Though his words echoed what I already knew, my heart still plummeted at the reminder of the seemingly insurmountable obstacle standing between me and my home.
"Do you truly have no recollection of how you were transported here?" Ludwig asked cautiously, breaking the prolonged silence that hung between us.
As I struggled to sit up, my weakening arms trembling under the effort, my gaze met Ludwig's. I was startled to realize how close he was, our proximity so intimate that a mere inch separated our skin from touching. Shyly, I shifted away, withdrawing into myself.
"Nothing, really," I murmured, my eyes fixed on my clenched fists. "The last thing I remember was being pursued by those men." A heavy silence settled between us once more, but the weight of unanswered questions pressed upon me, demanding to be voiced. Despite my fear of the unknown, I forced the words out. "Is there really no other way aside from the portals?"
Ludwig's eyes, shimmering like beacons in the darkness, held me captive even in the dim light. Though his features were obscured, I could sense his intense gaze fixed upon me, probing the depths of my mind in search of answers that remained elusive.
"Nothing else," he affirmed solemnly, his words resonating with finality.
Despite knowing the answer beforehand, a sense of disappointment washed over me, tempered only by the gratitude I felt for Ludwig's steadfast presence. I hadn't realized how much I needed his support until this moment of solitude.
"And all the portals were truly destroyed? Every last one of them? Are you absolutely certain there's no other way?" I repeated the question, my desperation evident in my tone. It felt almost irrational to ask repeatedly, but I couldn't help but cling to the hope that perhaps, against all odds, there might still be a glimmer of possibility. I was grateful that Ludwig allowed me to voice my concerns without interruption, lending me a semblance of solace in the face of uncertainty.
"As a Fae," Ludwig patiently explained, "we possess a heightened sensitivity to the presence of working portals. However, it has been an exceedingly long time since the last portal was open."
"Then how did I truly arrive in this world? Perhaps Percival was lying. Perhaps they were the ones who abducted me," I speculated, my words tinged with desperation. I grasped at any shred of possibility, no matter how far-fetched, in my quest to return home. "Maybe they possess knowledge that could lead us to answers?"
Ludwig drew closer, his comforting presence enveloping me like a warm embrace. Only then did I realize the extent of my trembling. His arms around me were gentle, his heartbeat a soothing rhythm against my own frantic pulse. Tears welled in my eyes, not from despair, but from the overwhelming gratitude I felt for the solace and warmth Ludwig offered me in my darkest moments.
"I understand that's what you're considering," Ludwig whispered softly against my ear, his words a soothing balm to my troubled mind. "If I were in your shoes, I might think the same. But I assure you, Percival and his companions are not deceiving you. There's nothing for them to gain from falsehoods. In fact, they might stand to benefit if they claimed knowledge of a way back to the human world, even if it were a lie. Yet, they remain truthful."
I took a moment to compose myself, suppressing the rising panic that threatened to overwhelm me. Swallowing the lump in my throat, I looked up at Ludwig, seeking clarification. "What do you mean?" I inquired, my voice trembling slightly despite my efforts to appear composed.
Ludwig's touch was a steady anchor, calming the tremors that wracked my hands. Despite the chaos raging within me, I found solace in his gentle hold, welcoming the respite from the overwhelming desperation that threatened to consume me.
"The Transcendence were destroyed during The Great Realm's Rift to prevent Aetherius from crossing over into the human world and wreaking havoc," Ludwig explained softly, his voice a soothing presence in the darkness.
With a tender gesture, he guided me back to the bed, ensuring that I was settled before he released my hands. However, to my surprise, he remained by my side, his comforting presence a reassuring reminder that I was not alone in my turmoil.
Ludwig's words sent a chill down my spine as the gravity of the situation sank in. "Aetherius are aware that humans pose no match for our powers, so they seek to enslave and eradicate them to claim your world as their own," he explained gravely. "Though their plans were thwarted during The Great Realm's Rift, not all of them were vanquished. Some still lurk in the shadows, biding their time and awaiting the opportunity to strike again. They wait for the portals to reopen, eager to resume their sinister agenda."
His words painted a bleak picture of the looming threat that lingered on the horizon. "If it's true that Percival's companions possess knowledge of a way back to the human world," he mused aloud, "they may have held that information in order to thwart Aetherius before they could unleash their full fury upon us." The implications of their silence weighed heavily on my mind, fueling a sense of urgency and apprehension.
Ludwig gently restrained me as I attempted to sit up once more. "Your body is exhausted," he insisted softly. "You need to rest."
"But if Percival and his companions truly possess knowledge about the portals or other means of returning to our world," I persisted, "why would they share it with anyone? It would be wiser to keep it a secret, as they have done."
Ludwig remained silent for a moment, his gaze locked with mine. Just as I began to think he wouldn't respond, he looked away, releasing a heavy sigh before clearing his throat. It was clear that my question had struck a chord with him, prompting him to consider his words carefully before answering.
Ludwig's explanation shed light on the intricate web of beings that inhabited Quailsham. "There are three distinct categories of beings on Quailsham," he began. "First, there are the Aetherius, malevolent creatures hellbent on dominating all of Quailsham. When they failed to conquer the Regalis, they set their sights on the human world, seeking to harness its power to bolster their forces. Second, there are the Regalis, valiant defenders locked in an eternal struggle against the Aetherius. They fight tirelessly to prevent the Aetherius from subjugating Quailsham and the human world. And finally, there are those who remain indifferent, indifferent to the fate of Quailsham and the ongoing conflict between the Aetherius and the Regalis."
Ludwig gently draped a soft blanket over me, ensuring my comfort before resuming his explanation. "If Percival and his group wish to avoid conflict with the Regalis, they would be compelled to share this vital information," he continued, his expression grave and his voice tinged with urgency.
As his words sank in, a wave of despair washed over me. "Does this mean there truly is no way for me to return home?" I whispered, the weight of my question hanging heavy in the air. But Ludwig offered no response, his gaze fixed upon me with an intensity that seemed to convey a silent plea.
For a long while, we remained locked in a wordless exchange, the weight of uncertainty pressing down upon us. Then, as if by some unseen force, I felt sleep envelop me, drawing me into its comforting embrace. In the quiet stillness of the night, I surrendered to the oblivion of dreams, seeking solace in the temporary reprieve from the harsh reality that surrounded me.