The Last Beacon

XXIV

After several days, it seemed that Sascha and Laurenz were no closer to the Shadow Tower.

The path had long ago diminished into nothing, and they had no indication of where they had to go. They no longer had Lion to guide them, and it felt as though they were not making any progress whatsoever.

"We just need to find the tower, then we'll know where to go," Laurenz would often say, much to Sascha's annoyance. She could never quite tell who he was reassuring, her or himself.

What worried Sascha was that they were running low on food rations, and at the rate they were going, she was concerned that they would run out before they would have the chance to restock. She sensed that Laurenz was also worried, but neither of them brought up the subject, as if it were some sort of unspoken agreement. Regardless, it was never brought up in conversation.

Sascha barely felt the days go by as they passed.

She had reached the point where she was unsure of how long it had been since she had left her town, or how long since Lion had died. All she knew now was to put one foot in front of the other.

However, the long walk was a good chance for her to get to know Laurenz better. The atmosphere had seemed to lose a lot of its tension between them, and she was genuinely enjoying his company. Despite the circumstances, and what had happened, they had shared many laughs and happy moments.

She told him the stories that she remembered from her childhood, before she lost her parents, and the times she had been in trouble numerous times with people around the town. In return, he told her stories of his life before bounty hunting, when he was still young and impressionable.

There were times, though, that the conversation was not so light. Laurenz had elaborated more on his past on a bounty hunter.

"I don't regret it entirely," he had said, "I miss the money, for the most part. I've come to reflect on what I had done to people, though, after Seraphina was killed. I began to realise that maybe what I was doing wasn't right, as much as I tried to convince myself it was. But no matter how much I wish I could erase that part of my life, it will always be a part of who I am. I can never escape that, or what I've done."

Sascha had tried to bring up who he was meant to kill on his last job, but he quickly shut her down. She couldn't tell whether he just didn't want to talk about it, or whether he didn't want her to know. Whatever it was, he seemed incredibly tight-lipped about it. She tried not to be suspicious about it, and she pushed away her curiosity, but a part of her still wanted to know. However, she knew it was best to leave it alone.

She had finally gained a sense of how much time had passed when Laurenz brought it up. She was surprised he was keeping count but relieved all the same to know he had kept track.

"It's been too long. We should be there by now," he said, concern evident in his voice.

"How long has it been?" Sascha asked.

"You don't know?" Laurenz asked her, raising an eyebrow.

"I've lost track," she admitted honestly.

"We've been searching for the Shadow Tower for ten days, Sascha. It's been ten days since Lion passed, and ten days of us wandering about without a clue where to go."

Sascha's breath hitched in shock. Has it really been that long?

"It's these woods. I should have known this would happen," he cursed.

"What?"

"We're running out of time," Laurenz continued, "these woods can take a toll on the mind. I'm not surprised you've lost track of how long we've been here. This forest has several enchantments across it. It has a way of making you feel as if no time has passed and it has a way of subconsciously compelling you to make no progress, leading you astray. That's why we've not made it to the tower. I can't shake the feeling that it has led us off course. I'm aware of the enchantment, but I can't get rid of it. We're stuck unless one of us can break free from it."

Sascha said nothing, still trying to wrap her head around how long it had been.

"Sascha, I know it's a lot to ask right now, but I need you to focus. Maybe you can do a better job of pushing through the forest's enchantments than I can. Try to break out of its hold and try to search for anything that might help us get going the right way."

She nodded once, and they stopped walking.

She closed her eyes gently and took a deep breath. She calmly attempted to clear her mind, and all of a sudden, she became aware of a block that was present in her mind. She could feel that it was preventing her from being fully aware of her surroundings, and she knew she had to get rid of it.

Laurenz gasped at something, but she didn't break her focus to ask him what the matter was. She forced all of her energy into one attack on the block in her mind, and with a jolt, her body shuddered as she felt the mental barrier crack.

It had not been destroyed, but she knew it was damaged. The problem was, she didn't know if she had enough energy to strike it a second time.

Despite that, she ignored her doubt, and took another deep breath.

This time, she told herself, this time I'll break it. I can do it.

She visualised the wall that kept her from her full awareness, and she readied herself to make another attempt at it.

However, as she prepared herself, she felt her focus falter for a moment. Her energy was scattered, and she really didn't know if she could push herself to fight the enchantment again.

But, as if it were a miracle, a newfound source of energy enveloped her body. She clenched her fists, channelling it. She felt her eyes open, but she couldn't see anything.

She could feel goose bumps rise over her entire body as she forced the energy into the mental block.

Sascha's body jerked forward as the wall shattered, and she felt her awareness flood back to her in a rush. She felt as though she had woken from a trance, and the energy that had enveloped her disappeared as quickly as it arrived.

Her sight returned and her mind calmed, and she let out a sigh.

The first thing she saw was Laurenz gaping at her in disbelief.

"What?" She asked.

"You used your power," he told her, "I didn't know that you could do it on command."

"I can't use it on command," she corrected, "it kind of just happens."

"I hate the resemblance between you and Decius when you use that power. It unsettles me," he admitted quietly.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean your entire aura shifts. Normally, I don't see you any differently than anyone else, but when you use your power, it's like I can physically feel the presence of your magic, and it's overwhelming. Then it's the blue power that swallows your hands, just like his. What unsettles me the most though, is your eyes. They're normally brown, right? When you use your power, though, your eyes glow so brightly, in the most chilling shade of blue imaginable. I've only ever seen something like that in Decius's eyes. When you use your power, it feels like a part of him is here with us, and there's something about it that just doesn't sit right with me."

Sascha said nothing, but her mind was swimming with thoughts.

What if he found out that Decius had been talking to me, or visited me? Oh God, what if he already knew?

Sascha began to wonder how she and Decius were connected. It was more than just this power, she was sure of it. She was uncertain of his intentions, and even less sure of his motives, but she intended to find out.

"You think you can lead us out, now?" He asked.

"I think I can find a way. Try not to wander off, eh?" Sascha said, making a weak attempt at a joke.

She started walking in a different direction, as if she were being pulled by some invisible force, and Laurenz followed closely behind, still under the influence of the enchantment.

Although she was relatively confident about where she was headed, she couldn't shake the fact that it was all down to her to find the Shadow Tower. She could feel her self-doubt encroach her, and she was worried that she wouldn't be able to lead them out.

However, no matter how concerned she was about not being able to find their destination, she knew the responsibility rested on her, and she couldn't fail.