Traveling To Fable's Veil - Part 3

The two started wandering into trees and dense thickets, that grew stronger and darker with each step of the way.  The forest was dark with only the moon to guide them, yet soon that would be blotched out by the thick green of the vail.  While a situation like this would usually be quite frightening to Leviathan, she was actually rather excited to have finally made it this far.  So many times had she wanted to go on this trip, yet she could never convince herself to actually do it.

Not only that, but she had seemingly made a fearless but bright-hearted friend, who wanted nothing but the best for her.  She looked upon the happy Xorasi, who bounced around the underbrush with an aura of glee.  If it wasn't for that little companion, she would probably still be frozen in the sleeping quarters, too afraid to go on this fulfilling adventure.

~~~

It felt like an hour had passed since they entered the vail, although she couldn't be certain.  The moonlight could no longer make it through the dense trees and she found herself having to rely solely on her vision.  While Arcanai do have excellent vision, that didn't make it much easier, especially when one is used to bright light.  The Xorasi was now riding on her head, almost like a little fluffy hat.  The critter had tuckered itself out quite rapidly and was now slumbering between her ears.  While things were getting harsher, Leviathan was determined to make it through.  At the very least, she had a strategy, just walk forward, she didn't know why but she knew that's how she would be able to safely get there.  Especially because, well, there was really no turning back at this point.

~~~

How long had it been, she wondered, and wandered, and wondered.  She thought she saw something in the corner of her eye.  Something that might want to eat fresh Arcanai for dinner.  She picked up the pace.  It wasn't safe here.

~~~

The forest was quiet, too quiet.  Her feet were so sore she couldn't feel them anymore.  She couldn't feel the Xorasi anymore either.  Did it leave?  Did it get lost?  Was she still walking forward?  Was any of this even real?

~~~

“I should've stayed home.  The child isn't here anymore, I’m never getting out.”

~~~

Levi collapsed, tired and frozen with anxiety so horrific she felt sick.  She fell to the forest floor, regretting the choices that had led her to this point.  “I was not ready for this” she screamed.  “I want to go home, I want to go home, I want to go home” she uttered while sobbing into the forest floor.  

“Baaarrrkkk” the sound was so loud and in such a quiet place it caused Levi’s ears to ache.  The Xorasi hopped down from her head and started nuzzling a trembling Levi.  “I thought… you left… I missed you”, she said while pulling the critter in for a hug.  “I don't think we are going to get out of here Xorasi, so tell me what is your name, do you have one?”  

The Xorasi looked at her with a glare of frustration before nipping at her arm.  “AHHHH” she shouted, “why would you bite me you rascal?”  Levi pulled her arm away in pain, giving the Xorasi an opportunity to escape.  It swiftly fled into the underbrush.

“Hey, wait up!”  She screamed while jolting forward to keep up with the Xorasi.  As she fled, she noticed the sun was out again, allowing a small glimmer of light to cut into the trees. Illuminating her way and allowing her to follow the Xorasi.  It was a swift little critter thought and she had to fight to keep up.  ”Ha, ha, I’m gonna catch you,” she hollered light-heartedly.

With that, they both started to enjoy the trip through the Vail while playing their little game of chase.  While playing, Levi began to forget about her fears and just enjoy the company of the Xorasi.  The two enjoyed their time together, twisting through the underbrush and jumping over fallen trees.  If her fate was to be trapped here, at least she would be stuck with the happy-go-lucky Xorasi.  That was something she could be content with.

They both lost track of time and to be quite frank had forgotten what they were originally supposed to be doing.  That was until Levi, very unceremoniously crashed into a tree.  

THUNK, Baaarrrkkk, owww.

The Xorasi sprang over to Leviathan to help her up, which is when they noticed where they were.  Behind that tree, there was a clearing and in that clearing there was a statue.