I stare at him, stunned. We lock eyes for a moment, then I turn and walk back toward the complex.
I’m disappointed. In the end, Pherebos is just like Henri. He thinks that because he helped me, I should just do whatever he says. I really thought he’d be different.
Just as I’m about to reach the complex, Wingo appears, tumbling in belly-first like he’s been rolling downhill.
“What happened?”he asks.
“Oh, nothing. That stubborn Asgarnian guy is acting like a dictator, laying down rules like he built the place himself!”
“Are you sure? Pherebos usually isn’t like that. He’s pretty chill most of the time.”
“He banned me from the lake! Just for wanting a swim! Can you believe it?”
“Ah, the lake,”Wingo says knowingly.
“What? I can swim!” I say, a little defensive.
“It’s not about you. Pherebos has a thing with water. Or more precisely, with being submerged. It’s an old trauma. But it’s not my story to tell.”
I’ve been through my own share of pain. So… I’ll let it go. Just this once.
Chapter 11.
Pherebos.
I’m swimming in the lake, and it feels incredible—like something I haven’t felt in ages. God, I’ve missed this.
On the shore, I spot Ileana. She slips off her shoes and dips her toes into the water. She’s wearing these short boxer-style shorts that barely cover anything. Then she pulls them off, followed by the tunic she had on. Now she’s completely naked—nothing left to hide. I’m too far away to really see her, though. Not well enough to take in the full beauty of the moment. So I swim closer, drawn to her, eager to admire every curve.
But then—her skin starts to blister and peel. Her face twists in pain, and my blood runs cold. She turns toward me, crying out, and suddenly everything around us is burning. The water, the air—it’s all fire. I can’t reach her. I can’t help her. We’re both trapped. And I know what’s coming.
She collapses, unconscious, and for a second I feel almost relieved. At least she won’t have to suffer anymore. My heart’s pounding so hard it hurts. I remember this. I’ve lived this. I’ve begged for deathwith every breath. I never want to go through that again.
“Pherebos!”Wingo’s voice cuts through the chaos.
“Save yourself!”I shout.“Run! Get as far away as you can!”
“Pherebos, wake up! It’s just a nightmare!”
“No, you don’t get it. They’re all dead… you have to run… they’re all dead…”
Then I feel it—a cool, wet tongue dragging across my face. It grounds me, pulls me back. Slowly, the nightmare fades. I wake up gasping, heart racing. I’m not boiling alive. Ileana’s fine. She’s asleep in her room, safe, on the other side of the complex. It was just a dream. A terrible dream, born from memories I wish I could erase.
Wingo’s always the one who pulls me back from the edge.
“Oh, I’m up! Stop drooling on me. And seriously—your breath is awful.”
I know, not the nicest thing to say when I’m this grateful. But I’m still shaking.
“You’re welcome, my friend!”he says cheerfully.“And hey, not my fault. I found a nest of slime larvae. Couldn’t resist. You should try them sometime—you might actually like it!”
“No way. But thanks for the offer. And… sorry I snapped at you,” I add, rubbing my eyes. “Guess I’m just a little cranky when I wake up.”
“Why do you say maybe?”
I glance over at her, still a bit groggy, and stretch out my stiff muscles. I’m fully awake now—no chance I’m falling back asleep.
I check outside. Still a while before sunrise.
