- Ch 11

The sounds of monsters, demons, and dying people increased. Chen put on his clothes with surprising speed and, just as he finished, there was a frantic knock on the door.

Chen and Siri looked at each other as the door was ripped open so that it came off its hinges and there stood Elix, panting. The worry and stress were evident on his face. The next second, Elix looked at Chen, and everything was frozen as if time had stopped.

"What the hell happens now?"

'Why are they just staring at each other?' thought Siri.

"Raven," said Elix. His tone was low but harsh.

"Hi Elix," answered Chen.

Siri was confused.

"What is this raven thing... it's Chen, isn't it?"

"No, that's not Chen it's Raven. I'll explain later. Siri, we need to get out of here and now. One more thing, don't use your Qi. It will lead them to us."

"What do you mean? I can't defend myself if I can't use my Qi. I'll just be an ordinary girl." Her voice was desperate and, anger could be heard in it.

"Hardly ordinary," Elix snorted.

"We need to get out of here now. Away from the sect. We're in a hurry. The demons will find us soon."

"We have to find Quinn. We can't leave him here, Elix."

"Quinn is dead, Siri. We don't have time, come on."

Elix gave Siri a necklace and said.

"Put it on. It will change your appearance and disguise your aura. This will prevent you from being detected by the demons if you don't use your Qi. It's you they're after. I'll explain later or explain as much as I can, Siri."

Siri took and put on the necklace and, She went from being a goddess to an outstanding beauty. Her hair had turned platinum blonde and, her other complexion was as before but, toned down.

The next moment, Elix pushed new clothes into Siri's arms. "Change quickly!"

"Raven, change into something that has nothing to do with the sect if you're coming with us. We have to climb over the wall."

Siri took off all her clothes or rather, ripped them off. Both Chen and Elix's eyes were glued to Siri, for a moment. She put on black-short shorts, a tight short black crop top, and a short dark brownish red coat. But she still wore the same boots as before.

Elix grabbed Siri's arm and pulled her out the door without her putting up any resistance. A tear moved from her eye and down her cheek. Siri felt like a new person, or rather a hollow person. It was as if she was not whole, with her new look and aura.

'Quinn was dead?' she thought. He had saved her life and, it tightened in her chest. It was all too much. She didn't understand what was happening and, it was more frightening than all the monsters, demons, and dying people.

In front of them was a massacre. Demons and monsters were having a feast on humans. Blood flowed over the ground and mixed with gravel and sand. People were torn and eaten. Sometimes they were eaten alive. But there was nothing they could do about it. There would be nothing left of the Phoenix sect after the slaughter. That was clear as a day.

Elix urged both Chen and Siri to move and start climbing the roof and then the wall. The house was next to the wall and, with the help of ropes, it wasn't too difficult to get over. Siri was not using Qi but, she was well trained. She could easily take more than her own weight when she climbed.

Despite being careful, Siri managed to cut her knees as she climbed over the wall. It was just a scrape and should heal immediately. But without Qi, they remained open. Siri felt so vulnerable. She bit her lower lip carefully without thinking about it. That was something Siri did without thinking when she was confused, curious, or puzzled.

The Phoenix sect was burning and, the smoke was visible from far away. This was the end of the sect. It was just a question of how many would survive. The screams of the demons cut through the air and, the sect was surrounded by the black fog. It meandered along the ground all over the sect and the fields around it.

"The demons are in or close to the fog. I think they are bound to it or come from it. If we can get past it, we should be safer," Elix said.

Elix, Chen, and Siri ran across the field to the east, away from the sect's compounds to the forest without any fog or mist.

Siri's lungs felt like they were going to burst and her legs were as heavy as lead. Normally, she used Qi and could run twice as fast as she did. But there was nothing she could do as it would attract the demons according to Elix. She cursed to herself. Now she was just a very fit girl.

"Why can you use Qi and not me?" She gasped out the question. She wouldn't be able to keep up the pace they were holding much longer.

"We'll have to take that later Siri. Try to hold on. It's not far." Elix's voice sounded unaffected by the effort and, that made her angry.

When they reached the edge of the forest with spruce trees and some low birch trees, they went into the forest crouched.

By a miracle, they seemed to have escaped unnoticed. They were getting further and further away from the Phoenix sect but, there was no question of stopping. Not until after dark. But Siri was more than tired and, she didn't know how long she could last. It was fear that drove her on and, the others didn't seem tired. But eventually, they were forced to stay for the night. Siri simply had no energy left.

She had so many questions and, she closed her fists in anger. It was so hard to understand what was happening and, it was so annoying and frustrating.

"Elix, It is time for you to give me some answers to my questions." Her voice was demanding and harsh.