Chapter 198: Infinite Infancy

Chapter 198: Infinite Infancy

Infinite Infancy

How long has it been? Sylas couldnt say. Hundreds upon hundreds of years, now, had passed at least. But to him, it all became a blend of a singularity, a trip that he re-lived so many times that he could recite it, word for word, event for event, from heart, just aroused from his sleep and probably drunk out of his mind.

Their progress was slow, but it was thereevery few years of reliving the same story over and over, theyd push a bit further inland. A mile or two may not be a lot, but every extra mile or two nixed the length of their journey further. The armies that came out to meet them grew less and less terrifying as Sylas silently navigated and guided them into betterment.

As far as he knew, they were still at least two hundred miles away from the Capital, but that wasnt an issuenot yet, anyway. Currently, they were facing a massive, Count Yolts personal army composed of over three hundred thousand soldiers, a tenth of whom had collectively more experience battling than Sylas entire force. It was a beyond tall wall that seemed impossible to climb, but he didnt fret. His life here, in this world, was entirely composed of tall walls and mountains that kept him at bay from the things he needed. And just like those before, this wall would fall too, in time.

What are you thinking about? Asha shuffled over and rested her head on his chest, her snow-white hair spilling over. She sported a rosy complexion and a shade of red in her eyes. And if you spit out a joke at my expense, I will pull it hard enough to rip it out.Visit no(v)eLb(i)n.com for the best novel reading experience

... man, have you always been this violent or is it just my influence?

A little bit of both, she replied with a chuckle. You thinking of ways to move forward?

Not really, he responded with a shrug. Im just trying to empty my head of my own will. To see if I can do it.

Can you?

Not with your tits blasting in my eyes, he said as she sighed.

Really?

Were almost at the gates, he said. Even if that almost is hundreds of miles away. Soon enough, well be there. And we will win. It all feels so pointless? Like it was predestined.

You still have to win, though.

Thats the thing, though, Sylas said. When the chance of loss is entirely removed from the equation, can it even be called winning? Its like Im numbly living out a story that has to end one way, and I already know the ending. Like turning the final page of the mystery book and figuring out who the killer iswhod be interested in living out the journey, then?

Hmm, she mumbled, drifting her finger across his stomach. And here I am, simply enjoying my journey, also knowing the end.

Perchance, she would depart, her mission complete. Or, perhaps, he would return to Earth in some capacity. Or die. Or continue living out a mortal life by Valens side. But he was hopeful. Hopeful that he knew the single possibility.

What are you looking at? Asha asked as she put on the silver dress. And if you say the most beautiful creature alive, I will snap your tongue.

... youve figured me, through and through, huh? he said with a chuckle.

No, she said. I just figured your playful side. You never pass up on the opportunity to make a lame joke, no matter the circumstances. I am certain that, on your deathbed, you will turn to whoever will stay by your side and say something impressively lame, like write buried alive on my tombstone so that people get shocked dead visiting my grave.

And youd go ahead and write it, he said.

Oh, how mighty confident of you that I will stick with your ass for so long. What do you want for breakfast?

You saying you wont? Ill eat with the kids.

Never say never, she walked over and kissed him lightly. But, yeah, never.

Ouch. What a way to kick the guy awake.

Enough with your nonsense, she grabbed the pants nearby and threw them at him. Get dressed and lets go. I dont want to rush back. I actually enjoy walking down the mountain this early.

Thats only because of whos your company, Sylas said.

Yes, the winds and the birds are very nice.

Man, youve gotten really good at being mean, he stepped out from their roofless cabin that they fashioned out of stray rocks and branches and into the open plateau overlooking a steep descent from a mountain.

Learned from the best.

At least Im the best, there was serenity within him as the two began descending the mountain. A clear path was laid out in front of him, and though he did not have much, if any, agency in writing out a story that will come to pass, another story will come after, he knew, and he would write its beginning. And the rest. He was no longer humanhe hasnt been for a long, long while. He was something more. Not better, not worse, simply ethereally different. Life was not a string of events and regrets werent mountains pressing down. To him, life was not a straight line going from the beginning to an end. He didnt quite know what life was to him just yet. Even after thousands of years, he felt an infant in this new world, in this new reality. What to humanity would be an infinity, the scale of time spoken of in societal aeons, to him was just a temporary beginning, the first steps hed taken into living beyond life. And so much, he knew, lay still in the dark ahead of him, waiting for him to grow up and open his eyes for the first time.