Cursed Odyssey

Rayah Vandymion

We've been walking for hours.

But has it actually been hours? I'm not sure, but it has certainly been a long time.

The sun shone bright and hot overhead. Unlike the gentle noon warmth of the Priestess's island, this heat pressed down like a forge.

My lungs burned, my bones felt like snapping, my vision grew hazy, my ankles cracked, trees and rocks scratching me as I continued to walk forward at full speed.

It hurt… It most certainly hurt…

But I could handle it. I could handle it all.

At times like these, I let my mind wonder.

That giant leviathan was killed by someone, or something. Zephyr and I discussed it briefly and had no idea what could have happened. If we had ventured even a few more minutes in that direction, we'd have been dead.

What we did agree upon was that we would not be going anywhere near it, and we were lucky to have even survived.

The danger was obvious, but I found it odd he didn't even consider it. After all, perhaps he could have tried to recover that slum rat Skylar's Core Spirit, or perhaps see if she was alive.

He did seem to care about her quite a lot.

My mind continued drifting.

Could the Vandymions, my family, have taken out such a beast with such ease? I've never seen them at full strength, so I wasn't sure. But I felt it more than possible.

My mind drifted once more.

Drifted

Drifted

Drifted

I wonder what my siblings are doing. Are they celebrating my disappearance? Finally seeing their chance at the family throne? Are they saddened by my loss? How about my parents? Certainly, they are out there searching for me…

There was this aching feeling in my heart. I haven't felt like this ever since that day. I didn't know what caused it. This tightness in my chest. This feeling that I wished time would just skip several days unconsciously taking its course.

My mind drifted onwards.

Like I was sailing on clouds.

For a brief moment, I looked to my side. At him. At Zephyr., his wooden arm exposed for all to see.

Should I be grateful?

It was I who saved him initially, but I suppose he's the reason we've gotten this far.

Why does he help me so fervently? Why does he look at me so kindly? He's most definitely hiding something.

But so am I. I'm hiding more than him.

I am the master! I have authority! It irked me! But I won't pry.

Useless conflict would do us no good.

For now, I will follow him.

For what else do I have?

…

Hm?

Suddenly, the sunlight became even brighter. My eyes that wandered upwards were almost blinded.

"We're so close!" Zephyr called beside me, and I opened my eyes.

We'd reached a clearing. The thick canopy no longer shielded us, and grassland stretched endlessly ahead—scattered trees, wildflowers, and gleaming rivers breaking the green expanse. A dirt road cut through it all.

The sky was bright, with little clouds to be seen. Only airships of similar design to those we saw on the prison island flying littered the sky.

Their destination?

In the far distance, a massive city dominated the horizon. Unmistakable.

The capital of the Emperor's island—Rotheart. Even from here, I could make out towering spires, smoke of machinery, and grand walls.

"Lets get going!" Zephyr cheered like he always did. He brought out a key from his pocket, unlocking the chains that had kept his arcane energy bound.

Would the arcane energy leakage lead us to danger? I wondered, but dind't ask.

"Fast!" He smiled.

I didn't respond.

I just nodded and followed.

As we walked the road, farmlands began appearing on either side. Far grander than the small plots in Hano village—vast fields tended by farmers with dark hair and weathered faces. Clearly, as dregs born to tend the fields.

Men, women, and children all paused their work to stare as we passed. Huts, mills, and workshops dotted the landscape, some bearing the brass pipes and gear-work of this era's steam technology.

This entire outskirts area was full of low-life dregs staring at us. And there were two reasons. I knew them both.

I looked over back towards Zephyr.

?

Zephyr?

My heart raced.

eyes darted, but I couldn't find him until—

My head snapped towards him.

He was right in front of me this whole time? I was confused, only for an instant before I remembered His umbral wraith spirit, right. He just snapped those chains so he could activate his ability.

I kept my eyes on him, walking at the same pace ahead of me.

As we walked, the area became denser, sparse houses scattered in a sort of small, makeshift village.

Those eyes, those same eyes kept staring at us— shopkeepers, figures lurking behind buildings, guards bearing the capital's insignia, children playing, women out to do laundry. It was as though time paused, and they were forced to look and whisper.

I didn't look back.

At times, I would lose track of Zephyr, then find him again.

whshshshsh

Is he… talking to himself? What is he saying?

*Snap snap*

I wondered, but didn't pry.

The more we walked, the faster my heartbeat rose. The closer to the city, the more my current state began to not matter.

*Snap*

The whispers from around us suddenly became different. Subtle, but I could tell.

Did I care much? Not really.

My mind was far too preoccupied.

The city was so close.

From this distance, I could see an endless line at the front gates—people and carriages stretching for several miles.

We'd have to wait all day to even a turn.

The line was still very far, but these eyes of mine were quite the gift.

Suddenly, we heard approaching steps behind us, and the sound of rolling wheels.

"Are you guys on your way to the capital?"

An old man's voice came from beside us. He sat atop a sturdy carriage.

Or at least I thought it sturdy initially.

His belly pressed against the reins, and the wooden bench creaked with each slight movement of the horse.

A smile pulled at his lips while his eyes darted between us. Graying hair escaped from beneath a simple cap, his face wrinkled and tanned beyond his years due to sun exposure.

"Hello, mister!! Hello, misses!!" Then another voice came from behind.

It was a little boy with dark brown hair who popped out of the carriage tent, no older than five. I didn't look at him closely; that was all I could care to distinguish.

"Darren! Calm down!" The old man tissked.

"Oh no, it's quite fine!" Zephyr smiled brightly. "So your name is Darren, right? My name is Zephyr!"

He then looked at me, expecting a response.

I didn't

"That's Ella!"

A fake name, smart… There might be those who want to hunt me… I'm certain the news of me missing had spread far...

"Mr Zephyr!! Is Ella mute!?"

I didn't react.

"DARREN!!" The old man raised his voice slightly, "Please don't mind him."

"It's okay!" Zephyr beamed.

"We've noticed you kids seem new here! And damn, do you seem tired! Want a ride with us?"

I'll go along with whatever Zephyr decides.

"We could use a rest!" Zephyr nodded, "Thank you so much! How much for the trip?"

"It's completely free of charge! We're heading that way anyway, so why not have our little good deed for the day? Just hop on back and we'll be off! And Darren, come sit up front next to Papa. Give the strangers some space."

"Oh oh we don't mind!" Zephyr waved his hands nervously.

"It's fine! I insist!"

Free of charge? And why does he want the kid away after inviting us? He openly invites us on his carriage? Yet he doesn't trust us?

But I watched Zephyr just get on like it's nothing. No way he was that dumb. If it were the old him, I'd believe it. But the current Zephyr was better than that.

I followed along regardless.

The carriage had two carts, one in the back for cargo, and one in front of it for seating. We sat in the front carriage, on the wooden seating.

"Hehehehhe! You guys look so weird! So whitteeee!! I love your hair!!" Darren gleamed, peaking from the front, his chipped tooth showing, his brown hair clearer up close.

"Darren!" The father motioned for him to stop, but Zephyr continued.

"Well, we don't come from here!"

"Another island!? Different from the Emperor!?" Darren exclaimed.

"Yes! Features like ours are very common on that island! Wanna take a guess?"

"Nahhh! It's okay! I'll never get it! But papa promised that he'd teach me all about the other islands very soon! We recently bought a new book about it from the recent merchant guild gathering!"

"Darren!!"

So it seems that book must be somewhat valuable? That fat ape he calls father seems to only speak in one word. He keeps fidgeting, hiding his face. I sighed.

My mind wandered again, until—

"So what brings you guys here!? Are you guys brother and sister!?"

"PFFF!! We are NOT!! Me? Siblings with this one arm dreg!? Not in a trillion lifetimes!!"

"I mean, we do kindaaaa look similar, no?" Zephyr interjected.

"NO WE DO NOT!! Every Vandymion has hair the whitest shade of white! And eyes the brightest shade of blue! The difference between you and I are like the heavens and the filthy dirt!" I breathed heavily.

…

I might have spoken too much…

"V—Vandymion… Such as… the juggernauts of the island of The High Priestess??"

Why does my brain work in such ways? I nearly bit my tongue.

I remained quiet, cross-armed, with a deep, controlled breath.

"I am Rayah Vandymion, yes…" There was no use denying it.

"Ma—am… sorry for not recognizing you…" The old man lowered his head, and prompted his confused son to do the same, holding his skull and physically lowering it.

I would normally feel happy about this… But why does this now feel… weird?

"At ease, just pretend this never happened, and do your job."

"Understood…"

I didn't bother looking at him. I looked at my feet.

The Island of The Emperor and The High Priestess have always been at odds. Our white and ashen hair were indicators of our heritage, so we were bound to attract glares.

Now he knew I was nobility.

He was scared, angry, hateful, all at once.

But he could not act on any of it.

If anything, he now sought to appease me in the off chance he may be rewarded.

"So… What brings you here ma—"

"Shut it, and drive."

I had no use for such drivel.

We continued. Even Darren became quiet. But soon, Zephyr would reawaken life back into the carriage.

"She's actually really nice when you get to know her…"

Now he's lying? Where is he going with this?

But I didn't stop him.

"Really?"

"Yes! Try and be her friend,"

Just stop it! I wanted to scream. But I didn't.

"In the end… she's just… broken and…—"

I'm just what!? Is he joking? Spit it ou—

Suddenly, the carriage shook.

It felt like the world had turned sideways.

Wood splintered, canvas ripped.

From all sides, masked men in hooded black holding daggers burst into the carriage tent.

Blades on my throat.

I expected this…

All dregs…

I reached for my rapier as fast as I could, but before that…

"Who are you guys?" Zephyr had already knocked the blades out of all of their hands, clanking on the floor.

"Where did he come fro—!?"

A masked man was stabbed in the chest by Zephyr, collapsing lifeless.

I suppose that spirit really does work well, huh, especially on dregs…

"DARREN!!"

The men hadn't targeted the scared child, but Zephyr grabbed my arm and leaped toward him. We tumbled out of the carriage together.

"After them!!"

We didn't roll very far. We landed in thick, tall grass around a bushy meadow. They lured us in a place rather secluded, how expected.

I stood up in the harsh sun, Zephyr ahead of me.

"Darren! Stay behind me!" Zephyr motioned, drawing his sword.

I did the same, slowly unsheathing my rapier.

Oh High Priestess, give me strength…

I focused all my energy, managing to coat my rapier with a hint of frost—all my power allowed at the time.

"SON!!" The old fat man, still on the carriage screamed.

"YOU STAY ON THE CARRIAGE OLD MAN!! You're lucky you're not our target! But we'll need compensation for our fallen mate!"

"Two fallen mates," Faster than they could react, Zephyr had cut a man straight through the chest.

One out of dozens.

Three more leaped in a coordinated attack, trying to surround him.

I struck their formation. With a single touch of my sword, one attacker froze solid. The other two fell swiftly to Zephyr's blade.

"WHAT IS HAPPENING!? Who told you that the wooden arm boy is a dreg!? And the girl was too sick and weakened to move!?"

"A MISSING LEFT ARM MEANS A LOSS OF ARCANE ENERGY!! He should be a dreg!!"

"Well clearly not!! IT WAS YOU, OLD MAN!! WERE YOU THE ONE WHO LIED TO US!!"

The old man shrank back. "NO I WOULD NEVER!! It wasn't me! But what I do know is they do have rare crystals in their bags! And that girl! Is the youngest daughter of the Vandymion Household! She—"

But before he could finish, he was ended...

With a dagger thrown to the head...

A swift and clean kill.