Flinch!
Mia flinched in response to the sudden voice. But then, she slightly turned her head and shrugged.
"Ask away."
"Um- alright."
Not having much memories, perhaps none, on how to communicate with other humans. I knew this conversation was going to be a little awkward.
But, how awkward could it possibly get?
I could only try to comfort myself, even if it wasn't really working!
"When we first met, Aezel said something about some set of people. He called them, "them,"
And you all didn't seem to take those words so well. So my question is…
"Who were the people he was referring to?"
"..."
Mias seemed slightly taken aback by the question, considering the fact that it was pretty much common knowledge. But then again, there were numerous other conditions necessary for the undergoing of one's Arcane Ascension.
That, however, raises the question. What is his? She couldn't help but wonder.
The crimson haired lady let out a light exhalation.
"Well, it's pretty much common knowledge. So, there's no harm in telling you."
'Yeah, yeah. Now tell me what it's about.'
Still, I forced a smile.
"The dark mist, just like you might have taken note of, corrodes one's body, and in extreme cases, turns one into a dark shadow."
"Uh, a dark what, now?"
Mia glanced at me for a few seconds, as though finding the right words to say, but eventually, she seemed to give up on that.
She sighed in exasperation and continued:
"Legends say that anyone touched by the dark mist from the nightmarish shattered dimension would be corrupted by the shadows within, and turn into a dark shadow, if lucky..."
A dark shadow?
In that moment, a deep scowl marred my features. Was that what happened to the Djinn? After all, that would, perhaps, explain why the spell hadn't taken note of its death. Simply because it wasn't dead. But, probably suffered a fate worse than death.
Thinking about that, I couldn't help but shudder.
Mia grimaced as though in repulsion.
"Whereas, if one's luck turns out to be bad, one would be dragged into the dark mist and become one with the shadows within."
The frown on my face deepened.
So… it's safe to assume that the Djinn is either, to my good luck, one with the shadows, or…
I grimaced in dark apprehension.
"Has become a dark shadow."
If memory serves me right, humans or beings absorbed by the dark mist were the ones I had always encountered; the ones stuck within it. As for the dark shadows, they were those expelled out of the dark mist, due to one reason or another. Ranging from a high affinity with the shadows, or darkness. And so much more… it seems.
And considering the fact that I "remembered" quite a lot about the dark mist, I was now more certain that I had a certain connection to this place. Or rather, my forgotten memories did.
I just hope I find out sooner than later.
I let out a light exhalation.
"But, on the bright side of things, I not only figured out the Djinn's most likely situation; a question that has been tormenting me for quite some time now. I also figured out the name of this wretched and cursed land."
How great.
"...I guess that explains most things then."
I muttered under my breath, brows tightly furrowed together.
"Explain what?"
Mia slightly turned her head, curiosity sparkling within her shimmering pair of eyes.
"Uh- nothing."
Realizing that I had spoken a little bit too loud, I scratched the back of my head, a wry smile creeping up on my features.
You this damn mouth! You sure hell can't wait to get me into trouble, can you?!
"Oh- Alright."
Although skeptical, Mia didn't press on. Rather, she shrugged and returned to staring into the endless darkness.
"Huu..."
I let out a tense breath I didn't realize I had been holding in.
And, just as I allowed my thoughts to trail off; drifting into an endless void, a question that had always rather bothered me slowly crept into the walls of my mind.
"Hmm, can I ask you one more question?"
Mia raised her brows and replied, "That being?"
I gritted my teeth.
...It might sound inhuman, but it doesn't matter.
I told myself, even if somewhere deep within me, I knew that wasn't the case.
"...Why do you guys help the blind girl?"
I finally questioned, heart pounding in my chest.
As for why I asked such a question? I had always found it surprising as to why they were willing to carry a liability along with them. Especially within this wretched and cursed land, where a single mistake could spell their doom.
I could understand Aezel's support, since he and the blind girl seemed to be a thing. But then, what about Mia? Why was she also helpful of the fearful and timid blind girl?
"She's Aezel's sister."
Her voice echoed in the darkness.
'Oh.'
I should have expected that. I mean, it was rather obvious. But still, for siblings born of the same parent, to be so close to each other. To me, it bordered on… abnormal.
But then again, what wasn't abnormal in this wretched land.
I let out a light sigh.
"I guess that explains it, then."
Mia turned to face me, and for a second there, I thought I saw her smile.
"As for why I decided to join in the fray?"
She paused for a few seconds, her lips tightly held together. "I guess I just want to."
'Uh?'
"Want to?"
I inquired with a raised brow, amusement flickering within my eyes.
"Yeah."
She nodded.
"..."
I stared at her, at a loss of words. But her expression, however, said it all. It seemed like she had indeed helped out, simply because she,
"Wanted to."
I muttered under my breath, a faint tinge of sorrow, and something far more, rising within me.
For me, it had never been a battle of want. It had always been a battle between me and… what needed to be done.
I never really considered doing things just because I wanted to. Most times, it was simply because I had no other choice. It was either I did it or… died.
And, just as a hollow, tense silence, settled between us, a feeling I couldn't quite place my hands on, began to burn within me. Burning brighter and brighter until-
Drip Drip!
I turned to face the other side, something wet trickling down the corner of my eyes.
"…How good must that feel like."