"Guh!"

Clara gasped for air. She was no longer in the river. Her body had been carried into some sort of dark cave where she'd been washed onto the bank. Looking around, she could see light at the end of some tunnel. As she started to stand up, she sneezed loudly.

I'm so cold... I need to warm up quickly, or I could become really sick.

She suddenly became aware of a strange smell. It seemed almost fruit-like, and Clara furrowed her brow. The fruit, one she'd smelled and even tasted before, would never be able to survive in this freezing environment. After sniffing the air, she could easily trace it to the river, which under closer inspection, was a purple color.

Weird, but no time for that.

She silently crept over to the tunnel with the lights. Creeping through it, she started to hear grunts and clicking. As she reached the opening, she peeked out. Clapping a hand to her mouth, Clara barely muffled a loud gasp. Those creatures from before were all over the place, eating, sleeping, and she quickly realized where it was she had ended up.

Oh my god! I'm in their den!

Suppressing a sneeze, she looked for a way out. After scanning the area, she found a small opening with snow on the other side. There was even a hidden pathway to it. However, just as she was about to dash over to it, she saw something move out of the corner of her eye. Turning her head, she saw someone she never expected to be there. A groaning Eduardo was lying on his side. Upon further inspection, Clara saw what seemed to be a deep bite mark on his right shoulder. That type of wound would seriously impact his aim. Clara glanced back down the path that led outside. Biting her lip, she thought over her situation. If she went left, she could escape. If she went right, she might be able to rescue the pirate.

"Run! Don't look back!"

An order. The voice screamed at her, a voice heavy with desperation and eyes shining in defiance.

Clara looked back to the exit. Why was she hesitating? She didn't owe him anything, so why?
She looked at the pirate. Eduardo hadn't seemed to have noticed her yet. He was wounded, so they wouldn't be able to get far. He still hadn't noticed her, and he seemed more focused on his wound and the creatures.
If there were a time to make a break for it, it was now.

Taking a deep breath, she made her choice.

She grabbed his arm and ran back to the cave. Back to the violet river. Far away from any chance of escape.
And she hated herself for it.

"Where do we go?" she gasped, keeping a tight grip on her companion's arm as she ran.

"Keep following the river," Eduardo ordered, "We need to follow the current."

"Why?"

"I'll explain later!"

As they reached the a wall, they found a smaller cave the pirate got a strong grip on her arm. Before she could question it, he pulled her in, wading through water that reached his waist.

"Shit!" he cursed.

"What is it?"

"The water is coming from here."

They heard the creatures catching up, howling and hissing. Eyes wide with fear, Clara looked up at him. She silently begged him to get them out, to get them back to the ship, to get them somewhere safe. He met her eyes for moment, then tugged her arm, dragging her up the river. A loud hiss met their ears, and turning around, they found one of the creatures on the bank. However, it didn't go too close to the water. She went to tug on her companion's arm, but he had already noticed.

"We're going to keep going. They shouldn't follow us."

"Okay."

They kept moving, going against the current. Just as the pirate had predicted, they creatures gathered around the entrance, but wouldn't get close to the violet water. Turning her head forward, she followed Eduardo into the darkness.

They trudged through the water for what felt like hours. Clara was freezing, and her smaller size made it easy for the water to knock her off her feet. She had to keep a tight grip on her companion's arm just to keep from being swept away. The tunnel also trapped the fumes that arose from the river. It was almost fruit-like, but the pair was too busy trying not to fall victim to their dizziness to notice. Eventually, they saw a spark of light. The shining beacon of hope renewed their energy, and they quickly made their way towards it.

Eduardo pulled her onto the small bank, and the two laid still to catch their breath.

"W-what do w-we do n-now?" Clara asked, shivering violently.

"Give me a minute."

Looking around, they found that they were not outside, but in a small cave. The light was pouring in from a hole in the ceiling. It was too small for even Clara, so there was no hope of escape through there. Clara sat up and looked to her partner.

"W-well?"

He sighed and looked back at her.

"Take off your clothes."

She stared at him for a few moments.
Then her face burst into flames.

"What?!"

"You're clothes are soaking wet," he said, giving her a cool glare, "you'll catch your death. Besides, I won't be turned on by you. Your figure leaves a lot to be desired."

"How dare you?!"

"Quit whining and hurry up!"

Eduardo faced the opposite direction and the woman groaned. Once she was down to only her undergarments, Eduardo spoke up.

"Why did you come back for me? You had a chance to escape."

"G-give me yo-your coat, a-nd I'll t-tell you!"

Another sigh, but he gave her his coat. Wrapping it tightly around herself, she explained.

"I... couldn't leave you behind. It would be wrong," she told him.

That, and you're the only one who knows the way back.

He eyed her for a few moments before standing up. She watched as he looked around the tiny cave. After some time had passed, he seemed to find what he had been looking for. Clara stood up and walked over as he began running his hand along the wall.

"What is it?" she asked.

"What does it look like?"

Lia curled her lip. He could be quite annoying.

"I wouldn't have asked if I knew."

"A door," he sighed, "It has symbols like the ones on the paper. Can you read them?"

"Maybe. Maybe not."

He glared up at her. She pointed her nose up and looked in the other direction.

"... Just read them."

She sighed as she got on her knees next to him. She looked over the characters and frowned. There were quite a few she didn't recognize, but she got the basic idea.

"It's locked. We need to day the name of the first king of the island."

"Well, who is it?"

"How would I know?!"

They sat in silence as they thought. Eduardo furrowed his brows, and Clara tapped her fingers.

"Names are often used for descendants in noble families. Each time there's a new child born under a name, a roman numeral is added at the end indicating which person under the same name it is. Understand?"

"Yes, sir."

"Our allies include who?"

The student recited all their allies.

"... And the Khanate of Tsas."

"And what is the Khanate of Tsas called in European countries?"

"The... Kingdom of Elurra?"

The teacher raised an eyebrow but nodded.

"And the ruler who first established rule over the island-country?"

"Um... It was..."

Clara lifted her head and looked at the door. She ran her fingers along the wall and frowned.

"Does this feel strange to you?" she asked her companion.

He nodded.

"The wall has a section made up of tiny squares. They have symbols on them. I think we're supposed to push in whatever the answer to the question there."

Clara leaned in, and after a moment, pushed in different keys.

"What are yo-?!"

The pirate was interrupted by a loud grinding sound. Covering their ears, they watched as the door slowly slid to the side, presenting a passageway. Clara shot her companion a smug smirk.

"Grab your clothes and let's go."

...
...

"So, what name did you push in?"

Clara glanced up at him.

"Ganbaatar. Two A's after the B."

"How the hell did you know that?"

"... I guessed?"

Eduardo sighed and shook his head.

"How would you just gue-"

"Eep!"

Suddenly, Clara's foot slid out from under her. She landed with a light thud on the icy floor. She groaned as she sat up.

"You're a walking catastrophe."

Oh, shut up.

She glared at him and went to get up.

"Wait! Eduardo, look!"

There, embedded onto the stone floor, was a map. Clara smiled up at him.

"We found it!"

His eye widened in surprise as he squatted down to look at it. When he was close enough, she reached out and pulled the paper with the symbols from his pocket. Turning it over to its blank side, she grabbed a nearby rock. She quickly checked and found it left marks. Immediately, the woman set to copying down the map.

"Here." She handed it to him.

"Well, yer not as useless as I thought." He smirked. "Should I caress you as a reward?"

"No, but you could give me your scarf."

He rolled his eyes.

"It was a joke."

Yet he still handed it to her.

They stood up. A sudden howling rang through the hall. Clara flinched and grabbed onto the pirate's arm.

"C'mon."

He grabbed her arm and began moving as quickly and silently as possible. Out of the corner of her eye, Clara could see moving shadows. She quickened her pace. It took what felt like hours to reach an exit, but when they did, the freezing wind felt almost like a breath of fresh air to the woman. Almost.

Then there was another howl.

Eduardo looked up at the sky. Clara wriggled her fingers, trying to calm her nerves. Suddenly, the pirate started running the direction opposite of the sun, dragging the woman along behind him. She had a hard time keeping up at first, but when one of the creatures howled nearby, she found it easier to move faster. Not far behind them, she could hear the sounds of many things running. She ran even faster. She was nearly surpassing Eduardo. As they ran, they swung back branches in an attempt to slow down their pursuers.

How long do we have to keep this up?

Just as the thought crossed her mind, the shore and small boat came in her line of sight. If she weren't running out of breath, Clara might have cheered. She helped the pirate to push the boat into the water. However, just as he was about to climb in after her, Eduardo's leg was grabbed by one of the creatures.

"Shit!"

Clara stared in shock for but a moment.

Dammit!

She quickly grabbed an oar. With all the strength she had in her currently frail body, she swung it at the creature's head.
It howled and let go.

Eduardo quickly climbed in, with Clara helping. They started drifting further and further away from the shore. The hairs on the back of the woman's neck rose as she watched all the creatures gathering.

But they would not step in the water.

When they felt they were a safe distance away, the pair finally relaxed. They looked at each other.

He looks cold...

Holding back a sigh, Clara handed back his jacket.

"You're clothes are still damp."

"All that running helped warm me up."

Despite her words, the woman was shivering. Part of her regretted giving him his coat back.

"... Come here."

Suddenly, she was surrounded by warmth. Lifting her head, she found she was wrapped in both the pirate's arms and coat. Despite her red cheeks, she moved closer.

"Shameless one, aren't ya?"

"You're paying me back."

"What for?"

"Saving your life. Again."

He rolled his eyes and Clara smirked. Being surrounded by such warmth for the first time in what felt like days, the woman closed her eyes and let herself sleep.

Eduardo glanced at the woman currently lying his arms. She was odd, knowing what she did, and that made him suspicious. However, she did save his life.

Doesn't matter. She'll be dropped off at the next port.

He lightly pet her still-damp hair, watching as they drew closer to the anchored ship.