رWe remained hidden deep in the forest, far from any eyes. I kept looking back at Oustaria from a distance, its twisted silhouette still looming like a scar on the horizon. And yet… somehow, I felt like I belonged to that place. Even with its horrors. Even with its curse.
A pair of arms wrapped gently around me from behind. It was Lin.
My eyes were still wet.
"There's nothing in this world worth those tears, Rahin," she whispered. "I'm here with you… to bring you joy, just like you brought it to me."
"Rahin," she said again, a little louder this time.
"Yes?" I turned slightly, her warmth grounding me.
"I love you."
Her words pierced through the pain like sunlight through storm clouds. I smiled, even as my heart still ached.
"Even though we have no home?" I asked softly.
She nodded. "Even without a home… I'll still be happy with you. I'm sure of it."
Our moment was interrupted by Jif's voice.
"Well, I guess I'm just the third wheel here," he muttered dryly. "But maybe, considering our situation… we should focus on something else?"
He wasn't wrong. I took a deep breath.
"Then let's plan how to access the documents again," I said. "We wait for the patrols to thin out."
We stayed in the forest for nights—nearly a week—sleeping under the trees, living off whatever we could catch. Finally, we moved again, sneaking our way back toward the forbidden site.
This time, however, the documents were… gone. Not a trace left.
But strangely, no one noticed us. No guards. No alarms. Nothing.
So we lived. As if we were back in Oustaria—except without shelter. The only thing missing was a roof over our heads.
Jif and I took turns staying awake through the nights, protecting each other, guarding Lin.
One night, as we sat by a quiet fire, Jif opened up.
"I used to be… ordinary," he said, staring into the embers. "Then, one day, without warning, my body changed. Right in front of my children."
He paused.
"They were… terrified of me. Their mother reported me to the city. I was dragged outside and thrown beyond the gates. That night… I couldn't forget the look in my sons' eyes."
I gently placed a hand on his shoulder. "If there was something that cured Lin's silence… there might be something for you too."
He gave a faint smile. "Either way… it's been years. I'm sure they've grown up now."
Suddenly, a deep, thunderous voice shook the ground.
"Have you seen my daughter?" it said. "She must be here… I'm sure of it."
We froze.
The voice didn't belong to any villager…
It was one of the giant guardians—one of the Watchers.
We turned around slowly, our hearts pounding.
And there he stood—towering above the treetops.
I stepped in front of Lin, shielding her from the nightmare towering above us. She pressed into my back, and I tried to keep her eyes averted from the giant's terrifying form. Behind me, her breath quickened—but Jif stood firm, unflinching.
"Whose daughter?" Jif called up.
The giant lowered his head, voice shaking the trees. "Do not fear. I will not harm you. I seek only my child—Sarah. Years ago she lost her leg, and they swore she would be healed near this forest. My name is Drew. I've waited so long for release, and today they finally sent me out to guard a tunnel leading into the city."
"Drew, please—calm down," I said. "Your voice is too loud. If anyone hears us, we'll never help you find Sarah."
Lin's whisper brushed my ear. "I know her. She's… dead."
Before the words could reach Drew, Jif spoke quickly, "Don't worry, Drew. Your daughter will be fine. Just guide us to the tunnel."
Drew's enormous shoulders trembled. "Tell me the truth—did they kill her?"
Tears the size of pebbles rained from his eyes.
"Drew, please," I begged. "If you keep crying, we'll all be discovered."
The giant stifled his sobs and finally pointed deeper into the forest. He looked smaller than the other guardians—still massive, yet shorter, almost hunched with grief.
We slipped past him, following his directions toward the hidden tunnel.
Far away, back in the settlement, the Twelfth Wall began to throb—stone pulsing like a wounded heart. Black letters scorched themselves across its surface for every villager to see:
"Await what will come upon you for what you have done.
They will show you no mercy."
The warning glowed in the night, an omen none could ignore.
Tell me in the comments if you want the rest of the story.