»The barrier will hold them off,« the goat headed man explained. His voice has so much calmness in it. None of the three looked back when following him into the temple. They didn't feel the need to. Even Dark knew that he was speaking the truth.
»The Architect sends his regards,« he spoke with a nonchalant melody.
»The Architect?« Unus stumbled over his own feet trying to catch up to Gupti. »As in the one who build the Machine?«
The goat horns nodded. »He does not control the insides, but he can lead you out. I am his messenger.«
Gupti opened a bamboo door and led them to a small room. He unfolded his hands from behind his back and offered them a seat. The trip sat down on the soft mats, and Gupti proceeded to pour them tea from an old metal teapot.
»I will be leaving you for my meditation. Wait here, I won't be long.« With that, the thin door closed, and the horned shadow walked off to the side.
Despite the clusterfuck of cultures, which was strangely bothersome to Annus, the temple had a calming effect. The scratching and bumping of the yeagers outside had reduced to a white, calming noise, and the tea warmed his whole body.
»Unus,« Dark broke the silence. »You really would have left me behind, wouldn't you?«
Unus stopped, the cup on his lips. He sat it down, and looked Dark directly into the eyes. Annus noticed that he was clenching his fist. »Yes, I would have.«
Dark nodded and, to both of their surprise, stayed calm. »I would have done the same. You have every right to hate me.« He glanced over to Annus. »My goal is Mark, that hasn't changed. But until we have found a way out of here, you two are not my enemies.«
»Suddenly you want to help us?« Annus asked. Truth be told, he wasn't sure why he saved Dark. All he knew is that he couldn't have stood by and watched.
»I suspect that Mark is behind all of this. The whole thing reeks of his narrative. So perhaps, we have a common enemy.« The next words were directed to Annus. »But I might be wrong. Nevertheless, I'll uphold our truce until we're free. After that, I can't guarantee for anything.«
A room over, Gupti was kneeling in front of a small indoor pond. It had been elevated and decorated with smooth stones and miniature bamboo. He folded his hands in front of him, and waited for the Architect to come forth. Soon, the water began to shimmer.
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In Memoriam - An Unus Annus Fanfiction
Fanfic365 days. Unus and Annus have one year left until their death. Trapped in strange machine, relentlessly hunted by Blank and Dark, a fight against the clock begins. Will they be able to find their way out, or will their story be lost in the sands of...
