The Chronicles of Swords and Sorcery

Eryx Hunter

I shake my head, gods Perseus was an idiot sometimes. Hearing things? What.. were the horses speaking to him suddenly? I scoff softly to myself.

He will abandon you, like everyone else

I jerk up. Looking towards Perseus. He was rolling out his bedroll though. Who the hells had said that? I swallow. Shut up shut up.. It's not true. He wouldn't... leave me. Right? He hadn't left me when I was injured before.. So why now?

I settle back down. Shaking my head. Trying to get comfortable. The wind whistling softly through the trees. I shiver, curling up tighter, holding my hand out and increasing the flame a little bit more.

He thinks you're weak. Like your father does

I grit my teeth, looking back over at Perseus. I wouldn't doubt that. He probably thinks I can't handle a quest like this. Asshole. I shake my head, furrowing my eyebrows. Wait a second...

He'll betray you.

I sit back up slowly, wait.. that.. I look up with just enough time to let out a cry, lurching to the side as Perseus brings his sword down, where I had been laying.

My eyes widen and I surge to my feet, holding my hands out, "Persy! What are you doing?!" Perseus snarls at me, swinging his sword again. I dive for my own, unsheathing it with only enough time to parry.

"Snap put of it! Its the forest!" I cry, but it doesn't seem to deter him.

"I'll kill your for what you did!" Perseus screams, slamming his sword down, which I block.

"Perseus! I didn't do anything! Please, listen to me!" He shouts something else, charging at me. I dodge and parry, not wanting to hurt him,

"What did I do!?" I cry out, and he roared, "You lied!! You bastard! Do you know the pain I went through!? All because you couldn't take a loss!"

My eyes widen, "I didn't realize you were hurt because of that! I told you! I'm sorry! Truly!" He continues his attack, snarling and spitting curses.

"Persy! I swear! I hate him just as much as you do!" He circles me, baring his teeth, "Yeah right! You probably asked him to do that!"

I shake my head, "No, Persy. He hurt me too. He hurts me. Often."

Perseus seems to finally snap out of it a little, "He.. your father what..?" My shoulders drop, my sword dropping a bit to my side,

"It's true. He hurts me. Uses his fire on me." I swallow thickly, the words hard to force out. "My brothers don't stop him because they are.. Scared. It doesn't leave marks.. But I can feel the heat.. Like i'm being burned alive.. Though it doesn't injure me."

He pales, his sword dropping, "I.. I had no idea.. Why- why didn't you say anything?" He steps towards me. His face pinched in concern,

I look away, the truth finally coming out in a quiet whisper, "I... I didnt want you or the rest of the knights.. To think I was weak. Sometimes that scares me more than.. My fathers fire."

He didn't say anything,, but seconds later I felt him approach, before his arms wrapped around me. "That doesn't make you weak, Eryx. Gods I- I'm so sorry. You didn't deserve that." I stiffen, looking down at him. His head resting against my chest, right under my chin. His hands warm against my back.

Something lodged itself in my throat, and I relaxed in his grip. Dropping my own sword to wrap my arms around him, resting my head against his.

"I.. I'm sorry for accusing you of cheating.." I whisper quietly. One of my hands shifting down, running gently over the scars beneath his tunic. "I'm sorry your father hurts you. I'm sorry I never payed attention." He murmurs softly.

We stayed there for a long time. Both of us reluctant to let go. Eventually, we both did. Perseus sighed, "Let's get some rest.." I nod, my hands wanting to linger. I shook it off and bent down, grabbing my sword and his, holding it out to him.

***

The next morning, we set off quietly. A companionable silence. We had no need to speak. It seemed like the forest almost opened up for us, and by the time it was midday, we had reached the edge of the forest.

Before us stood tall sheer cliffs. We gazed up, unable to see the peak. Clouds shrouding our view.

We moved froward, letting the horses graze as we ate briefly. I investigated the area, finding the entrance of a massive tunnel. I could see the end of it, as it went up. The sun catching on the other side, lighting up the tunnel in a fiery way. The walls lighting up golden and orange. It was breathtaking.

"Hey! Persy! I think i found part of the riddle!" I wait, hearing Perseus running over. We both gaze up the path.

"See? Flame-lit paths. Maybe that old man was telling the tuth after all." He turned back, looking over the horses, "What do we do with them?" I sighed. Approaching my steed. A bay mare ive had since birth.

"I suppose this is it, sweetheart. You have carried me true for many years. May you find your pastures always green." I gathered my things, settling my pack on my back. Pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. I would never find a horse like her again.

I turn to see Perseus giving his horse a similar sad goodbye. I wait for him, not interrupting. Finally, together, we head into the tunnels. Our horses free to wander. Likely to never see them again.

We walk up, the tunnels oddly warm. Neither of us saying a word. The moment thick with sorrow.

Climbing the tunnel proved to be treacherous and it began to steepen. Mulstiplt times we had to hug the walls, trying to find footing and holds to drag ourselves up. When we reached the top ledge, we stepped out over a rocky crag.

My breath caught. Looking out over the expanse of forests. The sun dipping down towards the horizon. It was incredible. The view from where we were.

Perseus grabbed my attention, "Look, another tunnel." I followed his gaze, seeing another entrance. We walked over, investigating the tunnel. We head inside, we carefully climb our way up.

At the top, I hold a hand out for Perseus to grab, which he took. Though as he did, the ground shifted, his foot sliding on a rock, and all too suddenly we were sliding down. Except it was like the ground swallowed us, I to the left, and Perseus to the right.

Dread filled me as the floor fell out from under me, and I dropped, hitting the ground and sliding quickly, before being spit out into a cave. Rolling towards the center. It was hot. Making me uncomfortable. It felt too close to my fathers flames.

I called out for Perseus, my voice echoing. But I heard nothing in return. Gods.. please be alive Persy.

I found a small tunnel leading off, and with nothing else to do, I followed it. It lead around, small pockets of firestone giving me enough light. For a while I felt dumb, seemingly walking in circles. Everything looked the same. Occasionally I called out for Perseus but got nothing in return.

Until I heard perseus screaming. I raced forward, drawing my sword. I burst into a room, the screaming ending abruptly. I looked around wildly, "P-Perseus?!" I call, turning in a slow circle, my chest heaving.

I heard laughing, at first it started slow, but got more malicious and dark. Seemingly surrounding me.

Weak! Weak! Pathetic. The laughing cried out. It filled my head, deafening. I cover my ears. "No! No no its not true!"

It gets louder and louder, sending me to my knees, sobbing. Shaking my head. Disgrace! Disgusting! Worthless!

I sobbed, "No no no, I'm not! I'm not.. I'm not.." I surged upwards, grabbing my sword and running. I sobbed, running and turning corners. I heard my dads voice, and perseus, the King and Queen. Calling me weak and worthless, pathetic. I couldn't do it. It was too much.

"I am not! I sob to the cave, "I'm stong! I am! I won't listen! Perseus said I was!"

I continued running, blindly. I felt like my brain was being split apart. Filled with so many voices. All I could think about was escaping. Turning and running and climbing and searching.

That is, until I turn a corner and run straight into someone.