Another Lost Soul

Chapter 11

I watch Alenor deep in thought as we walk over a long dark oak bridge. He's conflicted. "Jalaiah said I was wanted for practicing dark magic."

"You are. Have been for six years. You've never gotten caught because you're not guilty."

"...He said that using your magic on me connected us or something."

"When two auras meet each other directly, they bond. I let mine touch yours by healing you, so now we'll share our most important memories whenever we think about them. I'll be able to sense your emotions and if you're in danger or hurt."

"I can see your memories?"

He glanced aside. "Only those that make me feel deep emotion and only when I think about them."

"Have you seen mine?"

"No, but I hope you remember your past so that I can later on."

"...Why are you protecting me?"

"Because I care about you."

I stop and stare down at the deep indigo water beneath us. "I'm sorry that I don't remember you. You seem very close with me and I can't reciprocate that."

"Then why did you jump in front of me in the arena?"

"I thought you were going to die. Nobody deserves to die."

He felt quiet, his feet stepping to the edge of the bridge. He bent down and traces his fingers through the water. "Listen, Amir...I-"

"Sir!" We both flinched, Alenor jumping to his feet as a familiar set of armor ran up to us. "May I speak to you?"

"With your helmet off. I want to see your face." Alenor crossed his arms, watching the guard toss his helmet to his feet. He has blue hair, darker than mine, tied back halfway and hanging down to his shoulders. His eyes match, full of sorrow. I'm the midst of his messy hair, I can see brilliant tiny flowers sprouting from his skin. They trail from his scalp down to his left eye. He can't be over 20 years old.

"I need your help."

I can see Alenor slump. "I can't help lost souls, Kid. Im sorry-"

"Please I-...I'll do anything. I can find whatever I'm looking for, I just need more time and you're the strongest mage here!"

"That's not possible. Judging by how far gone you are, I don't think-"

He's the guard from before. I pulled my hood down slowly. "Maybe I can't help you look."

He glanced to me, eyes lighting up like a full moon. "You'd help me?"

Beneath his collar, I can see a pair of black wings tattooed on his neck. "Why wouldn't I? Alenor, keep looking for the cat. I'll go with him."

"What? But-"

"I'll protect him, I swear." The guard quickly drew his sword and bowed down. "I won't let anything happen to your apprentice. Please... I need help."

Alenor sighed deeply. "Alright. If he comes back with as much as a single scratch-"

"He won't, Sir."

We headed east, not a clue what to look for or where to search. The man seems quite hopeful, but I'm not actually sure if I can help. "Do you know anyone that might-"

"I don't know anyone." He laughed softly. "The general recruited me so that I'd spend my last days protecting the city. I wanted to do something good but...the orders I'm given are anything but. I should be doing good things for good people and the man I work for is horrible."

"What's your name?"

"I have no idea."

"Would you like me to give you one?"

"There's no point. I won't be here long."

I grabbed his hand mindlessly. "I'll call you River."

He smiled at that, eyes glued to the forest floor. "What about you? Do you know your name?"

"Amir."

"I wasn't expecting another lost soul to try and help me. It really means a lot."

"What happens to me if I can't find what I'm looking for?"

"Your hair will grow dark and you'll begin to forget things you've only been told a few hours before. Your body becomes brittle and these flowers decompose your brain. Eventually, all that's left of you will be a wisp floating aimlessly around the forest"

"...Are you scared?"

"I don't want to die."

"If you don't make it...What's something you want to do before it happens?"

"I want to love." He let go of my hand. "With as little time I have, I don't think I can do it but...I've always wanted to fall in love with someone. Anyone."

I grabbed his hand again, which made him flinch and glance over at me. When I caught his gaze, he quickly turned away. "I'll try my best to make you fall in love with me."

The rest of the day was quiet. Our search drew out late into the night, leading us back to where we started. We stood on the bridge, staring in to the dark water, discouraged. "I'm sorry we couldn't find anything today."

"Today?"

"We'll try again tomorrow!"

He crouched down, arms sliding around himself like they do when he's afraid. "I'm going to die...Aren't I?"

"Don't say things like that."

"Just look at me. You heard your master, I'm too far gone. There's no way to bring me back."

"I won't let that happen."

"You're helping me even though it's pointless. Why?"

"I don't need a reason. I just want to help you."

"Nobody wants to help lost souls. We're useless and can't give anything in return."

"Well, I do." I bent down and wrapped my pinkie around his own. "Let's stick together, River. If you forget me tomorrow, I'll introduce myself again."

"Why go through the trouble?"

"It's not any trouble. You're lost, not some kind of burden."

"Thank you for today." He stood up, pulling me with him. "I had fun even though we didn't find anything."