Sorry, I had a hard time writing this chapter so there was a little wait. But I've finished the next chapter as well. A lot has gone on recently so I apologize for the lack of updates, as usual. I hope you guys still enjoy!!!

Chapter Sixteen

Chaos is a man of moment. He blends in with the crowd, as normal as you and I. You pass him and smile or perhaps do not even realize he's there. He does not allow anyone to see through his veil until the time is precise.

It was then that he appeared. What once blended in with the crowd was now larger than you, louder than your eardrums can handle, and more powerful than your mind could fathom. He was surrounding you, more than you could manage.

It was then that Chaos stopped strolling among us and revealed his true persona, the hunters shouting nearby.

Sage was quick to react, yelling, "Down!" But it was too late.

The King's once calm demeanor changed as he growled, the sound as authentic as a wolf's own, his body still.

Where the King had once stood there was now a black-furred wolf, slightly bigger than average. Sooner than my mind could process the situation, the wolf sprinted away, disappearing.

"Damn it," Sage snapped, running a hand through his hair.

His eyes found mine before they widened as if something was wrong and he muttered once again. "Sit down," he instructed calmly, walking towards me.

It was not reasonable to sit down when we had just been shot at with an arrow, yet my body listened to him, leaning against a nearby tree.

"I will be right back, do not move," he instructed, once again glancing at me before running off in the direction of the hunters.

For the moment, the only sound was that of my breathing, loud and echoing throughout my eardrums. Time seemed to be moving slowly, as if I would never run out of it. My vision had become blurry, everything blending in with one another.

Sage finally returned, a worried look in his eyes. He knelt down closer to me, talking, but I could only see his mouth moving, the words hidden.

He was then moving once again, taking off the upper part of his uniform. It was odd seeing Sage in a regular shirt and to find that his face wasn't always hidden.

His hair was much paler than I remembered when I met him the first time. The hue was between that of white and blonde, a beautiful blend of the two. It was tied back, appearing fragile on such a resilient man.

He began talking once again, yet the words were still lost upon me, sinking away.

He then started taking off the thin shirt, but the action did not seem out of place. I could see that Sage's years of working as a knight had paid off physically.

His body was toned, firm yet I imagined it to be soft. His torso was a piece of art that had been carved by a perfectionist, defining lines separating each ab. I found myself wondering what it would be like to trace each line and recreate him.

He knelt down towards me, crouching with his shirt in hand. Once again, he talked, yet it was a soundless noise that escaped his lips.

No sooner than my thoughts ended, my world exploded. Everything came back into view, my vision and hearing sharpening, along with my mind. But what was the first to return was the pain.

My teeth had clenched themselves, holding back a cry. What I hadn't felt at first was now revealing itself tenfold, Sage's shirt pressed tightly against my side and held there by his hands.

"You fell into shock while I warned the hunters off. You were hit, Rowan. I need to take you back, now," he explained shortly, his eyes on mine.

I shook my head, refusing to leave. "The King-" I started, but he was quick to interrupt.

"I will worry about him later. I will take you to the castle, and Shaterria and I will find him," he added before he guided my own hands to the shirt switching them out with his.

I held the shirt in place, refusing to allow him to roam alone. "I was merely grazed. I will be fine. By the time you take me to the castle and come back out, anything could happen to the King. We have to search now," I reasoned.

I watched through his eyes as he struggled with an internal battle, neither side seeming to give in. Sage's lips turned into a frown as he asked, "I do not suppose you would be willing to wait here while I look for the King?"

I shot him a look before he sighed, standing up, his back turned towards me. It was then that I realized he was half naked, appearing much more intimidating to me in this form.

"Put on your uniform and then assist me in getting up," I muttered, my cheeks heating up before I looked away. I had more to worry about than what was currently happening in my mind.

Sage listened without argument, showing that there was a first time for everything. I could hear rustling as he placed on his uniform before he cleared his throat, alerting me that it was okay to turn around.

I did, thinking that he appeared somewhat odd now in a full body uniform. I frowned, ignoring my thoughts before taking the helping hand he had offered.

The pain soared from my side, blossoming throughout the rest of my body, piercing every nerve along the way. I hissed, my eyes closing momentarily as I stood there, unable to move.

"Rowan, please wait here. It will be quicker and less painful for the both of us," Sage whispered, his voice holding concern. He seemed to be closer than before, his words tickling my ear.

I waited a moment before answering, the pain subsiding slightly. "I will be fine. Let us go before something else happens," I said, glancing as Sage long enough to see the disappointment in his eyes.

"If you show any signs of slowing down, we are to return to the castle," he said firmly, and I nodded, exhaustion already beginning its course.

We started through the forest, Sage and I calling out for the King every now and then. Sage claimed that we were walking slow in order to completely cover the land, but I suspected it was more for my benefit.

It was not long before the sun's warmth was gone, replaced by rain that grew stronger with each passing hour. Sage had started moving faster, and I kept up, not allowing him to know that it was taking a toll on me.

I could tell Sage was worried for the King's safety, as he became frustrated as time passed, the King nowhere in sight. However, Sage appeared concerned for me as well, checking in every now and then, inspecting the wound. When he did, he would suggest that we head back which I would counter with reassurance and irritation.

But now, I was exhausted. The pain was gone, my whole body feeling numb. It was beginning to become difficult to move, much less walk in a straight line. I had done much more tasking work than this, but never while wounded. Sage caught on after a while, peering at me through the rain.

"I am fine," I tried, but he shook his head, cursing softly. He looked around us, taking my hand and pulling me a little further, veering off of the path we had taken.

After a moment he stopped, both of us standing under a thicket of trees, less susceptible to the rain and its attack. "We will rest here and continue looking in the morning," he explained before he took off his helmet, his hair still bright even in the dark.

I did not respond but leaned against a tree, slowly sliding down. The pain sparked, reminding me that it was not yet gone as I made my way down, attempting to ignore its threats. It was going to be a long night.

Sage sat next to me, his shoulder pressed against mine. "If we are not back by mid-day, Shaterria will have others look for us. I will have them take you back," he said, as if that would make this all better.

"I am fine, Sage, do not worry so much," I said softly, the annoyance nowhere to be seen. I felt it, yet I could not conjure up the strength to transfer it into my words.

He was quiet for a moment, so quiet that I thought perhaps he had already fallen asleep. However, when I tilted my head towards him, I saw that he was staring out into the forest.

I watched as he ran a hand through his hair before he turned to me, his eyes flickering before they held a tender expression. "I worry about those I care for, Rowan. Try to sleep before the sun rises. We will start our search again then."

He then turned away, his face tilted up, his eyes closed. I continued watching him for a while, with an unusual curiosity and confusion, before I too attempted to sleep.