Beyond Eternity

DAY 16, MIDDAY

The pair began packing up, bringing some food among other materials with their knapsacks. The pirates on the other hand, were hard at work, trying to find any sign of human life apart from their own.

“If I wanted to stay out sight. I would at least consider going beyond these woods.” Said Rue.

“We still haven’t found anyone so far.” The captain said. “Have you explored everywhere around these parts?”

“All but the prison captain, that place is like a labyrinth, we couldn’t go further.”

“That doesn’t feel like an ideal hiding spot anyways. Very well.”

“All of you!” He shouted. “We’ll be crossing these woods, on my lead.”

The rest of the pirates followed and entered the woods. There was no path so they tried going at a straight line but couldn’t avoid making a few turns due to some obstacles in the way. Around half an hour through, some began noticing how little light gets past the trees and the dead silence and had fear creep into them.

“I’m scared.” Said the brutish Gorm.

“Shut up oaf.” Replied Lier. “You’ll cause unrest.”

“You’re clearly shaking yourself Lier, don’t hide it.” He replied.

“What a bunch of kids.” Said Lucia who was sitting atop the shoulder of the largest man in the group to herself.

“Don’t mind them, they’re always the most cowardly.” The man said.

“Then, are you scared Magnus?” Lucia asked.

“Of course not.” He replied, trying to sound as calm as possible.

“Is that so?” Lucia said with little volume.

Lucas and Claudia had just finished making preparations when she stopped to talk.

“The pirates are now at the forest, it might take a while, but they would likely find this place eventually.”

“Then we should be going too.” Lucas replied.

“About that.”

“What is it?”

“How do you feel about passing through the prison? If exit from there, that would lead us closer to the docks compared to grove or forest.” She asked.

“Well, to be honest, I still don’t like the place.”

“Figures, then I guess the grove—”

“But since you’ll be there this time, I don’t think it would be a problem.” He replied with a smile. She smiled back.

“Then, let’s go.” She said as she began her descent, he soon followed after.

Once both of them were below, Claudia lit a torch and gestured for Lucas to take her hand, which he took. She gave him a reassuring smile and led the way.

Back at the forest, most of the pirates were already shaken.

“Captain, we can’t go on like this. Night will come soon.” Said Lier.

“Silence Lier! Do you have to give up so easily?” Exclaimed Magnus.

“How foolish.” Said a muffled voice.

“Captain.” Lucia said. “These buffoons might not be able to make another step forward.”

“Fine.” Replied their leader, noticing the groups morale. “Maybe they’ll reveal themselves eventually. Let’s call it a day and head back.” He began walking the opposite way and the rest followed.

Meanwhile, the underground was silent, just as it had always been.

The mossy flooring, the cracked walls, the ceiling that gives way to vines, all these that have been left undisturbed for a long time only show a long dead past. The silent halls of stone echo the sound of two pairs of shoes, a dim torch is the only thing that gives off light, the small figure holding it only keeps walking, unfazed by the deep darkness beyond her lamp or the deafening silence of the labyrinthic paths. Close behind follows a slightly larger figure, holding the first one’s hand and making sure not to stray.

It is at this point that the walls would’ve first heard a conversation between two people together. It would witness the exchange of words by those who aren’t full of spite, hate or anger, but affection and kindness. Not the voice of a lone girl, or boy, but the voices of those who have been found. The first time, after so long.

“You’ve been silent for a while now, Lucas.” Said the girl. “Is something wrong?”

“No, nothing at all.” Replied the boy. “I’m just trying not to look back into the darkness, it brings back bad memories.”

“Well then, talking can help distract and ease your mind.” She tightened her grip around his hand. “So, tell me about your home.”

“Let’s see, what is there to say?” Lucas said and relaxed a little. “I spend most of the time either reading in my room or roaming around the docks.”

“Do you travel around sometimes?”

“Yeah, there are times where I get to go around the kingdom and beyond whenever my dad needs to get into contracts and meetings, sometimes we even enter the royal palace!”

“You ever had an audience with the king and queen before?”

“My dad, not me. I never had the chance, but I managed to talk to a prince and princess about my age.”

“That’s nice.”

“You did the same things yourself before did you not?”

“Well, yeah, but as a servant, not a wealthy person.” She pouted.

“Name me some nice places you always were excited to go.” She continued.

“Not too far off, there’s a forested mountain range, deep within, a large waterfall can be found, I got to swim on the lake there too, it’s especially cold since it came from running water. Apart from that, I always fancied a trip to the dandelion hill, there’s a small village there and the view just before sunset is one to behold, I made a few friends there too. Both places are within Ardenteile territory”

“Oh? Those sound nice, I would like to go to those places myself sometime.”

“When I get the chance, I’ll be sure to take you there.” He said with a smile, which she returned.

“There was this one time before we met when I heard you talk about never having been accepted by a girl before, mind telling me about it?” Claudia asked in a teasing tone.

“Wait, I said that?!” Replied the shocked Lucas.

Claudia attempted to sound like a man and spoke. “I never was engaged and the girls I’ve liked turned me down so quickly.”

“I remember that part clearly.” She continued.

“Lucas’s face became filled with embarrassment. “Well, it’s true.” He said.

“So far, I’ve confessed to two girls, the first one tried to sound kind when rejecting me, the next one gave me a look of disgust.” He continued.

Claudia began laughing out loud upon hearing this. “Poor boy, you’ve been through so much, but why do you think you were rejected?”

“The first only told me there was someone else she liked, and that we only just met.”

“Ah, that part sounds understandable, confessing to someone you don’t properly know can only work if you’re unrealistically handsome.” Claudia answered.

“I’ve learned my lesson and tried conversing with the second one several times before going for it, she didn’t even bother telling me why and left just like that.”

“She probably just didn’t like you and knew from the start that you were just trying to court her. Depending on the girl, it could be considered off putting when a guy does that, it feels to them as though they’re only an object of reward.”

“The female mind is so complicated.” Lucas said in a slump.

“Now, now, cheer up, look, we’re nearly out.” Claudia said, holding him by the shoulder and pointing at the light at the end of the tunnel.

The sky was already a shade of yellow and orange the moment the pair had left through the prison’s entrance.

“And here we are!” Claudia said in a silvery tone. “That tunnel felt shorter than usual didn’t it Lucas?”

“I suppose you’re right.” He replied meekly.

Claudia noticed that she still had not let go of his hand and tried to break it, but he kept holding on.

“Thanks again, for making it so I could get past that way, I didn’t fear much thanks to you.”

“Aww, why the shy look? She replied. “You’ve done well.” And pulled him into another hug.

When they finally let go, Lucas gathered up the courage to speak once more.

“All that talk about being rejected before got me thinking.” He said, shyly.

“What is it?”

“Do you… Do you think I have a chance—”

“Get down!”

Claudia immediately pulled Lucas to the ground and lay down, looking ahead of them, He noticed the presence of other people in front of them, walking back to the direction where the castle was.

“Such great timing.” He thought sarcastically.

“Good thing we weren’t noticed, that could’ve been bad.” She whispered.

“How did they get back here so fast?” He whispered back.

“I don’t know. We were underground so I couldn’t get more information from the birds, who knew they return so easily? Did they give up and turned back before reaching the tower?”

“Be careful.” She continued. “That doesn’t look like all of them.”

Claudia had a single bird go to her location. “Where’s the rest of them?” She asked. It replied with a message that sent chills up her spine.

Immediately after receiving the message, she looked behind her and was instantly knocked out by a blow to her head, along with Lucas who had no idea what just happened. Before her eyes closed, she saw the outline of a hooded figure.

“I’m surprised you noticed my signal from that far Dmitri, you’re really good at all that sneaky stuff too, it’s cool!” Said a childlike voice atop a tree a short distance behind the pair’s location.

“You flatter me, Lucia, I’m not all that skilled yet myself.” Replied the figure in a muffled voice.

“You say that, but you seem like a real expert right now!” Lucia said once more, eating a fig she plucked.