Part 2
A Distant Land
Wilson's POV
"I'm sick of this!" Nick spat, bringing out his sword again as the Ancient Guardian prepared to ram us again.
"It doesn't do anything!" I protested. "And where the heck are Webber and WX?"
Much to my surprise, Nick leaped nimbly out of the way of the Guardian and stuck the glowing sword deep into it's side, leaving a gaping gash down it's length. It collapsed and slid into a wall. "Did you kill it?" I whispered.
He shook his head silently, coming to stand beside it. It's eyes were still open, and it was still breathing, but something seemed off about it. With a start, I realized that it had small black pupils. Slowly, it became slightly smaller, it's gray fur turning a tanish color and it's horn slightly duller.
"What did you...?"
"What are you doing?" I heard Webber spit, and I looked just beyond it to see the spider, his gaze wild with grief and rage and his cheek fur matted and wet. What's his problem? It's not like we killed it.
The guardian struggled to it's feet and slowly swung it's head to look between Nick and Webber, then over Webber's head. Cautiously, I brought out my spear and pointed it in it's direction. But it continued to stare over Webber's head. What are they looking at?
Then it hit me. "Hey Webber, where's WX?"
He stepped back several paces, lowering his gaze with tears running down his cheeks.
"W-Webber?"
The Ancient Guardian snarled something, and Webber looked up at it again. "Why?" He demanded. "Why should we forgive you?"
Something else in reply, and Webber wiped a fresh wave of tears from his cheeks. Suddenly, the voice of the Ancient Guardian seemed to reverberate around the room. "For many years, I've waitingfor you. Four who have become one." He looked at Nick. "The Keeper of power." He swung his head towards me. "The friend who never gives up." He shifted slightly and in the shadows, I thought I caught a glimpse of metal. Was WX hurt? "He who gave his life for friend." My heart twisted and I felt dizzy for a second. WX is dead? Finally, he rested his gaze on Webber. "And the new captor of the Nightmare Throne."
Everything was silent except for the quiet pitter-patter of spiders walking as Erika hurried towards him to comfort him, and he broke down crying in her fur. "Captor?" I finally choked out.
Shaking his head sadly, the Guardian's voice once more become snarls and spits, occasionally turning to Nick to say something to him. What was he saying? Was he speaking spider? Finally, Webber's tear-stained voice rose above his. "But that's impossible! We've been there!" Followed by a, "But he was our best friend." Finally, he nodded, turning away. "Yes, Guardian. But first," slowly, like a person running in water, he made his way over to the fallen WX and bending down next to him for many moments before standing up again and giving me a steady stare. "Let's go," he croaked.
Erika rushed over to him, bombarding him with snarls and growls that I could only guess were questions, since he shook his head and began to limp back towards the entrance of the labyrinth. Glancing at Webber, I rushed towards WX. It can't be true... can it?
Sure enough, I spotted a gaping hole in his torso, his gaze blank but his expression at death was that of victory and purpose. Did he really give his life for Webber? I could hardly believe it at first, but now, I realized that it was true. I bent my head for a moment before setting off after Webber again. "Webber?" I asked gently, placing my hand on his shoulder. He shrugged it off.
"What?" He sounded like he had a bone stuck in his throat.
"Are... are you okay?"
"Okay...?" He echoed sadly. Suddenly, he turned on me. "Do we look okay? We came down here to fight the Guardian! Sounds easy enough." He spat. "Our best friend was killed. Then, the killer asks for forgiveness, then tells us, 'Oh, by the way, you're doomed to rot on the Nightmare Throne for an eternity'. Tell us, Wilson," his voice became hushed again, and I could barely understand his sobbed words. "what is fine about this...?"
"He did what he thought was best."
"It's should've been us, you know. It should've impaled us. He-" his voice shook. "He pushed us out of the way."
"He did for a good reason, surely?"
"He didn't want us to suffer," he choked out. "But... what he didn't realize," he hung his head low. "is that right now, we're suffering more than anyone could have ever imagined. Everyone, everyone, we get close to-" he drew in a shuddering breath. "Leave us, Wilson. We need to be alone."
Unsure of how to help any further, I gave him one last, pitiful, glance, then ran to catch up with Nick. "Is he all right?" The blue-eyed warrior asked.
I shook my head. "No. He's grieving."
Nick stopped at looked at me for a second. "Were they really that close?"
"Closer than any of us realized, not even them." I carried on walking, and Nick tailed me.
Behind us, I heard a spider's talk, and heard Webber reply. Beside us, Erika rushed over and butted my hand. Her gaze gave away all of her worry for the nine year old. "Don't worry, he'll be fine," I assured her. She didn't look convinced, and fell back again to match Webber's pace.
"Do you think he'll be okay?" I had never heard Nick sound that concerned about anything. He seemed to be fairly layed back, though it was obvious he was hardened to fighting and death.
"I'm not sure. He's never had it this bad before. I've never, ever, ever, seen him this bad before."
For awhile, we all walked in silence, staying within the light of my lantern, though Webber was barely at the edge of vision, trying to stay in the dark but not deep enough to be attacked by the night monster. Finally, ahead, I saw the faint glimmer of starlight that showed us where the sinkhole was. Once again, I heard Erika's concerned voice of reason.
Without a reply from Webber, I saw her gaze become even more scared for him, and she wordlessly helped us back up to the surface. I turned to her quickly. "Come with us!" I urged her. "You're the only one Webber seems ready to listen to."
She shook her head sadly, snarling something but realizing I couldn't understand her. She dipped her head and vanished back again into the ground. With a last glance at where the spider left, I tried to get my bearings back.
I took a deep breath of fresh, clean air, then began to make my way back to camp.
