Trotting towards the exit, I see something happening. People are being diverted away. I ride up to the gate,
"I need to leave," I say to the guard.
"I'm sorry, but no one can leave," he says sternly, blocking the exit with a spear.
"I'm closing the gate!" Another guard yells in the distance.
"What?! No! I must leave. Now!" I protest.
"Look, no one can leave. It's far too dangerous right now," he sighs, "I'm not supposed to say anything, but… you are making a ruckus. Please understand there is a horde of monsters from the Shadow Grove roaming," he warns.
He further explains that the investigators who went to look have not returned either. No communication.
"But don't worry, the Duke is sending in his elite squad. The matter will be taken care of soon," he says, smiling brightly.
Oh. My. God.
I step away from the gate and blankly stare into the distance.
I have no money, and I certainly can't ask to stay at an inn for free.
"I have to avoid them at all costs," I sigh heavily.
"Let's go back to that shop," I tell Orphnaeus.
We arrive back at Potion Raven. I dismount, but something seems strange. I scan my surroundings.
"Huh?" I am utterly confused.
The shop I visited is gone… no creaky sign, no broken window, or that door.
"Maybe we took a wrong turn?" I mount back on Orphnaeus, feeling strange.
We leave trying to find the shop, guided by memory. A few moments later, we circle back to the location.
"Wait a minute… Did we just go in a circle?"
Weird…
I pull out my book and scrawl—Potion Raven. I patiently wait for the guidance orb, but it doesn't appear. I make a decision to go to the town information guild.
"No matter how insane I sound, asking about a cursed place, I must know."
It is my only chance of survival at the moment, and I will not let it slip through my fingers.
I tell Orphnaeus to wait and head inside the guild. I head up to a counter and request help.
"I can't seem to find Potion Raven. I tried writing it in my map, but nothing happened," I tell the informant.
The person on the other end seems confused.
An informant is confused? Does that happen?
"What is Potion Raven?" they ask.
"What?" My head feels heavy.
Suddenly, I feel sick, feverish.
"Sorry I need to drink this health potion. One second," I tell her as I take a vial and pour it in my mouth.
The room is spinning.
"Oh no…" My words fade, as I fall off the chair, eyelids heavy.
I see the informant calling for help, as I fall off the chair unconscious.
The guillotine. A crowd cheering, hand in hand like a festival. I'm finally seeing that day again.
"Is this the truth?" I walk over to the execution stand.
Yes, a voice hums.
Startled by the voice I look around to see where it is coming from.
"Hello?" I call out.
No reply.
"Any last words?"
I recognize that phrase—the executioner.
I whip around to see myself, my old self, standing frail. Boney, tortured—I don't look human. Anger is beginning to rise. Eye white, blood dripping from ears, eyes, mouth. I try to wipe it away, but my hand doesn't seem to reach.
I watch myself suffer, one last breath, uttering a curse. A storm brews, thundering, and the wind howling.
"I will avenge you," vengeance resonates in my voice.
A moment of recognition, I pause.
It's me. That voice from this day, it was me.
I turn towards the bench, where my family would be. I see them laughing, every single one of them, except one person who is supposed to be there… isn't.
"Where's Benjamin?" I mutter.
I run up to the bleachers, looking for him.
"Where is he? This should've been a joyous day for him," I say, turning towards the execution stand.
Frustrated, climbing down I see someone. A tall figure in a dark cloak, standing beside the bleacher, trying to remain unseen. I walk up to the person, those eyes, that hue of blue. I recognize him instantly.
Why? Why do you look like that?
His face filled with anger, rage engulfing his fists. It's not towards me. He isn't looking at me. It's them.
No… no… this isn't fair.
"Why do you seem so angry at them? Shouldn't you be happy? I'm at the stand!" I try to hit, but my hand goes through him.
"You have no right to be this upset. After all that you've done to me!" I scream.
"Why…" tears trickle down my face.
I'm being pulled back all of a sudden.
"Wait, I'm not done!" I flail my arms.
I jolt upright.
"No!" I get up.
I glance over to the window. It's the blue hours of the morning.
Uncontrollably angry, I pick up my pillow and let out my anger. I punch it until the feathers fly out. I'm inevitably back. This time not in that hellish room. I'm back at the infirmary.
"How tiresome," I rise to my feet and pick up my dagger.
I walk to the bathroom mirror. The reflection staring back is cold, and empty. It doesn't show a few strands of red, like the way it did, before I left the inn. The scarlet has crept down to my neck, the way it was before I cut it at the Hunter Association.
Without hesitation, I raise my blade and cut my hair. No remorse or any sign of emotion. The same boyish appearance. I gather the black hair and throw it in the sink. I walk back to my room and pick up the candle next to my bed.
"I'm done with this," I say as I light the hair on fire.
I watch it burn until every single strand turns to ash. I pick up the ash and blow it out the window. It drifts away in the wind. Grief.
"Good bye. May we never meet," I whisper like a prayer.
I gather my belongings, and walk over to the cabinets where the potions are placed. I grab what is necessary and stuff them in a bag. Before I go to grab a change of clothes, I leave Mary a note.
"Thank you for healing me. I apologize for taking potions without your knowledge or permission, but I have an urgent mission I must complete—Signed Asphodel"
I head to the corridor and grab dark inconspicuous clothing as I had done before. After changing, I go to Orphnaeus.
"Orphnaeus, we must leave now," I whisper.
He gets up and we stroll through the streets early hours of the morning to the Hunter Association guild of this town. I wait outside their guild door, to be the first in line.