58 In The Void, He Sleeps (1/2)

I wake up in a caravan filled with other people. Dazed and confused, I look around for answers but most of the people are either asleep or about to fall asleep. Yet, I spoke out, hoping someone would hear me.

Steven: ”What's going on? Where's Lilith?”

A traveler in front of me looks up from his book.

Traveler #1: ”Ah, I see you woke up.”

Traveler #2: ”Good, I was beginning to think you weren't going to.”

Traveler #1: ”You're in a caravan; we found you passed out in the middle of the road. You're still pretty beaten up, but our mage is good with healing spells.”

Caravan? Passed out? I don't even know what the hell is going on!

Driver: ”We reached our stop!”

Traveler #1: ”Alright, let's go.”

All of us exited the caravan. I was able to fully stretch my legs which felt great. I looked up into the night sky and became slightly confused.

There's no moon? There are no stars either!

What the hell?

Maybe everything's blocked by clouds? But it's still pretty crazy to look at.

I stuck together with the strangers that kindly picked me up and we trotted down a pathway to a large gate entrance.

Steven: ”Ah—”

Everhand?!

Am I in front of the gates to Everhand?!

Steven: ”Wh-wh-where am I?!”

Traveler #2: ”Everhand, Ostroven.”

Steven: ”Ever—”

Traveler #1: ”Go… I'm sure she's been waiting long enough.”

I was too nervous to move and looked back a couple of times before I was shoved by the traveler.

Traveler #2: ”Go!”

Seriously?

How in the world did I get to Everhand? Does Lilith's Shadow Leap travel that fast?

And who is waiting for me?

If I really am in Everhand, there's one place I'd want to go first before anything, Yuuna's Elixirs. It was always down the main road and a slight way down a smaller side street.

The city felt ”empty” as I walked down the road to my home. I remember there being a night scene. A bar was down the way and people, partying with the occasional guard to keep things tranquil, would be going up and down the street of my home.

Nobody was around and the lights to each house were out, the only light was coming from the dimmer than usual street lamps.

I was straying further into the unknown when I reached the front of my home. It's dark inside, I can't see anything and the door was unlocked, a big no-no to someone like Yuuna. I entered cautiously and called out to my master.

Steven: ”Hello? Yuuna? Kanna?”

Something was immediately wrong; I both knew and felt it. The same churning sensation I'd get when something terrible is about to happen. There was no way I could stand being in my own home and quietly left as fast as possible.

Nathan: ”Oh, Steven? What are you doing out this late?”

Steven: ”Nathan, is that really you?”

Nathan: ”Aye, it is.”

Steven: ”I thought you went home?”

Nathan: ”I did; you should go home, or the @#$\u0026 will be upset.” [1]

Steven: ”The wha-wha-?”

Is he choking up on his own words?

Nathan starts to slowly pace towards me, his friendly face turned menacing. It threw me off and scared me. I backed away, trying to calm him down; get him to stop.

Steven: ”Nathan, back off, if you're joking, this is taking it too far.”

Nathan: ”Joke? Why would I joke?”