Chapter 3| Along With Him

"So why did of all the buildings, you choose that one?" I asked Odysseus, as we strode across the streets, him leading the way.

He chuckled, covering his mouth to suppress it.

I frowned, utterly offended. How dare he, after what he had just done moments ago?

"Oh, my deepest apologies! I didn't mean to laugh—it's just that the mere thought of it was so... exquisitely amusing." He wiped away tears I knew were unreal, deepening my scowl.

I was this close to losing my patience, but something held me back—an unshakeable feeling that he held relevance to me, something I just couldn't grasp yet.

Then, Odysseus turned serious, his eyes darkening. Goosebumps crept along my skin.

I halted, rooted in place as his gaze dug deep into my soul. My heart raced at his possible answer, feeling the tension in my stomache as he finally replied. Only that his answer have set my lips in a thin line.

"I thought it'd be perfect for me to attempt! The distance was just right... it would've hit me bad." He uttered, a mischievous smile gracing his face.

Perfection, bad. Is it really?

If I dared argue that his presence wasn't random, what would have been the case? Surely, there was something deeper than what it seemed—something beyond what he was letting on. Did the existence of an abstract veil ever occur?

No, it didn't. Because clearly, he was there for a sole purpose. Only that purpose had yet to be revealed.

"My, my, you don't agree with me."

His remark snapped me out of my thoughts, pulling me back to reality.

Odysseus was still there, standing in front of me, that ever-present grin never leaving his face.

"The idea is lucid, but I suppose some parts of it are too cracked to be accepted," I replied honestly, a hint of seriousness in my tone.

What use was denying it if he could read me like an open book?

I sighed, the weight of my unanswered questions pressing down on me. I wanted to understand—no, I needed to understand—why he had chosen that building.

Why?

No... was that even the right question?

"It is, dear. Just the wrong approach," Odysseus murmured, his words sending me into deep thought.

"Wrong approach?" I echoed, intrigued by the implication.

He nodded before continuing to walk, his hands tucked into his pockets, bandages wrapping up to his wrists. I followed after him.

"Mhm." He hummed, prompting me to halt in my tracks.

"Then may I try again?" I asked, determined to get my answer now that he had hinted at my flaw.

Odysseus chuckled at that, clicking his tongue in amusement—no doubt entertained by my persistence.

And dare I say, I was correct in my assumption the moment he spoke his next words.

"Sure, but you only get one last attempt. If you do it correctly, I might tell you," he teased, negotiating with a confidence that suggested the answer wouldn't be anything catastrophic.

"If I'm incorrect?" I challenged, testing my limits.

At my question, Odysseus' grin faltered, giving way to something more serious.

"Trust me, you won't be. If you can't get the answer out of me, then make me, Nych. How should you approach this question?" His voice was smooth, manipulative—coaxing me into playing along.

Fine, then.

As we walked further down the street, I felt myself drawn into thought once more. But all contemplation ceased when we finally arrived, and my breath caught in my throat.

Before me stood a massive estate, its structure radiating elegance, glistening under the light.

The building loomed over the city, an exquisite masterpiece of architecture that demanded attention. Its vast, orange-hued façade stood bold against the sky, glowing like embers beneath the afternoon sun. Every inch of its exterior bore the touch of meticulous craftsmanship—intricate carvings and ornate embellishments laced its towering walls, whispering of an era where beauty and grandeur reigned supreme.

Its height was staggering, its width just as imposing, a structure that seemed to defy time itself. Pillars, adorned with elaborate designs, framed the grand entrance, leading the eye upward to the striking red roof that crowned it like a regal mantle. Against the ever-changing sky, the roof gleamed—a fiery contrast to the deep, warm tones of the building below.

It stood with unwavering prominence, an unspoken testament to power and elegance. Even amidst the city's chaos, this structure remained untouched, as if the world around it existed only to admire its magnificence.

Despite the curiousity that clung unto me, I held myself the urge to give Odysseus a chance as to why he brought us here.

It did not make any sense. Furthermore, we had just met awhile ago. So why would he be taking me here?

But Odysseus paid no attention, and made his way straight in the entrance.

I frowned at that.

This man just did not make any sense. A minute later, he'd give details of information about something. But once he did, he'd be silent over after another one. Now, he is everything but elaborating me the reason, causes, and why's regarding our presence for this very building.

How unfortunate it is that I had to provide myself answers!

I then followed Odysseus as he made his way inside, with guards looming over the place. This man just seemed to have everything under control, as no one bothered stopping him from doing what he dare wants.

He needn't access for it, as the door was already wide open for it to him.

Employees then later scrammed at his presence the moment we did enter the first floor. It appears that Odysseus has control over anything.

But all chaotic it ended as my thoughts wanished into thin air, my eyes wanting to close. That the very reason as to why the employees are actually scramming is finally cleared.

And a scandalous scene was presented perfectly upon our entry.

I hated the annoying banter of individuals that hindered my peaceful moment. Their choice of words would always be so foul, and nothing could ever stop them until they'd attack physically. It was one of the worst case scenarios I'd seen. But at times like this, how I wished that was even the case.

That not a dead body bathing of his own blood, with a gun in his hand as the nozzle directed on his temple is ever presented before my very eyes.

"Jonathan!" A woman screamed, as she rushed over to the dead body. Anguish and despair was present in her voice, as she muffled the tremble in it, with her eyes daring to tear.

It was so sickening! The corpse's expression was horrifying. The stance he was in as he reeked of something metallic lingered of destruction.

A nightmare scenario in front of me.

I almost gagged at the sight, it felt as if something went to clog my throat. In that moment, I then had my fingers to clamp over my mouth—unable to bear the disgusting sight.

As much as I wanted to refrain from looking, my traitorous eyes remained locked onto the grotesque tableau before me.

It was until I felt a large palm press on my face—covering my eyes to block my view. It was warm and gentle, and large enough for me to unsee the chaotic state of the course.

The next second, I heard a husky voice whisper in my ear, as I felt a breath fan the left side of my face.

"Close your eyes, Nych. Then let us vanish into thin air." Odysseus muttered, then held my hand as he lead us to another way.

His hand was still pressed on my face, while he guided me slowly and gently on our way. His other hand which he had me held gripped me with ease, as we finally strode away from the floor, with the murmurs soon fading.

"What was that about?!" I sighed, as we finally reached the seventh floor, where everything was far more quiet.

At this, Odysseus smirked. But there was no humor nor mischief in his eyes. It felt as if he was being empathetic with me, as he witnessed me in the prescious state I was in.

"Why ask when you have already deducted the answer?" he replied, making me glare at him.

I crossed my hands over my chest, deeply affected by that scene. It wouldn't have affected me as much if it were of a different occasion, but I recalled a memory upon that gory scenario.

A scene that exactly reminded me of the tragic death of both my parents.

"Do misfortunes alone weave the threads of such cruel fate?" I uttered, deeply lost in a daze.

I could not fathom how such events lead up to an unwanted decision, further destructing the already unfortunate happenings. But people tend to do it so much. Hurting and breaking.

"Well the Law of Action and Reaction did not exist for nothing. People are vulnerable beings who strive for survival. Anytime a path which people walk into is destroyed, watch them falter, and commit suicide." Odysseus replied, making me look at him with weary eyes.

Couldn't humanity do more than just repeating history over and over, ending up on the same tales?

"The absence of significance, is what creates worthlessness." He continued, as he started walking further along the seemingly deserted hallway.

I then followed along with him, as I absorb the ideas he is voicing out.

It hit me deep, scarring me in my depths. If I had my pen with me, I would've already noted his words. Then kept it as I engrave it within my soul.

Odysseus later opened a door that lead to a balcony.

I guess he knows every corner of this structure.

"Life, for a fleeting moment, could be beautiful." Odysseus remarked, as he presented me the breathtaking sight of the city of Aeiro, like a painted canvas kept.

The sky blazed with gold and crimson as the sun dipped below the horizon. A warm breeze carried the scent of jasmine, and the city shimmered in the fading light. For a moment, the world felt still, caught between day and night. It was the perfect sight to behold.

"If that were true, how come you found no meaning in it, and offered yourself before death on that very building?" I asked him, as I finally found an opening of a different approach for him.

At this, Odysseus smirked then tore his gaze off the scenic view to face me. His eyes held the usual mischief, but I could feel the distant warmth brewing in the depths of it.

It was as if he was giving me a silent applause that I did manage to question him with a different approach.

"I was not subjected to death the moment I entered that building. Because at that moment, I knew I would be met with a reason to continue living. One that I am anticipating." He replied that struck me in awe.

"Would you dare guess what it is?"