The room fell silent—Ashley stood behind Kyle... she didn't have the courage to say a word not after what just happened
'apologize' she thought frozen by his condescending Aura.
"What were you thinking" he broke the silence, his voice calm and deep
Biting her lips Ashley dropped her head facing the ground
"Tell me—" he paused
"I...I thought the spirit won't harm—"
"THAT... is a vengeful spirit. It is the spirit of a peron who died unjustly. It knows nothing but harm, no matter what you do or how you do it— it doesn't remove the fact that its a vengeful spirit" he scolded
Stepping back with her head still facing the ground— scared, she admitted her actions were stupid. If it wasn't for him she would have been dead by now
Feeling her fear. He closed his eye taking a deep breathe. The scythe on his hand vanished—he turned to face her
"Listen to me carefully—you don't know what you're going to face where we're going—but I do. If you do not obey my instructions—" he stared down at her.
"The life you hold so dear will be taken from you"
"I...I'm sorry" she whimpered. Tears threatening to fall from her eyes
Seeing her sad Kyle felt uneasy. He walked over to his bed, lying down in the same position
"Go to bed...you'll need all the rest you can get" he said, closing his eyes
Walking back to her bed, she stared at his sleeping figure. How was he expecting her to sleep after she died a few minutes ago—but dying wasn't what scared her. It was his anger.
Shivering from his piercing gaze. She wondered if going back to her town was still possible
Feeling her gaze on him. He spoke "Can't sleep?"
"Yes"
"Well try, you'll regret it if you don't" he replied
Stretching herself on the bed. Her eyes wide open, whatever sleep she had left disappeared with that spirit.
Slowly like someone cast a spell on her. She drifted to sleep
Hearing her steady breathing, he opened his eyes. That was a death spell but somehow he minimized the impact just to make her sleep.
Turning to his side. He had really gone crazy he thought
The birds chirped.
Ashley slowly opened her eyes...she didn't know when dozed off. She must have been really exhausted.
Turning her gaze at Kyle's bed. He wasn't there
The door opened. Kyle walked in with a bowl of soup and bread in his hand
"Here. Eat... we'll be leaving as soon as you're done" he said passing the food to her
"Thank you" she whispered
Nodding, he left the room.
Eating as fast as she could. She quickly changed into her clothes. waiting for him to return—her gaze outside the window, watching the townspeople set up shop
Kyle walked in. seeing that she was already dressed
"I got horses for our journey... you do know how to ride one. Right?"
Ashley turned to him shaking her head. Ride a horse?, she had never even seen one before
Sighing "let's go then" he said, what was he expecting from someone who lived her whole life in her town, plus the times he had been there, he didn't catch a glimpse of horse prints let alone a full horse
Walking down to the entrance of the inn. Two horses stood. One white and the other black
Ashley stared amazed by the magnificence of the creatures. They were almost twice her size "beautiful" she whispered
"We'll be riding together on a horse" Kyle said
"What happens to other one" she asked, wishing she could ride one so it won't be left behind
"I'll come back for it when you learn how to ride" he said, wondering why he had to make this girl happy
Satisfied she nodded. Excited
Grabbing her by her waist. Taking note of how small it was. He dropped her carefully on the horse, seeing that she was comfortable. He climbed behind her.
Turning to the inn keeper standing at the door. He nodded
Getting a nod back, he rode the horse out of the town.
The wind hit her face as they galloped through the field. Ashley closed her eyes—feeling the wind on her. She felt free—all her worries forgotten. Taken away by the wind
Soon they entered a forest. Kyle Slowed down the horse.
Opening her eyes.
Her gaze darted around looking at the trees "where are we?" She asked
"Inside a forest" he deadpanned
Rolling her eyes "I know we are in a forest...where are we going"
"To the temple of dreams" he replied.
Nodding slowly, she looked around watching the tall trees. Her gaze locked unto a shadow creature, hiding behind on a tree branch. Quickly looking away, she was still traumatized by the last experience with that thing
Shifting her gaze to another tree, she saw another. And soon she realized they were everywhere in the forest, making her recoil
"Don't stare at them...they won't approach us if they don't feel fear" he said, feeling her unease
Taking a deep breath, she looked ahead. Her eyes avoiding every tree she they crossed
A Temple stood not far from them—broken. Abandoned. Vines curled around it's pillars an evidence of how long it was forgotten. The walls were dark— cracked. It looked like it was barely standing—any impact could bring it to the ground
They stopped right in front of the temple, Kyle got down from the horse. Helping Ashley.
He tied the horse to a tree.
Whispering some words to protect the horse from the shadow creatures. Walking to Ashley Standing at the entrance, staring at the old temple.
"It feels alone" Ashley said softly.
"When humans stop worshipping a God, they become nothing but a memory" he said
"Why"
"Why?"
"Why did they stop" she asked
Kyle shrugged "time passed...you never really know why humans stop believing, it just happens" he replied. Walking into the temple
Ashley followed behind him.
Not aware of the creature stalking behind them