Margana: To Seek The Truth

7. The Call of Doubt

Run or fight...? Is something actually coming?! I didn't have time to think, so I just simply grabbed Lino's wrist and ran. He asked me "Why?" I just replied with a simple "Trust me." It was getting nearer, I could feel it. Was there no way to outrun this entity? There has to be something I could do, but what? Maybe the goal of this world is to defeat whatever's coming.

All this running seems useless anyway. While running, I asked Lino, "Hey, can you fight barehanded?" He just laughed at what I said and nodded at me. I'll take that as a yes then. At least he knew we were going to fight something, those were bonus points for me since Lino is now slightly informed on what to do. Suddenly, it just paused and two weapons were seen in the distance.

"Hey... Aren't those two weapons placed on the ground? It looks like a spear and a sword." Is this hope for better success? Was this shown after both of us were informed? I don't really know, but we'll go for it!

"Lino, grab those weapons quickly!" He replied saying, "Alright. However, what are these for? Was this related to your question earlier?" I just gave a simple nod since even though I had no clue, I was just assuming. 

I let him choose first, Lino chose the sword-like weapon. That leaves me with a single option, but it's fine, I can handle it somehow. Something's bothering me though. Why does Lino express no sign of fear or panic when an unknown entity was just chasing us a while ago? Could it be possible that I can see it while he can't? Am I seeing things? Though he agreed on everything... Maybe he's just really chill. Putting that aside, I think it's time to go and fight whatever that thing is. I swear, if I don't get back to the actual reality, I'm losing it.

"Hey, Lino, can you see it?" I asked with hopes of finding out that he can actually spot the entity. I can't be alone on this anyway, right?

"Hm? See what? I don't see anything. It's just us in this dark space, should I be seeing something else?" 

After he said that, it's the moment I realized that I was alone when it came to seeing this entity. Should I try explaining? Or would it be a lost cause.. I'd look like a crazy person trying to explain what I just felt or saw. I could've sworn that it was right behind us. You know what, I'll try. It won't bring any harm anyway.

"You didn't see it, as in, nothing?"

"Nothing at all, but... Why?"

"Lino— Not even an odd shadow that seems out of the ordinary?"

"Hm... I didn't notice or feel anything."

"There must be a reason for this! The weapons... the message I got!"

"What message?"

I sighed in disappointment, it was only me who saw whatever that was. I couldn't help but ask him something, "I have a question, do you trust me with your life?"

He gave out a nod of confidence, that's all the validation I need in this place. Assuming that he did, it's about time we go through whatever that was. Based on the pattern of this place, certain occurrences happen whenever he both accepts the challenge wholeheartedly. You can also say that issues happen when we're ready to face it, how ironic. I held out my left hand as a sign of saying "Let's go and face whatever's in that deep darkness." The confident look in my eyes made it even more convincing. Lino held it, probably saying "Let's go" in his mind.

That was it, that was the sign that I was waiting for to continue.

Right there we ran... Into the night.