We are falling, the light is calling

«So, where do we go now?» Laila asks, looking at me with that bittersweet smile.

«I…» I take a breath and turn toward the forest. «If what I studied in the book is right, we’re now in the former kingdom of Fjellheimr. If we keep going northeast through the woods, we’ll reach a lake.»

«And once we’re there?»

«For now, let’s just focus on getting there.» I move closer to Nadia and pick her up.

«Wait, let me help.» With a flick of her hand, Laila ties her snugly onto my back like a bundle.

«Thanks.»

«Mh…» she mutters, her eyes lingering on the path with a pensive look. «But what if animals or other creatures attack us?»

«Relax. After everything we’ve been through, the Forest of the Risi will just feel like a week-long hike. Honestly, the real problem here is the opposite: in a dead place like this, finding animals or plants to feed us will be tough.»

«I’ll take care of that. I’ll even stay grounded instead of floating, so I won’t drain your energy.» she says, her feet touching the ground again.

«Thanks…» I say with a slightly forced smile. “I think it’s a little too late for that,” I muse, glancing at all the things he just created. «But… would you do me a favor?»

«What kind of favor?»

«Since we’re in a swampy area, could you make us some boots?»

«You mean make you some—she already has hers.»

«I was talking about you.»

Her eyes widen slightly. «Hmph.» A faint smirk escapes, her expression softening a little. «Fine.» She crosses her arms, shifting her weight onto one foot. With a flick of her finger, a pair of galoshes appears at our feet. I glance down at my olive-green ones, then notice hers—matching her makeup perfectly. «What?» she asks. «You didn’t say how you wanted yours.»

«Hmph. These will do.» I mutter, starting forward.

«Hey! Who said you could copy me?!»

°°°

«Finally! I couldn’t take that swamp any longer!» Laila shouts, kicking her boots aside. She runs barefoot across the meadow and down the beach, rolling in the grass, making a snow angel in the pebbles. Seeing her laugh so freely, Nadia joins her. Soon, the two are chasing each other, splashing in the crystal waters of Lake Slange.

A smile slips from me. “It’s so good to see them getting along. Thank God I asked Laila to help her practice while I trained—otherwise, I wouldn’t get to witness this.”

«Come on, you too!» Nadia calls, tugging at my arm with wet hands.

“Ah, why not? A little break won’t kill me.” I slip off my boots, nearly losing balance. «Easy, no more pulling. I’m coming.»

After half an hour of carefree play, we settle along the shore.

“So, what’s the plan now?” Laila asks with a breathless smile, brushing a strand of hair aside.

The sight of her there—by the lake, mountains encircling us, the moon rising—leaves me with only one thought that lightens my head: “She’s beautiful.” But as the thought flickers through me, her smile dims ever so slightly, her eyes drifting across my face.

I quickly turn toward the horizon. “Idiot! What am I thinking?! I swore I’d leave her alone… What the hell is wrong with me?” «Well, um… Now we just have to circle the lake all the way to the far side, then it’ll be a few more days before we reach the sea.»

I don’t even hear their reactions. When I look back, Laila is staring blankly at the lake, and Nadia is curled up, sifting through pebbles.

I glance the other way. “Great. Thanks to my stupid thoughts, I’ve killed the mood again. I need to hurry and get them somewhere safe. But once we’re there… what then? Laila will still be bound to me. Nadia will still need someone by her side. Maybe… maybe I should use my last two wishes, then hand the necklace to Nadia. That way, they’ll stay together, without being tied to me. We’d all be happier… yeah, all of us…” I stare at my reflection in the lake. “If I wished right now, Laila could take us away instantly… But no—I want to savor the time we have left, down to the very last drop. At least that much…”

Out of the corner of my eye, I glance at Laila. “Please… take care of Nadia.” «Alright!» I say, springing to my feet with a smile. «What do you say we get moving again?»

Wordlessly, they rise too—slowly, almost reluctantly. “Wow, such enthusiasm…”

Once our boots are back on, we continue uphill into the mountains. The terrain grows more familiar, but the higher we climb, the crisper the air becomes. The faint sound of our footsteps is the only noise—at least, it was. Even beneath our steps, I swear I can hear the cries of bats.

«Why’d you stop?» Nadia asks, confused.

«Shhh. Don’t you hear it?»

Suddenly, the sound ceases.

From deep within the undergrowth, a pair of glowing green eyes, ringed by black sclera, stares straight at us. My hand goes to my sword’s hilt, drawing it along with my dagger.
Black paws emerge from the bushes—ten white, cheetah-like beasts, their long tails ending in hooked stingers. We form a tight circle, back-to-back. The beast in front of me raises the spines along its back, and the pack begins circling. “So that’s what made the bat-like cries.”

Two horns run down their snouts, ending in long, dagger-like fangs. Their growls reveal mouths glowing a sickly green.

“Idiot! I should’ve wished us away immediately. This is all my fault!” A blue light casts my shadow forward. I tighten my grip on my weapons, swallow hard. “I swore I’d get them to safety. I can’t back down now—not against a few beasts.”

I clench my jaw, so tense it almost makes me smile, Laila begins to float, and the forest fills with shrill, piercing cries, like Aztec whistles echoing from every direction. The feline creatures freeze and retreat.

“What was that? Where did it come from?” I whip my head around, but nothing—no movement.

«Up there!» Laila shouts. I raise my gaze. Perched high in the branches, like raptors, are strange humanoid figures. Their skulls resemble crows, their bodies covered in thick, rust-colored fur. Not a word, not a breath—only silence. And those empty stares, all fixed on us.