The Illusion of the End

Tragedies are such because there is a sense of inevitability about them. Perhaps, I too, dance upon this fact. Or perhaps it’s more like a poem, in which can be read in many ways. If someone read my poem? Would it matter at all? Could it change what’s predetermined? Or would it be ignored? Even if I voiced my grievances, I doubt anyone would notice. I have voiced them before, yet no one seems to listen.

To the little Raven Child, or anyone else listening. Please listen to my words; for now, this is the only chance you will get before the point of no return. Time is running out for the Maestro of Misinformation, the Conductor of Chaos, the Director of Deception draws near. The symphony of suffering shall begin, and all will fall to despair.

──✩₊⁺⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧──

Buddy growled, and Lady Scarlet and Mr. Ren both pulled out their blades. It seemed like whatever was approaching was potentially dangerous enough for both Lady Scarlet and Mr. Ren to worry. I reached to the sash where my knife was stored and pulled it out.

I doubt if the thing that was approaching was dangerous enough to defeat Mr. Ren and Lady Scarlet, I would have any chance of beating it. But I also didn’t want to be useless.

We all watched for what would come over the hill. Perhaps it would be a monster more terrifying than any of my nightmares—maybe a creature with multiple eyes or even none at all. Maybe it would have sharp teeth that would eat us all.

Instead of a strange creature, I recognised two familiar faces. One was Mrs. Dinklebottom's wrinkled face, and the other was Mr. Jason's with his orange-red hair. They slowly approached, looking exhausted yet slightly relieved to see us.

Recognising the familiar faces, Lady Scarlet and Mr. Ren lowered their weapons. Buddy also stopped growling, though he still seemed on edge. With no mysterious creature in sight, I put away my knife and scooped up Buddy.

“Thank goodness, Ren, My Lady, it’s you,” Mr. Jason said as he staggered forward before collapsing to his knees. When he fell, it was clear that Mr. Jason was injured. He had cuts all over his body. His clothes were tattered, similar to the rags I once wore, though perhaps not that ragged.

Mr. Ren approached Mr. Jason and helped carry him to our resting spot. Mr Jason looked like he was quite injured. He had blood on him and some noticeable claw marks across his chest and arms.

Lady Scarlet walked with Mrs. Dinklebottom, who had a dark expression. I had never seen Mrs. Dinklebottom with that expression before. She always looked smiling and happy, but now, it looked like she was upset for some reason.

Although I was happy to see them again, I was also surprised to see only the two of them. Where was everyone else? Where was Mr. Dinklebottom? Where were Buddy’s family? Were they waiting somewhere else?

“Is it just the two of you?” Lady Scarlet asked.

“Yes.” Mrs. Dinklebottom replied, although her expression barely changed.

“I see.” Lady Scarlet replied. “I’m sorry, if only we had all gone with you.”

“Don’t be. There was nothing that could have been done.”

“Where is Mr. Dinklebottom and everyone else? Where is Buddy’s family? Are they at another resting spot?” I asked in quick succession.

Mrs. Dinklebottom didn’t say anything. In fact, nobody said anything for a short time. Lady Scarlet and Mrs. Dinklebottom silently entered the resting spot where Mr. Jason and Mr. Ren were already.

“I’m sorry to tell you this kiddo, but they are all gone. They’re dead.” Mr. Jason had sat up as he made this comment. The movement made him wince.

“Everyone? Even Buddy’s family?” I asked. Tears filled my eyes, and I began to feel sad. Though I was not hurting physically, I could not help but feel sad.

“Unfortunately, that is the case, kiddo.” Mr. Jason added before Mr. Ren forced him to lie down and began treating some of his wounds.

Buddy’s family were all dead. They weren’t my family; I hadn’t spent much time with them. Why did I hurt so much? I don’t get it. It didn’t make sense. Why did I feel so sad? I began to cry.

Lady Scarlet distanced herself from Mrs Dinklebottom and approached me. She gave me a big hug, which only made my tears flow harder.

“Lady Scarlet, I don’t get it. Why am I lying? Why do I hurt? I don’t get it. Am I a bad girl?” I asked these things through my tears.

“No child. That’s a feeling called empathy. You feel sad because you are a kind girl and upset on Buddy’s behalf.”

Empathy? I’m not sure I like this thing called empathy. It makes me feel sad. Empathy reminds me a lot of trauma. They both made me feel sad, though I didn’t say this out loud. Instead, I did my best to stifle my crying.

We all settled into the camp. Mr. Jason continued to receive some minor treatment from Mr. Ren while he ate some of the leftover Trigglegruff. Mrs. Dinklebottom sat down and made herself comfortable as well.

Lady Scarlet sat down, and I sat in her lap. She gave me a slight cuddle from behind, which made me feel a bit better about the news of Buddy’s family, though the sadness still existed in my heart.

We sat quietly for a period of time as Mr. Ren finished treating Mr. Jason. Mr. Jason slowly sat up, and the extent of his injuries became clear. Almost his entire torso was torn and grazed in some manner. His shirt was now completely removed, and it was replaced by bandages that were already soaked red with his blood.

“If you don’t mind me asking, could you tell me what happened to everyone else who was with you? You do not need to go into detail, but how did so many people perish?” Lady Scarlet asked.

Mr. Jason let out a sigh. “The first few days were peaceful, but as time passed, we seemed to run into misfortune over and over again. We ran into carnivorous plants, poisonous pits, some fell off cliffs, creatures ate others.” He paused, his eyes opened wide, and he gripped his head as if he was in pain.

“Take a breath, collect yourself.” Lady Scarlet commanded firmly.

Mr. Jason did so and continued, “It was as if we were cursed.” We wandered and wandered. We thought we had ventured far. Yet somehow, we kept winding back to the beginning. It may just be impossible to find the Chalice.”

“Well now we are here. We will find it. Get some rest Jason. We will keep watch tonight.” Mr. Ren instructed.

He nodded, and then he and Mrs. Dinklebottom found a comfortable spot to sleep for the night and went to bed under the maddening sky of shifting hues.

I didn’t want to sleep, but I couldn’t hold out forever. Before I knew it, I was asleep.

──✩₊⁺⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧──

End Chapter 16