CHAPTER 17: At the Plateau

Tobias suddenly realized that there's something wrong with Sol' grip. He was busy looking for the way amongst the thick fog that he didn't check on Sol.

"Aspirant Moraii!" he called out to her. No response.

"Young Miss!!" he shouted. No response. He continued shouting at her.

"Captain, I really feel sleepy," a faint voice responded after a few times of calling her.

"Sol, NO!" he shouted, calling her fake first name - her nickname-.

Tobias stopped walking and pulled Sol towards him. She crashed into him as she became wobbly and couldn't maintain her balance.

While still gripping her arm, Tobias used his other hand to lift Sol's face from his shoulders. He then held her face and focused his vision on it, trying to see her face amidst the thick fog.

"Sol, you have to stay awake," Tobias said as he firmly pressed her cheek and jawline.

"Captain, I…I..am trying to…but…but…my eyes…my eyes..are really heavy.."

"No, No No."

Tobias then decided to bring her to the nearest visible tree trunk. He then seated her on the ground. The fog seemed lighter when closer to the ground. He can almost clearly see Sol.

He can see that she is fighting the sleep very hard but her body couldn't endure it anymore. She's hanging by a thread. He then kneels before her. He unsheathed his sword. He rolled up Sol's sleeves and held her arm. He then placed the sword on top of her arm with the thought of cutting it. Maybe, the pain will wake her up.

He was about to cut it when he unconsciously looked at her.

No, I can't do this to her. Can I?

He went closer to Sol, almost an inch away from her face. He firmly slapped her face.

"Sol, stay awake..or else…or else I'm going to make you bleed!"

"Ca-Captain…"

"I will seriously cripple you!"

Sol just grinned but her eyes kept getting heavier.

Tobias unconsciously stared at her grinning eyes. A thought suddenly crossed his mind.

"Sol, if you will not stay awake, I'm going to press my lips on yours!"

Sol did not respond. Tobias panicked.

"Seriously! I'm going to press it! I will invade your lips!"

Still no response. Tobias contemplates if he's going to cut Sol's arm or kiss her. It might be the sweet notes playing on the lyre harp or not, but Tobias aimed for Sol's lips and returned the sword on its scabbard. 

He softly kissed her upper lip and then her lower lip. He then lightly pulled her bottom lip with a subtle force using his teeth. Tobias pulled away and looked at Sol for any reaction.

"Come on Sol! Wake up! Hit me for kissing you! Sol!!!"

There's still no reaction but Tobias noticed that Sol's once pressed lips seemed a little bit parted. He then approached her again, this time, more aggressively as his hands were all over her neck, her hair and her face. If this does not work, he'll have no choice but to cut her.

Suddenly,he felt some movement on Sol's lips. She is wrapping her lips with his as well. As Sol's lips started moving, her hands also reached towards Tobias' back pulling him closer as much to her. Slowly, Sol opened her eyes and finally realized what was going on.

She pushed Tobias away from her. Tobias was startled.

"Ca-Captain," Sol could only utter.

"I-I am glad that you c-came back," Tobias said, stuttering. He stood up and then extended his arm to assist Sol as she also stood up.

 They continued to tread on - silently. After walking for five minutes, they couldn't hear the lyre harp anymore.

What's happening? Don't tell me that I should have just carried Sol for five minutes and she'll be safe? How can I explain the kiss to her? How can I look straight into her eyes?

They silently tread on and finally they arrived at a normal looking forest. Tobias shouted for his companions but they didn't seem to be around. They walked around near the Lonely Woodland but they couldn't see them.

Tobias then decided to build a fire near a huge rock with a cave-like hole at its base and wait for them. He and Sol then went to find dried twigs and fruits as they were finally hungry. It's been one day and they haven't eaten anything yet.

They finally built a fire using the dry bark of a birch tree, eating bread from Tobias' supplies, and bananas from the forest. Neither one of them speaks as the earlier occasion is still fresh on their minds.

However, Tobias can't help feeling guilty about what he did.

"A-Aspirant Moraii… about earlier, I'm sorry. That was irrational of me. I thought that kissing you would disgust you and you would wake up. That's why I did it instead of cutting you."

Sol turned towards Tobias.

"I understand, Captain. But it didn't disgust me."

It woke my sleeping hormones. My adrenaline woke my body up as pleasure started seeping in every inch of my body. I should be the one to say sorry because I liked it.

"And I'm sorry as well, Captain."

"For what?"

"Because I kissed you back, Captain."

"Mm. It's alright, you're not fully conscious by then. You might have thought of me as your lover, that's why you kissed me back. "

"But I don't have a lover though, Captain."

Tobias suddenly turned towards her with his gentle and warm gaze. He's a bit confused and Sol's statement seemed to make the moment awkward.

"It may be my instinct, Captain," Sol clarified further, nervously chuckling.

"Mm. That's a bad instinct. You shouldn't always kiss back someone who is kissing you when you are not fully conscious."

"Yes, Captain."

XXX

Meanwhile, Commander Remus, Sir Allegros and Aspirant Aris were nearly nearing the end of the Lonely Woodland. When Haelas could no longer grasp Sol, they assure themselves that she will be safe with Captain Karsh. Thus, they continued to tread that Lonely Woodland.

As soon as they realized that the sound of the lyre harp was gone, they dropped on the ground with their arms bleeding. In order to stay awake, they cut their arms.

"I can't believe we survived that, Sirs," Haelas commented.

"It's because you did a good job," Commander Remus said, complimenting him, "Are you all okay? We need to continue walking. We need to find Captain Karsh and Young Miss."

"Yes, Commander. I hope they are doing fine."

"No doubt," Dorn said.

XXX

Captain Karsh and Sol just finished eating, when three exhausted men with bleeding arms emerged from the Lonely Woodland.

"Commander!" Sol shouted, calling their attention. They hurriedly walked towards them.

"What happened to your arms?" Sol asked when she saw their bleeding arms.

"We need to cut it. The pain kept us awake, Young Miss," Commander Remus answered.

"How about you? How did you stay awake? You seem fine and you don't look like you have any cuts on you," Haelas asked, glancing at Sol as he started treating the Commander and Sir Allegro's wounds.

"I was about to cut her but I thought that it'll hurt her so we found a way to survive that without pain," Tobias answered instead. Sol glanced at him with adoration.

"But the pain will wake you up, Captain. So how did you survive it without pain, Captain?" Haelas curiously asked.

Tobias and Sol looked at each other awkwardly with blushed faces. Commander Remus and Dorn noticed it and were quite confused.

"Endurance," Tobias simply said.

"Mm. Captain, I knew that you could endure it but Aspirant Moraii wouldn't be able to. So how-" Dorn chimed in, also curious. But before he could finish what he was going to ask, Tobias immediately cut him off.

"Sir Allegros. I would appreciate it if you just keep your mouth shut," Tobias warned him with a menacing look as he emphasized each word.

Dorn just let out a small smile and looked at his wound being treated.

"By the way, we have food here. Fill up. I think we're staying the night here. It would be dangerous to continue it during the night," Tobias said as he pointed at the food placed on a flattened rock.

"I agree. I will stand guard until midnight. Captain Karsh, replace me by midnight," Commander Remus ordered.

"Yes, Commander".

After eating and after Haelas treated them and himself, each one of them went to find a rock wall they're comfortable to lean on and sleep. Dorn and Tobias took the other side of the rock wall and Haelas and Sol were on the other side.

"Haelas, I have a question," Sol said while facing the ceiling of that cave-like hole.

"Mm."

"But you have to answer it seriously."

"Of course."

"The reason why you're really here isn't about you being a prodigy right? It's because you know that thing called Luminous."

Haelas sighed.

"Mm."

"Do you know what it is?"

"I actually don't. Grandmother just gave me that recipe and she said that I should protect it."

I'm sorry Sol. I have to lie. I know about the Luminous. Grandmother told me all about it. I just don't want to involve you or else you might get in trouble because of it.

"Mm. It must be something precious. By the way, what really is our purpose here?"

I guess we are here to gather a purple sap from the dragon-blood tree.

"I still don't know. Commander Remus will tell us when we reach our destination."

"Oh. Then, are we already halfway there?"

"I think so. According to the map, after treading another forest and finding the waterfalls on a rocky plateau, we are already there."

"Seems we're really halfway."

"Mm. Rest well, we're gonna be early tomorrow."

"Mm."

XXX

Tobias woke up with a start. He looks outside. There were barely shadows cast by the trees. It seems that the moon is sitting just above them. It's about midnight. Tobias was about to call Commander Remus who's sitting behind the bonfire and with his back on them, a serious thought crossed his mind. He reached for his remaining dart knife and woke up silently. He stealthily approached Commander Remus. Nearing him, he silently kneeled on one foot behind him. He then raised his hand with the dart knife and aimed at his neck. He was about to puncture him with the dart knife when Haelas started talking in his sleep.

"Respect the fowwwrest.

Always ask purrrrmission.

Apologiiiiize when the foressstt attacksss you.

Neverrr quarrelll or be violent witth eachhh otherrrr…

Yes…spiritual leaderrrrr. We unders----zzzz."

I almost forgot. Sol is here with us.

Tobias immediately hid his dart knife under his sleeves with the same hand.

Even though I'm not much of a believer, I cannot let the forest harm Sol because of my actions.

He then tapped Commander Remus.

"Commander, go get some rest."

Commander Remus turned towards Captain Karsh. He caught a hint of a disappearing murderous gaze from his eyes. He then nodded and took his sword planted on the ground and went to sleep beside Dorn.

He gazed at Captain Karsh who's already sitting on his spot earlier. He noticed a movement earlier but he didn't turn around to check it. Then, he felt some light footsteps approaching him. Curious as to why Tobias is being so stealth in approaching him, he feigns ignorance of what the captain is doing. After several seconds, he felt a presence behind him. He glanced at his sword. The golden metal on the sword's scabbard served as a mirror and he could almost clearly see what's going on behind him. He saw Tobias' murderous gaze and his dart knife aimed at his neck. He prepared his hands to hit Tobias' side as soon as he struck him. He waited but then Tobias hid that dart knife on his sleeves just after Haelas stopped talking. He breathed a sigh of relief.

What's going on? Why is Captain Karsh trying to kill me? I did him no harm. What's his purpose? Did someone order him to do so? Commander Osiros? Is he finally aiming for the seat of a Golden Shield Commander? What a filthy move! I need to be alert of him. Luckily, he cannot make a move on me in this mountain or else everyone will be harmed. I need to finish our mission here before I deal with him.

XXX

As soon as the sun's rays hit the forest, they started the second day of their journey deeper in the mountains. Along the way, they saw a lot of plants and trees that they have never seen before. They also came across the corpse flower.

"Kindly cover your noses or else your lungs will burst," Haelas said.

After about four hours of walking, they decided to have food first. Thus, they went looking for fruits. They were able to find guavas, bananas and wild berries. They started feasting on it. And then later on, after finishing those colorful berries that looked like tiny circles clustered together, they started seeing things.

"Captain, your chest is so big!"

"Sol, what's wrong with your mouth, you're smiling so creepily wide?"

"Haelas, your head is getting enormous!"

"Sir Allegros, how did your bow and arrow get so huge like that?"

"Commander Remus, your hands are getting larger and larger!"

"HAELAS, YOU GOTTA TREAT HIM! HE IS LOOKING WEIRDER AND WEIRDER!!!"

"I think we are hallucinating, Sirs. We'll be okay in a while. Let's continue walking to wear it off sirs."

The team did continue walking even if they're barely managing to keep their balance. After about five hours, they heard a sound of water falling from a great height and splashing harshly with the rocks on its base.

"I think we are nearing the falls," Commander Remus commented.

After a few steps, the sound of the water became louder and louder. After clearing one large leaf from an enormous plant, a towering falls was revealed to them.

"On top of that falls is the plateau where the dragon blood tree is," Commander Remus said.

"Then, we should get going," Captain Karsh replied.

As if they're not exhausted, they started climbing the steep rocky side of the waterfalls. Almost nearing the top of the plateau, they could see the waterfalls from a distance and it seemed like it's on fire.

"What's wrong with the waterfalls? Why does it seem like it is burning?" Sol commented, talking to herself.

"It's because of the sunset's rays. As it hits the water, it glows in red and orange," Tobias replied.

"It's spectacular and heart-tugging, Captain. It's just like you, Captain, when your eyes soften."

"Is that right, Aspirant Moraii? Keep moving," he said, keeping up with her playful statements.

"That's a nice compliment, Aspirant Moraii. But don't shower the Captain with too many compliments or else he'll be more narcissistic," Dorn commented.

"Are you Sir Braegen's ambassador? Is it because he's not here that you are running your mouth quite often today?" Tobias responded back.

"Oh. What am I thinking? This might be the after effects of that wild berry Captain," Dorn said and climbed faster.

XXX

Finally, they have arrived at the little plateau several kilometers below the peak of the mountain. Several towering mushroom looking trees with densely packed crowns of long stiff leaves arranged like rosettes awaited them. Its trunk is thick and each of its branches repeatedly divides into two sections.

"So, this is the dragon-blood tree?" Commander Remus muttered, "Fill the containers now."

"Haa?" they uttered in confusion.

"That is our mission. To fill the containers with the sap from this dragon-blood tree. Fill it now."

"Yes, Commander."

Sol and Haelas went to one of the trees while Tobias and Dorn went to the tree beside them. They then asked permission.

"This is intriguing, right," Sol commented as a purple sap started filling the container.

"Mm. No wonder that we need an elite team to do a secret mission just to get it," Haelas replied.

Hearing this, Tobias glanced at him.

This boy seems to really know about Luminous as well. Well, he is Chief Healer Sapiensa's favorite. But, why did Chief Healer Sapiensa reveal that to him when it will eventually bring him dangers? I need to tell Ka-el to watch over him as soon as we go back. I can't let this young boy be in danger because of it. Moreover, he is a dear friend of Sol.

Few steps away from them, Commander Remus quietly and curiously watched them, especially Tobias. He still couldn't forget that the Captain tried to assassinate him last night. He stared at his warm face glowing with the sunset's rays. His always ferocious eyes seemed to soften a lot. His messy braided dark hair danced with the wind.

This young man…Why?

As Commander Remus stared at Tobias' face, he was finally intrigued by the scar on his eyebrow. He already saw it before but he didn't think too much about it. Every defender has a scar or two. Suddenly, he remembered an unpleasant memory about 15 years ago.

"Captain Karsh, I just noticed your eyebrow scar. How did you get it?" Commander Remus asked.

Tobias suddenly trembled, he started to sweat and his heart rate increased. He tried to calm down by inhaling and exhaling deeply.

"A bully gave it to me, Commander," Tobias managed to say amidst his trembling voice.

"Then, were you able to return the favor to that bully?"

"Not yet Commander. But I will soon."

"I hope you will return it well," he said and turned his back on them as he gazed at the beautiful sunset.

"I certainly will," Tobias answered, clenching his fist.

Dorn glanced at Tobias.

Tobias has these certain episodes and Commander Remus is always there. It also happens when he interacts with the Commander. Why? Is there an unpleasant past between them? Is it related to the fact that Tobias is related to a traitor?

Meanwhile, Sol also noticed those episodes. One, when they're at Haelas' hometown where later on Tobias had some nightmare and now, even though it's subtle, she could still see it.

What is triggering it? Well, Commander Remus asked about his eyebrow scar. That scar might have a traumatic story about it.

"I know that he is gorgeous but you should stop looking. The container you're holding is already getting full," Haelas commented when he noticed Sol staring at the Captain.

"I'm not," she denied as she closed the container. She then tore a part of her sleeves and tied it around the bleeding cut from the tree.

After filling the containers, they decided to have the night on top of that plateau. After feasting on the fruits they got from the forest, they decided to lie down as they stared at the stars shining brightly above them. The sound of the nearby stream and falls seemed like a sweet melody and the gentle breeze brushing past by them is seducing them to a good rest.

"I wonder what Karisha is doing right now," Sol muttered to Haelas.

"She's maybe having a blast because I'm not there or maybe she's showing off that she can play the lyre harp. What's gotten really into both of you that you learned that instrument?"

"Well, Karisha is amazed by how well Sir Allegros played the lyre harp. She then dragged me to learn it with her."

XXX

"Dorn, when did Aspirant Grasi see you play your lyre harp? I haven't seen you play it while we are with them," Tobias whispered to Dorn who was resting beside him.

Dorn is also puzzled. He only remembered that one time- the time when Tobias had a nightmare. 

Does it mean that they saw him playing the lyre harp that night? Then they also saw Tobias having a nightmare- helpless and vulnerable?

"There's one time when you're not around."

"Really."

"Mm."

XXX

"But she's still not that good with it," Haelas said, dissing his friend.

"Well, she needs a better teacher. She would be pleased when SIR ALLEGROS will teach her," Sol said, emphasizing Dorn's name.

XXX

Meanwhile, Commander Remus who is lying beside Haelas just gazed at the stars. Listening to the aspirants chattering beside him made him lonely. It's because he just realized that he doesn't really have any friends when he is at their age.

I wish I had someone to talk about normal things.

XXX

As the full moon climbed higher and higher, one by one of them started closing their eyes. Finding a good sleeping position, Sol turned towards her left. And there on her left is Tobias who is still gazing at the stars. When the Captain sensed the movement, he turned towards his right, facing Sol.

Sol suddenly became nervous at the close proximity with the Captain. However, the warm gaze of the Captain made her comfortable. Then, the Captain slowly smiled. Sol was so shocked that she became speechless.

The captain smiled! The captain smiled in front of me for the first time!

Sol tried closing and opening her eyes numerous times and even slapped her own face to confirm that what she was seeing was real and not her dream.

Tobias smiled wider showing his teeth and gums. He then stretched out his arm and patted Sol's head gently.

I'm so happy that you've grown so well. I'm so happy that you are smiling a lot. He thought.

Meanwhile, Sol continued staring at him as she held her arm on her chest, trying to muffle the loud sound of her heartbeat.

That warm face, those gentle eyes, those sweetest smiles… I think I'm gonna drown in my own heart beats.

Sol, what should we do? I think we've totally fallen for him. I just realized that now.

And there they spent the night, gazing at each other warmly with the full moon and a million stars as witnesses. Whether there are really spirits or not; but on that night, a barely visible and almost translucent beautiful lady that smelled like jasmine and dressed in white paid them a visit. She held their hands and blessed them. Then, she disappeared among the stars.

XXX