[Book II Chapter 152] ROSE: The Moonlit Lands

  ------------------------------------------------

  “It’s done…” Carol declared hesitantly. An ominous breeze flowed through the foggy tunnel she’d opened.

  “I will be requiring protection.” She continued. “Although I’ve removed half my rings, moonlit denizens will still sense me and seek me out. Even with my summoning abilities enhanced by the location, I won’t be able to handle them all.”

  “Should you maybe stay behind?” Rose asked. It sounded like the fearmancer would be more of a hindrance than a boon.

  “Can’t.” Carol shook her head. “The prospect of me wandering the moonlit lands terrified is what motivated Smiley’s involvement. He won’t act as our guide if I don’t go.”

  As they emerged, a full moon hung high in the night sky, illuminating a landscape of withered vegetation. Brown leaves adorned gnarly trees looming over them, and winding vines creeped stone walls and black metal fences. Lonely statues stood at attention, despair draping their overgrown visages, a silent warning to trespasser. Not a spec of green could be seen under the pale white light.

  A lanky figure with a round smiling face was waiting in the middle of a dirt path. He beckoned them to follow.

  “This region is called the ancient garden.” Carol said. “Smiley reports the local sovereigns have crossed over to Enera and new ones are unlikely to encroach owing to Alucard’s presence and a terrifying creature named Jeel who has been patrolling nearby.”

  “Jeel?” Rose muttered anxiously.

  “Smiley says not to worry about him, so let’s not.” Carol responded, obviously distracted.

  Love what you're reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.

  It didn’t take long for the monsters to find them. They came in all shapes in size, on bat wings and sinister steeds, rushing with a mad fervor.

  “So many…” Free muttered, controlling some branches to batter and swat their assailants away.

  “Moonlit denizens are constantly starved, their only sustenance being the fragments of nightmares floating the Ether.” Carol explained. “That’s why they are relentlessly marching towards the portal to the Undermist, and many can’t restrain themselves once they sniff out a tantalizing meal close by.”

  “I don’t want to waste time, so I’ll deal with them.” Roxanne announced, her staff roaring to life. A blaze of crimson incinerated the ground and the air, wiping out one wave of attackers. This caused the rest to draw back, but soon their numbers and boldness grew again, so Roxanne repeated her mass immolation.

  “How long can you keep this up?” Carol asked.

  “Indefinitely,” Roxanne replied. “This is nothing.”

  I definitely can’t match that, Rose thought. She glanced back at the destruction and noticed patches of grass sprouting among the ashes. The red flower buds scattered among the lush green stood out particularly. “What are those?” She asked.

  “It’s so we can find our way back.” Free answered, humming to herself.

  Rose studied her sister. “How can you be so carefree?” She asked. “If something happens to Roxanne, I don’t know if we can make it back. This is so insane…”

  “Yet you came with us.” Free pointed out.

  “That’s because you and Roxanne were going for certain!” Rose snapped back. “Roxanne is suicidal, so I at least understand her. What about you? Don’t you fear death?”

  Free sighed. “I am Sola’s clone, one of the most ‘special’ people in existence. No matter how impartial the HEAVENLY DAO claims to be, I’d wager it won’t let me die easily. You could say I have a layer of literal plot armor. I can’t afford to play it safe and not take advantage of this.”

  That same logic must apply to me on some level. “So maybe this excursion is not certain death when factoring this in.” Rose acknowledged. “It is still not a situation most would jump into willingly. Your friend Dylan’s decision was the rational one.”

  Free winced at the mention of his name. “Sometimes I can’t help feeling the tiniest bit responsible for Sola’s sins.” She admitted. “I am the product of her labor made in her own image. Saving millions by stopping the Nightmare King would lift a weight on my soul.”

  I see… “Then let’s hope for the best.” Rose offered, swallowing her doubts as they traveled under the eternal moon.