Chapter 4: Dark Truth
Mint gasped sharply for air as they bolted upright in a bed. Their foot bandaged up and in a silky mint green nightgown.
Where... Where are we?
They sat on the side of the pillow-top mattress and stared out into the beautifully lit city. The colors of neon fascinated the octoling as they got up from the bed and stared at the breathtaking view. The lights above the city looked like tiny stars.
"Wow... What is this place?" Mint asked in awe.
They turned around to see Kira in the bed next to their own. The inkling's entire upper part of her torso was covered completely by bandages soiled with her blood.
Mint looked at her friend in pity.
Why? Why did you follow me? Why did you come after me? Kira, good cod, you're going to kill yourself if you keep this up...
Kira turned her head away from Mint and continued to sleep.
They sighed. "Sleep well..."
The door suddenly opened to their room and Mint was on edge. Unarmed, they shakily raised their fists.
"Minty Green? You alright?"
Mint sighed in relief and ran on their injured to give them a hug. "Mis! Oh I'm so glad to see you!"
Misery smiled a bit and hugged back. "Glad you're okay. You passed out before I could help you."
They blinked a bit. "That was you?!"
Mis smirked. "Guess I scare easily then. But yes, that was me. Listen, I have something to tell you guys-"
Kira groaned a bit as she continued to sleep.
"Will she be okay?"
"She had a ton of injuries. Don't even get me started on how many old wounds reopened and how many new ones she gained just from this little venture of hers." Mis said as she brought her a new glass of water. "Chili is gonna fucking murder me once he sees me again."
The octoling huffed. "Not on my watch he won't."
"Thanks Mint."
They shook their head and smiled. "You've done so much for us this past week or so... You've rightfully earned my trust. Now, what was it that you wanted to tell me?"
The hybrid was silent before she looked over at Kira. "I-It's nothing. You two need more sleep. You two should be awake by the time I have dinner ready at 6pm."
"Sounds good. Goodnight Mis!" Mint smiled and crawled back into their bed, smiling a bit in their sleep.
I'll tell them later... After all, I don't want to lose their trust after they just accepted me as their friend.
The delicious smell of white meat, cooked vegetables, and brewed tea made both Kira and Mint sit up and fantasized over a delicious meal.
"What's that smell?" Mint wondered.
Kira drooled a bit. "Fried Chicken!"
Misery brought up two plates of food for her guests. "Hungry you two?"
"Yes please!" Both shouted and happily ate their food provided.
The warm food in their mouth's made them feel much better. Their pain just melted away as they continued to enjoy the meal provided.
"That was delicious! Thanks Misery!" Kira cried.
"Yeah! Thank you!" Mint smiled.
She chuckled as she sat down. "No problem guys. I have to tell you both something regarding the prophecy."
"Oh?" Mint raised an eyebrow as they swallowed. "What did you find?"
Misery opened a book. "The Soothsayer, an one thousand year old dark Inkling, owns a library filled with every single answer we need for this ancient evil. But... we have problems."
"And that is?" Kira asked.
"The Soothsayer will only let the Dark Hero and Light Hero into the library. So Kira needs to find the light hero before we can access the library for answers."
The octoling huffed. "Oh, now what?"
"Guess we start our search for the other half. But we have very little to go off of." The inkling stated. "Not to mention, we need Chili and Akari involved."
Mint looked at Kira in a funny way. "You actually want them involved?"
Kira nodded. "Of course I want them involved. They're our friends."
Misery shrugged. "Your call guys. I'll give you these books to read and once you two are better, we can continue this discussion?"
Both nodded and Misery left the room.
A few hours had passed... Misery had her books spread across the table. Her head lying on one of the book covers, until she suddenly jerks her head upwards and shook her head as she found herself in her own living room reading the books she was happily allowed to borrow by a friend of hers.
"Let's see if I can't figure out who the Light Hero might possibly be..." She wondered as she started looking through the pages for pictures of the light hero.
It took a bit of reading, but Misery pulled out a page of the already falling apart book and studied the picture, as well as the words underneath it.
A kind but determined soul
Shall grant passage to the light in their hearts
Beloved by all
They will be the one who defeats the evil.
Misery raised an eyebrow. "That can't be right... Kira is the dark hero. The prophecy says that both heroes will be the ones to save the world... Unless that was a hoax? Nah."
Again, the young hybrid flipped through the pages until she found one on both the light hero and dark hero.
"Let's see here..."
Both heroes of light and dark
An adventure of truth they shall embark
To forge the path to greater good
One must look deeper within themselves.
Huh... Wonder why the legend never recalled that? Perhaps I never got to read that part but who knows...
Misery sat up and cleaned the books up.
"Its a high possibility that Mint could be the Light Hero... But something tells me Kira will need to lead them to the Light Crystal... Wherever it may be. But cod, wouldn't it be crazy if they really were the light hero?"
Little did she know Mint was within ear-shot and hidden atop the staircase.
End of Chapter 4