Chapter 520: Lighthouse
He didn’t think he was going to be in such a big group again; after all, he was hesitant to be around Elise and Isak... and for a good reason, really, but here he was, in a group bigger than any he’d had ever since entering this part of the Wonderland, since he didn’t consider the underground Reader Civilization a group.
The leader of the group was obvious, after all; who else but Keres himself? If there was someone fit for the leader role, it was him. ’If I make a wrong decision, bad things happen, just like they did with Elise and Isak.
But... for him it’s different. He has the power to repair almost any mistake.’ Or at least, that’s what he had heard; after all, he had no idea how his powers worked. He never got the opportunity to learn them, to see him in action.
But he had a feeling that was going to change soon.
...
He... did feel pretty lonely, which was ironic, not only because there were so many people, but because there were some he had seen before, even some from around the Academy, upperclassmen, of course; he was probably one of the only Seekers here. Though he didn’t doubt their powers, even if they were in the same Academy as him.
But no one knew him like this; no one had seen him in this state before, covered from head to toe, and really, even if he wasn’t, he still didn’t think anyone would come to him. And this time it wasn’t because he was from the Withered, since they had no idea.
But rather because he was a no-one.
...
They continued to walk through a forest, feeling the leaves brush against his skin as they slowly fell from the sky, their cold tone getting absorbed by his mantle. But, in the end, they had been in the forest for too long; it had to end, and now it was time.
He could see the sun blinding his eyes as the trees stopped blocking it. He raised his hand to cover it as the forest ended and a coastline appeared. The sea was bright blue, and so pure you could see through it even from up here. His eyes sparkled slightly; after all, this was the first time he had seen land stop inside this place... he wondered if it meant that they were actually getting close to a way out... but the answer was probably no. Why wouldn’t there be oceans and seas? ’There are many stories that take place underwater.’
But the sea wasn’t the main attraction, but rather a huge lighthouse.
Keres chuckled as he turned towards the group. "Looks like our search has been a success." The other cheered, celebrating together, while Aether just walked closer to the front to have a better view.
But he didn’t see why it was so interesting. It was the standard lighthouse. With red and white stripes, and plus, the glass up top was broken, and the whole thing had been corrupted by Mother Nature. So what was so great about it?
"I see you’re confused." Aether staggered slightly, hearing Sofia’s voice as the girl got closer.
"You’re new here, so you probably have no idea what this thing means." She said, standing by his side, putting her hands on her hips.
"Some time ago, some of our people started to come with notes and drawings from the graves of long-lost Readers, even before our coming, and they all talked about one thing: this lighthouse."
’Which must mean that it had meant something to all of them, and really, at a time like this, the only thing that can make sense is that they believed that it was their way out; after all, being in their situation, getting out is the only thing you think about. I’m sure most here know that feeling.’
He opened his mouth to talk, but then quickly closed it, forgetting for a second who was talking to him, so he just awkwardly nodded, which made the girl sigh. "Still not wanting to talk? I still don’t understand why, but whatever." She said, leaving him behind. Aether wiped the sweat off his forehead, relieved.
As people started to settle down, Keres grabbed the strongest, including his sister, and headed towards the lighthouse; that way, if there was something inside it, there was no chance of them dying.
At this time, Aether lay down on the floor alone; as the others talked among themselves, he stood pretty far away, resting his head in one of his hands. His heart... beat like crazy, and has been ever since this little exploration first started, and got worse every time Sofia got closer.
He had no idea what it was, and why he was feeling this way... Really, the whole situation with her was so stupid, and he knew it. He had no idea why he was so afraid to just show himself; he could only name advantages to doing it, and he wanted to see and talk to his sister again.
To end the suffering his false death had caused her, and yet he just couldn’t bring himself to do it for whatever reason.
It was as if chains bound him, holding him back, and he had no idea what to do about them, how to stop them. Was his will really that weak? He hadn’t just gone through so much suffering, pushing through it all, just for his flame to be stopped by something like this.
And yet, it felt as if that was exactly what was going to happen...
’Maybe in the near future I’ll be able to do it; after all, I’m going to be spending a good amount of time around her..."
As he sighed, he heard footsteps towards him. Lifting his head up, he noticed Keres, smiling at him. There was no one else; all the others that had been with him had gone in other directions, so why was he here?
He smirked, tilting his head. "I have a little favour to ask."
...
...
Entering the lighthouse, Aether watched his step on the stairs; they were very old, and everything about them, how they looked, felt, and sounded whenever he stepped on them told him one thing. That they were going to fall.
Aether gripped the railing hard the higher they went. "So, why did you even need me for?" He said, looking at Keres.
Looking back, Keres chuckled, making eye contact with him, as he had taken off his hood; after all, there wasn’t anyone around, and even if there were others.
He really didn’t care; only one person mattered not to see.
"Well, you see, we searched this whole place, and luckily it’s safe; there’s nothing here, but unfortunately... that’s the thing, there’s nothing here, like nothing, no information. And trust me, we searched the place very well, but nothing."
’Nothing? Really, I would have expected there to be at least something interesting, with how many people talked about it."
"Alright-" Aether said, as he barely avoided falling through the gap between the stairs. Regaining himself, he continued. "I still don’t understand what this has to do with me."
"Isn’t it obvious?" Keres stopped, tilting his head. "I mean, when there’s no physical evidence at a crime scene, what do you do?"
Aether scratched his head as he thought about it. "You ask the witnesses; after all, they have a lot of information. It just depends on whether they want to speak truthfully... but there’s no one around this place, so why does that matter?"
Keres chuckled. "You’re right, there isn’t anyone here but us... at least to me and everyone else."
...
’Oh...’ Aether thought as he finally got it, his eyes drifting to one of the Lost around the place... and there were a lot, unexpected for such a place; while it was tall, there wasn’t that much space, and still, this was a lot of shadows in one place, probably one of the biggest amounts he has seen.
Aether sighed. "Alright, if you say so." He said, walking up the stairs to a shadow and locking his eyes onto its face.
"Hey, what happened in this place? What was it all about?" He asked firmly, as Keres happily walked behind him, staring at where he was looking... of course he couldn’t see anything, but he found it fun to pretend he did.
The shadow raised its head, crossing its arms, almost as if trying to seem bigger than him. He only sighed as he waited for it to talk... which, after seeing that he wasn’t budging, it finally did. "This place? It’s a hell; you don’t know the number of deaths that happened here, all because they were so obsessed with getting out that they started making things up, even worshiping the Wonderland."
Aether’s eyes widened. "I see... so they were just crazy."
Aether sighed, turning to Keres, but as he did, the shadow said one last thing. "Who knows? From what I heard, the leaders had a secret base near the sea; maybe they did have something there, even if you think they are crazy.
I still suggest checking it out." It winked at him.