Tribal

38

Ghost and Acacia had been walking for a few days before stopping at Dirtmouth.

"How much further?" Acacia asked.

"Well, once we get through Dirtmouth, we'll have to make our way through the Howling Cliffs," Ghost answered.

"So do you plan to just dump me off at my uncle's house and then go face certain death on your own?" Acacia said.

"Sweetheart, I already told you, I won't be going alone. I'll get my brother's help, along with anyone else who would follow me into the Abyss," Ghost said.

"Then why won't you let me help you?" Acacia asked.

"You are in no condition to fight. What if you got hurt? Think of the kids, darling," Ghost said.

"I can still help. What if I'm not pregnant and you get hurt? What if something happens and I could have been there to help?" Acacia said, beginning to pace.

"You said it yourself, it's more than likely that you are. I am not willing to risk it—your life or theirs," Ghost said, standing and gently placing a hand on Acacia's shoulders.

"But what if..." Acacia began to say something when Ghost placed a finger on her lips.

"You worry too much about the what-ifs. Let me tell you what's going to happen. I am going to come back for you. I am going to survive my encounter with Shade. I am going to make sure that we get our happily ever after," Ghost said before placing a kiss on Acacia's lips.

"I just... I can't lose you... Not now," Acacia spoke shakily with tears in her eyes.

"Shh, you don't have to cry. I'm still here right now, and I promise that no matter how far I go, I'll always come home to you," Ghost held her head to his chest.

Acacia couldn't help herself and let a few tears fall down her face and onto Ghost. She embraced him tightly, and they sat down on a nearby bench, where an old beetle walked up to them.

"Oh? Is that the little Ghost?" Elderbug said.

"Elderbug? It has been forever!" Ghost looked up to the aged insect.

"It has, little one. Although, you aren't so little now, are you?" Elderbug gave a soft laugh at his own joke.

"No, I suppose not," Ghost lightly chuckled himself.

Elderbug was always a close friend of Ghost's family after the infection. He would help Root in her garden, assist Hollow in learning how to speak, and often looked after Ghost when no one else paid attention to him. He wasn't always as cheery as he is nowadays, but that was long ago. Come to think of it, how old was Elderbug?

"Now that I think about it, how old are you really, Elderbug?" Ghost asked.

"Hm... You know, it is the strangest thing, but I can't seem to remember my own age. That should give a rough estimate!" Elderbug gave a hearty laugh. Indeed, Ghost knew he was quite aged.

"I suppose I could just ask you a few questions to see if you lived through any prominent historical events. Would you be alright with that?" Ghost asked.

"Go right ahead, my boy," Elderbug said.

"Well, do you remember the first outbreak of the infection?" Ghost asked.

"Oh yes, like it was yesterday. I remember seeing a few Dirtmouth residents stricken with that horrid orange disease when it first emerged," Elderbug said.

"Well, do you remember my father's coronation?" Ghost said.

"Quite well, actually. Wyrm was being crowned by the people of Hallownest. He was so ecstatic to finally have a group of people to call his own. It was so sad watching that light fade as his rule went on," Elderbug said.