Cursed Odyssey

"Spirits differ in size, ability, and rank. The more powerful spirits have the power to even acquire a human host and claim them for themselves. They conform to the host's personalities and mannerisms so well that it's nearly undetectable. Though, there were spirits that are far less discreet… Every spirit has a motive, and a weakness… To expose it, anger it, and attack it head-on would be foolish… Even for the spirit to feel threatened, it may go berserk…"

"Of the Arcane Arts, are there ones that govern luck, fate… or perhaps even see the future?" Zephyr asked.

"I don't know much… But if they did exist, they would be beings of unfathomable power… Maybe even beyond the 5th act…"

Zephyr's eyes blazed with hunger, then dimmed to disappointment. He scratched his head with the gesture of a frustrated scholar.

"Last question…" Zephyr paused as if contemplating... "Have you heard of the game of chess? If yes, briefly explain it,"

"Ummm… Yes, of course…" The boy blinked, caught off guard by the sudden change in topic. "In this age who wouldn't? Protect your king, kill the enemy king."

Zephyr's lips curled into a faint smile. "Excellent. That'll be all, I wish we had more time…"

Nearly an hour had passed since he began questioning. The mine's darkness had grown comfortable around them, intimate as a confession booth.

"If that's it, am I free to go?" The blonde boy, who had now revealed himself as Norman, casually spoke.

Norman's voice carried unexpected warmth for someone in his position. Briefly, he caught a glimpse of the short, ashen-haired boy he now knew as Zephyr… He was smiling…

"Of course, a promise is a promise! On the 'Twenty-Two Greats', I will set you free. Just give me a sec,"

Although he was harsh at first, his feelings were all understandable. But after their initial interaction, everything changed. His tone turned soft, and he would even laugh and crack jokes every few questions. He treated him with kindness and respect, like they were old friends. It was a warmth Norman had forgotten existed in the world.

Norman watched Zephyr's closed, injured eyes, the genuine warmth in that expression, and felt something dangerous blooming in his chest. Hope was a luxury he'd learned to distrust, yet here it sprouted like wildflowers through concrete.

He realized how truly fortunate he was to run into such a person. He knew several others who would not have thought twice about torturing him and making him suffer for what he did.

But this Zephyr was different.

Norman was no genius, but even he recognized Zephyr's ability. Not only was his technique flawless, he was only pretending to be defenceless to lure him in. He had no use of arcane arts, yet he did not give up hope and honed everything else he could. It was truly admirable.

"Hey, mind if I ask who that redhead with you was…" Norman started, his tone carrying a hint of curiosity.

"Who? Skylar?" Zephyr snickered. "What, got a little crush on her?"

Norman's face turned a shade redder, "huh!? No! Of course not!"

"Hey, don't worry! She's just a cellmate and nothing more!"

"Really?" Norman's eyes sparkled briefly with what seemed like relief, before he quickly added, "But why tell me like it matters or like I care?"

"It's written all over your face, Norman! I can read you like a book! You're such a terrible liar!" Zephyr chuckled, "But, you know, it's going to be tough making amends after you scared the crap out of her like that, man..."

"I—... I know, and I regret it…" Norman's head drooped as he admitted. "Maybe I'll gift her some crystals as an apology next time."

Zephyr's laughter softened into a smile. "See, you do care about her."

"No— I mean— It's not like—"

"And by 'gift', you don't mean stealing from others and passing them on to her, right? Even in the short time I've known her, I can tell Skylar wouldn't appreciate it."

Norman sighed, a hint of resignation in his voice. "Yeah, guess you're right…"

"Besides! Stealing crystals from others is so petty and counterproductive, don't ya think?" Zephyr smiled and looked at the low stalactite-filled ceiling with his eyes closed, "I have bigger aspirations than that… I've already thought it through… I'm going to escape this prison with my own hands… That, I promise…"

'This…'

These were no mere empty words…

There was a feeling welling up within him… Yelling at him… That if he followed this man, he would one day lead him to greatness… Dreg or not, he was worthy— he had the strength of a true leader.

He looked up…—

Zephyr seemed to glow.

He was unsure what expression his face was making, but Zephyr laughed it off.

It was then he finally lifted his weight off Norman's back.

Feeling the pressure relieved, he tried to stand back up.

However…

"Huh!?"

He found himself strung in place, like something was holding him back.

"Oh, sorry…" Zephyr awkwardly chuckled. "I tied you to that stone with your belt while we were still talking. I do tie a really good knot, so I'm going to have to find a sharp rock to cut it. It might take a while though because I can still barely see,"

"Oh… okay…" Norman calmly nodded, cheeks reddening as his pants slightly slipped, but inwardly, he was praising how he somehow managed to do all of that without him realizing.

After a few minutes of searching, Zephyr returned to set him free.

"That should be it!" Norman heard the popping of strings before he watched Zephyr begin to walk away, "I'm getting hungry, so I'll be returning to my cell for some food! But, I do need to clean my eyes first…"

Still on the ground, Norman looked up towards Zephyr's back with an odd feeling in his heart. There was an urge screaming within him, that if he did not do this now, he would forever regret it. His heart thumping hard, his hands clenched, he yelled out in a stutter.

"Z—Zephyr!! I know this is a weird question but… C—can we be friends!?"

"Hm?" Zephyr turned, his expression shifting from perplexity to a faint, measured grin. "You hurt my feelings… We've been talking for so long, and you still don't consider us friends? You truly are quite odd, but I really like that about you! I'll be sure to put in a good word for you to Skylar," As he spoke, there was a subtle warmth in his tone.

Norman's face brightened visibly at the response, a flicker of something bright gleaming in his eyes. He watched as Zephyr hastily resumed walking, a newfound feeling thumping in his heart.

Since his sister's death and his parents' abandonment, he'd sealed his heart against the world. But now—for the first time in years—the future beckoned with possibility.

"Wait for me!!" Norman called out as he forced his winded body upwards. However, this feeling was short-lived—

*CRK*

With a jarring crash, Norman's ascent was abruptly halted. He hit the ground hard, the impact sending a sharp jolt to his jaw that reverberated through his body.

He found himself once again sprawled on the ground.

The world turned all around him, it almost didn't feel real… But pain was only secondary…

"Why?"

Twisting his body to look back, the harsh reality became slowly apparent — the knot binding him to the rock was still securely tied.

Only a small part had been cut, not nearly enough to release him. His heart, which once hammered against his chest from pure joy, sank to the deepest depths as he realized this was no mere oversight— It couldn't have been.

Did he only cut a part of it to make me think I was released? But why!? He couldn't understand. None of it made sense!

If this was no accident, then for what purpose was he left there? A guard would eventually find him and set him free. Was this some kind of cruel, sick joke!?

"HEY!! Zephyr!! The knot's still tied!!" He called out, hoping for some acknowledgment, some sign that this was all just an innocent mistake. But as he watched Zephyr's retreating figure, there was no response, no sign that he had even been heard.

"ZEPHHYRRR!!! Zephyr!! Where are you going!!"

Only silence answered, not even an echo. Dread crept faster with each ignored call.

His voice grew more desperate.

He tugged frantically at the restraints, his recovering body hampering every effort. The knot held firm.

"HEY!! Come on! I know you can hear me!! You said you'd let me go!! YOU PROMISED!!! YOU SWORE!!"

No response…

…

…

Why!? Why?! WHY!!? His mind knawed at him for answers.

His hair stood on end as the thought he was trying so hard to suppress reemerged:

'Was it… Betrayal once again… Was my assessment of him wrong… or… perhaps it was impossible for me after all…Why… Someone answer me…'

But that was when suddenly, as he broke down in muffled sobs, he took one final glance…

Eyes previously grey, lit up in vibrant colour—

Zephyr had finally turned around…

His eyes were closed, and a faint smile played at his lips. To him, it was truly a majestic sight…

What am I doing… Holy 'Chariot', that was so pathetic, of course, I was worried for nothing… He's coming back to save me… He laughed fervently at his own paranoia.

Those were his last thoughts as he watched Zephyr tightly grip a rock from the ground and toss it into the air above him, his eyes still firmly shut. Norman, puzzled, watched the rock ascend, wondering what Zephyr was doing and where the rock was heading, before he finally realized.

He was throwing that rock for him to cut himself loose. His tear-streaked eyes lost the rock against the ceiling, but he lay waiting with a smile, trusting it would soon be at his feet.

But that rock never came— in fact, it hit right above him.

Loud rumbling sounds abruptly crackled from overhead.

Dust rained down like gray snow.

In the end, the only things that would reach him were large rocks of dripstone that fell from the ceiling, and the swift, crushing release of death.

His life ended with a smile, blissfully unaware of it all.

'I finally found someone… A friend to trust… sister…'