the recent choking episode.

Zol, with his intimidating brute-like appearance that cast a dark shadow over Sirius, seemed to consider the request. After a moment of silent contemplation, Zol gruffly released Sirius, showing his reluctant willingness to assist.

“Zol no like you, but I’ll help. There are more here?” he inquired with a deep, rumbling voice.

“It’s okay to come out now,” Sirius called out, his voice echoing in the tense air.

At his words, a rustling from a nearby bush caught his attention. First to emerge was Jonathan, followed closely by Arii, and last, Airella stepped into view. Airella’s expression shifted as her gaze met Zol’s intense stare. Despite the helmet concealing his true feelings, Zol’s unwavering gaze remained fixed on her.

“Çœæmöïlï? Çæváñ... Zol,” he uttered in a gravelly tone, his voice resonating with an unspoken history.

Sirius glanced back at Airella, who returned his surprised gaze with a look of recognition.

“Vækïzálï kœvïqî cæmïz, Airella,” she responded smoothly, no longer mute. Her words flowed effortlessly, as if the language was second nature to her, hinting at a deeper connection to this mysterious encounter.

To Airella, the prospect of encountering Zol once more seemed surreal. This enigmatic being had once posed a threat to their existence, yet here he stood, calmly engaging with her in a manner she could never have expected. The words effortlessly spilled from her lips, a newfound sense of confidence enveloping her.

With a tremor in her voice, she introduced herself, “My name is Airella.” Speaking in his native tongue, she left Sirius, Arii, and Jonathan bewildered by the exchange.

“Zol,” the ice hellion identified himself, a mysterious aura surrounding him. His presence captivated Airella, her mind racing with questions yet unable to form any coherent thoughts.

“You have changed since we last faced each other. You are no longer like Emmaline.” Zol observed, drawing closer to inspect her altered appearance. “You have evolved. We are the same.”

Airella’s mind buzzed with intrigue as she contemplated the implications of this revelation. Was it possible that she was unraveling the threads of her own ancestry?

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