Kyllian and Mika glared at each other, the tension between the two could be felt by everyone around them. Her blue eyes were piercing through him like the sharpest of blades. He held his head high and did not blink the whole time she was staring at him. Finally, Stowe got between the two of them.

  " Alright youngins', keep your violence for the trouble on the road, Mika here will lead you to the port of Sutra. "

  Kyllian scoffed and took a step forward up to Stowe.

  " We don't need her, I know the way, we have maps, we don't need a chaperon. "

  " I don't care what you want Kyllian, she goes with you, end of discussion. "

  Kyllian's eyes shifted between Mika and Stowe ''People seem to have this need to piss me off.". He let out a sigh of resignation and stepped into the cab. Before he went completely in, Mika decided to throw a snarky remark.

  " Can't he just walk next to the cab ? "

  Triggered, Kyllian exited the cab and planted himself right in front of her.

  " How about you fuck off back to your little barracks ?! "

  " Oh trust me I wish I did! I wouldn't have to see your ugly mug! "

  Stowe once again placed himself between the two.

  " Enough!! Both of you! Kyllian, either you get your ass on that damn cab or you walk. It is only a few days voyage instead of 2 weeks on foot, you decide. "

  Kylllian maintained his eyes on Mika for a few more seconds. For the final time he turned his back on her and walked in the cab. Maggie and Yordan decided to remain silent to not make matters worse. They finished packing and entered the cab. Mika took the reins and after making sure everything was attached they departed from Glatsko on this cold winter morning. Kyllian was clenching his sword close to him while watching the countryside go by. An hour later, the city was no longer in sight, the air inside of the cab felt tense, to Maggie and Yordan it was like being trapped with an unpredictable beast that you could be set off by breathing too hard.

  Sitting at the conductor's seat, Mika was trying her best not to think about the words he said or what they had done two days before. After they had gone their separate ways, she spent hours in her room, crying and thinking about what she could have said to change his reaction. She did not want things to turn sour between them. The day after they had sex, during the afternoon, she walked up to his bedroom door. She spent minutes walking in front of his door. When she finally had enough courage to raise her hand to knock on the door she was assaulted by images and sounds of the previous night. " Why should I be the one to apologise? He used me .. ". Letting her hand fall to her side, she had decided to walk away from the door. Not knowing that on the other side, Kyllian was sat against the door. He had this ability to recognise people depending on the sounds they made, the cadence of their steps or just the feeling he would get in the air. He knew that Mika was standing there, he didn't know if he wanted her to open the door or to leave but when she left he felt worse than before. As a result he kept brooding the whole day and decided to maintain this attitude for the rest of the trip.

  A few hours had passed since they had departed. To not tire the horses too much they decided to take a break. Kyllian was the first out of the cab and instantly walked in the direction of the forest they had stopped by. Mika watched him as he was getting further and further away. She then looked the other way and decided to go for a walk of her own. Yordan and Maggie were now left to themselves and since a small rain had started they took refuge under a big tree.

  " Yordan, do you know what's going on with these two ? "

  " No, but I don't think I want to know. "

  " Well, I do and I want to have fun on this trip, I want to talk to someone and not sit in silence awkwardly. "

  " Why do I feel that whatever you are going to say next is going to get you AND me in trouble with these two? "

  " You know me so well, so listen. Here's the plan. "

  After a while, Kyllian came back from his walk and without a word entered the cab. A few minutes later Mika returned and took her place on top of the cab. Yordan and Maggie nodded at each other. They were about to put their plan to execution. Maggie decided to go up and sit next to Mika while Yordan would sit inside with Kyllian. Mika helped Maggie up as she saw her struggle.

  " Not having fun in there ? "

  " No, not a great atmosphere and I wanted to talk. "

  " Hmm, hold on tight, it's going to shake a little when we depart. Hiya !" She then moved the reins and the horses began to move forward."

  Inside the cab, Kyllian was resting on his back watching the ceiling. On the other side of him, Yordan was pretending to be reading a book and looking for a way to start the conversation. Kyllian looked at him and yawned.

  " If you have something to say just say it already. "

  " How did you kn- "

  " You keep staring at me like you wanted to say something, so what is it? "

  " Ok, I'm gonna be upfront, what's going on with you and this girl? "

  Kyllian looked at the ceiling again and sighed.

  " Nothing. "

  " Kyllian."

  " I said nothing. "

  " Come on, what is it ? "

  " Drop it! Ok!? I'm tired, don't disturb me. "

  He then turned his back on him and tried to nap. Yordan went back to reading his book. " Well that went great .. I hope Mag is having more luck. "

  " So Mika, how do you feel? You know, to be transformed now? "

  " It's .. strange, I'm still getting used to not being seen as a man anymore, you? "

  " Same, it's strange but I guess I understand that it's my actions that will prove my value and it has nothing to do with what is between my legs. "

  Mika looked into the distance with a melancholic air.

  " I wish I could believe you. "

  " Hey, I don't mean to be prying but, is something going on between you and Kyllian? "

  " No. There is nothing. "

  " Nothing really? "

  " No, we just don't get along, he annoys me, he is noisy, he always tell stupid jokes, he acts overconfident, he doesn't care about other people's feelings, he is selfish, entitled and just overall not a person I want to be in the company of! "

  " Well, that doesn't seem like nothing to me. I remember seeing you two having a lot of fun at the party tho, you kept touching his arm and all, I traveled with him enough to know that unless he likes you, he would not let you touch him. He is like allergic to human contact unless it's to punch someone. "

  " I see. "

  They rode in peace for a few minutes until the silence became unbearable again to Maggie.

  " Do you find him attractive ? "

  The sudden question caused Mika to choke on her spit. After a few seconds of coughing she regained her composure.

  " Why do you ask? "

  " I don't know, just wondering. "

  " Hmm, well I'm a man inside, I don't find other men attractive. "

  " I see. "

  " What about you? "

  " Hmm, I don't like men and if I did he would be too skinny and too young for me. "

  " You don't look that old. "

  " How old do you think I am? "

  " I don't know, hmm, twenty eight maximum? "

  " AH! I wish! "

  " Ok then tell me. "

  " Thirty seven. "

  " No way! Your transformation got you to look younger, you are lucky. "

  " Thank you, I didn't know what you looked like before so I cannot tell if you look younger or older but I would say you are in your early twenties. "

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  " Not far, I will turn twenty in a few months. According to the other guards, my age is not easy to guess when I look like this because I'm a tall muscular blonde woman and I look serious but I am just nineteen. "

  " You will grow into a beautiful woman I'm sure of that. "

  " Yeah .. "

  They kept riding until the sun went down. They decided to set up camp near a clearing not too far from the main road. Most of the forest at this time of the year was devoid of leaves so no cover was offered. As much as they could spot threats from afar, threats could also see them in the darkness especially with the light of their campfire. When they stopped, Kyllian grabbed his bag and headed towards the furthest part of the clearing the furthest away from the rest. Mika, Yordan and Maggie all set out their tents in a row and they began to gather materials to start a fire. Stowe had left them with enough food for a 1 week trip in case they would be slowed by something. They were given a package containing dried meat, nuts, fruits and cereal bread. As each of them was selecting what they wanted to eat, they saw Kyllian disappear into the darkness. Mika looked at her companion with a worried look. Yordan was biting a piece of bread when the young woman tapped on his shoulder to get his attention.

  " Humm, shouldn't someone accompany him? "

  " Hmm? Why? "

  " He might get lost or get hurt? "

  Maggie had a chuckle as she bit into a piece of dried meat.

  " He will be fine, he does that often. "

  " Also don't take all the meat he might want some when he comes back. "

  " It's cute how much you care, also he doesn't eat meat. "

  Mika blushed as she realised what she was doing, she simply picked a piece of bread and began eating in silence.

  A few hours had passed and Kyllian was still not back. Even when they all went to sleep, Mika stayed awake to be sure he was coming back. It was past midnight when she finally decided to go explore the forest in the direction he went. She heard the sound of a river flowing and decided to follow it to its source. Wind blew past her and she could feel her whole body shiver, she wandered for a while in the forest lit by the moonlight. She could only hear some branches crack under the weight of her boots. Some crickets could be heard all around among the green mosses on the many stones next to the river. She arrived at a waterfall. " Wow, it's beautiful." At the base of the waterfall was a small circle of rocks creating a sort of isolated basin, steam was escaping from the water as if it was hotter than the rest of the water flowing. She got close to it, crouched and felt the water. " It's hot! A good bath would do me good. ". She looked around, making sure that nothing could get the jump on her, once she was done, she removed her clothes and entered the water. She placed her sword over her clothes still in its scabbard. The contact of the hot water on her cold skin felt great so she decided to let her body relax in the water. Slowly she let her mind wander, she passed her hands through her hair, slowly massaging her stiff neck. She then went down and rubbed her shoulders and continued with her armpits, slowly she arrived at her breasts. " At least since I'm not at the barracks, I feel less need to hide them. " She touched them a little and remembered the sensation of Kyllian's hands over them. " His hands were so hot and he could grasp them perfectly.". Realising that she was starting to blush, she shook her head to chase away those thoughts. She then scrubbed her legs and feet and eventually went back up towards her inner thigh and private area. She was still not used to the fact that less than a week ago she was a man. So much had changed suddenly, the looks people were giving her, the way they spoke to her. The way she could understand the smirks of the men looking at her new curves. It was making her sick.

  A shiver in her neck made her freeze in place. Her eyes were still closed but she could feel something was looking at her. She opened her eyes and there was nothing around but she was sure that something or someone was watching her.

  " Ky-Kyllian ? "

  A faint rustle in the bushes not far from the little pond made her want to jump out but she knew that if it was a predator she needed to remain calm. She called out once more, hoping it was not an animal.

  " Kyllian, if you are pulling a prank on me it's not funny. "

  She covered her breast and started analysing the situation. " Whatever it is, it's close to my clothes and my sword. I can't do anything. "

  " Kyllian please tell me it's you ... "

  She began to hear growls coming from the bushes, at first from a single beast, then a whole echo of growls rose from the darkness. She could hear leaves fall around her, branches cracking under the weight of the beasts stalking her in the night. All of a sudden, coming from her right, she saw a shadow move at an incredible speed. She had barely any time to turn her head and then she saw it, as if time was suspended she took in every detail of what she saw. A wild dog was rushing at her. Its bloodshot eyes gleaming with yellow pupils, most of its fur missing due to scars, sickness or madness, its jaw distorded as if it had come from a nightmare. The dog was rushing towards her, barking with foam at the mouth. Thinking she had drawn her last breath, she closed her eyes and she screamed at the top of her lungs. The dog leaped towards her and then she heard the sound of an impact but she was unharmed. She then heard multiple dogs running around her and a piercing sound like a sort of screech. She opened her eyes and saw Kyllian shirtless, standing in front of her with his sword drawn, in front of them was standing a small pack of wild dogs, all disfigured and violently foaming at the mouth. The one dog that had attacked first was now dead, completelly encased into a nearby rock, its skull completelly crushed. Kyllian looked over his shoulder to look at her.

  " Are you alright ?! "

  " I-I .. yes.. "

  " Stay behind me ! "

  Kyllian decided that the best defense was attacking, they would not try to go after her if he ran towards them. Despite being outnumbered he rushed towards the pack of dogs. Some of them jumped straight at him while others dispersed in the hope of attacking from his blind spot. With a roar of rage he impaled one of them and instantly moved away to dodge their riposte. " I can take the four of them easily. I'm gonna get the bigger one now. ". The biggest of the dogs tried to bite his left leg, as a counter Kyllian kicked water in its direction which obstructed its vision, he then jumped over it and stabbed it straight in the head as he was passing by. He quickly looked around and went after the one on his right which was the closest to him. The dog jumped forward but Kyllian performed a fast side step and lowered his sword, decapitating it clean. There were only two dogs left but Kyllian realised that one of them had decided to go after Mika instead. At this moment, he stopped thinking and aimed his sword at the dog rushing her, taking a deep breath, he threw it. Before the dog's fangs could get a taste of her flesh, his sword pierced it straight in the neck. Sadly, he was now unarmed and during this moment of distraction after his throw, the remaining dog took its chance and lunged at him. Kyllian had no time to dodge and only managed to block it from biting him in the neck with one hand. The dog was heavy enough to make Kyllian fall backward into the water. It then began to scratch him in various places as he was pinned under water. The water was beginning tot urn red with blood as the dog was getting more and more excited. Kyllian created a flame big enough at the tip of his finger to startle the dog, he then grabbed it and threw it towards the closest rock, stunned by the shock, the dog had no time to move has Kyllian grabbed it and began smashing it's head against the rock repeatdly until it longer drew breath. Out of breath and bloody, he turned around to look at Mika who was still shocked. He walked up to her and took her face in his hands.

  " Are you alright ? Are you hurt ? "

  " No .. no I'm ok. "

  " Alright, get dressed, we need to move away from here before the smell of blood attracts anything more dangerous. "

  " Yeah .. "

  He went and pulled his sword out of one of the dog's body and wiped the blood against its fur. Meanwhile, Mika had grabbed her clothes and got dressed as fast as she could. Without a word, the two of them started heading back towards the camp.

  On the way back, Mika was looking at Kyllian's back while he was walking. He had been silent for most of the walk back to camp but Mika was feeling like she had to try to say something.

  " Kyllian ? "

  " Hm ? "

  " Thank you ... "

  " Don't mention it. "

  " How did you find me ? "

  " It's more like you who found me. Why do you think the water was hot ? "

  " Oh I see.. "

  " I heard the dogs as I was getting dressed, and I came apparently just in time. "

  " Yeah. "

  They arrived at the camp. Their companions were still sleeping peacefully. Kyllian headed towards his bag. Mika watched him as he was cleaning some of his wounds while wincing and gritting his teeth. One of the cuts on his shoulder seemed deeper than it looked to the point that he had trouble lifting his right shoulder. Noticing it, Mika decided to help and grabbed some bandages and cotton to clean it.

  " Here let me help. "

  " I got it. "

  " You can barely lift your ar- "

  Mika was about to try to clean his wound but her hand was rudely smacked away.

  " I said I got it ok ?! "

  " Why do you always push people away like this ! "

  " Because people piss me off, that's why !! "

  Mika grabbed his gourd and made some of the cotton wet, and she began to clean him despite his protests.

  " I said no ! Mika for fuck sake stop ! "

  " No, just stay still ! If we don't clean it properly it will get infected and your trip will be more than fucked, is that what you want !? hmm? "

  " No. "

  " Then shut up and let me work. "

  While she was working on him, Kyllian caught himself looking at her hair again, they were still a bit wet from the basin. Some of it was falling down her shirt which was letting him see the perfect shape of her chests. He decided to look away to stop thinking about it and also in the hope that she would not notice him blushing slightly. Mika caught his rapid turn and couldn't help but smile.

  " Kyllian, you saw them before, don't be so prude about it. "

  " I don't know what you are talking about. "

  " Yeah sure. Here, lift your arm a little, I need to see. You'll need a few stitches and I need to disinfect it. It's gonna sting. After that I'll bandage it and we will be done. "

  Following her instructions, he lifted his arm so she could work. His jaw clenched as he felt the needle enter his skin. Mika was working fast and precisely. Once the wound was closed she reapplied some alcohol and finally bandaged his shoulder the best she could. When she was done, Kyllian simply stood up, turned around and began to walk away. Upset, Mika caught up to him and punched him in the arm.

  " So that's it ?! No words? "

  " I have nothing to say to you, leave me alone. "

  " You are a terrible person, Kyllian. "

  He smiled and started to walk away from her again.

  " I know, so leave me alone. "

  " I know why you are like this. "

  He stopped and turned around.

  " Oh yeah, what is it ? "

  " You are afraid. "

  " I ain't afraid of nothing ! "

  " You are afraid that you could be able to care about others, you are afraid that you could lose something you care about, like your arms ...and your mom. "

  Kyllian's eyes and face became cold.

  " Mika, you are treading on some mighty thin ice here, watch your next words carefully. "

  " You are afraid because deep down you know that you are weak. "

  " Shut up. "

  " This is why you push people away. "

  " Shut up ! "

  " This is why you PUSHED ME AWAY ! "

  " I SAID SHUT UP ! "

  He grabbed her by the throat and pushed her against a three, planting his grey eyes into her deep blue eyes.

  " You know nothing about me ok!? So stop trying to understand me! "

  " So why did you save me if you didn't care !? "

  " Because .. because I couldn't let you die that's all ! "

  She knew his current display of violence was more to convince himself of what he was feeling rather than to scare her. Gently, she grabbed his hand that was on her throat and with no resistance from him she pushed it away. He kept looking at her like this. Images from the night they had spent began flooding in his mind. He hated how she made him feel. He moved away from her but she held his hand, forcing him to come back closer. He had a nervous chuckle. Her eyes were hypnotising, the sole light in the night. Her face so pale, so delicate yet strong, like a rough piece of diamond. She was silent, as if she was waiting something from him. He hated this silence, he felt frustrated, annoyed. He wanted to be anywhere but here with her looking at him this way.

  " You- you are such a pain in the ass! Why can't you just stay away from me? Why do you do this to me? " He paused and could not stop thinking about how beautiful she was. He leaned forward and whispered." Why is it so difficult for me to stop thinking about you .. "

  " Does it anger you? "

  " Yes, when I think about it, I'm just confused and annoyed. I hate this feeling. "

  She leaned on him and pressed her head against his shoulder. She then looked him in the eyes, her face extremely close to his.

  " Then do something about it. "

  " What do you me -"

  " I said, do something .. " She grabbed his hand and placed it back on her throat. " .. about it . "

  At this moment, he lost all control and decided to stop thinking, he lifted her and she wrapped her legs around his waist as he pinned her against a tree. Under the light of the moon, the two of them exchanged a violent and passionate kiss.