MARKED BY DESTINY: THE DEMON'S CHOSEN.

Walking up feeling refreshed and energized, Alexia's brain was still a little groggy from sleep. She wasn't really sure what the time was exactly but she knew that she could relax before nightfall.

Sitting up on her bed, she felt a little strange, her body felt sticky and uncomfortable and she was pretty sure she didn't own a bloodied forest green cloak.

' Oh right, the cloak.'

She blinked her eyes slowly as the memories from yesterday began to flood her brain. She looked down at her messy appearance and decided that all other things could wait until after she had taken a shower.

Still donning the cloak she left her tent. Taking a detour from the usual entrance of the camp, she made her way to what could now be called her usual bath spot.

Her group was currently at the borders of the land of Aethera, in the lava forest. Aethera, the land of the dragons,had a hot climate and somewhat limited sources of water inland. She remembered using half a day to scout the area just looking for a decent river to take a bath.

Feeling a little bored on her way there, she decided to distract herself with the view of the forest. There was actually nothing new to look at, the sky was a familiar red hue signifying that she didn't have much time before the onset of dusk, the air was just as warm as ever.

The trees were in there usual shade of ebony black with their crimson leaves that were akin to flowing blood when they swayed in the wind, at night they shone with an eerie glow reminding her of ghosts and wandering spirits. Each branch bearing red fruits that had a bewitching light that felt as if they were calling out to your very soul.

She shook her head softly, forcefully shifting her gaze from the ominous trees, she sped up, her strides becoming a little frantic. Thankfully she soon reached the river, it was just as beautiful as she remembered, resembling a glistening unending azure serpent, having no clear beginning or end.

Feeling impatient, she hastily took off her her armour, she immediately felt much lighter than before. Next she slowed down a bit, gently removing the cloak, she still had to return it in one piece. She carefully placed it on the riverside already deciding to give it a good wash before she goes back.

Now wearing nothing, aside from her tattered inner wear, without second thoughts, Alexia jumped into the water. She shivered a little when her skin came in contact with the water. She wasn't used to cold temperatures but that wasn't to say she didn't enjoy it.

Feeling her tense muscles relax, Alexia let out a contented sigh, after which she leisurely but meticulously washed her hair making sure that it returned to it's previous lush appearance.

Then she proceeded to thoroughly scrub her body, ensuring to massage her sore muscles when needed. Soon she was done washing up, glancing at the cloak lying beside her, she decided that it was time for a good wash.

Picking it up and looking at the dried blood and mud stains, she was suddenly glad that the water was cold, perfect for dealing with situations like these. Placing it in the water, she carefully washed it, making sure not to scrub too hard to avoid tearing it.

After she was done with that, she took out neat clothes from her storage bracelet and put them on before completely walking out of the water.

Now in the place of a messy figure stood a stunning one. Her ash black hair framed her small oval face with a dramatic streak of silver that seemed to gleam with inner light. Her porcelain skin looking translucent under the evening glow.

Her golden eyes shone like two blazing fires matching the red flame on her forehead. Underneath, her pink petal-like lips were curved revealing two dimples on her cheeks. Her lithe and petite figure was covered by a light peach dress that barely covered her knees, paired with matching boots.

' Look at how gorgeous I look, what a shame that'll have to get dirty again. Guess I should enjoy it while it lasts.'

Sighing softly to herself, she picked up the now clean cloak and used the heat of her flames to gently dry it and herself. After contemplating for a while, she put it on and went ahead to walk back to the direction of the campsite.

***

Alexia wasn't really sure if she was at the campsite, maybe she took a wrong turn somewhere. It had a completely different atmosphere than what she had been experiencing for two weeks now.

The silence was deafening with only the sound of boots and low murmurs that assured her that their were people alive in there.And it finally returned to looking like an army camp instead of a place sloppy grown men hung out to party late at night.

' I think I kinda know the reason. Those boys are in trouble.'

She snickered to herself, if her guess was right then those annoying blockheads would finally experience the pain she had been feeling when they all sent her away to train while they ate her spoils for dinner while joking at her expense.

As she casually strolled inside, she noticed that seven out of twelve men were missing.

' Probably fighting against a rank 2 beast or maybe they found the pack of that demon wolf and are getting bitten to death.'

Grinning darkly, she hummed joyfully, her strolling turning into skips as she enjoyed the possibility of those soldiers getting beaten and battered.

' Maybe I won't even need to fight today, I could just rest and relax.'

Though that was what she wanted, however she had a nagging feeling at the back of her mind that she wasn't going to enjoy peace at least for one. Brushing it off, her malevolent smile quickly turned into adorable one when she caught sight of the familiar face of her uncle.

His chestnut hair was a lot longer than she remembered now resembling a wild mane, and his once ivory skin had gotten a bit of a tan adding masculinity to his amazonian body toned from training.

His sapphire blue eyes that were as sharp as ever, always softened whenever he looked at her.

' I'm his favourite niece after all.'

The speed of her steps increased as she rushed into his arms for a hug. He embraced her, then effortlessly placed her on his shoulders painfully reminding her of how small she was for a dragon.

He spoke as he walked to the food distribution area, a hint of concern in his eyes." How's my little firecracker doing?", at least someone was worried about her.

She smiled then playfully groaned while using her feet to hit his chest. " Uncle Kace can you stop calling me that, others will think your lovable niece is troublesome".

" Well I, General Casen of Aethera, solemnly promise to beat up anybody that dares to say a word of untruth about you."

He gently ruffled her hair and placed her down because they had finally reached the distribution center. She laughed at his promise, she didn't think he needed to do that but it still made her happy.

" Then that makes you a tyrant. Won't you be punished for abuse of power?"

" For you, a tyrant I shall be, what can they do to me." He joked, flexing his muscles.

" Uncle Kace, you should get yourself a girlfriend so you can vow and protect her all you want."

Before he could say anything, she had already slipped away, chuckling as she by passed a few people simultaneously searching for Evan.

Her uncle was so easy to tease, maybe that's why he couldn't get a wife in a place full of open women. Thankfully her mother thought her differently or she would surely have teased Evan that way.

The poor Elf's skin was too thin than it would be a shame not to tease him, especially when he looked like an apple with that shy look. She found him rather quickly and luckily he was also off duty as it seemed he was about to head out, most likely to restock the vegetables.

She called out to him, causing the young boy to turn around to face her.

" Oh, hi Alexia, I was just about to get myself some food, you know I don't eat meat like you guys do."

It was true, Elves were born nature lovers who had more vegetables than they did meat but with the actions of demonic beasts some succumbed to the pleasure of eating meat more often even if it was only in dire situations.

Evan was one of those few who kept avoiding meat even though he had to cook with it every day. So usually he went out alone to find and restock his reserves.

Stopping in front of him, she reached for the cloak on her body.

"Thank you for the cloak but I think I should give it back to you, you're lucky that I just washed it or uncle would have you killed."

Yes, her uncle would probably hunt him down if he had gotten a whiff of his scent on the cloak. She wasn't in the mood to start listening to a speech about how boys were monsters and he was the knight.

Evan hurriedly stopped her, " I can't wear the cloak, I have a cleanliness disorder. Yes, that's it, so keep it too yourself and wear it when you feel cold."

He said all that hurriedly while packing his things, immediately leaving when he was done with his sentence not even giving her a chance to speak.

She looked at his back blankly before turning away to meet up with her uncle.

" How does he have cleanliness disorder in a forest full of mud and dirt, why don't I know about it ?"

" And also how will I feel cold in this hot continent especially in the middle of summer no less."

She mumbled to herself not paying attention until she knocked into a hard chest. She cried out, rubbing her now red forehead, looking up she met with familiar sapphire blue eyes.

Blinking slowly, she sweetly asked " Uncle when can we go home."

He smiled at her but it didn't give her a good feeling. " Alexia, you know you're not allowed to go back until you saturate your soul with essence. If you're tired of staying in this lovely forest I suggest you work harder."

After saying that, he focused on enjoying the freshly grilled steak in his plate. Listening to the same words she had been hearing since she got here, her left eye twitched furiously but she took in a deep breath and continued to smile sweetly.

" But we've been here for five months and you know that the process usually takes a year. Your soldiers are tired and your niece needs a break." She continued cutely blink at him.

He looked away before continuing, " You're still at rank one and besides royal orders cannot be disobeyed."

" But he's your brother." She whined she was really having a hard time controlling her anger but maybe she could use cute antics to escape this hellhole of a forest, so she had to calm down.

" And he's your father." He nonchalantly countered taking another bite of his meal, ignoring the pitiful tears about to fall from her eyes. He knew she was faking it, she was probably going to snap soon.

And he was right she was about to snap.Did she really have to stay here for another five months?!!