Act 2: World Beyond - Chapter 379: Rockfell Town

Act 2: World Beyond - Chapter 379: Rockfell Town

"Brother Oscar! That hurts!" Quinn rubbed his shoulder while lying on the floor. "Can't you go easier?"

"You're the one who was so insistent on having me train you. No complaining about that." Oscar said, stretching his tired body. He looked up at the stagnant molten orb with a sigh. It had been a week now. The overflows of lava should have subsided. He could only go around with Avril to travel, go to Tung Village to talk with the villagers, or train the little brat, Quinn.

Reaching his hand out, Oscar pulled Quinn to his feet and patted the dirt off him. Quinn quickly hurried to his spot and took up a stance. Even as the boy complained, he was passionate and driven to learn more. It was a shame that Quinn lacked an Exolsia with this dedication. Oscar only taught him how to fight with his body but avoided the Reis.

"Keep your hands up and mind your feet. A battle is about territory." Oscar said.

"Yes!" Quinn clenched his hands and prepared for his incoming attack.

"This is the first time I've seen my grandson so behaved. It's a miracle." Old Yule laughed, watching from the sidelines. Quinn was beaten back to the floor in mere moments, a heaving mess of dirt and sweat.

"Hey! It's almost time to leave, isn't it?" Avril arrived with Erden, who kept his mouth shut around Old Yule and Quinn.

"Yes. It is around time." Oscar smiled.

"Sister Avril! You have to help me! Brother Oscar keeps bullying me." Quinn patted off all of the dirt and ran toward her.

"Oi," Irked, Oscar grasped Quinn's head and pulled him back. A deep frown formed on his face as he squeezed slightly on Quinn's head. The little brat tried to take advantage of Avril and seek comfort from her. "You still have one more session. Let's finish that up."

"Help!" Quinn shouted.

Deaf to Quinn's pleas, Oscar dragged him back to spar once more. After another quick session, Oscar hopped on Erden with Avril in front. He waved goodbye to smiling Old Yule and the scowling Quinn and rode toward their next destination.

"Old Yule said to be careful in the larger towns. There isn't much order and stability, so stay close to me." Oscar said.

"Got it. She's excited to see a real town, unlike the village from earlier. Chief Suri was nice and told great stories about his past, but she desires to see the places!" Avril pumped her fists and knocked her head back, bumping into Oscar.

"Stop moving around so much. You'll ruin your braids." Oscar readjusted her head forward with a sigh, smiling helplessly at her antics. "Let me tighten your face cloth."

"O-ok," Avril went silent, her body curled as she swayed sheepishly. Oscar redid the face cloth, fixating his eyes on the back of her head. With a final knot, he pulled on it several times and nodded in satisfaction. Her face cloth should have no trouble for the day.

Oscar grasped just how far away Old Yule, Quinn, and Tung Village lived on the outskirts of the Burning Valley because this town was the farthest from the central cities, bordering the outskirts. He hoped to witness many great sights with Avril. But the Burning Valley had nothing to offer other than volcanoes, rivers of lava, deserts of ash and soot, and pits of boiling muddy water.Thê source of this conte/nt n/o/v/(el)bi((n))

Despite all their speed, the journey to the closest town took a few days. Avril's sullen mood changed to her usual fanfare, exclaiming at the short black walls made from volcanic obsidian. Avril pleaded with Oscar for them to enter as soon as possible.

"I'm...fine. I think." Avril breathed out in gasps and looked around. Out of nowhere, she screamed and ran faster into the alley.

"Avril?" Oscar glanced back and only saw some decrepit old men, skinny and dying, rats gathered around bones which he hoped weren't what he thought they were, scantily clad women, sad and barely conscious, and children, starving and in broken chains. He didn't know what set her off, but he had to give chase. "Where are you going?"

Avril vomited in the corner of the alleyway and tripped on an uneven stone, slamming her back into the wall. She saw shadows moving around her, chilling shadows that crept up, grasping her heart. She screamed, huddled near the other corner, and covered her ears.

"N-no!" She shouted.

A shadow stepped closer; each step sounded clear and distinct, like the hands on a clock. Tick tock. Tick tock. The time was dwindling for Avril as she faced the shadow. It held a large scythe, and the alleyway started to freeze, encased in a layer of ice. The ice spread and froze her legs.

No way out, no way to move; she was stuck. Her face paled, and she couldn't stop the tears. How could they have found her here? Was everything in vain? Avril shouted again, "I'm sorry! I won't do it again. I won't escape."

The shadow didn't respond as usual. The ice spread all over Avril, leaving her head intact. It was cold, so cold her heart stopped beating. But she truly felt a chill when the cold scythe approached her face. Avril screamed louder, pleading and begging. However, the scythe arrived and slowly stabbed into her.

"Avril...." Oscar reached out his hand toward her. She flinched and convulsed on the floor, shouting out incoherent sounds like she was being tortured. Her hands remained fixed on her ears, her nail dug into her head even as blood flowed out, and her bright golden eye dulled with no spark within.

"I-I-I...sorry....I-I'm sorry...." Avril cried. Tears overflowed, and the cloth over the right side of her face was soaked, stuck to her face. Again as Oscar tried to move toward her, she screamed and backed away, banging her head on the alleyway wall. "I'm sorry. I won't do it again. Please...."

"Oscar. This is...." Erden lost his words.

"Avril. What is it?" Oscar maintained his distance from Avril. Any closer, and she would react harshly. Her cries and pleas cut deep, shaking his thoughts. One look in her eyes, and he knew she wasn't seeing him but someone else, the main culprit behind Avril's torment. In a desperate attempt, he tried to speak again, "Avril. I'm here. It's Oscar."

"Ahhhhh! Ahhhhhh!" Avril lowered herself to the floor, banging her head on the stone. "Please...kill me. Kill me."

"...." His shock turned to speechlessness. No word or thought could describe what he felt seeing her in this state. The pain he heard in those last words struck him. The lively and bright Avril, who never failed to make him smile, lay broken and in misery. The faint hints of her previous depressed states were minor compared to now.

Oscar wanted to do something for her, but how could he help? He wanted to avoid hurting her, but perhaps the only choice was to knock her unconscious. Right when Oscar stepped forward, a loud clamor rose behind him. The laughs and jeers grew closer.

"Hey, you bastard. I finally found you. You dare embarrass me in front of my men and walk away." The voice of the lecherous Exalt laughed. "Is that the woman over there? Hah, perfect. She'll be the perfect pastime for me and my men."

"Hey...." Oscar snarled and stood up. Every word that spilled from the bastard's mouth disgusted him, infuriated him. Avril needed help, and this scum stepped in his way and insulted her. Oscar's blood ran hotter than the magma of this cursed land. He turned to face them, and his eyes glared, bloodshot and wild.

Hatred and frustration boiled. Oscar clenched his fists and stood between them and Avril. He spoke a single word, a chilling voice, "Die."