Bk 2: Chapter Six (16)

Inside the darkness, Lizzy opened her eyes and could see quite clearly. Though she was still aware of the lack of light all around, she still could see stiff soldiers up ahead. She felt that he was staring right at her no matter how she moved so, she started to approach. She pondered upon what she should say to the stiff figure, but no words of greeting came out.

"Nether person," A voice like rushing wind echoed within her.

"Who are you? Why did you drag me in?" she asked.

"I did not," he answered. Still, Lizzy could not see his lips move. He stood as stiff as a statue in his wooden armour staring at her with dead eyes from his helmet.

"Nether people are not allowed on the mountain. Have you forgotten the pact?" the man asked.

"I have come to accompany my lady on her quest," Lizzy said cautiously.

"The Nether is not allowed on the mountain," the man said and started to approach one step at a time. At this moment, Lizzy panicked and retreated mirroring his steps.

"I did not know there was a pact!" she felt danger all around.

"Ignorance is never a worthy excuse," the figure kept approaching.

"Grilgor!" she called his given name and he paused.

"You must be Grilgor. I am not a Nether person. I am mortal,"

"A mortal who knows my given name," he said and she swallowed.

"I admit that by a fluke I became the Nether Lord's con…concubine," the words she has avoided saying had long got stuck in her throat on the way out.

"You have met my sister. Her smell lingers on you," the figure appeared before her, causing her to freeze.

"She allowed me passage," she said.

"Knowing about us will not help you here, Nether person," he said.

"I am mortal!" she insisted in irritation

"You still think so?"

"I am still alive!"

"You lost your mortality when you entered Nether's harem. Yet you did not cross into quite anywhere. You are neither mortal nor immortal, neither dead nor alive. Why should I spare you?" he asked.

"Then, I am not quite Nether nor am I mortal. What laws do you use to punish me?" she asked and he went silent. Lizzy's fear had reached a new level, but she could not back down, she stared at those dead eyes in indignation. After a while, the figure turned and walked away. Only then did she release a breath. She turned around and started to walk back the way she came. Just as she was about to cross into the light on the other side, she heard that same voice rush past her; "Those rules will not hold ground before my elder brother. The Nether of any kind has no place there. But if you still wish death, east is the fastest way,"

Lizzy walked out of the darkness and Kheal's eyes narrowed. Ignoring Helen who had rushed past her to hug Lizzy, she stared at Lizzy's form with a frown. This girl cannot just be a maid. There was no way a maid could have walked out of the darkness without help. This maid always has her ace covered, is there a reason for that?

"Since you have come, we should leave," Kheal said, shaking off her uneasiness.

"My lady, go. I will stay here," Lizzy said and Helen frowned.

"No, how can I leave you behind? What if you get hurt?" Helen was not stupid. She still felt that something about Lizzy had changed. But she did not mind what it was. When Lizzy walked out of the darkness, she felt relief wash over her and confusion step in. Even if she had just seen that and had never seen Lizzy without her veil off since they escaped the Nether halls, she had never had a trace of doubt in her mind that the person under the veil was Lizzy.

"East. You should go east," Lizzy said and Kheal's frown deepened.

"East?"

"The fastest way to the top is east," she said.

"And how do you know this?" Kheal asked.

"The darkness said so," Lizzy said, then noticed the way Kheal and Helen were looking at her and stiffened slightly. Helen, who was still holding her hand, felt when she stiffened and patted her hand soothingly.

"Do you trust it?" she asked her and Lizzy nodded without thinking. Yes, she did not believe that the Grilgor she read about would care for tricks. Never hanging forever, that was his curse.

"East then," Helen said. Kheal did not counter this as she was not sure who this girl was. She nodded instead and looked to Si Sanga.

"You will be staying with her?" she asked. And he looked to Helen who nodded. She was sure that Helen had made a deal with the person before her. Even though he was dark-skinned, it did not mean that he was from the dark realm. There were plenty of dark-skinned people who had no relation to the realm. But she had seen that he had a train pass and one that could bring Helen and Lizzy with him. He was someone she should look out for, but she trusted Helen. If Helen did not trust her, she would not have let him stay behind with her maid and go up the mountain with her alone. There was no need to be over-sensitive about those following her.