Chapter 5: Blood
A cold mist wavered through the room. A quick shiver spread down my spine as I briskly opened my eyes, peering up towards the roof. I sat up, looking around as no sound but the birds chirping outside echoed through the room.
I looked at my right arm, wrapped in bandages and barely able to move. It vibrated with pain, as if every bone in my arm was broken. My left was covered with scars, and looked slightly discolored to a bruised-like appearance.
"What happened to me?" I mumbled as I fell back onto the bed, "Why do I feel so weak?" I looked at my hand — remembering nothing but the beast. The pain. The blood. I tried to clench my fist, only for my fingers to shake; a cold sweat hovering over me with an immense sense of regret.
I heard a slight creak coming from the doorway as Yumi stood, staring aimlessly towards me. I noticed Rikka just behind her, leaning over her shoulder.
"Eren?" I heard Yumi murmur as she ran towards me, swiftly wrapping her arms around me and began to squeeze. "I'm so glad you're alright!"
I felt an immense surge of agony and pain surge through my body, feeling as if all my bones had been re-broken with one swift hug. "Uh, where am I?" I asked, my voice sounding as if it was clenched tightly, followed by a raspy tone.
"This is the nursery in the Guild Hall." Rikka explained. I looked over towards her as she sat on a chair, placed just to the side of the bed.
"The nursery?"
"You strained quite a lot of your body fighting the elemental, so we rushed you here." Yumi chipped in.
Rikka had almost a somber look in her eye, a deep, senseless gaze fixated to the floor. "Actually, even now…"
I couldn't help but feel as if there was a hole in in my heart and a dagger through my gut. I was barely alive. Even accounting for the time that I recovered, I was on my last legs when I collapsed.
"But it's impossible," Rikka spoke, "What we encountered in that cave was an Elemental – a creature which went extinct over 500 years ago."
"What does that mean?" I asked.
"It means that job was wrongfully assessed. It's my fault you both have those injuries. The good news is that we get an extra reward because of that." She handed me a small pouch as it's contents rustled inside. I opened the bag as the gold pieces inside shined back at me.
"What is this?" I asked while resting it in my hand.
"You're sharing the reward. Me and Yumi took 12, and you get 16 for doing most of the work."
"What? I don't think I deserve that much… I was scared. I wanted to run, but I couldn't leave you guys. You two are just as deserving for this gold."
"We'll, you saved our lives. Take it as gratitude!" Rikka looked over towards the door with a slight smile on her face, and began to leave.
"By the way-" she began, "Enna wanted to talk to us about what happened. It seems your heroic deeds may be the talk of the town soon-"
"Wait!" I stopped her. She grasped the handle down, just before stopping to listen. "Please… don't tell anyone about what I did."
Rikka looked back at me, her face lingering with a confused expression. "Why?" She asked.
I didn't really know what to say. Yumi looked at me from the other side of the bed, also with the same confused expression. But as I was about to speak, I swiftly shook my head. "Forget it, go ahead."
Despite my response, Rikka stayed by the doorway and peered towards me – her eyes piercing into my soul. "Where are you two from exactly?" She asked, now with a panicked, somewhat disturbed tone.
I felt my heart drop as she asked this. I turned to Yumi, who also seemed a bit taken aback by this question. "We're travelers, like you. We aren't from anywhere." Yumi quickly replied, a slight stutter staining her shaking voice.
Rikka let out a slight sigh – her hand clutching the door as it swiftly closed shut. Yet in the blink of an eye, she spoke; "You're in more danger than you could ever imagine."
* * *
I paced down the stairs to the main hall – a bustling crowd of people sat at the bottom, drinking and cheering as loud music played in the background.
I made my way through, sitting down at the bar near the front. I found myself wandering back to what Rikka said. 'You're in more danger than you could ever imagine.' I looked down at my hand, only to see the false image of who I thought I was – only able to see my blood-stained hands.
"What's with that look of yours, Eren?" I heard Enna call out to me. I looked up at her as she approached me, leaning onto the side of the counter.
"Hi, Enna." I replied, quickly looking back down to the table. Although I couldn't see her, I knew she was slightly worried. "You know," she started, "It's not every day that a few low-ranked rookies survive an encounter with an Elemental. You should consider yourself quite lucky!"
I let out a slight chuckle, though I didn't know what to say. I couldn't really find the words. "Enna, I need to ask you something." She looked back at me, instantly causing me to look away.
"I don't know if I want to keep going." I murmured. Just saying those words put a deep burden on my heart – a silent, painful flame that burned into me. I didn't want to look at her; I couldn't. Despite the noise, the chatter, the cheering behind me – it was quiet between us. A void within a cheerful crowd.
"If you really want to leave, that's fine. Only problem is what you'd do after. After three days of walking, you will appear in a large field leading to a town known as Ceptis." She started, "Go there."
"What? What do you mean?" I quickly turned my head up to her, wanting to know more. However, by the time I turned, she was gone.
* * *
I slowly peeked from behind the door, peering into the room. It was dark, but more importantly empty. I walked in, shutting the door behind me and collapsing down onto the bed. My eyes wandered – looking around the room as I contemplated. Contemplated what happened, what Enna said.
Both me and Yumi haven't seen Rikka since I woke up. From what I know – along with the people at the guild hall – it seems like she left town. Yumi went out to try and look for her, but she came back not too long before I talked to Enna. I guess she's probably out thinking like I am. But I couldn't get my mind off of what Enna said. Ceptis. Should I really go there? Should I get Yumi to tag along? What about Rikka?
So many thoughts and questions filled my head, it felt as if it would explode. Then again, if I stayed here, continue to be an adventurer, I don't think I'd stay sane for much longer. The image of blood staining my hands; it's too much. It makes me think back – the corpse in the woods. I never told Yumi about it. I never told anyone. Because it haunts me. Am I any different from whatever killed that person…
I tilted my head, peering out towards the window as the sky turned to a somewhat grayish-blue, the night sky beginning to form overhead. "I need to," I murmured out loud, "I know you'll hate me, but it's for your own good."
* * *
The moon shone overhead, subtle sounds of crickets chirping as the streets were empty – the lights illuminating the deserted town. I sat on a bench, just out at the door to the guild hall. My thoughts – repeating in my mind like a never-ending movie – clouded my vision. All I could think of was Rikka and Yumi.
And yet, I stood. I stood and marched towards the end of town. With every step I took, the louder it seemed to become. The silent, empty street was filled with emotions of sorrow and dread, chasing a hollow shell of which follows me. But a creaking sound caused me to stop. I turned around, with Yumi standing right outside from the doorway.
"I'm coming with you." She said, quickly rushing to my side and grasping my arm. "Don't you remember our promise?"
My heart felt as if it was flooded – flooded with pain and a sense of dread. "You don't get it…" I responded, shoving her hand away and briskly continued to walk.
"What do I not get?" She asked. A sense of pain shrouded her voice. I could feel her pain; or possibly just my own. "Tell me!"
I felt her arms wrap around me, trying to get me to stop. She held me back, but all I could see was the blood that haunted me. I wanted to leave. I had to leave, or I would lose what I felt was me; myself. But deep down, I knew to leave, the more blood would have to spill. I don't want her to go through that – what I had to go through.
I grabbed her hands — about as tight as I could. I felt my own wounds vibrate with pain, but I couldn't stop. I shoved her aside, looking back at her. Her eyes – almost looking like they would begin to water – pierced into me.
"Do you know how hard this is for me?" I asked her, a subtle tone of annoyance and dread mixed in. I felt my fists begin to clench, almost an unwilling rage beginning to spread throughout my body – a plague that could not be stopped. "This- everything, how can you just ignore it?"
"What are you talking about-" She stuttered, slowly beginning to walk forward, step by step.
"The pain I saw; the pain I caused – I can't take it! Because of that, you can't go through the same thing!"
"You think I don't notice it? What you've seen, you think I haven't? We're meant to be together, yet you're leaving? What of our promise – just a lie?"
"I WANTED TO!" I shouted. Everything went quiet. Not a sound lingered in the air. A silent tear fell from my eye, grasping my own head in agony. "I wanted to keep that promise, but… I can't. I didn't know back then – what was really out here. After seeing what is- I can't let you go with me. I just want you to be safe…"
"Eren…" I heard Yumi murmur. I couldn't muster up the courage to look back up at her. All I could do was hang my head as tears fell from my eyes.
"I've seen and experienced the pain too... But I kept going because you were beside me."
A moment of shock caused me to look up. But when I did, My heart clenched. She looked back at me – tears falling from her eyes and her hands shaking, clenched together trying to stop.
"When you were still unconscious, I watched over you. I never left your side – and when I looked at you, I remembered back to the promise we made. I wanted to get stronger so you wouldn't end up like this again, but now…"
I stepped back. I don't know how to feel. My hands began to shake, and my heart began to collapse, my eyes wavering – unable to look into her eyes. But there was one thing I knew; I was stupid. I moved closer, grasping her around my arms and holding her into my chest. I felt her tears begin to grow, as she bawled into my chest.
"Please don't leave me-" she murmured constantly, being drowned out by her own hicks. And yet, all I could let out was a brief "I'm sorry."
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Saurx
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