Yael paused for a moment, hearing her sweet voice. It took all of his willpower for him to remain standing on his decision as he swallowed; his heart felt like it was trying to pump blood through his body after running a marathon. Despite that, he smiled, coming to his senses. He squared his shoulder. "No," Yael firmly answered.
Solanne raised her right brow. She chuckled. She leaned, confident. "You'll eventually forgive me."
Yael shrugged as he rolled his eyes. "We'll see about that."
True to his word, Yael shut his mouth, not daring to utter any words. From the looks of it, he wants to prove something. It reminded her of her brother after their fights. Solanne observed him momentarily, amused, thinking about how he could keep this act.
Since Yael was not speaking with her, Solanne shifted her attention to the windows. Like all the other trips, the windows appear blurry, as the train was traveling at the speed of light. Despite that, the inside of the train remained as if time was frozen.
Soon enough, as Solanne watched the window, the blurry scene turned completely dark, which caught her off guard. She blinked, thinking that perhaps something had blocked her eyes. Her gaze shifted, and she looked at Yael only for his attention to the window. He frowned and seemed confused, yet still held on to his words that he wouldn't forgive her. Not yet.
Pulling herself together, Solanne cleared her throat. "Seems like we entered a cave."
"That could be it," Yael muttered back, eyes on the window before grabbing the pamphlet in his pocket. Solanne mirrored what he had done and opened a pamphlet, just within their expectations; words were scribbled on the paper.
A new rule was given to them.
'Time will always be subjective to another person's definition, and as you look through the books, remember that what you have read has already passed, and no amount of money, wealth, fame, or even power can change it. Do not offer your help."
Solanne read the words; she can't help but raise her brow. The description alone made her curious. Just as she was about to think about the different meanings of this, the train suddenly stopped. No scene can be reflected in the window; instead, it is just a pitch-black square.
She swallowed, feeling all her senses heightened when she heard, "Temporal junction."
Solanne couldn't help but feel her whole body tense as she braced herself to stand up. Yael was behind her. The pamphlet still has those words written. Just as they got off the train, what had unfolded before them had rendered Solanne speechless.
Through the underground tunnel lies a place where the dead sleep and forever be in peace. Beneath the ground were tunnels; looking at Yael, Solanne braced herself as she stepped forward. The train had already left.
Taking her first step, she can feel the coldness on her body. Yael didn't speak any words, yet he followed closely from behind. As they descend into the depths, a sense of solemnity and reverence pervades the air. For Solanne, it felt like a reminder of the sacred purpose for which these tunnels were created and what lies ahead.
The place was eerie silent as the walls were lined with rows of niches and alcoves carved into the stone to serve as a resting place for the deceased. Here were the remains of countless individuals find their eternal repose. Solanne, despite the fear, didn't look away as she felt that looking at them straight, facing them head-on wa, was a form of respect as these bones were proof of the life that was once lived, and looking away was stripping and denying them their very existence.
Yael watched Solanne silently, afraid of what lay ahead of them, yet, just like Solanne, he continued to walk. Not because he was curious, nor did he want to respect the place, but because Solanne was willing to walk forward, eyes with fear, yet her will couldn't be swayed.
Yael can't help but swallow; he had considered this before, yet every time he looks at Solanne, he feels like a reader watching a protagonist defy the fates ahead and await them. Her opinions and actions seemed to stem from her different experiences, and she was open to these experiences that shaped her very being. She's amazing.
That was why he found it amusing, relaxing, and very comfortable to be by her side. How could Yael explain it? Solanne felt like an adult, yet occasionally, he saw a glimpse of childishness and innocent feelings. And the best thing about it was she never hid it.
Despite their position and job, Yael can't help but be curious about her. To learn from her. To see things from her perspective. It was the first time Yael had been interested in someone, and he was dying to know.
Feeling he had more time, he pushed his thoughts aside and focused on the present.
As they walked, they saw the bones and skulls arranged with reverence, forming macabre patterns and designs that spoke ancient rituals and tractions that had visited this place before.
As the darkness expands, their eyes struggle to see, with a flicker, as if the cave had sensed their dilemma; like a breath of magic, torches suddenly light up and cast dancing shadows on the walls, illuminating the carvings. These inscriptions were adorned in every stone. Some symbols and words reflect people's devotion, faith, and hope and tell tales that were once lived.
Seeing this, Solanne can't help but feel so small and helpless. Death will always be inevitable, yet in this cave, it looked as if death was something that had given these people peace. Their last hope, and as a person who was alive, will never understand the feeling of being laid here.
Solanne clenched her hand, feeling something inside her. She doesn't know, no, perhaps she does. Maybe the peace she was seeking was right in front of her; she was just inside her mind, afraid that Yael might take it seriously and berate her for her negative thoughts.
As they walked deeply into the cave, smelling the cool air and musty scent of earth and decay, she felt someone had touched her hand, clasping it, afraid to let go. She looked up, seeing Yael holding her hands as if his life depended on it.
She raised both of her brows. Solanne softly smiles. "I thought you were mad at me?" She joked.
Yael scoffed, yet his mouth remained shut. How could he not hold her hand when her expression looked like she was willing to sleep here forever and never be found? Yael had always been sure of everything around his life, yet Solanne was the only variable that made him heartache, afraid of the future she had in her mind, for she feared nothing, especially when it came to her life.
Solanne and Yael entered the cave, following the passage and arrows that gave them directions. As they wandered through the dimly lit cave, their hands were clasped, seeking comfort for each other's warmth, comforted with the thoughts that they still have each other as they go deeper.
None of them spoke, afraid of disturbing those who slumber. As they ventured more deeply, the pamphlet suddenly lit up, drawing both of their attention, yet no words were written. However, Solanne caught something carved on the wall. As soon as she stepped forward to look at it, Yael yanked her hand, pulling her closer.
She frowned, "What?"
"Where are you going?" He hissed. He seemed worried. Solanne pointed to the lines that were carved on the wall of the cave. "There's something there."
Yael followed the direction to where Solanne was pointing. There, he found a door, afraid to even take a step forward; Solanne had already taken the lead. Yael held his breath as Solanne slowly pushed the door; the sound echoed in every corner of the cave.
Yael tensed up, feeling that the bones would come back to life. He fixed his gaze on the bones, and for a moment, he felt like a second had lasted for an eternity. He sighed in relief as he had confirmed that there were no movements that he needed to be wary about.
While Yael was focused on the bones, Solanne, on the other hand, was focused on the other side of the door. She didn't have any idea what was behind the door inside this catacomb, and as she opened it, she braced herself.
Deep within the maze of this catacombs was a hidden chamber they had found coincidentally. A place they never expected to see deep in this place where people used to slumber. A sanctuary of books, knowledge, and wisdom nestled beneath the earth.
Solanne gasped, catching Yael off guard. He immediately shifted his gaze in front, only to react like her.
Right in front of them were books. Tons of books.
Yael braced himself as he asked, "A library?"
Solanne was momentarily speechless before nodding, "Seems like it."
--