Death Before Defeat

Chapter 15

And a look into someone else's thoughts~

TW: Blood
Dang I seem to like blood-

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Aza's POV

"Did you see in which direction he went?" Aza asked Xavier worriedly. They immediately ran outside, trying to make out Elias' form in the dark.

Xavier rubbed his eyes tiredly and squinted ahead. "He ran straight ahead, but he's very fast." He paused. "Do we follow him?"

Aza frowned. "He was panicking, that much was clear. I think we should go after him, just to make sure he won't get in any trouble."

The shapeshifter nodded. "I agree." He stared into the distance before taking a couple of steps forward and shifting into his horse form.

"Really?" Aza asked, chuckling a little. "Now I've earned your trust?"

Xavier gave her the best annoyed glare he could make with his features and flicked his tail.

"Alright, alright." She said, still chuckling, and jumped onto his back. "Let's go rescue our ghost friend."

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Galloping on a horse would never get old. The muscles moving beneath you, powerful legs pounding onto the ground, the ears moving back and forth in front of you... Aza had always loved animals, horses being one of her favorites. When she was younger she used to have a chestnut pony called Kiwi, on which her dad had taught her to ride.

She shook herself out of her memories and scanned her surroundings for any sign of movement.

About ten minutes later Xavier suddenly stopped. Aza gripped his mane to avoid toppling over and glared at his ears.

"What was that for?" She asked. Xavier turned his head to nip at her boot, almost pulling her down. She huffed. "Alright, I'm getting off."

She slid off his back, unconsciously patting his neck as she did so. A second later Xavier was back in his human form.

"I have a very weird feeling about this place." He said as he stared ahead.

"How so?" Aza asked.

"I don't know, like there's something wrong?" He pulled a face. "I can't explain it."

A sudden noise sounded from behind a rock. They both frowned, inching a little closer. Sneaking around it, they tried to see what was making the noise without being noticed. Then a figure appeared in front of them, seemingly out of nowhere.

They both jumped, but relaxed when they recognized him.

"Elias! Don't do that, you nearly gave us a heart attack." Aza blew out a breath. "Are you alright? You just ran off."

The ghost didn't answer. That was unusual, he always had some sort of comment ready to go. She searched his face, frowning at his neutral expression. There was white mist coming from his body, barely noticeable. When she looked into his eyes, she only saw one thing.

Fear. He was scared.

Aza's hand moved towards the hilt of one of her knives and she glanced around, immediately more aware of her surroundings. There didn't seem to be anything different or weird, it was just a meadow with some hills and rocks. She narrowed her eyes at the shadows the rocks cast on the ground, thinking she saw a figure moving, but it was gone before she could see clearly.

"What is it?" Xavier whispered. He cocked his head at the same rock she was investigating.

Movement pulled their attention back to Elias. He balled his fist slowly, as if he was fighting himself, and threw out his hand. For a second nothing happened, then a rock the size of a football came hurtling at them. Aza let out a yelp and threw herself at Xavier, knocking them both to the ground.