Chapter 7: Desert Requiem (5)

"..."

A sound of faint footsteps from the other side of the room... someone is coming.

I stood up and counted my steps.

It takes ten steps to the door.

I reached for the doorknob and the door creaks open.

"Oh— uhh... I was just about to knock. Well... *ahem* The boss wants to talk with Sir Faram. He asks him to come to his quarters immediately."

I opened the door wider.

I felt a draft went pass me... that means Faram has stepped out the room.

I closed the door after that.

This is the first time that happened.

Then again— when I think about it... how long has it been ever since my training with Master Faram began?

I became too preoccupied in focusing with my other senses while getting through all obstacles he made me go through while on a blindfold, that I had forgotten about the real problem and situation I am in... and that is to escape Ouboros.

I wonder how my brother is...

I made my way to back further and I sat down the stone cold surface which is my bed.

Across the room, opposite from where mine is, another bed is found, that is Master Faram's bed.

Going near it is strictly forbidden.

I have made a mental imagine in my mind what this room looks like so going around it now is easier than the first time I arrived.

This must be the first time ever that I can go into a reverie like this and ponder about things.

His training has been so mentally exhausting that I don't think I had the time to brood about escaping or going back to where my friends are.

There were even times I just slept without eating dinner because of how tired I was.

Then again I don't even know the difference of time anymore!

He never had even once removed these blindfold off me.

Everything was an endless cycle of training with him.

He's not the awarding type that commends on achievements either... So I wonder if I have improved at all.

I wonder if Aeron improved as well?

Or how Nora and the others are...

—and our parents... how is Mama and Papa doing?

I took my legs up and pushed my knees closer to my chest while locking my arms around it.

I hear nothing at the moment.

I've gotten so used to this dark silence that just a little sound alerts me. The stillness of the room is the same. Everything is stagnant so the slightest of air movement or drafts that emit bothers me. It felt like I have to comprehend what everything is even without provocation, sensing every little change automatically as if its natural thing to do now.

But I know it isn't suppose to be like this.

If only I have my vision back.

But if I think about it, it's not all bad.

Although Master Faram is cold, strict and never bothered to praise me ever, he isn't heartless. In the slightest of ways, I felt his kindness.

He never got angry at me nor shouted at me, he feeds me with delicious meals, and gave me herbs and elixirs to treat my wounds or pains. He's very patient with me in spite of himself.

Maybe this is likely Stockholm syndrome,

But I respect Master Faram.

Suddenly, I felt a draft blow ever so lightly.

A sound of door closing...

And the sound of sand grinding on the floor

But no presence.

"Master, you're back." I say as I went to the edge of my bed and sat up straight.

"That man is on the move... how irksome." He murmurs in his usual monotonous low but airy voice.

Man—?

...Cerguz?

"He's sending Giles and myself away on a mission. I don't know when we'll get back."

"Oh."

"Your real training has yet begun... I haven't even taught you so much yet." He heaves a sigh.

Is he disappointed?

I wonder if it's okay if I consider it as one.

"Close your eyes, Ri. I'm going to remove your eye strap."

I closed them.

The cloth began to loosen and then it falls to my lap. "Open your eyes very slowly"

His voice was very sooting for my ears against my drumming heart.

Its been so long since I have this thing blocking my vision. I'm excited to see again but nervous for some unknown reason.

I fisted my hands on my lap as I wearily opened both my eyelids, fighting to have it done the slowest possible way.

A light sips in between the spaces of my lashes from the tiny opening but I shut them back close on reflex.

"Take your time."

Usually at moments like this I would have cursed this man, since this is all his fault

—on why opening my eyes seem like a nerve wrecking task,

But I just don't feel like it.

Spewing profanity at him seems like a sin for me.

Once again I tried to pull my eyelids open,

slowly and anxiously but my lower lids ascends, narrowing my field of vision.

I closed one eye as blurry lights dazzled me, and letting only one eye take in all the blinding light before I wearily opened the other as well.

A fuzzy silhouette of a silver haired man in a blindfold is what I can only fathom. But I can distinguish a warm but rather bare looking room behind him. "Please, tell me how many days has it been— I need to know, Master Faram."

"Fifteen days." He replied short.

I blinked multiple times.

Finally, I was able to open them both.

Everything was blurry. I tried my best to focus, rubbing at my eyes and then steadying my gaze at Faram who stood before me serenely.

Fifteen? It was that long—

"Take this." He hands me a small black box.

I took it and opened it immediately.

Two blue darts with a cover on its lids laid carefully inside the box. "What... are these for, master Faram?"

"The needles are coated with the essence of a rare herb found only in a Tundra plains. Even the largest beasts can be taken down by those darts with just a pierce."

I close the box and look up at him.

"Is this poison?"

He shook his head. "It can make any fiends sleep. I'm sure that would be enough for you for now."

I took a deep long breath.

Is this for—

"The ruins below is still alive. All the ancient enchantments are running. That means if you let the portal remain open in the lowest floor accessible, and jam the portal on the surface in hyperdrive, it will disable the field of transport. It will malfunction and act as a vortex."

My eyes widen.

These informations are...

"Everything will be buried deep in the sands. So be careful."

He turns around and walked towards the door. "Until our next meeting, Ri." he concluded and was about to turn the door knob.

"Wait!!!" I bolted up and walk towards him. "I'm confused. Aren't you part of Ouboros? I mean you're one of them so..."

"What are you implying?" He turned to face me.

I pursed my lips in a hardline, carefully considering what I should say next.

These darts that can make something sleep plus the information about the ruins—

I can't be wrong, can I?

Isn't this a way of indirectly helping me to figure a way out to escape?

"Aren't you on Cerguz's side? Why did you give these to me and told me about the ruins?"

"It's not about taking sides. It's about deciding which will yield a more interesting result." He replied in his usual sluggish manner. "And besides— I only given you a small gift for your hard work as my apprentice. That's all.... And the ruins is just a note of precaution; I have a feeling Cerguz will soon see you the moment I leave."

"So what if I use these to escape?"

Faram sighs. "That's your decision. Right now, my only command to you is do as what you wish while I'm gone but try to practice on your own."

He stretches a hand to me and reaches for the collar on my neck. It suddenly disintegrated the moment he touched it. "But I will still come back to get you when the time is right. You cannot truly escape me anyway, my apprentice." he concluded as he finally stepped out the room and closed the door behind him despite me trying to yell out 'wait'.

I just sighed and paced around the room.

This is it. A solid way to escape while destroying the entire base.

But— he said he will come back to get me...

I shook my head. That is not the problem right now. I need to get back to the others and...

I blankly stared at my clothes.

It was a black sleeveless dress that Master Faram gave me to change into.

I need my cloak.

I ran back to my bed and took the dirty white cloak that wore the crest of Leingod in the brooch that's pinned on it.

I need to get back home.

It's far too late now to count on rescues.

I wore it on, hid the box on my pocket and rushed to the door.

I opened it abruptly and surprisingly, Aeron was at the other side of the lobby, exactly opposite to where I stood. It was as if we opened the door of our rooms at the same time.

I stared at him, my body tremble at the sight of him. I felt as if my feet had frozen.

It was only fifteen days, I never even felt the day passing with all the continuous training done yet how is it that I feel like it's been years since I last saw Aeron.

"AERRA!!!" his voice shattered.

He sprinted at me in a flash.

We both fell down the floor on impact while he embraces me tight.

Wait—

I... c-can't breath.

I tapped out at his arm. "I can't breath, Aeron!"

He quickly releases and moved to sit on his heels beside me. He looked displeased. "I need to hug you more. I can't stop myself. So— Please just take a deep breath!" he grumbled, pouting but his cheeks are beet red.

Err...

I sat up, nodded and gasped for air as he pulled me in and embraced me tightly but this time more carefully, so I released my breath and wrapped my arms around him.

He won't say it because he's shy but I'll tell it anyway. "I miss you too, brother. I missed you very very much!"

I can hear a sound of footstep.

I pushed Aeron aside as he looked at me, surprised.

I gaze beyond him and focused on the sound.

The footsteps weren't familiar. It was as if the feet were rather dragged than stomped, step per step, unlike how all the men in cloak do.

The feeling of being watch was getting more eerie too.

I stood up hastily as Aeron did the same.

"Aeron, Cerguz is coming." I told him.

"How can you tell?" He asks as he turned over his head to the entrance of the lobby and a shadow moved on the walls.

Soon Cerguz steps out from the corner. Wearing a wide smile as his eyes narrowed at us. "What a beautiful reunion!"

Aeron nonchalantly moved forward and stepped in front of me. He looks calm but I sense a belligerent vibe around him.

"Relaaaax! I'm not here to pick a fight! I'm just here to inform you both that... well, you know, your masters are gone for the mean time— I thought I should build a rapport somehow and let you know that I won't mind if you two return to where the other kids are! Feel free to do so. Yes." He nods in a chuckle. "Go whenever you want. I won't mind at all!!!" He smiled at us, nods then turned around and walked away.

"Build rapport? What nonsense is he talking about?" murmured Aeron.

Obviously, he's up to something.

"Let's go back anyway. What do you think?"

I shrugged. "He looks suspicious though"

"He always has a suspicious face." Aeron retorted. "But I don't think he will strike us now that fast. Let's just go back and check on the others as well."

I nodded in reply as Aeron led the way.

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