Gemini's Diary- Entry 4
Let me tell you a secret… NOTHING! In this world comes free, that's a lesson you learn as you grow up in the tower, nobody does something without ulterior motives, good will is just an excuse to gain favor, It's simply human nature. That at least, is the life I had to live, the majority of people see us as "tools", something they can use for gain. However, just like everything in life, there is the exception, do not pick your foes, allies, or the in-between carelessly, Orion.
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My eyes slowly trace the worn ink stained pages of the journal and as they do, the soft golden glow of the sun slowly peeks through the window. And finally, morning greets me.
It goes without saying I couldn't get a hint of sleep, too much happened for me to rest without a care in the world. Thankfully just laying down and resting gave me all the energy I needed at least. So after six hours of lying down, wide awake, I decided to read from the book. And so far, I've learned two things about it.
The Journal is split into six different categories: advice, locations, monsters, inchor, stories, and etc. The last is a category that encompasses anything the others might not.
The second thing I learned is that the journal has an almost endless amount of content!!
Mom's been writing in this thing for twelve whole years!! Funny.. I knew mom liked to write every now and then.. but never would have thought she would be so well written, just from looking at the way her pen danced along the pages, and the structure of her sentences, I could tell she was passionate about writing.
You'd probably think a dumb kid like me would hate the thought of having to read a book probably five times the size of the Bible. But the truth is I actually love the idea of it!
I am somewhat a fan of literature, living alone in these woods means I don't ever get to experience anything new, or talk to anyone I haven't met before. But delving head first into a world through a story lets me.. be someone else, live their life. If only for a little while. I used to ask Auntie to bring me stories all the time, more specifically, stories of unparalleled hero's, like this one book called Journey To The West, about one monster of a monkey, achieving the unthinkable, and overcoming every challenge that he faced!!
Wait.. Auntie?
"Oh! RIGHT!"
I bound from my light plush bed, the cotton residents residing on it tumbling off with me, as I lightly land on the wooden flooring, an idea hits me!
As I exit the house, I sling a satchel along my shoulder, with it hanging off my back, I decided the only thing I'd take with me would be the Journal, if I need food or fresh water, I could always hunt, or find a nice spring, if mom hammered anything in my head, it were how to do those two things.
Besides.. This book's seriously way too big, I doubt I could fit anything else in this bag..
But I digress, let's get to the plan.
I'm not sure how or where to find mom, but one thing I know for sure is Auntie is somewhere called floor Dos, I don't really know what that is either, but if she can visit so often, it's got to be close right? If I meet up with her, surely we can figure SOMETHING out.
So that's basically all I got, find Auntie and go from there, I'll focus solely on that, and worry about the rest later.
I March along, the fresh breeze brushing though my hair, as I stride confidently off toward the tower.
It doesn't take but maybe 20 minutes to reach the extravagant pillar piercing the heavens.
It's unbelievable, for years, I stared at this divine structure, eager to scour its contents, and now, it's really happening. Of course I was happy with mom, I could probably have spent the rest of my life with her without complaint.. But what young boy can resist the unknown?
…
…I gotta shut up.. You aren't doing this to mess around.. You gotta save Mom. That's why you're diving head first into the tower.
Despite those words, as I march up the hill, an indescribable joy can't help but bubble up in my chest. And with each step closer, it nearly spills out my throat as laughter.
"Heheh," As I stand face to face with the tower, I look over it closely. Strange.. Upon a closer look, it more resembles wood, then stone, like some sort of tree. It possesses small dents, a distinctive wooden feel, and yet it was an unmistakably stone.
"Hmmmm, wait? Where is the door?" even looking at it thrice over, I couldn't actually find a way in.. hmm how about..
"Open Says- Meeee~" I knock gingerly on the door, hoping that would do something
…
"I guess not.."
After a minute of standing there like an idiot, I take my hand off– or try!
"Wh-," without realizing, my hand was being sucked in! "Woah Hey!! HEY!!!" and soon my upper arm, and forearm follow!
"AHHHHHH–"
And I'm Slurped up, My mortal vessel eviscerated, turned into nothing but a memory, and die.
…Or not..
My Body doesn't exist, and yet it's still there. An unexplainable contradiction that can't be conveyed with words.
I look around and see everything, meaning all of it ends up black and indistinguishable, like a mix of every color on a canvas.
Despite the situation, a sort of ease can't help but wash over me..
Wait, what's going on anyway?
"Sagatraias?"
A flawless voice hits me, I look around in search of my visitor, but I discover no one's there. That's when I realized it was somehow reverberating through my head.
"Who?" I ask.
"....Ah.. It's you, it's been many moons since we met, yet you seem.. younger..." A surprised tinge lingers in his voice.
And I can't help but feel puzzled. "I uh.. don't know you man, I think you've got the wrong guy.."
I can't see it.. But I think it hums with some sort of.. Understanding? "Mmm.. I see.. your his kin, forgive me, I can't help but see man and child as one of the same, Giving birth is essentially cultivating an Organ after all, is it not?"
"Um.. I Gues– Listen, who even are you?!" I'm so unbearably confused, I start yelling.
And he simply states, "I'm Me."
…
…Ugh.. I can't stand the Cryptic types! "What do you mean, Me!! Just give a straight answer!!!" I shriek as I flail my arms at the disembodied voice.
…
A painful silence fills the void as he remains silent.
…
…
"So be it, I am the Entity that decides whether you can climb the tower. Tell me Kin of Kings, your nomenclature.
Suddenly his tone carries a stern authority, It's less a question, and more a demand, one.. I couldn't possibly bring myself to ignore.
"I.. Im Orion, I Want to get to… Wherever the King is.. And-"
"You Misunderstand, I do not care to know why you wish to climb the tower, Simply your name." he corrects, but there is no malice in his voice, just blunt honesty.
…
I Stay Silent.
…
"Well then, Orion, Let me ask you this, do you TRULY wish to climb the tower?" He probes.
Is this a test? Can only certain kinds of people climb the tower? If I fail.. can I not go up? So many questions, and no answers… Well whatever, I'll just have to play this faceless freaks game..
I steel myself, prepared for the worst, and unwaveringly state my answer.
"Y-"
"Good enough."
Snap
Before I can even finish the single syllable, I find the ground suddenly missing from my feet.
"Huh?" I stayed suspended in mid-air for exactly 4.2 seconds… then..
"WAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH~" I Plummet toward the unknown.
As my Consciousness stirs, my bodily functions slowly flick on, one at a time, and as my hazy head clears, slowly I rise off the Cold, Stone floor.
"Ugh.."
Surrounding me is a dense white fog, you could only see maybe 15 meters in front of you, not exactly ideal.
Below me I stomp my bare feet on the smooth cobble. Hmm, judging from the ground, I'd bet there's at least 10 feet of stone separating the earth and me. I'm definitely not in the forest anymore…
As I Stroll through fog, I can't pick up any past signs of life, no animals, plants, not even bugs. Just the dead calm of a stone world… until.
"Hmmm?" Suddenly I'm face to face with a towering stone wall, easily stretching past the narrow view of the mist.
As I skim along it, I discover a Path, Multiple paths in fact..
"A Maze?" I say
It is now clear I stand in a sort of Stone labyrinth, Twisting halls and Corridors, knitted together to create a winding web, to ensnare its prey.
Paired with a dense fog..
In front of me stands three paths, left, right, and middle, nothing especially stands out about my choices, so I pick right for no particular reason.
After walking aimlessly for 10 minutes, taking random turns, I manage to happen upon something!
"..Blood?" While I'm following along the wall, I spot drops of flesh blood trailing along the floor.
"...." Quietly I follow the trail, until I find.. her..
A girl, a beautiful girl!
She possessed long silver locks that illuminated her person like a full moon, a small slender frame that clearly hasn't seen much combat, and a smooth pale face befitting a doll.
But in reality that wasn't all that important, considering she's being attacked.
She sits crouched on the ground, cornered against one of the labyrinths' gargantuan walls, clutching her wounded arm, and above her, a skeleton towers over her small frame.
The wretched pile of bones is welded together by an intangible force, despite lacking all of the necessities to live, it simply exists, ignoring the laws of nature.
The Aged fossil holds a rusted Scabbard in his hand, already stained with faint traces of blood, it doesn't take a genius to determine its intentions.
But I'm not really worried about that.
Oooo.. This is my first time meeting a girl my age! I gotta make a good impression.. Alright Orion, swoop in and dazzle her with a cool oneliner, like Persues or something!
As the Skeleton Raises his sword, preparing to snuff that girl's light, I make my move!
In Less than a Second, I Pounce onto the skeleton, driving my heel into it's skull and It gives way surprisingly easily, pulverized into a fine powder.
The girl shaked, startled by my appearance, and instantaneous dismantlement of her foe.
"What…" a soft strained voice slips from her throat, seemingly worn out from screaming.
I smile at her, holding out my hand, now's the time! razzle her!
"I like women." I announce
Huh? What'd I say?
The words in my head, and the words in my mouth seem to somehow switch places, leaving me in an awkward situation.
DAMMIT! This was your first impression.. And you blew it!! AGRH! I want to crawl in a hole, into a coffin, nail it down, fill it with cement, and hide there for the rest of my-
Squeeze–
Then, I find arms wrapped around my neck, holding on to me for dear life, stiff dry breaths leak out the girl as she sobs.
"I-I-I.. I thought I was.. Dead.. I thought.. Everything I was.. Wa- was.. going to be gone.. I-" She practically chokes me! Wailing as tears pour from her.
"Woah Woah, hold on, I uh.. It's gonna be alright?" I say.
I raise my arms to return her hug, but half way I stop and just pat her on the back in an attempt to soothe her.
Dang, I have no idea what I did but I think she likes me! Guess I just have natural charisma~
As she sobs, she tilts back her head and her cheeks start to puff.
And I grab her shoulders to steady her, "Woah easy there partner! Its gonna be alright real-
"*Hrk!* BLEEEEEHHHH!!!" She Vomits.. all over-
…
"AIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!" I Shriek!
I think my head is fuzzy… Next thing I know, I'm sitting against the wall, as the girl wipes a handkerchief along my chest.
As she does she apologizes profusely, "I'm sorry! So sorry.. please forgive me! It's just.. All of a sudden I felt sick and.." wiping away the mess she continues over and over..
"It's… All…. Goood…" I say deadpan, this is easily the most horrific experience i've ever been through..
"Do.. do you mean it," She stares at me, her white ears shining like pearls, desperately sorry.
"Of course.. Though next time.. Please aim away.." I groan
After she finishes cleaning me up, I stand, lower my hand, and pull her up too.
"Welp, I think it's time we introduce ourselves, my name is Orion! The dashing hero that saves all those in need!" I say as I Pose, attempting to look as cool as possible."
"Heheh.. Your.. Silly Orion," She giggles, "I suppose one introduction deserves another! My name is Casa!" She states, politely bowing.
….WOW! This is the NICEST girl I've ever met!(out of 3, 4 if you count that Marci girl!) She's not loud, rough… or crude!
"My.. Casa.. what a lovely name~" I say as I double down on my extravagant pose.
"Heh.. Thanks.. I picked it out myself!" She beams with pride!
"Huh? You.. did?" Suddenly I'm confused, or is that a joke? Craaap! I suck at small talk!!
"Oh.. well it's a long story…" She looks down, clutching her chest, as an unexplainable expression creeps onto her face.
"Oooh.. I love stories! Go on!" I say trying to keep the conversation going.
She stares at me blankly, then says "Well um… how about this, Why don't I show you?" She stands, and starts walking though the fog, "I really should be getting back to the others anyway.."
Others?!?
I spring into the air, landing directly beside her! "You shoulda mentioned them! Come on, let's go!" I say as I raced off-
"Um.. The other way!" She interrupts.
…
I make a U-turn and continue my stride!
As we weave through the indistinguishable stone paths, unadulterated excitement simmers in my gut, the opportunity to meet a group of people for the first time has me soaring sky high!!
Back at home, I wasn't allowed to meet other people, mom said it was for my safety, and I never questioned it.
But being a young boy, I couldn't help but be a little disobedient, so occasionally, I'd sneak off to the nearby villages.
If i'd had to liken it to something, it was like being a princess, trapped at the top of a tower, I could look down at the kingdom, on high, see their lives playout, completely contrasting mine, see the community they forged over the course of decades, traditions, festivals, and cookouts. I could peer into the world all I wanted, but I could never be a part of it.
But that changes now..
"Are we there yet!" I ask for the hundredth time shamelessly!
"Maybe.. It's kinda hard to remember your way with all this fog.." she says uncertain
But despite her skepticism, she turned out to be spot on, and soon the dense fog thins out.
After finally finding an oasis outside the fog, we come across a large area, spanning maybe 400 feet, and the first signs of life I've seen all day are present, short grass rooted into the stone, thin stick like trees protruding from the cracks in the ground, and a clear shot of the night sky, illuminated by a lustrous full moon, but all of that was irrelevant compared to the area's center piece.
Tens.. dozens.. No..
Over a HUNDRED! People stand in the center of the area, mingling with one other!
The villages had a lot of people, but nowhere this much! Unbelievable!!
I think I'm gonna go light-headed.. But before I can Casa's slender hand squeezes my wrist, and pulls me toward the group.
"Everyone!" she squeals, over joyed, tears welling in her eyes. I suppose moments ago, she thought she would have died and never seen them again.
The large group goes silent and most, if not all turn upon hearing her voice.
"Casa!" they cheer, and meet her sprint half way and pull her into a tight embrace– Including me!
Suddenly I'm wrapped into a tight hug from all sides! And the LIFE is wrung from my body!
"H-Hey! I think you're gonna break something!!" I Scream!
"The group of people suddenly stop, pulling away, realizing I exist."
A middle aged man, with dark hazel hair speaks up" Casa? Who's this.." He speaks, slightly wary.
"Oh! This is Orion. He's a Hiker like us! There's no need to be afraid!" she explains.
Despite her obviously trustworthy words, most of them don't seem convinced, and take a few steps back.
Hmmm.. not a problem, not everyone is good with new people, I'll have to slowly win their trust so they all love me!
I flash them a bright smile, "Nice to meet 'cha yah!" and a couple of them seem to ease up a little, nice!
"Oh wait. Casa, what's that thing you were talking about? A Hiker?" I asked, confused.
"Y-you don't know?" she says surprised,"
The Man with Hazel hair steps in front of Casa, and speaks up, "I Guess an explanation is in order huh, it's the least we could do," he then sinks to his knees and grabs Casa's arm, as he neatly wraps her wound in bandages, then continues.
"Everyone who climbs the tower is deemed a Hiker, a being aiming to climb to a higher position in the tower, You, me, and the rest of the group all fall into this category."
He states
"And to go higher inside the tower, you must complete a test, putting it simply, that's all there is to climbing."
As he finishes dressing Casa's wound he stands.
"These Tests are moderated, and distributed but the Mountaineers– the tower's guardians." he says.
"Uhh.. I think I get it, but how come none of these Mountaineers told me any of this crap?" I ask
"....Well there could be a multitude of reasons, but I think the biggest are the circumstances of the floor, for you see.. This is a collaborative test,"
Behind the man, an older woman with brown skin chimes in, "Now that right hun, we need all you young in's to pull your weight cause if we don't we'll all fail!" She leans into me, jabbing her finger in my chest.
"Uh…" I let out.
Now that three of them have spoken to me, I noticed they all had something in common: a tall man with hazel hair, a short elderly woman with brown skin, and Casa. all sharing 2 traits. brown ragged clothes, and black leather collars, each with a bronze tag.
And not just those three, the entire group! All of them shared these peculiar clothes.
"Oh.. uh… what's with the strange get up? You all.. Family or some shi- THING!" I corrected myself, I want Casa to see me as polite.
The three in front of me look at me surprised, they then turn to each other, unsure whether to speak, and the Tall man just firmly nods. Then Casa continues.
"...Family.. Yes.. that's not a bad word for it.. But it's far too pleasant to fit exactly," she says, wincing at her past.
"You see.. On floor Uno, we were considered slaves."
"S-Slaves?" I shout?
I kinda wanna say something, but nothing comes to mine, Casa catches on, and continues.
"Yesterday, a seemingly once in a lifetime opportunity came by… massive tremors shot through the floor, an evacuation order was sent out by the tower itself, warning everyone in floor uno of a Beast approaching, suddenly, everyone was scrambling to escape so desperately, our masters didn't even bat at eye as we fled, just horrified by the coming monster.. And so we managed to flee into the tower." she says in a slight trance, almost as if she can't believe it herself.
My eyes scanned over the entire group, there were definitely over a hundred of them, and ALL of them slipped out, that's crazy!
"..Well uh, how long have you been here?" I ask, still scanning them.
The man looks up at the sky and raises his hand, seemingly trying to measure the moon and says "Well, so far.. It's been about ten hours."
Ten hours ago, that might have been around when that old bastard came and snatched up mom, maybe they were related? Eh I guess it doesn't matter.
"I do gotta say, for a bunch of slaves, you're pretty knowledgeable about all this tower stuff, they teach it in a class or something!" I joke.
But my teasing only makes Casa cringe, "... I know I told you we were slaves.. But that's not true anymore! If you want to refer to us as something.. Call us the pilgrims! After all, from now on. We're free!" she states, grinning ear to ear.
"Are you free? Or have you merely fled from one cage to another?" an uninvited voice worms its way into the conversation, agitation lingering in his voice.
I turn and see a man.. No, a hunter.
Now that I see him, I can't bring myself to look away, not out of awe, or wonder. But caution against a fellow predator.
He leaned gingerly against the thin tree, poised to act at moments notice, he seemed like the type who sleeps with two eyes open.
The man possessed short Blueish-Black hair, rough pale skin with clear signs of healed scars across his arms and face, he wore a tight black shirt that clung to him like a second skin, along with skinny jeans, all complemented by a lean, tall frame.
If I had to describe him as an animal, I'd say he's identical to a wolf.
But that doesn't matter… we've just crossed eyes.. But he pisses me off!
"Hey! Whatdya mean Caged, Ass-hole!" I march over, ready to give the man a piece of-
"H-hold on Orion, Klive's a bit blunt but he means well." She grips my arm, stopping me in my tracks, hey! let go I'm not–
"Now, I don't mean to be offensive, I'm just trying to remind all of you, that you're not out of the woods." if your not careful you could wind up doing something stupid, and dying… Like when you went looking for that brother of yours.." he states calmly.
!!!
I pull my arm out of her weak grip, and storm over to the man. Soon I'm face to face with him.
"Now you're calling her stupid!? Why I outta!!" but he cuts me off.
"What do you care… you just met 10 minutes ago, already smitten? And of course I am, I told her not to go after her idiot brother because she'd get herself killed looking for him in this maze, Orion was it? Tell me.. What happened before you met her.." said the asshole!
"Uh.. well.. See– WHO CARES! It doesn't matter what happened, you don't get to be a dick about it!" I yell!
"It seems I rest my case… the reason she's alive at all now is nothing but dumb luck.." he then turns to her, glaring daggers though her, "Remember that next time you sneak off…"
She returns his glare, with a terrified guilty expression, like that of an injured bunny staring down a fox.
OOOOOOO!!!! This guy!!
I raise my fist, my next action needs no clarification, despite his smart mouth, I can tell he's got no bite. I could turn him into paste just like the skeleton earlier if I wanted! Yeah that's right! IMA KILL Yo-
But again, frail slender arms wrap around my chest, stopping me from proceeding.
"ORION STOP! Don't hurt Mr. Klive! He's the one who's been helping us so far! Everything we know, it's thanks to him!" she pleads desperately.
…UGH! DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT! I'm Soooooooo pissed! But I can't splatter this guy if Casa doesn't want me to…
The Man simply stares at me, his expression unreadable, and says "Done? Then allow me to explain the plan," and moves on to the next point without a care in the world.
"Here's the run-down, You, me, and all 230 of these Pilgrims are taking test one, and must collaborate to clear the test. There is one main goal, and that is to find the golden egg hidden somewhere in the maze. And bring it back to this safe zone." he states simply, not bothering to check if I caught up, he pulls away from the tree and turns to leave," Come along kid, we've wasted enough time, we need to start looking for the egg, or we'll run out of time." He demands.
"Huh? After all that bullshit you expect me to be at your beck and call?" I wail!!
But the man doesn't bat an eye, "Of course, you desperately want to pass the test too, correct? I can tell you're not the type to sit still either." he says nonchalantly, continuing his stride.
"Well- Uh.. you're not wrong.. But like…" I say dubiously.
But then my girl chimes.
"Wait! On your way! Can't you find Nova also? Please?!" She plead desperately, Clinging onto my arm, pulling me flush against her–
"YEEEESS!" I wail, speaking before I think. "Wait, who's that again?"
"He's my brother! We've been there for each other all our lives! two hours ago, he said he was gonna find the egg by himself and bring it back here!" tears welled up in her eyes as she stammered.
But that asshole immediately shuts it down.
"No chance, we have no idea where he could be in this endless fog, it's probably faster just to snatch up the egg, and hope he's fine by the time we clear the test.." he says, a tinge of annoyance leaking out of him.
"But.. But.. But! It hasn't been long since he's been gone! He could still be nearby!" She yells at him, but the heartless man just continues his stride.
She whimpers, disappointed, then turns to me. "Orion! You have to find him! You can look for it on your way! Right! You'll do it, right.." a quiet pain lingers in her eyes… mann.. I didn't even have to think about it.
"Why of course madam! I'll bring your brother "Neva" back in one piece!" I promised!
But Klive just grimaces at my seemingly unfounded optimism, "Oh.. will you now? And how exactly do you plan to pull that off, miracle worker, put up missing posters.." he says sarcastic.
But the corners of my mouth simply rose into a cocky smirk, "Actually, I'll have you know I see myself as a professional hunter, you don't need your eyes alone to find someone.." I then turn to Casa, and ask "Do you have anything he keeps on his person, or slept with?"
She tilts her head slightly confused, then nods. "Um.. yes.. Before he left, he left me his headband, saying "It'd be a memento if he "eats it" his words.." she then pulls out a long red sash, a little tattered from years of abuse."
"Damn, this thing looks old.." I take it from her and examine it."
"Well.. He's had it for probably 6 years.. Mom had made it for him back in the day…" she sigh wearily
"Hmm.. I see, well I'd be perfect." I then bring it to my mouth, and take a BIG! DEEP! whiff, "Damn that smells.. alright I got the scent."
Both Klive and Casa seem a little flabbergasted at my sudden action, Casa taken aback, and Klive a bit more doubtful.
"...Is that really all it takes? You believe you can find him now? Just like that.." Klive says.
"Pretty much, I've got a snout five-hundred times more precise than a blood-hound! That Nile guys are as good as mine!" I proudly declare.
"Um.. it's Nova actually.." Casa corrects.
"Yeah yeah yeah, don't worry your pretty little head, I don't know about Grouchy over here… but I'll get your brother back! I pat her on the shoulder comforting her.
Klive grips his chin, quietly contemplating to himself, after a solid minute he speaks up.
"...Fine.. You do remind me of a mad dog, I'll believe it… and because of that, I'm not letting you run rabid in that fog alone either.."
"Oh, you sure are desperately clinging onto me huh.. I figured you hated me.." I chide
But with about flinching he says, "I DON'T like you, your are a wild fool who thinks only with his head down stairs, but it's a fact I need you, so I won't go out my way to make you my enemy, and I'm pretty sure you'll do the same." he clarifies.
"MAN! How about you kiss my ass! Now are you gonna move yours, or complain about me all day?"
I say, marching over toward the west, that's current where his trail is coming from, and stand right before the dense fog, then turn to look at my aggravating partner.
He simply sighs, and mutters, "Children…" He then makes a scene, informing all the Pilgrims of our current plan, and then follows me into the Miasma.
And so ends, my little moment with the Pilgrims, I didn't go around and chat all them up, (Grouchy didn't give me a chance..) but it was nice. I'm sure they'll all like me after I save their friend, and everything should be smooth sailing from there.
But deep in the nether regions of my stomach, I knew such an outcome was baseless, wishful thinking.
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Chapter 2- END