Capítulo 11: To Confront the Silence
That night, when Joseph returned to the palace, he was unusually quiet. The weight of the evening's events hung over him like a dark cloud. His mind was a whirlpool of worries, with one thought dominating above all others: Elayne. Was she safe? What had Flora done to the people of Mulberry Street? The uncertainty gnawed at him, each unanswered question adding to the knot forming in his chest.
He felt uneasy, as though there was a lump in his throat that refused to go away, making it difficult for him to breathe. This sense of dread clung to him, suffocating him with every step he took. He tried to swallow the anxiety, but it lingered stubbornly, reminding him of his helplessness.
"Are you feeling okay?" Misty's voice cut through his thoughts like a lifeline, her hand gently patting his back. The towering height of Misty was still something Joseph hadn't quite gotten used to. He wasn't a short man by any means, but Misty was on a completely different level in terms of physicality. Her body was a fortress of muscle, each fiber visible even beneath the layers of her armor. She carried a massive axe strapped to her back, alongside a broadsword so large it should have required two hands to wield, yet its handle was designed for just one.
"I'm fine," Joseph replied, though the words felt hollow as they left his lips. "But it bothers me how powerless I feel when my friend might be in danger out there." He paused, his eyes reflecting the turmoil inside. "And if Regal can't find these people, then what chance do I have? I'm just a nobody."
Misty looked at him with a softness that belied her imposing frame. "King Regal has his strengths, and so do you," she said, her voice calm and reassuring. "You may think you're weak, but deep down, you know there's something you can do—something even the Hero King cannot."
Joseph tilted his head, genuinely puzzled. "Such as?" he asked, his tone tinged with frustration. "I don't know what strengths I have, Misty."
"You are stronger than you realize," Misty said, her words filled with conviction. "You survived the torture that Hellmess put you through. That takes a kind of strength that few possess."
Joseph's expression darkened at the mention of Hellmess. Memories of his captivity flashed before his eyes— the searing pain, the suffocating fear. He had tried to bury those memories, but they resurfaced now with a vengeance.
Misty hesitated before continuing, sensing the shift in his mood. "If it were me in your place, I wouldn't have lasted a day under that kind of torment," she admitted, her voice trembling slightly. "I may look strong and powerful on the outside, but inside, I know my limits. I know I am not as strong as I appear."
Joseph looked at her, feeling a strange mix of emotions. He wasn't used to seeing Misty—this towering, invincible warrior—expose her vulnerabilities. It made him uncomfortable, not because he found her weakness unsettling, but because it forced him to confront his own insecurities. He had always seen himself as cold, detached, someone who kept others at arm's length. Yet here he was, being drawn into a moment of shared vulnerability with Misty, of all people.
It didn't sit well with him. He wasn't used to being anyone's confidant. After all, he had spent most of his life being aloof and distant, preferring to keep his emotions locked away. He didn't know how to connect with others on a deeper level, nor did he particularly want to. He was used to getting his way, to controlling the narrative. But this—this was something new, something he hadn't prepared for.
Still, he couldn't shake the feeling that perhaps, just perhaps, there was some merit in opening himself up, even if only a little. Maybe, when he saw Regal again, he would allow himself to be more honest about how he felt. But for now, the idea remained a distant possibility, buried beneath layers of pride and self-preservation.
Joseph sighed, pushing those thoughts aside as he realized he needed to move. Sitting around and dwelling on his fears wouldn't accomplish anything. He needed to find Olivia. The palace was vast, and if anyone could help him make sense of the chaos that had unfolded earlier, it was her.
He rose to his feet, his muscles aching from the tension of the day, and began to make his way through the palace corridors. The familiar marble floors and grand tapestries provided little comfort as he walked, his footsteps echoing in the empty halls. The palace, usually a bustling center of activity, felt strangely desolate tonight, as if it, too, was holding its breath in anticipation of what was to come.
As Joseph wandered through the halls, his thoughts once again drifted back to Mulberry Street. The sight of those red-eyed, twisted faces haunted him. What had Flora done to them? Was there any way to reverse it? The questions circled in his mind, each one more troubling than the last.
His search for Olivia led him to a secluded wing of the palace, where the quiet was almost oppressive. As he turned a corner, he spotted a familiar figure standing alone by one of the tall windows. Shaw.
Shaw had been the one who helped him escape when he was captured, and seeing him now brought a rush of gratitude and relief. But as Joseph approached, he noticed something off about Shaw. The man's shoulders were slumped, and his usually sharp eyes were clouded with worry.
"Shaw?" Joseph called out, his voice gentle yet laced with concern.
Shaw turned to face him, and Joseph was taken aback by the expression on his face. It was a mixture of fear and despair, emotions Joseph had never seen Shaw display before.
"Joseph," Shaw said, his voice barely above a whisper. "My family…they're missing."
Joseph felt his heart drop. "What do you mean, missing?"
Shaw swallowed hard, his throat dry. "I don't know where they are. I've searched everywhere, asked everyone I could find, but there's been no word. I'm afraid…I'm afraid something terrible has happened to them."
Joseph felt a surge of empathy for Shaw, knowing all too well the fear of losing someone dear. "We'll find them," Joseph said, trying to inject some hope into his voice. "We'll get to the bottom of this. You're not alone in this."
Shaw nodded, though the fear in his eyes remained. "Thank you, Joseph. I'm scared—scared that they're in danger, that I won't be able to protect them."
Joseph placed a reassuring hand on Shaw's shoulder. "You've been there for me when I needed it most. Now, it's my turn to help you. We'll figure this out together."
The two men stood there in the quiet corridor, the weight of their worries heavy on their shoulders. But in that moment, they found solace in each other's presence, knowing that, no matter what came next, they would face it together.
REFLEXIONES DE LOS CREADORES 
Peltivierre
Peltivierre Hello, y'all. I had a really frustrating day at uni today. My Tuesdays are booked from morning to night and I always feel tired. But since I love you, here's another chapter. I hope you do enjoy. Thank you all for reading, stay safe y'all!
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