Where? (Sinbad)

17. Right of Passage

Eve felt her eyes widen as Pipirka's words sunk in and the danger behind their meaning made Eve's blood run cold. Baal's dungeon was terrifying enough as it was, and Eve wasn't even really there, only her spirit, and every second of it was still somewhat scary to her. If she was afraid, even knowing that she likely wouldn't actually be hurt by anything within the dungeon, how would someone who was vulnerable to being seriously hurt feel? The thought alone sent shivers down her spine.

Sinbad stood abruptly, quickly making a move for the seemingly endless fields of white snow. Without a second thought, Eve began moving to follow him.

"Sinbad! Eve! Where are you going?!" Pipirika cried, her voice shaking with alarm.

Sinbad halted for only a moment. "If I don't go, Hina will die," he stated firmly, any sense of uncertainly completely absent from his tone. 

"B-But, Imuchuk warriors are strong... bro will be-" Pipirika's eyes were wide and her voice was quaking more with each word that escaped her.

"Wrong!" Sinbad's voice boomed, cutting Pipirika off and making Eve turn to face him, her eyes slightly widening in surprise. She hardly ever heard him raise his voice, let alone begin yelling like this, though she understood why. "The dungeon is different! My country sent armies into it. everyone died! More than teen thousand men went, yet no one came back. Whether he's strong of not isn't the point. It's whether he can survive or not. that's what kind of place it is."

More tears began streaming down Pipirika's face, staining her cheeks with anxiety and fear as the depth behind Sinbad's words sunk in.

"Sinbad's right," Eve agreed, causing his attention to turn to her, his eyes slightly widening as he saw her. "Dungeons are dangerous places, but it'll be okay, we'll get your brother back, Pipirika."

Pipirika didn't seem too reassured by her words, despite Eve's attempt to comfort her. She figured it wouldn't work but hoped she might help, even if only a little bit.

"Alright, let's go-"

Eve stopped moving forward when she felt a firm grip on her wrist, tugging her back slightly.

"Eve," A solemn voice spoke from behind her, tightening his grip on her wrist slightly. "I need you to stay back for this one."

Eve slapped Sinbad's hand away, pulling her wrist free and turning to face him. Her brows furrowed together as she began to speak. "And what's that supposed to mean?"

"Eve, please," Sinbad started, as if trying to negotiate with her. "You and I both know how dangerous dungeons are. I can handle this, but I don't want to see you get hurt. Besides, Pipirika will probably need someone to stay with her in the meantime."

His voice was soft and gentle, as if he was trying to persuade her into agreeing, which only pissed her off more than she already was. 

"What? You think I can't handle this?" Eve raised her voice slightly, though Sinbad didn't waver. 

"Eve, you know that's not what I'm saying, I just don't want to see you get hurt, or worse..." He slowed slightly at the end, seeming to hesitate at the thought.

"Me? Get hurt? You were the one who couldn't seem to avoid getting beat up and hurt to no end last time!" Eve pushed him backwards slightly with a finger on his chest as she continued to raise her voice angrily. "I'm the ghost who can't get hurt here!"

"Eve," Sinbad raised his hand and waved her accusatory finger off as if it were nothing before clasping both of her hands. "Please, I just want to make sure you're safe."