Book 3: Chapter 41 — Wyvern Cliffs Pt. 11

Book 3: Chapter 41 — Wyvern Cliffs Pt. 11

After they’d returned to the hive, Noah found himself back inside Vion’s chamber which they’d moved to a more convenient location in the hive. He sat in a comfortable room, looking down at his hands, feeling a strange shiver run through them. This certainly wasn’t the first time he’d almost died, not even close, but something was different this time. It had felt the most certain. The most abrupt. It hadn’t been on his terms. He hadn’t gone in and taken any dumb risks, he hadn’t chosen to fight any gods, or talk back to someone far more powerful. He’d... just been in the wrong place at the wrong time.

That... something about that made it worse. And yet, at the same time, he didn’t feel anything.

Noah’s shadow stirred, forming next to him, buzzing with what felt like barely restrained fury.

“Hey,” Noah said, nonchalantly raising his hand.

His shadow seemed to open and close his mouth a few times, as if trying to speak but he just couldn’t find the right words. At the end, the specter spoke through gritted teeth. “You do realize what happened just now? You died. We died.”

“No, we just used up our free extra life. It even said it charges back up as well,” Noah said.

“Why’re you being like this?” The specter asked.

“I feel like that’s my question to be asking. This isn’t the first time this has happened. Stuff like this happens. From the very moment I came in this world, something’s been trying to kill me. The recent period of ease seems to have made you forget that,” Noah said, frowning.

“Do you even understand what it’s like to know that myself, my own reflection, do these things, knowing that it’s just your life but mine that’s tied to you as well? Have you maybe ever given it any thought?” The specter asked.

Noah stayed silent, unable to find words to reply.

“Listen... I’m sorry. But what do you want me to do? I didn’t instigate anything. I’m not being stupid here. I know I can be sometimes, but this one wasn’t on me, was it?” Noah said.

“You know what you can do. What you’ve had the option to do for a while,” the shadow specter said, walking closer. “What’re you so afraid of?”

Noah looked into the specter’s eyes, pausing. “You know, it’s ironic that you’re giving me this lecture. Wouldn’t doing that just kill you?”

“No it will not. I will return to where I belong. To you. But... I’m starting to see something now. This is all just an excuse isn’t it?” The specter said, leaning back. “You don’t want to do it, not because you care about me or whatever, but because you’re afraid aren’t you? Afraid of getting me back. I am the part of you that was afraid. The part you keep trying to run away from. No wonder we split apart the first chance you got. It must be so easy, without that constant voice in your head. Without the fear of the consequences haunting you. It’s so easy to live here if you don’t have to be afraid about your own life, isn’t it? It’s all fun and games, you can chase off cool things and live without any worry of any consequences,” the specter said, form wavering and darkening as shadow wisps began to swirl around it for a moment, before they settled down.

A moment of silence remained between the two of them, before the specter whispered.Visitt novelbin(.)co/m for the latest updates

He opened his eyes, and saw Zax standing there.

“Apologies. It took us some while, but we’re glad to see you are unharmed Noah,” Zax said, dusting his clothes.

“Now... we did say we wouldn’t be interfering, but the second chance thing had also been a security measure to make sure the risk and rewards were not out of balance. Technically, you died and failed the test,” Zax said.

Noah looked at Zax. “Are you serious?”

The dragon scoffed. “No, this had always been a training exercise, but we wanted to see what you wanted to do. We can’t easily charge that spell, it’s a powerful one and takes time.”

Noah paused for a long moment. Then an idea came to him. “What if I use my dimensional vault?”

Zax shook his head and sighed. “We knew you’d say that, no, that would cause you to explode. It’s why we built in some protections.”

“Bummer,” Noah said.

“We do mean it when we said we can’t come to save you Noah. We’re busy with certain tasks,” Zax said.

Noah nodded. “I know. It’s fine. I can’t have you babysitting me all the time. I need to get stronger on my own. And I have an asshole thunder wyvern to take revenge from.”

Zax thought for a moment. “Very well, we’ll let you continue.”

“Thanks,” Noah said. After a second’s hesitation, he added. “And... about the thing. The spell I got, from the quest. I think I’m ready to use it.”

Zax paused, glancing back at Noah, then, the dragon gave him a small smile. “We’ll need some time to make preparations. Complete your task here first,” Zax said.

And with that, the dragon teleported away, vanishing.

Noah sat in the chamber for a little longer, then, letting a long sigh, he made his way out. He knew he wouldn’t get any rest now, so he might as well train a little.