Everything Will Change

Vixok paced in his office and would constantly look out the window. Karen had been right about the storm, but she had not returned from her exploration. Nerok soon bursted into Vixok’s office.

“Vixok, her zodua has returned, but she remains to be lost.” he reported.

Vixok sighed as he looked out the window once more.

“Send a search party.” Vixok commanded.

“The storm is too fierce for any search party to make it out to the wilderness.”

“Then you must go. You are strong enough to go through this storm.”

“You have put so much hope in this Earthling.” Nerok stated.

“She does not care for Zark, and there is good in her.”

“I hope you are right.” Nerok said.

Nerok left Vixok’s office and went down to the stables. He saddled his zodua and was soon off into the storm. He was hoping to follow Karen’s zodua’s tracks, but the storm had erased any sign of the zodua’s path. The only clue Nerok had was that Karen had been exploring the wilds of Turnog.

Many hours passed with no success in finding Karen. The storm’s force continued to increase as lightning struck the ground, creating tremors in every direction. Nerok’s zodua soon stopped moving by the edge of the forest. Its fear of the storm was the only feeling that controlled its actions. Nerok dismounted and tied the zodua to a tree, then he slowly descended into the forest.

Nerok carefully combed the forest, looking for any signs of Karen. There were no tracks to follow, so he had to listen for anything unusual. After an hour of searching, Nerok found nothing. He signed as stood still in the pouring rain. He started to walk back to the edge of the forest when he heard a yipping sound. He shook his head to clear his mind and continued walking, but he heard it again. He turned towards the sound and followed it for an hour.

His path was blocked by a fallen tree, but underneath Karen lay yipping for help. Nerok knelt down to analyze the situation. Karen tried to move, but Nerok stopped her.

“We have to move the tree.” He stated.

Nerok tried with all his might to lift the tree, but he was barely able to budge the tree. Karen squirmed as she felt the slightest relief of pressure. She soon wiggled her way out from the tree and tried to stand.

“You should rest.” Nerok stated.

He watched as Karen’s leg began to heal itself. She was soon able to stand as if her leg was never wounded.

“Why did you save me?” Karen growled.

“I figured you would thank me.”

“I don’t need saving.”

“Says the girl who was trapped under a tree.” he sneered.

Nerok began walking out of the forest and Karen followed behind quietly. Thunder continued to echo overhead, and they soon reached Nerok’s zodua. He tried to help Karen onto the zodua, but Karen mounted by herself. Nerok sighed as mounted the zodua. They rode in silence for a few minutes.

“Thank you.” Karen said quietly.

Little to Karen’s knowledge, Nerok smiled a bit at her appreciation. Once the zodua was back in the stables, Nerok guided Karen back to Vixok’s office. Vixok looked at Karen and asked Nerok to stay outside.

“You could have gotten hurt.” Nerok said kindly.

“I can’t die.” Karen responded.

“Right.”

Karen remained silent so Vixok turned to walk off.

“I thought about your offer.” Karen called out.

“And what will you choose?”

“I want to stop Zark, no matter what the cost.”

“Even if it means war?”

Karen chuckled.

“I’m quite adept at war, courtesy of Zark. I don’t want to ever fight for him again. After I defeat him I will never fight in another war.”

“We have a deal then.”