BEYOND THE RED SKY

11. AZAZEL

11. AZAZEL

꧂

You will leave soon.

On the western side, which he indicated with his hand, there was a large continent, although not as large as Astea, and it had a small connection to Astea.

"When you cross your hand, the land they will find you in will be Eluin. Eluin is the land of the elves. It is the habitat of the undead. We do not know much about it, but the undead are savage and you should not trust them. With the arrogance of their immortality, they may kill you for pleasure."

Immortals had been on my mind ever since that day I spoke to the goblins. I began to believe that the savage and arrogant undead had much in common with us humans. What's more, I thought I could get along with them.

I was angry. I'd spent the whole day sitting in bed, alone. I'd turned down Rina's offers of dinner and Leonas' attempts at conversation. The source of my anger was obvious, but I was angry at everyone... My family... I needed to see them. It was pointless being here. I didn't even know what I was doing. I had to get out of here, I couldn't trust them. They were all bastards.

Even what the goblins said, that I was safe with Arlen, was a fabrication. It was here that I was not safe. We were happy in our house on the other side of the great forest. Apart from the gangs, we had a peaceful life on our own. If it wasn't for my father's illness, I would never have come here. I wouldn't have known, and since I didn't know, I couldn't be in danger.

I had to get out of here. Maybe I could get some help, but I had no idea who it could be from. I didn't trust anyone, I didn't believe in anyone. Still, I had to find a way out. Maybe I should have thought of my escape from this place from the first day, it might be too late. But first I had to plan. I had to take my steps carefully, I had to think over my every move. This was my only hope of salvation and I had no chance of failing.

I should have spoken to the goblins. It had occurred to me that perhaps whatever I might learn from them might give me a glimmer of hope. But the more I thought about it, the less certain I was. The Goblins almost worshipped Arlen. Arlen was a sacred figure in their eyes and their loyalty to him was unshakable. Asking them for help would be a futile endeavour.

I rolled my eyes, took a deep breath. It was completely pointless to rely on the goblins to solve this dilemma. Perhaps I could find my own way out. But the only way to find out was to act.

I grimaced at the name that came to mind. Leeme. That bastard knew I'd go to him. But I'd already ratted him out, so that offer was null and void. There was no one else I knew. I was all alone here.

I looked in the mirror opposite. I looked at myself and noticed the necklace around my neck. I didn't know why I hadn't taken it off. I didn't know who that person was in the place where I was imprisoned. But somehow he had prevented my death and for that I was imprisoned here. Freedom for life, that was the price.

I took a deep breath and sighed. I remembered the map I had just seen. The places marked on the map could perhaps be the key to my salvation. I didn't know what these markings meant, but I had to explore. This seemed like a second chance I had been given. I had to act now.

I needed more time to study the map in detail, to decipher the roads and signs. Maybe this was an opportunity to get me out of here and reunite me with my family. I pulled myself together, I knew I had to get out of this despair. Maybe the way to escape from this place where I was imprisoned was hidden in that map.