by J E Mueller
I barely recognized Kaden from my first day here so we both nodded at each other before I replied to Ze. “I said I’d check down here to see if there was some sort of monster compendium. Any sort of information on what could be outside would be great, though I’d take an inside one as well.” I sunk into one of the desk chairs. I wasn’t sure if I was just stupid tired from my run through the halls or if this was the best chair ever. I felt far too tired. There was no way I got more than two or three hours of straight sleep.
Ze glanced at his friend and they both shrugged. “Haven’t seen anything like that down here. I’d suspect if there was an indoor guide it’d be on the second floor. I bet an outside one would be more on the fourth floor.”
“Of course. That’s exactly where I want to go.” I sighed. “At least I tried here first.” Vaguely. Not really. Though there was nothing wrong with someone else having the answer for me. If anything, it was wonderfully convenient. I wondered what people Mare was referring to now and what they saw yesterday.
“Do you come here a lot?” I asked Ze.
“Eh, probably. After three weeks I think I’ve spent more time here than not,” he admitted.
I nodded and glanced around the room. It was a cute little library. It didn’t seem like creatures actively entered this room so it could be a nice little hideaway. The longer I sat, the more tired I began to feel. Dreamer was right, all I wanted to do was sleep. How could one be so tired when they were already sleeping? It didn’t make much sense. I closed my eyes for a moment. What should I do next?
I felt a hand on my shoulder give me a small shake. Startled, I opened my eyes.
“You okay?” Ze asked.
Yawning, I nodded back at him. “Yeah, fine.”
“You sure? I tried talking to you, but you seemed pretty out.” Ze looked skeptical.
“I am tired. Probably still recovering some.” I couldn’t seem to stop yawning now.
“Well, we’re heading back. Why don’t you come with? You should sleep somewhere safe,” Ze stated, motioning toward the closed door.
“Yeah, but if I sleep I won’t get anything accomplished. Mare wanted to concentrate on something today, but got borrowed by Clove for a few,” I replied vaguely. I wondered if this was the group Mare had wanted to meet up with first. Ze was in on some things from what I gathered, but they didn’t seem to actually be up to anything.
“I can wake you up. Come on.” Ze patted my shoulder and joined his friend at the door.
Well, it was better than nothing. Getting up, I joined them in heading back.
As we walked out of the room it dawned on me I hadn’t said much to them. “What were you two doing here today? Anything fun?”
Ze shrugged. “Not really. Been researching varying techniques for self-defense.” He gave Kaden a look until he nodded. I wasn’t sure if there was a reason but it seemed innocent enough.
“Oh, that could be useful.” I hadn’t thought much on that side of things. “Clove was thinking of trying to do lessons on combat techniques. Defense would be equally useful.”
Kaden snorted. “Clove doesn’t care about defense.”
Ze laughed. “Yeah, I think she’s very hit and kill more than anything else.”
“Guess we’ll have to emphasize it. Someone else I’m sure could teach it. Everyone doesn’t need to like the same way of doing things.” I shrugged. I’d consider it more after a nap.
“She doesn’t care what others have to say. It’s her plan or the highway,” Kaden continued.
Ze frowned. “Now might not be the time for this.”
“What? Being honest? Complaining about how terrible of a leader we have? If you’re not useful for something you’re ignored at best. I wouldn’t be surprised if she used us as bait for things.” Kaden wouldn’t let up.
“She’s not the best leader but she’s not that bad,” Ze replied at a much lower tone.
Kaden didn’t seem to get the ‘complain quietly’ hint. Instead, he stopped in the middle of the hall to continue on, his voice slowly getting louder until nothing else around us could be heard. “Not that bad? There have been too many missions she’s come back from and others didn’t make it back. Also similar excuses. We separated looking for x-thing to cover more ground. They weren’t with me. We did all we could.” The last words were more mocking than not before he added, “She won’t do anything for you if it’s not in her best interest. It likely won’t ever be.”
That’s when I saw something moving behind him in the hallway. I couldn’t help but freeze. The words I wanted to say wouldn’t leave my lips. I just pointed, my arm shaking.
Kaden paid no attention to me, his rant continuing.
Ze, thankfully, was able to talk despite his surprise. “Just turn around already and look, you idiot.” His voice was sharp and frantic.
Kaden turned around and paled. “That’s not a first floor creature…” he barely whispered as it considered us from the other end of the hall.
“No. That’s from outside,” Ze agreed.
The killer creature I had just met a terrible fate with seemed to want to torment me more.
“I might be able to turn us invisible, but it can still hear our footsteps, so that may not actually do much,” Ze whispered.
“Can we be invisible and stand still hoping it passes us?” Kaden just about begged.
“It’s almost as wide as this hallway! I don’t think that’ll work.” Ze tried not to panic.
Kaden summoned up a fireball. I hadn’t seen mage gifts like this in action yet, but I didn’t think they’d work. The appearance of magic was all the creature needed to charge at us.
Finally, my brain worked and I convinced my feet to move. “Run!” I called, turning the other way.
“I’ve got this,” Kaden called as he stood his ground.
I glanced back as he shot fireball after fireball at the creature. Even though it was screaming, it didn’t even try to stop.
“Run!” Ze echoed, now several steps behind me.
“I’ve got this!” Kaden screamed with all the defiant attitude he had, shooting fireballs one after another.
I couldn’t look. I turned the corner just as I heard magic stop and something cutting through flesh. There wasn’t so much as a cry. I felt like I was going to be sick and had to stop by the next corner. I doubled over, wishing the wave of nausea would leave me.
“We need to keep moving,” Ze said, catching up to me. “It won’t stay occupied for long.”
“We can’t outrun it,” I cried. Just what I needed, tears, nausea, and more death.
“I’ve got an idea. Do you trust me?” Ze asked, pulling me upright.
“I don’t know!” I replied honestly. I could suddenly hear claws along the wall heading toward us.
“We break for the front door, lure it out. There’s plenty of room, and once there I can make us invisible. It’s just another hall over,” Ze assured me.
“I’ve no idea where we are.” Directions weren’t my thing and this place was already a labyrinth.
“Follow me.” Ze grabbed my hand, pulling me into a run.
I refused to look back as we dashed down the halls. I knew that thing had to be on our tail. I knew it wouldn’t stop until we were dead. Even after that, it likely wouldn’t stop until everyone else was dead as well.
I really hoped this plan could work, but I had little faith in it. These things, deformed and scary as they were, could still hear perfectly fine. Who knew that would be a horrifying trait?
Part of me prayed there would be no one in the kitchen to distract the monster. If it just followed us, we might stand a chance. I wasn’t positive, but I knew keeping the others safe was worth whatever was to happen next.
Around this corner and that, I saw the front door‒and the freaking thing was open. For once it was a good thing, though it being open for whatever reason probably let the damn creature in in the first place. Damn it. We kept up our run regardless. I dared look back, I don’t
know why, but I did. It was getting too close. Ze had a firm grip on my hand though and didn’t let me slow.
As we reached the threshold, Ze flung me around the corner. I had forgotten there was a half wrap around porch here and crashed into the railing. I gasped a moment for breath, but felt magic cover me. We were invisible and not a moment too soon. The creature came rushing out, only to not see us. Ze tiptoed to my side and pointed back at the door. With a slight tug of my hand he slowly crept back and around the monster Dilus.
With every step I thought for sure my racing heart would give us away. The creature looked around confused and took a step down the first stair. Carefully, we continued to inch toward the door. Ze reached it first and waited there for me. The spell would likely break at the weird barriers between areas. My gut churned loudly, still upset from the stress and now also from the running. Just two more steps. One more… Ze stepped in and the magic cut off, but we were there. We made it.
The creature whipped its head around quickly, but Ze pulled me in before it could react, shutting the door firmly behind us. A terrible clawing sound could be heard from the other side.
I dropped to the ground, tears pouring from my eyes in an endless waterfall. How did we survive? I glanced up at Ze who just shook his head and sat down next to me. Whatever he was thinking, it seemed to be about the same thing I was. How did we do this again, and so soon?
Chapter 14
I had no idea how much time had passed but finally, my legs started to cramp up and I had to move. “What now?” I said, rubbing my legs in hopes they’d quickly feel normal again.
“We go back, relay what happened, and hope that everyone closes the fucking door.” Ze shook his head. “Why would anyone go outside?”
“Maybe they didn’t,” I replied. “It could have been a Dreamer at best.”
“At best?” Ze raised an eyebrow. “What’s at worst? Something outside can open doors?”
“Well, that wouldn’t be far-fetched. Terrifying, yes, but I don’t see how there are only creatures without hands,” I replied, not wanting to think more on it.
“That… that is not something I want to think about.” Ze shook his head and finally stood up, offering me a hand up. “Let’s go back.”
“Yes. Let’s get back.” I didn’t even want to think about the fact that eventually I would have to go outside. Marella’s artifact was out there, happily moving from place to place. I clutched at my stomach as it threatened to churn up whatever was inside of it.
When we got back both of us looked worse for wear. Mare instantly came up to us wondering where we had been and what happened. I didn’t know what to say. Ze seemed to.
“Well, Kaden is gone,” he said looking down for a moment. “I’m not sure what happened, but basically the front door was left open and one of those creatures, the ones that can take a million arrows that we just become pals with, got inside. Kaden thought he could take it down with fire spells,” Ze explained, leaving the rest open for interpretation.
Mare shook her head. “His spells weren’t that strong. He refused to practice. Fire might have been just the thing.” She sighed. “I hope he lived well enough for his judgment.”
Her last words made me wonder exactly how he would be judged, but it wasn’t for me to say. A lot of actions and events went into this, or so I desperately wanted to believe.
“I hope we can find a book on whatever they are,” I said as I thought about my brief trip to the library. Had it been that short, or had I slept longer than I thought in that chair?
“I really do too,” Mare agreed.
“I need to know they can be stopped, even if it’s not in my ability,” I admitted. I really did need to know that. The closure would help me more than anything else.
“As far as I’m aware, the general rule is that everything can die. How, I don’t know. There is always a way though.” Mare gave me a reassuring hug.
I was surprised by how much I needed that. For a moment I accepted the hug before I returned the gesture. “Yeah, we’ll figure this out,” I agreed.
“I’ll let the others know,” Mare said after a moment.
Nodding, I watched her carry out the grim task of telling the others of Kaden’s downfall.
I didn’t remember falling asleep, but I heard Clove getting loud and angry. Waking up on one of the sofas, I tried to take in the words and figure out what was going on.
“ – blubbering idiots. Now that leaves us with extra work and less gain,” Clove finished yelling.
I pulled myself up and stared at the small group gathered around, heads hanging down, no one saying anything. Mare caught me looking and shrugged, which led to Clove following her gaze to me.
Awkwardly, I joined in. “Sorry, I was sleeping. What happened?”
Clove sighed. “Nothing you can help with. At least in the time you’ve been here you’ve actually been trying to actively participating in things unlike half this lot.” She motioned vaguely to the rest of the room.
“I don’t know what’s going on, or much about this group.” I glanced around while I stood up. “But a lot of it was thanks to Mare actually helping me. Maybe they need more of a guide to ease them into things and less shove and demand?”
Several people stared at me with surprised looks and I swore I heard one gasp.
Clove’s face turned red at the thought but I interrupted. “Everyone learns and reacts differently to things. You’re like me and do things more head on, hands on. Some might need instruction and not just to be thrown off the bow of the ship to see if they sink or swim.”
Clove looked angry still but nodded as she crossed her arms. “Maybe. I don’t have time for all of that.”
“I’m sure some of us do. Maybe we should set something productive up? I’m sure they’d love you to lend a hand with the occasional butt-kicking class though. That’s way beyond me.”
Clove seemed to be settling down, her temper cooling enough for her to smirk. “That is beyond you, isn’t it?”
I gave a small laugh. “It really is. I could probably use some real lessons instead of trying to make things up on the fly. I bet I’d hit my target always then instead of just most of the time.”
Clove gave a laugh at the thought. “I like the idea. I’ll think on it. For now, I think I need some sleep.”
“Already beat you to that. What a weird day.”
“Tell me about it.” Clove gave a half-hearted wave and left for bed.
The room seemed to still be tense with Clove gone, but I was surprised to see several nods of approval before everyone went about their business. The sounds of soft conversation slowly filled the room as things gradually turned back to normal.
I sat back down, feeling slightly confused. I remembered Clove always being intense, but she was more… An array of words crossed my mind. Clove was so much more aggressive and willing to put down those around her. I had heard several times she only used those around her that she believed were the strongest. Clove built those people up… What had happened to my friend?
Mare sat down next to me. “Usually those conversations end in a physical fight. Which is why everyone looked like they were about to birth a cow. Way to go.”
I blinked in surprise. “I wasn’t expecting her to get so mad, so I kept going and the suggestion seemed to work out.” I really had no idea what to do but continue that conversation. I wasn’t trying to be brave or prove my point. I was just floundering.
“It did.” Mare nodded her approval. “So, now people will need to figure out instructors and what not.”
“Maybe some instruction books? I’ve seen a bunch of those everywhere,” I suggested.
“Another great idea. Physical and visual instruction. I bet if phrased the right way Clove wouldn’t mind.”
I didn’t see how Clove could stop that, but whatever. I nodded. “Maybe if we did a huge group to gather materials? Even the ones who think they can’t do much. If there’s enough of us, we’ve got this.”
Not sure what else to do, I glanced around the room for a moment. It didn’t look like anything different was going on here. Everyone seemed to be back to their normal conversations now.
Seeing it as the perfect opportunity to sneak off uninterrupted, I decided to head off and find Marella.
I wondered what Lydia thought about today’s events. I knew she was in my thoughts enough to know what was going on but just how actively?
I literally have zero else to do. Sorry. It’s harder to stay out of your thoughts than not. It’s like thunder in my world of silence.
I guess that made sense.
To answer your question though, I’m not surprised things are going weird or that things are getting into the house. What was it?
That was an easy question to answer. I could visualize it easily. Seeing it even in my head still gave me goosebumps.
That is a Dilus. They are rather creepy creatures that I for one wouldn’t be sad to see go.
Why are they even here? How do you even kill them?
Lydia chuckled. How to kill them is easy. There are two simple ways. An arrow or sword through the good eye will do it. The other way being a straight shot up through the groin area. They are nasty creatures that can endure far too much pain.
Then why have them? Why all the nightmare fuel?
This realm was dying off, which is why it was chosen. Tella wanted to rebuild it and let the creatures, in a way, continue to live.
Some things are better off dead.
While I agree, her heart is much more pure. Nothing deserves death just for looking abysmal. It lives how it lives due to instincts. You live how you live due to a combination of upbringing and instincts. Just because your way is different, how is theirs wrong? Remember, humans were not originally on this planet.
What could naturally even be on this planet for this thing?
Now I hope you never see that answer, but since Marella seems to be stuck outside, you may find out.