Only Skeletons Remain

Chapter 36: A Father's Warning

Harper stood on the shore of what seemed to be a raging ocean. The wind whipped at her clothes, and she shielded her eyes from the pelting rain. Where was this place? She turned around when she heard footsteps. Her eyes widened.

"PAPÍ!" She exclaimed, running towards her father. Despite the freezing rain, her father's embrace felt warm and comfortable. She nuzzled her cheek into his chest.

"Where am I?" Harper asked, looking up at her father. "What's this city I'm in? Is it the one Fenrir warned me about?" She stared at her father as he just stared down at her, not saying anything. Why wasn't he speaking? "Papí?"

"This city you're in is not a safe one. You are here now, and you will live here until it is time to escape. In time, you will leave the city, for now, you have to stay alive." Javier told her, his voice gentle.

"I don't understand!" Harper exclaimed, wiping away some tears from her eyes. "Why can't we just leave?"

"They know our family, and they will hunt you for the rest of your life if you leave. Just stay until you are old enough to leave." Javier told her. "It's time for you to go now. I will see you soon. Te amo."

Harper woke up in her bed, blinking a few times to orient herself. Her back ached, and she rolled herself off the bed. It had been about a week, and Harper and her brothers had been receiving English lessons, and they were getting better. She got dressed, brushing herself off. Lisden had been waking her bright and early, but she was getting used to it. Her dream was weird. Her father had told her to stay in this city. Why?

She took one glance at her sleeping brothers before she slipped out of the room, walking down the halls towards Lisden's study. She knocked on the door, and the door opened.

"Harper," Lisden greeted as Harper walked into the study. "You're early. Good, there's someone I'd like you to meet."

Harper turned to a darker-skinned girl with curly hair, who was reading a book nearby. She looked around Harper's age. Harper introduced herself in English as best she could. "Harper," she introduced herself to the woman.

"My name is Lyra." The girl said in Spanish with a soft smile. She got up from the chair and moved to shake hands with Harper.

Harper blinked a few times. Someone else besides the bishops knew Spanish? She let out a sigh of relief. "It's nice to meet you."

"You as well," Lyra dipped her head. "I also study under Lisden. I'm training to be a Lorekeeper."

Harper smiled. A Lorekeeper? That was pretty neat.

"Now that you are acquainted," Lisden hummed, "I need you both to run an errand for me."

"Of course," Lyra replied in English. "What do you need?"

Lisden's beak clicked. "There's been a sighting of Blurryface's host. Somewhere in the gorge. We'll send a bishop with you to help you."

On cue, Blight appeared, her green eyes glowing in what seemed to be annoyance. Her fingers twitched a bit as she stared at Lisden. "You could've sent my brother. It's his host after all." She grumbled.

Lisden laughed, a low rumbling sound. "Blight, you know your brother has a... way of words. You are more charismatic than he is. Besides, it'll be good for Harper and Lyra to see the countryside. It can get quite depressing here."

"Yeah, whatever you say." Blight grunted, motioning for the two women to follow after her.

Harper followed Blight, walking next to Lyra as she did so. She didn't like this at all. Why was she going after someone's host? This didn't seem right. She knew better than to say anything though. Her life depended on it. She followed Blight as she led them through the stone halls of DEMA.

"When we get out there, you do as I say. No funny business." Blight hissed as she pushed open the doors of the High Tower, walking outside into the sunlight.

Harper nodded quietly, looking at Lyra. "How far have you gone outside?" She asked.

"As far as the Outer Circle." Lyra replied. "My brother works in the Forging District."

"Hurry up." Blight snapped, causing the two girls to speed walk after her. Her eyes darted to the citizens making way for the three of them.

Harper noticed the different looks as they walked by. Pity. Jealousy. Fear. She didn't fully understand what was going on, but she knew whatever it was, it couldn't have been good. "Why does everybody look at you that way?" She asked Blight.

Blight didn't respond, though Harper could see her falter a bit. She brushed a strand of blonde hair out of her face. "Come on," she said eventually, picking up her pace.

Harper weaved through the crowd, glancing over at Lyra when she spoke. "They say Blight had the youngest host ever." Lyra whispered.

Harper furrowed her brow. "How old?" She asked.

"Seven." Lyra replied. "Apparently it was bad enough that Blight was given as protection. That never happens."

Harper blinked a couple of times, letting the words fester in her mind. "Do you have one?" She asked.

"Oh no, Lorekeepers don't get bishops. The only one who did was Clancy, and he's been dead for decades." Lyra said.

"Clancy?" Harper asked, tilting her head.

"Yeah, he's the Lorekeeper who ran away from DEMA and never came back." Lyra nodded. "Apparently became the Bandito leader or something like that and that's what got him killed. I don't know how he could turn his back on the place that raised him."

Harper shrugged. "I dunno," was all she said before she jogged after Blight once more. They had made their way through the doors of the Outer Circle, and they were greeted by the lush green countryside of Trench. This was familiar to Harper.

"The gorge is that way." Blight pointed with her black-tipped finger. She then began leading them towards the gorge, and Harper noticed her eyes began to dart around nervously. She hated being out here, it seemed.

Harper's arm itched, and she scratched it, following after her. The further she got into the gorge, the more the itching intensified. It felt like something was pulling her in a direction, and Harper decided to follow it. She was led to a cave, and she peered into it. Suddenly, her eyes began to glow yellow, and it was like the cave lit up. In the back, she saw a man huddled up in the cave, staring right back at her. Her eyes widened, and she heard Blight's footsteps.

"Well, well, well," Blight hummed, peering into the cave, "if it isn't Tyler Joseph himself, Blurry's lost host."