by J E Mueller
Ze gave a hesitant laugh, “You seemed busy or I’d have let you take over from the start.” He backed a few feet away.
I let the arrow loose and hit it in its left eye. Mare got in close and sliced its throat, silencing its cries of pain to gurgles, then nothing.
“Good to see you trying.” I smiled at Ze. “I bet you could be good with your sword with some practice.”
Mare chuckled. “She’s got a point. This could be practice for you too, not just her.”
Ze rolled his eyes at Mare but smiled at me. “That is a fair point.”
Mare turned sharply as she sensed something new. “As much as I want to stay and play, let’s not.”
“I’m fine with that. Let’s get out of here,” I agreed, giving her a firm nod.
Mare glanced down at my wrists before taking off, knowing full well why I was ready to go now. Ze gave me a curious look before quickly following Mare as well. For now, I was not going to explain any of this nonsense if I could avoid it.
Down this hall and that, we reached the first floor, only for Mare to curse and keep up the pace. After going down a few side halls, she took us back up stairs.
“What’s going on?” I breathed heavily.
“Canton has a stupid large crew out,” Mare huffed, hardly slowing her pace.
“Let’s use a passageway to lose them,” Ze suggested.
With a nod, Mare took a sharp turn and flung open a door. Moments later we were in another passageway where Mare finally let us breathe for a moment.
“We should keep going,” she insisted after just enough time passed to barely catch our breaths.
“I hate this game,” Ze grumbled but nodded, cracking his knuckles. “Let’s do it.”
Ze seemed to understand the running game a bit better than I did, but he had been here nearly a month already.
“What could Canton be up to?” I grumbled.
“Likely no good,” Mare grumbled in return.
“That’s not descriptive.” I sighed, but it was really anyone’s guess what he could be up to.
“If it’s Canton, my best guess is murder. With the large group he was with maybe an artifact mission, maybe something else. I don’t really know.” Mare sighed, pausing. “I think we’re hidden enough for a moment.”
“I really don’t want to deal with Canton tonight.” Ze groaned tiredly.
I wanted to ask what run ins he could have had, but it seemed they were all similar enough unless Benz was there.
“What is our plan, then?” I didn’t have much to suggest, but if they followed us up here, they would find us as soon as we dropped back down.
“It’s hard to say. Canton has been at this for a while. Not nearly as long as me, but probably over a year.” Mare sat as best as the tight space would allow.
Ze nodded. “He could just as easily get into a passageway or assume we may cut across the floor this way and try to ambush us there.”
“Exactly. It would be pointless to follow our exact trail, but who knows what exactly he has planned and if he’ll try and split the group up or not.” Mare shook her head, ready to be done with this.
“Maybe just wait here for a bit, and then drop back and leave the way we came?” I suggested. “Canton doesn’t seem like the guy that waits.”
“But he is the divide and conquer kind if he doesn’t have to do the waiting. I’m sure several of his crew would rather just chill by the stairs,” Mare argued reasonably.
“But are they the ‘I’m going to kill you’ kind of waiting crew or can we slip by?” I countered. I was really curious to see what her reply would be.
Mare nodded slowly. “That could honestly go either way. They may not care at all. Honestly, if we charge them, we might just get by without a fight entirely.”
“Woohoo no death!” I cheered happily just as the ceiling collapsed around us.
I hadn’t realized we took that much time and looked up to see the ceiling looking absolutely normal.
“That was not what I was wanting today,” Ze groaned as he pulled himself up off the floor.
Mare wasn’t any happier. “Damn it. That hasn’t happened to me in ages. I really wish there was some warning beforehand.”
I glanced around and was excited to see we were alone. “No monsters, at least.”
Mare nodded, magic lightly lighting her hands. “Nope, we’re good, and the stairs are clear. Let’s go.” Mare pulled herself up from the ground as Ze offered me a hand up.
“What if they’re at the bottom of the stairs?” I asked, finally on my feet once more.
“Then we rush them and keep going.” Mare shrugged. “That one does accidentally happen a lot. If we take the stairs quickly it’ll be fine.
I nodded. “Let’s get going, then.”
Ze hesitated. “When did you get that thing?” He pointed to my wrist.
Oh. I shrugged. “Oh, it’s an old artifact that was found when I first got here.”
“But you died…” Ze vaguely motioned. “So, those things get reset…”
Well, that didn’t work. “Yes, I found it again while we were searching. Clove told me Cane had a theory it could be in the basement. They’ve been trying to track how and where they turn up. Guess they were wrong. It was a floor below where they originally found it.”
Ze nodded slowly. “I did hear that conversation. Guess it’s a lucky find.” He dropped the conversation and I breathed a little easier.
“All right. We’ve got a spoon. We’ve got a bracelet. Let’s get home already.” Mare sighed, leading the way. She didn’t turn to see if we were following.
“As much as I don’t want to do this, should we just sprint for it?” I hated myself for even asking.
“Probably the best bet. Let’s do it.” Mare instantly picked up the pace from a walk to a jog.
“I really hate this suggestion,” Ze grumbled, keeping up easily.
I really hoped after three weeks I’d have this running thing down as easily as he did. Something told me that was unlikely, and that Ze probably did a lot of running before this stage of his existence.
Quietly, we made our way to the stairs and slowly descended the spiral until we hit the bottom. No one was in sight. My heart skipped a beat. The plan had worked! Maybe I could actually get around here fairly well.
The second Mare’s foot hit the ground floor she cursed, pulled both of us back on the stairs and started to move fast. We didn’t need to ask why. It was instantly obvious when five people appeared from around the corner. None I knew, and while I was glad not to hear Canton, I still knew this was trouble.
We rushed up the stairs, with the group hot on our tail. I wasn’t sure what would happen if we hit a creature, but I had a feeling they would use the opportunity to their advantage.
I hated the truth we were about to face. “Can we out navigate them?”
Mare shook her head. “The routes back down or up stairs have creatures near them.”
“Then we fight,” Ze declared.
I hated that it was true, but I supposed we couldn’t avoid it. “Fight to injure,” I replied firmly. If we could at least not kill them, I’d sleep better.
Ze had summoned his sword as did Mare. Neither looked like they were going to follow my statement. Sighing, I summoned my bow and readied myself to fight.
With a look I barely caught, the two of them stopped. I stopped a few feet later and spun around to see the others continuing to run at us. Quickly, I readied an arrow and as Ze and Mare met the first two for combat. I shot the first knee I saw. The guy screamed in agony, dropping to the floor. I saw his comrade behind him just step over him as if nothing had happened.
What the heck?
Hardly an alliance, it seemed. They had the goal to fight us and worry about anything else later. I hoped they wouldn’t just leave someone behind like that. My gut churned at the thought of being left to the creatures that roamed. Who would be the monsters then?
And that action can decide a sou
l’s fate in an instant.
Thanks, voice. As useful as that information was, I did not need it now. I nocked another arrow and as soon as someone from the other team moved just within my sights I managed to get them in the thigh.
I watched as Ze pushed someone back with more ease than I had imagined. The adrenaline must be serving him well or he was better than they gave himself credit for. Mare was also effortlessly dueling and she stabbed someone in the gut and shoved them aside.
Surprise caught up in my throat and distracted me as she began to engage the other fighter. I didn’t notice the guy I had shot in the thigh at first had recovered enough to charge at me, sword in hand. I didn’t have a chance to get the arrow nocked back correctly when he began to swing down. I released the arrow in surprise right into his neck, causing the momentum of the sword to angle away as he collapsed to the ground.
What had I done?
I stared in disbelief as he choked up blood for a moment and his eyes went foggy. This wasn’t what I wanted at all. I just wanted to defend myself and escape, not kill them. I didn’t even know his name.
“Remi, let’s go!” I heard Ze shout as he gave me a firm shake.
Mare grabbed the hold of my wrist. “Come on.” She dragged me along, my legs moving automatically.
Chapter 12
I didn’t know how long it took to get back, or even what path we took. All I knew was that we didn’t see hide nor hair of person or creature for the rest of the way back.
When we arrived in the safe room – when did we pass through the painting? – I collapsed on the first open sofa I saw. I was physically and mentally exhausted, and too unsure how I felt about myself anymore. Mare said nothing at first, and just sat on the floor in front of me while Ze took a seat across from us. I did not want to deal with myself right now and buried my face in a throw pillow.
“You did what you had to to survive,” Mare said softly after several minutes, giving my leg a soft pat.
“At what cost?” I mumbled back, refusing to remove my face from the pillow.
“A small one. They chose to harm, and you choose time and time again to protect. You’ll save others. I firmly believe it,” Mare replied, leaning her head back onto the cushion.
After the silence stretched on for a long while Clove, Cane, Sans, and Lo appeared. Their voices were loud upon entering but quickly quieted down as they passed by us. They grumbled about some trouble with Canton as they were getting ready to head back and it appeared the bullet we dodged tried to strike them. I could only imagine it would have been worse facing Canton head on.
Clove made her way over to us while the others continued to complain about their adventure. “Good afternoon!” she called loudly, almost excitedly, to us but when she got no reply, she continued. “Anyway, did you find anything?” Clove asked Mare. I glanced over the pillow to see how the conversation would play out.
“Not really.” Mare shrugged off. “We also saw Canton and ended up spending some time on the second floor but nothing worthwhile came up.”
Clove sighed. “Figures. What a waste of a day. I need a nap.” She waved and headed off.
As Sans, Lo, and Cane milled about elsewhere I glanced over at Mare. I didn’t want to bring attention to the fact we had found a new artifact or found the old one, but I wanted answers all the same. Why did she cover for us like that? Was Ze hiding something too?
“I think I also need a nap.” Ze yawned and stretched and I noted how he slid the spoon over to Mare, who took it.
“I don’t blame you. It might just be that time of day,” she agreed and glanced at me. “What do you think?”
“I am beyond exhausted,” I agreed, feeling more mentally done than physically.
The three of us got up and wandered to the rooms. Ze headed off into one just past mine, but Mare stopped at mine and as soon as we were in closed the door behind us.
“I know that look. You want to know what’s going on,” she stated bluntly.
“You could say that.” I took a seat on the edge of my bed. “Spill.”
“Cane’s gift only works when active and then only in a certain range. For weeks now we’ve been hiding artifacts,” Mare replied with such straightforward honesty I was surprised.
“What? Why?”
Mare sighed, walking slowly around the room. “Because you’re not the first to make the connection between the artifacts and the Creators. I just needed to question you so I could be sure we were on the same track. Then when you didn’t give up everything to Clove I knew for sure.”
That was something to make my head spin. “Okay, when did this all start? How even? Or is it who?”
Mare chuckled. “Just Dreamers hearing things and passing along messages. They seem to always quickly ‘die’ once they pass along their messages though.”
Not odd or suspicious at all. “What have the messages been?” It’s not like I’ve been asked to deliver a message.
Because I saw it wasn’t working.
Thanks for popping up now of all times, voice.
“The Creators are here, just trapped in artifacts. Or similar variations. Straight to the point.”
I nodded as I took in the information. “Are Dreamers just from this side or both sides vanishing?”
Mare shrugged. “Both as far as I know. Of course, Canton seems to be set on killing them all, regardless if they’d help his side or not. I’m not sure how many are aware of the situation or messages. Most here seem oblivious. I don’t know who is causing the grief here and killing them, but I’m certain someone from our alliance is doing the same.”
“But you’re positive it’s on this side as well?”
“Positive.” Mare yawned and turned for the door. “It’s a lot to take in, but for now, just nap on things. Today has been enough as it is.”
“Wait!” I called as Mare’s hand rested on the knob. “Am I even safe here, then?”
“As long as you don’t say anything, I can’t imagine why not.” Mare shrugged. “The person causing trouble on this side clearly doesn’t want to be noticed so they won’t do anything in the open.”
I nodded but didn’t feel as sure. I looked around my empty room. Yep. Totally safe.
Seeing my glances and expression Mare gave a tired sigh. “Fine.” She walked to an empty bed and collapsed into it. “Wake me if murders are going on.”
I gave a tired laugh. “Sure, can do.” With that I decided it was best to at least attempt sleep.
My dreams returned me to the fog. Tendrils of the drab, olive green cloud spilled around the shadows. The random floating candles were doing no more now than they did the first time to make things more comforting. For several moments, maybe even minutes, we just faced off and stared at one another, if a thick fog could stare.
“Why won’t you aid us? We can save her…” The voice changed three times as the fog seemingly spoke for many.
I continued to stare at it, too tired to react to its demands and many voices. I wasn’t sure exactly what I wanted but from its level of slowly guilting me I sensed I still didn’t want to help.
Moments passed.
I stared, and stared, and stared.
As the world around me shifted to black I felt a throbbing in my head and woke up to darkness around me. Mare was still sleeping on a nearby bed and I wasn’t sure if any time had really passed at all. I felt hardly rested, so I decided to sleep more.
Try as I might though, sleep refused me. I finally decided I should just get up. Maybe I needed to wander. It was late enough it was likely okay. At least, if I didn’t wander too far or do anything stupid. Easing around corners would help.
Nodding at my own plan, I walked past the empty common area and through the painting, hardly feeling the odd jelly around me anymore.
The house felt cold and empty as I wandered around. Part of me wondered where all the creatures could be, and the other part remembered just how many people were out and about today. They would reset eventually, and I n
eeded to be equally on my guard. Thankfully, things on this floor were easy enough for me.
As I wandered, I opened rooms and looked around a bit here and there. Like the second floor, the first floor had its own set of repeated items and furniture quickly making it rather boring. Nothing stood out as worthwhile as I wandered, until I opened a door and saw a vast room, much bigger than made sense from the outside. The only problem was all the various sized spots of water, some puddles, some large enough to be considered ponds.
This was the room Mare told me to avoid. There was no dark sense of foreboding though. Something felt oddly right. I sensed that I once knew this place well. While feelings of joy, and a sense of fun came to me, no actual memories filled my mind. I wasn’t sure if that meant I should turn and run or if that meant I needed to dig deeper.
Hesitantly, I took a step into the room. Then another. Before I knew it, I was staring down into one of the better-sized puddles. It was wide enough to fit an entire person and seemed to go down endlessly.
“You know, I’d drown you if I could,” a voice said, startling me back.
A few puddles in front of me stood a human form made entirely out of water.
I slowly started to back out of the room, not trusting this new appearance. “Sorry for intruding,” I whispered.
“You still don’t remember.” It was a statement more than a question. Her voice didn’t sound surprised or sad.
I paused, unsure what to make of the situation. “Something about this place feels right.”
She nodded. “It should.”
“Who are you?” Maybe that would be the clue to remembering something.
“You called me water lady for a long time. Others called me demon of the waters. My name though, is simply Marella.”
I nodded, the name sounded familiar, but like the word on the tip of my tongue, I couldn’t place why or how.
“And you are Remilla though you much prefer to go by Remi. And at one time, I do believe you even prefered Sunshine, since you were a ray of sunshine.”
I snickered, remembering my mother calling me that all the time when I was little. Melody was her unsung song since she was ridiculously shy.