Without the tower as their only bright point and landmark, they had no clear idea where they were heading, only the faint dimming of their vision told them they were still going the right way.
Ray had warned them that they were far enough from the Tower to keep their sanity, yet still at least a full day of non-stop walking from the border, if his estimate could be trusted.
Ice still didn't know if he could fully lower his guard around him, or even stop seeing him as a potential threat. He wouldn't be foolish enough to trust someone he had just met.
As for Celestia... she was the exception.
Ray's presence felt almost utopian to them. His bag inexplicably held everything they needed, and the knowledge he shared about this world wasn't something one could gather just by wandering around—not even in centuries.
'It's really hard to trust.'
He sighed and turned toward Celestia.
"Still nothing?" he asked.
She shook her head. "No, still nothing. Sorry."
"Don't worry," Ray said. "It's not like we've run into another one since we left."
"I never thought I'd ever wish to run into one," Ice muttered.
"That makes two of us," Ray replied with a grin.
To cross the border safely, they had placed all their hopes in Celestia's hearing. First, though, they had to make sure they could rely on it. Her task was simple, remain alert to the surroundings and warn them if any creature approached, ideally a few seconds before it became visible.
The silence around them helped her stay focused. Only the faint ring of the bell echoed now and then.
They pressed on until, a few minutes later, Celestia slowed her pace. Ice and Ray stopped as well, their eyes fixed on her, waiting. She frowned, scanning the darkness without turning her head.
"Behind us," she whispered.
Instinctively, they turned around. At first, nothing. Then Ray extinguished his torch and drew his sword in a single, fluid motion.
"Are you su—" he began, but before he could finish, a grotesque silhouette emerged exactly where Celestia had pointed. The beast looked eerily similar to the one that had chased them earlier and nearly taken their lives.
'They must be common around here.'
Ice glanced at Celestia, wondering how she would handle seeing such a creature; one nearly identical to the thing that had traumatized her. He searched for something reassuring to say, but to his surprise, there was almost no fear in her eyes. Only quiet resolve.
"Put your sword away," Ice said softly. "This isn't our fight today. It's not coming toward us, calm down.''
'' I
They watched in silence as the creature wandered away, melting back into the darkness that was its home.
Ray turned to them, eyes glimmering faintly.
" I can't believe it. Maybe there is a hope to leave this hell.''
"What's left in your mystery bag?" Ice asked, breaking through Ray's euphoria.
Ray paused, gathering his thoughts. "Honestly? Not much. Just enough for one last meal."
"I see." Ice frowned. "Then we should rest for now and eat what's left tomorrow. Do you think we can reach the border by then?" he asked, glancing at Celestia.
Ray shrugged. "I'm not sure, but I think so."
Ice exhaled. "Well, that's something."
"We should rest, then. We'll take turns keeping watch," Ray suggested.
Celestia immediately dropped to the ground and motioned for Ice to come over.
She did her best to hide her slightly swollen feet. There wasn't a hint of hesitation in her step,only a fleeting grimace crossing her face. Yet he could read her like an open book; her pain, somehow, felt like his own.
It was almost absurd to feel such empathy for someone he'd supposedly only met moments ago. But watching her try to stand her ground in this hell, despite being perhaps the most fragile of them all, he couldn't help but think that maybe her will made her by far the strongest among them.
"That's the best idea you've had all day," she said, tugging on Ice's shirt and forcing him to sit so she could use his knee as a pillow.
"Wake me when it's my turn," she mumbled, eyes already closing.
Ray smiled softly, noticing how easily she could let go of the tension.
"I'll take first watch," Ice said.
Ray lay down beside them, muttering, "With pleasure," before sleep claimed him almost instantly.
Ice had to stay awake for about three hours before Ray's turn.
Now that he was the only one conscious, keeping watch over the void, he realized how terrifying this place truly was; a landscape born of nightmares. It was far worse when there was no one to share the silence with.
Even though he had never felt the need for company before, he knew that without Celestia and Ray, his mind would've already shattered—if it hadn't already.
He looked at Celestia's sleeping face, peaceful and serene despite the oppressive air, and then at Ray, tossing restlessly like a child seeking sleep. A grim certainty settled in his chest: solitude was irrevocably synonymous with madness.
Within an hour or two, his eyelids grew heavy. He nearly drifted off but forced himself to stay awake, lightly slapping his cheek. Whatever it took, he had to remain alert, if he fell asleep now, it might be their last night alive. A beast could fall upon them at any moment; they were the easiest prey imaginable laying on the ground.
He straightened his back, gripping his sword. To fight drowsiness, he began tossing it lightly into the air, catching it again and again. To his surprise, the motion kept him awake until Ray's soft voice broke the silence.
"Guess it's my turn," Ray murmured, yawning as he placed a hand on Ice's shoulder.
Ice nodded, lying down carefully beside Celestia without waking her. He stared at the starless sky, but sleep didn't come. His eyes remained shut, yet his mind stayed sharp, haunted by tension and mistrust.
He was afraid, afraid of the darkness swallowing him whole, afraid Ray might fall asleep too, or worse... that he'd wake to a blade in his chest.
Even though his doubts about Ray were fading, something deep inside still resisted. Something kept him from placing their fate entirely in Ray's hands. It bothered him, especially since Ray seemed completely at ease, snoring softly in the dark.
Maybe that's what worried me the most.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Ice decided that those who had slept long enough had rested plenty.
He gently laid Celestia's head on the ground and tapped her shoulder before moving toward Ray, who hadn't noticed him yet—half-asleep, caught between dreams and reality.
"What an exceptional guard you are," Ice teased, startling him.
Ray blinked and scratched his head. "Sorry, I woke up every time that damn bell rang."
"I see not everyone sleeps as soundly as some people," Ice said, glancing toward Celestia as she yawned and shuffled over.
"Was that about me?" she asked groggily. "And why didn't you wake me last night? Don't you trust me yet?" She crossed her arms, frowning.
"You're our radar, remember? No way we were waking you before the border," Ice said lightly.
Celestia scowled but didn't argue.
They gathered around Ray's bag, sitting close together in a small circle as they prepared to eat their final rations.
They were about to venture into the deepest shadow, hoping to reach an unknown light on the other side.
Even the faintest shapes had begun to fade.
The darkness ahead was thicker, more absolute than ever before.