HOPE

Journey II

This is not a fun journey, at all.

The metal plates banged onto my sweaty skin. Sticking and unsticking all the way from the camp. The helmet felt a lot heavier, a lot hotter as the scorching sun baked us under all its might. Pegasus was also exhausted as his breathing quickens, opposite from her pace. 

But Ryn was just strutting there, with style, on her black stallion. She must have realized me and my horse slowing down that she decided to rest in a nearby cavern. 

Curious by nature, I volunteered to explore the enormous cave. This is the size of mothers throne room. This... is so cool.

"Do you need any company?" Ryn asked.

"Huh?" I snapped back to reality. "That's up to you. As long as they stay a distance away. I need some space to travel in."

With those last words, I walked deeper. Into the darkness with only the light emitting from my bracelet. I can hear the sounds of dozens of heavy boots behind me. Not far, but far enough.

There are stalagmites and stalactites everywhere! I've only seen them in URH. The texture are also different. I thought they were smooth... 

I read about caves and caverns once and I heard about 'echo'. I tried at mother's library when I was 13 and sent 15 armed guards rushing in thinking I was in danger. My eyes gleamed with excitement as I take a deep breath in.

"HELLOOO????"

Hello..hello...lo...lo...lo..... 

I giggled and jumped further in as I can hear the heavy boots trying to catch up with me. Like, seriously? With their current pace, I don't think they'll ever win a race with a snail. I left them way behind as I imagined their look as they say an illuminating bracelet jumped around and turned smaller till it disappears in front of their eyes.

As soon as I heard no more stomping, I walked normally. Everything seemed the same. The only difference is the height and color pattern of the stalagmites and stalactites. I kept walking in confidence as I knew I only need to go straight back to get to the camp base.

I stopped when I reached a stream of... water. I thought there's no such thing as water out here. I thought they all dried up or even if there were, they are going to be muddy, dirty, smelly and just pure disgust. But this water... this water is glowing. It's clear. And so wonderful. It's enchanting aura hypnotized me to come closer. 

I kneeled by the bank, my mirror clear reflection stared back at me. Unable to hold myself, I put my hand in it. It felt warm... relaxing. I pulled my hand out. And immediately, my callused and dusty hand was cleaned, my calluses were healed. I looked at the water but found no trace of dirt. I took out my canteen and filled it with the water. Who knows it might be helpful later? I turned my back and heard and saw nothing. After a day in this cruel outfit, I can finally let my skin breathe.

The sounds of my armors clunked on the cavern ground. I let go of my bunned hair and dropped the tie on the ground. Along with my navy blue suit. Slowly yet surely, I walked towards the water.

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It was refreshing. As I walked out, my once wet body dried almost immediately. I bent down to pick my suit when I stopped midway.

I saw a dress. White.

Clean.

Wearing it once wouldn't hurt, I thought. Humming, I put it on. It fitted perfectly. As if it was made for me. It is collarless. Just a "V" shape from one shoulder to another. I touched the long wide sleeves, the wide collarless. Nothing happened. No secret button nor function. Just pure silk. I just can't stop sliding my hands down the smooth dress. Until, the loud roar coming from behind me.

I saw monstrous creatures. 3 of them. Snarling as they rounded me. Although their skin is snowy white, the faint blood traces are still visible. Wolf-like monster. I read about wolves. They attack in a pack. Although there's only 3 now, they are still more than one. I looked at the bow and arrow laying beside my armors.

I can make this run. I can...

I sprinted and break their formation as they followed not far behind.

I can do this... I can...

Those weapons are just a few meters away now. 

I can...

One of them, largest leaped in front of me, blocking my way as the other 2 blocked all the exit I can possibly think of.

I can't.

They wouldn't let go of their prey... especially when it tried running away once. They would kill it on the spot. Shit... I hope they do it fast.

I closed my eyes and waited for the worst when I felt the largest one closing up to my face. I can feel it's bloody breath as it let out a low growl beside my ear.

"PROTECT THE PRINCESS!!!" my left behind company had followed up. They formed a circle around me with their shield and swords and spears. But that barely did anything. The 3 monsters just swooped them up and they came flying to random places. One of the foot armies tried to pull me away and he managed a good 5 meters before one of the monsters pushed him to me. Hence, pushing me into a different section of water. Not the glowing one. Just normal water.

Everything turns blurry as all I can see are bubbles. But I didn't remember the stream to be this deep. All a sudden, something pulled me. Deeper. I looked down and realized this was no stream. It's a mouth. A giant full of sharp teeth circular mouth. And I'm in its middle.

I tried swimming up, swaying my arms like crazy, but it only pulled me deeper. I gave up and just let the strong current slowly pulled me into the endless abyss. I can hear Ryn's panicking voice as she saw the 3 monster and my disappearance. I didn't know she cared about me that much.

I smiled and closed my eyes. Maybe I can meet father after this. Only a few suffocations. Then it will be peaceful.

I opened my eyes abruptly as I heard 3 loud gigantic splashes. The 3 white monsters swam up to me. Come on! You got a buffet ready on land and you need to get down here just for a tiny shrimp like me???

I curled up to a ball, still holding my breath as they swam closer. To be an evolution of wolves, they are way faster. Even faster than brother's brand new flying car, FC-2.1.

I waited for the worst as I cower under the shield of my frail arms. 

I miss mother... I miss brother... I miss home.