Rebirth

Chapter 18:

Mrs. Henry woke up early the next morning to check on Avalon. She found that he was quite deeply asleep so she exited the living room to the kitchen and began cooking breakfast. Surely the sounds and smells of cooking would raise Avalon.

The sweet hickory scent of bacon filled the small cabin evenly along with poached eggs and softened, buttery grits. Mrs. Henry walked into the living room with a hot, steamy plate, but much to her disappointment, Avalon was completely oblivious.

As was Mrs. Henry's usual routine, she ate quietly by herself. While the food itself was delicious, it would have meant a lot more to her if there was someone else who could keep her company. She emptied the plate at her usual steady pace and set it down. Concerned with Avalon's apparent unresponsiveness, she felt for his temperature. It was the same fever from before and his skin glistened more than usual from the film of perspiration. Mrs. Henry gathered up her jacket and gloves in preparation for going to Maya's. It was the least she could do since Avalon had been missing in action for almost a day.

Mrs. Henry wasn't known for leaving the confines of her home, but these past few days had been different. For seven days she had gone to visit Avalon and now here she was again trekking out into the snow covered grounds. She wasn't very tall or strong so she took her time making the trip. She was relieved as she made it once again and Maya gave her a warm welcome.

Lang and Kazan were sitting cross-legged around the roaring fire and it seemed as if they had been discussing something highly important.

Lang looked up at her as he noticed her presence, "Have you seen, Avalon? Maya believes he's staying with you."

"That would be correct," Mrs. Henry replied, "It's been nice having company. Why, I haven't been bored for one second since he came over."

Lang grimaced at this, but tried to mask it as he looked away.

"How is he doing?" Maya asked cutting to the real point of concern.

"Not so well," Mrs. Henry spoke in hushed tones, "Though it appears like he's fine, he doesn't seem to have a lot of energy to do much of anything and I think he's been quite feverish for a while now. I think he really just needs some rest."

"That doesn't sound good," Kazan said gravely, "It seems we'll have to put off that little 'expedition' of yours for a little while longer."

"We don't have a lot of time," Lang replied anxiously, "I have no idea how Dein will live."

"Funny you guys say that. Avalon said something like that as well," Mrs. Henry said.

The rest of the group looked towards Mrs. Henry expectantly waiting for her to continue.

"Well, I didn't understand it at all, he said something like if something isn't done in 2 weeks' time something bad would happen to him—it sounded like enslavery which doesn't make much sense, right?"

"2 weeks," Lang said again, "That sounds about right. Now do you see how small our window is, Kazan?"

"Wait, what's going on here?" Mrs. Henry asked.

"Sorry, Mrs. Henry, but it's better that you didn't know too much," Maya said.

"That's what he said too. You guys are obviously up to something pretty dangerous and you want to drag Avalon along with you. Can't you guys just wait maybe two days?"

Lang looked at her with sympathetic eyes, "Mrs. Henry—

He was cut off when there was a knock on the door.

"This'll be a full house pretty soon," Kazan commented.

Maya answered the door and in stepped Avalon who had supposedly been asleep.

"Avalon! You're supposed to be—

"I heard you leave," Avalon stated cutting across Mrs. Henry's astonishment.

"Good, you're here," Lang said, "Saves me the trip. Mrs. Henry tells us you said something about two weeks."

"Yes. After that time, I'll be of no help to anyone. It is pertinent that we leave else you'll miss your chance in finding Dein quickly."

"Avalon, you can't mean…" Mrs. Henry began, "You're not ready!"

"Mrs. Henry," Avalon said turning exclusively to her, "Can't you see? There is more than just my life at stake here. I no longer have a real choice in the matter. I'll be fine."

He seemed quite determined. He was planning to do something, Mrs. Henry realized, something that was important to him.

"Alright," Mrs. Henry said with a sigh, "It seems I can't stop you."

"Thank you for understanding," he said to her then he turned back to the group at large. "I'm ready at any time."

"Well," said Lang standing up, "If we leave now, we could make it through the Forest Maze before two nights."

"Now?" said Maya a little caught off guard. "What about tomorrow?"

"Then we will have lost a day when we really have no reason to wait," Lang said.

"It may sound rash, but Lang has a point," Kazan agreed.

"Alright then, let's take an hour to prepare ourselves for the trip," Maya said giving in.

"Sounds good," Kazan said. Then he turned to Mrs. Henry, "Could you let the town know that Maya will be gone for a month or so?"

"A month?" Mrs. Henry repeated, "Just what are you guys planning?"

"Mrs. Henry, please," Avalon said placing a hand on her shoulder.

"Fine. As you wish. And, Avalon, you make sure you take care of yourself—just make it back alive."

There was a look in his eyes that told her that this may be the last time she saw him, but he gave a rather brief grin, "I'll try," he said simply.

Mrs. Henry exited after this and made the short trek back to her house.

"I swear you've brainwashed her," Lang said watching the exchange.

Avalon gave him a slightly annoyed look, but said nothing back. Soon they were off packing things up. It was decided that Avalon wouldn't be made to carry much. It was obvious to all of them that Avalon was in a weakened condition. Kazan forced him to carry a sword and that was all. An hour passed and they were finally on their way.

/

The Forest Maze was long and treacherous, at least in Avalon's eyes. He found that he had absolutely no stamina and near midday he was functioning on will alone. Of course, Avalon was bringing up the back of the group despite his valiant effort. Maya continued to glance back at him with concern; she had an eye for spotting things like discomfort and illness.

"You guys, maybe we should stop here," Maya said in the evening.

"And waste all this daylight?" Lang said back, "We can't afford to waste time."

"But Avalon—I don't think he can go much further."

Lang stopped in his tracks and walked over to Avalon, "Well, Avalon, what do you think? Do you want to stop or continue?"

Avalon looked at Lang with unreadable eyes, "Continue, of course," he said in a tone that suggested that any other answer would be ludicrous.

Yet even Lang could tell that the other was already tired. His breathing was far too heavy and his skin glistened with obvious sweat.

"You heard him, Maya," Lang said turning away, "Let's continue while the sun is still out. We'll clear this forest in two days."

Lang was the unofficial leader despite Kazan's superior age. The fact was, he was the strongest and their powers collectively could hardly even compare to his.

They all, however, had their strengths. In comparison to the common person who spent their days working in their chosen trade, they had trained. They were no stranger to combat and as a result, all of their natural senses were heightened in this sense. So it was no surprise when the entire party became weary when they rightly discovered that there was danger nearby. They all ceased their movement exactly at the same time.

The creature came from behind. It was a large Hanged Snail advancing forth with its uncanny gait. It stopped a certain distance from Avalon who stared at it was unfathomable eyes—he hadn't even drew his sword yet. They seemed to be at a standoff as Maya, Lang, and Kazan gathered around Avalon.

"What are we doing standing around? Let's attack already and get this over with," Lang said after an entire minute of inactivity passed.

Avalon made a movement towards his sword, but the creature backed off a little. When Avalon finally unsheathed the blade, the creature seemed to be making an actual effort to escape. It made a weird cry and scrambled off with exceptional speed.

"Did you…did you scare it off?" Maya asked incredulously.

Kazan couldn't believe what happened and wondered if Avalon had some secrete attack that he hadn't told them about.

"What did you do?" Lang asked finally.

"Nothing," Avalon said as he struggled to put the needle thin sword back in its sheath, "In any case, we've avoided any unnecessary fighting so let's continue."

The group moved on swiftly or as swiftly as it could. No more potential fights occurred, in fact, it was as if the usual beasts seemed to be hiding or off on vacation. Lang wondered if Avalon had anything to do with it, but he couldn't be sure. What would make a creature react in such a way? Could it have actually been scared of Avalon? Lang refused to think that this could be the case.

Night could not have come sooner for Avalon who had been wondering when the day would be over a long time ago. He ate little and fell asleep instantly. Lang had wanted to ask him if he had felt any sign of Igohl, but he would have to wait until morning.

Maya couldn't resist checking in on him. Her mind wouldn't be at rest until she knew he was alright.

"Avalon," Maya whispered.

When he didn't answer, she checked his temperature and found that his fever had gone nowhere. In fact, it might have worsened.

"Avalon," she said in a louder voice while shaking him, "Please, can I talk to you?"

She waited for a moment and was about to give up when he finally responded.

"What is it?" he asked in low tones.

"Here," she said holding a small leaf in front of his face, "It'll help you."

"What exactly is this leaf?" he questioned.

"It's called a Heal Leaf and it's a highly regarded plant that instantly restores one's health to a certain extent."

Avalon sat up as she explained this.

"It sounds like something that's hard to come by. Shouldn't you wait to use it at a more critical moment?"

"I have waited and I've decided that now is the best time. I do have more where that came from. After today, I don't think you'd have the energy otherwise to continue."

Avalon couldn't truthfully deny anything that she said so he simply accepted her offer. When he held his hand out, she blinked twice—she didn't think it'd be this easy. Maya placed the fragile leaf carefully on his palm.

"All you need to do is eat it," Maya instructed.

Avalon nodded to her silently and did as he was told. After doing so, Maya couldn't tell if it had made any difference. There was no outward look of surprise on Avalon's part.

"Was there something else you wanted?" he asked when it appeared as if something was on her mind.

"Well? Did it help? Do you feel any better?" Maya asked trying not to blush in front of him.

He looked at her thoughtfully and then answered, "Not really. But I appreciate the concern."

"Nothing?" Maya asked incredulously.

"Was it really supposed to work instantly," Avalon ventured.

"Yes," Maya said nodding affirmatively.

"Then nothing."

"Well, what about tomorrow? Do you think…?"

"I can and for however longer it is needed."

"But how can you be so certain?"

"When pursuing something that is just, you can never fail."

Maya looked at him mystified, "Where are you getting this from?"

"I don't know. It was simply something that came to me. But doesn't it make sense?"

"Not really. It's more of an opinion…an optimistic one, at least."

"Maya, why did you decide one day to join forces with Lang to try to defeat me? Surely in a rational mind such as yours, you knew you would fail if you fought someone with the Supreme Origin?"

"Well…I trusted Lang."

"And you thought upon seeing him that he was the one to defeat me?"

"Yes…"

"It's alright; you don't have to lie for his sake. I want to know…what was truly on your mind."

"Why?" Maya asked. Now she really was blushing, "Why is it so important?"

"Because," he began in a thoughtful tone, "I was trying to get to a point, but I don't mean to force you to say things you don't want to."

"Look," Maya said with a sigh, "You want to know why I decided to go on that foolhardy adventure to eventually fight you?—it was because I was young and stupid."

"You really thought of yourself as stupid?"

"No. I mean, not at the time. What are you trying to get at?"

"The truth, of course."

Avalon had said it so steadily that for a moment she completely forgot her train of thought.

"T-truth?" Maya asked.

"Yes. Why did you decide to go in the first place?"

"Oh, well…I don't know. I had to. It was—well, I guess it was…the right thing to do."

"Exactly."

Maya blinked twice, "Wait, this isn't the same thing as you're doing. This is suicide."

"No it isn't. Lately, all I've been concerned with is making things right. Doing nothing would have been suicide."

"You're not making any sense," Maya complained.

"It's getting late. Maybe you should sleep on it. If anyone could understand me, it'd be you."

Then, of course, she was blushing once again. "Yeah, it is late and you need your rest," Maya said standing up, "Good night."

"Good night to you as well."

Avalon was deathly tired yet he had somehow found the energy to speak to her. When he closed his eyes for the second time that night, he fell into a deep slumber. All night, the only thing Maya could think of was Avalon's cryptic words. What did he mean? And why was she more likely to understand them?