As morning began to draw in, Rafe still remained on watch, sitting on a large stone, staring into the rising sun, thinking. Jed was supposed to take over watch hours ago, Rafe didn't care. Right now, he was too focused on the future.
'I'm not supposed to have this, am I?' he let out a light laugh, 'And more importantly, what would a creation strong enough to kill a Lord be doing on that deserted path? Had it been abandoned? I doubt it'
Perhaps there was something on that path, something dangerous; something that creature had been sent to stop. However, how could such a weak creature kill whoever the 'Lord of Faces' was?
And why couldn't it fly with such large wings?
'I should try get whatever sleep I can get'
Rafe shook Jed awake.
"Arghh…Rafe? Ah, that time is it? Morning"
"Night. See you when I wake up"
Jed nodded, slowly waking up.
With that, Rafe laid down and attempted to sleep. He had around two hours left until Jed was supposed to wake them up. Of course, it was all guess work since they didn't have proper watches and whatnot. But by then, Twilight would wake up naturally, and they couldn't wait around all day.
While laying down, Rafe was still in thought. Thinking back on the pain still caused him to wince. It was hell after all. But why wouldn't it be? That item was likely Deific.
Rafe's eyes flew open with shock. Rank. What was it's rank?
With a thought, his status opened.
'As I thought…'
Item: [Korgin Eye]
Item Description: Created to kill the Lord of Faces, the Korgin was a terrible beast. It's eye could see behind any mask. The eye could see one's true face. With that, it defeated the Lord of Faces.
Abilities: [Lost Fascade]
'It doesn't display a rank'
What did that mean? What kind of item didn't have a rank? Perhaps it was independent to the system? No…then how would he have even gotten it? Unless the system was simply a tool for observing, and all stranded were mistaken in the thought it gave you the item. Perhaps whatever world the Land of the Stranded existed on simply operated like that, and the system was simply an aid in understanding things within the world.
Or perhaps he was rambling about nothing. Perhaps this item was simply different.
But if that was the case…who created the system? Who caused the stranded to appear? Or perhaps…what did?
No, it couldn't be. The system knows all about the item, therefore it couldn't be independent to it. Otherwise, he'd not even have a description, perhaps the item wouldn't even appear on his status. If that were the case, he'd never even know that he had it.
'Perhaps items like that existed, though? Haha, imagine. All of us could have insane items and never know it. Even items to escape, on us at all times without our knowledge. Only a sick person could think of doing that'
As he continued to ramble and theorise in his head, he eventually passed out from exhaustion.
The sun seemed to beam that day. It was quiet due to the lack of morning birds.
"Morning, kid" she said, warmly.
"Morning"
The stunning woman seemed to be attempting to start a fire. In the radiant warmth of the sun, it was much easier.
"Are you not addressing me as master anymore, kid?"
Rafe shook his head.
"Not until you drop the kid. I'm fourteen"
Master chuckled.
"Exactly, you're only a child. Though, I suppose I thought like you when I was younger. People like us have to grow up quickly; too quickly"
Rafe seemed expressionless.
"Fire should be good in ten minutes or so, just let it gather for now" Master said.
Rafe looked around at the scenery, a few forests surrounded them. They seemed incredibly vague, as though they were but a bad recollection, an unimportant background detail. Rafe pondered about it, then found himself looking elsewhere, as though he had transitioned to a different gaze.
After thinking for a moment, he turned back to look at Master.
His eyes widened in shock.
She was being devoured by a foul monster, he body ripped apart by it's sharp teeth. Blood dripped down from the upper part of Master's body, pooling onto the dead grass.
Blood dripped from her blood-soaken armour down to the lifeless ground. Was it life that caressed the dead grass? Or was it simply more vile death? Soaking into the grass, a red field seemed to grow, getting deeper and deeper.
Soon the soil was warped into a red colouring, receiving it's first hydration in years. What a strange thought; death bring life. Well…was it beautiful? Or was it utterly revolting?
As the crisp, hard soil absorbed the Master's innocent blood, it seemed to soften, smoothen down. It was such a strange sight, watching innocent blood pour down onto the lifeless ground. Life was being drained from the beautiful woman, being gifted to the surroundings.
Death brought life.
Tightly gripped by the creatures teeth, Master's eyes seemed empty, devoid of life. As though she had already died inside. Now, she was simply waiting to die in this world, ready to move on to whatever was next, even if it was simply nothing; even if it was simply the end of everything.
Suddenly, a slow river of blood drifted down from the pool of blood dripping from Master. Holding it's meal in it's large gob, the monster didn't seem to notice Rafe, or perhaps it simply ignored the weak boy, it wasn't like that lowly creature could defeat it. There was more chance of the weakling killing himself before he could kill it.
She smiled at Rafe. Then her eyes sharpened as though trying to say something. Her lips moved, and an inaudible raspy whisper left her mouth.
"Run…"
However, that was only a figment of Rafe's imagination. In reality, she was long dead, being chewed by the monster. It seemed his mind had simply warped the memory to comfort him.
Of course, he knew the truth. He knew this recollection was a lie. He never got to say goodbye. He never got to thank his Master for her help. He simply ran, like a coward. He couldn't save her.
He was weak.