Revelation

I tried not to look down as we stepped onto the platform. I failed. My hands trembled as I clung to the rusted iron rails. My palms damp and frost leaked out onto the metal.

“Not those,” Clyde assured with a soft tone, his hand on my shoulder. “Use the chains.”

“O—okay,” I nodded and gripped the chains for dear life. “I don’t understand how you’re both so calm. I hate heights. And I don’t trust this old stone or chains to keep us safe.”

“I can relate.” Clyde laughed. “You’ll be fine Vivian. You have wings, remember?”

“That doesn’t mean I know how to use them.” I squirmed, as my knees knocked together.

“Flight magic?” Claire raised a brow. “That’s quite impressive. Only a rare few can use a technique so advanced.” Her tone seemed genuine and kind, but her stupid voice still irked me all the same.

I released the chains for a brief moment to adjust my clothes, right as Claire started the lift in an abrupt manner. And I swear she did it on purpose. I caught myself, but the sudden jolt of movement gave me a glance over the platform’s edge and my face went pale. The bottom was so far below us that not even my keen night vision could peer through the abyss.

“Claire I’ve been meaning to ask,” Clyde said, calm and oblivious to my torment. “My mother’s journal wasn’t with my things. Do you know where it might be?”

“It wasn’t there?” Claire pressed a finger to her cheek and glanced upward in thought. “I’ll speak to Torren about it when I get the chance. He was the one who gathered everything up after we escaped. He probably knows where it is.” She paused. “Are you sure it wasn’t there?”

“No, I can’t find it anywhere.” He shook his black hair. “You don’t think Torren threw it away or left it behind on purpose, do you?” Clyde froze with a troubled expression. “I’m sure all of you were pissed at me for that stunt I pulled.”

“No, he wouldn't do something like that.” Claire sighed. “You are right though, we were pretty pissed off. Torren still is. And I’ve been meaning to speak with you about that.”

“Right, I expected as much,” He nodded. “Might as well lay it on me while we got the chance. I’m also curious how you all manage to escape. At least, I think everyone did, right?”

“Yes everyone got out unscathed. Except for the ringing in our ears and temporary blindness.”

Clyde’s expression twisted with a sudden and intense mix of guilt and shame.

“Torren used impact bombs to collapse the tunnel behind us. Which is the only reason we escaped the Thunderbeast.” She crossed her arms and gave a stern glare. “And what was that all about exactly? We had Frost Fang in our grasp and you backstabbed us all to try and save it. What I don’t get is why.”

“The truth is,” Clyde took a deep breath. “I lied to you about what was in my mother’s journal. She knew Frost Fang, before anyone else. Frost Fang was precious to her. And well…” He bowed his head. “I’m sorry for not telling you, but when I failed that exam and you invited me along, I was using you. My plan was to try and make Frost Fang my familiar… if it truly was what my mother described.”

Because of his admission, I didn’t feel so afraid or nervous of these heights anymore. That all faded away. Replaced by a faint smile that spread across my lips and a tear that glistened in my eye. So I wasn’t the one who found him. He found me. Came because he had plans to rescue me from this wretched place. My heart soared at the thought and my cheeks burned with joy.

“So,” Claire continued. “When Frost Fang didn’t eat you at camp, that’s when you knew?”

He nodded.

“And the reason you survived the dungeon for almost a week,” her gold eyes met mine. “Is because your plan worked. Because Vivian… is Frost Fang.”

Clyde looked stunned.

“I’m surprised you put it together so quickly, but yes.” Clyde whispered. “I’m only alive because of her. Because Vivian saved me.”

“I’ve had my suspicions since the night I first met her. She’s an oddball.” Claire smirked.

My jaw dropped in a gasp.

“By the way, I’m sorry about the fireball, I thought you were about to kill Clyde. And I’m sure you were suffering from the burns for quite a while because of me and I feel terrible about that.”

“I—uh—it’s okay…” I whisper with my eyes locked on my toes. My ears burned. I didn’t know what else to say. I was caught off guard. Disarmed. I wanted to hold a grudge, to hate her forever. But now… I don’t know what to think anymore. There was no longer any reason to feel this way. She doesn’t deserve it. And if I keep these negative emotions… All that will do is cause trouble and make me a true monster.

“That said, Clyde, you also nearly died because of this plan.” Claire spoke with a gentle tone and uncrossed her arms “And your troubles are only starting. You do know what will happen if the Guild ever learns about this, right?”

“I do.”

“Please, tell me I’m the only one who knows.” She paused. “Of course, other than the two of you.”

“My grandmother and grandfather know.” Clyde shrugged.

“That’s not great,” Claire shook her head. “But not terrible either. Just as long as Dale doesn’t know. He’s on the damn council.”

“What are you guys talking about?” My brows tightened. “Who cares if people know? Why does it matter? It doesn’t change anything.”

“Clyde!” Claire glared at him with wide eyes and started to rub her temples. “You haven’t told her anything?! Are you insane?!”

“I thought Harlan told her everything.” He shrugged.

“He mentioned chains and an execution block,” I muttered. “But I don’t see anything to be concerned about. I can break chains and whatever an execution block is.”

Claire exhaled a deep and frustrated breath through her nose, while Clyde looked pale and stupefied.

“Vivian,” Claire rubbed her temples with her eyes squinted at the ground. “What Clyde did to get you out of this dungeon is highly illegal. It is the most serious crime a Summoner could commit in the Guild’s eyes. Worse than murder in some cases. If the Guild learns of this, you and Clyde will have a massive problem on your hands.”

“The Guild is just a bunch of humans,” I shrugged. “Whatever they attempt, I can stop them.”

“You probably can,” Claire nodded. “But Clyde can’t. He’s human too and they’ll easily throw him in chains and behead him. In other words, kill him.”

“I would never allow that to happen!” I glared, fists clenched and nostrils flared. Not because I was upset with her, but by the idea of any potential threat to Clyde. “If we can’t fight, we’ll run!”

“Vivian,” Claire shook her head with a whisper, and tucked a few gold strands of hair behind her ear. “The Guild has regional control with a vast network of connections. Its reach is far beyond your comprehension. If you run, you’d be hiding your entire lives. And even then you still might be caught. All the Guild has to do is get to Clyde once and it’s over. One time when you are too tired to fight. Too tired to escape. Or just not around.”

She turned around and halted the platform.

“This is our stop,” She said. “Let’s go save those trapped Delvers.”

“Wait,” I outstretched my hand as she and Clyde stepped off. My voice fragile and desperate. “If we can’t fight and if we can’t run, what am I supposed to do? How do I protect Clyde from the Guild?”

“You do nothing,” Claire gave a weak, vulnerable smile. “You take this secret to the grave. That’s all you can do.”