There I was, in this white fancy room. I sat down, then I felt it. My stomach hurt, I looked down, some kind of night shirt on me instead of the clothes I was wearing.
I touched my stomach, and as soon as my finger brushed it, I could feel a cold crispy spike crawling up my back. It still hurts, I looked inside, I couldn't see it; the wound was bandaged; the people who found us were surely well-intentioned.
Still a bit affected by my long sleep and the wound on me, I gently got out of the bed, my bare feet feeling the cold of the wooden floor.
"I hope that they're all fine, I have to check."
I approached the door to leave the room, the silence of the room amplifying the sound of the creaking floorboards.
I turned the handle and opened the door, revealing behind it a long corridor with a red carpet lining the floor, and a few doors along the walls. This place was spacious, I thought to myself.
I left the room, now in the corridor. There was no one. I wonder if I should knock at each door one by one or just walk until I find someone. I really wanted to avoid bothering a resident during a personal moment, so the second option was the best.
"Well, I hope it won't take long."
"Amos?"
I heard it, behind me, Leah's voice. I was so relieved to hear her, that meant that she was fine.
I instantly turned at her, a small smile on the corner of my face, unable to hide my relief at seeing her.
"Leah, happy to—"
As soon as I looked at her, my sight turned into complete horror.
It was Leah, standing in front of me. But there was a huge blood stain covering her whole face, her past blue eyes now just holes where blood drip from.
"L-Leah?"
This was awful to look at. What did I do? What happened? I really failed to protect her after of all I've done?
She was standing still, I couldn't help it but approach to check on her. The closer I get, the worst it looked like. She was now standing in a puddle of her own blood, her face was unrecognizable, now just a big bag of flesh grossly messed up. Slowly, everything around me became red.
I was close to her now, a few inches away. I slowly raised my shivering arm towards her face, the disgusting smell of blood and death all around.
When my hand reached her cheek, the sound of rotting flesh echoed throughout the room, her skin completely dead.
I froze in fear, disgust, or regret, I didn't know, all of that confused me. It was awful to look at. I could only blame one person for this, me. I failed, she suffered because of my weakness. I'm useless, worthless, even after being given a second chance I miserably fail again.
Then her mouth opened, the inside of it just a mess of her own fleshed mixed in, the gross sound of it separating as she spoke.
"It's your fault."
Those words hit my heart like countless arrows, because she was right. Then, thousands of dark hands emerged from behind, every single of them brushing Leah's face like spider legs. It was disgusting to look at, her rotting flesh being destroyed and absorbed by them.
I wasn't able to say anything, I just stand there looking at this awful scene. I wanted to vomit, to forget everything I saw, to forget how powerless I was in every situations.
And then, one of those hands brushed mine on her cheeks. I saw something that the existence shouldn't even being acknowledged to a human.
I saw Leah die in hundreds of ways, all of them as gross as the others.
Hanging, massacred by demonic creatures, completely torn apart in a pit, served as a feast for animals, hung by stakes on a wall, every part of his body meticulously cut out and place it on a table, crushed into a paste, cut into a thousand pieces, beaten to death by a crowd, filled with blood, drowned in her own blood, killed of exhaustion after being abused, I saw too much, for too long. Horrifying images passing at light speed in my mind.
"Amos!"
Then everything became clear again. In front of me was Leah. But this time she was just her, no blood, just Leah.
She looked at me a bit confused, a slight blush on her face embarrassed by my hand on her face.
"I'm fine, no need to be so tactful."
Yeah, she was fine. But what I just saw left my face blank.
"Amos, How are you doing?"
I looked at her, Words still eluded me, my hand gently leaving her cheek.
"You were in one of those states when I woke up."
I sight, I remembered how bad I was after that humiliating fight.
"I guess I must looked pathetic; I couldn't even protect you."
In a gentle voice, Leah answered, that same stubborn expression on her face.
"What are you talking about? Don't say that, it's thanks to you that we're still alive. I don't know how you did it, but thanks to you he left and left Mira alone, and Balto and I too."
She was sincere, her blue eyes looked at me, reflecting the sun light on my sight.
I didn't know how to feel, I should smile, show her that her words Comforted me. But I couldn't.
"Thanks for seeing things this way Leah."
I tried myself to look genuine, but I felt tired. My voice barely could gave anything.
Leah looked at me, with a confused and worried look.
"Amos, You must have suffered... I'm here, you know."
Here for what? What could she possibly do to help me?
My silence left Leah more confused, and on top of that, the expression I unconsciously gave to her after what she said wasn't the best.
I sighed, and calmed down and tried my best to not worry her.
"Don't worry, I'm fine."
Leah looked me with a look that didn't trust those words, but she didn't push it.
"I'll try to believe you Amos."
The corridor was silent, leaving the noise of a branch tapping to a window more loud than it should be. I couldn't look at Leah in the eyes and neither did she.
I should apologize, but I don't know if it's what I should actually do. I'm tired. I should just find something to say.
"Leah?"
She looked back at me, with a look that expected something, but what?
"Wh..."
The something snapped in my mind, I didn't really think of it this all time.
"Where are we?"
Even if the answer is obvious, I had to be sure.
Leah looked a bit surprised by my question but as she was about to answer, a voice stopped her.
"At the Willner Domain."
I jumped slightly, surprised by her.
"Oh, it's you Marcili."
Leah said, looking at her. She wasn't really surprised. When I looked towards her, it was a girl with blonde hair, wearing a fancy pale pink dress. She looked, well, noble.
"Indeed, Lady Leah."
She elegantly did a scrape bow towards me.
"Pleased to meet you, Sir Amos."
I was a bit taken aback by her gesture, I couldn't really feel comfortable with someone being so formal to me like that.
"No need to be so formal, just call me Amos."
Marcilli straightned up then nodded.
"As you wish, Amos."
"So what brings you here?"
Leah asked, Marcilli answer almost instantly.
"I primarly wanted to greet our guest, but father asked me to call you on my way."
Guest? Father? Does that mean—
"We have to go, Amos." Leah said, cutting me mid thought.
I nodded, then proceeded to follow Leah and Marcilli on the way. We traveled a the long corridor, before reaching a double door, made of a pure white wood, sunlight Indistinguishable on it.
Marcilli opened both of them, revealing behind a long table covered by a silky white tablecloth. The natural lighting was almost perfect, the table was in perfect condition, the cutlery reflected the light perfectly, everything was controlled down to the millimeter.
"Why are we here...?" I asked. I wanted to know what did our presence in such a fancy place meant.
"Father invited you to lunch with us to discuss things afterwards, it's the least we can do."
When she says her father, does she talk about—
"Thanks for bringing them here Marcilli."
It was an old voice behind me, at the door.
When I turned to look, there he was. An old man, maybe In his sixties, Hairs completly white, wearing a black cape matching his his black suit bordered with gold and noble motifs.
"I apologize for the delay; I would have appreciated being able to greet you first."
He looked at me with a neutral, yet somehow sincere look. I didn't know how to react in this situation, This place is nothing like I've ever seen before. I felt like an intruder.
"No problem, I'm the one who should be sorry for bothering you like this."
"On the contrary, I should thank you."
Thank me? For what? I don't know who this man is, and he surely is someone with a high rank. How someone like this could own me a thank you?
"Allow me to introduce myself, I am Marcidus Willner, The current owner of these premises."
Willner? Wait, I've figured it out. He's Mia's father.
"The lunch is ready, master."
That's what I heard from behind. It was one of the maids of this place putting down the last cutlery.
"Perfect timing. I'd like to invite you to eat with us, sir."
Wow, that's something that I didn't expect. I can't refuse that, neither I wanted to.
We all sat on the table, I took a seat next to Leah, I didn't really knew where to sit so it was the best option I could choose. The lord sat at the head of the table, a place that surely belongs to him, I guess. Marcilli too was on the table, at the opposite of me and Leah. So when she said father, she was referring Marcidus.
The dish on our plates was something I've never seen. It was a sort of juicy meat coated in an equally extravagant sauce, surrounded by vegetables I couldn't identify. The presentation of the dish itself was equally impeccable, each piece carefully placed in the right spot. The smell alone was enough to tell you how good the dish was, gently caressing the walls of my nostrils.
I can't lie to myself, but I really want to eat that thing; it made my mouth water. As soon as I was about to take the spoon, Leah stopped my hand.
Everyone had their eyes closed. She prevented something bad from happening.
"Glory to the goddess."
That's what they all said together. It was quite awkward because I didn't say anything; I hope no one noticed.
Then they opened their eyes, and began to eat, so I dit. The first bite was extremely flavorful, it was something I couldn't describe. I haven't eat something that good in decades, I even think I never did. I couldn't help but stopped a bit to enjoy the bite.
"I'm glad you like it."
Marcidus sais looking at me, it was a bit embarrassing for me, he noticed.
Leah let a small laugh out of her mouth, her hand slightly covering it.
"If you had seen your face." Leah's voice was quiet joyful, it was good to hear.
"Indeed, your expression was quite unusual."
Even Marcilli that looked too neutral said something.
"Sorry, It's just that I never eat something like that."
Marcidus smiled.
"It's a way of thanking you."
"I'm sorry but, thanking me for what? I'm quite confused."
"Sir Amos, you saved my daughter."
Saved? Oh, he's talking about Mira.
"I wouldn't really called that a save." those words slipped out of my mouth unconsciously, I maybe shouldn't have said that. It sounded impolite, and I quiet ruined the moment.
"You were in a deplorable state when they brought you back to the manor. And when my daughter woke up, your name was the first thing she said to see how you were."
Really? Maybe, but that doesn't erase anything of what happened, she got kidnapped because of me, Leah got hurt because of my weakness, the same for Balto. The only thing that saved us was absurd luck, and that woman.
"You didn't know what happened..."
The lord sight, I don't know if what I said irritated him, but he answered straightforward.
"Lady Leah told me what happened, how you saved my daughter from of the sect of the Eternal. How you managed to saved her again when she got kidnapped. You almost died for her, brought her back to me, and I'll be forever thankful to you for that. I promise to grant one of your requests."
A request? I don't really know if I wanted anything. I'm just tired of this... But I can't refuse that, out of politeness and because it would be a pure waste.
"You don't have to answer now, take your time."
"Thanks..."
The room went a bit quiet, only leaving the sound of utensils touching the plates. Leah was also quiet, she didn't really looked at me much and just, ate.
It didn't take long for all of us to finish. No one really directly left, they were surely waiting for me to give my "wish"
Of course, I thought of an answer during the time I was eating.
"I think I know what I would like; if you don't mind, I would like to be able to stay here for a few days."
Everyone listened carefully, and looked a bit surprised.
"Are you sure Amos that that's all?"
Leah said, looking at me.
"You did save my sister, you could ask for more than that." Marcilli said.
"Well..." I didn't know if I should ask for more but... Right now all I need is rest. I feel dizzy. I can't stop having those horryfing images, I'm tired.
"I see, if that's your answer, you can stay how long you want."
Marcidus didn't push it, he accepted to grant my request.
"I am truly sorry, but I must attend an important appointment, Lady Leah. Marcilli, please ensure our guest is well treated."
"Yes, Lord."
"Yes, Father."
Leah and Marcilli agreed, before Marcidus stood up and left the room, leaving us quiet.
"Amos, would you allow me to show you around?"
Marcilli asked me, It was the most common thing to do when having a guest, and I didn't have much to do.
"Of course, if you don't mind."
Marcilli nodded, then looked at Leah.
"Are you alright with that lady Leah?"
Leah was a bit surprised, she didn't really paid attention to the conversation, she was thinking in her own bubble.
"O-Of course."
"Perfect, please follow me."
We walked outside the room, back in that big corridor again. Marcilli Walked in front of me, Leah followed behind.
She named each room, each place; it was quite long. After a few minutes, we stopped in front of the door that led outside the manor.
"Alright, let's go outside."
Marcilli said. I looked behind to look at Leah, but she wasn't there anymore.
"Leah?" how did she disappeared, I didn't even noticed it.
"Lady Leah took a different path some time ago."
Really? It's not really surprising; she seemed distracted and quiet earlier. I wonder what's wrong with her.
Well, I should leave her alone and continue the tour with Marcilli. If there was something serious, I think Leah would have told me.