Chapter 14: The gamble
Josh on the bed. He tapped his at his phone aimlessly. Ronnie sat by the bed, he sighed at intervals.
Josh glanced at him and clicked his tongue.
"C'mon man, you've been like this since you got here. How much longer do you plan to sit there and sulk?" Josh asked.
"I don't think you'd understand. I mean, I thought I was starting to know this person but it turns out that I haven't even scratched the surface yet" Ronnie muttered, barely audible enough for Josh to catch what he was saying.
"What did you expect, Ron? You've known this chic for like what, a bit over two weeks? I still wonder how you started dating someone you just met" Josh said. He had put his phone down and crossed his legs.
Back at the hospital when Josh came to, Ronnie gave him the same cover story he had been giving everybody concerning Lily. To them, she was his "girlfriend".
"We formed a deep connection. It's not something I can explain" Ronnie said.
"Whatever you say, man. Look—" Josh got off the bed and sat next to Ronnie
"Allow me to educate you, I have the experience after all. You should just talk to her. Running away won't solve anything" Josh said in a tone that almost sounded narcissistic.
"Yeah right, last time I checked you were in an online relationship" Ronnie teased.
The two shared a hearty laugh for a couple of seconds.
"You do have a point" Ronnie said, getting on his feet.
"I have to go now. I have to straighten things out with her, and understand everything that happened today" He added.
Josh's attention was locked onto the back of Ronnie's hand.
"Ron, did you…get a tattoo?" Josh asked.
At first Ronnie was puzzled by his question, but he soon realized what Josh meant. He raised his arm, looking at the back of his palm.
"The sigil, if it appeared this visibly, it must mean that something is not right" Ronnie pondered, his eyes widened.
"I…I have to go. I'll catch you later" Ronnie said and left the room hastily.
Josh just stared at the door in awe.
"That guy, he has been real passionate lately. I don't know what's up with him, but letting him out on his own would be a bad idea" Josh thought.
He grabbed his phone, threw on a hoodie and left his room in an attempt to tail Ronnie from a distance.
*********
"Sir, was it a good idea provoking her like that? What if she doesn't find him on time? She might as well level the whole town!" A youth said, she was one of the swordsmen that followed Mr. C discreetly. She had ginger colored hair and freckles which spread across her pale face.
They stood at an intersection. Zen was present as well, although binded with spiritual talismans.
"Chief, you're being too reckless!" A lad said. He appeared to be older than the girl, he had sleepy eyes and a lined scar which cut across his face horizontally.
The rest of the squad stood in the back, they dared not question orders from their chief.
"Cynthia, Mason. do you not trust me?" Mr. C asked with a knowing smile on his face.
"You know I do. I'm sure Mason does too but, take a look at the stakes here. For starters, regular people will be alarmed if they catch wind of our presence" she rambled.
"Oh Cynthia, I'm surprised you still aren't able to tell when you're under my cloaking magic. We can't be seen by regulars right now" Mr. C said.
"Chief, what do we do if Lillith loses control and Ronald doesn't get to her in time?" Mason asked.
Mr. C looked back at them and the rest of the squad, then he faced forward again and smiled.
"That's what I'm hoping on, as you know, I do love my gambles"
Zen wore a wicked smile and simply watched without saying a word.
"What is this human playing at? This might be something worth watching" he thought.
Lily ran towards past the intersection, her speed had reduced to that of an exhausted human because she focused all her energy on maintaining her human form.
"Hm, just as I predicted. We should go now. We're in for quite the show. As long as we're cloaked, we'll be incognito to her" Mr. C said. He went from smiling to wearing a serious expression.
***********
Ronnie ran as fast as his legs could carry him. He called out for Lily even though she wasn't in his sights.
Just as he got exhausted and was about to stop running, he saw Lily in the distance.
She moved slowly and carefully, like a wounded animal trying to conserve energy.
Ronnie sped across to her.
"Lilith! Lillith what's wrong?!" Ronnie asked, supporting her so that she wouldn't fall over.
She breathed heavily, parts of her skin had already started to crack.
"Ro— nald. I need your help. I know I said some very hurtful things that I'll never be able to take back. I realize that your trust for me has been shattered but— you— have to help me, I don't know how long—" Lily said, unable to complete her statement because the aura had started to overflow.
"All of that doesn't matter right now! tell me what's happening!" Ronnie yelled, holding both her arms as her feet left the ground.
"My aura. my aura is overflowing. If I give in and revert to my original form, I could destroy the whole to—" Lily said. She was barely holding on.
Ronnie stayed quiet for a moment, then he stared her intensely.
"Are you trying to play me? You must think I'm a stupid human, right? Instead of apologizing and clearing things up the normal way, you chose to use tricks and manipulation. You're always in your real form when we're alone, last I checked you've never blown up my room!" Ronnie said. His voice sounded broken.
"No— re…remember the rule, Ron— nie." Lily said.
She screamed insanely after that. She was surrounded by dark aura. The clouds as usual, became dark.
Lily was surrounded by an energy sphere which pushed Ronnie away. Her eyes glowed bright ruby, she had reached her limit finally.
"This— this doesn't look like she's acting" Ronnie stuttered as he stared at the disaster waiting to happen in front him.
Meanwhile Josh hid at a distance from which he could see and hear everything, he was careful not to be spotted.
"Ron Carpenter, what you gotten yourself into?" He whispered. His arms and legs trembled.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone