Allendis and Chelsea have been trying to survive the Hallow Ground for quite a while. It felt like an eternity for him and it was probably much worse for Chelsea.
They walked through the streets of shadows. Each step felt like he was falling through the cracks. But he had a theory. If this was the boy's last moments then that would mean that the structure of the city was vivid in his mind.
Like how the grassy fields felt solid when he and Chelsea first arrived. They were currently testing that theory. The location changed but the structure the boy remembered remained intact.
"Chelsea," Allendis said, glancing beside him, who had his old black notebook opened with a pen in her right hand–marking down every landmark and solid route they could find. She glanced at him with an inquisitive yet tired look.
"What is it?" Her voice was tired too.
"Are you doing okay? Do you hear any whispers?" He asked carefully.
There was a moment of silence from her. As if she was trying to listen to her mind, she then shook her head gently.
"…No. I'm fine for now, Allendis." She said quietly. That was not convincing from her.
Maybe she was focusing on mapping the city? Allendis thought as he continued to walk forward but his eyes were still fixed on her.
Even if she was still mentally out of it, he could protect her by being alert of his surroundings. There were a few close calls, namely almost falling into a pit when he took the wrong turn and another Sevalen attack but so far, he was getting a hang of navigating the Hallow Ground.
"Can I look at the map?" Allendis suddenly asked. Both of them stopped walking. It would be too dangerous to continue without tracking where they were.
"Sure." Chelsea said, passing back his trusted notebook. When he grabbed his notebook, he felt her hand tremble at his touch.
That's not good. Allendis thought. He remained quiet about this for a moment. He didn't want her to feel pressured if he did ask about her mental state.
Oddly enough, he couldn't hear any whispers or any outside influence that called out to him. He was waiting for it, but nothing came. It was best not to dwell on it.
Allendis looked over the map she drew. Chelsea drew up lines and curves of their steps so that they could retrace them anytime. There were also a lot of 'X' marks that meant dead ends. From what he could tell they were nearing the city center from the pace they were going. The roads were a lot more converged through corners and alleyways.
He noticed that currently, they stop just shy away from the city center or a plaza of sorts.
"Let's head north." Allendis said as he gave his notebook back to Chelsea. "I think my theory is more plausible by the minute."
"Why's that?" Chelsea asked.
"If the map is correct then we started somewhere at the ring of the city. The solid roads we took led us here which based on its layout, seems to be a plaza. If this is a world from his memories then it makes sense that he knows his way around the plaza."
"Isn't all of that just speculation though?" Chelsea asked. She didn't sound unsure but she asked anyway.
"It is but it's better than nothing, right?" He asked as he placed his fingers on his chin. "If that's the case, then the route we took was also ingrained in his memory."
"Wait…" Chelsea seemed a bit shocked. Like she suddenly remembered something important. "The layout from where we started…the location of the Hallow Ground…it looks like the outer ring of the city. That's where we came in."
So she's finally seeing it. Allendis thought.
"Yeah. There's a good chance that we're following his steps before he dies."
"Which means the clearer the place is, the closer we can find its 'heart'!" Chelsea said.
"Well, it's a working theory. See what's ahead?" Allendis asked, pointing in front of them. "We might be able to find the 'heart' there."
Allendis wasn't sure if any of his deductions were right but he had to try. If they could end it right here and now, then all the better.
"Allendis!" Chelsea yelled as she pulled Allendis towards her. He saw a tendril made of shadow go right past his head. Barely an inch of his ear.
Tsk. I let my guard down for a second. Allendis thought.
He turned around and saw a creature that he had never seen before. It looked human. But he was a fair bit larger than them. Double his height even. Its arms were long, enough to scrape the ground with its sharp claws. Its legs were shaped like a bird's that he wondered how it even stood up. All of its limbs attached to a torso that was bigger than his entire body. The chest where the heart was had a huge crater on it. Not a hole, but it was dented, pulsing in red light.
What gave him the worst image was its facial features or rather lack thereof. It didn't have the white eyes that float like the boy's or other Sevalens. It doesn't have lips either, showcasing its enormous white teeth.
This was different. And it frightened him.
He didn't know what he was facing. Allendis prepared his sword, putting up a sword stance. He looked over to see Chelsea, panicked. Her eyes showed fear that he hadn't seen on her ever in the past six moons. Yet her hand still had her knife ready, even as it trembled in fear.
Fear… Allendis thought. The Hallow Ground that was made out of the collective fear of humanity. Despair given form where a world will consume you and grow even stronger.
Allendis gripped his sword tightly. They didn't need to be afraid. They need to kill this bastard.
If they failed, the last thing they would see would be the crimson sky of the Hallow Ground.