"wait… wait… Wait"
She was running
It was walking
but she couldn't catch up no matter how she ran. There was still that same space between them.
The same distance that if she ran she could cover it and touch the figure.
It had felt like forever since Kira gave chase, called out and yet not once did the figure ever respond, turn back or showed any signs of slowing down.
Kira was already showing signs of fatigue, her speed reduced to a jog, half walk, Her lung forcefully grabbing air as she called out in desperation.
She and the figure had been the only people existing in this place since she woke up, standing.
"Why are you not listening?!" She screamed desperately.
No answer. Still moving.
frustration nitpicked at Kira as nothing was working.
Why did she give chase in the first place?.
But was there really any other thing she could do in a place she didn't know.
Foreign and Bleak
The sky was a dull blank white, the ground was ground, nothing different just black and hard, her steps making crunchy noises while the figure made none. Miles and miles of endless contrast.
When was it going to end?
What could she possibly find here?
And the one person that could have an answer was treating her like wind, a ghost.
Anger was rising up from her internally like a whistling kettle ready to explode.
Should she stop?
Can she?
She didn't know what else to do. The feeling of giving up was evident.
Hopelessness.
Kira still walked, no longer ran.
As long as she could get out, she would continue to walk.
A small resolve. But it was the only thing she had right now.
No matter the distance.
Head down, muttering to herself as she counted her steps one after the other, preventing herself from having anxiety while following the silent figure.
Kira… Her name. Her ears twitched, eyes coming out of its distant stare. She heard.
Her head shut up fast. She looked around. Nothing. Then at the figure. Also nothing.
She heard. She really heard.
Or was it her wishful thinking?.
Her body refused to relax as if supporting her claims, she continuously looked around and also stared at the figure's back.
Hoping for her to hear her name
Kira… She heard her name again, joy washed over her.
I really hope they find Kira soon…
Really wished we could do something…
Those voices. She knew those voices.
Kealor and Sapphire's. She could hear them. Their voices seemed to be coming from in front of the figure. Not from the figure itself.
Where could she be?...
"I am here, I am here" She beamed calling out. She ran. Once more. Chasing while shouting.
She had to reach the figure to get closer. Long?. she would still run until she reached it.
Still running, happily until a loud crack distorted the fairytale.
Kira inclined to look. A couple distance away from her. a deep crack was visible. Impossible for any of them to create and it was spreading. slow, FAST with each tear realizing a thunderous noise. Tremors causing Kira to nearly trip.
Kira stabilized herself as looked up in panic, quickly looking for the figure. The figure was trudging straight, unbothered.
The distance had increased. How?
Panic set in,
'No…no…no! Her thoughts flew into chaos as she ran to close the increasing distance.
_Crack_
She ignored it, one thing in mind, reach the figure.
_Crack_ Ignored. Until the ground gave in. Pieces upon pieces like broken parts of a chocolate bar. some large, some small. They all fell into the dark space one by one at rapid speed.
Fear gripped Kira as she saw this, increasing her speed to the fullest, draining everything. Fatigue pushed aside
As she closed in on the figure, so did the falling crack. Sometimes stumbling from the tremors but got back up in refusal.
The figure was finally near. Her hand stretched out ready to touch.
_Crack_ 'Huh?' Her mind questioned, she couldn't reach. She was there. She nearly touched, why?
Questions were left unanswered as she saw her view tilting. Her eyes helplessly looked down. The crack has reached her and now the chunk she was standing up was currently sliding into the dark hole albeit slowly as if mocking her.
'Not yet… Not yet…' A plea. She struggled against the fall, trying to outrun it just to grab the figure. With one last effort she kicked on her back leg for momentum.
She was almost there
_Swoop_ The chunk finally crumbled and collapsed, taking Kira along.
She grazed the figure's clothing ever so slightly.
"No!" She screamed as she fell into the dark. Amidst her fall the figure head slightly turned, only side view. The figure still didn't look at her.
"No!" Her hand flayed in the air, waning to grab but darkness was her only anchor in her descent.
I hope she is okay…
'I am right here?' A desperate cry.
Swallowed.
Lucian's eyes opened wide, birds chirping and soft light. He had slept. No nightmare, just peaceful. He couldn't believe it.
In a long while he really slept. He chuckled relieved. Which turned to a cry of agony as a searing pain shot through his arm from the pulsating rune.
The others had the same reaction as they woke up
He got up from his bed, arranged it before proceeding in a line to clean up. His clothes in hand.