Chapter 45 Going to the ruins
River
I wake to the soft light of dawn filtering through the window, the gentle warmth of Aloria beside me. For a brief moment, I let myself linger in this peaceful cocoon, her presence a balm against the weight of what lies ahead.
I wish we could just stay here forever and forget everything but each other, but the thoughts of the ruins and the mission we must undertake pull me from that blissful state. Today is crucial, and I can’t afford to let anything distract me.
I watch her sleep, her hair cascading over the pillow, the peacefulness of her expression contrasting sharply with the turmoil brewing in my chest. I can’t shake the fear of losing her… the thought of how close I came to loosing her… I can’t do that, not after everything we’ve been through. The bond we share is stronger than I ever anticipated, and the thought of anything happening to her is a gnawing dread that I push down.
As she stirs and slips from my embrace, I can’t help but admire her determination. She dresses quietly, and I admire the way she moves, graceful and confident. When she turns to me, our eyes meet, and my heart skips a beat at the sight of her smile. To me she is the most beautiful creature to ever exist.
“Morning,” she says, the warmth of her voice wrapping around me like a comforting blanket. “Did you sleep well?”
“Morning my love,” I reply, forcing myself to shake off the heaviness of my thoughts. I need to focus. “I always do when you are in my arms.”
After we dress, we make our way to the inn’s dining area, and the aroma of breakfast fills the air, mingling with the laughter of our warriors. I can’t help but feel a swell of camaraderie as we sit among them, sharing food and stories. Yet, beneath the surface, I’m acutely aware of the mission that awaits us.
Once we’ve finished eating, I gather the group. “We’ll head out soon,” I announce, my voice steady despite the turmoil roiling inside. “Kellan and the two youngest warriors will stay back to gather any intel. The rest of us will scout the ruins.”
Aloria’s eyes shine with determination. “Do you think we’ll find anything significant?” she asks, and I can see the excitement mingling with apprehension on her face.
“We have to,” I reply, meeting her gaze with a fierce intensity. “If there’s a chance to understand what happened there, we need to seize it. But I won’t let anything happen to you, Aloria. You’re my priority.” The weight of my words hangs heavy in the air, but I need her to understand how serious I am.
After breakfast, we step outside into the crisp morning air. The sun bathes the forest in a golden light, but even with the beauty surrounding us, I can feel the tension in my muscles. The woods can be treacherous, and the last thing I want is for Aloria to be caught off guard.
As we walk, I keep her close, my hand brushing against hers as I guide her along the path. At first it quite nice here, the forest is alive with flowers and little animals scurrying about.
But as we get closer to the ruins I can’t shake the feeling that something is off. The trees seem to whisper secrets I can’t decipher, and the shadows stretch longer than they should.
“River, do you feel that?” Aloria’s voice breaks through my thoughts, and I turn to her, seeing the uncertainty in her eyes.
“Yeah,” I admit, my heart racing. “It’s like the forest is holding its breath.” The unease that knots in my stomach grows tighter as we move deeper into the woods. I can feel the eyes of the trees on us, as if they’re judging our presence.
“Stay close,” I murmur, the words slipping out almost instinctively. I need her near me, safe. I can’t lose her. Not now, not ever.
We continue onward, the atmosphere growing heavier, the silence around us almost suffocating. I glance over my shoulder at the warriors trailing behind us, their expressions taut with tension. I know they’re feeling it too… the weight of the unknown pressing down on us, the air thick with unspoken fears.
As we approach the ruins, the trees seem to close in, and an unsettling feeling washes over me. The structure looms ahead, shrouded in vines and shadows, and I can’t shake the feeling that we’re being watched. The atmosphere is charged, electric, and I can sense the warriors around me tense, their instincts honed for danger.
“Stay sharp,” I command, my voice low and steady despite the rising panic within me. I scan the surroundings, every instinct on high alert. The forest is no longer just a backdrop; it feels like a living entity, and it doesn’t welcome us.
I glance at Aloria, her face a mix of excitement and apprehension. I want to reassure her, to tell her that everything will be okay, but I can’t promise that. Not when the shadows feel so alive, so threatening.
“Aloria,” I say, squeezing her hand tightly. I need her to understand the gravity of the moment. “I won’t let anything happen to you. You mean everything to me.”
Her gaze meets mine, and in that moment, I see the strength in her. “I know,” she replies, her voice steady. “I’m right here with you.”
With her by my side, I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what lies ahead. Together, we step into the ruins, the threshold between the familiar and the unknown.
Suddenly I hear a branch shap and a deep menaching growl vibrates through the air, making me call out to the warriors, “at the ready, something is coming.”