On The Ocean
We set foot on the ship. It was made of a light brown with a red tint. With a good amount of large cream sails that caught the wind within them like a hungry man eats food. With a line of well polished golden railings going around the ship with golden rings and nails holding the ship together. Making sure that none fell into the scarlet deep below.
"Hello, my name is Captain Lired. This is my ship, the Ruby Coral." He said using perfect Queen's English.
I don't know if I should remember that.
I nodded and smiled politely.
"Right. I am Haru, this is my niece Aqua and my friend and work colleague Cho." He replied as he nodded to us.
The Captain outstretched his hand and Uncle Haru shook it.
"Right, I would like you to have this." He said, passing him a list. "It is what you ought to expect on the ocean. If you wish to continue, then all your deaths will be on your own heads and yours alone. My hand are clean."
He looked down at it and his eyes widened. He looked at me with a concerned look in his eyes for a moment. However he quickly covred this up. He let out a cross between a sigh and a huff. He then passed the list to me. I looked at it wondering what that was all about but then I read what was on it and soon knew why.
Kraken
Sirens
Pirates
I looked up. Feeling both shocked and a concerning amount of excitement.
"Sirens!? Like those mermaids that sing people to their deaths?"
"Lure people to their deaths. It isn't the singing that kills, no that's just the lure! But, good girl for knowing about them."
"Thank you!"
I looked around as we set off. It felt my heart race from the excitement. I found out that the unpredictable nature of the waves fun. It was like going on a fairground ride with less predictability on how high the waves climbed and how the ship bobbed up and down. I found myself laughing as we went over one wave and crashed into the waves as the ship landed. My mind woke with the thrill. We swayed side to side. I was soon laughing truly and free.
Then I heard a laugh beside me. It made me stop and I felt an ice cold chill run down my spine. It was my father's laugh. I looked beside me. For a moment I thought my father was next to me. Yet I soon realised that it was Uncle Haru. Which would have made me stop but I was having far too much fun! However, I knew that there was another reason why I didn't. I could pretend in that moment that my father was back.
"Honestly! The pair of you are just as mad as each other!"
"How so?"
She let out a sigh.
"Look-"
That was when I saw it, the tentacle riding from the ocean. Then I dived out of the way pulling both Uncle Haru and Cho as it slammed down onto the side of the deck. I pulled out my blade and slashed down. It soon recoiled.
"Uncle!"
He looked up and nodded.
Remember this is not supposed to be easy but it should be a slight struggle to take it down.
I was about to run to it but Uncle Haru pulled me away. He raced to the first tentacle and dug a hunters knife into it and twisted. This caused the tentacle to recoil. He looked back and his eyes widened with shock. I looked back but it was too late. I felt the tentacle strike me from behind. I flung and I was caught by another tentacle and I felt myself beginning to be crushed. I felt the sucker kept me in place. I struggled to get my sword out and then sigh my blade into it. The tentacle uncurled yet I was still glued in place by the sucker. I stabbed into it to let in some air. I flung my blade out and cut the tentacle clean off as I rolled as I landed.
"You alright?"
"I can fight!" I shouted, knowing that was what she really wanted to know.
I then looked up to see Uncle Haru slice another tentacle clean off! I looked up at him completely shocked. He looked at me with a horrified look on his face.
"Aqua!"
Before I looked back I sliced behind and another fell. I ran to another and sliced it. Then I felt another hit me in the back. I flew to another. I was about to be crushed but Uncle Haru stabbed it and soon cut it off. I soon landed as Uncle Haru sliced one after another. Yet soon they were all gone. Then Uncle Haru pulled the tentacle off me.
"Are you alright?"
"Yes."
"You did well back there."
"You did better."
He let out a chuckle and smiled sorrowfully. Almost like he too, with me, could pretend that he too had his brother back. Which was something that I did not have time to appreciate in that moment.
We then spent the morning attending to our injuries and helping fix the ship. I felt so exhausted and I needed a nap. Yet I had my lunch and continued to do my work. I did not want to fall asleep and be late doing my work, regardless of how tired I was.
Then I heard a soothing and calming voice in the distance. I felt like I wanted to go to it. I wanted to let it take me away and to a more peaceful place. The closer we came, the more clear the voice became. I could soon make out the words.
"Come on weary one,
The battle is over now,
You have won!
I will show you how!
"Come to me and you will rest,
Without having the witch's test!"
I knew that I should have covered my ears. For some reason, I did not. I felt curious to hear her words. I wanted to know what he meant by the witch's test. I know that it had something to do with the dreams or something that would come up. I wondered if it revealed a way to get rid of them. That way I would not fear falling asleep. Maybe her words would help me find a way to defeat her or to find out something more about what was to lie ahead.
"Here's my voice and do well to follow,
Come to my arms and be no longer hollow,
I will help you deal with your sorrow,
So no longer fear what comes tomorrow!"
I felt myself walk towards the edge of the deck. I placed a hand on the railing. I was about to climb when Uncle Haru covered my ears. Suddenly I felt like I had been woken up from a dream.
What was I about to do?
That was when I saw the mermaid looking creature on the rock. The next thing I noticed was the others beside her. I took out my blades only to realise that they were out of reach. The swords would not do. Yet one of the crew jumped overboard.
"Are there any cannons?"
"I think so!" The Captain shouted.
I then raced down and Uncle Haru followed me. We soon arrived in front of the cannons. I took a cannonball, but I found that it was heavy so, knowing that we needed speed, I looked at Uncle Haru.
"Could you put them in the cannon? Then I will aim and-where's Miss Sango?" I asked.
At this our eyes widened. He then was about to run out before we heard a splash. I looked back through the hole and at the surface of the ocean.
"Man-woman overboard!"
We ran to the top of the deck and saw Cho.
"Stay here, fire at the sirens and I will get Cho."
"What if I hit you two?"
"You won't!"
He smiled and nodded.
"Get her safe!"
I nodded and ran up and threw down a rope. I tried it around my waist and tried not to focus upon the siren's singing. I then continued to look but my ears were drawn to the song. Yet when I reached the bottom in the water, I heard the song. I could feel the power of the song becoming strong. I knew that it would be only a matter of time until I fell under the spell. Then it suddenly stopped. I swam to Cho and grabbed her arm just as a siren was about to reach out and grab her. She hissed at me but was hit by a cannonball.
I then pulled on the rope. The Captain then pulled us back to the ship. I kept my arms locked stopping Cho. I looked at the sirens as more and more cannonballs were hitting one after the other, barely giving them a chance to open their mouths, let alone sing.
Then I spotted a siren swimming towards us. I pulled out my blade and stabbed her in the heart and kicked her off us. Then another one came from the left and I slid her throat. Then another came to the right and sliced her. Then I spotted one at Cho's leg. I could not reach her leg so I kicked her leg up and away. She then went to dive at mine! I drove my heel and ankle into her mouth so hard she coughed as she was driven back under the water.
Then we were pulled out of the water. Then as we rose higher and higher one daring one jumped right out of the water and right at me! I looped my legs around Cho's waist and sliced her in half. Then another dove at me and I pulled out the other blade and sliced her. I then spotted one reaching Cho and I cut her and she dropped before she could pay a single dinner on her. By the time we were at the top the sirens were dead.
I put my blades away and pulled her over the railings and we slumped over and my eyes closed.
The Pirates
When I woke up it was the evening and I was covered in sweat. I regatheted my scattered mind and straightened out my thoughts. I soon slid out of the bed and wiped away the sleep. I slowly walked over to the others, who were fixing the ship. Knowing that I had nothing better to do, I then helped where I could. After all, I knew that the sooner the ship was fixed, the faster this would go. During this time, I found myself getting lost in my work.
While I was doing this I spirited Cho. She was deathly pale and almost gripping Uncle Haru's hand for dear life. Her hair was dry but the rest of her still wasn't. She seemed to have bags under her eyes and a wild look in them. I could tell that she was breathing deeply and heavily, as she was trying to get herself back under control.
I then walked up to her.
"Are you alright?"
"Are you?" She barely whispered.
"Yeah. Should be. I don't think…" I tailed off.
No, I should not say a word about that yet. Although, I don't think I had a dream about that witch…
"Right."
I looked at Uncle Haru, worried.
"Are you alright?"
"Yeah."
I turned to Uncle Haru and leaned in.
"Will she?" I whispered.
He looked at the horizon for a moment. His eyes turned at the corners. He looked at Cho with a moment of concern. Then nodded.
"In a day or two."
"Is it something to do with the real world?"
"Yeah."
"Do you?"
"No."
I nodded as I took her hand.
"Whatever happened back there was not your fault."
She moved.
"Could you say it? That it was not your fault."
"It was not-" She cut off.
Her eyes widened.
"Cho?"
She pointed to the horizon. I looked back to where she was pointing. There I saw it, a ship with coal black sails with a large jolly Roger dead in the centre. My eyes almost lit up in thrilling excitement. I could not believe what I was actually seeing in front of me! It was like I had fallen into a story book like The Coral Island or Treasure Island or something.
"Pirates!"
Quickly we all scrambled to get ready. Then I ran as fast as I could to the Captain.
"We have pirates coming."
"What?"
With that he ran to the desk and saw them.
"All aboard! Pirates are coming!"
They all became alert and saw the ship.
"Pirates!"
With that they all dropped their tools and looked up.
"Shut up! Now split yourselves up and half of you keep working on the ship while the other half help those three."
"Aye!"
I nodded.
"Thank you."
"Good lass!"
Everyone screamed to get up for the fight.
"Cho! Will you be alright for this one?" Both me and Uncle Haru asked.
"Only if you two are!" She let a smile spread across her lips.
"Sure!"
"Uncle Haru!"
"What? Don't let me down!"
"I won't!"
We looked up. The ship was coming closer and closer. I noticed that Uncle Haru looked at Cho several times. He had a guarded look upon his face. I would have asked him why he was doing that but I realised that he too was worried about her. Knowing that none of us had any time to think about that, I looked back and pulled my blades out. I knew that it hardly mattered if I was ready, they were coming nevertheless and none of us could stop it. Soon the ship had come very close. So I knew that I would have to use all that I had within me to win this fight.
"Uncle, get to the cannons. You're the strongest and we're better off here. Don't worry I'll try to keep an eye on Miss Sango for you."
He looked at me with pride in his eyes. Then he looked at Cho and she shrugged with a smile.
"Don't worry, I'll be fine! I swear on my family's honour! I've got your niece to look after me, and she is right. You are the best for this job. Don't worry, it won't be like that massacre."
What massacre? Never mind. I will ask when they're ready to tell me.
"Right."
I took a glance at her then back at the ship which was close enough to get an accurate measurement of the ship. To my shock I realised that it was bigger than I thought. I knew that the cannons would not prevent the pirates from coming on board.
Then the first cannon shot. It was near the water and I guessed that this was Uncle Haru's idea. Then there was another one and another one. He did this until he made a perfect row. Yet the ship came closer and closer. There was another shot and another and soon there was a long line. That was when the ship was almost on top of us. This gave the cannons the opportunity to drive low and soon Uncle Haru blew a hole in the ship. This caused water to enter the ship as it sailed and began to sink.
Then the first pirate dropped. I dived to him and flicked my blades to his throat making his head roll.
Then I looked at the two different levels of the ship.
"Miss Sango, take the stairs and get to the top. Protect the Captain!"
She nodded.
I spotted another fall and I slashed to the right and the body fell. I was soon greeted by another and lowered myself all he slashed to where I was and I cut him in half. Then as more and more fell I continued to slash from right to left, from left to right, not giving any of them the chance to set for on the ship alive. Yet as I did this, again and again and again, cutting one after the other, I started to work up a sweat. Yet I kept going, not wanting to let the other two down. Yet soon my arms felt tired.
Then I was struck and fell hard on my back. Then I looked up to see the pirate drive his blade down. I rolled out of the way. He then slashed down at me again and again and I continued to roll and roll. Then I was able to roll into my feet. I propelled myself up and with my knees bent over blades struck.
I took a glance at Cho. I saw that she was doing fine and she was cutting pirate after pirate. Her eyes were focused and seemed to become alive. It was all too clear, whatever had been getting to her a moment ago, was gone and she wholeheartedly dedicated herself to the fight. She looked back at me, as if telling me to get back in the fight.
I let out a chuckle and looked down. However I knew that I did not have time to spare. Then I turned my attention to my opponent.
I pushed on and then, knowing that that would not be enough, kicked him square in the stomach. This drove him back. I charged at him and then slashed. He blocked. He struck and I blocked. We did this again and again, as we exchanged blows I became increasingly aware of my tiredness. However I could not afford to relent. Then it came, my tiredness caused me to lag.
I was struck. I soon was back on the deck. I then kicked him in between the legs as hard as I could. Then I drove a punch into his face as hard as my tired arms could muster. This caused him to drop his swords. I then went to punch him again and again and again. He was soon able to black the last punch and I dived back and then ran to the edge of the ship, where the railing and deck still needed to be fixed. He ran to me and I spun and drove my ankle up into his back, causing him to fall overboard.
I had to take a break. As I crouched there, panting I looked to the right. The pirate ship was now in the ocean. I looked up as Cho and Uncle Haru came to me.
"Are you alright?"
I nodded.
"Just tired."
He looked at us both, checking out for injuries. Seeing none he let out a sigh of relief.
"Good!"
The Fortress
We soon saw the shore. It was made of crimson sand and scarlet pebbles. Then, I saw the fortress before I realised just how big it was, which made my stomach drop. It had thirteen floors and each floor was the size of two floors! Each floor was bigger than the floor beneath, making it look like an upside-down ziggurat made in the style of a mediaeval castle. With the merlons the size and width of a man. With the machicolations so wide that one could easily fall out of and, by the height of each floor, to their deaths. Unless you were on the first floor, however, you would have had a nasty landing nevertheless. Yet even though there were several windows there was none on the ground floor which had no door.
How on earth are we ever going to get in there?
Maybe there's a trick to it?
Yeah, that seems likely.
"It's that it?"
"Seems so."
"Not scared, are you?"
"No. You?"
"Not too bad."
Once we reached the shore we soon docked and were on the road. We walked as fast as we could as we followed a path that led to the fortress.
"How are we going to get in?" Cho asked, noticing what I had a moment ago.
"Good question."
"Well!" Uncle Haru said, clapping his hands and rubbing them together. "Looks like we're going to have to work it out."
"Seems so."
We all circled the building, looking up and down. With Uncle Haru and me gently stroking the walls. Looking for any nook and cranny. I slowly came to the back of the Fortress. That was when I spotted one of the stone bricks had a crescent moon on.
"Look here!"
The other two came to me and I pointed to the moon. Uncle Haru looked down and placed his hand on it and then pressed it in. It slotted back. Then we felt something shake. We all around to see was it was. Then I looked up and pulled the other two back as fast as I could. When the first floor dropped. I noticed something as I looked up. I then placed them under a machicolation each pressed the stone in and the floor dropped. We jumped onto the floor as it shot up. When it locked in place, we walked up to a door and opened it.
That was when a suit of armour appeared and I took out my blades. He then went to strike me but I was about to block just in time. I then whacked it out of my way. I then struck up, knocking off its helmet. This, to my horror, revealed a dead head with decaying flesh. Then I saw the pentagram embedded into its forehead. Yet as soon as the stench of the decay entered my nose I felt the break off my throat tighten as my breakfast threatened to come up.
Cho let out a scream.
I looked at her to stop. I then felt something painful in my stomach. I coughed as I looked down to see the foot of the dead man in my stomach. I backed away slightly.
"What is it?"
"It smells!"
At this both Cho and Uncle Haru laughed.
Trying not to get distracted I shook my head.
"Uncle! Focus; while I fight, observe, then find the weakness and tell me."
"Try stabbing the pentagram."
"I'll do my best, sir!"
"That's the British spirit for you!"
"I was born in America!"
Then I looked at the creature. I took off my jacket and tied it around my mouth and nose to fill the stench. I ran at it and went straight for the pentagram which he swept my blade out of the way. I could smell the stench but now, I could tolerate it. I then clutched my blades and tried to strike above. He quickly drove the blade above on the other side faster than I thought it could move. Then I let my grip ease as I flicked the blade down. Then he kicked me and I slammed back against the ground.
I had no time to dwell on the pain as it drew its blade down again and again. Seeing that I had no opening I would have to make one. So I rolled out of the way. I rolled upwards then slashed to the left as I did. I then heard the head roll. I looked beside me to see the head. Yet that did nothing to stop the body.
I then kicked the body away from me and then the head to the others like a football. Then I slashed the blade and then it caught my blade. I then jumped and drove my feet into its shins. He came at me and I blocked another slash and another strike. I felt myself being drawn back as I blocked and blocked as he struck me again and again. Then Uncle Haru drove a blade into its forehead.
Then it fell. Then we turned to the door.
"What was that!"
"Personally, I don't want to know."
"Doesn't it even matter? Good work!"
"I should expect nothing less from anyone that shares my blood."
"Haru! Your niece did good! Are you-"
"Come on!"
We walked through the door.
"So where do you think that he is?"
I looked at the map and looked at the hallway.
"I don't know, but I think we should start by going to the top."
"Sounds good."
We walked throughout the floor and we then found the stairs. We then walked to the top. We were greeted by a door with a plaque. On it was a riddle.
The one you seek
The witch made weak
When you go below
You will soon know
You shall be joining his friends
This will be where it ends
Yet only one will go free
And she will serve me
"By hell she will!" Growled Uncle Haru.
I looked at him surprised as he charged down the stairs.
"Where is he going?"
"Downstairs. That must be where they are."
I followed him down to the ground floor. To my surprise there were more stairs. We continued until we got to the bottom. At the bottom was a woman. She was almost covered in the shadows. I could hardly make anything out.
"Are you the witch?"
"No. She is my mistress."
"Will you move?"
"No." She said as she came close to him.
She then started to sing. As she did she came into the light revealing that she was wearing nothing but a thin dress that led little to the imagination. Her feet were hooves with human legs. She had black hair and a strikingly beautiful face with low cheekbones with glowing crimson eyes.
"What is that?"
"Is that a female minotaur?"
"No. It is not, and stay away from her."
"Why?"
He looked at the creature and then I saw the long sharp claws. She started to dance. He rolled his eyes and took out his gun. He soon shot the creature dead.
"Uncle Haru, why didn't you do that with that knight?"
He shrugged.
"You seemed to have it covered!"
"More like you didn't want to waste any precious bullets!"
"Well I am running out!"
We then walked to the other door and opened it.
The Son Of Hitler
The moment we entered the room, I could tell that there was something off. I could not put my finger on it, but I could just tell. Almost like something had been pulled out of the uncanny valley, just it was so well disguised that none could see. Something about all of this was just too easy than what I would have thought, yet I could not quite say anything. Mainly hoping to get Alexander and get out of Inanis before any more time had passed.
Then I spotted the boy on the other end. Ordinarily, I knew that he would be older than me, but he looked only slightly younger. I knew who he was as he was almost the spitting image of his father, even without his signature moustache and snow white hair. Yet his light blue eyes carried both kindness and innocence in them. However there was nothing even close to the intense madness that was in his father's eyes. No, they were the eyes of a normal boy.
He looked up with a frown, which held no malice, just curiosity. Yet there was a desperation in them almost like he was getting close to despair.
"Are you-"
"Yes, we're real."
His frown deepened.
"You look part Japanese, why do you speak English with an American-British accent?"
"My father was Japanese and my mother was from Britain although we lived in America from the moment that I was born until after the war. Where mum and I moved to Britain for reasons that are not important at the moment."
"Oh."
His body became tense as he looked at me, for the first time, with terror in his eyes.
"Did you win?"
"Yes, with America's help."
"Good!" He sighed with relief. "I would dread to think what would have happened if my father won. What happened to him?"
"He's dead." Cho said.
"He-he is?"
He then let a tear out of the corner of his eyes. Yet this son led to crying and then weeping. I was taken back by this as he wiped the tears away. Only for more to quickly replace them and he repeated the action again and again. I waited until he had finished before I moved onto what needed to happen next. Then he looked at us and suddenly despair entered his eyes.
"Are you alright?"
"Y-yes. J-just g-glad to know that someone stopped him." He sobbed.
"Liar, your morning your father."
He looked down sniffing.
"Guess it's both."
Then he paused. This broke his tears.
"And what about my siblings? Are they alright? Did they see through Father too?"
I was shocked at this. I didn't even know that he even had other children other than the one in front of us.
"I…don't know." I admitted.
His eyes softened.
"At least-" He started to say, but then his eyes widened. "Get out of here!"
That was when I heard a light chuckle. I felt a fish of ice cold wind and soon we were being flung inside. Then I looked back to see the door slam behind us. Then I heard the click of a lock. Next thing we were hitting the bars. Then the floor.
"Did you really think I would just let you come in and claim your prize and leave without living up to my promise?" Said a woman behind them.
They looked back and saw her crimson hair and scarlet eyes. She has a maroon dress that was covered in a layer of coral beads with a black belt. That sat well on her hips and a ruby buckle. She had an ice cold beauty despite being clothed in warm colours. With high cheekbones and narrow eyes making her look like a Japanese evil spirit and yet she also looked like her sisters, if she had a Japanese parent. She had a red string around her neck where I saw a glimpse of something shiny beneath her dress.
"Who are you?"
"Rose Coral. The witch of the fortress."
"Well Miss Coral, what makes you think that I will do as you say?"
She smirked.
"Well, I am very glad that you asked."
Suddenly the stone rose up around the area in front of the bars. Her hand slowly rose and pointed beside me. I followed the direction of the finger and then spotted that Uncle Haru and Cho were sealed inside the stone!
I suddenly felt myself feeling like I needed to use the loo and urinate as I looked back, already knowing what was going on. Also I felt my heart sink. After all, I knew myself better than to not know exactly what I was going to do.
"I guess you are intelligent enough to know where this is going?"
I looked down with both anger and frustration writhing inside me like two dying snakes.
"What do you want?"
"Come over here."
"Girl! Don't go"
I ignored him and walked up to her.
"Alright, first free Alexander and let him leave the rock."
She smiled as she placed a hand on my shoulder.
"No! Girl! Do not do this! She will do to you what she did to me!"
"Listen, all we came to do is get you out. Once that has been achieved, then it would hardly matter what happens to me after." I told him. "Please, if you don't leave with Uncle Haru then you will leave with someone else. Someone who idealises your father and will see you as nothing but him. And, once they find out that you are nothing like him, they would make you become exactly like your father. Even if it destroys you."
He looked at me shocked. He then looked away subdued. It was all too clear that he must have already figured this out. The other thing that I noticed was how little he liked the idea of people forcing him to become exactly like his father. In fact, I could tell that he would rather die than do anything that his father would do. Which, I hoped, would motivate him to go with my uncle.
Yet I had to drive these observations out of my mind as I turned to her.
"What do you want me to do?"
She pulled her hand from my shoulder and then took out a knife with a black handle. I felt my stomach start to churn as I suddenly realised what this was really all about. I breathed in and out to calm myself. She slit her palm. She raised her hand to me. I looked at it and I felt slightly nauseous.
"Drink this."
What? Again? Why? Why do they want me to drink their blood?
No, I don't have time to think about that! I have to do this.
I looked at her, revolted.
"Are you expecting me to drink your blood?"
"Yes, and next time, do something without question. If you don't I will hurt you."
I raised my eyebrows. This led her to let out a chuckle.
"No. I guess I knew that would not work! That's why I targeted your dear uncle and his best friend!"
I felt my hand curl up and disgust tightened the back of my throat. I don't know why but I felt my body tense up. Then Uncle Haru and Cho started to scream out in pain. I closed my eyes and as quickly as I could put my lips to her hand. It took me all that I could to press down all my disgust as I forced myself to drink. I tried my best not to think about the taste of iron in my mouth and forced the blood down my throat.
"You can stop now."
I pulled away, freaking nauseous. She smiled as I caught a glimpse of a key. This must have been for the cage Alexander was in. Knowing that, I had to be patient in order to get that key. I knew that neither Uncle Haru or Cho could help. So it was up to me to think of a way to complete the mission. So, swallowing my pride, I knelt in front of her. I bowed my head.
"My lady, Rose. May I offer you something?"
What am I doing? What am I doing? What am I actually doing?
"And that is?"
"If you fight me and soon, I offer myself to you, to do with, whatever you want. You can do anything to me and order me to do anything and I will obey."
She smiled wider.
"And if you win?"
"You give me that key and let us all go."
She looked down at it and her eyebrow flicked up and down with a smirk along with her eyes dilated.
"Alright. We have ourselves a deal." She said as she took my hand. "However I will bind those with magic so that none could pull out of the deal."
"Understandable. I don't want you to pull out either."
She let out a light chuckle.
"Confidant aren't we?"
I smiled as I took my blades out. Then I rose to my feet. I knew that there was a lot resting upon this battle. I also know that there was every possibility that I could lose, however I knew better than to focus upon that. No, I had to focus upon the fight.
"Aqua! Stop!"
"Keep quiet Cho!"
"Aren't you worried! She could-"
"She won't! She's far too much like Natsu." He said with a confident smile.
"Yes, I know! That's what I'm worried about!"
I ran to her. I saw the vines beside me. I chopped them before they could get anywhere near me. I then ran further. She raised her hand and a strong gust of wind hit me, but I bent my legs and drove my upper body forward as I ran to her. Then, when I came close to her and looked at her in her eyes. Yet they looked at me like I was a cute animal. She then drew her knife down at me. I then soon blocked it.
I then kicked her in the gut and she was drawn back. Knowing that would not be enough, I hit her again. Then she caught my ankle and I threw my blade at her. She was soon able to block both strikes. Yet this caused her to let go which gave me the opening to kick her in the hip. I then thrust the ankle down and into the witch's thigh. Only to see a vine coming at me before it hit me.
I flung back and I then flew my feet back to bounce off the wall. Yet my feet became stuck. I looked down to see that they were sinking. I then drew my blades down to stop me from sinking. It took all the strength I had in my body to pull my feet out. Soon I rolled into the floor but I rolled back onto my feet as soon as I could.
I looked up to see the witch was no longer there. I looked around for the witch. Yet I could not see her. I closed my eyes to help listen to where she was. I heard the breathing and then flung my blades back as I opened my eyes. With a ting our blades collided. She smirked.
"You are good!" She sang. "I can not wait to have that skill at my disposal!"
"But you have to win that skill first!" I said as I pushed her away.
I then ran to get and then flicked the blade upwards like a spear. I then put the other behind my back. She turned her palm under me. I then jumped back before she could do anything. Then I dived back and flung my blades to her throat. She blocked them and I drove them up and pulled one blade back and into her for as fast as I could. I put the other blade away. Then I plucked the key from her neck as she died.
After Uncle Haru and Cho were released.
"Good work! I expect nothing less from you!"
"Right. Thank you." I said as I walked up to Alexander's cage and let him out.
The Others
"So, is it finally time to leave?" Cho asked.
"No." Alexander said with determination.
"Why?"
"Because I am not the only prisoner here. There are others here. And I will tell you that I will not leave until all of them are with us."
"But!"
"No, Miss! I know that you want to get out of here but I will never let any of you rest until they are out too!"
Cho let out a sigh.
"Then where are they?"
"At the top."
We all ran out of the room.
"Tell me, why shouldn't we go now? We have what we-"
"That's out of the question! He would never forgive us if we did!" Both me and Uncle Haru said at the same time.
We even let out a sigh at the same time.
"We ought to really stop doing that!"
"I know!"
I noticed that there was more that he wanted to say, but refrained from saying it. I could tell that none of us would forgive ourselves if we abandoned them either.
Maybe I was wrong about him.
We then ran up the stairs. We soon came to the door. I took out the key and opened the door. We soon walked and saw the other prisoners, all children. Yet, to my shock, there were only three. Which meant that the majority of people that came here were dead.
"What're your names?"
"Eve Josephs." Said a girl.
She had deadened brown eyes and beautiful jet black hair. She had a pale middle eastern look and wore black and white striped pyjamas and she was skinny and small. On her arm was the number 4561.
She looked at me, Uncle Haru and Cho. Her eyes narrowed as she drew herself back.
"A-are you here to kill me?" She asked in a high pitched and depressed voice.
"No. The Third Reich fell years ago." He said, trying not to scare her.
"We're here to get you out of here."
"Why should I trust you? I mean your father is-"
"Not me and a really bad man. So please, don't judge me based upon what my father has done."
"But he's the reason I'm here! He's the reason my mum and dad are dead!"
His eyes widened as he bit his lower lip. His eyes became watery as they became filled with dread.
"Tell me, how many people did my father kill?" He asked in a hollow and shocked voice.
"Too many to count." Uncle Haru replied.
Then anger and disgust entered his eyes.
"Then tell me, are you here to take me and make me become like him?"
"No, although, as my niece has already told you, there are people who do."
He nodded as his lip curled.
"Then I want to get them all out of here, however I will stay."
At this I slapped him.
"This is not what we're here to do. Our mission is to get you out of here. However, as for all of you, we're going to get you out of here too! So let us all leave here and get you all to safety. And Alexander, I can say that if you come with us you will never have to worry about ever becoming anything like your father. However if you don't then I can not make such a promise. After all, there are people that will, remember?"
He looked down, depressed and nodded.
"It's the wrong key." Said a young and skinny boy. He had black hair and dark brown eyes.
"Who are you?"
"One thousand three hundred and fifty four." He said, showing them the tattoos.
"I mean your name." Alexander said, gently.
"Don't remember it."
"Why?"
"Was taken before I could. Don't remember mummy or daddy. Just the man in the white coat that brought me here."
"Hur! Why should you want to remember its name anyway!" Snapped an arrogant sounding young lady.
We looked at the girl with long curly blond locks. With the face of a child doll with crystal blue eyes.
"Why are you even fraternising with the enemy anyway?"
"They are not the enemy. Seeing this is too clear that it was part of Hitler's insanity! And after all I have seen, we should have been on the side of the English all along. He lied to you all your life."
"Traitor!"
"We are not! We were peaceful people! We never did anything wrong! It was you that accused us of that! How many times do we have to tell you Johanna!"
"Shut it! I know-"
"Nothing! You know nothing and I will say this, Hitler fell, and it was our land that paid the price of his actions! Our people died for that ideology and following his madness so you be quiet. By the way, who do you think you are?"
"Johanna Rudolph Wolfram!" She shouted.
Suddenly I felt a ripple run throughout my body as I felt my body seize up. My head felt light as if my brain had turned into feathers and I became queasy. I felt like I was about to pass out at any moment. I felt my legs become weak which made me feel as if I was about to collapse at any moment.
"And I'm here because I saw a beautiful red rock in my father's study. My father's Leonheardt by the way. I liked it and I wanted it! Yet when I touched it and I ended up here! By the way, what is wrong with her? She looks like she's going to pass out!"
"Aqua?" Uncle Haru asked.
I snapped out of it.
"I-I'm alright. Your father's Doctor Leonheardt Rudolph Wolfram, isn't it?"
"Yes. I just said that. What's wrong with you?"
"He experimented on me."
"Why? You're not impure, are you?"
"What does that even mean? We're all one race, just with different looks."
She rolled her eyes.
Knowing that they were getting nowhere with her yet turned to 1354.
"What did you mean by what you said earlier?"
"It's the wrong key. She hid them."
"Well, time to find those keys!"
The Keys
We checked for traps before we set off to find the key. The first thing that we did when we descended to the floor below, was open the door to the room that led to the floor. We looked around and saw nothing but a bed with crimson silk covers and a single shelf with nothing but books on, next to it. With a single table with a mirror attached to it next to it.
We walked up to the shelf and checked the books for traps at first. But in the second scan we checked for clues. Seeing that there was none, we then moved onto checking the tiles. We knocked on each one and looked closely at the cracks in-between each tile. However, this too turned out to be a dead end. Much to my disappointment.
Then Cho started to put the books away and then Alexander's eyes widened as he looked at the books. After she finished he looked at the spines. He then quickly took them out. Then he gently placed them on the table. He crouched as he looked at the spines.
"What?"
"Look!"
Uncle Haru smirked.
"What is it?"
"Look at the colour of the books."
Cho frowned. Yet I was the first to notice it. The books were arranged in a way that the fortress was like a map. Yet as I looked at the colours of the books I noticed that, in the mirror, the colours are different. My eyes widened in surprise.
"What does this mean?" Cho asked.
"The colours must show us where the keys are." I concluded.
Cho looked at them and then in the mirror. Her eyes squinted making it look as if they were closed. Then her nose creased.
"I don't see it."
"Must be due to the mutations that we've been through."
"Must do…"
"Wait, what mutations?"
Oh yeah! He doesn't know.
"Well, the mutations that being in the rocks have caused. Right now, as we're the ones that have been here the longest or in any of the rocks, we're becoming part human and part whatever Stellam and Inanis are."
His eyes widened.
"What!"
"You heard!"
He let out a chuckle.
"What?"
"Bet my father would highly like the idea of that!"
I let out a chuckle too.
"Yeah, I bet he would!"
"I don't think we ought to tell Johanna or she'll never-"
"Who are you kidding? She'll find out anyway. Now-" I laughed as my eyes looked at the spine. "Hold on, those spines! The titles of the books combine to make a poem!"
He looked down.
"But that does not explain why I can see it!" Uncle Haru exclaimed.
"Then maybe it has something to do with our psyche?"
"Maybe!"
"Maybe it has something to do with having a spirit of adventure?"
"Seems logical."
I smiled as I covered my pendant with my hand.
"Yes! You're right! And it looks like it's a riddle too!"
"What does it say?"
"Find the first key,
Is zero below three,
Work out the next game,
Revealing the next,
Leading to creature not tame,
And the final ends the text!"
"Like that tells us-"
"Cho! It tells us all we need to know."
Her face dropped and glared at him.
"Explain."
"'Find the first key is zero below three.' What's zero below three?"
She rolled her eyes.
"Minus three? Come on, what are you getting at?"
"Now, how many floors are below the ground floor?"
"I don't know."
"Seven." Alexander barked.
"Alright and what about 'work out the next game'?"
"Would out whatever puzzle or riddle which-"
"Will reveal where the next key is."
She let out a huff, feeling frustrated.
"And what about 'leading to creature not tame, and the final ends in text'?"
"We have a fight on our hands. Once we kill that creature then we will get the last key."
"Are-are you real?"
"Yes. Yes we are!" All of them said.
Cho let out a groan.
"How many times do we have to fight?"
"How long will we stand here? We have our instructions now let's go."
We travelled to the third floor below the ground floor. As soon as we opened the door I saw the key immediately. It was on the opposite side of the room. I walked in. I reached out and took it. Then I walked right back out. I looked down to see a piece of paper on the handle. I took it off and unrolled it.
Six above. Add five. Take two.
The answer is where your game is.
I handed it to the others.
"What is this?"
The others huddled around the note.
"A maths question."
"So-"
"It's the sixth floor." I said, quickly.
Cho nodded.
We walked up to the sixth floor. We then opened the door. Inside was a room with a table with four jewels on them. One was blue, one was red, one was black and the last was white.
"What's this all about?" Cho asked.
"I don't know. I think we should look around this floor before we jump to any-"
"Aqua! The blood stone is glowing where you are!" Alexander shouted.
I looked down and spotted that he was right. I then looked opposite me and spotted the red stone.
"Alexander, get to the red stone." I command.
He nodded and he walked opposite me. Now that started glowing too.
"Now, time to figure out who the black and white stones are."
"But which one?"
Uncle Haru walked to the black stone and it started to glow. Then Cho walked to the white and that started to glow.
"Now what?"
"Put our hands on the jewels?"
We did. Suddenly the table dropped and the key shot up and I caught it. I then felt something around my waist. I looked down to see a blue bracelet around my wrist. I looked up and they too had bracelets of the same colour of the jewels they once held.
"What's this all about?"
"I'm sure we will know in time."
"Wait there's a symbol on mine!"
"Mine too!"
We looked at the symbol.
V
"V?"
"No it's not a 'v' it's the next floor."
"What?"
"Roman numerals."
Cho frowned deeply.
"Oh? But why Roman numerals? We're-"
"I know! But I don't know why she chose Roman numerals nor do we have time to think about it. Now, let's go."
So we matched on and reached the stairs as fast as we could. We then soon walked as fast as we could down to the fifth floor. Yet then I went to pull out my blades but I couldn't. I frowned as I tried again but to the exact same result. However I tried again. Still no weapons. I did it again and again but I could not pull those blades out of their sheath. I started to feel frustrated.
"What's wrong?"
"I can't pull out my weapons!"
"No. You can't."
Why?
"Because, with this fight, I do not want you to use them. Nor do I want them using any of their weapons too."
But I need to use them!
"Tell them that I have evaluated them all and if they and you say 'bring me my weapon' the bracelets will form a weapon best for them. Try it, if you do not believe me."
I sighed.
Do I have to?
"Do you have the time to discuss this?"
Good point.
"'Bring me my weapon'!" I commanded.
Suddenly I found a ruby sword in my hand.
"What?"
"We are to use the weapons that the bracelets summon. Inanis told me."
"Aqua!"
"I know! Why do you think that I tried it first?"
Uncle Haru nodded.
"We are all at Inanis's mercy! Right."
I then opened the door.
"Say 'bring me my weapon'."
"'Bring me my weapon'!"
Uncle Haru had a gun, Cho had a dagger and Alexander had a crossbow.
"You ready?"
"Yes."
"No."
"Does it matter?"
"Probably not."
We walked in and spotted the creature. It was the size of a lion with a fleshy mane and a green glowing tongue. Its face looked like the face of a Chinese long. The body was like that of a sausage dog with scales instead of fur with a tail like a long thin worm. Its spine was exposed and looked like a row of tiny daggers poking out.
What the hell is that!
"How do we beat that?"
"Aqua, give us an opening."
"Will do."
I nodded. I ran to it. I struck the neck but the tongue extended so I dived back.
"Cho cut that!"
She nodded as the tongue licked my cheek. Suddenly my cheek felt like it was on fire. I let out a scream in pain and then the tongue fell. The pain caused my mind to become blinded by the pain alone. Yet despite this I drove my sword sidewards and dug it in deep. Then I felt the blood fall upon my hand and I screamed out in pain as my hand blistered up. I then dived away from the creature. Just as it shot its claws out into my leg. I felt the wound open wider as I landed. The creature came closer to me and its saliva sprayed into my eyes as it hissed. This caused them to burn in pain.
"W-what is this thing?!"
"I don't know! Mr Haru, fire now!" Alexander screamed.
They both shot after shot at it. This caused the acid blood to follow and burn away the scales and skin of the creature. I quickly scrambled away from it. Soon the acid blood flowed and the skin of the creature sizzled and this carried more blood to follow. Soon they were able to reduce it to a pile of acid.
Alexander and Uncle Haru appeared in my sight. I felt clothing on my face. I could not help but look at them.
"Aqua! Aqua!" I heard their voices say, almost like they were miles away.
"The key…" I said, my voice no longer feeling my own.
"Never mind the key! What about you?" Uncle Haru shouted.
"I…"
"Cho, get the key."
"Aqua, close your eyes."
I blinked and I felt good fingers over my eyes.
"Will she be alright?"
"She is an Aoshiné so yes. I cannot see her going down so easily. Cho, take the keys and I will carry her."
The Escape
I was in a strange state of unconsciousness. Almost between sleep and awake. I tried to open my eyes but I could not. Every time I tried my eyes burnt so I gave up. Yet I could hear everything that was being said. I felt so weak and exhausted that even lifting my eyelids was out of the question. I knew that I was being carried and I could tell, by the smell, that it was by Uncle Haru.
Why is Uncle Haru carrying me? Well, Cho can't see Cho carrying me and I don't think that Alexander is old enough to be able to carry me.
"How is she?" Cho asked, placing a hand on my head.
Fine I'm fine!
I felt him take my pulse and check my temperature.
"Hanging in there. She seems to be calm and she is not running a temperature, so she seems to be fine but tired. Although inside is a different matter. None of us will know until she wakes."
"By the way, what do you think that thing was?"
"Nothing from this planet."
"You mean that thing did not belong here?"
"No. Nor did it come from our planet."
"And what would make you an expert in this regard?"
"I don't know. I can sort of tell when someone is from this world. And that thing was anything but. Maybe Miss Aoshiné could tell too."
"Do not dare ask me where it came from. It is far too long a story to tell!"
"Not to mention that it did not look as if it was like anything from our world. And nothing from mythology was like that!"
"You don't think that was an alien, do you?"
"Yes. It is quite possible."
"So is it truly out of the realm of possibility?"
"Well we are in an alien thought now!"
"What! Really?"
"Yes!"
"Well that does explain that acid blood."
"I thought they'd be little green aliens."
"Grey."
"Then why do they call them 'green'?"
"Don't know."
"Well my father did look into those things and the supernatural."
"How come?"
"Because he actually believed all those things." He said as he let out a laugh. "I guess that was one thing that he was right about. That's one of the reasons that he wanted to get his hands on the Red Rock in the first place."
"So should we wait until she wakes?"
"Yes."
"Do you think that they would leave a scar?"
"I don't know. Yet I don't think it would matter to her if it did. The only thing that I am concerned about is if she will see again."
"But-"
"Cho, she's just like me and my brother. So no, I hardly think that a scar would bother her nearly as much as you. In fact, depending on how much alike she is, she'll be happy to have one."
How did he know? Was Dad like that? Did Dad care about getting a scar or something.
"What! But how can any girl be okay having a scar like that?"
"Cho, do you think that she would have that white crop of hair if she did?"
"What do you mean?"
"She got those by getting into fights."
"Really, I thought that she got those white streaks due to the stress of experimentation."
"No. If that was the case then there would be more white in her hair."
"And how would you know that Alexander?"
"How do you think that my gaiter turned this colour?"
I tried to open my eyes again as I felt them lift my body higher and higher. Yet I found it difficult. However I kept trying and soon I was able to open them. I felt the light sting my eyes.bI looked at Uncle Haru and I noticed that my face was numb. I went to touch my face but I could not feel my fingers on my face. Then I felt my entire body ache. I then looked around as I was carried to the top of the stairs.
"Looks like I can see."
"Are you alright?"
I nodded, knowing that I was far too weak to say it.
"Key?"I whispered.
He nodded. He then looked down and grabbed my wrist and pulled it away.
"Don't do that. You will reopen the wounds."
"How bad?"
"I cannot say. Just keep still and we will find out."
I nodded. I was about to try to stand when Uncle Haru's grip stopped me. I looked down to see that my left calf was covered in blood. My eyes would have widened if it did not sting to do so.
"What happened?"
"We wanted you to be awake when we freed the others."
"Right."
Cho took the keys and walked to the cages and unlocked 1354, then Eve Josephs and finally Johanna Rudolph.
"About time!"
Alexander walked up to them.
"Are you all alright?'
"Yes."
"Urm…yes sir."
"Please call me Alexander." He said as he looked at Eve Josephs's arm.
"It was the number that they tattooed onto my arm. It was one of the many ways that dehumanised us along with shaving out heads. Then experimented on us and treated us like cattle."
Alexander looked down in shame.
"I'm sorry for what my father did. I know I can do nothing to compensate but I can tell you this. You don't need to worry about that now. Now Johanna, I know that you know the truth and you should accept it. It was never the Jews or those that my father thought were not pure human but my father's ideology that was the enemy of Germany. I hope that you will come to accept it."
She cooked her eyes and folded her arms.
"Hum!" She said, bobbing her head like a proud pony.
That was when we all felt a tremor run throughout the fortress. Then the roof tiles fell around us.
"We have to get out of here!"
Everyone went to run out of the room before any of us got crushed or trapped in the room but the door slammed in front of us. Then a gold plaque appeared with good waiting engraved into it.
To Open The Door Answer The Riddle
There are many of me
During the day you only see one
At night I scatter like the sea
As the blinding light is gone
"What is that all about?" Johanna snapped.
"I don't know!"
Then another roof tile fell where their cages were. The group looked at it with pale faces. They looked at the rest of us with horror in their eyes.
"Look, we have to think. What blinding light causes one of, whatever the answer is, to appear at night but disappear in the day?"
"It's a star!" Called 1354.
Then the door opened. They all ran through the door and fled down the stairs and Uncle Haru held me tightly and he ran down step after step. Making sure that he did not drop me. We soon came to the ground floor. We were able to get through the door and into the hallway where we were stopped by one of those creatures that we faced.
"Bring me my weapon!" Shouted Alexander.
He took out an arrow and fired at the creature. It hit him in the throat, but it still did nothing to stop it. 1354 took out an arrow and handed it to him and he fired. This hit it in the right eye and still it raced on. He took out another and gave it to him. He fired and this hit between the eyes. He fell over and he pulled out another.
"Brain!" He said.
Alexander nodded and hit the head again.
"Cho, take Aqua." Said Uncle Haru.
She wrapped her arms around me and held me like a baby. She frowned and yet I could tell that she was struggling to keep me up.
"Bring me my weapon!"
"Why?"
Then another creature fell from a roof tile and scrambled to its feet. He then fired at it in the head again and again and again before it even had the chance to get its bearings.
We then ran on and then we saw another set of stairs. We ran down them only for the stairs beneath to fall into a pile of rubble.
"How are we going to get out of here?"
"Look around."
Alexander nodded and spotted the pile of rubble beside us. He then pulled a rock away and we were able to get through the hole to another corridor. We ran down as the stairs behind us completely collapsed. Then we ran down the corridor to be greeted by a door with four keyholes inside. Above them were four circles. I looked at the keys and the bracelets.
"Put me down." I said.
"But-"
"I can stand!"
She put me down.
"Uncle Haru, take a key. Cho, take a key and Alexander, take a key. I'll have the last." I said as I was given one.
I took off my bracelet and the others did the same. I stuck the key in and then put the bracelet in the circle. They did the same. We turned the key and the door opened. Then we ran out of the fortress as fast as we could. Meanwhile Uncle Haru pulled me up as we ran and ran then we saw the rocks rolling beside us. We looked back to see that the fortress was nothing but a pile of rubble.
The Real World
We had to take a break as fleeing from the destroyed fortress had caused us all to become tired. The other four looked up at the sky and closed their eyes and smiled as the breeze stroked their cheeks. I saw 1354 and Eve smiled. Johanna started to weep. As it had become night, we all set up camp and fell asleep. I found myself sleeping deeper than I had in weeks. It was the first time that I had a good and proper rest since I left with Uncle Haru. All those months ago. The months that felt like years, no, decades.
I found myself surrounded by a red sky with Inanis in front of me.
"Thank you."
No worries.
"I will let you leave now. But I will let you have your rest. After all, you have earned it. However do not forget our deal. You must kill the witch."
Then the sky became purple and Stellum appeared.
"The witch can not come! She is dead."
"She may return!"
"I do not care and how dare you do that to Aqua!"
"Ahh! Stellum, it is about time that you spoke."
"I do not care if she came back. I will not let her fight the witch, nor will you force her!"
"I think we both know that of all of us that she has the least amount of choice in this regard."
"What do you mean by that?"
"She made a deal with me, Stellum. Also the witches and warlocks that were in both of us were the embodiment of the spell that she put upon us. She also drank the blood of those witches. This has created a link between her and the witch and the moment that she returns, it will be her that she would be after. Also, do not think that you are fully free. I can sense the last fragment of the curse!"
"What?"
"Yes, which means that the witch already planned this possibility before these events even came to pass."
I frowned, feeling both scared and confused at all of this. In fact I was struggling to both keep up and process the conversation.
What do you mean?
"She might have had the ability of foresight, so she already knew that Aqua would break her spell."
Oh that's creepy. Also, why didn't you tell me this? Nevermind that! Why didn't you tell me when she forced that blood down my throat! You should've told me this before you let her drink that blood!
"I agree. And I cannot believe that you knew about this."
I could sense that Inanis was smiling. I could feel my heart beating with fury.
"Of course I did. However I will say this, a spell that is broken can be replaced unless the witch is dead."
I could feel Stellum's fear as I knew what he meant. Yet I could tell that none of us would want that. In fact I knew that none of us wanted for either of them to go through that ordeal ever again. Especially as they were both free now.
Which is why the sooner we deal with her the better.
"Well spoken child!"
"But you have been through enough! You do not need to be put through more!"
Except I did make that deal and it appears that I don't have a choice in this matter! After all, if she wants me then she would hunt me down whatever it takes. So at least this we can get this over and done with!
"That is a good point, Aqua!"
So I will face her, but we all just make sure it's on our terms. That way, we will have the advantage.
"Do not mind that! Where do you think that she will resurrect?"
Ah!
"I hardly think that shall be a problem. I think that she will make herself known when she will be ready to take her."
Then something occurred to me.
Stellum do you have anyone still inside you?
"Yes, I think that I do. I thought that they all had faded…well until recently."
How come?
"Before when the grip of the curse was on me, I could not feel their life force. Now that there is only a fragment I can!"
Then next, I will get them out of you. I am sure that it would be a good way to pass the time, and this way I can be sure that she will not be able to use anything against us. Which is why there is no time to wait. Inanis we need to get back to the real world!
"Alright, however, I will go with you both. You need not worry, after all, having analysed the humanoid body I am able to dawn a humanoid form. So anyone who tries to stop me is incapable. I have long since found out we are impervious to your world's bullets."
I nodded.
As long as you don't kill anyone!
"No need to worry. I prefer not to."
When we opened our eyes and light surrounded us and soon we were back in the real world. We all got on our feet. I had noticed that my wounds were all healed. The others woke up too.
"Where is everyone?" Cho asked, her voice echoing.
"Well the rest of the people who worked here were not real. They were my projections. Well apart from the ones that were real, however they died." A man spoke with red hair, skin and eyes.
"Who are you?"
"Inanis?"
"Yes. It is me." He said handing me an old newspaper.
January 2nd Tuesday 1989
Mum and Aunt Blue must be old!
"What?"
I showed them the newspaper. His eyes widened as he too started to cry. We knew that whatever was going on, his parents were dead. Yet I also know that I would never know either of my grandparents. Yet I know that it would be worse for Uncle Haru as he knew his parents. I felt a sting of guilt as I knew that we took too long and I was the reason that this happened.
We walked on and we left the base. The first thing that I noticed were the strange boxes that people were carrying as they walked by.
We then walked to the car. We all pulled off the plant life revealing the car.
"Cho, you drive."
"Where?"
"Just follow my instructions." I said, my gut told me that the helicopter was still there.
We soon collected Stellum and climbed in the car. Once we were in, I instructed her where the helicopter was. This did not take long. We then walked in and climbed inside. Uncle Haru took the seat and we set off.
✴️
It was almost a week when we arrived at my home. It was strange to see it. It was real, it was not an implanted memory. It also meant that all the other memories are true too. This meant that I did have a life before I went with Uncle Haru.
We landed and walked right up to the front door and I rang the bell. Then, after a short time, an old woman answered. She looked down at her.
"Aqua?"
"Mother?"
She shook her head and wept.
"You just missed her. She died a week ago."
No, no, no, no, no. No! No! No! No! NO! NO! NO! NO!
"H-how?" I asked as I felt my tears come.
"Doctors don't know. Her heart just stopped. It happened in the middle of the night."
I felt a tear run down my cheek. Then it turned into tears. Then it became weeping. The sorrow pierced my heart like a dagger and hit something deeper than any blade could ever touch. Uncle Haru and Aunt Blue wrapped their arms around me .
"It's alright. Come in, all of you. I would very much like to know what has happened to you."
I nodded.
"I-I would very much like to tell you!"
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