The Missing Piece

Chapter 12

Not knowing what time or day it was made Nick extremely on edge but also content. As they still made their way through the forest and towards the rocky environment, the knight exactly knew where he was heading, just like in the beginning. Behind him though, the small pirate was huffing and puffing as he tried to catch up with the quick knight.

"Are.. we... there... yet?" the pirate asked as he was running out of breath.

Noticing his struggle, Nick glanced down from where he was climbing and stepped down to meet the exhausted traveler.

"Tell you what, how about you stay and wait here by any chance Jake or Mason would escape, that way it will be easier for the both of us." the knight explained in great detail, hoping that the pirate will understand.

Clearly too tired to process any of his words, the pirate laid down on the hard rock to try to rest up. Rolling his eyes, Nick figured that he understood his plan. Looking back at the rocks, the castle was closer than he'd expected it to be, making the knight slightly anxious. But he took a deep breath to try to calm down and took a step forward before he was held back slightly. Glancing back around he saw that the worn-out pirate was holding out something small in his hands. Curious about what it could be, Nick looked at it more closely, seeing that it was a locket. Puzzled by the contents of it, Nick pressed the small button that was on the front and revealed the graphics of a testing arrow. He looked back at the pirate, who had tears in his eyes.

"It was Captain's before it... all happened. Supposedly when you hold it, the arrow points to what your heart desires the most." he explained, trying not to cry as he remembered his crew.

Giving him reassurance, the knight placed a gentle hand on the shivering shoulder of the smaller man.

"Thank you," he whispered, making the crew member give out a small smile.

As he looked down at the compass, the arrow spun a couple of times before stopping to point directly behind him. Slowly turning around, the knight knew exactly where the arrow was pointing towards, the castle where he once traveled to.

Taking another deep breath, Nick clenched onto his guidance and ran forward, remembering step by step on where to go to save his prince.

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The walk towards the entrance to the castle felt too familiar. Now facing this alone made Nick's anxiety grow incredibly fast, but he had to keep moving on, especially since he was so close. Clenching onto his weapon tightly, the knight made his way through the castle once again, like it was muscle memory. Oddly enough though, the dragon was not to be seen, which puzzled Nick.

'Shouldn't he be here guarding the place?' Nick questioned but didn't want to waste any more time as he quickly ran through the empty halls.

Feeling every pump of blood from his heart as he took a step, Nick's body was beginning to slowly shut down but he wasn't going to let it happen, not right now. Trying to stay focused, Nick exhaustingly pushed himself forward into a new room that he's never been before.

The wide open space confused the knight as he entered, echoes filling up the room with his steps. Mystified, Nick's eyes glanced around the area since it was too quiet but no one was around.

'Where-...' the thought was completely cut off from the intense pain that attacked Nick's body once again.

However, this time, it felt incredibly unbearable as if he was right by the source that causes the pain. Striking each pressure points and nerves, the knight lowered his weakened body to his knees as he tried to resist the struggle. The electrifying shocks that ran through his system increased, making Nick groan in pain. He tried to control his body to not give in, but it was becoming wearing each second. He hated this feeling, he wanted it to stop but it might not until the very end.