Chapter 126: Hills to Climb, Mountains to Conquer

Chapter 126: Hills to Climb, Mountains to Conquer

Chapter 126

Hills To Climb, Mountains To Conquer

It was a first, Sylas realized--they were cold. In fact, even hiding in a makeshift cave, as close to the fire as they could get without getting burnt... the chill still lingered. Though it made sense for him since, in the end, he simply had greater resistance to cold, it was far stranger for Agnes to feel the cold. And yet... she did.

She was clutching her knees abreast and rubbing her palms and seemingly dreaming of jumping into the flames. It was clear its been a long time since she last experienced cold--if she ever did. Sylas dealt with it slightly better, especially since they left the cutting, bone-burning winds and hid from the elements, but she was yet to fully recover.

Sylas took a swing and looked at her; it seemed that the shock was colder than the winter itself. He, similarly, was quite surprised; though true that theyd never experienced weather this cold, it was shocking that her superpowers effectively stopped working. No, they were still working--if they werent, she would have died of hypothermia hours ago. But they were weakened, that was for certain.

I think you should head back, he said suddenly, causing her to look up.

W-w-what? Why? she stuttered a question.

If it gets any worse, youll die.

You will too.

Maybe, he said. But Im willing to live with that. he cracked a smile.

N-no, Im coming.

... look at yourself, he said. You can barely move your toes. Though its clear that the weather gets worse in patterns, even at its best... its enough to immobilize you. Theres no point in you suffering like this. If I cant do it as well, well just have to look for another way.

Sylas, Im not leaving, she replied sternly, glaring at him. Stop pushing me.

Oh, no, what will you do? Will you punch me until youre warm? he asked with a grin.

Its an option, she grinned back. How come you arent cold, anyway?

Oh, I am.

Then how are you so calm?!

Oh, lets see, Sylas said, taking another swig. This one time, while defending the castle, an exploding ghoul sent me flying over the castle wall and into the forest. I landed awkwardly and snapped my spine, but was otherwise in an okay condition. Anyway, I spent a whole night there, eventually dying of... something. Cold, if I had to take a guess. Then, this other time, I got lost in the woods while half-drunk, and eventually got so cold I thought I was burning, stripped wholly naked, and died, butt-exposed, in the snow. And this other time--

I get it, I get it, she interrupted. You... you really are a freak.

Well, see, that just hurts, he chuckled. Im just numb to pain at this point. You aint, though. So, why the hell are you trying to be?

...

See? Its just pointless bravado.

Its you, she said, looking at him angrily.

...

Theres this romance of pain everyones obsessed with, Sylas persisted. My first heartbreak was beautiful, the day my parents died gutted me but helped me grow as a person, I had to suffer to learn... its... its moronic. Theres absolutely no beauty in pain. Theres nothing to relish there. Its pure hell. Its a disease. But we treat it like a drug. Hell, Im the same. Its beyond hypocritical of me to even lecture you. But because I know I'm a hypocrite, I can tell you with full certainty... don't be stupid. When it's time to walk into the fire, let me go. You... stay behind and wait for when I come back. What's the point in you following me into flames? If only one need suffer, let one suffer."

I disagree, a tear fell down her cheek and she wiped it. The same way you feel toward me wanting your experiences... I feel toward you wanting mine. Having all your needs and desires fulfilled just because you exist... no amount of nightmares make up for that, Sylas. Want to know the real truth as to why there are so few prophets living? Because most become apathetic toward reality. They become walking husks in search of anything. They join armies, strange cults, movements, anything for a chance at an outcome thats not predetermined. And they die. Because they can barely walk on their own two feet, let alone swing a sword around. Apathy... nothingness... thats far worse than feeling pain.

...

I dont know why I remember our past when nobody else does, she continued. But Ive lived more in the few years weve spent together than all my years prior. And I only have fragmented memories of our experiences. Bits and pieces. Chunks. And yet... they made me feel more alive than anything Ive lived out before. Maybe I am childish. Maybe I am a kid refusing to listen to the wisdom of those who came before me. But maybe, just maybe, theres a reason that always happens, Sylas. Theres a reason why kids do the exact same mistakes their parents did, time and again. Maybe we need to do them, to become the adults that we do. If I had experienced heartbreak, if I had experienced loss, discomfort, struggle... maybe, just maybe, you wouldnt see me as a kid.

... maybe, Sylas mumbled, taking the last sip of wine. Well. If youre gonna come along, come here, then.

Huh?

Were gonna warm up faster together, he explained. And can abuse the brief window when the weather gets better.

O-oh, she mumbled, though still kept looking at him strangely.

Look, I swear up and down I wont do anything strange! he promised. I may be an animal, but Im not that kind of an animal!

No, I know that, she said, sighing and crawling over, sitting in front of him and easily nestling her back into his front. Im just happy youre relying on me.

Yeah, no, this is mostly for your benefit. Ive warmed up like two hours ago.

... you couldnt let me have even that? she glared back at him.

No, he grinned back. You said it yourself. Cant treat you like a kid no more. From here on out, youll have to earn your victories properly.

"I think that's just an excuse," she grinned as well. "I think you're finally realizing just how great my body is and it's impossible for you to keep treating me as a kid!"

No, no, Ive always known that, he said. Ive stripped you with my eyes the moment I laid them on you.

...

I just made you feel extremely awkward, didnt I?

... n-no.

Pfft.

Shut up!

Fine, fine, he chuckled. Warm up, now, he said as she suddenly grabbed both his arms and pulled them around her knees, nestling further.

Its--its gonna be quicker this way.

Aye, it will, he smiled faintly. Aye, it will.