Day hadn't escaped the pain, which was gnawing at him vehemently, and he hadn't escaped the dangers ahead. But he felt he might be on the cusp of overcoming his plague of a mental upset.
"Day…? Where… What happened?"
Audrey whispered so quietly that even Day had some trouble hearing it. She seemed dazed. Day could see it in her eyes, she was also afraid.
"We escaped. I won."
"You won? What happened after I- Your eye… Your eye!"
Day waved his hand at her wearily and put his finger up to his mouth.
"I'm fine. We aren't in a safe space. I was tired, so I had to take a break. You need to be quiet. We are lucky nothing else came, but we need to get going soon. How do you feel?"
"Um… My head hurts, and my nose hurts, and I'm still tired, but I can go. "
Maybe it was dramatic, but he had to do this.
"If that's the case, then Audrey, I have a few quick words I wish to say."
She looked back over at him, her brows furrowed. He could see something familiar in her eyes. Something that she had, then lost, but had now gained once more.
A certain weariness. It was the same look that she had in her eyes leading up to the death of the dormant beast and their conversation. He just couldn't see it before. Now he could. The look that screamed the idea that she thought he was crazy, that she thought he wasn't capable. But Day wasn't disheartened, after all, he was the one who led them into a trap that got her knocked out.
He couldn't right those wrongs, he had to admit that, but he believed that honesty could be a temporary mend for the afflictions he had created.
"I'm sorry. For everything thus far. For bringing you along so selfishly, for forcing you to let me lead, for bringing you into such a dangerous situation and getting you knocked out. I'm sorry for all of it. I've made many mistakes in such a short time, I'm immature, trying to do better when I didn't actually understand what I was doing wrong. I can see it in your eyes, that after that whole ordeal, we are back to what we were before. You probably think I'm crazy, and that my intentions are unclear, and I'm sorry for doing things that force you to be weary about the person you decided to travel with."
Audrey looked him in the eyes, her gaze ever-still, but somewhat softer now. Her eyes bore vague understanding, an understanding that shouldn't be possible for a child of such a young age, but these lands didn't allow for even children to be carefree.
"It's okay."
"See, it's not okay. I withheld things from you. I said you weren't a nuisance, that is true, and always was true. But the reason that statement should ring true to you is…"
"You, and all of this, isn't real. I know how real it feels for you. It feels just as real to me, but it isn't. I know I sound insane, I truly do, but you live in a world with endless mysteries, so trust me and hear me out."
Day stopped speaking for a few moments and cleared his throat, trying to let her take that first statement in slightly.
Audrey's expression shifted. It was a mix of many emotions, like she didn't know what exactly to feel. The most prominent thing hidden beneath her eyes was that same skepticism, like she didn't know if what he was saying was even worthy of consideration, but she didn't speak, and didn't react too strongly.
Though, Day didn't know if that would hold, so he decided to continue.
"The reason I'm telling you this… is because I want us to have peace of mind. I know I've made mistakes, but please trust me when I say I really want nothing more in the world than to lead us along to safety. The reality is… that I didn't need to help you, and those words pain my heart because I know there would be no implications if I decided not to, but I want to help you, selfish as it may be, so it would make me overjoyed if we could hold onto that together and push forward. If you want, we can move together from now on, if you don't want to do something, simply say the word, and I swear that for the rest of this journey that will soon come to a peaceful end I will do my best to keep you out of harm's way, not just in the way that makes me feel good about myself, but in a way that allows you to feel at peace as well. "
"In my eyes, immature as they may be, it doesn't matter if one of us is real and one of us is fake. As of right now, we both feel pain, and we both have emotions. I simply can't survive alone because I would be riddled with guilt for the rest of my life knowing that I left you behind to die even though I didn't have to, and that makes me selfish. I lack the skills that the people who are braving this canyon should have, and I'm not really capable of doing what I said I would, but I want nothing more than to try, because I don't want you to have to suffer."
"I hope you know well that those are my true thoughts. Maybe I looked insane before. Why did I get so scared and then fight? Why did I decide to lead you along, even though it was a one sided arrangement? Because of where I came from. This is a trial that I have no choice but to be brave in if I want to return home, so I have motivation. I lived an easy, carefree life before and got sent here for a trial, that's why I was able to push myself to try those things."
"Please, Audrey, trust me, and move forward with me until the end knowing that no matter what happens, you won't need to suffer again. I want you to be at peace knowing such an end can exist. I will make sure that reality comes to fruition, because where I come from- Such promises aren't far out of reach. "
Silence. There were a few moments of silence where Day almost started to regret pouring his heart out. Maybe after all, she wouldn't be able to comprehend anything he said, or that she wouldn't be willing to trust him, and he would be forced to move forward knowing that he had failed to create any solace.
"Umm- That's a lot to take in. I can't lie to you and say that makes me feel completely sound, but-"
"I never had it easy. My mommy was taken away and I don't know where she is, and each day that passes I wonder if I'll die, so knowing… knowing that no matter what happens, my mommy won't have to suffer wherever she was taken, and that I won't need to be afraid of dying anymore… It makes me happy."
She smiled. A big smile, with the most genuine emotion than she had ever shown before. It was a smile that was full of light, the smile a child should have, in Day's eye.
"Alright, Day. I'll trust you one more time."
Day took a deep breath. He was overjoyed, but they were still short on time as ever.
"Then we should probably get out of here. I think I've also rested long enough."
Day dragged himself up off of the ground and picked up the bag he put down, he was about to sling it over his back, when….
"Uhh… Day? That's my bag, right? Can I carry it?"
Day looked over at her. She looked a little embarrassed to be asking, and Day couldn't say that he was excited to let her, because he was perfectly capable of bearing the heavy load, so he couldn't help but ask:
"You sure?"
"Yes."
'I said I would do this… It doesn't matter if I'm giving in to a child's whims, I know she's rather mature, I said I would, so I need to. She probably doesn't feel comfortable with having someone else carry her lifeline. That's fine. I let her before, so I'll let her now.'
"Right then."
He grabbed it by one of the straps and put his arm out. She grabbed it quickly and slung it over her back, then tightened the straps and grabbed them with a firm hold.
'It feels good to not carry a bag. Too bad I had to leave my sword behind… Eh, it's fine, it was too much to carry. It's not like we don't have a sword. No use crying over spilled milk… is how the saying goes, I think?'
Day put his hand against the wall and traced his fingers across a small piece of rock that was jutting out and sighed.
"We should just do what we did before. Go through smaller spaces, stay as quiet as possible, the end should only be a few hours away."
"Jacob said there's a few more hours of travel after we climb out, I assume you know that, but it's okay. I can do it… We can do it. We just need to get out, then it'll be safe. Right?"
Audrey nodded.
"Mhm. Monsters don't usually survive up there for long if they can climb out because they are too dumb to deal with the Sun properly."
"I thought so, that explains why there's no life up there. Alright, let's go. We've made too many stops, let's try to push for the end. We'll walk, preserve as much energy as possible for the climb up, and hope we don't run into anything."
Day stayed against the wall and started to tread forward slowly, scared to disturb his tired body with a sudden movement. To his immense joy, his body seemed to have recovered as much as he hoped it would.
Which wasn't a lot, but it was something.
No monsters came to greet them where they had their conversation, which likely meant that none were closeby… but he couldn't allow himself to be entirely complacent any longer. He was going to do what he did before. Stay against the wall and creep forward, doing and saying only what had to be done. It was probably a little too late to act like he was smart for doing that, since he already failed multiple times… but it didn't hurt to start again.
This time, he didn't force Audrey to stay back each time there was an open space. They moved forward together. Maybe it didn't bring Day the most peace that he wasn't going first, but he could deal with it. He was still being selfish, so he had to make sacrifices. That was what he promised he would do, after all.
It wasn't like there was anything inherently wrong with going together. If some powerful creature came to greet them, there was a more than fair chance that both of them would be dead before Audrey could run away. Maybe being together could spare Day's life again? That was the hope.
When Day and Audrey finally got far enough away from their original spot that they didn't feel afraid of being caught, Day couldn't help but let out a quiet sigh of relief.
Corner after corner, crevice after crevice, open space after open space, they moved forward. Just when Day thought everything would be fine, that they would move forward for the next few hours seamlessly, as illogical as it may have been…
There were sounds of heavy feet hitting the ground coming from around the corner from out of nowhere, like whatever was there had appeared out of thin air after noticing their presence.
Day froze and put his arm up to stop Audrey from continuing forward. His body tensed up until his muscles began to hurt. His torn up eye started to pulse again.
His fear soared to heights so unfathomable that he stopped breathing subconsciously. He stared forward, but despite how scared he was… His thoughts weren't racing with thoughts of death. He was trying to figure out what to do.
'Just stay silent, and then… Whatever it is, it won't see us. If it does… It'll be fine. We will be fine. I'll fight it and win, my left eye and nose hurt, but I can push through the pain… None of my bones are broken, I'm just a little tired. I can do it- I can do it! I made a promise. I have to do it, no matter what it is. '
Tensions began to rise as the footsteps slowed down and whatever was waiting for him neared the turn. Day quietly and quickly grabbed the sword from Audrey's pack, as he prayed in his mind vivaciously that whatever was around the corner didn't hear it.
'Surprise it… It's just a damn Nightmare Creature, it won't see it coming.'
He put the sword up in front of him, his remaining eye held a look of pure focus. His terror and apprehension started to fade away, and the conviction he previously birthed resurfaced.
'Do what has to be done to survive. This isn't just for my sake.'
The creature turned the corner…
'It's arms are up? Wait, that's not- it's another person!'
It was another person. A tall, slim man with lanky arms and legs, dark hair, and the same pitch black clothing that they all wore. He had nothing on him. No backpack, no sword, it was only him.
Day's heart tightened in his chest. He wasn't exactly happy to see another person, even if it was better than the alternative, after what had happened. He knew how not to act, and knew what approach to take when it came to talking to other people, but did he really want to put it to the test right now? Did he really want to have to deal with another person? Even if this man didn't betray them, he didn't want that sort of threat looming over his back. He didn't want to strain his mind with a constant stream of terrible thoughts about what the man may do.
'Let me just feel this person out first… like I said I should. I can't jump so far ahead. He seems harmless… Agh, I spoke big, but I don't know what the hell I even want. Should I just keep my sword up and pass by? He seems harmless, and maybe he knew we were here. '
'Alright, it's fine. Speak to him, show him I mean no harm, judge if he is trustworthy, then we can go from there. If he asks us to do anything weird, or does anything suspicious, we can run. He's just a person, worst case scenario he chases us and I attack him.'
"I assume you are a traveler too?" Day whispered.
"Yes. I'm very glad to have found other travelers, just like me. You see, I lost all of my items."
The man took a singular step forward, and started to put his arms down. Day thrusted his sword out in front of him in an attempt to keep the distance.
"Stay where you are. Keep your arms up. How did you lose your things? What do you want?"
'Damn… I'm already freaking out. Gotta show him I mean no harm, don't be an idiot, Day.'
Day put his sword down slightly.
"Just… Stay back a bit."
The man's lips curled into a grin as he put his arms back up slowly.
"I was attacked. I stabbed the creature in the face and then ran for my life and escaped. I am very lucky to be alive. I just wanted to find others like me. I want to escape this canyon. I heard you guys. I thought I'd come over and show you I mean no harm. If you want, we can escape together. I've been here before, you see, so I know my way around. I verily assure you that we will reach the end seamlessly. I'll walk in front, to show you I mean no harm. I just want companions. "
The man tilted his head.
"So, how about it?"
Day lowered his sword slightly. He was certainly considering the man's offer. Having someone who had been here before to guide them forward sounded quite enticing, since he had nothing on him and Day had a sword.
'Considering he lost all of his stuff…'
"If you lost the rope too… Then that is certainly another reason why you need to find other people. "
A look of confusion flashed on the man's face, before quickly clearing up like it was never there in place of the same smile. Day paid it no mind. He was too focused on his racing thoughts to heed to something as small as a momentary change in expression.
"The rope? Yes, indeed, I lost all of my stuff. That's also part of the reason I needed to find other people. "
Day was about to say, 'Yes' after fully comprehending his grim situation, but stopped himself.
He looked over at Audrey slowly and locked eyes with her. He couldn't continue to be selfish. As much as he wanted to say yes, and get an easy way out, he had to consult his companion first.
"Audrey… Are you okay with this?"
Audrey looked past Day and studied him for a moment. She looked him up and down, and then settled on his face, which was plastered with an eerily charming smile.
Then she nodded.
"Yeah… I don't mind. He said he would walk in front, and he can climb up the rope last. It'll be fine, we just need to keep our sights on him. I mean… We aren't going to hurt you, Mr… Just so you know."
Day sighed. The emotions displayed in the sigh were hopefully unknown, but it was a sigh of relief.
Day stared at the man, trying to gauge his reaction.
"Perfect. I'll guide you along seamlessly to the end. You let me escape with you."
"My name is Envien, what are your names?"
"Day."
"Audrey."
"Let's get going then! We shouldn't stay here for too long, else we run into trouble."
With a smile, he turned around and began journeying forward into the deep darkness.