132 She's Gone 1

They ran with every fiber in their body. The wild birds were very close to them now. Astrid stopped running and pulled her hands away from Jareth. 

"GO!"

He stopped and looked at her, "Astrid…"

She interrupted him and yelled."No time for this Jareth, run. I would catch up, I promise."

She turned back and controlled enough wind around her; when the birds came within range she used all her might to push forward. 

A large gush of wind went forth, pushing the animals backward and scattering them. A lot of them fell on trees, some on the ground, some on themselves and some were thrown far away.

Jareth saw this and was speechless. Her powers were growing each day. She had a better control of the elements now.

He quickly got himself back and ran forward with the little beast in his arms. She soon caught up with and glared right at him as they ran.

"What?"

"Next time when I say run, run Jareth. You stopped, did you think I can't handle things?"

"No, that's not it, I was just wowed, and you have never done that before. I am impressed, good move."

"Compliment me later after we survive this ordeal. For now, let's hurry."

*****

Lieutenant Flynn and the other soldiers spread everywhere in the forest all heard the sound and thundering feet of the beasts.

"What is going on?"

"Sir, this doesn't look too good," one of the soldiers informed him.

"I know, we need to find the Princess."

"Could the hybrid be behind this whole ruckus?" Another soldier asked.

Lieutenant Flynn sighed and turned to address the soldier. "You still don't know the power of your Princess?"

"Sir, you mean… But she has never controlled this large number of beasts before."

"She hasn't doesn't mean she can't. It is the Princess we are talking about, the only one who can come close to the Princes in strength and power. So if there is anyone who cn do it, it is definitely her."

"The hybrid must be having it tough by now."

"Okay, enough chit chat. We leave at once; we must go and assist Her Highness."

"Yes, sir."

*****

Lieutenant Callum and the few soldiers left waited for her order as she played on her flute. This gave them a little time to catch their breaths, but they were prepared to go forth and battle. 

He wanted to call on her but couldn't afford to break her concentration. He felt they needed to continue and catch up with the hybrid while she was distracted.

Some minutes later, she stopped playing her flute and looked down at them. "That should hold them off till we get there. Let's pursue."

Taking the lead, Avery continued her chase, with the soldiers behind her.

"Brother, I hope my disturbance would alert you of my presence and make you know where I am. Hybrid princess, beware, I am coming for you," she said to herself.

*****

Astrid and the others ran at top speed, fighting off a few animals they met on their path. Jareth looked ahead and smiled when the mist came into view.

"We would soon get to our destination," he informed Astrid.

If they had kept this kind of pace right from the onset, they would have arrived at the forest peak a long time ago. No… they delayed and this was the end product. It was a pity that running for their lives did the trick.

He had estimated a day or half, but it may not get to a full day before they arrive at the forest peak.

"Thank the heavens," she replied Jareth with a weary smile.

Little did they know that it was too soon to start being relieved and things were about to go south.

She turned her head forward and was surprised White-Fire came to a stop. "Another beast?" she thought. 

She squinted to see what haphad made White-Fire stopped, by the time she got close to White-Fire, her smile dimmed at the sight in front of her.

What greeted them was on a whole new level of bad. If they thought they had it bad before, this was worse. 

Several wild beasts stood on their path, preventing their advamcement. Astrid felt like collapsing, what the heck was going on? 

If she could count, it may well be over a hundred of them. Jareth dropped the little whiteTiger-Phoenix beast close to its mother and walked close to Astrid. 

"Are you prepared?" He asked her. He took a quick glance at her and he noticed her uneasiness. 

He reached for her hand with his right hand and pressed her palm gently in a reasurring manner. 

"Hey."

She turned her head to look at him. Their eyes met and he gave her a small smile. 

"We can do this. Always stay close to me and do not do anything rash."

"I can handle it Jareth. I just don't want to kill them." As she said this, her gaze went back to the animals in front. 

"You don't need to, all you need to know is that a lot of dangerous and poisonous beasts are among this horde. Try not to get scratched, bitten or injured by any of them," he warned her. 

The sound from the flute came again, and like possessed beings, they went in for the attack. 

"Noted." She took in a deep breath and closed her eyes, by the time she opened them, both of her hands held two sharp, two edged swords. 

Jareth unsheated his as well and readied himself. "On my count," he instructed. 

"One... " The beast were breaching the gap between themselves and her team. 

"Two... " They had gotten withing range. "Attack!!"

******** 

Lady Lorelei appeared through her magic portal and could feel the rampage that was going on. 

The ground reverberated from under her feet where she stood on a tree branch. 

"What chaos is this?"

She disappeared and appeared close to where Astrid fought off the beasts. 

"I see, the princess thinks the hybrid attacked her and now is using the same method I used, against her, but in a much more harsher way," she chuckled.

Once again, she had caused a misunderstanding without much effort.