WTGC 15: Level 4

Vivienne offered to give us a ride to the gate. We used her expensive wagon. During our travel, Damon somehow oriented me for the next level.

"The next level might be the longest part of our Journey, it could take a couple of days or week. It will depend on you. I'm willing to carry you again."

"Carry me?" Why does Damon carrying me, always make me think of what happened at Level 7. The memories from back then are very clear eventhough I was drunk by the atmosphere. How his ears became red, how hard his shoulders are, how he breathes and how felt it good that are bodies were toucing each others over our clothes.

Because of that, I find myself becoming aware of Damon. I've already seen him naked before so I'm not sure if I can stand seeing it next time. Somehow with these thoughts, I'm having a funny feeling on my lower half.

"Eugene?" Damon called out my name looking confused and his ears are becoming red again. I've realized his eyes were landed on my crotch area. I looked down and saw that I'm already slightly hard. I hurriedly closed my legs.

I've never thought of these before so something must've influenced me. Was it the air on Level 7? The purgatory is changing me. I need to calm down.

"I think it's better if you don't carry me for Level 4. How bad can it be?"

"Level 4 or the Zone of Lethargy is actually the least dangerous level. I don't really mind if we're gonna take longer but there will be a possibility that you'll never want to leave the level. And if you did decide to stay, the Journey will come to an end. The same goes for the other levels. If you give in to their temptation and decided to stay, I'll never force you to come back with me."

"I've survived the temptations of three levels already. So I'm sure I am strong enough to resist the other levels. "

Damon smiled at me in agreement to my statement. "Of course you are, but do tell me if you need help."

The wagon has stopped and we've arrived in front of the gate. "Let's see how strong you are." Damon said as we stepped into the gate.

The atmosphere became hotter. We are now stepping on sand. There are no structures and buildings. Damon started walking ahead I tried to follow but somehow I'm not moving. Or rather, I am moving very slowly. He looked back when he's already few meters away.

"Da..... mon... Wha.....t's... Ha.... ppen.....ing...? Some.... things... wro....ng....with..... meeee..."

Instead of answering me, Damon laughed. It was a beautiful sight since it's my first time seeing it but... Not the time. I slowly looked around me. There are a lot who are slowly moving, some are already crawling but there are a few who moves in normal speed just like Damon.

I had my first step. Was this the reason why Damon said that it will take us a week to travel the Zone of Lethargy. But why is he moving in normal speed? Is it because he's an angel and the others must've acquired abilities to be immune.

Damon approached me. "Did you change your mind about the piggyback ride?" He knelt down infront of me and I can hear the angels by the gate whispering.

"I've never seen our Great Leader offer to carry someone before."

"Does that mean the spreading rumor about his lover is true.... is he the lover?"

"But why him? I saw thousands seduce our Great Leader."

"Maybe because he somehow looks like a girl?"

If Damon taking care of me like this is already causing a rumor, I don't want it to create more misunderstanding.

"I.... thi...nk... you.... bet.....ter.... not....." I refused his offer.

I started taking steps and Damon just patiently waits for me. He's making sure I take the right route because I can see there are some that got caught on quick sands.

Eventhough we're not yet far from the gate yet, I can feel how exhausting it is. Maybe the heat is also a factor. I can feel myself heavily sweating. I got so many layers on my clothes plus the cloak.

I think it's already been an hour. My clothes are already damp so I decided to remove my vest. Damon saw me struggling so he helped me.

"You can remove your skirt and vest but not your cloak. You must remain incognito for our Journey. "

"I'm... thi....rs...ty."

Damon then whistled with his fingers. A hawk then landed infront of us. He also removed his top and gave it to the hawk.

"Zoom Zoom, Take these clothes and bring us water."

I started to realize that these familiars have patterns on their name. They are all repeating one syllables, TanTan, HamHam, RayRay and Zoom Zoom and hearing Damon say it is quite cute.

Zoom Zoom came back with water and we drank it.

"Ka~ak.... Ka~ak" The hawk made a sound.

" He's not a girl. And he refuses." Damon responded. I think they're having a conversation. I decided to continue my walk while they're conversing.

I felt a gust of wind from behind. Looks like Zoom Zoom decided to leave. Damon walked beside me.

"Zoom Zoom told me that it would be faster if I carry you. " I just ignored him. I know it will be faster but what if it happens again. "If you're worried about what happened at Level 7, it's no big deal. " For him, maybe but it's embarrassing for me.

Seeing how stubborn I am, he suddenly lifted me off the ground and carried me princess style. He started walking without uttering a word.

"Ju....st..... fo...r ... thir.....ty... mi....nutes.... so..... we.... cou.....ld.... pro.....gre....ss."

"Just enough time."

Here's a more polished version of your narration:

The sun being reflected off the scorching sand, creates a blinding glare. It makes the Zone radiate with intense heat. Yet, despite the blinding brightness, the figure carrying me became even more attractive. His sweat glistens on his skin and drips down his body. His deep blue eyes remain focused ahead. His ash gray hair catches the light, almost glowing as the sun reflects off each strand.

The intense heat of the environment only seems to highlight his physical qualities, making me think the he was perfectly built for the purgatory.

He then gave off a smirk and looked down on me.

"While you were too focused watching me, you didn't even noticed we've arrived."

I slowly looked at what's in front of him. At first, I thought he was talking about the gate to the next level but lying infront of him is a walkalator. As I knew how long will it take me to question him, I just decided to hop on. The speed of the walkalator is just the same as if we we're walking.

It took us another hour to reach the end of the walkalator. And at the end are food stalls, which Damon bought us Energy bars and dark chocolate coffee ice cream. He said we, especially I, need high caffeineited intake so I could survive the night.

~

I woke in the middle of my sleep. The nights at the Zone are very chilly. The extreme opposite of the scorching heat earlier. But here I am, sleeping with no problem on top of the sand. Why?

Hugging me is a naked Damon, radiating his body heat onto me. His arms became my pillow and he had spread his warm wings and covered us with it. Again, he has no problem getting naked in front of me. I'm sure for him, it's just a necessary duty to help me survive and complete the Journey.

But I should just be thankful, when will I ever get the chance to see him this upclose. And I am sure for the other souls, this is such an opportunity and a privilege. I wonder how many souls have he accompanied before and got to see this view.

As I was gazing at the unbothered sleeping face of Damon, I can feel my eyes getting heavy again.