Duncan and I spent little time hunting for Elkin, the graceful animals that prance about along the grasslands. Duncan set a snare trap while I laid the bait, and we waited only for an hour before we spotted a large Elkin, identified by its large antlers. Tasting the baited mushroom, the animal was caught, and I used Gus’ hunting knife to finish the beast. We carried the buck back to our campfire and skinned it clean. 

Duncan just finishes cooking another meat skewer over a spit, broiled by a hot campfire that burns with my Vim. The meat is a bit tough, but it has a nice flavor, probably from the char.

Charlotte notices the massive wound on my back, and she offers to heal it. She reaches into Duncan’s knapsack and pulls out a familiar object- a Vim Stone. It’s a small translucent gem with a tiny ball of live fire inside, the same fire that burns within my chest. Charlotte crushes the stone in her fingers, and the flames inside seep into her skin.

“Okay, now this might sting a little.”

Charlotte places her hands together, slowly enveloping her fingers in blue fire. While she gently rubs her hands on my wound, I wince from the pain, but soon it’s like feeling a crisp river washing over my skin.

Fire Handling. A healing technique used by Clerics to soothe pain and heal wounds using only magic. 

“You should’ve told me about this cut sooner,” Charlotte says with a scowl. “It was a pretty deep wound, but I managed to heal it just in time."

“I didn’t think it was that bad of an injury.”

“Well, count yourself lucky the infection only just started.”

“Infection?” Ameline says. 

“Remember that burn you had?” Charlotte asks. “If I didn't treat that in time, it could've started to spread.”

Ameline’s eyes widen. “You mean… I’m going to turn into a-”

“-BUT the important thing is that we took care of it. So don't worry, you’re gonna be fine.”

“Tell me, Ameline,” I ask her. “Before he died, did your Grandpa get hurt?”

“Actually,” Ameline says. “One day, I wanted to make a bouquet for our neighbor, Marlene, after a wolf killed her puppy. So Grandpa went out into the woods to find a red flower for me, but he didn't come back all day. Then when I was playing outside, I saw Marlene’s door was open, and when I went in, she was on the floor with blood all over her! And one of those Fiends was there in her house. I ran away to the chapel, and I didn’t come out for a long time. But I kept hearing screams outside and I heard a man laughing and talking to himself. And then I saw him come in the chapel… and it was…”

When I see the tears in her eyes, I gently wrap my arm around her. She doesn’t react at all, but she stays still like a weeping little statue.

“But then,” Ameline says while looking up at me. “Then I met you. And when Grandpa attacked you, I thought you were a monster too. But then he came after me. And… and then you saved me.”

Seeing her dry her tears makes me bear a pleasant smile. It almost makes me forget that there was a time when she would not even look me in the face. 

Ameline passes the bottle of Jule around to the others, and when it reached me, there’s only a swig left. I stare blankly into the night at the sickly grass hills and debilitated trees. My mind is racing. Then several recent images come streaming into my brain- the hundreds of Fiendish eyes, a town with no chapel, a society that lived on without me. 

What if the rest of the world is just like Edolpha?

“I’ve noticed something. We may just be the only pure souls left. I never thought I could feel like a stranger in my own kingdom, but it’s true. This isn’t Cinedime anymore.”

“What makes you think that?” Duncan asks.

“Look at how times have changed. Nobody needs light anymore. I didn’t know those people back in Edolpha were Shadowhearts. They seemed normal before they recognized me.”

I look up at the Moon to bring me comfort. “This is still my kingdom, and these are still my people. They’re all in trouble. How am I going to purge the whole world by myself?”

“Triton,” Charlotte says. “Let me show you something.”

Then she rummages through Ameline’s picnic basket, which she had filled with a few oranges from a tree. Charlotte pulls one of the fruits out and presents it like a trophy.

“Take a look at this orange. The real fruit is on the inside, but it’s being blocked by a tough and bitter peel. Once you take the peel away, you’ll see that the fruit is sweet and delicious. And nobody ever takes the peel off all at once. It’s taken off in chunks, one little bit at a time. But the first part of the peel is always the hardest to get off the orange.”

And as she rips the first part of the peel off, my eyes start to lift. Even Ameline is starting to get it, but she has to think for a moment.

“Cinedime’s a big orange,” Duncan says, pulling out his map. “But I think I know the perfect place to start.”

While he stares at the map, Duncan’s fingertip grazes past a particular spot, right in the center of the continent- marked with the word OBSIDIA scribed underneath. I’m reminded of Gus’ story of the fate of my homeland, how the Shadowhearts claimed it as their own with that very name. All I can do is clench my fist tightly as I think about all those Shadowhearts frolicking in my city.

“If we leave at daybreak, we may be able to reach Theoton at dusk tomorrow. So long as we don’t run into any more trouble,” Duncan says.

“Theoton?” I ask. 

“Aye, the city of wisdom! Charlotte and I have been making our way there for days now, ever since I got this message.”

Duncan unravels a small letter from within his tunic. The paper is wrapped elegantly with a white ribbon and sealed with a wax symbol on the bottom-  a bright orange orb embraced by a red garland. I read it carefully.

“Dear Duncan,

I hope you will receive this message soon. The days have been going by much faster recently, and each hour feels worse than the last. Red-eyed phantoms haunt my dreams. I can’t help but feel like hundreds are watching me. I have no doubt that you believe my concerns, unlike my father. As quickly as possible, I beg you to make your way to Theoton. I will arrange a safe haven within the slums. I still see your face in the Bounty Office. When you arrive, look for Roland. I will reward you, of course. I look forward to meeting your new wife.

Yours truly, Bridgette Westfall, Lady of Theoton.”

“Bridge’ sent it by carrier pigeon,” Duncan said. “Who knows if Theoton is still in good hands, but we’d be off to a good start if they knew you were alive. She’s a real sharp woman. She’d be a great asset.”

He awkwardly looks at Charlotte, who crosses her arms in annoyance. 

“B-But she’s purely just a childhood friend, nothing more!” Duncan says frantically.

“Even so, we need all the help we can get. A city’s resources would be extremely beneficial,” Charlotte says.

“Will you guide me there?” I ask. “Because if you do, I can’t guarantee a reward beyond my thanks.”

“Of course,” Charlotte says, and Duncan nods silently.

“Then I have only one other request,” I say while pointing to Ameline. “Protect her life as you would mine.”

Instead of giving an answer, Duncan and Charlotte silently unsheathe their blades and raise them high. Charlotte gently places the face of her sword against his so that they cross together. With a thankful smile growing on my face, I call upon my sword to join together with theirs.

Three pieces of Cinedime’s final stand.

I look down when I see the pointed end of a small stick. Ameline, standing on the tips of her toes, raises the twig high like a sword. She earns a chuckle out of us, which makes her laugh too.