Chapter 28: I Wouldn't Know.
The journey north was grueling and solemn, each step weighted by unspoken tension. Hordes of nightmarish scavengers roamed the desolate landscape, feasting on their own. While a set few waited in ambush for unsuspecting prey. Soon, avoidance became second nature, but when combat was unavoidable.
The crimson haired lady handled it with ease. And, that was without making use of her aspect or innate ability, if she had one. She brutally tore her way through hordes of nightmarish aberrations with nothing but sheer skill and experience. One too abnormal of someone of her age.
...While she acted as the bait, I followed up from the shadows, my role reduced to cleanup- a dynamic I found infuriating, yet, oddly... comforting. Watching her fight was nothing short of depressing, to say the least. However, on the bright side of things...
[Your darkness grows stronger.]
[Your darkness grows stronger.]
I was also getting stronger at a rather fast pace. As a result, even if barely, I was able to cope with the deep sense of inferiority. With a dark grimace, I summoned forth the runes.
Dark Fragments: [27/1000]
'Not bad. Seven more kills.'
I nodded before dismissing the set of runes. It was also then that I raised my head up and caught sight of a towering ancient statue beside a dune structure.
The statue's surface was weathered, old and ancient, with numerous cracks running across it. However, more disturbing and unsettling about the statue was the fact that its... her face was obscured and covered.
Yet, even stranger was the fact that...
'There was nothing obscuring her face.'
If that even made sense.
The strange scene sent a cold chill through my heart, a deep sense of dread rising within me. Gritting my teeth, I removed my gaze away from the weird statue and rapidly caught up with the others.
Overhead, the crimson constellation was already receding, but, with the dune structure just a little bit ahead of us. We were sure we'd be able to make it in time.
Step! Step!
Reaching the dune structure's base by sunset, we ascended cautiously. Before long, we got into the dune structure. Though, the moment I dropped into the inner parts of the ancient structure, I couldn't help but curse under my breath.
'Curse those bastards! Can't they at least leave the doors open before their demise or whatever!'
Groaning from the pain and the agony piercing my muscles, I grimly took note of my surroundings. This time, more carefully.
However, there was no nightmarish aberration or slithering shadows within the dune structure. Or perhaps, I wasn't just able to find them.
I shuddered at the thought.
It was also then that the dark mist came gushing back with unstoppable momentum, a bright azure light illuminating the abyss yawning below.
At the top, we rested. And, with no fire to ward off the chill, and only dried meat to sustain ourselves, we ate them and went to bed.
The routine was familiar by now- eat, sleep, try to survive another day. But, sleep came harder this time.
***
Feeling restless, I woke up before dawn with a dark grimace. Standing at the edge of the dune structure, I stared into the endless void, searching for answers I knew wouldn't come.
"Hi."
A soft voice echoed in the darkness, startling me.
I turned my head, only to find Livia, her sightless eyes somehow finding mine.
I was quiet for a few seconds, but then I replied:
"Hi."
...Though inwardly, I thought:
'What are you doing here, girl?! Shouldn't you be asleep!'
The blind girl, meanwhile, hesitated, wriggling her hands together. But then, she exhaled sharply and said:
"I- I just wanted to thank you for helping me and Aezel out. Especially me. I know I have been a burden to you guys and I really appreciate that you are all willing to take care of me."
Her voice faltered.
"Thank you."
I said nothing though, unsure of how to respond.
'After all, her gratitude felt misplaced here. I wasn't helping her out of some misguided chivalry or compassion. I was only doing what needed to be done to survive.'
But still...
"You're welcome,"
I murmured at last.
The blind girl nodded, her expression unreadable. For a long while, she did nothing but stare at the lightless sky, that was assuming she could even see it.
I scowled.
'What the hell are you still doing here! Go sleep or do something girl! I need to think. And damn it, I can't do any of that with your two Um... so close to me.'
Staring at the two hmm... I couldn't help but take in a gulp of saliva. As though sensing my gaze, the blind girl shifted uncomfortably, then broke the silence:
"I miss home. I wonder how my parents are doing. They must be worried about us."
At that moment, her words struck a chord I hadn't expected.
'Home. Family...'
Things I had no memory of. A wave of anger surged within me, not at her, but at the cruel fate that had stolen my past.
"What about you?" She asked. "What do you miss most about home?"
I froze, the question cutting deeper than I could have thought possible.
'What could I say? That I didn't even know if I had a home to miss? That the mere thought of family was a gaping wound I couldn't bear to touch?'
"I don't remember much about them,"
I admitted finally, my voice raw and hoarse.
"Oh..."
Livia looked down. As though sensing the pain behind those words, she changed the subject.
"Hmm, do you think we'll ever leave this place?... Get back to our world?"
"Yes."
The answer came without a moment's thought, though I had no idea why I believed it so fiercely.
"We will."
I added, though I didn't know why I was this confident. But, I somehow knew we were going to make it back, one way or another.
Staring at the lightless void, I thought:
'If that is our will. Who dares to stop us!'
Livia sighed.
"I hope so."
A smile crept up her face.
"I really miss everyone at home. The food, the warmth. How great do they feel now that I think about them. Or, don't you think they also feel great?"
I stared into the distance and said with a dark expression:
"...I wouldn't know."
How could I?
***
A cold silence soon settled between us, heavy with unspoken fears and dreams of a life we might never reclaim. Above us, the fractured sky bled crimson as the pale crimson constellation began its ascent, heralding another day in the world of nightmares.
Another day in... hell.