Afterlife's Vessel

VI

  "What do you think? You're the one that caused this after all..."

"It doesn't matter to me. As long as I get to eat, you can do whatever you want."

"Useless parasite."

"Useless parasite? You've got nerves to refer to a god like that."

"You're more of a devil, using me as a vessel to achieve your goals."

"Are you saying that you're not using him to achieve your goals?"

"Shut up!"

Artemi annoyingly straps on the leather glove and palms her face, groaning from the inability to decide. Even though Albori saved her, she still had doubts on his masked intentions, but also about her true intentions and whether she could morally bear the feeling of using somebody, especially if they saved her life. Artemi's room had no trace of any deliberate display of wildlife, so it would drift her attention away from the haunting past and focus on contemporary life. There were spots in shelves and on the floor which were abnormally empty, once seats for potted plants or displays.

"Artemi? Your friend is waiting for you outside. Have you finished packing yet?"

"Y-Yes, dad. I'm just... trying to find a few things."

Even though Artemi was still pondering on the matter, she told her father that she would be going to avoid him worrying on top of their already pivotal lives. Looking around the room and realising this would probably be her final time inside, Artemi decides to let go of the burdened past evocating her daily life and move forwards into the future.

"I'm here."

In contrast to Albori's luggage, her's were neatly done without corners of clothing seeping from the edges and unusual bulks. In addition, she had a tremendously different amount of items compared to him, raising a spark of curiosity in Albori's mind.

"Is that really all you need... Nevermind, let's get going; the sun won't wait for us."

Albori points to the closest village north on his map, circling it with a pencil.

"It'll only take half a day or so, I reckon. There will probably be stops anyways, so it shouldn't be that big of an issue."

"Kid, didn't you pay for a week? You've only stayed for a day."

"I only rented the room for a week because I thought it would take that long to find a party member, but it was easier than I expected. You can keep the money!"

"T-Thanks. Would you like anything before you leave?"

"I've already got a lot of things, but thanks for the offer."

Albori glances at her for a second, before she responds with a nod. While they exit the building, the innkeeper warmly embraces her for a long second, handing a small object wrapped in a handkerchief to Artemi, which she throws in her pocket.

Hours later, when the sky is a painting with strokes of an inky abyss, Albori and his companion settle inside a roadside hut, infested with intricate white cobwebs but with no spiders in sight.

"Artemi, aren't you scared?"

"Why?"

"Faunas can easily eat a spider right now and transform."

"It relies on my senses and what's in my line of sight. Because it's so dark, I can't see any spiders, and therefore, it doesn't either."

"I agree it is a bit dark here... By the way, what did your father give you before leaving?"