Chapter 3

Vraxlon's gaze bent down to the dagger on my hips, and even though he was busy picking up the gun and studying it, I knew I was just finding a pretext not to look directly into my eyes.

"I've been here," he said darkly. "In some of their lives, I've been here. I can remember that now.

"And you said that no supernatural creature could get out of here " I said, but my voice didn't have even half the humor I intended. "But if you're still alive, it's because it means you left.

"It is," he murmured, and only at that moment he decided to raise his black eyes towards me. "I just don't remember what the cost was for me to leave.

While eating and drinking water, I found myself wondering if I would have risked my life for Vraxlon to return and tell the others what we found out. But if we had come this far, wouldn't he remember everything? By the way, why the hell would he forget everything that had happened, remembering only when we were about to do it all over again? Unless this was part of the prophecy, it made no sense that my memory loss affected them in this way. There was something implied. One part of this story didn't fit in at all.

"Did you notice that you blindly agreed to come to Purgatory with me, knowing that only I would be able to get out of here? "I asked, leaning my head against the nearest rock wall. The tips of the stones messed up my hair, but they didn't hurt me.

"There are things about Purgatory that not even I can know, majesty," he said, sitting in front of me, leaning against the opposite wall. The sound of the stones scratching his armor was like a crash. "But, yes, I would accompany her anywhere, without thinking twice.

"You know that, at this point, you can call me by my name, don't you? "I spoke laughing softly.

"Which of the two names? "He asked. "Your original name or the name of this new body?

"I like the way you pronounce "Arianna" "I confessed. "But sometimes I feel much more like Elena.

"Elena "tested him, opening a smile. "I can get used to it.

"I'm going to make an effort not to die so I don't have to change my name for the sixth time," I just got, but I chose the wrong words, because of the way Vraxlon got serious and dark.

Vraxlon looked away again and was busy playing with the beam of light between us to avoid saying anything. I finished eating and offered the water to him, who didn't accept it and said he was fine. So I kept the water in my backpack and relaxed my body against the wall. I must have simply napped or just blinked hard because I opened my eyes quickly when I heard a sound. An animalistic grunt that shook the stone walls around us. The sound of an approaching creature.

The prince-warrior stood up immediately, wielding his sword. I took the backpack and took the dagger off my hips, wielding it as best I could. I hadn't even been trained to hold weapons. Vraxlon had tried to instruct me, saying that his sword was magical and he only needed a person to hold it, and she would do everything else, and that had already been a failure "The sword was too big and heavy for me to bear the weight. However, a life-or-death situation is necessary for you to learn to fight.

I picked up the flashlight and stuck it anyway in my backpack, turning it off. Vraxlon approached to stand before me and groped on his back in search of my hand, I darkened him with my free hand and we walked together to the meeting of the hateful creature who seemed ready to tear us apart at any moment.

The narrow path widened as we walked, and the sounds of the creature became louder and louder. I could see an opening between the stones, which was illuminated by what looked like a world with light and colors as if we had finally reached the end of that journey. I wasn't dumb enough to celebrate. I knew that if we had progressed, we would be halfway through or before it.

The path opened up for a wider passage and was illuminated by archlets that rose against the stone walls. The place was circular, like an arena, and the walls rose to accommodate a small trail at the top and bent down in what should be the easiest way to the exit. However, in the center of the place, rising to observe who invaded the quiet of his home, was a creature that looked more like a giant man and had animalistic features. The animal growled hard, and the sound was like a blow to the head, it hurt deep in the eardrums.

"The only way out is protected by him. We can try to pass together, but considering that any injury in this place can be deadly for a human... "pondered Vraxlon, pointing out of the cave. "I can delay you, and you can get there without risk if you go on top.

I meant I wouldn't leave him behind. But, knowing how Vraxlon could be protective enough in pretending he wasn't listening to me and acting as he planned, I just nodded and prepared to run, the dagger still in hand. The prince-warrior moved away from me and began to descend a bulge of stones that led down, in front of the human monster. The animal screamed with even more hatred, although it remained in the same place, aware that it would no longer need to advance along the mountain to devour us.

I knew that the monsters of Purgatory could not be killed. But I imagined they could get tired. And I think that's what Vraxlon was thinking when he stood before the creature and raised his sword, warning her of what would happen next. Then the two got into a fight, the giant man raised his arms to try to catch Vraxlon like a toy, and the prince-warrior his sword, cutting off the giant's arms with a single blow from the powerful blade. The animal howled, even though he felt no pain, and his small eyes were filled with fury.