*hands up* Okay, I admit that I'm guilty for not updating this long. Thank you all the people who had support me by review or pm (Moirah148, tearsfalldownmycheek, Zombee). Especially you tearsfalldownmycheek, I'm guilty for promising but not being able to keep my promise. :( Anyway, here is the chapter, hope you enjoy it. It's a bit longer than usual. :p

Title: Miseria

Disc: Brave Story is an animation copyrighted by Gonzo and a novel written by Miyuki Miyabe

Considering the nightmares he had gone through so far, Wataru should have been prepared on what would possibly happen every time the he closed his eyes. But no, the hollow and eeriness of the sorcerer's laughing sound, the sinking sensation in stomach every time he fell to the emptiness, and the burning pain in his chest were just impossible to get used to. He woke up sweating, panting but thankfully, not screaming. It would just made his friend who had laid at the bed across from him became more worried - as if Mitsuru himself didn't had anything to be worried of. Wataru rolled his eyes then pinched them shut. His chest was burning softly, another familiar sensation. Sitting up, he opened his shirt to check. The mark all over his stomach was blackening and getting united. Once more dream like those, he knew his torso would be wrapped in sickening black. Mitsuru's even breathing was contrast to his hitched breathing. He bit his lower lips and balled his fist. Fastening his clothes button, he then move to the corner of his bed and curled himself. Hugging his knees, his fingers were whitening due to his own gripping force. He shivered. The room was warm but he felt cold. He hated to admit he was frightened. Not that was something to be ashamed for. It was, after all, concerning his own life. He didn't realize how long he had been curling at the corner but at some point, his body became stiffly numb. Awkwardly he stretched himself apart and laid back. Tiredness claimed him back to the chaotic sleep.

Judging from Mitsuru's unapproving face, Wataru knew he would much more prefer wagon. Choosing when their host has already provided the best transportation, however, was not an option. Besides, horses without wagon were much faster. Mitsuru appeared to understand, therefore he wore that wary expression but his mouth was pressed into thin line.

Lauren-dono initially provided them with 3 horses. A guide, someone from lion tribe whose name was Lione, took one. Wataru and Mitsuru shared a horse. Thanking Lauren-dono, they started to lead it outside the town. Unexpectedly, they met the El Lagarto in the main road.

"Ya leaving too?" he asked with a broad grin.

A flicker of hope fluttered in Mitsuru's heart. "We're going to Marine. Where are you going?"

Wataru swore he could see a flicker of frown in El's face. Was it... pain? Worry? However, instead of answering, the crocodile flicked his gaze to their new company. "Ya new friend?"

Hearing his name, Lione nodded once politely, uninterested with the conversation. "He's Lione, a Highlander too, who will help guide us." Wataru answered.

The crocodile nodded then replied. "I will go South from 'ere. We will took opposite path" - his reply crushed Mitsuru's small travel-on-wagon hope - "may the Goddess protect you on your trip." He finished with an alligator wide smile. They bid goodbye then parted ways.

At the town's gate, Lione mounted himself gracefully on his stride. Mitsuru, aided by Wataru, mounted the horse with some difficulties. Wataru snickered when they started to gallop. Another benefit he initially forgot to list into horse transportation, having Mitsuru hold him closely tight.

Wind blew Mitsuru's hair. His hair was longer than Wataru so the wind decided to play with his, flapping and entangling it. His hands were clasped securely at Wataru's stomach. Falling from horseback was not an option he would deliberately take. Their closeness was a bit distracting to his train of thought though. This morning he had decided to use the journey's time to remember something. Or at least trying to remember. It was a hard thing to do. Perching his head on Wataru's shoulder, smelling the scent of his neck, feeling the touch of his hair in his face... they drifted his mind into emptiness. He was looking straight at front but his mind wasn't actually processing the sight. One thing that affected him nonetheless was the horse movement. It made his stomach churned. He grimaced when he remembered that he had vomited his breakfast just a few moments ago.

He eyed their companion. Lione wasn't a talkative type so most of their journey was passed in silence. They stopped near a cemetery when the sun was high on their head. Bread was shared as lunch which he ate scarcely. He was still experiencing the motion sickness. Eating as much as normal quantity would result in throw up anyway. Why waste food?

Wataru did ask what the cemetery was and that Lione replied it was war's victims - in his typical short answer. Mitsuru didn't want to sound nagging but he couldn't help to ask how long their trip would last. He could see his friend looked amusingly at him when Lione replied tonight. He could also feel his face was turning paler than normal. Wataru asked him whether he need more rest before continuing. He objected. Better to end this as soon as possible, why prolonging the torture?

They arrived at the outer village late at night. Mitsuru was proud of himself for not vomiting neither his lunch nor dinner. Both of them dropped dead on inn's bed as soon as Lione checked them in. Neither of them was getting used to long horse trip.

They started to ride again at the morning. At some point when they reached the hill, they could see the town was placed at the west of a huge lake. They galloped and reached the town before afternoon. Just like the other crowded town, they couldn't ride the horse - much to Mitsuru's unsuppressed grin. He was starting to get used to it but he would still prefer walking. Lione looked over the marked boards which both of them couldn't read and waved his way through the crowds. They stopped in front of a busy store. By a glance, they knew this store was one of the big stores in the market.

"This is the Kee's family store," Lione said curtly.

Mitsuru and Wataru glanced at each other.

"Leave the horses to me and I'll wait for you here," he said. Both of them thanked him then walked into the busy stores. They didn't understand what was being sold, but whatever it was, it was packed in small jar or glass bottle. Some consumers were taking sacks though. Wataru approached a lizard maid.

"Yes, what do you search mister? We are freshly stocked this morning." He said with a wide grin.

"Uh.. no, I was looking for my friend, Kee Keema."

Mitsuru watched the maid's grin faltered. "We don't know someone with that name here." Apparently Wataru's question unrelated to business had displeased him.

"Uhm... then any of Kee's family?"

"Do you have any appointment?" He asked.

"Ehm... no... but I urgently need to find Kee Keema. I think Kee's family will know where he is." Mitsuru mentally rolled his eyes hearing his friend's respond. What a very unconvincing way to answer.

"I'm sorry, but without an appointment, you can't meet him." He said with a forced smile.

"How if you tell him a Highlander is requesting a meeting?" Mitsuru injected. Considering the respect most people have to Highlander, that should be able to pull out an appropriate reaction. Wataru shot him a surprised look. The maid's gaze flickered briefly to Wataru's bracelet then he looked hesitant for a second.

"Please wait for a moment." Then he disappeared behind the door.

"I would rather you're not using that reason." Wataru said disapprovingly.

Mitsuru shrugged. "Sorry, I was just trying. Never thought it will have any effect." A blatant lie. The maid was gone for only a minute when he returned later.

"Please follow me. Master is willing to see you." He said with a formal tone.

They walked through the door and passed a small hallway. They stopped abruptly in front of a sliding door. He opened the door and gestured them to enter.

The room has a low roof and nothing inside it aside from a large brown mat covering the floor. They noticed a lizard sat at their right side after they came in.

"Please." The lizard gestured them to sit.

After they were seated, Wataru was going to explain when the lizard cut him. "I am Kee Zeema. I heard you are searching for Kee Keema?"

"Yes. I am his friend, Wataru. I need his help for urgent problem."

The lizard was evidently surprised. "Wataru? Wataru the traveler??"

Mitsuru knew Wataru must've had been wondering about his fame when he positively confirmed Zeema's question.

For a split second, Zeema looked at him with an undescribable expression. There were anguish, wonder, regret, thrill, and many else. He didn't know that lizard was capable to show that much expression at a time. He wondered whether his friend knew. Apparently not, because he was also at loss for words.

"I will take you to him." He said calmly. Wataru eyes were lit with relief and happiness. "Follow me." He went outside the room and moved down the hall. They exited the store through the back door.

"Uh.. we have a friend waiting at the front door. Will you mind if we go get him?" Wataru said. As much as he hated to delay his meeting with his friend, Mitsuru knew Wataru hated more to forget and leave his friend.

"Don't worry, we won't be long." Zeema looked over and noticed one of the shop worker was dumping the trash bin. He approached him and gave him a short instruction. "Your friend will be taken care." He assured them then continuing his pace.

He wondered why they wouldn't be long. Flashes of possibilities ran in his head. Was Wataru's friend sick? Was he in the middle of something urgent that cannot be disrupted? Was this guy going somewhere? Or he was in some bad situation?

They had just walked for a short path through crowded market when they arrived in a dome like building. Various water tribes' people were walking out and in. All of them bore somewhat similar glum faces. Some of them even looked very sad; tears were rolling down their uneven facet. They silently entered a dark hall. It wasn't completely dark; myriads candle lights were brightening the hall. There was a big pool at the middle of the room which was divided into stripes where people can stand on it. In each pool floated numerous lightly lit candles, each of them sat straightly in a plate.

Zeema walked to a certain stripes, passing some other couples who were crying. He then stopped and looked onto a purple plate. His face wore a solemn expression. Wataru and Mitsuru gazed at the plate, bewildered. The plate danced with the pool's soft ripples. It rotated in a point and they noticed there was an inscription on the plate. Actually, now that they were paying attention, they noticed there was inscription in every candle plate. Mitsuru couldn't read the inscription but he could guess what was inscribed on the plate. To his horror, Zeema confirmed his idea.

"It written there, 'Kee Keema'." Zeema murmur silently. It was as if a big thunder had stroke his friend when he saw Zeema's words finally sinking to his brain. Kee Keema had passed away!

Both were at loss for word. Mitsuru didn't know how to react because he didn't even know who this person was. He glanced to his friend, waiting. When Wataru could find his voice, the word 'why', 'how' sounded choked in his throat. He flinched when he saw his friend's eye ducts were starting to work. He didn't like Wataru crying. He could somewhat understand the loss feeling though. He had lost both of their parents in car accident after all.

"Father has always said that meeting you is his best luck." Zeema locked his gaze with Wataru's. "Even at the verge of his live, he was still repeating the same words. He wished so much to see you one last time before his departure." Zeema then turned his look away. "Age is the enemy of mortality. No matter how good father's luck is, he still couldn't win over time." He said softly.

"I will be waiting outside." Zeema said before he walked out.

Mitsuru stayed a second longer, putting his hand over his friend's shoulder. He then went out without saying a word, leaving Wataru who was crying silently.

The mourning house was being filled with grief of so many others. A constant trickling sound echoed through the hall. It was somewhat calming, hypnotizing, softening the cry and sob of the mourners. Wataru's has never lost someone to death before. Well, he thought he had lost someone or about to lose someone. Both Mitsuru and his mother were back though. But did he have forgotten the feeling? The bitter tears, the wrenching cry, the throbbing pain in his chest, the overwhelming sadness. It was always the same all over again.

He recounted how he had met Keema accidentally. How he had helped him in his journey. How Meena and the dragon had joined with them. How they were passing their happiest time. How he supported him when the chaos began.

Fat unashamed tears rolled more generously down both of his cheeks. He wept silently until his tears went dry.

"I'm sorry for the loss." Mitsuru said. He thought at least he could do with manners.

"Thank you." Zeema didn't even look at him when Mitsuru took a seat at his side. He looked further away but nothing at particular.

"Did all the mourning house look like this?" Mitsuru asked, avoiding Zeema's father subject. Both of them were sitting at the yard's bench, waiting.

"No, only the water tribe's clan. The pool is there to send the passed soul back to underworld for judgment." Zeema replied.

Judgement eh? Mitsuru couldn't help but smirked on the familiar concept. He sighed mentally. He might as well start to do something useful. "Do you know anything about frog worshiper folklore?" He could see Zeema was frowning slightly.

"Which one?"

Mitsuru frowned in turn. "There are more than one?"

Zeema expressionlessly looked at him. "You know folklore, they get twisted in a few versions, but nonetheless all of them have the same end. Why do you ask anyway?"

Mitsuru considered a moment before he answered. Would it be okay if he said everything to him? He couldn't think out the worst scenario aside from not getting any insight. He took a long breath before starting to summarize their purpose of coming back, the curse, the clue they had so far, and the possible culprit.

Zeema was nodding at the end of his story. "I am surprised the folklore found its way toward human's ear. What you've heard is the most famous version." He paused. "The others are basically the same, the characters involved, the place and the main event. I don't know anything about the witch nor sickness. But the frog worshiper village is still intact. Sort of."

"What do you mean sort of?"

"Well… it happened because of Black Chaos." Zeema gave him an accusing look. He wondered what mistakes he had contributed to Black Chaos while he most likely never been here. He couldn't help but denying it despite the nightmares and flashes of memories he had lately.

"Most of the villagers slaughtered. A few left had stayed behind." He grimaced. "But the both Goddess of Fortune and the Frog Deity refuse to protect them. Another incident happened which led to the devastation of the village." He sighed. "All happened in less than half year. At least that's what I heard from the others." He flicked his gaze to him before fixing it back to the faraway image in front of him. "The village is there. But there's no one there. They said the place has been cursed. It is a barren land at the east of the lake."

Despite Zeema's half hearted cooperation, he was glad he could receive more information. He was about to ask him more when he noticed a presence behind him. Wataru shadow's fell onto him. The sun had moved from upon their head, heading west.

He looked to his friend's damped face. He didn't know what to say. 'Are you allright' wasn't fit. It had never been alright even after you had cried over someone's death. With that argument, there went 'Are you feeling better'. When his parent died, he was just holding his sister and whispered, cooed, assured her that he would be by her side no matter what. He couldn't do that to Wataru of course. So he settled with weak smile. He stood up and pat Wataru's shoulder. "Shall we return?" He asked. Wataru nodded. Zeema led the way back.

Kee's son told them that he had prepared room for them to rest. Mitsuru left Wataru to be alone. Instead, he went to Zeema to ask whether he could take them to the village. When Zeema gave him a positive answer and told him they would leave as immediately as tomorrow morning, he then searched for Lione. The lion listened for their route of action and decided to accompany them. Mitsuru wondered whether Laurus had told him Wataru's problem completely so he was willing to stay even though he didn't explain why they had decided to go there.

Wataru didn't realize when the day had turned into night. He was barely aware of Mitsuru's presence at some point in his room before he left again. He didn't remember what he had for dinner. He nearly didn't talk. He felt tired. Laying upon his soft bed, his eyelids drooped shut.

"You can feel it?" The voice sneer at him.

Wataru did notice slight tugging. "What is that?"

"I've told you, the curse strength depend on the caster's distance."

Need a minute before he understood. "You're near."

Another shrill laugh. "Come, come and find me. Come, come and fetch your own death." The voice said eagerly. Then unlike usual end which he would fall into bottomless darkness, this time he was burning. Everything were so hot! His limbs, his torso, his chest. He could feel he was burning. He shouted in horror and panic. Nothing could stop the fire. Nothing could stop him burning in the middle of agonizing flame. He would die.

But then he woke up. Short, ragged breathing with sweat all over his body. Doubling in his bed, he was shaking. The sensation didn't fully leave his senses. He could still feel the heat. And that slight tugging. They were still there. After he had calmed down, he wiped the sweat in his face. Then he noticed it. The spots had spread until his arms! Wincing, he checked his body. His torso had turned black and the spots had spread slightly to his legs. He sunk deeper in his bed. For once, he was angry. Angry on the fate which had given him this treatment. Angry on the Goddess of Fortune for letting this witch running rampant. Angry on his own incapability and fear. The fury shoved away his fear. His mind worked somehow clearer. He knew he now have a very precious clue, the tugging in his chest. If he follow the direction where it grew stronger, he would find the sorcerer. He didn't know whether he could win against her, but he put that thought aside. Gritting his teeth, he let his fury remain. It was the only way his fright would give way – at least for the time being.

Mitsuru slept restlessly last night. He awake so often during the night until he was sure he was nearly not sleeping. He didn't remember the reason of being awake. He didn't remember any nightmare – or strange images. He sighed. He walked into Wataru's room after a short knock.

What he had found in front of him rendered him speechless. The curse had progressed! He could feel his heart skip a beat when he saw the freckless in his friend's legs and arms.

"Morning." Wataru gave him a crooked smile. Mitsuru thought how unlikely of his friend to smile that way. It was but a small matter to what he was seeing though.

"It spread faster?" He said weakly.

Wataru nodded gravely. "I have a good news though." His statement made Mitsuru blink. "I could feel the sorcerer's direction."

This line made a frown on Mitsuru's face. "How?"

"I feel a light tug in my chest. It's linking to the caster I suppose."

Mitsuru chewed on the information. He had not told his friend about their trip today. "I was planning a trip to frog worshipper village for us. I didn't tell you because you're out of focus yesterday... Do you think we need to change that?"

"Where is that village?"

"East of the lake."

Wataru seemed to think for a bit. "No, I don't think we're going on the wrong direction. Uh... at least not yet. This thing work with general direction only, you know." He said sheepishly. Now that looked like his usual Wataru. Wait, did he just said 'his'?

Someone was knocking at the door. "Come in." Wataru said.

Zeema opened the door and freezed on the entrance when he had seen Wataru. Wataru smiled weakly. Zeema turned to someone behind him and took a fabric before stepping in and closed the door, blocking that someone's vision.

"Is that..." Zeema didn't continue his obvious question.

Wataru nodded. "As Mitsuru had told you. This is the curse, and it's escalating. The caster is near, I can feel light tug in my chest."

Zeema grimaced and handed him the fabric. Wataru unfolded it to find a cloack.

"The eastern has strong wind. I took this cloak for pre-caution. If you don't want to expose that, you could use the cloak."

Wataru thanked him before putting it on. They got out of the room to find yesterday's maid they had met at the store was still standing in front of the door. If he was confused for having the door shut in front of his face, there was no trace of it when they saw him.

Using a carriage, four of them were taken to the harbour. Zeema led them into a galleys. Two mats stood tall at the middle of the galley.

"This is yours?" Wataru raised a questioning eyebrow.

"Initially I bought it for merchandice transportation. It was a run down ship but I got it fixed. It's good and fast for medicine that's easily spoiled in short time." Zeema answered while leading them up to the deck. "Tell them we're ready to depart." He said to one of the lizard sailor who had bowed the first time he saw Zeema.

Wataru could feel the wind is blowing in opposite direction. He saw the sail was being folded and the fish sailor inside the sterncastle blew a trumpet. Low rumble filled the air, signing the departure of the ship. As if on cue, the ship move forward ignoring the wind direction. They could hear a noisy splashing voice not only at sides but also at the front part below the ship. Wataru and his friend strolled to the front deck to see the non-stop splashing voice.

Numerous creatures similar to fish tribe were swimming and forming an arrow formation at the front part of the ship. The difference is they have fish tail instead of feet. Thick ropes were knotted to their middle. They could also see the oars moving rythmically, slapping the water at the sides.

Forgetting to restrain himself, Wataru unconsciously said to his friend, "Is that some kind of slavery?"

Instead of Mitsuru's reply, he got respond from unknown voice. "No, it's not!" They spun to see the previous fish sailor stood behind them. Or supposed to be the previous. They all looked kinda similar.

"They are Phoenician. Part of fish tribe who are more inferior. They can't speak nor walk. They are casted by their own tribe. But master Zeema took them in, give them job and shelter them. I can't imagine there's a better future for them." He explained proudly. Wataru and Mitsuru blinked before they can reply with a simple 'oh'.

"Master Zeema is the best master I ever had." A shark sailor approaced them. "And I believe that represent the mutual feeling of all the employee in here." He smiled, exhibitioning the white sharp teeth lined neatly in his strong jaw. "I'm here to show you the room. Master Zeema is still in the captain's room discussing stuffs." He gestured to the sterncastle's front room. Through the glass window, they could see Zeema and a fish sailor bent to the table, looking at something they coudn't see. Speaking of which, they haven't seen Lione after they climbed to the deck.

Without waiting for answer, the sailor walked to the stairs located at stern's right side. They followed him in curiosity. This would be the first time for Mitsuru riding a ship. Wataru, of course, somehow still dimly remembered the journey to the Crystal Kingdom. The stairs lead to 2 meter width corridor which end in another stairs going more below. Their right side has 2 doors while the left has only 1. He stopped at the first at the right and told them that it was their room.

"We're sorry since this ship is meant to be a transport ship, we have no luxurious room." He opened the door to reveal a small cramped room. The room looked as if it has been tidied hurriedly. These room must've been occupied by other classmen before they were here. Wataru felt a bit guilty for whoever need to move because they were here. There were no beds. A net tied between the pole at each side of the room.

"Master Zeema's room is at your side while the room across you is warehouse. Below is sailor's and classman's room and workroom. You are free to go anywhere except Master Zeema's room and the warehouse." He explained without being asked.

After the shark sailor excused himself, they each sat on their own net. The net swayed following the ship's movement.

"Do you feel anything?" Mitsuru broke the silence.

"If you're referring to the tugging, yes, we're still in the right direction."

"Your body?"

"Nothing." A smooth lie. He could slightly feel the heat all over his body. He knew this would get worse the closer he went to the curse source. It wasn't something he could tell his friend was it? It wasn't like he had a choice.

Luckily Mitsuru didn't poke him for more explanation. His friend was staring to the wooden floor, thinking of something. Suddenly he snapped his gaze back to him. "Do you want to explore the galley?" he suddenly said, looking excited.

Wataru smiled crookedly. "Nah, you go. I feel tired. I think I will just sleep."

Mitsuru was at the deck. The wind was blowing hard but it didn't budge him. This was his first time on a ship. Wasn't it? He was starting to doubt everything in here. There were a lot of experience he felt familiar yet he couldn't remember. He was expecting sea sick but fortunately, he was thankfully well. He had gone 2 levels below their room. The lowest level were hot and stifling. There were more than 30 oarsmen – wrong, oarslizards – in total. He left as soon as he arrived. Back to a corridor full of doors, back to their corridor, back to the deck where he could took in as much fresh air as his lungs allow him to.

Zeema had approached and told him that they would arrive at dawn tomorrow. He said he had gone to their room but Wataru was sleeping. He inhaled deeply and sighed. Lione had some experience in sailing so he was helping with the ship's chores. He knew nothing so he better stepped aside and deterred no one. The sooner they arrive, the sooner the journey end, the sooner Wataru's suffering end. And his too. He could feel an urge to return to their world since last night. It was not fear. It was not cowardice either. It was just an instinct. He wondered how bad the situation would turn before it would get better...

Wataru woke up in gasp. He didn't remember falling asleep. His eyes looked wild. He couldn't remember anything else but the scorching heat, the sizzling of his skin when the fire licked him. He shook badly. The heat was still there. The room felt as if it stifled him. He need air. He got down the net and landed in his four. He was panting heavily. His whole body ached. He inhaled deeply and braced himself. "I am okay, I will be okay, I have to be okay", he kept chanting as if the words could give invisible strengh to his powerless body. It took a moment for him to be able to stand normally. He felt lucky his friend wasn't here. He went out to the deck, let the night cold wind soothe the burning in his body.

He didn't hear the foot steps approaching him from behind. Nor did he realize there was someone behind him until his shoulder being patted. He jumped in reflex and took a defensive stance. That person's hand still floating in the air, upon the place where previously his shoulder was.

"I didn't mean to shock you that bad." Mitsuru said with amused eyes.

Wataru relaxed and exhaled in relief.

"Or are you hiding something from me?" Mitsuru looked suspiciously at him.

"Nothing." An answer coming too fast. Mitsuru didn't buy his lie.

"You look pale." He approached slowly. Wataru panicked. What if he touched him and he felt that burning heat under his skin? Unconsciously he took a step backward. Mitsuru paused. His eyes narrowed.

"You hide something from me." A statement.

Mitsuru extended his hand in attempt to grab Wataru's wrist but Wataru pulled both of his hand up. "I'm fine! Really!"

"Then why are you pulling back?" Mitsuru grabbed his wrist and pull him a step forward. There were only inches between them.

Wataru waited for moments Mitsuru realized his abnormal body heat. But after a few seconds when Mitsuru only looking at him with accusation, he realized his friend couldn't feel it. "Well?" Mitsuru broke the silence impatiently.

"I was having a nightmare. That's why I'm acting odd." Wataru smiled reassuringly.

Mitsuru looked at him with disbelief. "What nightmare?"

Now that he was sure his friend wouldn't find out, he became aware of their closeness and his grip in his wrist. It was gentle but firm. Instead of warmth, the heat of Mitsuru's hand soothe his skin. Mitsuru didn't know of course. After all, what he felt was Wataru's normal body heat. "Usual nightmare, you know. You came into my dream once." He said with a crooked smile. "Too much having that kind of dream. It's start to take it's toll on me."

Mitsuru still looked at him doubtfully but he loosened his grip. His lie had a ring of truth. Having that kind of dream over and over again would of course shook someone's mental.

"Your dinner is available already. You were asleep so I didn't bother to wake you up." Wataru glad Mitsuru decided to drop the subject.

He didn't eat much that night. When he returned to their room, Mitsuru had been asleep. He knew he wouldn't be able to sleep again. Not until he meet that bloody witch. Because sleep would bring him suffering far more painful than being awake. He watched his friend sleeping until the dawn break, until the ship stopped and Zeema came in.

Mitsuru threw a worried peek at his friend. He didn't like his condition. He looked much tired that then last time he saw him. He probably didn't sleep all night long. Though when he asked him about it, he denied fervently. Lione also worried of him. He asked Wataru once whether he would like to rest before they continue their journey on foot. Wataru looked surprised when Lione had asked him. He was also surprised. Lione had been very stingy on words. Though that would signal his friends condition was very worrysome. Wataru politely refused and pressed them to continue.

His friend didn't talk much. He ate disturbingly little. Mitsuru could see he had no appetite and merely shoving the stuffs down his throat to ease his friends worriness. He sighed. He didn't even know where they were heading. His friend was leading the road based on the pulling he was feeling. He didn't pay much heed to their surrounding. Not much to look too, barren landscapes and withering trees were dominant. He did feel cold at some point though. Lione had a thick fur while both Zeema and Wataru had their cloak on - for different reasons. Wataru had pointed out that he too have a cloak. Out of choice, he distatefully put the brown attire upon his shirt and jeans. Unexpectedly, he did feel warmer. And the clothes didn't block his movement, so he didn't complain.

It was dusk already but they were still pressing forward. When the moon had already up, they stopped. Wataru looked eager to move forward but all of them knew, they couldn't marched toward the unknown darkness. It's better when the sun was their ally. Mitsuru noticed his friend's murmur. "It's there... Just a bit more... I can feel it." His friend kept looking at a certain direction and chanted the same sentence.

Mitsuru felt more uneasy as the clock ticked by. They were resting not long when Wataru suddenly threw himself to the ground, roaring. All of them run to his side while he was jerking and shouting. They were trying to pin him and asking him to calm down. It took a flick of fire's light for Mitsuru to see that the black spot had spread to Wataru's face. He believed the same horror register to his 2 companions. Hidden under the cloak, he missed the fact that his friend's whole body had blackened.

His heart sunk every time his friend cry in agony. The red marks his friend's claw had scratched on his arm were not being felt. Wataru keep thrashing himself, completely unfocused. He couldn't take it any longer. His friend was dying. They didn't have time to wait until sunrise.

He raised and left both of his confused companion struggling. He took his flash light and the short knive he had taken from the ship. He ran to the direction where Wataru had been looking. His heart thumped painfully in his chest. It probably because of the breathless running. Or it probably because of being scared to know how big his regret would be if he failed. He couldn't think though. He refused to think. He keep running and running, to the direction he hoped where he was supposed to be heading.

A/N: miseria is Old Latin for misery. I'm refering to the mental and physical pain of Wataru - where he lost his friend and under the pressure of curse - as well as Mitsuru's pain where he start to doubt himself – his memory - and can't help bearing his friend's pain. A lot of sadness in this chapter, I know. Upcoming is the last chapter of The Curse. Expect it to come sometime in next week. XD