Another Home Within a Mountain

I flew over a river as Finley hopped on logs and rocks to get across. I cringed each time she slipped and wobbled.

I can’t believe she hasn’t fallen in yet, especially with that sword tucked under her arm. I wish I could do something…

I waited at the riverbank while Finley hopped onto solid ground. The bottoms of her boots were drenched and speckled with mud.

“Phew, that was scary. Haha, you’re lucky you can just float over Ghostie.”

“Eh, the downsides kinda… outweigh all the good stuff.”

Finley made a worried expression, and I shook my head. We entered a new forest path as the sky brightened. Squirrels and birds began to appear, starting their early morning activities. We made a sharp turn off the path and traveled between tightly packed trees.

“We’re… almost there.”

I turned to Finley. Her face was beaded with sweat, and her eyelids struggled to stay open. Ahead of us was a mountain wall covered in long vines and moss. Finley walked into it without stopping, and the densely packed vines moved around her.

I followed her through the vines and into a small tunnel. The walls were jagged, and the floor was littered with tiny pebbles. I could see a dim light at the end of the tunnel, and as we got closer, it revealed an entrance into a large cave.

Finley stumbled out of the tunnel, and I hovered at the entrance. Tents were spread across the room, each accompanied by a lantern spreading warm light. The light coated the walls, emphasizing two dark exit tunnels at the back corners of the cave. Wood beams supported each exit, including the one behind me.

“I’d give you a tour of our new home, but a soft cot is callin’ my name. See ya, Ghostie.”

Finley sprinted away to a tent near the back wall, and I floated toward the back right exit.

This place can’t really be safe to stay in. I’ll have to offer to look for someplace else once Finley gets some rest.

I peered into the tunnel. The farther it went, the darker it became. I turned to look at the other tunnel and saw a figure in dark clothes rushing to hide.

Matthias?

I hovered over the tent he snuck behind. He looked around and continued on his way. I rushed to stop in front of him.

“Matthias, what are you doing?”

His eyes widened when he saw me. Although he had his mask up, I could see the dark circles under his eyes as they narrowed.

“Were you… following us?”

“Tch. She snuck out without telling anyone, what was I supposed to do?”

Amazing, I never noticed him.

“So you’ve been following her the whole time… Wow, you must really care about her.”

An almost invisible red hue grew beneath his eyes. I raised an eyebrow at him, and his eyes darted away.

“It’s nothing. We got into this together, so we might as well watch each other’s backs.”

“Riight. Well, I won’t stall you any longer. Go get some shut-eye. That way you can ‘watch her back’ again later.”

Matthias sighed with annoyance and walked around me. I watched him enter a nearby tent and floated up to an area where the cave wall stuck out. I lowered myself to a sitting position with my legs hanging over the edge.

~ ~ ~

The cave was nearly dead silent. I waited and watched as person after person exited their tent. I couldn’t help but smile when I spotted the mother from before with her family.

At least I can still feel something. Hm, I’ll need to find a body somewhere to keep my mind from completely falling apart. I wonder if I could force Eris out of hers?

“Look alive, Ghostie! We’ve got a camp meetin’ and you’re not missin’ out.”

I smiled at the loud woman as I lowered myself to the ground. Matthias walked up silently, standing a short distance away. I looked between them, trying to gauge how dark the spaces under their eyes were.

“Good morning, you two. Are you sure you slept enough?”

“Enough’s enough. We don’t need to waste time.”

Finley adjusted the goggles fastened around her head as she avoided eye contact. Noises of metal clanking and fire crackling came from beyond the tents.

“Oh, sounds like everyone’s gettin’ ready. Come on, you two. It’s time to introduce our hero.”

My eyes widened. I followed Finely and Matthias as they walked to the center of the room. People of all ages were gathered around a big fire. A brown-haired, bearded man wearing a disheveled apron stood behind a wood-carved table covered in various pieces of cloth.

The man was portioning what looked like dried meats, placing pieces beside slices of fruit. As I entered the area, his eyes turned to me— as did everyone else’s. My eyes darted from face to face, each carrying a similar bewildered expression.

“Good mornin’, everyone! May I introduce you all to the hero who stalled the royal army and saved the lives of one special family— Miss Velda! Or you can call her Ghostie, if you like.”

I grimaced as the entire community stared right at me. Finley gestured to me and clapped vigorously. I spotted Vivian hiding in the back of the crowd, and she raised her clapping hands as she smiled. One by one, the onlookers joined in.

“Um, you don’t have to… Thanks.”

The crowd quieted down, and I slipped away as their focus turned to Finley. She stepped near the fire as she addressed the crowd.

“Thanks to our ghostly friend, we made it here together. Unfortunately, this can’t last forever. Papa… Our old leader was struck down before we could storm the castle. I know many of you are afraid, but now is the time for action.”

Finley removed the sword from her back, revealing it as the one her grandfather bestowed upon her. Its dull blade shone with the firelight.

“My grandfather entrusted this sword to me— and with it, his ambition. I plan to fight with all my might and remove the wicked tyrant from the throne. I firmly believe, with Ghostie’s help, that we can finally turn the tide.”

Finley waved her hand in my direction. I nodded to show my support, and I analyzed the reception of the crowd. I could see angry and worried faces, with a few intense stares in both my and Finley’s directions.

“I won’t force anyone to fight, but I will say this: Our world will never change if we run from suffering. Only when we face our problems head-on can we create a better tomorrow.”

The crowd murmured amongst themselves. Finley’s words sent a searing jolt of pain through my head. I turned to look at Matthias, who returned my gaze with a solemn shake of his head.

“When Isaac brought us together and led us away from Eris’s destruction, he risked everything to keep us safe. Now’s our chance to return the favor, to take things into our own hands.”

The man preparing meals stopped and spoke aloud with a commanding voice. The crowd went silent as they absorbed his words.

“His majesty treated me with kindness all my life, and I failed to repay him when his kingdom was destroyed. Finley is right— we can no longer run away. Those we left behind do not deserve to suffer for our cowardice.”

The crowd exchanged anxious looks. My head felt like it was being electrocuted, and I rushed to hover above the fire.

“I was face-to-face with Eris. I don’t think you can take her down as you are, but maybe I can. If we separate her from the knight and royal army, I’m sure I can find a way to defeat her. No one is unkillable.”

Without an avatar, Eris won’t be able to respawn. As long as we destroy that body, she’ll be just like me. Then, once we’re the same, I can try to… do something to get rid of her. I’m just not sure about removing the only other real person from this world…

The crowd fidgeted and looked from speaker to speaker. A few of them shook their heads and walked off, grabbing rations from the table as they went. Those who remained were mostly young; some were too young. Vivian leaned against a nearby tent, chewing on a slice of fruit.

“Finley…”

I lowered myself and stood next to Finley. She looked around the remaining crowd and pointed her sword at them.

“Only the brave and resilient remain. Although I can’t accept you little ones, I appreciate your support. Please return to your families.”

The younger members of the group left with heads hung low. The few that remained numbered nearly a dozen. The older members looked experienced in battle, but I could tell that the rest would need a lot of training.

Finley sheathed her sword and clasped her hands. She approached the group, and they gave her their full attention.

“Now, for the rest of you. We can’t risk the Royal Army findin’ us again so soon, so we’ll need to be careful. The left tunnel back there leads to an open meadow and thick forest. The older folk will need to train the younger.”

“I will also offer any advice you need. I learned a few things during my time at the castle— and during Isaac’s ramblings.” The cook stepped forward, wiping his hands. Finley smiled and nodded to him, and he returned the gesture.

The crowd dispersed, receiving their rations from the cook. I hovered over a nearby rock in a sitting position, watching the camp members interact as they ate. I could see the tense expressions on a few people, and the children who huddled together as they enjoyed the peace.

I’ll make sure they get the future they’re hoping for, even if I lose myself in the end.