The World Reversed

The Silent Monster

Note:
Sorry to all the Asra lovers, he is evil here. He will be doing most of the torturing and evil deeds in this entire story. So yeah, hopeful you'll enjoy it.

You be warned!!!!
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We've travel in the world where nothing ever changes, and nothing ever ends for eternity, searching for our friends and family with unknown destiny.

Scout leads us tirelessly no matter how unwilling I am to move on. The hope in me had died since a long time ago. I'm just living, and walking without a reason. I don't know what's gonna happen when we find our friends, if we will find them at all. Sometimes, I forgot our purpose of the travel when I wake up, forgot their names and looks.

Me and Julian haven't really spoke for a uncertain amount of time. Ever since I gave up on the thought of unbinding him, we talked less and less. Cheering him up is impossible, even the small irrelevant talks ended up in painful thoughts for unknown reason. I wanted to stay positive for him, be the sun of his life; but even the brightest fire will burn off one day. Finally, I don't even bother pretending.

I seek out to Julian for comforts from time to time, who responses to me readily and eagerly. Other than that, he doesn't really touch me.

I've come to acceptance that the Julian I love was long dead. His face blurred in my memory, twisting into the feathery creature that I've grown to be familiar with. I can't even recall the color of his hair. The good thing about forget, is that you won't miss it anymore.

He trails behind us, follows in silent. Sometime I think it might be better off to just stay in the forsaken place where I found Julian; the place I can't recall the name of. At least it'll save us all the trouble of this life-risking meaningless adventure.

Malak was dead in an unfortunate accident. We encountered some leach like creature, and Malak was bit by its poisonous fang. Although I tried to heal him, but my power alone was not enough. We didn't want to burry him in this withered land, so we burnt him into ashes, and set him free in the sky. My heart has grown numb, I can't even shed a tear when he drifts away with the wind.

Scout leads us to a realm with deep blue beach one day. It looks dark with the dim moon being the only light source. The sea ain't moving, and the wind doesn't dance. The whole realm feels lifeless with faint trace of magic.

We step into the soft sand as I look around; it feels familiar. We might have been here in on point, but who knows? There are thousands of realms, millions of realms we've pass through, who would keep count?

I turn to Julian, wanted to ask if he has the same feeling, but turn back to face forward as I see him follows into the realm with his  head hanging low. He's not even watching.

We enters the dark tropical forest in the realm, tripping a few times as we move on.

"Would you like me to carry you?" Julian sighs as I trip for the fifth time, and approaches for my permission. He had stopped trying to help me actively ever since I snapped at him one time. He'd always ask for my permission, unless I'm in mortal danger.

"Yes, thank you." I look into his eyes, trying to smile as sincere as I can. The side of my lips twitch, but I'm not sure if I managed it. If he feels he's helping, he'll be in better mood.

Julian picks me up from my hips, arm supporting my back as I wrap one arm around his feathery neck. His clutches on my waist so very gentle, as if afraid I might break if he puts in anymore strength.

Julian's sharp claws cut the twisting roots effortlessly as he walks. We pass the dark forest without any more difficulties.

Scout show us to a clearing in the forest. A withered tree spreads its branches around a door that stands alone in the dead land. The tree was dead, the inside empty, leaving only the skin clinging on the door to support it. It is bizarre to see a door not attached to a wall, it never happens. Not that I can remember.

Scout stops by the door, but did not push it open like they usually do. They wait for me to reach the door, and tilts their head in question, asking me what am I waiting for.

I push the door open, and the withered vines disintegrate into pieces and drift away in the air.

"What's happening. Please, don't go!" As soon as I open the door, I see Asra reaching desperately for something that dissolved into powder and fall to the ground. He kneels in front of what remains, and sobs uncontrollably.

"Asra!" I dash in and hold he into my arms, and Julian follows, closing the door gently behind us. Asra freeze at my touch, and his hand slowly reaches to lay over mine crossed in front of him.

"MC...?" He calls uncertainly, then tilts his head to peer behind him sideways, as if afraid to turn back and find no one there.

"It me." My tear drops in happiness. Asra turns to me so abruptly when he assures I'm right there, and holds me tightly into his arms.

And then, he sees Julian, silently stands in the shadow like he's trying to conceal himself. He pushes me behind, and conjures a shield in between Julian and us. I try to tell Asra, but he won't listen. He calls Julian monster, and asks him to get out.

"Julian! Stop! You are scaring him!" I push Asra aside and stretch my arms wide to cover Julian. Julian cowards into corner at Asra's threatening magic, knocking a few mugs to shatter on the ground in panic.

"This is ALL your fault!" Asra stops his motion in shock. Then he starts cursing Julian. He blames him for making the deal, and mocks him on his self-sacrificing. Julian says nothing, but keeps mumbling sorry. Sorry. Sorry...

"Thats enough, Asra. Cut it off!" I plunge myself over to Julian, wanting to calm his shaking. I snap at Asra to stop. Julian didn't want this either, he did all these to protect me.

"How did it happened..." Asra sighs and stops. He looks... sad when he take turns to look at me and Julian.

I told him whatever after the ritual. Everything that I can remember. I didn't tell him the many hidden scars under my clothes, the little accidents that Julian left on me. He does not need to know.

"You can stay here. It's safe here." Asra sighs when I finished telling the story. He offers us to stay in his oasis. The oasis can give us everything we need, there's no need for us to travel anymore.

"...I want to find the others." It sounds like a tempting suggestion, but I can't help to think: what next? We will live. We eat when we want, and sleep when we want. And there'll be no purpose left in this eternal life, so what's the difference dead or alive?

"Then, at least. Stay for a rest. I'll come with you once you had enough sleep." He strokes my cheek gently with his thumb, and kisses me on my forehead like he used to. I sway gently to dodge from him. I don't want to upset Julian.

Asra offers Julian and me the bed. Julian didn't want to sleep with me at first, but he lets me cuddle with him eventually. I hold onto Julian as he envelopes me with his wings.

"Sleep well, you are safe here." He whispers gently as I drift off into dreamless slumber.