Chapter 0.3
No one survives alone, when thrown off to the unknown, if one hopes to live, faithful companions, increases survival, to entrust one's life to others. Isolation is a troubling decision.
He was drowning, a moment ago he was just on the beach, the next thing he saw was water, a lot of it, he was inside a small bubble of sorts, slowly expanding, forcefully trying to spread outward, but like any bubble, it lacked solidity, making it puff, engulfing and knocking the air out of its inhabitants.
He tried to breathe air as much as he could, but it was too late, he couldn't afford to swim up to the surface, their pursuers might see them. It was always like this, just like before, before they entered that damned dungeon, always powerless, always relying on others, he only wanted to help, to save the others, to escape their fate, their doom, he just wants to be recognised, to matter, so he could have saved them, her!
But this world is cruel, more cruel than anyone could realize. He saw it with his own eyes, experienced it like no other, he was sure of it. He thought of dying, he remembered how they died, he always did, everytime he closed his eyes, seeing their back against him, how they shielded— protected the pathetic one, three their lives, their hopes, wishes and dreams, all because they knew he mattered, because they hoped he could fulfill his promise, oh how they entrusted their very souls to him, for a glimmer of hope, a chance.
How that tortured him, the nightmare he suffered, the never ending dream of living, so their lives could still matter, thru him, they still live, his memories of them that only he remembers. He wish for it to end, the sinking feeling of despair, It does not matter in the end, the world would still go on, even without him. So he let the water claim him, didn't resist the water rushing in his mouth, he didn't know how to swim anyway. He closed his eyes, hoping to see them soon
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“afe— Trafe! Thank goodness! I thought I lost you there boss” he heard Nayb muttered.
“Geez! sorry I didn't find you right away, those damn water was deeper than I thought it was in those parts, I think you might had missed cast you spell there— or maybe the spear were you casted the spell anchor was so far down before you managed to swapped with it” Nayb was talking faster that he usually does. And he was paler than usual too. Trafe slowly seated himself up, noticing that they were surrounded by some big slippery rocks beside a cliff. He knew Nayb has doubts about the spear and miss casting, but decided to dodge the question
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“You're injured, that usually doesn't happen” Trafe said, more curious than concerned.
“Oh this? I ah— I think I was out of mana mana back there, must have been those shackles they put on us, back when we were on that pirate ship, oh and I kinda ripped some of your shirt to use as a bandage, you know, since you took the time to get change after you accidently killed them off, mine still look primitive”
Trafe's left eyebrow rose to that, Nayb might be hiding something from him too.
“Those were ordinary shackles, that [Pirate Lord] thought we were from the same place as him, Some place called Irt or something, he said every 20 years or so, someone would get transported here or some other places, he somehow perished that thought when he saw you, something about you having those silver hair” Trade replied while getting a hard time remembering it, he saw some alcohol lying around after killing them of, so he decided to get drunk, somehow forgetting that the ship became crewless.
“And you killed them because…?” Nayb rose an eyebrow on his own, their personalities were getting similar as of late, something about being with noone else but themselves while inside a dungeon. Sighing the thought away, Trade replied.
“They concluded that they were natives somewhere for Mindos, so they decided to enslave and sell us, specially you”
“So you killed them? because they thought I was more valuable than you? Nayb had to laugh at that, such a childish reason. “Oh, but why didn't you try fighting the [Riders]?”
“Fuck you! and I was drunk, remember? I swear I thought we were fighting an army back there,
the dizziness and headache was killing me, I was almost kneeling back there, trying not to puke in front of them” Trafe snorted, they could have easily fight their way out there.
“But then I saw you getting screwed there, that was unexpected, but it somehow made me sober, forcing me to bail us out there, good thing those pebbles went to the waters, I seriously thought I had hit a flying horse there, those things are hard.to fight, specially the horned ones” Trafe continued, casually forcing Nayb to spit his secret out.
“Well that—that was very lucky for us, do you ah do you have a hidden potion somewhere? my legs are kinda killing me right now”
“Ah about that, our equipments are still back in the dungeon, i couldn't detect anchors there, maybe it's blocking me from, I think it's afraid I'll teleport everything out of it, our hidden base plan is ruined now” Trafe complained, things really are unfair in this world. “I think I could still go back to the pirate ship though, want me to have a quick look? check any potions and some weapons? oh and some armour too and a pirate hat!”
Distrust, skepticism, isolation, it brings men into madness, when lives are at stake, a faithful companion will surely keep you sane?