(Damn I'm updating this a lot... Maybe I'm just in the fantasy mood)

(Iris POV)

I swung my sword at the wooden target, slicing it directly in half. As the halves fell I made rapid slices at it until they were the size of my palm. They fell to the floor around me, and I stood up straight, wiping sweat from my forehead with my arm.

Stupid advice

Stupid Darius

Stupid stupid STUPID

I heard a whistle from behind me "Damn, you sure showed him."

Speak of the fucking devil- err, demon...

I huffed, dropping my sword on the ground and turning to the door. There he was, in all his perviness, leaning against the doorframe with a smirk.

"Gotta say, I didn't realize how fine your ass was~" he purred.

I clenched my jaw, storming up to him with steam practically coming out of my ears. Stopping in front of him I jabbed my finger into his chest.

"Listen here, you damn pervert, I don't care if it's in your nature to flirt. You do not flirt with me, not ever. So no winks, no pick-up lines, no dirty remarks, and absolutely no mention of my ass. Got it?"

He held his hands up in surrender, nodding rapidly.

"Good." I stepped away and turned on my heel, on my way to grab my sword.

"Can I suggest something about your fighting stance, though?"

I paused. He wants to give me more advice?! If he's so smart, why is he only a trainee here? I sighed, exasperated.

"Go on..."

---

Next thing I knew, Darius was standing in the middle of a circle of ten wooden dummies, scythe in hand.

"Okay, so I can tell you are an incredibly skilled fighter. You made that clear while fighting the Three Beasts. However, you're lacking in your speed and agility."

"Tell me something I don't know." I scoffed, leaning back against the wall and crossing my arms

"Well, what if I told you the way you stand can change the way you move in battle." He suggested.

Now that caught my interest. I glanced at him, eyebrow raised "I'm listening."

Darius grinned "Alright, so the way you stand is a little too straight and tense, which helps with offence and defence, but does bring down your speed levels. That means if an explosion or something goes off near you you won't be able to flee in time."

"Why would there be an explosion?"

"Just out of context..."

"Uh-huh... continue."

He rolled his eyes "Now, watch me."

He spread his legs out, holding his scythe diagonally in front of him. His knees bent slightly and he closed his eyes, taking a deep breath.

I gasped as he made one swift movement, and five seconds later all dummies were decapitated. My jaw dropped as Darius stood up straight, blowing his white hair out of his face.

"So, how was..." he trailed off, noticing me making my way over to him with two large strides. My eyes were fierce "Um Iris, you okay?"

"Teach me." I demanded, voice filled with determination.

---

"You still aren't standing right."

An irk mark appeared on my forehead "I'm trying, okay! Get off my back, shitheat!"

"It's your back that's the problem." Darius muttered.

"Well why don't you show me how I should stand, instead of standing there and staring at my behind like a creeper!" I snapped, glaring at him from over my shoulder. He glanced away immediately with red cheeks, realising he had been caught. With a sigh he moved up next to me, reaching his hands out.

"May I?" He asked.

At least he has the decency to ask permission...

"Go ahead..."

He gave a nod and placed one hand on my shoulder, while the other was on the small of my back. He gently adjusted my position until it looked right to him. He did the same thing to my arms, legs, hips and head, before stepping back and holding his chin.

"How does that feel?"

"Better." I admitted.

"Great," he smiled "Now try and make a swipe in that position."

I nodded, ready to swing my sword through the air--

But I was interrupted.

"IRIS!"

I stumbled slightly, dropping my sword from shock as I whipped my head around. Crimson was standing in the doorway, gripping onto the frame as he tried to catch his breath. He looked like he had just run a marathon. Darius stood next to me, equally surprised to see his Lieutenant in such a state.

"You gotta come quick!" He stated, voice urgent.

"Why?" I asked. Though, I wish I didn't.

Crimson opened his mouth to speak. I could already tell it wasn't good by the worry in his eyes, but it was confirmed by the words that left his mouth.

My heart stopped.

---

I sprinted down the halls, turning each corner without slowing down, not caring if I bumped into anyone or anything. I was still in my training clothes, but that didn't matter to me. I had to get to the infirmary.

Darius was close behind me, but I assumed it was because he was more concerned for me than the situation by the way he looked at me when Crimson told us what was going on.

The door to the infirmary came into view, and I wasted no time to swing it open.

My breath hitched when I saw him on that bed, bare chest rising and falling, a bloody bandage wrapped around his torso, his face remaining in a wince. My breathing quickened.

"Jet!" I yelled. I was instantly at his bedside, taking his hand in both of mine. His eyes opened and sleepily met mine, before giving me a weak smile.

"Hey, Odd eyes..." His voice was strained when he spoke. It hurt, seeing him like this. My eyes began to sting.

"Who... What happened to you?" I murmured, clutching his hand tighter.

Jet let out a breath, only to wince afterwards. His eyes moved to the ceiling as he spoke "I don't really know... It's all a blur... All I remember is complaining about how long my journey to Resuk was taking and... and then getting ambushed by three strangers around the outskirts of the kingdom..." He placed a hand on his torso, eyebrows furrowing "I guess... They beat me up real good, too..."

"I see..." I began shaking. I knew I couldn't do anything to prevent it, as I wasn't there, but I couldn't help but feel guilty this happened to him. Feel like it was partly my fault. Jet noticed my troubled expression and sighed.

"Iris," He placed his free hand on top of mine, his blue eyes stern as they bore into mine "This was no one's fault but my own. I let my guard down, and I paid the price for it. Besides," He grinned, but it was pained "Dragnians can endure way more than humans can, so I'm gonna be fine after about a week. Well, unless your healer friend gets back soon."

I let out a breath. He's gonna be okay...

"You know I'm never gonna let you hear the end of this." I teased, sounding normal again. An irk mark appeared on his forehead.

"Hey come on, we had a moment--!" He yelled, grunting in pain afterwards "Damn injuries!"

I laughed, wiping a fallen tear before he saw and letting out another sigh. "So... Who found you?"

"I did."

Our heads turned to the door, only to notice a familiar soldier standing next to Darius with a small smile. My eyes lit up instantly.

"Luke!" I slipped my hands out of Jet's and jumped to my feet, running over to my brother and hugging him tightly. He laughed and hugged me back. When pulling away I gave him a confused expression, still holding him at arm's length "But, how did you find him?"

"Ah, Well..." He rubbed the back of his neck, seeming to be slightly embarrassed "Truth be told, I'm unsure. I just, had some sort of feeling that lead me to him, and boom, there he was laying on the ground all bloody. I suppose it was luck."

That's when it clicked.

Mates can sense each other when they're in pain...

I glanced at Jet from over my shoulder and gave him a knowing look, causing him to look away flustered. I smirked "Something tells me there's more to it than luck..."

"What was that?"

"Oh nothing." I sang, grinning at my brother "Anyway, does General Emiliana know you're here?"

He nodded "That's where I was before coming back here. I should also let you know that she's had word from the other generals saying that they're on their way to aid Alzdrak."

"That's good..."

"So, like, am I invisible now?"

A small growl emitted from my throat as I turned to Darius with an irritated smirk "I'm sorry, are you the one injured right now?"

"Well, no--"

"Did you save my friend from their potential death-bed?"

"No..."

"Then you aren't important right now, so pipe down."

Darius turned his head away, sulking.

"Um, for the record," Jet began to say "I literally told you a few minutes ago that this won't--"

"You pipe down too, Dragon boy!"

His eyes widened and he shut his mouth immediately, holding his hands up in surrender. Him and Darius exchanged glances and mouthed a 'wow' to each other in unison, thinking I wouldn't see.

I did.

And no, they didn't get away with it...

---

After making sure Jet was comfortable and well taken care of, I decided to retreat to my room. I figured I had enough surprises for one day, so I deserved the rest.

Honestly though, so many things have happened these past few days... The refugees, The Pillars, The Beasts, and now the prince of Dragnir getting ambushed... It's like, I don't know, perhaps someone is sending these attacks on us. But worst, is that I don't know if these attacks are warnings or... or what? Is there a purpose for all this? Is it a threat? Is it a game? Is it a way to get to something? Is it to get to someone? The thoughts just kept coming...

And then there was a knock on my door.

I sighed, sitting up from my starfish position on my bed and glanced at the door "Who is it?"

"The demon slayer." A deep, hiss-like voice replied from the other side. I rolled my eyes.

"Come in, Luke."

I heard him laugh as he opened the door and poked his head inside "Hey, l'il sis."

I waved, scooting over on the bed so he could sit beside me. He did so with a smile, before turning to me and taking a deep breath.

"You alright?" I asked, tilting my head.

"Oh, I'm fine." He responded, though his face said otherwise. He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly "You're... friend, Jet? He's a Dragnian, correct?"

"That he is," I nodded with an eyeroll "A very hotheaded one at that. Why'd you ask?"

"Just wanted to make sure..." He turned his head away, his icy blue eyes falling to the floor "Has he... found his mate yet?"

Oh lord.

I bit my lip, not sure how to answer as I began tapping my fingers against the mattress. Luke noticed this and sighed.

"He has, hasn't he?"

"Uhhhhhhhhh...." I tilted my body to the side, supporting it with my arm. How was I supposed to answer that without giving it away? It wasn't my place to tell him, it was Jet's...

I got it.

"His mate died when he was ten." I answered. I wasn't lying so it was okay.

"Oh," Luke's face fell, sympathy taking over his features "I'm sorry to hear that... Were they close?"

"They never met, so no."

"That's too bad..."

I glanced at him. He was obviously conflicted on what to feel. Though what those mixed emotions were weren't shown. And no, I couldn't read his aura, Guardians don't radiate them since they were previously dead. I pursed my lips together, refraining myself from saying anything further. Luke sighed again and stood, giving me a small smile.

"Alright that's all I needed to know. I'm sorry if I bothered you."

I smiled back "You didn't, don't worry."

Luke reached down to ruffle my hair, earning an annoyed growl from me. He laughed and retracted his hand, before making his way to the door.

"Night, Iris."

"Night..."

The door closed, and I was alone in my room once again. I huffed and fell back onto my bed, eyes fixed onto the ceiling.

Oh Lukali... You really are a dense fool...

(Haha, 2001 words... It's funny because that's the year I was born. No? Okay I'll leave)