356 In Memorium

She tilted her head to the side. She locked eyes with Red Silk, who was the one who asked the question. 

"We're going to find a chest," she replied simply before continuing leading her colony. 

They had been travelling for days through the city area before entering an open field. Red Silk mostly recovered from his injuries, but it would still take him weeks to be back to normal. 

He was grateful for the kindness Queen Willow had shown him. She had saved his life. He was eternally indebted to her. However, Red Silk was worried. From the time they had entered this city area, Queen Willow seemed withdrawn and distant. 

But she also seemed determined to reach this destination. All these raised many questions in his mind, questions he never thought to ask. How did she know the way around this area so well?

For as long as he could remember, they had always been in the Jungle. It had been their home since the beginning. But he was not certain when that beginning was. The other spider beasts did not seem to have any questions like he did. 

They simply followed the instructions of their Queen. Since she did not want to share any details, he decided not to pursue it any further. He would follow her orders, even till the end of time. 

The spider beasts set up camp for the night. After making arrangements and giving out orders, Queen Willow went off on her own. Red Silk followed her. He wanted to make sure she was safe. 

"You know I can sense you, right Red Silk?"

Red Silk reluctantly came out from the shadows and came to her side. 

"I just wanted to make sure you were safe," he justified his actions. 

She folded her arms, "Do you think I can't keep myself safe?" 

"No that's not it… I-"

"I'm just messing with you, Red Silk," Queen Willow laughed as she jabbed him lightly on the shoulder, "I knew you would follow me."

Without giving an explanation, she continued down the path until they came up upon an abandoned building. The four walls were barely keeping the roof intact. Queen Willow walked in without much care. 

In the centre of the building floor was a single slab of stone with engravings on it. Red Silk peered over her shoulder to take a closer look. She wiped the dust and dirt off the stone slab to make it more visible. 

There were only two words engraved on it, 'In Memorium'.

"In Memorium?" Red Silk read the words out. 

Queen Willow gently placed her hand on the stone slab as she closed her eyes. It had been so long since she had last recalled this place. She had chosen to bury these memories deep in her mind. 

"I am surprised you have not asked me more questions," Queen Willow commented as they continued to dig. 

Red Silk smiled a little as he took a short break. His back ached from crouching there so long.

"Don't tire yourself out too much, Red Silk. You're still recovering from your injuries, after all," she added upon seeing him fatigued. 

She took out a small handkerchief from her pocket and wiped the sweat off his brow. Then, she resumed digging.

"I didn't ask more cause you did not look like you wanted to tell," he lamented as he sat down on the ground. 

She smiled and silently nodded. Soon enough, Queen Willow found what she had been looking for. From the hole in the dirt, she took out a box that had been wrapped in cloth. 

Unwrapping it revealed a wooden lacquer box with a metal latch. She hovered her hand over it while whispering a spell. Symbols glowed on the cover. When the glow dissipated, the latch opened. 

"I didn't say anything because it would have resulted in more questions. Without the contents of this box, it would be difficult to explain everything," she said with a sigh. 

The moment Queen Willow stepped out of the wall and into the city area, she realised something. She had been there before, she had survived there before. But she could not remember everything. Her memories were locked and fragmented. They still were. 

But one thing she was able to remember, was this abandoned building that was falling apart. She had buried something in here that would help. Inside the wooden box, was a pocket-sized leather journal. 

It had a circular smooth curved red ruby gemstone on the cover and a string that tied it shut on the side. As soon as she touched the red ruby, it glowed red. The journal disintegrated before their eyes, leaving behind the red ruby. 

Levitating in the air, the gemstone floated towards Queen Willow and embedded itself as a pendant on her neck. She accepted it willingly as memories from a long time ago resurfaced in her mind. 

Seeing that glowing red ruby seemed to trigger some memories in Red Silk's mind as well. As a fresh drop of tear escaped the side of her eye, Red Silk wondered what it meant. 

When she opened her eyes once more, they were red and watery. 

"My Queen…" Red Silk called out to her, but he was uncertain of what to say. 

Queen Willow reached out her arms and hugged Red Silk tightly in her embrace. He did not know how to react. This was the first time something like this happened. After a while, Queen Willow released him from her embrace. 

She wiped away the tears she had in her eyes.

"Sorry, I got emotional," she replied through her sniffles. 

"It's alright, my Queen. What did you see?"

"A way to get out of here. Although, I am not sure if it would still work," she quickly replied. 

She wanted to tell him everything, but she knew it was not the right time. So she told him what she could.