The Universe Beyond Ours

Chapter 9 (Part 1)

     Denis and the others gawk in disbelief at the gigantic wyrm's lifeless body. Shock hastens all across Denis' veins as he stares at the monster's corpse. He cannot believe everything he has seen. How did these people just fight that one hell of a monstrosity? How were all of these possible in the first place?

     Swiftly, with deadly precision, Harris pulls his sword off the wyrm's corpse. Knitting his eyebrows, Harris approaches Denis. Then, he points his sharp blade towards him.

"Argh! How could you be that stupid!? Why did you get the totem when I told you there's danger!? I could literally kill you right now, but it's just looked down upon by men!" Harris snarled, pointing his sword at Denis.

Denis stood up and bravely said, "Well then. Kill me. There's no worth in my life anyway."

"Yeah, truly worthless as you are," Harris remarked.

Saddened by Harris' painful words, Denis' eyes glistened with tears, and he ran away from the cave.

"D-Denis, come back!" Meredith called out. Turning to Harris, she admonished him sternly. "Pointing a sword towards somebody? Have you lost your sense of shame!?" she yelled at him.

     Meanwhile, worried, Chloe runs after Denis, trailing behind his steps. Denis leaves the cave, crying, greeted by the morning sunlight. He crosses his arms, glaring at the ground as he sobs. With quiet, steady steps, Chloe walks up to Denis from behind, approaching him.

"Hey... Mr Denis...? I'm sorry for Harris," Chloe apologised to Denis about her brother.

Felix followed, comforting Denis. "Mr Denis! We're... we're sorry for how Harris acted towards you," he muttered.

As Denis calmed down a bit, he released a deep sigh. "I'm useless... my life's hopeless..." he sniffled.

"No, you're not," Felix countered.

"Mhm, you're not!" said Chloe. "Maybe all you need is just a hug!"

     Wrapping their tiny arms around, Chloe and Felix hug Denis, embracing him tightly from both sides. Denis finally calms down. He looks at Chloe and Felix, his face clouded with mixed emotions.

"Thank you... you two are surely good kids... and I hope I have friends like that," Denis sighed.

"I say, Denis, we're now friends!" Chloe proclaimed.

"Yeah!" Felix concurred, leaping on his toes.

Denis smiled, grateful for the friendship he had formed.

     Later, Denis and the others descend the mountain, led by Philip as he holds the map in his hands. What a journey. It is bringing such soreness to everyone's knees, calves, and ankles. A rest might do, but a quest must not be delayed.

"I suggest we stop at a nearby town and buy some equipment first," Philip suggested, raising an eyebrow as he examined the map. "...Just in case."

As they walked, Meredith whispered to Denis, "Hey, I spoke with Harris about what happened earlier. Everything's gonna be alright."

"Thanks, Mrs Meredith. You're a good person... just like the others," Denis replied.

Meredith glanced at her feet as they descended the trail, contemplating something. "...Harris is also a good person. I know well he wouldn't deal with someone he couldn't truly tolerate. But look, he's still with us. With you," she said. "Thus, there's a potential bond between you two."

Denis nodded, taking in Meredith's words. But damn, he couldn't concentrate clearly as his knees felt like they were collapsing under the pressure of long walks.