Enmity's Lost Prodigy: Chapter 5 - Voyage

As the day became late, Farrah was more comfortable in her cage, practically hiding in it. Unice came by and told them the coast was clear but they refused to leave until night.

Farrah became hungry, and after denying her rumbling gut, Talia requested some food in return for their work. While Farrah thought about what she wanted to do, she figured that they would be there a while anyway. They could find something to do. Unice thought on it but declined, Cedric was a hard worker who tended to everything more than enough. Even if Farrah wanted any work, there was nothing to do. Unice came by a little later, offering some preserved tomatoes and eltoe juice. The company was payment enough he supposed but their stay would have to be short.

That night, Farrah went out and gazed at the stars having been cramped up in a hole all day, she was glad to get out. There was only so much of a war shelter one could take. Cedric fell back asleep an hour or so after the event earlier and Farrah and Talia kept to themselves for the most part. Talia, still trying to console her friend at the time, was extra glad to be out. The fresh moist air filled their longues like newborn spring, their senses returning, the world renewed.

Here, all was tranquil again. Here it was almost as though nothing happened, even though thoughts still lingered of the day, it was a distant memory that loomed over. Like a spirit who could never rest in peace, the spirit was free to roam but couldn't deny it's doom. Absentminded in the moment of all of this disaster was Farrah's only escape from the past. Farrah walked for her amusement, gazing off into the abyss of a dark nick of the woods. She sat there, though she had rested all day, this time she felt at ease. She was over rested and anxious. Farrah rubbed her wings, feeling for their weakness. She wasn't going anywhere too far for a while, maybe tomorrow night at the earliest. She doubted it. Looking back up to the sky a single star fell between a nest of clouds. The moon was bright, not full yet, but cast the world in limelight where the clouds permitted. In this patch of grass, the clouds had let a small beam onto the earth, still in the shadows Farrah witnessed the night unfold.

Two Fireflies danced unaware, small little things that made Talia look big, carefree and in love. They wisped left and right, teasing the other until they came close. Dying in laughter they split apart and reenacted their journey. Mysterious cultures they had, Talia once talked about forest tribes and speaking in dance, storytelling, and even rituals. Soon into the epic that played out Talia started to question. “Should we be watching this? Cause this is kind of a thing.” Farrah was still enchanted by their lights and the way they glowed. “Say, when are you going to get a boyfriend?”

Farrah veered her sight to Talia. “I don't think I could get one if I tried.” Though saying so she remembered the store clerk. He could accept her, though she would still never be able to be seen by anyone else, and maybe he was a little distracted at the time. “Well...”

“What about that Cedric feller?” Talia suggested. Farrah made a peculiar noise which sounded like she had swallowed something nasty and choked while laughing. “What's that about? He won't judge.”

“I barely know him, and he's my cousin.” Farrah explained

“You got plenty of time to get to know him, and he said he was only married in right?”

“What do you know about my family tree?”

“I know there is a lot of technical details and when you deal with my family, no one really respects the whole family thing, like cousins are fair game. Buuut, that is just my family.”

“What is it like?”

“My Family?” Talia asked. Farrah nodded “It's complicated, you know, sixteen brothers and sisters, two extended families, every day is a reunion. Nothing I want to get too deep into explaining.”

“You don't talk about your family much...”

“Neither do you, until now, I never know how much worse you had it. For all I knew you might have never even had parents. Just popped on this world like blam, then here you are.”

Farrah blanked out again, worrying about her Father, leaving Talia to talk unheard. She couldn’t help but think of the risks ahead. She still didn't let that desire to see him again die. Very adamantly she planned to go in, head first if need be. The ideas swirled around her mind, dancing, enchanted by the sight of the two lights.

Farrah shook herself awake and returned to what Talia was saying which by the sounds of it, she didn't miss much. “What about you?” Farrah asked.

Talia tilted her head, in context completely puzzling her. “Yes, me... What about me?”

Acting as though she didn't just stumble, Farrah continued “When do you plan on getting someone?”

Talia shrugged, having been cut off of her story, no less seemingly unrelated to the moment. “I got you right?” This caused Farrah to look rather squeamish for a moment. “I don't need anyone special.” Talia continued setting Farrah at ease. “All the guys I know are all buttheads, all my other sisters are mean spirited. You are the only other I know, and the only friend I really need. I mean... Who needs relationships right?”

“Then why ask me?” Farrah questioned.

“Well... Sometimes you kinda look like you need somebody else. Someone you can actually talk to for once...You know? Maybe I just wanted small talk, I don't know.” She took a moment the relax a while longer enjoying the night. “You think those fireflies are new to this love thing? They've just been dancing about forever. HURRY UP AND JUST KISS ALREADY!” She exclaimed. The two fireflies stopped. Unable to see the culprit in the dark, they took their party elsewhere.

Farrah felt bad for their interruption but tittered guiltily to their reaction. “Well,” Farrah announced between chuckles. “I'm glad you are happy with things as they are.”

“What do you mean? As is, I’m pretty unsatisfied. Everything is upside down...”

“I mean having me around.”

“Yeah, come on. You are great to be with... But maybe I actually do need a little romance myself. With someone who... Isn't a complete weirdo... You think I'm just being cynical at all?”

“I think we are all cynical of another.” Farrah assured.

Talia relished for a while in relief. She smirked “Maybe even a little cynical of your non-blood cousin? Ah? Fair game.” Talia teased, nudging her friend.

“I'll find others.” Farrah shot down, still not attracted to a bookworm who spoke in dignified words and manor.

The stars showed themselves more clearly as they drifted into the sea from their cover, some shot across the sky, some disappeared forever behind the blanket of cloud. Soon traces of colour appeared between the pinholes only ever slightly as it started to show the true night sky. Purple haze and pink hues, the stars behind the glowing clouds and the moon that shot rays upon the earth. The wind had crawled to its crib and slept peacefully. The two friend almost followed.

Hours later, a figure walked close through the woods. Dark, solemn, earnest, making a round. He was as dark as the night itself. Peering into the glade, the moon had a cast new light over the trees and the once hidden Farrah laid exposed to the hidden world. The noise caught Farrah's attention and caused her to jump. Out from the dark came Cedric, covered by overalls and farm shorts. They were torn but intact. He smiled as he came nearer. Talia mistakenly fled to the back of Farrah's neck.

“What brought you all the way here?” Cedric questioned curiously walking towards the girls.

Talia Slowly moved to peer above Farrah to see it was in fact Cedric. Farrah wasn’t fully surprised, but wasn’t expecting his visit “Just wandering.”

“Luck then I suppose.” He replied soon noticing Farrah's hair rise and the figure of a wide eyed cat emerging like a submarine. His eyes widening himself to the ominous hair demon. “Your hair... It's enchanted.” He stated pointing to the top of Farrah's head.

“Nope, just me.” Talia announced.

“Talia?” Cedric confirmed

“That's what I said” she replied popping farther out.

“Your friend has some odd habits.” He motioned as to ask if he may sit with Farrah

“If you flew with her, you'd want a place to hide too.” Talia remarked

Farrah exclaimed “Hey!” as Cedric began to laugh.

“Fair enough.” Cedric said relieved, taking his seat “The night plays tricks on me. I never liked it, I suppose I read too many fiction, but my eyes still aren't what they should be either.”

Farrah noticed after a while, the bookworm she once knew with his oversized glasses was different. It took until now to notice, she thought maybe before he may have left his glass dinner plates aside but now it was clear that they were gone. “What happened to your glasses?” Farrah asked.

“My glasses, those were lost long ago. It's taken many years but I am starting to get my vision back, or at least cope with it. To be fair, my problem was always reading or seeing things close up without them.”

“I have an uncle like that” Talia butted in. “He's always bumping into things because everything that's too far away to run into isn't blurry.”

Cedric chuckled “That would be my life in a nutshell. It's a miracle I managed to escape the prison itself.” He said cheerily

Talia was curious, the grim subject left Farrah much more clammed up. “What was that like?” She wondered aloud “The prison.”

“Well, how do I put it... An incident occurred that normally would have been considered as someone with a deathwish. Soon after it became a full rebellion. I didn't hear to much of what was going on, just for about twenty minutes I reckon there was a lot of screaming and hollering over someone escaping. As they would have it, that person stayed around, it's a shame they got him. Before they did though, he had stolen the keys and managed to release many inmates. It spread wide and soon the entire complex was in anarchy. We were released one after another and lead an assault. Many had a grudge against our captors, others fled as soon as they saw the door out. As I heard it, one of which bearing wings made the greatest distraction for dozens to escape as the most skilled of the guards went to seek after her. I assume that was Farrah. Soon following, I managed to escape because of it. We went in all directions, from there I can't say what happened to everyone else. It was like living through the seven trials of the Alben codex from ancient times. Fearful, the souls of evil tortured to run through a maze in hopes to leave... Only to find out that they were never free when they found their way out, merely in another form purgatory. Though I assume those ancient times would be much worse than our trials. This however was a wondrous time, and a harsh time. It was the first time that I was alone and independent. Winter hit, but I read much on survival. I eventually made it here, caught taking crops. Unice asked why I did it, and I told him my story. He pitied me, and offered my earnest work. I've yet to meet my parents or even know if they are still around. But, enough of that, those times are behind us, and some of us wish to leave those times behind.” He said noting Farrah still upset over the events and wishing to let her be; however not restraining him from his next lesson. “You know what it will be like Farrah. You've escaped once before. You won't escape a second time. Have you thought about your father?”

Farrah nodded. “I have.” Still not willing to admit her crazy ambitions, she refrained from giving her call.

“Then are you still pondering it?

Without saying her intent she avoided the question saying. “I will never feel at ease about it.”

Cedric knew this but her response told him all too well. Veering down to his feet, he was still strongly against her decision but knew himself to be powerless. “You are still weak, you still have time to rest. I will never accept you throwing yourself away, and I'll be darned if I will aid you in knowing where to even start looking.” He firmly stated, looking deep into Farrah’s eyes.

Farrah only looked at him and asked “Have you looked for your parents?”

His mouth seized and his sight dropped back to his feet. The quell night fell farther into silence.

Two days had passed, and over many hills she flew. Stiff, but no longer weakened from her encounter. The warden had not returned, all was safe, and Cedric had said his goodbyes. “If I never see you again, I will mourn you. In going, I will still mourn you. From here, you are to me no longer living. For all of our sakes, may you succeed.” She was sad to see him cry as he did.

Two cliff sides mingled before her. A gate with a river running through. This was a pass through the southern ‘break shores’; the land coming up to the coastline where most the way from here was down through large layered plateaus and large plates. As she followed into the brake shores many chasms laid with steep spires and lakes over abundant. All rivers and streams would one day reach the ends of Shemlauls mysterious world, where to from there no one could say.

As they left the narrow pass, they were cast into a wide void of expanse, high above a great valley where the watery bottom was almost endless. Here it seemed the chasms became so extreme that it created black water. Though the pool was secluded from wind and as still as stone so that one could see through it like glass, the bottom was impossible to find. Along the sides of these valleys, great plates stuck out almost impossibly with near no support underneath, merely clinging to the sides like blades.

Down below, along a shore of the lake was a small settlement of houses and villagers whom ran boats across the the crystal surface. They would collect algae and hang it, from here however, they seemed like specks of dirt as they pulled the cloud of mass onto the shoreline. The distance below her was unimaginable, and the canyon still lowering deeper on ahead long the river.

Along the sides of the canyon the edges came closer and closer until they turned into a tunnel, with the exit in sight well off ahead of them. All streams lead the way, Farrah pressed forward and continued. Somehow this waterway would have to one day reach the seas or dry trying.

Her dark burning wings chilled quickly undergoing the shadows of the tunnel. This moment was refreshing, Farrah wished it would last but knew that with the luminant outer world in front of her, she would bare its’ weight again. Once exiting, the land opened up. Around here were sheets of land, all shedding away from her country to the great abyss. The flats laid shying away as the ledges aimed to pierce the sky like battlements against the evils below. Little to her belief, Farrah saw houses here too, this uneven rocky land was many people's homes. The river became waterfalls and split multiple times cascading against the rock, however all ending in a pit of mist along a wide exposure. As they ventured down this decline, lush trees popped up, the greenest Farrah had ever seen. Their fresh hot air became intoxicating and potent with oxygen, and moisture. The clouds pulled over, thankfully giving some rest by partial overcast, it came in spurts. Soon following the only stream that was left, it vanished into the underground and left them only to follow the decent.

The rock here was darker. They followed a few splinters in the ground that emitted a mist, warding a small path through the forest below. It seemed as though there was some latent volcanic activity deep down and hopefully some sign of waterflow. Talia was fascinated with all that surrounded them “Farrah, I've never seen anywhere like here before. I've seen some interesting things, but these sights, their kinda haunting.”

“What do you mean haunting?”

“Their, well... New, and for the most part smell weird.”

Farrah chuckled “Smell weird?”

“You don't use that nose of yours, you wouldn't know. When I smell something brewing, I watch out. It's what keeps me safe.” Talia said defensively.

“If you want to stay behind...”

“NEVER!” Talia exclaimed “I don't like this one bit, but I'll be darned if I'm gonna leave you alone.”

“Then try not to complain too much.” Farrah sighed, exhausted and unadapted to the new climate.

“See, strange places, don't like it.” Talia reinstated

The rest of the way was very tiring and sapped Farrah’s strength. The slide crumbled and took a death drop into a deep abyss filled with fog bordering a raised flat plane of grass and bush; one of the last pieces to stay intact around here. The cliff acted as a wall but it most likely had slid into the depths to retain its’ composure. Other land masses were not so fortunate creating quite the landslide or boulders and sun bleached splintered logs.

At the edge of the platform, Farrah veered to the side. She clung to the side of the cliff, squinting at a void. “Is… That the abyss?” Farrah asked redundantly. She was indeed catching glimpse to the ceiling of the shadow downs. This was not the only cliff facing it, other small ledges along the rocky shore existed in poor shape, following a fault line towards it. The mists below her were actually a river that flowed out into the basin of the world’s edge. In the distance, there was another shore adjacent to it, looking out as they did.

The shadow downs, below the mist was said to contain all horrors, walks of life unsettling and unnatural. Demons that had fled the lands in search of this dark haven for them to crawl into. From there the damned had crept out in search of children. Having been told this story from her ‘Uncle Artheour’, it was was merely a spooky thriller by the family servant. Before her now standing atop the cliff, Farrah was rather concerned. For a moment, she wondered just what Artheour would he think of her now. Never did anyone imagine she would be here now, outside the might-as-well-be forbidden lands.

“That is by far the weirdest thing I've ever seen.” Talia astonished

Farrah came nearer, walking endlessly along the cliff's edge, making her way to the tides. Both sat there staring off at the rolling mist. An endless sea of it in fact, so far stretching that one could no longer differentiate between the sky and the ghostly ocean of mist. The wind moved the mist along like waves of cloud, twisting, warping, turning. This tranquil moment, suspended well above its surface hardly seemed like the horror tales that were made of it. A few rogue waves made plumes in the air, and one or two caught Farrah off guard. Being inside these massive thick clouds was unlike anything in the air, these were very thick and smelled of strange gas. There was also a hint of sulphur and ash. Talia, with her acute ears also heard many noises from below, cracking, whistles and to some extent echoes.

The Shadow downs of the olden time were just as normal as the rest of the world. The cataclysm caused much of the plates of Shemlaul's earthly crust to shift, some rising while others lowered, tilted, and sunk forever. The ocean flooded into the new lands and valleys as volcanic rock and openings caused most of the water to expel. For well over a century, it's fury has not ended, the mists that surrounded their country was merely a small wave in the history of this world as it fought for equilibrium. Is it inhabited by monsters? Maybe, but no one is brave enough to explore such a feat as the dark underbelly of the shadow downs for long. Those who had, only claimed the sights they managed to escape from. Home of spiders, reptiles, and the transformed. Surrounding the country on all sides, the unbreakable tide, the people trapped on an island for many lifetimes to come.

Farrah rested well, the time was still early, a little past midday. She couldn't take her eyes off the mists and their mesmerizing tides. She feared what horrors awaited her from below. The soft cotton sheets hiding strangling claws and sharp mangled gory teeth. After a while, they looked much fluffier than her nerves would deceive her.

South more, that is where she needed to go. Farrah looked along the coastline as far as she could but still no tower or prison. It would be a long while before she could manage to so much as spot it. Sure enough though, it was that way.

Cedric as reluctant as he was, and still hated the fact that she was leaving to find her father, he finally confided in her the prisons location before their expedition. Even coming all the way here was partly to do with him. Though he gave in, it did not make him feel any better. If she was serious, he would only get her killed or worse by withholding anything any longer. The night prior, he explained a lot about what they might see, and where to look. If they were lucky, Daven would be in the highest tower, if not then the lowest dungeon. It all depended on how they saw him. Though the exact route was unknown, at least he remembered the atlas and his geography pretty well.

Her wings were ready, it was time to follow the shore and continue to her father's captivity. A long flight awaited them, clinging just below the cliff to be safe. Always weary of others, she kept an eye above her, hoping to approach unseen.

Along the coast Talia became rather chatty. Farrah, began to open up a little. The thoughts of seeing her father gave her hope and felt happy to passed onto Talia what she was told long ago. “Once my father told me of a place along here that was special to him though he never admitted to where. He oddly enjoyed these tides and would have wanted to live by them if not for raising a family. It sure is beautiful though.”

Talia nodded softly “No kidding, but it still gives me the chills. What kind of monsters live here anyway?”

“He never really said, he called them people of another way, but he was very optimistic of others in general. It could mean anything.”

“Is that where you got it from?”

“Hardly, I never had that kind of love for everyone as my father did, nor do I think I could really meet anyone without watching them very carefully. He is a much better man than I... Anyway, these lands weren't really discussed much, just that they are quite dangerous but only below the mists, as long as we are safe up here, nothing can get us hopefully.”

“Has he ever seen what is below?”

Farrah took a moment and not enjoying herself to say so, she replied, “Yes, he told me he was young, never had he been so fascinated by something and so frightened for himself.”

“He saw something?”

“I think it was just the legends getting to him, he spent an hour there before it got to him and he left as quickly as his wings could drag him out.”

Attention poured off of the endless ocean and moved to the cliffs ahead which were in shambles. They were not easy to traverse, most of the cliff was rugged, and when she was not hugging a little too close to the rock she was exposed greatly around the bend. Her altitude would drop to compensate relatively often and with the consequence of below in mind, she made great effort to ascend quickly. Surely enough, at the ends of the rocky cliffs she managed to cast eye on a large structure. It was deep and looked as though it sank in it's ages. Tall, slender, and morbidly constructed, it suited the very idea of what a terrifying prison should appear to be. Almost touching the mists itself, the building’s lifeline held a fine thread to the eroding hills.

“That's it there, I'm sure of it.” Farrah announced.

Talia popped out and perched on Farrah's shoulder. Taking some time to adjust her eyes to the world outside Farrah's nape, she struggled to find the spot. Finally, coming to somewhat of a decent distance she too saw it. It was a far ways off, and Talia made it known “That's going to take forever to get to. It's a miracle I can even see it at all.”

“It might take a while, but we'd be there well before nightfall...”

Closer, they found a small platform to patiently wait for the setting sun, a time of Farrah's greatest advantages. Like a spectre, all that would be seen would be the white body of a small dove and two ribbons along her wings to carry the phantasm. She would be far too quick to be noticed, and if she did, they would think they were haunted. Farrah was ready to strike back and too eager for her own good. She pictured herself and her daring rescue passionately focused in her fantasy. The occasional worry still lingering.

Talia, influenced by the grim stories of Oblavaeya took this time to bid her friend farewell. Talia herself being of unexiled race had no problems there like Farrah did. “Do you think it's really all that bad?” the small cat asked, clasping herself tightly into her knees. Her ears slightly twisted as to listen though she didn't expect to hear much of an answer.

“It might be.”

“Figured... We know almost nothing about here, just going off of a whim.”

Farrah rose up agitated. “You know I can't wait... I...” A rude shiver of sadness passed her by almost breaking Farrah into tears. “I miss him... And, I have to because if he is still in there, I can't imagine leaving him there any longer than he needs to.” She said in stern duty.

“And what about you? Are you going to just walk in blind?”

“And he misses me too!” Farrah continued deaf “All this time, not knowing what happened to me, it hurts. It hurts me all this time not knowing too.”

Talia laid on her back trying to relieve the stress inside but ultimately finding herself restless. “Do you think he'd want to see you toss yourself away for him?” Talia shot out, turning her head to Farrah.

Farrah, still stuck up, grit herself and held it in. Finally, she came to terms. “No, he wouldn't. He wouldn't want to see a single person sacrifice themselves... But a thousand men and woman would if they knew him like I do, and that is why he is worth going in blind. He's a good man... He would sacrifice himself for my sake.”

“Can't you see that you are not the only one stressed right now?” Talia spoke pressing her situation into an assertive tone.

Farrah snapped. “What do you care!? You're not wanted, you can just walk off and leave here.”

“Of course I care, why else would I be this stressed out with you. And besides, I have no where else to go back to!”

Farrah held herself. “You still have your family.”

Talia gave a course sigh. “I wish I had nowhere be return to, I left there without a moment's thought, I've never felt so happy as when I've been with you. You are my family, a... A sister I wish I had... I'm, I'm scared, of losing you.” Talia choked, fiercely “You are walking towards a prison that wants you in it, I can't help but care. I just wish I could feel the same way about my old man!”

Farrah took the time to digest what Talia told her, she sat down in front, staring at her friend's hidden cowering expressions crack through the exterior. “What if you thought about him like he was me?”

Talia forced a smile, still weary inside. It faded away and she looked aside until she could retain some composure. In an agreeing tone replied “I'd fight tooth and nail to get you out. And if you get caught, I will fight too. It's not just your head on the line.”

“You don't have to...” Farrah carelessly disregarded herself.

“But I would...” Talia bit down on her jaw “...And so would you.”

“So I guess you know...” Farrah nodded gently, “I'm still doing this.”

“I know. I know I can't stop you, and this is something that you need to do. I'm scared is all. Just needed to let you know is all.”

Farrah knelt forward and scooped up her friend and smiled, “I'm scared too, I wouldn't do this if it weren't for him.” Talia held her sister, and wished her fears away but they would not dissipate so easily. Talia nodded silently

In time Talia settled enough to inquire about the stragedy, as Farrah could only best describe as headstrong, and undeveloped. Go in, check, get out; and if all possible, with her old man. Talia, figuring as much and was far from moved to say the least. “Is there a problem?” Farrah asked seeing the plan much more straight forward.

“No, no, it's as I imagined. At least you are not going to one woman army this operation, that is all I can ask for.”

“I'm not dumb you know.”

Talia narrowed her eyes, “Yeah, but we could use an escape route, or a backup plan...” Farrah was about to raise a finger, but Talia continued “Other than high tail and fly like Kaltaous.”

They discussed it thoroughly, and with every passing concern, they were turned more and more off of even attempting at all. Soon dusk would fall, and after scoring some local foliage it was about time to strike. They rested for what little they could, and made sure to be prepared with a proper escape.

“Turn left, double back, follow the cliff back.” Farrah confirmed. “And if anyone asks we are assassins.”

“I still don't like this.” Talia mentioned one last time, tucking herself into Farrah's hair.

Farrah shook off the remark, following her taking flight. The dark shadow was cast, unseen, and low flying. She flew to barely to skim the rock of the cliff closing to the prison. Rising was the fog and mists as the tide rolled in and the wind rushed them against the shore. Twice Farrah was hit by a gale wind, setting her unbalanced and almost crashing. With the cliff rounding off, the stronghold was in sight. She folded with the cliff forward to meet it, taking the shortest and quickest path. One good appearance of the spectre before hugging the stone brick walls and into the complex to scale the tall tower.

She made sure to stay from guards sight, and climb the fortress like a monkey. Always facing her back to her enemy, invisible, and watchful. Talia took roost to look for trouble, though for an inescapable prison, security wasn't very tight. Perhaps guard shift changed, or the prestige was held within it's walls rather than out. Still, three towers overlooked the facility which were easy enough to avoid, been given one of the four original had crumbled and fell with the rock down to a grim burial. Each tower stationed at least one guard by the looks of it, Talia reported in, and Farrah took to it more frantic than before.

Upon climbing she encountered the odd window which she dodged as to not alert the residents and kept as quiet as the claws of her feet would allow. Sometimes there were no finger holds and she had to ascend with her wings giving off noise. If given the opportunity, the architecture gifted her the ability to climb even quieter, and near the top, it was a matter of scaling by hand alone. The bricks got loose in some places, and she prayed they would not come out as to alert the guards; however by the structure’s frail chipped appearance, it was likely they were well acquainted with bumps in the night.

Finally, the top of the tower, the greatest achievement of criminal status to not be executed publicly. Of all places within Farrah's grasp, she had obtained the altitude to brag about, not by altitude but the gravity surrounding the entire ascension here. She was shaky and near hyperventilating from the exertion under the strict and serious eye of the guardsmen. A single window in sight, the chance of a lifetime, the prize of a dangerous feat. Barred, too tightly to enter. Farrah peered in, to see little of her father, but only to find an empty room with a single chain in the centre.

Talia peered in, and walked through easily without effort. She took a better look, eerily peering below her. Nothing in sight but walls, many walls, all inscribed by it's previous inhabitant. “Well?” Farrah whispered loudly.

“Uh... You, really, aren't going to like this.”

“Is he missing?”

“That’s a lot better than I thought you would ask… He's completely missing. Nothing in here except writing, lots of it.” Talia then whispered to herself “No bones, no blood.”

“I can see, what does it say?”

“You think I can read?”

“Wait, you can't read?”

“I can't say I've ever so much as seen the cover of a book. We have a different alphabet than you do, they're like pictures, none of this literature crum. You ever seen trees sprouting books like apples in the wild? I mean we haven't so much as...”

“I get it, I get it...”

“Well, I'm afraid we'll probably have to search elsewhere. I could probably slip by everyone and get to the bottom of this place, but I doubt it'll be easy.”

“Let me in there.” Farrah demanded, fed up.

“How? It's a prison, it's made to keep people in, you have a better chance out there.”

Farrah looked for an opening somewhere. Frantic, she started to pull on one of the bars, already weary and working on adrenaline. The stone had decayed and began to crumble. She managed to actually break one of the bars off.

“Whoa.” Talia astonished. “Farrah, I didn't think you were that strong.”

“The stone, it's old, it's practically falling apart.”

“Careful not to...” Talia gasped as Farrah pulled another bar out “Did... That sound like what I thought it sounded like?”

Farrah managed to pull enough out that she could squish in and made great haste in doing so. She bashfully smiled as the noise of a brick crashing to the ground. “They are used to that kind of thing, right?”

“You better hurry if they are not.” Talia warned.

Farrah quickly jumped to the dim lit walls and started to try and decipher the inscriptions. They were crude and poorly inscribed as the person doing so was very weak and had very little to work with. By the looks of it, they were over a year old, overgrowing in some places with the moisture and the colour of the stone fading. They told a very sad tale, nothing noting the person other than how they felt. It was a mess of descriptions. Farrah choked. She read a name inscribed, as “Nadalia.” Her mothers name, referred to as his darling, soon following came another name. “Karine.” and finally “Farrah.” His dearest daughter. Tears came rushing out at alarming speeds. She began to clog, and had forced to breath from her lounges.

“Farrah, are you okay?” Talia rushed over to find her friend curling deeper and deeper into ball.

She could barely draw air as her throat ran with mucous, and her muscles seized. She began to fall to the ground and hit her head.

“Farrah, calm down!” Her friend was incapable of sensing and was forced into grave depression, she could not hear her small friend. Farrah was certain her father was gone from this world and in each saddening word she read, echoed to that point. She had solid recognition, the empty cell and the overgrown inscriptions; he had suffered greatly with the separation of his family. Talia continued to reach out. “Farrah, get a hold of yourself!” Nothing was working, Farrah swung herself in anguish trying to release her crushed dreams. Talia knew that Farrah hurting herself would do nothing to ease the pain but only give her more to deal with. “Why am I always picking you back up? You are the stronger one, and the older one here. -- Stop squirming!... I don't want to do this.” Talia said tracing her claw down the nerve where Farrah always complained about. With one swoop, Talia bit into Farrah's neck

The sudden pain stopped Farrah, but she instantly retaliated “You didn't have to bite me!”

“You don't have to take the pain out on yourself either!... So I thought I'd do it for you instead.” She said licking her paw.

“I don't care!”

“You wouldn't tell me what's going on so I panicked.” Talia barked back.

“He's dead!” Farrah scowled

Talia looked blankly for a moment and snapped out quickly. “You don't know that.” Talia didn't know either, but she knew it couldn't happen, she didn't think so at least.

“How do you know that?” Farrah retorted

“You can't really write down that you have died, after you have die can you? Keep reading, maybe they moved him somewhere.”

Farrah nodded, shaking herself back to reality, determined and quickly poured over the scripts once more. Farrah agreed with Talia, somewhere here had to say something about what happened. Though she also realized she also couldn't read that he died either. All Farrah could hope for was some kind of solid clue.

Talia only gazed, unable to read it, but stood amazed. “He really was here... And she really made a holler back there.” Talia instantly took to watch duty, and kept one eye open for her friend. Maybe if she read something proving his death, she wouldn't freak out all that much this time.

Farrah read and read and read. There was so much he had put down, each in a new tone of speaking. Ten minutes went by, some text was hard to read, and some were too scratched to be legible. He spoke of many times of his life, recalling childhood, recalling the present, and much of how he missed his family. One piece however spoke out very clearly to Farrah, and it said “In this I remember how much I missed those times, I missed my after super tea before my study, Farrah would come to play with her toys there so she may be near me. Nadalia, how I loved her. She thought it was cute, as did I. I never had the chance to tell you, and I fear I never will, but I would trade my life just to be there one last time to smile, to see you. One last time to tell you, I love you. Farrah...” The rest continued on as though speaking to his wife, another for his servant whom he was glad to house and feed well. He never believed in having her work for them, and treated her like an aunt as she tended to the garden. More scripts talked about pain, suffering, and most wrenching an illness. He claimed his cell to be colder than all Kale of olden legend, the lands one revered before the cataclysm as frigid. The rations were old, the rain leaked in, and the shackle was uncomfortable.

Finally, a passage referring to a bleak moment where most of the words were hard to understand. She didn't know what it meant until a moment of clairvoyance in his written testimony that he would not die of a broken heart, nor a poor treatment before tyrants, but simply because no doctor could cure him. To which, they honestly tried to save him. He died with love.

The walls echoed, falling inward, and crashed beneath her. In a choke, stricken by the last unsettling words and a very clear gap of wall until the next chapter of his unwritten legacy, she cried unlike anything anyone had ever heard. She cawed, from the depths of her heart, and that cry echoed through the hillsides and well into the abyss below the tower. It was the only noise that could escape her. This howl into the night sky caused Talia to nearly faint. In catching herself, she fell off of the windowsill and tumbled to the ground.

Quickly retaining her breath, Talia shouted. “WHAT THE HECK WAS THAT!?” Farrah was limp now, knelt down and bent backwards. Crying to the heavens. “We need to get out of here now!” Talia quickly latched to Farrah's shoulders. “Don't make me bite you again.”

Farrah fell instinctively to her side and picked up, making a break to the window, then dove out scraping the side of the gap. Her shoulder burned, worsening the moment in cringing failure. Everything seemed to fall apart, her fondest memories of life before the revolt crushed, caged and enslaved. She free fell. This moment was almost tranquil, all care left. If this moment could only last a while longer to push out the pain into numb oblivion, then paying the toll of her anguish may be worth it for another moment of silence; to feel the calming rest of falling to the ground beneath her was like a weightless moonlit blanket, but the ground came up to meet her.

A tear pulled off, not knowing what to do Farrah looked attentive to the ground below. Maybe it was too late, maybe it wasn't. To try and lose her last hope in another fumble of her irresponsible body or to accept her fate and rest peacefully. Farrah felt rest run away from her, she was too scared to rest, panic overcome her. Farrah swore she felt the devil grin, the calm rest that she curled toward was a venomous snake that laughed like the watching reaper. Farrah opened her wings hesitantly, begging some penance for her selfishness. She still had Talia, how could she face Talia. In a silent part of her mind, a memory began to play though she couldn't place it, almost a voice but she knew instantly what it said. Farrah remembered. Quickly She flung open her wing at full strength kindling a new fire that burned within her. His final words rang through her as though they were her own. “Don't you ever cast your hate onto others for my sake, keep living, it only hurts for a little while. I promise.” Sobbing, she could barely see straight, but she pulled up to escape the dark hand in the full moon.

All was lit and beautiful, but all was blind as tears tore sight like water met rock. She glided over the back wall as planned, and kept descending. Talia kept an eye behind her, and noticed two guards checking out the ruckus, and attempting to follow them into the mists. It was planned that they would loose them here, and that they would keep from descending into the accursed planes. Farrah, did not stop.

“Farrah, shouldn't we be going up right about now? I can't see them anywhere, I think we've lost them.” Farrah didn't respond, she was wiping the tears from her eyes, and almost falling again. She knew she would have to see to escape, especially in the dense fog.

The moonlight illuminated the lands and the mist underneath, instead of being pitch black, they were bright. Farrah finally ridding her eyes of tears for now, noticed a spire and shattered rock moving closer at alarming speeds. She retracted her hands from her face and forced them out, pushing the ground away. She touched the ground for merely a moment and took off again.

“You are impossible!” Talia exclaimed. Farrah kept going forward into the abyss, Talia was starting to panic “Uh, plan is to deke left remember? Head back to the cliff sides? Hello?”

“Change of plans Talia.” Farrah exclaimed “We're heading straight.”

“What!” She shouted, shocked. “No, no! This is NOT a thing, abandon course, or I'm abandoning ship. What are you thinking?”

“I'm not letting you die in vein father!” Farrah said to herself

“No that's exactly what you are doing, you just went from hell to worse.”

“There is a place far away from here, across the tides, my father spoke of it in his prison cell. A special land where no one has ever been except him, somewhere where we can be free. Somewhere outside the exiled lands.”

Talia shut up. “There is?...” She thought in her head. “You mean...” Finally Talia asked rhetorically “But why the heck out here?” She cried. Talia held on tightly, and shuttered before muttering in clairvoyance, sombrely awake “My goodness, she really is a lunatic after all... And I'm on board this crazy ship.” She wasn’t sure what to think, this was the breaking point where there was a chance to escape to the shoreline. She looked behind in the moonlit garden of fog, watching it slip farther away. “I'm gonna kill you after this!” She exclaimed.

Farrah laughed, “Fair enough”

“NO! Not fair! Not okay! I am not okay!” These complaints would follow her for most of their trip. At least until they had bigger problems.

-- I was but a young boy, foolish, brave, but mainly foolish. The shadow downs tempted me and like any fool I tested their waters. A land so shrouded in its confinement that a new world opened up. Lucid, pure yet tainted. It was perilous, ruthless, but home to many gentle of sorts. I found a land, far away, off the coasts of the eastern shores; a haven in the mists as wide and far as my young wings could fly. It is here that I spent a period of time missing, considered gone from this world by everyone I knew. Only two others know of this existence, my only brother, and my darling wife whom to this day would wish we could have raised our little family there in safe peacefulness. These memories, that I could never forget, are treasured for eternity.