Chapter 101: Stranger Tales Unspoken

Chapter 101: Stranger Tales Unspoken

Chapter 101

Stranger Tales Unspoken

The fire continued to burn while the strange woman nibbled away at some rabbit meat. Sylas, in the meantime, drank some wine, marooning the thoughts of the doe and the crow and trying to clear his head. As for who the strange woman was, what her intentions were, where did she come from, how wasn't she freezing to death... he didn't ask. He wanted to, but her stomach growled shortly after the two met, and he felt bad.

Looking at her again, she really was strange, her eyes especially so as they were a mix between ruby-red and pearl-white. No, no, he shook his head. The fact that shes wearing a fucking dress is weird. Not her eyes.

This is really good, she said suddenly. Thank you.

Really? Glad you liked it.

You dont seem surprised to see someone like me here.

Im reeling, in fact, he said. But just before meeting you, I met Death Im pretty sure. So, you know, the effect aint as high.

Death? Really? Whats it like?

Strange.

How strange?

Who are you? Sylas quizzed

A little lost girl.

Nothing in that sentence was true.

Did you just call me fat? she asked, though the tone of her voice remained impartial.

Considering how hard youre going at that rabbit, he said. Im surprised you aint.

Thats mean.

Oh, my apologies. Ive lost my delicate side to the numbness of time.

Care to share some wine? she glanced at him and asked.

Here, he handed her one of the last two jugs as he didnt plan on going any further. Not this loop, anyway.

Thanks.

No problem.

So, what are you doing here? she asked, finishing off the meat and leaning back into the stone, cracking open the jug.

Exploring. You?

Following you.

H-huh?

I was surprised, she added. To see an ordinary man trample out through the Cold Snap.

... how long have you been following me?

Not long, she replied.

Though I am flattered to be stalked by a beautiful woman, he said. Im equal amounts creeped out. Who are you?

A little lost girl.

Lies beget lies.

Im not lying, she said. Im truly little. Im truly lost. And Im a girl. How am I lying?

... how indeed, he mumbled, taking a sip of wine. Alright, why arent you dying right now, then?

Why would I be dying?

Because youve got barely any protection and its like negative billion.

Youre also not equipped to handle the cold, she asked. So, why arent you dying?

Magic.

There you go.

But then a brave man appeared... and he saved me. He was a hero, but nobody knew. And he died without anybody knowing.

... most proper heroes do.

Perhaps, she said. The boring man can die, but only if he allows another man to start living. Sylas glanced at her and her faint smile.

Who are you?

A little lost girl.

Ah, Sylas chuckled suddenly. A play on words. I hate it.

Really? I think its fun.

I aint clever enough for it.

You got it, though.

... you mustave approached me for some reason, he said. Can you at least tell me why?

I was hungry. And you, being the kind man that you are, fed me. Just like I thought you would.

... haah, Sylas sighed, taking a sip of wine. Strange things surround me in this world, yet I still get surprised time and again. How can one place hold so many mind-bending things?

... tell me another story. A happy one, this time.

Im all out of those, m afraid.

Want me to tell you one, then?

Sure, I guess.

There once was a brave man, she began, her eyes locked at the fire. Who never stepped back, no matter what. What others feared, he challenged. What others ran from, he ran toward. All his friends mocked him. All his enemies mocked him. All of the world laughed at the man, calling him stupid.

...

But when evil came, that stupid man was the only one to step forward, she added. And defeat the evil, while all others watched. The brave man died, and the world was saved. Do you think he was stupid?

... no, Sylas mumbled, looking down.

The world may say that to care is to lose, before Sylas knew what happened, he felt a pinchingly cold finger on his chin lifting his head up, and the woman sitting directly next to him, her eyes mere inches from hers. To believe in good is to be naive. To hope for the best is to be ignorant. The heroes are dead, the world will say. There is no good or evil. Just compendiums trying to make the best out of the worst. Dont listen to them.

... you know, dont you? Sylas asked emotionlessly.

There is a hero in all of us, she smiled suddenly, a kind of smile that sprung a spring upon the relentless cold. Though deep we try to bury it, shunned by shame and relentless mockery, the little boy who dreamed of saving the princess never truly dies. True heroes are not those who never fail, but those who keep on walking. You kept on walking. Always.

... who are you? Sylas asked again.

A little lost girl who found her path, she grinned suddenly.

How do you know?

I dont, not really, she shook her head, pulling back. I just hear a voice.

A voice?

She tells me your stories, she replied. Not all. Just some. I wasnt supposed to meet you. Not yet, anyway. But when I saw you sneak out of the castle and belt toward the buried lands... I had to.

I never seen you before, though, he said.

You did, she chuckled. But that doesnt matter. Ive chosen to help you.

... why?

Why? Hmm, you inspire me, I suppose? she mumbled. I was absolutely certain you would break completely after that day. But you didnt. I would have. Most others would have. Which is why none of us can be heroes. However... we can help one.

... you said you hear a voice, Sylas pulled the line back a bit. What voice?

Oh, that, she chuckled, taking a sip of wine and leaning back casually. Something intrinsically binds us, Sylas.

H-huh?

I am what you claim to be, after all.

... you are a... Prophet?!

Prophet! the two exclaimed at the same time. Bingo.

... No, seriously, WHAT THE FUCK WORLD?!! WHAT THE GODDAMN FUCK?!!