Chapter 7: I Hate This Place

Noah hadn’t slept well. Every time he closed his eyes, the distant sounds of battle echoed through the stone walls of his room, shaking him awake. The palace guards were still dealing with the horde of Wraiths Arlo had summoned, their raised voices mingling with the unearthly screeches of the creatures. He had counted at least three times when something had crashed through his walls, forcing him to fight off claws that could shear him in two before the knights managed to intervene. He barely had the energy to be annoyed anymore. By the time the sun began to rise, Noah had stopped trying to sleep altogether. He sat up on the edge of his ruined bed, running a hand through his hair and sighing. I need to get this stupid Origin Memory thing sorted out just so I can take a damn bath and sleep in peace. There was a knock at his door, and he didn’t even need to guess who it was. "It’s time, Lord Noah." Sir Enzo announced from the other side. Noah groaned, forcing himself to his feet. His limbs were sluggish, and his muscles ached from all the exercise he’d done that night, but he had no choice but to move forward. If he didn’t, he was sure Cillian would just throw him into the Thresher unconscious and let the abyssal beasts handle the rest. Stepping out of his room, he found Sir Enzo waiting, his usual grim expression in place. A group of knights stood behind him, fully armed and ready to escort him. Noah raised an eyebrow. "Expecting me to run?" He asked dryly. Sir Enzo simply turned on his heel and walked, leading him through the halls. "Standard protocol." Noah sighed but followed. Outside, horses were already prepared, their breath misting in the cool morning air. The knights mounted quickly, and Noah was given a horse of his own. He climbed into the saddle, trying to find a comfortable position. He didn’t ride often, mostly just for show at elite parties where rich people pretended to enjoy things like horseback riding and falconry. They set off at a steady pace, heading toward the Thresher. The sky was still dark and the sun was still sleeping as they rode through the city. Noah didn’t bother looking around at the city around him, and before long, they were out of its gates. He sighed at the calm and the silence of the ride might have been nice... if it had lasted. About an hour into their journey, the sound of fast approaching hooves broke the quiet. Noah didn’t even have to look to know who it was. "Morning, boys!" Arlo called, his voice entirely too cheerful for the occasion. Sir Enzo visibly tensed, but he said nothing as Arlo rode up alongside Noah. Arlo’s horse was a dark furred beast, fast and well trained. Unlike the rest of them, he wasn’t in armor. He rode casually, as if he had nowhere important to be, and wore his usual confident grin. "This is great, isn’t it?" He said, stretching his arms as he rode. "Fresh air, a nice ride to the wilderness, a whole day ahead of us. Really makes you appreciate being alive." Noah shot him a glare. "Are you saying that I’d be dead by the end of this?" Arlo chuckled. "That depends. Are you finally ready to unlock that Origin Memory?" Noah resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "Gee, I dunno. I was planning on taking my sweet time. Maybe get some sightseeing done in the Thresher first." Arlo grinned. "You’re going to do great." "Really glad someone thinks so." The rest of the knights ignored Arlo’s chatter, though Noah could tell from their stiff postures that they were irritated. Finally, after another hour of riding, the land around them began to change. The trees thinned, replaced by jagged cliffs and rocky outcroppings. The ground became uneven, and a deep chasm yawned ahead of them. They had arrived at the Thresher. Noah pulled his horse to a stop at the edge of the gorge, peering down. It was a narrow, dark stretch of land, hemmed in by steep cliffs on either side. A thick mist clung to the ground, swirling unnaturally. Even without knowing what was hiding below, Noah could feel it. This place was wrong. "Are you sure this is the right place?" he turned to look at the knights with an incredulous expression. This place felt like just the mist could kill him! "Yes, Lord Noah." Sir Enzo said as he dismounted. "And the Thresher is easier than facing the Wraiths?" Noah asked, hopping off his horse. "For unlocking Origin Memories? Yes." Sir Enzo answered. "This is where we leave you." Noah stared at him. "That’s it? No advice? No weapons?" "You were given your choices." Cillian’s voice came from behind him. Noah turned, surprised to see that the king had ridden out himself. "You chose the Thresher, Lord Noah. Now, you will face it." Noah narrowed his eyes. "I feel like this is a really convenient way for you to get rid of me." Cillian smirked. "If I wanted you dead, Lord Noah, you would already be dead." That wasn’t exactly comforting. "Facing the Thresher with a weapon will hinder you from unlocking your Origin Memory. Why find the weapon within yourself when you already have one in your hand?" Arlo swung down from his horse, stretching. "Alright, alright. Let’s not drag this out. In you go, hero." Noah sighed, adjusting his coat before making his way to the edge of the gorge. There was a staircase leading downward, carved into the face of the gorge. With one last glance at the group, he stepped forward, descending into the mist. The deeper he went, the quieter it became. The walls of the gorge stretched high above him, the sky reduced to a thin strip of light. The ground beneath his boots was uneven, littered with stones and patches of dark, twisted vegetation. He had no idea how far he was supposed to go before something happened. Then, he heard it. A low growl. He turned, his eyes widening as a massive form stepped out from the mist. A wolf, larger than any normal beast, stepped into view. Its fur was jet black, its eyes a burning orange. Flames flickered between its teeth as it snarled, smoke curling from its nostrils. "A fire breathing wolf?" Noah muttered unbelievably. "Great." The wolf lunged. Noah barely dodged in time, rolling to the side as a blast of searing heat scorched the ground where he had been standing. He scrambled to his feet, heart pounding. Alright, running sounds like a solid plan right now. He turned on his heel and sprinted deeper into the gorge. The wolf pursued. The sound of the wolf got closer, and just when he thought he was about to be roasted, a shadow passed overhead. A screech filled the air, and he looked up just in time to see a massive, octopus-like creature descending from the cliffs above. Its elongated limbs lashed out, striking the wolf mid charge. The two beasts collided, snarling and shrieking as they tumbled into a violent struggle. He didn’t wait to watch the fight. He ran as fast as he could, and when he turned the corner, he skidded to a stop at the sight in front of him. He groaned. "I hate this place."