I don’t claim to be perfect myself. I did almost cave to that forest of tempting fruit after all, so I won’t get too cocky now. This world has a way of creeping under your skin.
It piques your curiosity, showing you what life would be like if you just gave in and surrendered to its temptation, but I know they’re all fake promises.
I have to prove to the king that humans are worth saving. I need to get the monsters on my side so we can wipe the darkness away from the world.
At least there are four monsters I know of who are willing to help, and I gaze up at Grey and smile.
He meets my gaze and bares his teeth in a shark tooth smile. While the gesture may look intimidating, I know he meant it to be genuine.
“You ready, sunshine? Think you can resist all that power?”
I smirk and start my trek down a rocky mountain path. The road is stark as towering rocks surround us on both sides. Grey almost blends in with his gray skin, yet his green eyes remain aglow, his wings folded neatly at his sides.
I’m starting to see everything a hell of a lot better now, but the Abyss still has a darkness about it. The fruit of the Forbidden Forest was the first splash of color I saw since arriving here, and no wonder so many humans succumb.
They trek this desolate land for days, weeks even, but then when they finally stumble upon that forest of delicious fruit, well, they become possessed.
The fruit definitely caught my attention, throwing me into a trance-like state. Thank God I had Madoc to help me snap out of it. Who knows what would have become of me in the end.
But enough of my previous mission now; I have to focus on this one.
Finally, we enter a mountain gorge, and it’s a complete ruin. It almost resembles an old quarry. Loose rocks gather on the ground, and we have to be careful of an avalanche.
I could die in this place.
Lucky thing my mate has wings and can just fly me away to safety.
I kick rocks aside, clearing a path. Grey scans his eyes around, looking on edge, and I wonder what’s got his panties in a twist. This place is a wasteland. Nothing lives here.
I bet my voice would echo in this gorge. I won’t dare test my theory though. Avalanche.
“So, whereisthis Sword of Vitality?” I whisper.
Grey doesn’t take his green eyes off the mountains. “You’ll know it when you see it.”
Well, that’s certainly helpful.
We tread over rubble in silence. I chew my lip, gazing back up at him again. “What are you looking for?”
He clenches his jaw. “Loose rock.”
Why do I get the feeling he is lying? I go to scold him and demand that he tells me the truth until my gaze falls upon a cave. There’s light emanating from inside, and I walk over like I’m under a spell.
Pretty, shiny light.
Grey steps in line behind me, leaning down to whisper in my ear. “Don’t go wandering off alone.”
I reach up, placing a finger on his chiseled lips. They feel as smooth as stone. “Shh. Can’t talk now. Must see the shiny...”
He groans above me, but screw him. I will get my shiny.
Finally, I arrive at the mouth of the cave, my jaw hitting the ground. It’s a sword. The shining silver hilt pokes out from a gleaming rock of granite, and I swear it’s glowing. Its pulsating light draws me closer, lighting up the whole cave, and I can’t believe it.
I’m just like one of the characters I read about in books. I am King Arthur, finding the sword of Excalibur. The one that made him king.
And now it’s my turn. Belle, from that little town with all those little people, will finally get her taste of real adventure, and a giddy, childish sensation thrums throughout my body, giving me life.
I’ve been waiting my whole life for this.