[Restriction Spell activated. You are not allowed to say any information regarding the academy to those who are not part of it.]
As Emery thought, as soon as he had the intention to speak about it, the same force that took him away for three months reacted. The notification filled his mind's eye and not even a word came out of his mouth.
Ah well, it's worth a try. Emery thought, while staring at Cavvi.
His silence was taken as hesitation and Cavvi became even more enraged as his question was not answered. He walked closer to Emery, each step kicking dust around as if to show his rage.
Tyra, the oldest of the fey sisters, tried to restrain him. "Cavvi, stop it! Look, I trust Emery, I'm sure he will say something if he could."
"I know! I demand to know what it is!" Cavvi roared.
Cavvi continued walking towards Emery, stopped in front of him and grabbed the collar of Emery's clothes with both hands.
"I thought you were part of us! Tell us, why do you stand by and let it happen?!"
Emery merely stared at Cavvi, unable to utter even one word. He wished his gaze was enough to at least convey that without any words.
Emery's silence only made Cavvi even more furious.
"Aaaarrrgghhhh!"
Cavvi, the bald, muscular guy grabbed Emery's shoulders with both hands and said
"You! Tell me now, or else!" Cavvi screamed, lumbered towards him and raised his fist. The fey sisters followed him, screaming for him to stop.
Meanwhile, Emery did not react. He stayed silent.
Baamm!
One heavy punch hit the side of Emery's face, causing the corner of his lip to bleed
Baamm!
Another hit to his stomach and Emery could feel a little bile beginning to rise in the back of his throat.
Perhaps fueled by anger, the punch sure felt strong. Even though Emery's battle power had increased quite a lot due to his time in the academy, he could still feel Cavvi's punch. However, it was not enough to actually hurt him.
Baamm! Baamm!
Another two punches to the face and Emery's cheek started to swell a little. But he accepted, he didn't move and fully accepted every bit of Cavvi's rage.
He accepted full responsibility for what happened to Morgana. Even though he did tell Morgana not to follow him to the fight, but in the end, her safety was his responsibility. He had failed.
Emery understood Cavvi's rage.
Cavvi was close to Morgana and Emery knew of the guy's unrequited crush. He decided to let Cavvi hit him as much as he wanted.
Some time had passed and Cavvi continued punching him. But the crowd slowly realized Emery didn't really get hurt that much even after several powerful punches. In fact, from the bruises and blood seeping from Cavvi's fingers, the muscular man was also appeared to be hurting as well.
Three months ago, everyone remembered how Cavvi beat the ever-living daylights out of Emery, though it happened in a mockery of their acceptance ritual. They still remembered how Emery was thrown around before managing to finally defeat Cavvi with the power of his fey wolf transformation.
In the span of three months, Emery had managed to become such a different person.
Cavvi raised his bloodied fist and tried to throw another punch. This time, Emery grabbed his fist, staining his own hand with Cavvi's blood.
"That will be enough, Cavvi. I will find her. That, I promise you." Emery said, his voice steady.
Cavvi's anger burned even hotter. He walked away towards one of the Akavi Warriors and took their blade. The blade glinted under the light of the sun.
He approached Emery with the blade raised high, about to slash him down with it. Though Emery still did not react, a shout from somewhere in the crowd stopped him.
"Stop this madness at once!"
Everyone turned to look at the source of the voice and saw Chief Brenus walking towards Emery. Everyone in the crowd parted to make way for him.
"Emery, the High Priestess has agreed to see you. Please, come with me to the shrine."
The crowd parted even wider, letting Chief Brennus lead Emery towards the direction of the shrine.
A small patch of dense forest separated the shrine and the village. Though the path was short and the sun shone bright above, the leaves shielded the ground from the sun, filling the place with shadows and making the glowing mushrooms dotting the place look even starker with their blue glow. Perhaps, this perpetual darkness was why they called this place the Evernight Forest.
The shrine was covered in glowing roots and a blue, clean river, creating a magical image. He passed the small bridge made of roots before finally arriving in front of the huge, majestic tree.
The magnificent view and the aura of authority it spread made Emery want to kneel and worship the mystical tree.
Just like the first time they met, the High Priestess Nimue wore a beautiful dress made of leaves; she stood there, waiting for him under the tree just like before. As for the bear, it appeared to be lying down near the roots of the tree, unmoving.
Though the priestess looked as beautiful as ever, her expression gave away the fact that she was troubled by something.
But as soon as Emery came to see her, she smiled and said. "I… I can't believe it… Your progress in the last three months is amazing."
Emery was shocked. With just one glance, the priestess had seen through him.
"Gaia told me you are special, but I did not realize what she meant… This is good, very good…"
Emery bowed on one knee and spoke. "Dear High Priestess, I have returned to you only to bring concerning news."
Nimue stared at him and tilted her head, wordlessly asking what he meant. After a few seconds, she realized what Emery meant and gave him a smile. "Emery, if you are worrying about Morgana, perish the thought. She is currently under the blessing of Gaia, there's no need for your concern"
"!!!"
It was such surprising news for him. Emery feels part of his burden lifted hearing what the High Priestess said. But then he reminded of the last time he saw Morgana. The cage that holds the girl and the people who captured her, Emery once again feels doubt about her safety.
"High Priestess, I beg you." Emery kneeled even lower. "If you have any information about her, please tell me."