322 Attack: Nerissa Returns

CHAPTER 321

As soon as everything died down, Astrid was shocked to see the face of their attacker which was as clear as day and a nightmare in its wake.

"Aunt…"

Jareth's eyes widened as she stuttered her next words. "Aunt… Aunt Nerissa?!"

This time she finally directed her gaze on Astrid. There was no hint of smile or joy on her face as she looked at her baby. 

Instead what laid in its wake was pure anger. Anger and hatred filled her black orbs as she stared sternly at them both.

Astrid's breathing changed and her chest began to rise and fall with an unsteady rate as her gaze still stayed locked on their attacker.

A mall smile crept up on her face with each passing second. This was the first time she was seeing her aunt get really angry and it only further made her look unrecognizable to Astrid but the smell, the fresh sunflower sent of her skin was undeniably not mistaken and that was what convinced Astrid she was the one.

Besides, she was the only other person she knew that was a sorceress who was alive and not lost like their people. The other person would be none other than Lorelei who was always on the attack and looking for ways to kidnap Astrid.

"Aunt Nerissa, it really is you."

Nerissa who was still mad by the sight in front of her could not help twitching her lips a bit at her baby's surprised and happy look right now but even in the midst of that, there was one thing that took away her will to smile and rush into Astrid' arms.

She moved her head to the side, averting her gaze to the predominant trouble and probably doom that was lurking.

JARETH!

"Astrid, get away from him, now."

Astrid's smile dropped at her aunt's order. Jareth and Snow frowned at her words as well. Just who was she to suddenly appear and attack them then order Astrid around anyway? That was the thoughts running through Jareth and Snow's mind as at that moment.

"Aunt?"

"Step away, Astrid. NOW!"

She resumed her previous stance and so did Jareth. If danger was coming, be it her aunt or anybody, he would not stand for it.

"Wait! There is a big misunderstanding here."

"The only misunderstanding I see right now is that you are with an elf. The mystical beast, I can understand but the elf, no way."

"Astrid is going nowhere," Jareth voiced out for the first time since this whole fiasco began.

"Tsk. Persky elf. Astrid, last warning, step away from the elf and walk towards me."

"I am afraid not, aunt. This is a very big mistake."

"I am glad we are on the same page," Nerrisa replied her.

"No." The next thing, she was already standing at some distance in front of Jareth and in between him and Nerrisa with both hands raised and stretched out towards them.

"And why are you siding an elf?"

"Aunt Nerissa, it is not that way. Jareth is good. He is different and has been helping me."

"Helping you! Pff, never accept an elf's help."

"Hey, you're one to talk, considering you attacked us first."

"You still have the nerve to partake in this conversation, elf boy?"

"And why shouldn't I? If there is anything, never trust a sorcerer."

"Why you… Do you still say that even when you are on our lands? Astrid step away, let me finish him and teach him some manners."

"Aunt Nerissa, please, stop."

"No." Right before her eyes, Nerissa's hand began to glow a white light as she raised her hands in the air, ready for the next strike.

Jareth also raised his right hand and several green coloured arrows appeared out of nowhere, dancing behind Astrid, in front of him.

"Jareth, Aunt Nerrisa, you both should please stop. Do not attack! Please."

"Ahh!" 

At the same time, both of them released their attack which was coming straight towards Astrid as she was in the centre.

Rather than ducking the attack as they had expected, Astrid stood her ground and closed her eyes with both hands by her side and with no intention of leaving there.

"No! Astrid!"

"Get away!"

Both of them yelled at the same time hoping she would quickly step away from the danger that was coming her way.

Jareth felt like his heart was clenched tight due to the sight and he about leaping towards her to push her pout of the way but before he could take the first step, Astrid opened her eyes.

The next thing they knew and saw, she twirled on her feet with both hands spread out to each side as she turned 360 degrees and a ball of blue light instantly engulfed her at the same time when their attacks came landing on her.

Rather than make an impact with her, the white magic ball attack Nerrisa threw and Jareth's arrows all totally disappeared within the twinkle of an eye of hitting the blue light.

A deafening roar was heard next as the blue light burst into the atmosphere, spreading around them with a large gush of wind, sweeping away dirt and sand, throwing it everywhere.

By the time things had calmed down, both Jareth and Nerissa did not try to attack again and everyone stood with eyes fixed on Astrid.

They had been mega scared just now when they saw she did not move an inch from there and that had made both of them to panic.

She meant a lot to each one of them and if it meant hurting her to just be at each other's neck, then they would rather not than see her hurt and in pain.

"Astrid, are you alright?" Both Nerissa and Jareth asked at the same time as they rushed to her side.

It was Jareth who got there first and he pulled her close to himself to check on her before Nerissa came and cleared her throat.

Astrid looked over at her and pulled away from Jareth as her smile returned and her eyes became heavy with tears as her aunt's gentle and caring face finally returned.

"Aunt Nerissa. It really is you."

~~~~~

MERRY CHRISTMAS, MY LOVELIES. SEE YOU TOMORROW!