"The mushroom is the elf of plants, at once magical and mysterious." -George Carlin.
I have mentioned it before that I don't actually need any sleep, but I still sleep occasionally to refresh my mental capacity. I don't usually dream, but when I do, it is usually because of some entity's intervention. Corvus, for example, is usually the one bothering them through dreams. He is the one who showed up in my dream back in Arkindo. If you are wondering who he is... I just heard a knock at the door. In the middle of the night? I got up from my bed and opened the door. "Yes?" I asked as I was expecting Graham or the guards, but I didn't see anyone. I looked down and saw the boy instead. "Why are you still awake? Go to sleep."
The boy seemed to whisper something. "What is it?" I squatted to try to hear what he was saying. "I... I am scared..."
"Scared? Scared of what?" I asked.
The boy didn't answer.
"You don't need to worry, the guards can not hurt you, you are much stronger than they are. Plus, I am here."
The boy didn't reply.
"You weren't scared of them, were you?" I asked.
The boy shakes his head. I sighed, "Come in, then."
I pulled out the Orb of Light and set it to light up the room.
"Sit on the bed," I told him while I sat on the floor. The boy sat on the bed and stared at me.
"I guess this is a bit overdue, but I might as well ask. What is your name?"
The boy hesitated, but then whispered, "Jos... Josiah... Josiah Ayub."
"Josiah, huh? A pretty good name. My name is Jack. I don't really have a surname because my father refused to give his to me, but my friends named me Hollow, so my full name is Jack Hollow."
Hearing that, Josiah was visibly confused. "Why did your father refuse to give you his surname?" he asked.
"Well, long story short, he didn't really like me. He despised me for many things... but mainly because my mother died while giving birth to me."
Josiah's face looked as if he thought he had made a mistake. "I am sorry to hear that," he said.
"Nah, don't be. I have learnt to accept it long ago."
"Is... Is your father still alive?" Josiah asked.
I don't think this is the right time to tell him that I killed my own father. "Nope, he died long ago. I am immortal, while he was very much mortal."
"I see..." Josiah seemed hesitant to ask any more questions.
"You can ask away, Josiah. I don't mind. I know all of these are new to you, so I will try my best to answer everything you want to know."
Josiah thought about it for a while, then asked, "Will everything ever turn back to normal?"
"No..." I answered. It is cruel of me, but it is an ugly truth he needs to accept.
"My parents... they are really dead then?" he asked, trying to hold his tears.
"I am afraid so, yes..."
"Why? Why them? Why do they have to die?" Josiah screamed out.
"Why am I alive? Why didn't I die with them?" Josiah grabbed his hair, pulling them in frustration.
"Why is all of this happening to me? Why me? Why?" he cried, as his tears began to flow once more.
"I am sorry, Jos-"
"I don't need your sorry!" Josiah yelled out.
"I want my parents back!"
"I can't bring them back."
"Why not? Aren't you the immortal traveller? The hero people sing praises for? The merchants said so, the old man said so!"
"If I could bring back the dead, I would have brought my mother back, no?"
Josiah was silenced by my words. "I would have brought back my entire family, my mentor, my friends, and all the people I have lost throughout my entire life. But I can't... It is simply not something you and I can do."
For a while, neither of us said anything. Josiah is trying to stop his tears, but seems to be failing. I don't know what to say in this situation. I don't even recall what my mentor told me when I was mourning my sister. "Just rest for the day, Josiah. Lie down and sleep. We will continue the conversation tomorrow. I will keep watch tonight, so you need not worry."
Josiah hesitantly complied and went to sleep. I could still see him trembling, gasping for air as he was silently crying. I wished I could calm him, but even after a thousand years, I can never get used to this kind of situation. I can only hope that tomorrow will be better. I closed my eyes and waited.
After a few hours, the sun finally shines through the window, as the next day has arrived. I can hear another knock on the door. I went to open the door and saw Graham, fully packed, ready to go. "I thought you wanted to elaborate on the plan first?" I asked.
"Ah, forgive me, I was a bit too enthusiastic. I should probably put these down first-"
"Nah, it is fine. We can go now. You can explain to me on the way."
"What about the boy?" he pointed at Josiah, who was still sleeping. "The journey will be dangerous. Should we just leave him here? The guards will look out for him."
I am considering what will happen if I just leave him here. I will pick him up, of course, but after the journey. But that might prove to be a mistake. The gods are still actively looking for him. "No, the boy is strong. He should be fine; it might be more dangerous to let him out of my sight." I said to Graham. "Josiah, wake up!" I called out for him. Josiah was still asleep soundly. I called him again.
"Later, father. Let me sleep longer..." Josiah quietly said in his sleep. "Father? Is he your son?" Graham asked. I sighed, "No... His father died not long ago."
"Ah... I apologised."
"No... It is fine," I went and picked up Josiah. I carried him on my back and said to Graham, "Let's go."
"Alright then!" Graham replied excitedly.
We walked together through the fortress gate, rode our camels, and began our journey.
"So, where are we going exactly?" I asked Graham.
"The book said we can acquire the mushroom in the cave around the Dead Gods valley. Within the cave, there will be a lake that contains the tears of the King of the Gods. The golden thumb grows surrounding the lake."
"The Dead Gods valley? Are you sure? That place is filled with demonic creatures."
"I am certain. The author of the book mentioned there was an expedition from the kingdom led by the champion of Jaka, that managed to find and retrieve the mushroom... but they did suffer a significant loss along the way."
"Jaka, eh? Must be one tough champion."
"She unfortunately died of her injuries after returning to the kingdom."
"Oh... Whoever needed that mushroom must be very important then."
"It was for her father, the king, who later died of heartbreak after receiving the news."
".... Oh..."
"But the mushroom had healed him before that, so it should work on the lord."
"If we manage to retrieve the mushroom, then their efforts will not be in vain."
"Exactly."
"Speaking of which, why are you following me then? You could have just told me to search the Dead Gods valley. You know that you can't follow me in, right? I will be fine since I am immortal and all, but you will surely die before you even blink."
"That is quite all right, I will wait for you outside the valley. I needed to confirm the mushroom first, no? Otherwise, you might have travelled back and forth for the wrong one."
"You have a point... Still, I think it is quite risky for you even outside the valley, you are... with all due respect, old no?"
"I will be fine, even if I die, I have left all the instructions to my assistant back at the fortress. She will be able to create the medicine for the lord."
"But-"
"We are simply running out of time, I am afraid," Graham said, as his face turned serious.
"You must really care about your lord."
"I had taken care of him ever since he was still little. He is like my own son. He has grown up to be a wise and benevolent king, beloved by all. Therefore, I will not let his story end here."
"I see..." I can't help but think of Josiah at that instance. We continued our journey through the desert and finally arrived at the valley.
"We are here. You wait here, Graham. If you sense any danger, leave us. We will be fine."
"Understood. Good luck, Mr Hollow," Graham said as we entered the Dead Gods valley.
To be continued.