Something Immortal

36: The Undead Part One

Som looked at himself from the mirror and no matter how much he twisted and turned, it was himself that he still sees and it was making his scowl deepen. Ilarion was still in his room eating his food and was also tempted to take a bite of the golden apple if Som didn't hide it somewhere he wouldn't find.

"Won't your master look for you?" he thought of asking this friend of his.

Ilarion shrugged. "He isn't looking for me right now. Besides, it's been awkward since we came here. That Ruang Rit clings to him without an ounce of shame."

Just as Som thought. "Never mind that. You're going to tell me something?"

"Ah, yeah," he said, finishing the last of Som's food. "The next competition is archery."

Som rolled his eyes. "If that Ruang Rit is going to join again, then forget about winning."

"He won't."

"How did you know?"

"Because the only reason that he joined is because Kali joined."

"So, he's there to guard Kali?"

"He's there to make sure that Kali won't make a fool of himself because Kali only joined because you're there."

Som pouted. "That boar was something, you fucking idiot. Even Saanvi couldn't land a hit on it."

"He's the protagonist, what do you want me to do?"

"Tell me, is this archery going to be as difficult as that boar hunting?"

"Well..."

✧༺♥༻∞

In Asturia, archery had a historical significance and had been romanticized in some stories since antiquity. It was easy to understand why people were attracted to the sport until this day. It involved precision, patience, and self-reliance for someone to master the skill. And archery had acted as a powerful symbol of skill for heroic (and even villainous) characters in myriad mythologies.

In the story, it was Ruang Rit who excelled in this field. Som recalled how he read the chapters that featured his impressive mastery of the bow and arrow and was impressed by how he combined it with his spiritual power even when he transformed himself into his ancient form.

Som came to the other side of the courtyard and was impressed by how the ruins of the earlier aftermath were now rebuilt by the mountain itself. Som was no longer surprised by the fact that the mountain known only as the Summit Isle was an ancient rock giant that would sleep for decades and awaken only to fix whatever was destroyed. Anyhow, that wasn't only why he was staring for far too long with his jaw dropped but because he saw Saanvi practicing her hold on the spear, swirling the weapon in one hand with ease while Malee stand by the side and will occasionally clap her hands if she saw something she deemed impressive. Saanvi would answer with a smirk which only verified Som's initial suspicion that these two were more than just best of friends. It reminded him of those actors Ilarion said who was fond of calling each other "bros".

"Som!" It was Mica. The strigoi brothers were the only ones genuinely enjoying the competition and not after winning or anything. They simply joined for the fun of it and not the prize. "We've been waiting for you."

"Really? It doesn't look like it."

Marko leaned as well and saw Ilarion following behind. "Oh, you're here too."

Ilarion waved a hand. "Hello, friends."

The brothers grinned widely at him and went to his side quickly forgetting Som. "Are you going to join?" Mica asked him instead.