[...]
The buzz was hanging in the air of the populated, yet silent camp, with flickering twilight casting its shadow on the ground; myriad people doing their evening assignments, as well as preparing for a second encounter with Ascension Warrior's army. Yet, two women stood out from the crowd.
"Do you think he'll handle it, Stella?"
"As if he has any other choice."
That caused a frown, a moment of contemplation that should've ruined any further conversation. Perhaps, that is not the answer which was expected- but the irate voice of the woman rings again.
"...You should've let me kill him. He deserves that much."
"Would you deny your lover meeting him again?"
"Don't dare. You, of all people--"
In response, there was laughter. The irate woman only grew more fierce, almost considering to raise her hand against another, even if she were renowned as a master. With a hint picked up, the laughter quickly died... and the tone of conversation shifted too.
"It still hurts?"
"It does. It always does..."
"Worry not. He'll be hurt tenfold."
"But that won't bring back what I lost."
Her lips curled. A sign of defeat, sorrow and regret washed over the anger she's felt before, and another noted that much. The moment of silence lasted between the two, and when another bundle of words was conjured in their minds, the conversation continued briefly.
"Have some faith. He was already saved at least few times by others... clearly they care."
"And why should I care about that?"
"You should re-assess your views. Perhaps, he's not as bad as everyone says he is."
She fell thoughtful, silent. Not a word escaped her mouth afterward.
[...]
[...]
No matter how much I'd avoid her, she always knew all about me. No matter the pains I hid, she'd notice it- no matter the frustrations I buried beneath my skin, she'd whisper in my mind to comfort me. But she's a cruel teacher... sometimes, lacking any tolerance to my shortcomings and kicking me straight into action. Sometimes, she feels like the most affectionate person I could ever have in my life - the other times, I wish she would just leave me alone. No matter what happens, though, I know that she means well... more or less. Even if I don't understand that yet.
"You never told me what is your plan exactly..."
The suddenness of that voice caused me to shudder. Truth be told, it's been a while she spoke to me, and I expected the usual guest with its offers, tricks and overwhelming power; this time, she showed concern. Well, of course... if I were to die down there, she would die with me - and be stuck for a few years at the very least. That's assuming nothing worse happens.
"Rhys..."
"I don't have one."
I could've sworn she just laughed. Maybe at me, maybe at the desperation of our situation. Truth be told, if I were her, I'd probably laugh at myself too. With all that I know, I'm almost clueless of many sections in the Underworld... and hadn't it been for the support of my friends as a whole, I'd be as good as dead by now. That only made me ponder more - maybe David was right after all. Maybe community is where strength is.
"You never fail to amuse me."
"I try."
My response was cold and swift. I didn't have much time- a lot of preparations had to be done, a lot of work so that we would be ready for many things out there... and yet, I feel as if no matter how much we do as a whole, nothing will truly prepare us.
"The Underworld is usually what remains... in death. It remains, endures, flickering with ashes of flames that once were shining above. It flickers with that memory, yet no one lives in there. It echoes, but there's no one left to hear it."
But aren't there mediums, and people like Kassiani? Don't wraiths live in there? Before I even asked...
"Dear one... there are fates worse than death. I don't have to tell you this."
"Why tell me all of this?"
"To let you know what you've signed up for, of course."
Is it certain death? Maybe. It's not like I have much choice on the matter. My lips pursed in thought, and I couldn't help myself but pause all of my work- alone in the woods, it's not like there would be disturbance. Not unless I announce my presence, at least.
"Do you think we'll make it? Are the others going to be safe?"
"I'm not certain."
It's a rare thing when she says that, and it concerns me all the same. Normally, she's the one nudging me forward, lending me a bit of her confidence in the trying times... but now, it almost feels as if we're both trapped. Perhaps that's not very far from the truth.
"...It felt like everything around you was extinguished. It was as if I was blinded. It was as if everything... had been bled from the world--"
"-- as if everything went silent."
"I imagine there are worse deaths, worse pains, but if there are, I do not know them. When it happened to you, it felt like I was the last flickering flame left in the world... and my life, my agony was a flicker in the darkness in this reality."
This isn't good. If even she had fallen to be afraid of it...
"As your feet walk upon the ashes, you shall not fear, for in fear, lies death."
Of course she's carefully listening to me. I imagine she's just as worried as I am, and I cannot let her down. Not now, not ever- not after all that we've shared and all that she's done for me. For all the times she was by my side when nobody else was.
"I won't succumb to it just like that."
"And remember... there are many kinds of hate, and all of them have the call of the dark side in them."
"I know that."
"Very well..."
This reminded me of all the hatred I experienced on my own, of all the wrongs that have been done to me; but before such thoughts could flood my mind, I felt... warmth, as if embraced by something- or someone. It didn't last long, and with mere moments passing, it let go. Despite all of the odds that were against us, I'm sure we could make it... we had to, or else all would be lost. A single hand rested upon my head, like the paternal touch I've long forgotten - and a single whisper.
"Be good, Rhys."
