Inescapable

Chapter Seven

Varian awoke early the next morning- almost as soon as Cassandra left his side. He felt well-rested for the first time in a very long time, which felt great. He propped himself up on one elbow, taking in his surroundings.

Just like when they had reached the Lagoon the day before, everything shone in the light. Ruddiger was still curled up next to the pillow, sleeping peacefully. Cass's blanket was still on top of his, but all other signs of camp had been packed away.

Where's Cass? he asked himself, suddenly alert, I know that she was just here...

Oh, gosh... Their visitor last night. Cass had said something about a previous experience with the guy she suspected it might be... What had she said?

Panic started to set in. Where was she? Was she okay? Varian stood, looking around. He kept his hand on the hilt of his sword- a move he'd learned from Cass.

He heard a slight rustling near the Lagoon entrance, but when he turned, nothing was there. Suddenly, it was dark- not the pleasant night kind, but a that-time-that-idiot-St-Croix-messed-with-his-invention-and-caused-a-big-huge-vortex type of dark- and a disembodied voice spoke.

Varian James Vatter, it said in a disapproving tone, young, innocent Varian... How much there is that you do not know.

Trembling, Varian drew his sword. All of the confidence he'd gained the night before, training with Cassandra, had vanished, and he dropped the sword. He fell to his knees, grasping for something, anything... But he came up empty.

"Wha- who are you?" Varian asked, "what do you want?"

He had to restrain from asking about Cassandra. Maybe, just maybe, she was just fine. Maybe it- the darkness, the voice- didn't know that she had come along with him, and she'd take it by surprise...

You fool, the voice said, she has left you for dead. She knew that your little quest would be futile.

"N-no," Varian stuttered, "she wouldn't..."

But, even as he said it, a strong sense of unease came over him. Why had she come along in the first place? No one could really, truly care for a guy like him, much less Cassandra... He really had been a fool.

All of the deepest, darkest feelings Varian had harbored and experienced over the years resurfaced, overwhelming him. He covered his head with his hands. And he screamed, loud and long, until his voice faded and he was reduced to body-wracking sobs.

And your mission is futile, the voice continued, the road to Old Corona is wrought with danger. But... If you give up on your quest now. Return to Corona. Do that and one more favor for me, and I will grant you everything you have ever wanted.

"And why should I listen to you?" Varian asked, "I- all I want is someone who genuinely loves me. Cares for me. And the only two who ever did..."