The sun was barely visible when both of them left the house searching for the book. After meeting the Banshees one last time, they finally told them where the book was. Of course, it took a lot of convincing and a lot of lying.

The banshees were – needless to say – curious about the fact that Freya is searching for the book, the book which she hasn’t asked for in years, and now this human has convinced her to find that book.

“Why?”

The only question everyone had on their mind as Freya and Barry begged for the way.

Gladly, Barry’s convincing power came through well, and they gave in, much to Freya’s surprise.

However, instead of things being smooth now, things were a lot tougher. The book was not in some museum – as Barry predicted because,

“That’s what happens in the movies!” he argued.

Of course, he pissed Freya off and eventually ended up apologizing form her.

The only issue was the fact that the book wasn’t in some museum; it was well hidden in a cave at the further end of the Island. Gladly, both of them were not short on time. However, Barry couldn’t help but stop after every few minutes due to shortage of breath, pissed Freya more, and both of them ended up arguing. Needless to say, the loop had been going on and on for hours now, and most of the time had been being consumed in their arguments rather than moving towards the cave. The sun would set any hour now, and it would be impossible to look for the book then. Freya could already sense they were near, and they decided they would get the book today, study it and imply it tomorrow. It’ll give them one whole night to prepare for any unwanted outcome.

“Look!” Freya jumped and pointed at the cave, which stood rusty.

“That’s the one.” Barry took a deep breath, preparing himself for whatever awaited him in the cave. He didn’t have to protect himself only, and he had Freya with him now.

With the flashlight beam on the old tracks, they walk down into the mine that hasn't had the echo of footsteps within it for centuries. There is a mustiness, a sudden damp coldness, and the natural light is all choked up behind them like ale behind a cork. In the mine, the blackness is a friend, taking away the stimulation of the world. There are no colors to inspire memories of yesteryear, not the feeling of rain or the hope of a spring morning. Perhaps that is why I come here, just like a child hiding under the blankets. I am buried, and the world carries on regardless.

As I crawled more into the cavern, I realized that the vicinity was losing its luminosity. I was given two choices - stay and die of cold or enter and risk my life. I was not one who gave up easily; hence I ventured deeper into the rock-strewn cavern.

As they were shuffling into the cave with both his palms “magnetized” onto the cavern's even walls, they heard absolutely nothing but their breaths and footsteps. It was torturous to invade into a cave no one had disturbed for ages and not have sight.

Suddenly, a flock of winged creatures - most probably bats - swept across the apex of the cave, producing screeching shrieks that rang through the whole cavern.

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“Look out!” Barry screamed and ducked, making sure Freya ducked with him. They knelt down with their hands covering their head and kept absolutely still.

The raging horde finally subsided, and everything was unruffled again. They continued to venture even deeper into the tunneling grotto and unknowingly realized that it was getting much warmer.

Weird thoughts revolved around Barry’s mind, “Trolls, witches, minotaur, devils? What else could there be?” He whispered to himself.

Then, a crackling sound of fire became apparent as he hobbled across the pebbly ground. The sound of dripping water was also heard.

“Shh, slowly,” Freya whispered.

They tip-toed in consternation towards the sounds and saw a thin crevice that allowed them to peer into a large hall.

They gleamed into the crevice, and his eyes widened. “The book!” he exclaimed.

Out of the blue, both heard a snarling groan. Chills shattered down Barry’s spine instantaneously, and every strand of hair on his body rose.

The groan reminded him of monsters, or maybe just humans but cannibals? He was lost. To their horror, footsteps - that of a human, echoed from not afar.

“Hide!” Freya said a little above the whisper.

Barry snuck behind a huge rock, and Freya did the same on the opposite side. It didn’t take long before a few Banshees strolled in. wearing huge gowns. They started breaking down the wall, which stood as a barrier between them and the book.

Barry cast a look to Freya, but she shook her head, telling him to wait patiently.

The echoes of rocks hitting rocks took over the cave. It was loud enough for Barry to cover his ears. Before the scene could proceed, the cave started shaking, almost as an earthquake struck. The Banshees turned around to look at each other, and the eldest one yelled.

The cave started to shake unbelievably. Barry stood up as a rock fell right beside him.

“Run!” Freya yelled and held Barry’s hand,

“Wait! The book!”

Barry looked back. The wall was down, and the book sat on a thick cube-shaped rock.

“I can get it!” Freya said and took a run for it.

“Freya!” Barry yelled behind her. He wanted to tell her she shouldn’t risk her life, ‘it’s not worth the book, it’s not worth anything,’ but before he could speak, Freya had already made a run for it.

“Let’s go!”

Freya came back running like a pro and with the book in her hand. Barry slid his hand in hers, and both of them took a run for it.

As soon as they made it out of the cave, Freya took a deep breath while Barry – in his true sense – fell down and gasped for air.

“Freya, I – I have to tell you something,” Barry said in between his gasps,

“Right now?” Freya wiped her forehead and looked at him with a raised brow,

“YES!” He got on his knees as Freya came closer, “Watching you run for that book, risking your life, I – I couldn’t – I didn’t know how much you could mean to me. I stood there as if your feat is nothing as if you didn't just walk a thousand miles to hold my hand, just in case I needed you. I did need you. I simply had no idea that I did. So, if I'm at a loss for words, I'm processing the enormity of your heart and soul, of how lucky I am to have met you.”

Freya looked at him with wide eyes, thinking what to say, but like always, Barry had left her speechless with expressing his love in a way she hadn’t known. Ever.

“I – I don’t –” She stuttered,

“It’s alright. I don’t expect you to say anything. I mean, not right now, but you have to say something later, okay? You can’t leave me hanging in the middle. I-”

Before he could finish his sentence, Freya pressed her lips against his.