"Waylinn, now I remember something." Heka said suddenly. His voice tinged with both relief and confusion as fragments of forgotten memories surfaced in his mind.
He remembered that after they gave him a drink or something, he closed his eyes because he was so scared. After he opened his eyes, he saw Fayfiend keep away from him. After that, he lost memory of what had happened before that.
He took a deep breath, steadying himself before continuing. "Someone choked me a liquid, no perhaps it's kind of like a potion or something. I don't have any idea what it was."
Waylinn remained silent. His expression was unreadable as he listened intently. It was clear that Heka's revelation caught him off guard; he seemed to have no prior knowledge of what Heka was describing.
Heka pressed on, trying to piece together the puzzle. "I remember why Fayfiend was avoiding me. It's because of that potion."
He paused, eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "I realized that any Fayfiend who becomes aware of my presence instinctively moves away. As if I'm a threat or a curse to them."
Waylinn's reaction was immediate and intense. His voice rose sharply, laced with shock and panic. "What did you say!!!"
He looked at Heka, seeking answers. "Do you know who he was? The ones who gave me the drink?"
Heka shook his head slowly, his face grim. "No."
Waylinn straightened up, urgency flashing in his eyes. "We should meet my lord as soon as possible, before something gets worse."
Heka nodded, a mixture of apprehension and hope swirling inside him. The path ahead was uncertain. But with Waylinn's support and the promise of answers from his lord, he felt a flicker of determination ignite within him.
"Do you know where Marchio is right now?" Heka asked cautiously. His voice was tinged with hesitation.
The question weighed heavily on him because he feared the search might take an unbearably long time. Every moment without Marchio felt like a ticking clock against his survival.
Waylinn's expression grew serious as he sensed the urgency in Heka's words. What Heka had endured was no ordinary trouble. It was an emergency that demanded the intervention of someone powerful and wise.
"I can look for every place that he often visits, one by one." Waylinn suggested firmly. His voice was steady and resolute despite the weariness that clung to him like a shadow. His eyes, sharp and unwavering, reflected a determination that seemed to defy his weakened state.
Alas, this time was different. Waylinn was not at his full strength. His body ached with exhaustion, and the usual vigor that made him a formidable tracker was dulled.
Because of this, he was unable to pinpoint Marchio's whereabouts. If Marchio was not to be tracked, then perhaps it would be easier to seek his lord instead.
Heka nodded slowly, a flicker of hope igniting within his chest like a fragile flame in the dark. The cold air bit at his skin, but he was grateful for the sweater he had brought along. It was a small comfort in the vast, unpredictable expanse of the immortal realm.
"Can I go with you?" He asked quietly. His voice was tinged with both eagerness and hesitation.
Waylinn's gaze hardened as he stood up, his tall frame casting a long shadow. He said bluntly, his tone leaving no room for argument."Of course not."
Heka's eyes widened slightly. But he did not give up.
"I see. But... can you make an exception? Just this once, please... I really want to see what the whole immortal realm is like." He pleaded. His voice softened with a rare vulnerability.
Waylinn remained silent, his expression unreadable. The tension between them thickened the air.
Heka continued, his voice trembling with emotion. "I told you before. That is my wish, my last wish before I die. And... I don't know how many days I have left. Somehow, I feel it won't be much longer."
The words hung heavy in the air. Waylinn took a slow step forward. His eyes darkened with a mixture of concern and resolve. Without warning, he reached out and grabbed Heka by the neck. His claws pierced the skin, sharp and unyielding.
Blood welled up and trickled down, but Heka did not struggle. He stood still, neither fighting nor trying to free himself, even though the grip made it hard to breathe.
Waylinn's voice was low and serious. "Of course, I knew. I warned you. Life in the immortal realms isn't as beautiful as a fairy tale.
It's hazardous, cruel, and terrible. But if this is truly your choice, then I will grant your wish."
With that, Waylinn slowly released his hold. And Heka gasped for air, his fingers trembling as he pressed against the wound on his neck. He tried to staunch the bleeding.
Though it wasn't really necessary. The vibes at Kiervant Sky were warm and comforting, much like the human realm. Unlike the warmth of Kiervant Sky contrasted sharply with the cold outside.
As they prepared to set out, Heka's mind drifted back to the moment his memory had returned. He now understood clearly the reason behind his desperate desire to bring the sweater.
He also understood clearly the reason behind his desperate desire to meet Marchio. It wasn't just curiosity or coincidence. It was survival.
He remembered vividly the terror of facing the Fayfiend alone, without Waylinn or anyone else to help him. The crushing loneliness, the overwhelming fear, and the stark realization that if it happened again, there would be no hope left for him.
Before, survival had been his only goal, the driving force behind every decision. But now, something has shifted.
The hope that had once sustained him was gone, replaced by a raw feeling. He urged the need for something more protection, guidance, and perhaps a chance at something beyond mere survival.
Without Waylinn and someone who can help him.
When it happened once more, it meant there was no hope for him to live. Previously, he felt that survival was the most important thing. This time, he threw away that hope, just walked following the flow with the unspoken ending.