A Whisper

"Alright, it'd be for the best if we share our strengths and weaknesses going forward. Just give me a quick rundown on the classes you took and what you prioritized in the Academy first."

Well, this was awkward for June. How was he supposed to respond to that..?

He lingered for a moment, scratching the back of his head awkwardly.

"Honestly, I never took any classes or ever attended any Academy. Ah, actually, I'm one of the special cases."

June said, mustering up an awkward smile.

Gemm stared at him for a moment before replying:

"... Okay then. How about just filling me in on whatever training you did with your Master?"

June, once again, couldn't help but feel awkward.

"Uh, actually… I haven't been through any training either. I don't know how to fight, I can barely even throw a solid punch without it hurting, and I tend to run away more times than not. I also don't have a damn clue how to wield a weapon or use it effectively. On top of that, I'm inexperienced in all forms of combat… whether it be hand-to-hand, weaponry, ranged — anything."

June inhaled a heavy breath, finally finishing.

'Why is she looking at me like that?'

Gemm looked at him as if he was out of his mind, her brows raised in utter disbelief.

"So you're telling me… you decided to Ascend with basically no fighting experience at all?"

She said in a low voice, trying to comprehend the thought process behind June's actions.

To be fair, if she knew about his Strict Binding she'd immediately understand.

'Well… maybe not, actually.'

His Binding would just be another thing that would be difficult for her to believe, refusing the existence of such a thing in the first place.

June sighed, running his hand through his hair as he admitted:

"Yeah, basically."

Gemm shook her head hearing his words, slapping her forehead with the palm of her hand in exasperation.

It indeed was foolish on his part, but it's not like he had time. 

The Strict Binding's punishment wasn't something he wanted to go through again — not ever. The feelings he felt — the things he saw in that moment, were things no mortal should experience.

What's worse, he couldn't talk to anyone about it. None of it.

It was probably why Winston didn't bother wasting any time either, realizing June's urgent desire to return to the Ark.

June redirected his attention over to Gemm who still seemed to be stupefied by his confession. 

If he could've lied about it, he would've. But he couldn't, not with something like that.

"Alright, sure, I'm a bit useless when it comes to combat. But, I'm quick on my feet, and I have a survival instinct. Whatever you require of me, I'll do my utmost to fulfill. I'll do whatever it takes to live, that I promise you."

June meant what he said — every word.

He was well aware that when it came to combat, he was utterly useless. However, he had a survival instinct. He liked to think he was at least tough enough to move forward no matter the odds.

Shouldn't that count for something?

"June, that's no—"

Suddenly, Gemm stopped speaking, her gaze darting to the outside as if noticing something. 

June soon noticed it too.

Outside, among the eerie fog and the echoing of distant waves… there was something there. Within the darkness of the night, there was definitely something. 

He couldn't quite put his finger on it but it felt like another presence was staring back at them. Realizing this, they fell silent, staring out into the distance.

Then, Gemm, who stood behind June, very carefully inched forward before dismissing the ghostly flame, leaving them in complete darkness.

Whatever was gazing at them was probably allured by the salient flames that served as the only form of light. Unfortunately, even after quelling the flame, the gaze didn't peer away. Instead, it seemed to inch closer.

With balled fists, June slowly turned to Gemm who was lurking in the shadows behind, as silent as one could possibly be.

He wanted to say something — ask her something, but he was too afraid to. Rather, it'd be better if he didn't. Whatever Gemm did, he'd follow.

As the presence of the unknown being grew closer, both him and Gemm remained in place.

June could hear the sound of water drifting, as if it was being pushed aside by the motion of something, sending chills down his spine.

Sooner rather than later, a sudden whisper reached him.

He couldn't understand it — any of it.

It just sounded like the sound of a few ghostly whispers that were speaking in an alien-like language, echoing through one side of his ear and escaping the other. And though he did not understand the sounds of the eerie whispers, their haunting touch was enough to ignite a grievous feeling of fear within his soul.

He remained where he was, and so did Gemm.

A few very long minutes passed. 

And then… the moment he felt the presence of the unknown being inch close enough to the point where June could feel its breath on his skin… it dissipated.

He immediately let out a heavy breath that he had been holding in, his shoulders dropping down as he collected himself.

Once he did, he turned around to see where Gemm was. 

Enshrouded by the shadows, she was lingering at the very corner of the space, her hand gripping something.

Likely her sword.

"What in the world was that?"

June asked, wiping the sweat on his face. It had appeared so suddenly yet mysteriously disappeared much faster.

"Do not know… and do not want to find out. Let's just try to keep our voices down from now on."

Gemm sat back down with a sigh, her back against the rocky wall.

"I think it'd be wise if we stay here for the remainder of the night without any light. Plus, with someone like you out there… roaming in the darkness, we wouldn't last an hour."

She said, her tone heavy.

June wanted to refute her, but realistically she was correct.

"I'll take first watch, you go on and get some rest while you still can." She whispered.

June kindly refused, offering the opposite:

"No, you go on and rest. I'll keep first watch."

He wanted to lessen her burden if possible... and also prove himself in a way. Perhaps if he started with the little things, she'd grow to trust him.

However, Gemm seemed to gaze at June from within the shadows after hearing his words. 

"No. Get some rest, June."

With that, June decided there was no point in offering her to rest first and laid down himself.

'Quite stubborn…'

As he shut his eyes, he felt like the whispers were still lurking close by which kept him paranoid. The feeling he had felt just hearing it earlier was an unpleasant touch to his soul.