Hours had passed since Dein encountered Meeka. They had walked far away from the chasm and deeper into the stone forest. And, just like Dein promised Arthe and the others, he found the tallest structure he could see and went there.
Currently, Dein had climbed the top of a jagged boulder protruding from the ground like a giant torso. He sat on the shoulder of it, unable to climb higher.
The boulder itself is about a hundred meters and is by far the tallest structure they found.
Beside him, Meeka, as well as his ghosts sat, making a fire.
"I can't believe how vast this place is. There's just giant boulders wherever you look at. Like we're in a maze."
He spoke to himself, mesmerized by the size of the place they are in. Everywhere you look, there were just stones everywhere. Some protruding from the ground like it was buried under and some weirdly placed all around.
It indeed looks like a giant maze.
However, with the sun going down and the moon rising up, the silent, lifeless continent they are in felt even creepier.
Like they are alone in this world.
Finishing her fire, Meeka look up at Dein with a sigh.
"We failed to find anyone even after a whole day of searching. Not even a single nightmare creature. Worse still, we'll have to spend the night and travel tomorrow without food and water."
She shook her head.
"Just my luck. And even worse I'm stuck here with a creep like you."
Hearing her grumble to herself, Dein simply rolled his eyes, having used to it by now. He approached the fire and sat down as well, the little girl looking around the place with a smile.
"For the last time, I'm not a creep." He paused, glancing at the sun as it finally hid itself. "And aren't you glad you got sent close to another sleeper? You would be spending the night all alone and without a fire right now y'know? At least be grateful"
As he said that, Dein reached down to the fire and adjusted the wood by the handle. Of course, the wood in question was his [Wood O'courage] sword.
He had suspected it to he very impervious to fire but it turns out to be a very good fire starter as well. Of course, Dein didn't just offer his sword to be burn just because he wanted to, they simply have no choice. After all, the moment the sun started to go down and night creep up, the air became thick and cold.
So cold that, even with Dein's armor [A Sister's Embrace] which offered absolute comfort, he felt really cold. That said, the fire did alleviate the cold night better than expected.
At least for Dein. Meeka still looks like she's shivering.
Speaking of her, she stared at Dein with narrowed eyes and sighed.
"Right. Thanks…"
Dein smiled at her reluctant answer despite it being a bit sarcastic. Throughout the day, he never managed to convinced Meeka that he's not a creep and she still maintained her distance. However, it seems that no matter how reluctant she is, she isn't stupid and knows how to cooperate.
After all, no one survives the Dream Realm alone and she she seems to understand that as well.
After staying in silence in for a while, Dein yawned, already feeling asleep and asked.
"So, what's our plan for tomorrow?"
Meeka didn't respond for a moment, staring simply at the fire before giving a shrug.
"Walking around searching isn't plausible anymore. We don't know where the others are, or if there even is anyone in this place aside from us, we have no idea where the supposed citadel is as well so walking around might just actually be take us farther away from it."
She paused, her expression serious.
"Food. As well as water. That's our first priority. Though… it seems impossible to get any of them in this place."
Hearing her thoughts, Dein had to agree. Walking around confused seems to be just a waste of their time and energy at this moment. If they really want to continue searching for the citadel, what they need is food and water or else they won't last even a month in this desolate place.
However, the problem is where to find them in this stone world.
Dein contemplated for a while, unsure what to do next. It had only been a few hours and they're already in a dead end. Dein was about to open his mouth but just then, another voice called out to him.
"Mister! Mister, look!"
It was the little girl, pointing at the sky, where the moon had risen.
'what is it now?'
Dein thought but the moment his eyes followed her hand and went towards the sky, his face suddenly stiffened.
"Wha… what the hell?"
Meeka raised an eyebrow at his words, confused. She also followed where he was looking at and the moment she did, her face turned shocked as well and a frown fell on it.
After all, the moon they are looking at wasn't complete… it wasn't half as well either. Instead, it was broken. Shattered into dozen different pieces.
However, that wasn't all. The moment they look at the moon, a cold shiver climbed up their backs and in their ears, they heard the soft, gentle sound of someone humming.
'w-what is this feeling?'
[L-look away! Don't look at the moon! Cover your ears!]
Serious screamed, warning Dein and the other ghosts but it was too late. Scaredy was already screaming in fear, shivering and crying in Dein's mind. However, it wasn't his usual cry of fear of dying. Instead, his cry was muffled and silent and he's genuinely wishing to be killed instead.
Happy wasn't any better, the moment she heard the humming, she immediately disappeared and entered Dein once again, hiding in fear to the point that Dein couldn't sense her.
Fortunately, two of Dein's memories focused is soothing his mind. One gave him courage and the other comfortability. That said, he's barely holding himself from falling onto his knees and falling into despair.
His whole body was covered in sweat and his hand pressed into his ear so tightly he might crushed his skull. He felt a weight pushing him down. And he had to bite his lips to keep himself sane.
It was harrowing.
But even then, he still managed to look to the other side of the fire.
There, a sphere of golden rocks with the surface rippling like golden liquid formed around Meeka like a defense. Inside it, Meeka was on the ground, covering her ears and shivering in fear, trying to fight against the despair gripping her mind. Her nose and ears flowing with blood.