Rona
I shrunk my neck, avoiding his gaze.
"What do you say we do?" His voice was low, impossible to tell if he was serious or if it was just another trick to frighten me.
"I didn't hear a single thing," I said, resolutely meeting his gaze.
"Do you really think I'm so easily deceived?" He took a step back, folding his arms behind him.
"I believe I can let this slide. Just this once." His tone darkened toward the end, an inexplicable warning.
Next time, I won't be so lenient.
I gulped, my eyes fixed on his figure, watching his every move.
The Progenitor tilted his head slightly to the left, his gaze never leaving mine.
"Stop dilly-dallying, little human. There's lots of places to go, people to visit."
His fingers reached out toward me, barely grazing my face once again.
This time, I finally realized just how cold they felt.
The air hummed to life, fluttering around us in an invisible dance.
"Since you're so curious, I decided to let you see firsthand what happens to stubborn creatures like you who refuse Fate's will."
He stood tall against the backdrop of towering mountains and dark skies, an ethereal ruler commanding both the living and the dead.
Towering mountains. Dark skies.
A slow gasp left my lips as I took in the scenery around me. We stood in what I assumed was a field. The green blades of grass were darkened, and the smell of decay hung heavily in the air, sending chills down my spine.
I subconsciously inched closer to the Progenitor's side.
From the corner of my eye, I spotted something moving along the thick grass.
Black, soulless eyes stared back at me.
It lunged, its red, razor-sharp tongue aimed in my direction.
My body wouldn't move. I watched as my life flashed before my eyes. Again.
The reptilian creature froze midair. It flailed its limbs, swinging its tongue wildly with only one aim in sight.
Me.
"Not today, I'm afraid." A cool voice spoke from behind me, and relief washed over me in overwhelming tides.
The creature's eyes rolled back, its body shaking violently as if pulled by an unseen force. It was torn apart before my eyes, black, gooey substance splattering around.
I collapsed to the ground, propping myself up with my arms as I watched the goo burn everything it touched.
It was extremely corrosive.
A firm hand rested on my shoulder. "The dead can also die."
It was like he had read my mind. Charon had said the same thing earlier.
"What's there to be afraid of? I'm right beside you."
I pushed myself up, stepping closer to the area mottled by burn scars and charred grass. A flash of light caught my eye. I cautiously moved nearer.
Something lay ominously on the ground. An orb.
My gut warned me to stay away. Whatever this thing was, it was dangerous.
"Look what I found," I called out, pointing at the obsidian-colored orb.
His footsteps were as light as the wind, incomprehensible. The Progenitor bent down.
"Wait! I don't think it's a good thing," I warned.
He ignored me, holding the orb in his hand. I held my breath, waiting.
Nothing happened.
A relieved sigh escaped my lips. Maybe it wasn't so bad after all.
Dark lines creeped on the Progenitor's hand as the orb shimmered to life.
He tossed it on the floor and smashed it to pieces.
The orb split in two, dark tendrils floating from it. An eerie cackle carried on the wind as I watched it drift away, dissipating into nothingness.
It definitely wasn't a good thing.
A mysterious look crossed the Progenitor's face as he stared toward the distant mountains.
"They've evolved," he whispered, his voice barely catching the wind.
My gaze flickered back to his hand. The cracks were gone, his skin restored to its original pale hue.
I mustered the courage to ask, "Will your hand be okay?"
His gaze remained fixed on the mountains. "Of course it will."
"Now you see what happens when humans disregard Fate's will." He paused, turning back to me and enunciating each word.
"Their souls become corrupted. Decayed."
"Is that what would've happened to me just now?" I asked. His earlier words echoed in my mind. The dead can also die.
He hummed in confirmation. "It would consume your soul, ending your existence. Eternally."
It struck a chord in my chest. I was inches away from ceasing to exist forever.
"Lucky I had you."
I covered my mouth as heat rushed to my cheeks. I hadn't meant to say that out loud.
His usual smirk crept onto his lips, this time it looked a little more genuine.
"I never really thought of you as someone who believed in the will of Fate," I muttered.
The Progenitor had a duality to him, burdened by time yet oddly carefree.
I had a feeling it was all an extremely detailed mask.
"There's a lot you are yet to understand, little human," he said vaguely. "Now, to our next destination."
"Are we going deeper into the mountains?" I asked, watching as his fingers inched closer.
They grazed my cheek once more.
The air around us whooshed, whispering secrets I couldn't understand.
But I swore I would. I would tear off the Progenitor's mask and see who he truly was beneath all the smiles and scars of time.
A loud horn blared loudly behind me.
Don't tell me.
"What are we doing here?!"