[He’s dead.]

  Thick mist surrounds the area, the moon hanging above.

  A lantern is placed on the ground, the only source of light.

  The man approaches, crouching down as he checks the corpse.

  Ulcers all throughout with signs of foaming.

  [What an idiot. Let’s get out of here before we die the same way.]

  [We aren’t stupid enough to touch the damned things, Kanell.]

  [I know. But he would.]

  He gets up, pointing at Hinozu. The boy sits still on the horse, eyes wide open as he mutters nonsensical words.

  [Does that imply we are not going to seek their light?]

  Alfie adjusts his mask, ripping grass from the ground.

  Alice: [We’ll have to. Doesn’t matter if we have to tie him up.]

  Kanell: [Alice, come on. It’s better if we—]

  Alice: [Listen, I’d rather find a safe, lit-up place to sleep rather than the open wilderness. Plus, I can’t stay in the dark for too long, it’s blasphemous.]

  Kanell sighs, walking up to his horse. Alice takes the lantern, hanging it on her waist. As all three mount, they start galloping, eyes fixed above on a glimmering star.

  Alice: [We’re not even sure we’ll find any!]

  She shouts to be heard through the thumping of hooves on soil.

  The mist starts to dissipate as the ground trembles softly.

  Cracks form, forcing them to stop. Kanell gazes around, expectant.

  [Is it here?]

  His question is answered by thick stems, akin to trees, sprouting from the ground, twisting as they rise tall. Their round tops bloom into giant petals, glowing orbs attached to swaying filaments.

  Hinozu shuts his eyes, blinded by the sudden light.

  [Let’s rest here for the night. Nobody knows if we’ll be blessed again somewhere else.]

  Alice gets off her horse, grabbing a rolled sheepskin mat from a bag before dropping it on the ground.

  [Alfie.]

  The man approaches her, taking off his mask.

  Azure eyes gleam in the moonlight, his face wrapped in dusty, weared bandages.

  Retrieving a small blade from the mask, he cuts the rope off with ease, spreading the mat neatly. Then, he sheathes the blade again, putting the item on once again.

  [Stand guard for tonight.]

  [Alright.]

  Kanell sighs as Alfie walks away, standing a few meters outside the lit area.

  [Do you have another mat or something?]

  [Depends.]

  She lies on the sheepskin, gazing at the stars above.

  [It’s for Hinochu. Figured he needed rest.]

  [Already told you, tie him up. That way…]

  Raising a hand, she spreads it towards the sky.

  [He doesn’t escape or something.]

  [Alright. I’ll tie him up. You continue to praise that light of yours.]

  [Got triggered? That’s rare of you.]

  [If you really preach the light so much, maybe you should be more compassionate towards others. Bring light to your soul, or whatever you religious people like to say.]

  Sliding off the horse, he grabs the reins with one hand as the other grabs Hinozu’s wrist.

  The boy flinches.

  [Please… Don’t do this. I won’t do anything, I promise! I’m not evil! I won’t kill you!]

  He shouts hysterically.

  [I can’t… Don’t tie me up. I-I won’t go near those things. Please, just—]

  [It’s alright. Listen, you can grab onto these reins. Okay? Just don’t let go, it’ll all be fine.]

  [Really?]

  [… Yeah.]

  Hinozu calms down, grabbing the reins tightly. Kanell turns around, walking over to one of the plants to sit.

  The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

  A filament moves to swing in front, the light dimming into a luminescent blue fruit.

  [Go to sleep, Alice.]

  [When I’m done admiring the light above.]

  Irritated, the man closes his eyes, breathing soundly as he drifts off to a sleepless rest.

  Ruffling snaps his eyes open.

  A hand wraps over the fruit, trying to pluck it.

  [Shit!]

  He lunges immediately, shoving Hinozu back.

  [I told you to grab onto the reins, Hinochu!]

  Breathing raggedly, he takes a moment to calm down.

  [If you eat this, you’ll end up like the corpse we saw earlier. Is that clear?]

  Hinozu’s lips quiver, trying to come up with a response. He nods, running off to grasp the reins. Kanell sighs deeply, sitting back down, his back pressed against the thick stem.

  [Still sure about your choice?]

  Alice voices, turning on her mat to look at him.

  [I don’t know. But I wouldn’t leave someone to die.]

  [Really? Is that an ideal, or something you’ll follow in the future?]

  [... I think I’ll leave the Order after this mission.]

  [These two, you mean. Forgot about the letter already?]

  Kanell’s hair sways with the wind, brushing his nose.

  [Two, then. After that, I’m done.]

  [We’re doing a favor to—]

  [To whom, exactly? Do you know the atrocities we’ve committed?]

  Alice clicks her tongue, turning as she closes her eyes.

  [It was all necessary. Just as the sun burns the eyes, even when lighting the whole world.]

  [That is, if you look at it. Otherwise, it tends to offer warmth.]

  Kanell waits for an answer, closing his eyes after finding none. Once more, he rests, sleeping as much as he can.

  ——

  [Kanell.]

  The man opens his eyes, light glaring into his eyes as he sees white.

  [Wake up.]

  [I-I can’t see. It’s all white.]

  He attempts to stand, stumbling over something. He blinks, and his sight returns.

  He stands up, patting grass and dirt off his clothes. Alice grooms her horse nearby. Alfie stands beside him, patting his shoulder.

  [Not again…]

  [The lack of worship in your life is finally paying off, Kanell. I’d turn to the light, if I were you.]

  [Over my dead body.]

  Blinking several times, he takes time to adjust to the morning light, the cold wind seeping through. The flowers have disappeared, leaving no trace.

  [Take a look at Hinozu.]

  [Right.]

  Stepping towards Hinozu, he finds him gripping the reins.

  Dried tears cling to his face as he rests peacefully.

  [Wake up, Hinochu. It’s morning already.]

  He says, waiting patiently for Hinozu to wake up. Water is offered by Kanell as soon as he flutters his eyes open.

  [Wash your face. We’re leaving right now, so I need you to freshen up.]

  [… Okay.]

  He whispers, taking the water skin before washing his face and hands. Kanell gets on the horse after, grabbing the reins as he guides the horse forward.

  Kanell: [Hinochu and I will advance. Try to keep up.]

  Alice: [Alright.]

  Nodding, he ushers the horse to trot. After taking a fair amount of distance from them, he parts his lips.

  [Did you sleep well?]

  Silence. Then, a delayed response.

  [… No.]

  [I see. Anything you want to tell me? I could help.]

  [No.]

  Kanell’s gaze sets on the sunrise, the deep colors soothing to his eyes.

  [You seem better than yesterday.]

  Silence follows yet again. Giving up, he taps his heels on the sides of his horse, commanding it to gallop.

  [I don’t know if you listened to the conversation I had with Alice yesterday. About Leisa. I’ve got someone I know there, who may take care of you.]

  [Don’t… need.]

  [You do, Hinochu. You’ve got nowhere to go, no money, nothing. It’ll be the better option, but I need you to trust me. Think about it, okay?]

  A quiet hum.

  Through the grasslands, they climb a hill, revealing mountains ahead. Kanell stops the horse, glancing back to spot Alice and Alfie galloping towards them.

  He reaches a hand out just as they get close enough.

  Kanell: [Need the map a moment.]

  Alice: [I already know the route. Just behind those mountains, there’s a road to a few small villages. Then, we take the East route and follow the main road to the north-east, Leisa.]

  Alfie: [There is no time to be wasted.]

  Alice: [Right.]

  They travel swiftly as the sun courses through the sky, circling the mountains as the safest route.

  They reach the dirt road just as evening arrives. Far ahead, a soft shimmer.

  Slowing down to a trot, they follow the road in complete silence. Soon enough, a passerby riding a donkey stops after approaching, scrutinizing the four. Large sacks are set on the animal’s back.

  [Evening. Travelers?]

  Kanell smiles softly, addressing the voice.

  [Sort of. Heading to Leisa.]

  The old man chuckles, straightening his face shortly after.

  [I’m selling the finest wheat flour money can buy. Would you be open to buying some? You’ll find it cheaper from me than anywhere else, eh?]

  Alice rolls her eyes, already guiding the horse forward. Kanell approaches the man. Signaling the man to pull to the side of the road, he then checks the sacks.

  [So, uh, how much is it?]

  The old man grins.

  [How about a gold coin for two sacks?]

  Kanell furrows his brows in confusion.

  [Isn’t that too expensive?]

  [I’m just playing with you. A copper for two sacks?]

  [Still joking?]

  Chuckling, the merchant sticks two fingers up.

  [Three Dull coins for 2 sacks.]

  Hesitating, he decides to hand some coins made of malachite. Alfie transports the sacks to his horse. Kanell leans on his horse, shaking hands with the old man.

  The merchant then reaches for Hinozu’s hand, pulling back at the young man's lack of engagement.

  [Thank you. Hope that flour serves you well!]

  [It’s a pleasure.]

  Kanell watches as the old man leaves, riding slowly on his donkey. Turning around, he commands the horse forward.

  Alice meets his gaze, perplexed.

  [Did we need flour?]

  [Not at all. Figured if we’re going to Leisa, I’d bring a present.]

  [Flour as a present?]

  [Very valuable to some. Not necessarily poor people.]

  Coursing through the route, they follow the still rising smoke far away. Almost 15 minutes in, a chimney sticks out of a building in front.

  Four guards in unadorned armor stand on the entrance, each in front of a pillar with simple halberds on hand.

  They take a step forward as the horses approach. One of them taps his weapon on the ground.

  [Off.]

  A muffled voice through the helm. Alice and Alfie get off their horses, while Kanell tightens his grip on the reins.

  [Off, I said.]

  The man shakes his head.

  [I’m not leaving my horse here. I hope you understand, Sir knight.]

  The guard stays still for a few seconds, stepping back after studying Kanell's expression. The others follow, returning to their place.

  Knight: [Permitted for the main road. 4 people, 1 horse.]

  Alice: [Thank you.]

  The group continues forward, leaving the horses as they step through the tall entrance into the house.

  A door on the other end, the inside made of polished wood. A candle is placed over an altar in the middle, surrounded by sunflowers.

  [Hey.]

  Alice walks up to Hinozu.

  [Blow the candle out.]

  Hinozu parts his lips, whispering.

  [W-why?]

  Kanell glances back, listening to the conversation.

  [Have you ever been in a sacred gate?]

  [… No.]

  [You should do it, then. It’s for good luck.]

  A flicker of something passes through Hinozu’s eyes.

  [Good… luck…]

  He tries to get off, freezing after a few failed attempts. Alice helps him get to the ground.

  Walking slowly towards the candle, he takes a moment to stare at it. It smells floral, yet a tinge of something else is present. After inhaling, he blows.

  The flame flickers, though it isn't extinguished.

  The boy inhales as deeply as he can, blowing again.

  Nothing.

  And yet, his lungs beg for air.

  Alice walks over to the candle and blows it out with ease.

  As soon as the flame dissipates, the doors slide open with a loud creaking sound.

  By the way, how are you feeling about the story so far?

  Do you find it intriguing to be given only fragments of information, or does the lack of answers feel overwhelming?