A Remaining Podeshire 1

Chapter 11 (Part 4)

     As Gregory left the mansion, he took a deep breath and gazed at the horizon, his eyes squinting against the rising sun in the cloudy sky. He stepped out of the gate and continued. However, as his feet met the grass outside the yard, he felt vulnerable and exposed to the vast wilderness.

     Despite having no knowledge or clear memory of the route to the city, Gregory bravely ventured into the plains. He had forgotten the path. But he knew he had to keep moving forward and neglect the danger. With each pace, he pushed himself further into the unknown.

     After a painful walk, Gregory still found himself hopelessly lost. He was clueless, with no idea which way to turn or where to go next. He looked around but only saw an ocean of grass.

     Despite realizing he had lost track of his path, Gregory remained confident as he straightened his back and furrowed his brows. While he walked, the clouds began to fade, and the sunlight touched the ground. Then, the sky became brighter and more vibrant as the painful brightness that stung his eyes replaced the darkness in the atmosphere.

     As time passed, the few puffs of clouds remained in the blue sky, leaving the sun to beat down upon the ground with an unrelenting intensity. The grass, now dry and brittle, reflected and magnified the heat, making every step hotter than the last. Gregory walked along as he hunched his back.

     The heat didn't exhaust Gregory. But the sun's scorching rays grew his frustration. As the moment flew by, Gregory felt deeply lost as the grass stretched in every direction.

     As he trudged through the endless grasslands, Gregory suddenly felt a gust of cold wind on his face, causing him to turn his head to the right. Then, he saw a vast, shimmering lake stretching before him. Its crystalline waters reflected the bright sun overhead.

     Gregory hastened towards the lake. Stepping closer to the water's edge, he could feel the cool mist rising from the lake, soothing his dry skin. As he approached the calm body of water, Gregory gasped for breath and huffed through his mouth loudly.

     Immediately, Gregory knelt on his knees and cupped his hands, filling his palms with water. He then drank, closing his eyes before doing it again until he satisfied his thirst. Resting his eyes shut, he let out a deep, heavy sigh.

     Suddenly, Gregory noticed ripples forming in the lake's serene waters, slowly approaching him. Squinting, he peered at it. To his horror, he saw a creature with a long snout and scaly skin floating to the surface. The animal turned its head and fixed its gaze on Gregory, its eyes steady and unblinking.

Panicking, Gregory yelled and stammered out his words, "C-c-croc!!" His scream startled the creature, causing it to submerge and hide beneath the water.

     Gregory stood up and sprinted away from the lake. Meanwhile, the creature drifted again to the surface, revealing itself as a harmless, glowing blue sturgeon, watching Gregory run away in terror. Seeing the threat fleeing, the fish swam away, disappearing beneath the water again.

     Suddenly, Gregory tripped over a stone and fell to the ground with a thud. Frustrated, he grabbed the rock and hurled it away. Gregory then stood up and dusted off his clothes as he continued marching away from the lake without glancing back.

     With his head down, Gregory strode across the vast plains. Then, he halted, raising his brow as he levelled his head. He gradually turned around and locked his eyes on the lake.

"Wait a minute..." Gregory mumbled, squinting as the realization dawned on him. "The Asbranne Lake... it's... it's on the north side of the city!"

     As the realization sank in, Gregory burst into a loud cheer. He leapt up and down with a wide grin, bouncing on his toes. He closed his fists and chuckled loudly, and his voice echoed into the horizon.

"Yeah! Take that, Father!" Gregory yelled mockingly, pumping his fists in the air. "Ha! I live!"

     Gregory quickly turned around and sprinted away. His face lit up with a broad smile as he ran through the grassy plains. But, suddenly, he ceased, and his expression furrowed. Turning around, he gazed at the horizon where the grassland spread.

Gregory's voice trembled as he peered at the empty plain around him. "Oliver," he whispered his friend's name.

     The grass crunched under Gregory's feet every time he paced forward. He peered at the neverending plains around him, and the scent of earth filled his nostrils. Gregory knows his beloved friend is in the grasslands, shrouded in danger.

     Gregory turned his gaze in the opposite direction, where the city lay hidden beyond the horizon. Guilt shot through his chest. And he couldn't help but touch his heart.

     Taking a moment to collect his thoughts and make a wise decision, Gregory closed his eyes. As he took a deep breath, he opened his eyes and ventured deeper into the grasslands rather than returning to the city. Determination filled his courage as he sought to be with Oliver.