Chapter 17: the challenge of choice
As Brandon, Max, Enzo, and Antonio exchanged glances, a profound understanding settled among them - the trial ahead would surpass all they had faced before. Branden moved to grasp the door, intent on leading the way, but Enzo halted him. With a flick of his wrist, Enzo hurled a rock, not at the ground this time, but at the door's handle. Miraculously, the rock wedged into the handle, freezing its movement.
Max and Antonio shared a silent agreement and advanced, shattering the door. Beyond lay a lengthy path suspended above a seemingly endless abyss. “I’m not sure we should proceed. One misstep, and we plummet to our deaths. And to reiterate, neither Branden nor i possess the ability to fly,” Antonio voiced his concerns.
Enzo and Max exchanged glances. "What if this is our sole means of escape? What if returning to our homelands is no longer an option?" Enzo countered. Max added, "Branden has yet to experience the outside world. Halting now would be selfish." All eyes turned to Branden, awaiting his decision.
"I... I believe we should press on, despite the risks. Though it may seem selfish, I yearn to witness your worlds and the lives you led before our forest sanctuary," Branden confessed.
Antonio's expression softened as he absorbed Branden's desire to know them better. "Very well. But if it becomes perilous, we retreat and seek an alternate route. Understood?" Antonio's tone brooked no argument. Max muttered under his breath, "Yes, mum," hoping Antonio wouldn't hear. However, Antonio seized Max by the ear, decreasing him the leader of the group's perilous march, with Antonio bringing up the rear due to his bulkier frame.
As they proceeded single-file, Branden's foot faltered on the glass-like bridge. Antonio swiftly grasped Branden's waist, preventing a potentially disastrous fall. Branden expressed his gratitude, while Max and Enzo ensured his safety. Amidst the chaos, Antonio pondered Branden's slightness, recalling his sparse meals. Before he could delve deeper into his thoughts, Max's voice broke through. "Look at that door, it seems like an entrance to a throne room." The door, adorned with gems from top to bottom, beckoned them.
Suddenly, a resounding bang echoed from behind, propelling them into a hurried pace, then a sprint, mindful not to lose their footing. Reaching the platform where the gem-covered door stood, they observed the shattered glass bridge, leaving the grand door as their sole exit.
Approaching the door cautiously, they manipulated a small lever, prompting the door to creak open slowly, revealing what lay beyond - their path to freedom.
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Hidden truths (bl)
FantasyA tale unfolds of a journey from strangers to friends and eventually lovers, where the narrative weaves the delicate threads of connection. In this story, the protagonists navigate the intricacies of their relationships, transcending the boundaries...
