The giant… rocks were split in two.

That was the only explanation.

Vim didn’t seem to even realize how impossibly terrifying the sight before us, and around us was. He just… kept on guiding the donkey into the massive fissure. The gorge that separated two giant rocks that towered into the sky, taller than anything I’d seen before.

Even mountains weren’t this big.

“Vim…” I worriedly reached over, to grab his arm. He let me, and didn’t even glance at me oddly as I did so. He was gentle in moments like this. He never turned aside someone actually seeking comfort or safety.

For me though it was more for surety. I wanted to be told that…

“They only look so big Renn, because there’s nothing leading up to them. They just shoot straight up. No hills. No climb. So they seem bigger than they are. They’re actually not as high as most of the mountains we passed over back north,” he said calmly.

Surely not.

On both sides of us, blocking out the whole skies and even the hot sun… were giant rocks. They were flat faced, and although I could see the colors of the earth upon them…

“This was one big rock,” I said as I looked left and right. Even though a massive distance, likely far enough that it’d take me many minutes to run from one to the other, I could see the truth. You could actually see where the rocks could… join together. The massive indents. The same coloring and formations. It was as plain as day that these weren’t two massive mountains, but a single one. One that had been split right down the middle. Cleaved in two.

“It had been at one time. Yes. It takes about an hour before you start seeing light from the other side,” Vim said with a point in front of us.

Yes. I couldn’t see the end of it either. And…

Looking up as we rode deeper and deeper into the mountain itself, I felt sick to my stomach.

“Vim… what if they fell? Or closed on us?” I asked worriedly. I could see the blue sky up top, but it was like a thin line. A thin line of bright blue, amongst the reds and browns.

“It won’t Renn. I’ve been going through this gorge since before you were born. Maybe even before your parents or theirs, too,” he said lightly.

That didn’t make me feel any better. “That bridge had been sturdy too, you had said,” I said to him.

Vim chuckled, and I felt something in my grip. Looking down, I watched as he shifted a little, turning his hand and arm. The one I held.

The muscles underneath his shirt shifted. Reminding me that he was more muscular than he appeared to be. I’d not have even noticed had I grabbed him a little lower on the arm, where his leather bracer was.

“All will be fine Renn. I promise. If something does happen, somehow, I’ll keep you safe.”

I nodded. I believed him. I honestly did. If anyone could protect me even as a mountain tried to eat me, it’d be him without a doubt.

But…

I glanced up again at the giant pillars of stone… and once again felt helplessly tiny.

I was but an ant to them. An insect. A tiny bug, not even worth the moment to recognize that I existed.

“Surely this is how gods feel,” I said softly.

“Gods used to tremble just like you, yes. I’m glad you realize it,” Vim said.

My focus left the daunting world around me, and narrowed on the man who had a weird smirk on his face.

“Did they?” I asked him.

He nodded. “They did. Though… that might just have been because I was in front of them, so…” Vim stopped talking as he frowned.

Did… did he realize what he was saying?

“Vim…?” I barely got his name out of before I saw it. He blinked, even with his half-closed eye of white. He turned away, to pretend to focus on our path ahead. Even though there was no need. Although now heading between two massive pillars of stone, and down a gorge’s path, like the last two days our route has been straightforward and simple. You didn’t need to focus too hard on where we were going.

Would he give in? If I pushed?

Studying the way he… became more normal. More still. More calm. His face hadn’t lost all emotion, but had lost most of it. That happy smirk and general easiness was gone now.

He now looked like he did when in front of many of our members. On guard, but not much more.

No. Now wasn’t the time.

“Did you split these rocks?” I asked instead.

Vim, like usual when I swiftly changed topics, blinked a small surprise as he tilted his head.

“No… I did not,” he answered without worry.

“Could you have?” I asked.

He smiled softly. “Yes. But not through pure strength. It’d require machinery, and explosives. Something this big would have taken me weeks to do,” he said.

Oh…? “Really?”

He nodded and leaned back a little. The cloth canopy of the wagon shifted since it was half-open and flapping around. Thanks to my earlier rummaging not too long before we entered this gorge. I had searched for the other water canteen. Since the other two had emptied. I hadn’t retied and properly fastened the flap back into place so it had been loosely sitting behind Vim’s back this whole time.

“Even the biggest rock can be split. It just takes a lot of effort. You basically drill a bunch of small holes, in a line, along a weak point. After drilling enough you just slam a thick rod into a vital point with enough force and…” Vim lifted his hands and opened a palm as he spoke. He thumped a closed fist against the open palm, as if to display what he’d do.

“Why’s it seem a lot of things break easily when thick rods are forced into them?” I asked him.

“You have a way with words, Renn,” Vim said with a smirk.

I squeezed his arm, and remembered I still held it.

Huh… how had I forgotten?

Letting him go, regretfully, I returned my attention to our path and not the incomprehensible things on either side of us.

“You said there’s a place to rest up ahead?” I asked.

“Yes. A little oasis. A large spring, with a tiny little forest. I think we might just spend the night there. We’re fine, but the donkey sounds like he’s about ready to bite me,” he said.

I giggled and nodded. Yes. Its breathing has become rather haggard.

“His name’s Fred by the way,” I reminded him.

“So you’ve told me.”

“You never call him by name,” I said.

“I once was kicked by a donkey. So I don’t like them anymore,” he said.

Judging from how he said that, it had been the truth… but not entirely. It had likely happened, but he wasn’t being genuine in his distaste for the animals. He was just trying to tease me.

After a moment of smiling at him, Vim turned to look at me. Once again seeing his healing right eye, I wondered if it itched. It looked like it did. It was somewhat swollen… and although half open, it was also oddly gleaming. As if he was crying.

“Does it itch?” I asked him with a point to my own eye.

“A little,” he answered honestly.

“I’m sorry,” I apologized again.

He sighed at me. He was growing tired of me trying to apologize for quite literally gouging out his eyeball.

I wasn’t sure how his… body worked… but I was starting to figure it out.

Vim’s eye hadn’t healed.

He had grown a new one.

All yesterday tiny pieces of the old eye had fallen out. Just… literally. They plopped out as he talked, or looked around. Sometimes he didn’t even seem to notice. Then it’d bleed a little, which he would notice, and then the process repeated.

And now there was already a brand new eyeball. Although it was… all white, and didn’t have a pupil yet. It was fully formed it seemed though, although still swollen around the socket.

“So… if I stabbed you… would you grow a whole new stomach or something?” I asked him.

Vim smirked at me. “You know that’s not the first time you’ve spoken about stabbing me. And not in a jokingly matter, either,” he noticed.

“I’ve only thought about it, a few times,” I admitted.

His smirk turned into a grin as he chuckled. “Why do you want to stab me Renn?” he asked.

“More than I already have you mean?” I teased him.

His smirk turned into a wry frown, and then he smiled again. “Right?” he agreed.

Smiling happily at him… I did my best to not smile too weirdly. Since I knew it was somewhat ridiculous.

“Well… I’m just… trying to understand you, I guess. Or rather, your body.”

“It won’t be long and you’ll know my body very well. Why rush it?” he asked.

I felt the blood rush to my face, and had to look away from that smirk. Gosh how he could he say things like that so swiftly? Without warning or seemingly even a thought?

It wasn’t fair. At all.

Vim chuckled in triumph, and I squirmed for a moment. My tail thumped against the side of the wagon, since it was laying over the edge, and I sighed.

“Honestly Vim… I originally just wanted to know more about your abilities. So that I could properly react, when able,” I said, doing my best to completely ignore my burning cheeks or ears.

“React properly…?” he asked softly.

I nodded, and took a small breath. Although the air and world was hot, the rush of air still felt cooler than my own body.

“Yeah… I mean… like in Lumen. Vim, if you had gotten that hurt in front of me and… let’s say, fell into the sea or something, I’d genuinely think you were dead. What if you passed out and needed help? I need to know when your injuries are something I should be actually concerned about or…something I shouldn't,” I started to explain my reasoning.

Instead of laughing or smirking at me, Vim actually frowned and nodded. “I see. Yes… that makes sense.”

“It… it does?” I asked both him and myself.

He nodded again. “You’re right. Actually, very so. There have indeed been situations where members have gotten hurt, or even died, because they panicked or mistook my condition. It’s why nowadays I try to make it clear to everyone that I’m basically immortal. Even if I’m not. I do imply it even though it’s a lie, to both bolster confidence in everyone but also so that such mistakes don’t happen in the future. Like Lumen… the others had seen my injuries too. A few had even panicked. The ones who’d never seen me so hurt before. Yet they didn’t run away at the mere sight of me like that, and those monsters, because the rest there had been able to tell them not to worry. That they’d seen me endure such before, and even worse. So they remained calm,” Vim explained.

Oh…

This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

I nodded, understanding perfectly. So many of our members were so fickle. So meek. So it made absolutely perfect sense for him to have such a reason.

If them seeing such wounds upon their protector wasn't properly prepared for, or explained, then... yes. They'd run. They'd flee. In fear.

That was why he always acted so confidently. So brazenly. Because it instilled confidence even into those without any.

“Well… firstly. You’ve just witnessed a perfect showcasing,” Vim said with a point to his eye. The one healing.

Ah…

“See Renn? Even a little moment like that had been enough. Your nail sharp enough. This tells you Renn… you actually can hurt me. Now your nails might not puncture my skin, as it had my eyeball, but if you wielded your sword or a spear it’d be enough. You could run me through, if you wished it,” he said.

“But even if I stabbed… you in like the chest… it’d be the same right? You’d not die?” I asked.

“No. I wouldn’t. Just as my eye is healing so too would any similar injury. I suffered far worse in Lumen and only a few days later I was walking around as if it’d never happened. The more serious an injury, the longer it takes, but barring some very unique injuries… I heal nearly completely in a week or so,” Vim explained.

“But… how? Surely there’s… a limit, or a point of no return?” I asked.

“There is… There is…” he nodded as he spoke slowly, as if pondering something.

Oh…? Was he actually going to tell me?

Impossible. He had just grown quiet and distant over something so much less important. Why would he change so quickly?

Before I could prepare another, different type of question, he stopped me. By telling me.

“Let me tell you a story,” Vim then said.

I nodded, intently focused on the man sitting next to me. Honestly he was too far away. I wished it wasn’t so hot, then I’d be able to lean against him as I had done during the night before.

“There was a legend. Of a warrior. One not from my people, but a similarly great civilization. The man was named Achilles,” Vim began.

I nodded as he glanced at me… and dedicated both this supposed warrior’s name to memory, and Vim’s expression. He looked excited to tell me about this.

“This warrior was considered to be one of the greatest warriors ever born. His feats unbelievable by most. And, yes, he was considered for the longest time to be even immortal,” Vim continued.

“Considered,” I noted.

He nodded. “The legends say that his mother dipped him into a river. Think of it like… well, the legend is basically that the river itself is, or was, a god. A goddess. But although a god, it was also considered a literal river so…” Vim frowned, and I realized that he realized he was struggling. Either he was trying to tell me of this legend without telling me the whole thing, or was trying to properly… translate it. “Anyway, Achilles was dunked into the river of the underworld. A river of oaths and power. This river, being… magical, enchanted Achilles. Granting him basic immortality. However, because of how she dipped him into the river… he had a fatal flaw.”

Transfixed, I watched as Vim held out a hand. It was cupped and angled… and I realized what he was implying.

“She dipped him like so. By holding his heel,” he said as he pretended to dunk a baby into a river of power.

I gulped, and looked down. To the little plank of wood our feet rested upon.

To Vim’s.

“Thus a section of his body that wasn’t immortal,” I said, understanding.

Vim nodded out of the corner of my eye. I was still focused on his feet. Or rather, his boots. Had they always looked so thick? Is that why he always wore thick shoes? “And so his inevitable downfall. He was eventually struck in that very heel. There are many versions of the story, on how it happened… either by spear or arrow, or by a man or god, but the basics of it is that nothing could defeat him… until someone accidentally and unknowingly hit him in the only spot where he could be harmed,” Vim finished his little story.

“It’d rather hear the whole legend, Vim,” I said stiffly.

He chuckled. “I know. I’ll tell you it later. Maybe over dinner. Basically though Renn, that’s my whole thing too. I have an… Achilles’ heel,” he said lightly.

Too lightly. For how serious of a thing he was saying.

My breathing became weird as my eyes blurred… and I looked again to his feet.

“Oh… wait. Renn… it’s not actually my heel. I was just using that as an example,” Vim said quickly.

“What? Huh?” I worriedly looked at his face for conformation.

Yes. He hadn’t lied. He was actually looking at me with a rather distressed look… and not because he had just realized he told me something serious and important. But rather because he was worried for my own self. He was worried I’d be distressed, so he was.

“Really. I cherish how much worry you just had for me. Not many would even think to worry over me in such a way… even after I told them about it. But honestly, yes. I do have a fatal weakness… but other than that singular weakness, there’s really not much I need to fear.”

“But… you do get hurt,” I said, glancing at his eye. It was moving now. I couldn’t see a pupil yet, but it was definitely moving. It hadn’t been before this conversation.

“Yes, but I heal quickly. Like so,” he pointed at his eye.

Although… a little relieved… and also very happy that Vim had told me, I still felt oddly worried.

I felt as if I’d just been entrusted with something. Something important… yet…

“Wait… so what is it? What’s your weakness?” I asked as I wondered what it was. Something else maybe? Between his thighs? Under an arm?

He chuckled at me. “Well… I’ll not tell you. Sorry.”

Although I tried to stop myself from frowning in such a way as if I was about to cry… I still did so. At least I didn’t cry outright. Vim shifted a little upon seeing my expression as I sniffed. “Someday you’ll trust me enough, I promise.”

“Ah… no…”

I nodded. “You will. It’s already starting, so…” I wiped an eye, even though I really wasn’t crying just yet. It had just gotten a little watery.

“Rennalee… The reason I won’t tell you is not because I don’t trust you, but because of your mind,” Vim said quickly.

“My… mind?”

He nodded and sighed. “Renn, you remember everything. In scary detail. Even little things, that have no importance. What then would you do with knowledge such as this? How would you treat the information of my one fatal weakness?” he asked me.

“Well… I’d hide it. Forever. Never to even dare whisper it,” I said sternly.

He nodded. “I believe you. I really do… I don’t think you’d tell anyone, even under horrible duress. However…” Vim shifted a little, as to better face me. He sat with his leg half laying on the seat again, as he had before. He then lifted the reins at me, as if to point at me with them. “What would you do if say… we were sitting. At a table. With our members. And eating dinner. And then suddenly, without warning… my weakness revealed itself?” he asked.

“I’d… stop it? Or keep it away from you?” I leaned forward a little, to hold his gaze and answer with all my heart.

Was his weakness something that common? That it could show itself under such a scenario? Did that mean it wasn’t necessarily a body part, but instead something… else? Like a weapon, or item? Maybe a creature?

Was it a food or drink...? Was that why he so rarely ate in view of others?

Vim’s smile became warm and gentle as he nodded. “Exactly.”

“What… what does that mean? How’s that a reason to not tell me? How’s my concern and effort to protect you a bad thing, Vim?” I asked worriedly.

“That you’d help me? Or try to keep me safe? Not a bad thing at all… in fact it’s sexy beyond all hell. But, Renn, remember… I mentioned that we’d be sitting with others,” he reminded me.

“Our members, you said.”

He nodded.

“People who we cherish. Our own people,” I further described them.

He nodded again… but did so much slower. “Some members are as much my enemy as those who hunt us, Renn,” he whispered.

I gulped as I leaned away from him. Not too far, but enough to make him blink and frown.

Cold understanding swept over me as I realized exactly what he was trying to say.

He nodded. “You’d react. Upon seeing it. Or realizing it. And even if you were… able to keep your fear and worry inside, and not try to intervene, you’d still react all the same. A tiny twitch of an ear,” he reached out to gently touch the tip of my right ear.

I tried to keep it from flickering, but wasn’t able to. The moment his finger touched the fur upon it, it moved.

Proving his point.

“A flinch of an eye. The pupils widening,” his finger then slid slowly down, to slide along the side of my face.

My eyes narrowed at him as he labeled the things that not only would I do… but likely did even now. Today. In the past. And would in the future.

He’d seen it. He’s noticed it. He knew the things I did when I noticed something amiss. When I saw threats, or felt in danger.

He spoke of what I did innately. Instinctively. Beyond my control.

“Vim…” I mumbled as I shook my head softly.

“Then of course… they’d notice it too. Maybe not right away. Not at first. But… over the course of hundreds of moments? Hundreds of years? Thousands, even? Renn…” Vim shook his head as he stopped talking, his point made.

I shook my own head as well, but couldn’t find the words to say. Nothing to argue against his point could come to mind.

He nodded back though, unafraid to admit it. “I won’t tell you, Renn… not because I don’t trust you, but because I’d never be able to forgive myself. I’d hate for the last thing I did in this life to be causing you such sorrow,” he said.

“Sorrow…?” I asked. What’d he mean?

“If I died because of something you did… even indirectly in such a way, I know what it would do to you. You’re the type of woman to never forgive yourself. And I’ll not be the man to wound your soul to such a level. I’d rather you hate me for not telling you than you live for an unknown number of years with such a scar on your heart,” he said.

I gulped as I tried to find it in me to argue. To debate him. To tell him he was wrong… that he was wrong about me.

But…

I couldn’t.

He was right.

I’d not be able to hide it or ignore it. Not only was it nearly impossible for me to not try and help those who needed it, especially when right in front of me… I loved him.

I loved him, so of course I’d panic over him being in danger.

And I couldn’t even hide my thoughts half the time anyway. My expressions were vivid. My emotions obvious. And many of our members were… old… and wise. Cunning. Some were even vile.

Like Brandy who would scheme hundreds of years ahead. Or this Queen of Stone, who would sacrifice thousands.

Those like them would notice. Since I’d not be able to hide it.

And if Vim was telling the truth then…

Then…

Some of them might use that information. Against him. Against me.

“Please understand, Renn. I wouldn’t mind dying by your hands… even if indirectly… but please, don’t make me the one who tortures your soul in such a way. You deserve better,” he then said.

Without hesitation I crawled forward. I didn’t give Vim a chance to dodge, or say anything, as I wrapped him in a hug.

Squeezing him tightly, I groaned as I fought back the sobs.

For a moment Vim didn’t do anything. He didn’t even breathe… but after a second he relaxed, and sighed. Then he returned the hug, although only gently. He patted me on the back as I held onto him.

“I’m sorry, Vim,” I whispered into his chest.

“It’s all good Renn. Really.”

“Mhm…”

Keeping hold of him, I wondered just how far ahead Vim has thought about our relationship.

For him to have thought of this already… or rather…

I might not be the first. He may have had to explain such things to others before. Like Celine.

But that didn’t matter.

I’d prove it. I’d be the one.

I’ll be the one to find out how. I’ll figure out how to become someone who could learn such secrets about him… and not fail.

I wasn’t sure how I’ll do it. Nor how long it’d take.

But I’ll figure it out.

I swear it.

Squeezing him tighter, I groaned again as I pushed my face right above his leather breastplate. Near the his neck.

“I love you Vim,” I told him.

“Mhm. I love you too. Stink and all,” he said.

Smiling between the emotions… I slowly blinked, and then leaned back a tad as to look up at him.

“I stink?” I asked worriedly.

“Yeah… I’m glad we’re finally here. See the oasis?” he asked with a gesture of his chin.

Turning, I found we were suddenly surrounded by greenery.

Real green too. Not the pointy brownish stuff.

There was grass. Trees. Bushes. Even flowers… and…

Not far from us was water. It glistened a little, even though shielded from the hot sun by both the massive stone pillars and the canopies of the trees around it. It looked like a small pond, with many small streams flowing in and out of it.

“Oh…?”

Laying my head back against Vim, I sighed as we neared it.

“Do I really stink, or are you just trying to get me to let you go?” I asked as Fred started to slow down.

“You do. You smell like the snails,” he said stiffly.

Blinking wildly… I tried to understand what he had just said.

And I barely comprehended it, too. I had an easier time with the earlier conversations and stories… but…

Slowly unhooking my arms, I released Vim as I sat back. “What…?” I asked in disbelief.

He nodded, and then looked away from me. He acted as if he was studying the trees we were now passing, but I knew better.

“I’m sorry. I’ve not said anything till now, but I have to. Especially if you’re going to start really clinging to me so often. You need a bath, Renn,” he said.

“I wiped myself several times a day while we were there!” I shouted at him. Yes I hadn’t bathed or cleaned myself since we started out, but there was nothing I could do about that. The little water we had was for drinking, not bathing… and…

Growing quickly upset with him, I thought of all the times we’d gone weeks without baths. He’s mentioned a few times I stunk, but never to such a degree as this or rudely!

“I’m sure! But…” he glanced at me, and likely saw my rising anger… so he looked away and coughed. “Renn…”

“Renn nothing! Not everyone can just… not smell at all, Vim. It’s not fair. Normal people get smelly, and sweaty, and!” I started to go off on him, but he raised a hand. One without reins.

I nearly bit at it, but he turned to me and grabbed one of my hands. One I had left on him. One that had balled into a fist.

Glaring at the man who better choose his next words carefully, I watched as he took a tiny breath for confidence… and then looked me in the eyes.

“Those snails. The reason I don’t like them, is because a very long time ago… I did something horrible. Painful. Disgusting. The smell reminds me of that. Every time I get a whiff of it, the memories play back real quick… and it hurts, so…” he slowly stopped talking, and I felt my whole body go limp.

Tense shoulders slumped, and my balled fists became gentle hands as I stared at the man who looked hurt.

My numb was oddly numb as Vim nodded. “I know. It’s rude. It’s very rude. But… I don’t want to look back on these moments with you and have them tainted by those damned snails. Just now I might have even kissed you, but the smell is just…” he stopped talking, because I tugged my hand out of his.

Pulling away, I leapt off the wagon. “Renn!” Vim shouted, and I could hear the concern. He thought I just jumped away out of anger. Out of disgust.

Well… there was disgust.

But not at him.

Fred tilted his head at me as I passed him, going faster than him. I ignored the sound of Vim also leaping off the wagon. I heard the soft dirt squish upon his landing. “Renn…!”

Hurrying to the pool of water, I quickly began to undress. I’ll need Vim to bring my bag, for the soaps and washcloths, but for now my only goal was to dunk myself in that water. First I needed to really soak my hair… then… scrub and scrub. I wasn’t sure how I’d get the smell out of the clothes… but I’d try.

One way or another.

I’ll never again go into those buildings.

Those damned snails had cost me a kiss.