AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Azir stepped out of that small “cave” and looked back at the huge creature that had been above him, now twitching. Long tubes came out of it, looking like veins, connecting with other spiders like that, over small hills. He was in the bottom of a circular chasm, and had to get out of here as soon as possible. He didn’t think these creatures would attack him, but it was like they had something in the air that would make him lose consciousness and fall into that strange trance-like state. But then, in theory the mere fact that he was aware of these spiders’ trick would make him resistant to it. Hopefully it was true.
Ursiana should not be here, but in another realm. All Azir had to do was find a place from where he could move into the hollow. These lower levels were dense, difficult, and strange, not to mention he had never truly studied what to do in case he ended up here. And yet here he was, which should tell him that deep down, he had never believed Prince Sebastian’s lies, or maybe even if he did, he still cared enough about Ursiana to risk his life for her.
He found a slope by the stone walls and climbed it quickly. At a higher ground, he felt the hollow calling to him, and slipped into it easily. From darkness, there was an infinity of paths, infinity of ways, circles, portals, passages. He could find himself on the edge of the third realm, clutching the handle of the lightshield and hoping that it would protect him from the deatheyes. He was in a dark cave again, perhaps the same as before, and yet this time he couldn’t hear anything outside. No roars, only silence. After unsheathing his sword, he walked out slowly, making sure his steps didn’t make a sound.
The landscape had an odd, bluish tone. He saw the cave through which he’d escaped—leaving Ursiana behind. Before it, there were vines, many, many dark vines on the ground. Beside them, a fallen creature. Even before seeing its face, Azir realized it was a deatheye—dead. A few more lay nearby. What had happened here?
Azir followed the vines. Some of them were dry and looked old, though. How long had he been under the dream spider’s spell? It had felt like an hour at most, and yet, time perhaps slipped by while he had been stuck in that daze. He hoped it hadn’t been that long.
These vines had to be Ursiana’s. Most of them led to another cave, which he entered slowly. Thin streams of light came from the ceiling and entrance, and there, amidst vines, he saw her, lying down. He kneeled to check if she was breathing, when a sudden movement startled him. It was a sharp vine, coming in his direction, almost reaching his eye, except that he cut it in the nick of time. She had used her magic to attack him before, but never with that much violence.
“Ursiana, it’s me. Can you wait to kill me? Wait until you’re back in Aluria and safe?”
No sharp words met his, and he realized he missed them. No movement, and for some time, not even vines—until something circled him. Another vine, which he cut. If it was her magic, it was a good sign, even if she was motionless, with her eyes closed. He needed to take her back, but the issue was how to carry her in that state—especially if she could try to impale him at any moment.
Slowly, he touched her face. She was still warm, and still breathing, even if softly. Perhaps if he talked to her she would listen, would realize she was safe… Or else try to kill him again. Right as these thoughts crossed his mind, another vine came in his direction and he blocked it.
Azir took a deep breath. “Ursiana, you’re safe now. The deatheyes are gone. It’s Azir. I…” He saw no reaction in her, but took it as encouragement to keep trying. “I’m truly sorry I didn’t try to talk to you. Sorry I believed in lies. I know these words don’t change anything, but…”
In reality it was hard to say this. “I was wrong. I was wrong to shun you without a single explanation. I was wrong not to even try to confront you, not to attempt to listen to what you had to say. I was wrong to believe something horrible about you, wrong to walk away and not even tell you why.” He took a deep breath. “I’m truly sorry. Think of it this way: if you survive, you have until the end of your life to punish me, to berate me, to yell at me and tell me all those angry words that perhaps you kept stuffed inside. I also had angry words, but if anyone needs to hear them, it’s myself. We’ll yell at me together.”
Ursiana was still motionless. Azir swallowed. “Give me the chance to let you yell at me, yell at me for all your pains, for everything you went through. Give me that chance. Wake up.”
Her magic had probably been depleted and it was likely that she would remain like this for a while. He could carry her—as long as he could be certain that she wouldn’t attack him.
“It’s me, Ursiana,” he insisted. “I still remember you as the girl who wanted to travel around the world, who wanted freedom. You can go back and travel.” He almost saidonce things quiet down,but he didn’t want to remind her that there were still so many struggles ahead.
She looked small and fragile lying there among those dreadful vines, and yet, she’d slayed the creatures around these caves, she had been the one responsible for the vines and deaths. Appearances could be deceiving. He was going to wait by her side, and if she didn’t attack him again in a few minutes, he’d carry her back. There were more foes in this realm.
“Ursiana, it’s me. I’m going to carry you. Please don’t try to hurt me, or we both won’t make it.” There was one person she still loved, and perhaps it would be a good idea to remind her of that. “Wait until you’re in Aluria, until you meet Leandra again. I’m sure you miss her.”
Mentioning her felt odd. He wasn’t sure if sayingour daughteroryour daughterwould upset her more, so he hadn’t risked any of those. She was right that Leandra’s father had been Flavio, the man who had raised her, and yet it didn’t mean Azir didn’t care. If anything, he had cared for her just by knowing she was Ursiana’s daughter. Hopefully she was safe.
“Ursiana, I’m going to carry you.” He spoke these words as softly as he could, then he sheathed his sword and was about to take her in his arms when a sound behind him startled him. It was just a big rat, now impaled by a vine. Ursiana was unconscious but fast.
He decided to carry her over his shoulder. Inelegant, yes, but at least he could still have one hand free and carry a sword.
When he was about to lift her, she murmured something, but too softly for him to hear.
“Could you repeat what you said?” he asked as gentle as possible.
“It sounds romantic,” she said, even if her voice was weak.
Azir was delighted to hear her again, and yet surprised at her words. “Me carrying you is romantic?”
Ursiana opened her eyes. “Me yelling at you.”
He was relieved to see her awake and smiled. “I agree.”
She then sighed and closed her eyes.
Azir said, “I’ll carry you, don’t strain yourself. It’s not going to be comfortable, though, but we need to leave.”
“I can survive here. I survived.”
“I know. And I’m impressed. But I’d rather go.”
He took her and put her over his shoulder, holding her with one arm.
