In the Face of Death

Zale and Shai made straight for the exit. Zale wanted nothing more than to get as far from the forge as possible. With the way Shai moved, Zale assumed they wanted the same thing. No words passed between them until they were not only safely out of the pyramid but also in the privacy of the car, windows tinted and silently gliding through town. "Was there ever any mention of something evil appearing during the process? I haven't read that much yet," Zale said quietly, avoiding looking at Shai.

Shai shook his head slowly, staring at his hands as they rested flat on his legs. "I've had all the documents scoured and read many of them myself. There's not been any mention of something that...Vile."

He finally addressed Zale directly. "I believe we'd have perished if we so much as moved, Zale. Do you believe that?"

Zale only nodded. Neither of them questioned whether or not they'd experienced the same thing. There was no doubt to either of them.

"Do you think something doesn't want us messing with magic?" Zale suddenly asked with wide eyes.

"That is presumptuous, but I have no explanations to offer either. This is an unprecedented occurrence. I believe we have stepped into unknown territory, Zale. I believe, though, that we should proceed as planned."

"Shai, let me ask you something."

"Sure."

"Are you afraid of death?"

The question hung in the air for a moment, Shai gestating on it in light of their recent narrow escape. "I don't enjoy the idea of death, but neither do I reject its existence. However, whether or not I die does not matter. I would sooner die in pursuit of what I want than to live a long life of cowardice. And yourself?"

Zale thought about it. What did he want? Death was his greatest fear, and it was not an option for him. Yet, he'd now stared death down twice in pursuit of what he wanted.

"I fear death. More exactly, I fear not being. I don't care how I'll die, but I'm terrified to no longer be. I wanted to make my time here count until I found the Coma Library. Now, I'll do whatever it takes to become immortal," he said, wondering if he believed his own words.

Zale glanced at their driver. Akil and Mert said nothing from the front seat, their eyes forward. If the mention of immortality surprised them, it didn't show. Neither did it show on Shai, though Zale had hinted at it before. "Well, at least you'll stand with me. There are not many people I can say that about," Shai replied.

True, Zale was walking forward despite everything. It wasn't a trivial thing, and he knew his new path would be full of more terror and danger. He had a fire, though, and it surprised him. Their experience, rather than making him cower, was driving him to flee from death and into the arms of magic.

Shai locked eyes with Zale's and spoke with a smile. "We must proceed forward regardless, though. Whether we should do that with the utmost caution or throw all caution to the wind, though, I've not yet decided."

Zale chuckled and was thankful to finally have a partner on his long journey