3RD POV
The Moth Estate was quiet under a deep blue night sky, lit by twin moons and a soft glow of magic. The Dark Butterflies were finally home after a long, brutal day. Most of them were asleep. Zana rested with bandages, drained of magic. Ronan lay curled in his bed, still as a resting beast. Lyra stood by her window, gently watering her plants, relieved that everyone had survived. Airos tossed in his bed, trying, and failing not to think about Nachtsen Village before finally burying his head under a pillow. Downstairs, Severed slept on the couch despite the many places prepared for him, his bandaged body twitching slightly.
Nicholas sat on the edge of his bed, staring at the floor, his injured leg still aching. Across from him, Hunter lay on his back, eyes fixed on the ceiling, the marks on his skin slowly fading. Neither of them spoke. They had already said enough in the forest, through shouting, through tears, through blood. Nicholas rubbed his hands together as if trying to wash the day away, and when he finally spoke, his voice was hollow.
Nicholas: - I keep seeing his face.... That bandit.... The one who ran after me....
He swallowed, voice cracking a little.
Nicholas: - He.... almost killed me. I couldn't dodge in time. The Tree-trooper just....
He looked towards his waist and sure enough, the little wooden creature was still there, though right now it had moved to his left side, probably because he was laying on his back. Hunter finally rolled over to stare at him. He still wore the same hard and somewhat annoyed expression, but for once, there was no smugness. Just.... exhaustion.
Hunter: - Yeah....That Kael guy was a real piece of shit too.
Nicholas sniffed, wiping at his eyes.
Nicholas: - I hate this. I hate this place. I don't even know if all of this.... is even real.
There it was. The unspoken sentence. Even though Hunter hated Nicholas, he too had moments where he doubted the reality around him.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Selin stepped inside, her armor replaced by casual black clothing. She looked at them, at the two boys half-ruined by a world that hadn't even begun to explain itself to them yet, and for a moment, she just, .... observed. Then, she approached slowly, her voice soft.
Selin: - Can you walk?
Nicholas gave a small nod. Hunter scoffed.
Hunter: - Of course I can.
Selin: - Good. Follow me.
Nicholas blinked. Hunter groaned, sitting up on the bed. He really hoped this wasn't another training.
Selin: - And Kenju, get out of there.
From beneath Nicholas's bed, a muffled voice muttered:
Kenju: - No.
A moment later, a pair of grey eyes and an upside-down head emerged from under the frame.
Kenju: - I have to make sure my bestie is safe.
And just as quickly, he vanished back under the bed. Selin sighed.
Selin: - Let's go.
Still dazed, they followed her out into the quiet halls. Instead of descending the stairs however, they climbed higher and higher. Eventually, they reached a heavy wooden door marked with silver carvings. Selin pushed it open, revealing a large circular library-like room. Shelves stretched all around the curved walls, stacked with books, glass jars containing glowing orbs, and strange contraptions that looked like magical instruments or torture devices. It was hard to tell. The air smelled like old parchment, dried herbs, and a faint trace of ink. She took one of the torches on the wall.
YOU ARE READING
Adventures Beyond The Void (Season 1)
FantasíaNicholas Blackwood is a fifteen year old boy who always thought his life would be deprived of any form of happiness, condemned to be constantly neglected by his parents, bullied by his peers and uncared for by the world. One day his parents decide...
