LOST

Cecil trotted along, her hooves clicking on the gravel path as Sponge sat in the saddle, head bowed while Vvh walked beside them, holding the reins and guiding the horse forward. The sun shone brightly behind them, almost seeming to mock Sponge.

"Sponge," Vvh called out, prompting Sponge to lift her head, letting out a soft sigh. "Acting like that will not help you," Vvh advised. Sponge swallowed, whispering in a croaked voice, "Sorry. Do you want to ride Cecil? I can walk," she offered, preparing to dismount until Vvh placed a hand on her knee to halt her.

"No, stay there. We're close," Vvh said, steering Cecil off the gravel path and towards the trees. Sponge looked around, blinking in confusion. "Where are we going?" she murmured, her voice slightly hoarse from days of disuse. She had fallen silent after Ji-Ho's passing, not even speaking when Ji-Ho's body was being cremated, nor when Vvh tried to provoke a response by goading her into foolish actions.

"To train," Vvh replied as Sponge's eyes widened. "T-Training?" She asked as Vvh stopped, placing a hand on Cecil's neck. "Yes, come down," Vvh motioned for Sponge to dismount, and Sponge followed, stumbling slightly under the weight of her armor.

"You must get used to the heaviness of your armor, improve your speed, and enhance your agility. You're slower than a turtle," Vvh remarked as Sponge huffed, growing quiet as Vvh tied Cecil to a branch. Sponge nervously nibbled on her lip.

"Is this your way of saying I've passed as your student, or is it another one of your schemes to get me moving?" Sponge murmured, scratching the back of her head. Vvh hummed, turning back to her and cocking her head. "I want you to run down this mountain and climb back up before—" She glanced up at the sun, clicking her tongue. "Before noon," she finished, leaving Sponge gaping.

"Before noon? Do you realize how tall this mountain is?" Sponge asked, raising her eyebrows. Vvh simply sat down on the grassy ground, preparing as if she was about to take a nap, leaning against a tree trunk. "Better start running then," Vvh mused as Sponge dragged a hand down her face, nodded, and hurried off, nearly stumbling a few times.

Cecil snorted, nudging Vvh with her snout as she produced an apple from her pocket. "You know me too well, Cecil," Vvh said, amused, offering the apple to Cecil, who eagerly devoured it in one bite.

Sponge grumbled, swatting away a thin branch as she carefully made her way down the steep hill, nearly slipping a few times on the slippery soil. She was certain that some stray dirt had found its way into her boot, causing her to recoil in disgust. Her yelp echoed through the trees as she tripped over her own feet, tumbling towards a tree and gasping for breath, her heart racing in fear as she eyed the small stone that had caused her fall.

Her eyes twitched before she resumed her descent down the mountain. If coming down was this challenging, what about going back up? "Oh god," Sponge moaned, trudging on, her legs already feeling like they were on the verge of giving out. And she was only walking downhill—many say that going down is easier, so if she's struggling to descend, ascending will be even more arduous.

Sponge sighed, almost stumbling again as she slid down the soil. "Stupid training and stupid mountain," she grumbled before letting out another yell as she tripped once more, her boot catching on a large tree root.

—

Vvh tilted her head to the side as Sponge stood in front of her, dirt clinging to almost every part of her body. "Who knew that you were a pig all along," Vvh mused, while Sponge gritted her teeth, shooting daggers at the other woman. "I wouldn't be covered in dirt if it weren't for you," Sponge huffed, pointing an accusing finger at Vvh.

"Ah ah— you're late, redo the whole thing," Vvh spun her finger in a circular motion as Sponge stared at her, shocked. "You want me to go back down and run back up the mountain again?" Sponge asked, blinking in disbelief.

Vvh cocked her head, "Unless you want me to throw you off the cliff, I suggest you run down there and come back up before two o'clock," Vvh stated, Sponge lets out a yelp and dashed off, nearly slipping a few times on her way.

Vvh snickered quietly.

—

January 12 of XXXX, Korean Territory (The South)

It's been a few days since I last wrote here, so I apologize. I've come to realize that all of this is pointless the moment Vvh made me run up and down the mountain multiple times. I didn't get a break or even a chance to catch my breath. On the third time I made it up the mountain, she kicked me back down, and I was forced to make the climb again.

I was still late, so I had to go back down once more. It wasn't smooth, but it was a little easier than the first time I descended the slope. Going back up was still challenging, but I think I was faster than before.

Vvh still made me go down again, though. It was incredibly tiring, and I feel like she wants to both embarrass me and train me at the same time. I've lost count of how many times I rolled around in the dirt; I'm pretty sure there's dirt even between my toenails. And as far as I know? I was wearing socks...

Signing off,

S.

—

January 13 of XXXX, Korean Territory (The South)

I'm back again. Vvh had me go down the mountain once more and then back up. I was a few seconds late, and predictably, Vvh sent me down again! Thank goodness my head didn't hit a rock. Honestly, she can be both frustrating and terrifying. I could have easily mistaken this for her trying to fucking kill me!

Anyway, I have no clue where all that anger came from, haha... At least I know Vvh won't be able to see these entries. But if she does, I fear running up and down the mountain won't be the end of it. I'm utterly exhausted; even writing this feels like a monumental task. My arms and legs feel like they're about to give out. I genuinely thought I might lose my legs while running up the mountain.

At this stage, the weight of my armor is barely noticeable; I just want to reach the mountain peak…

I think it's time for some rest. Vvh rises early to begin the day, and I have another full 24 hours tomorrow to run down the mountain and climb back up...

Signing off,

S.

—

January 14 of XXXX, Korean Territory (The South)

I really feel like I've finally been accepted as Vvh's student. Right now, my entire writing arm feels like it's about to fall off, but earlier she taught me how to properly use my axe—how to swing it and how to hold it. It turns out, the way I was holding it could have led to a serious accident, possibly breaking my thumb. Thank goodness that didn't happen.

Aside from the grip and swing techniques, Vvh showed me something impressive with my axe. She effortlessly cut through a thick trunk in one swing and then told me that I had to do the same…

Well, that was an impressive sight, but there's no way I'm that strong to pull off such a feat!

Despite my doubts, she had me cutting down trees. It feels like complete deforestation at this point... I don't think I'll be able to make another entry for a few days. I'm utterly exhausted, and I feel like I might fall asleep even as I write this.

Signing off,

S.

—

January 15-19 of XXXX, Korean Territory (The South)

What I mentioned around January 14 was indeed accurate. The following day, I was compelled to run down the mountain, back up, and cut trees. For the next few days, this was my sole activity. It involved running up and down the mountain, attempting to chop down a tree within a maximum of four swings, as instructed by Vvh.

It was incredibly challenging. I recall passing out once during a rainy spell near the mountain's base. Thankfully, Vvh found me and helped me back up. It turned out that I had forgotten to eat breakfast, leading to my collapse halfway. Vvh now always reminds me to eat before descending the mountain.

Initially, her concern seemed touching, until I mentioned it, and she assigned me a new task: jumping around tree branches…

What?!?! Not only do I have to run up and down the mountain and cut down countless trees, but now I also have to engage in parkour?

Save me...

Signing off,

S.

—

January 20-23 of XXXX, Korean Territory (The South)

I DID IT! Not only did I manage to climb the mountain in record time, but I also succeeded in cutting a tree with just two swings! Vvh acknowledged my accomplishment, mentioning it was good but could have been better. Well, regardless, I still pulled it off!

Regarding the parkour with the tree, I believe I'm making progress. The endurance gained from running up the mountain has significantly improved my speed, agility, and most importantly, my balance.

Vvh has resumed training me with the axe. While I haven't won a single spar against her, it has been enjoyable. She moves swiftly—faster than light itself—or maybe I'm just exceptionally slow. I can barely keep up with her movements.

She acknowledges my progress, although I sense an unspoken 'but' in her evaluations… When I expressed interest in learning other weapons besides the axe, she seemed somewhat hesitant in response. Although she didn't address my suggestion, she continued training me with the axe. I believe she might agree with my request, but for some reason, she appears hesitant to act on it.

I'm unsure if I've done something wrong or if I'm overthinking this...

Signing off,

S.

—

January 24-28 of XXXX, Korean Territory (The South)

Training has been progressing well, I believe. Vvh has yet to introduce me to other weapons aside from the axe. I attempted to emulate her sword-fighting style using a stick when she wasn't watching, feeling apprehensive about her potential reaction. I fear that I may have distorted her fighting technique as I feel clumsy and awkward when using the sword.

I recognize that her swordsmanship resembles that of a dancer, a skill I lack entirely. Ugh!

I've been pondering the idea that perhaps Vvh is not proficient with other weapons. However, considering her expertise with the axe, surpassing my own knowledge, this theory seems improbable. Could it be that she is simply reserved? I'm uncertain. I don't want to delve too deeply into this matter and risk upsetting her. She's already teaching me how to fight, and soon I hope to locate the god I am seeking, perhaps with Vvh's assistance.

Nevertheless, I'm hesitant about disclosing my quest to her at this stage. She doesn't strike me as someone who believes in a higher power. While this doesn't bother me, as I respect differing beliefs, I don't wish to offend her.

Signing off,

S.

—

Sponge sighed, closing her journal and tucking it inside her hoodie before leaning back against the tree trunk, observing Vvh as she sliced up an apple by the crackling fire. Sponge bit her lip, contemplating silently.

"Your training is progressing better than I anticipated," Vvh remarked, turning towards Sponge, who simply scratched her head. "I suppose? Is it really?" she questioned, narrowing her eyes at Vvh, silently challenging her to elaborate. Vvh, known for her provocative remarks, paused, handing Sponge five thin apple slices. "You seem to expect me to say something," she mused as Sponge accepted the slices, nodding slightly. "Indeed, besides the usual praise—it almost feels belittling," Sponge remarked, playfully glaring as she took a bite.

"Do you want me to criticize your performance?" Vvh inquired, genuinely puzzled. Sponge sighed, rolling her eyes before shaking her head. "No, but it feels like you're withholding something. I know I'm performing decently. You're just not offering constructive feedback, and it would be helpful if you were more upfront," Sponge expressed, waving her hand before sighing and shrugging.

"Actually, you know what—forget it," Sponge sighed, finishing the last slice before reclining on her cot, gazing up at the dark sky, propped up on her arm.

She doesn't catch Vvh's response, and Sponge sighs internally. Despite almost two months spent together, a barrier still exists between them. Sponge grumbles, shifting to her side and gazing at the enveloping darkness encircling their camp before eventually closing her eyes.

Vvh turns towards Sponge, the other woman curled up, before shifting her gaze back to the fire, shaking her head lightly and exhaling softly, the forgotten apple slices in her hand as she stares at them. Beside her, she hears Cecil snort, its beady eyes fixed on her.

Vvh reaches out and feeds Cecil the slices—she's not hungry anyway, and it's better for Cecil to enjoy them than for them to go to waste. After all, the apples were Sponge's catch, and Vvh knows Sponge would be upset if she discovered that Vvh had wasted them.

Tilting her head down and adjusting against the tree behind her, Vvh's attention is suddenly drawn towards the direction of mumbling and heavy breathing. Her eyes focus on Sponge, who is twitching slightly, her leg moving towards the fire. Vvh's eyes narrow.

Sponge's nightmares are not a surprise to Vvh; she often wakes up breathing heavily, although she no longer shouts as she did before. Vvh rarely sleeps, and even when she does, she remains alert to her surroundings.

Every night, Vvh hears Sponge breathing heavily, sometimes whispering names and calling out for her mother, father, and someone familiar.

"'Ji-Ho, I'm sorry,'" Sponge utters in her sleep, unaware. Vvh stands up, moving towards Sponge, whose foot is nearing the fire. The masked woman crouches, grasping Sponge's leg and gently pulling it away from the flames. Sponge continues to sleep, twitching slightly, a permanent frown etched on her face, her glasses still on.

Sponge has secrets, a story, just like Vvh. Sponge never sought Vvh's story, and Vvh will not pry into hers.

Sponge whimpers, shivering in the almost non-existent cold of the Southern Lands. Vvh sighs, placing a hand on Sponge's head. With a gentle touch, Sponge relaxes, releasing a breath she had been holding.

"Rest," Vvh murmurs softly.

Sponge sighs, finding comfort.