Beyond Eternity

DAY 10, A.M

Lucas had woken up to the bright light shining on his face.

“How long have I been sleeping?” he asked himself as he headed back down from the towers' roof.

There, he saw Claudia, just sitting there, holding a knapsack.

“Good morning.” she said.

“Good morning.” he replied.

“Sorry I didn't wake you up, I thought it would be best to let you sleep more and gather your strength.”

“That's fine, I actually prefer it like that, so are we heading back now?”

“Well, yes, and I decided that we'd pass through the grove to get back to the castle, is that fine?”

“Yeah, I wouldn't want to stay in that darkness again to be honest.”

“Even with just me there?” Claudia said in a teasing tone.

“No.” Lucas said sharply.

“You're no fun.” she replied, pouting. “Well, apart from the prison and the grove, we could also pass by the woods to the left, it’s the longest path and also the most tiring, but it’s not scary... Which do you prefer.?” She continued.

“Hmm, the grove I guess? You said it’s the least tiring one so let’s use that.” Lucas said.

 “So then, shall we go?” asked Claudia.

“Yes, we shall.” he answered.

They both left through the front door and walked onwards, soon enough, they were already within the grove, thick thickets all around them, greenery was all there was to see, the ground wasn't flat but hilly, making a mazelike environment. Even above them, the sky was largely covered by the forest canopy, leaving only little light to pass, just enough to see ahead, though everything is dimly lit.

The pair kept on walking with Claudia in the lead, holding Lucas's arm.

“See? Not your average grove is it?” she said.

“You're right, it’s like a natural labyrinth.” Lucas asked. “It is natural right?”

“What if I told you it isn't?” She replied as she looked back at him straight in the eye.

Lucas remained silent. Claudia continued speaking.

“I was told that the trees were planted around here to make a mazelike pattern, also, the ground level was altered by the same people with the kings' command. Additionally, specific tree types were chosen to make sure passing in between them isn't easy and to increase the canopy's thickness.”

“And for what purpose does this place exist?” asked Lucas.

 Claudia averted her gaze and focused on the path ahead.

“I was also told that its original purpose was merely decoration, however, over time, the watchtower where we came from was built beyond it and the grove had new functions... This place was where many of the bodies of murder victims were thrown by their killers since nobody ever comes here, also, on rare occasions, the killers don't even find their way out and either kill themselves here, die of exhaustion, hunger or thirst, or even get captured by the wild animals around here.”

“These wild animals, what are odds of us encountering them?” Asked Lucas with fear in his voice.

“And what if I said that it is a guarantee right now?” answered Claudia, seemingly unfazed.

Lucas, nearly panicking, replied. “Wait, what? Then what's gonna happen-”

 Claudia was quick to make an assertion. “I said that we'd encounter one, not that we'd have to face against it, you'll see what I mean later on, for now, rest assured that you'll be fine, in fact, you should worry more about the strength of your own legs right now.”

She tightened her hold around him and resumed talking.

“Anyway, back to this forest's story, apart from what I've already mentioned, this place was also the site of multiple other horrible acts, the less “upright” peoples of the kingdom—”

“Oh yeah, what is this kingdom's name anyway?” asked a confused Lucas, “For some reason, none of the journals you had me read gave the place a name, only the word kingdom was ever used, or maybe it was mentioned somewhere but I forgot?”

“Ah, yes, you see, this kingdom even in the past, was rarely associated with whatever the rest of the world is doing, so, its citizens didn't bother using the kingdoms name as there were no distinctions here. However, if you have to ask, this kingdom was once called “Victusene.” Said Claudia.

“It seems that you’ve forgotten but it was mentioned once within the first journal you read, the one owned by the chef.” She continued. “Although apart from that, I bet you haven’t heard a single mention of the name huh? Funny.”

“Oh, right, I did read that there before, no wonder it sounded familiar.” Lucas said as it dawned upon him.

Oh yeah, one more thing, nobody knew who named it that and for what purpose.”

“Victusene.” Said the boy, “Victus... That means or at least is related to life if I'm not mistaken. I guess this place was real lively or something then?”

“Yes, this place was lively...” With her reply, Claudia’s face suddenly went dark.

“Hmm, what's wrong?” Asked Lucas.

“Nothing.” she answered. “Anyway, we're diverting from the main topic.” She said with a new smile on her face.

“So yeah, the less 'upright' people in the kingdom used this place as a site to do their dirty work, things like trading of stolen items, r**e, assassination contracts and the like took place here.”

“Well, that's morbid.” said Lucas.

“It is, now then, you're not planning take advantage of this situation and pounce on me aren't you Lucas?” Teased Claudia.

“As if.” Lucas responded, “I can't do that at my current state, and also, I could never leave this place without your help.”

“Wait, so you will do it were the circumstances more favorable to you? That’s… Not good at all.” asserted Claudia.

“No, no wait! That's not what I meant! I would never-”

“Yes, yes, I get it despite how wrong it sounded, don’t worry.” Claudia said with a mischievous smile on her face.

“Good grief.” said Lucas, sighing.

Claudia raised her hand that was still holding Lucas's. “See? If I actually doubted you, I would've let go then and there, and yet I did not, so don't let it worry you okay?” she said.

“Sure, sure, whatever you say.” Lucas answered in a low tone.

“Don’t let go as well okay?” She asked.

“Sure, sure.” He replied, still feeling defeated.

The pair was soon stopped by the sound of rustling on the nearby bushes.

“Now then, I did say that we really are to meet some beast sooner or later right?” said Claudia. Lucas, now anxious, did not respond.

Out of the bushes emerged a pack of four wolves, immediately, Lucas's heart began to race, Claudia however, kept calm, smiling even.

“W-what now?” asked Lucas, shaking.

Claudia looked at the largest wolf in the pack and spoke. “Sit, Lo.” And it sat, the rest of the pack did the same after seeing their leader.

“I'm sorry I couldn’t feed you today.” said Claudia as she went up to them and pat their heads.

“Actually, I do have food now that I think about it.” She continued as she looked at Lucas.

The frightened boy was already trembling and was close to panicking.

“I’m kidding, I swear, you take everything so seriously.” Claudia said, still rubbing the wolves’ fur.

“How... Do you do that?” asked Lucas, still trembling but was starting to calm down.

“Well, you see,” She answered. “these four have been here for a while now so I got all the time in the world to train them, in fact, I can command most of the animals around here now, the birds, bats, rodents, cats and dogs, I have them help with hunting, gathering food and the like.

“That said, I need not worry wherever I am in this island. Also, back when I was on your shadow, I had birds and other animals tell me your location, it was also me who had them drop the lute back then for you to pick.” She continued.

“That's very impressive, so... Is that some kind of special power you got or?” Lucas asked as he got closer to the wolves.

“Power? Hardly.” She replied. “At the very least, this one isn't supernatural, there are several books around that talk about for to tame and train animals, I used those. Also, like I said, I have all the time in the world.”

“Even if I too had that time, I highly doubt I ever command almost every animal around like you do. Not even the best tamers I know can accomplish such a feat. How about the animals that you meet for the first time? Can you command them too?”

“Well, yeah, I can. Is that not normal?”

“It definitely isn’t, Claudia.”

“Oh.”

“Maybe you do have a special ability somehow?”

“Perhaps? But oh well, no point in dwelling on that right now, I’m not sure we can easily answer that question, anyways, look, try to touch Lo here!”

Lucas later reached out his hand in an attempt to pat the alpha, Lo. Claudia guided his hand until it was at its head.

“Feed them next time so they'd recognize you better too.” She said.

“This is cool!” exclaimed Lucas.

In a few moments, the pair waved goodbye at the pack and then scurried off. They continued down the path for a short while, but this time, Lucas no longer had fear. After a long while, they reached the other side.

“So, just how long did it take us to get past that grove?” Asked Lucas, with a tired expression. He looked up to see that it was nearly midday.

“Now do you see why I had you pass by the prisoner’s quarters?” Claudia remarked. “Yes, yes, I get it now... No wait, why did you have me go to the watchtower in the first place?!”

“To lead you to that last journal you read obviously.”

“Did it really have to be there?”

“I would really rather you read it there, at the watchtower, mainly due to the fact that I don’t want to keep it away from where it should be. Its owner was a prisoner after all.”

“Was that really worth having me nearly kill myself?”

“I said I was sorry okay?!” Claudia exclaimed and pouted.

After a short moment of silence, she continued. “That wasn’t the last journal I had to show you though, there is one more.”

“Originally, I planned to lead you to one last journal and then show myself after you've read it, but you know, circumstances happened.” Claudia said.

“Well, where is this journal now?” Asked Lucas “Don’t tell me you left it?”

“Here, I brought it with me.” Claudia said as she reached into her knapsack and pulled out another book, one more intricately designed compared to the others the boy read.

“This one is dear to me so I keep it around, although at first, I planned to leave it by the king’s bedroom for when you returned. Read this after we both returned to the castle okay?” She said.

“Of course.” He replied.