A few days have passed since the attack. I'm still unable to walk correctly, I'm using makeshift crutches to move around, but I can no longer undergo Katabasis, and be the diver I'm supposed to be. It's burdening the others. My grandpa, despite being affected by the venom, has continued diving to protect the others; he is still the strongest of us. Rufus has been much more cautious than ever following what's happening. Our people are on edge; we see it in each other's faces, even if we don't say it. Rufus says that the quotas aren't worth our safety.
I agree with him, but not completely. The quotas are for the betterment of humanity itself; who knows how many people rely on us every day to get it done? The majority of people agree with Rufus, but if we can't mine, then what's the point of it all? We just need to adapt more rapidly and learn more about the creatures in the depths. Just like my grandpa taught me, our physiques are our canvas, our minds are the paint, and who we are as people is the artist.
From what we heard from Iris, someone was alongside the creature. Some have chalked it up to her imagination, but I know her; she wouldn't have lied about something like that. However, the story didn't add up; it was easy to track down who it could possibly be. The only possibility would be the guards, who were now both dead, and Iris said she followed them towards the Four Corners. If it were truly them, they would have led it in the opposite direction. Also, I knew the guards on duty at night; they were good people and were both known for strictly following the rules. The story wasn't adding up. I could tell something was wrong; it was making me restless.
Also, no one else has fully realised it, but my grandpa has weakened following the attack. We were as vulnerable as could be right now. He was acting differently as well, more on edge and sleeping less. The other day, it was the first time I'd seen it in his eyes, hesitation.
It felt like any second the entire cave could ignite. The tension was palpable.
"You know the bets are still on," Cora joked as she suddenly started walking next to me.
"Oh, I know, you just need the head start," I quipped back.
Since my injuries, Cora had spent most of her time with me, and even if she didn't say it, I knew that it was because she was worried about me. It felt nice knowing she cared for me like that. I could see the same fear in her that was in me. After all, me and her niece could have died on that day.
After walking around for a while, she had to leave to have her shower, but not before kissing me goodbye. I decided to go back home and lie down again. I might as well, I can't even help anyone like this, and I had been walking with my crutches for a while, so I should rest them.
As I was lying in bed, my grandpa came to sit with me. Usually at this time, he was training, either his mind or body, so it was a pleasant surprise to have him with me. He didn't say much, but he just looked at me and smiled. Then he broke the silence.
"You know I can already see it, the man you're growing into, and I couldn't be prouder of who you're going to be, even if I don't get to see it in person, just know I'll always be proud of you." I didn't know what to say to that. That's when he looked out of the makeshift hole I drilled in the wall to see outside, saw Cora walking, and left the room as well. I couldn't hear their conversation, but knew they were talking.
My grandpa was gone for a while after that, but I heard him come back a few hours later, without Cora.
"What's up!" I shouted from the other room.
"Nothing, I was just getting stuff that I'd need tomorrow."
Well, if that wasn't a vague answer, I didn't know what was. There wasn't anything special happening tomorrow, from what I knew. I could barely sleep that night. I don't know what it was, but it almost felt like everything was a threat. I was too on edge to even move, let alone readjust myself. Too many weird things were happening: my grandpa, what happened with that creature, and whoever the other people or person was. Was there someone we claimed was dead and wasn't? No, it couldn't be that, or they would've just come back and made themselves known. Was this person someone who lived deep within the caves, deeper than any of us dared to travel before? The biggest questions I have are the identity of the person and their motivations. I had to figure it out as soon as I could.
My body succumbed to sleep, yet I was uneasy. I was sleeping but not resting. The next day I woke up, feeling fear like I'd never felt. Even on my first Katabasis, I didn't feel like this. It wasn't a normal feeling; it was primal, like my body knew something would happen.
My day fell into my usual routine today, until I made my way back home. My grandpa was waiting for me; he must have come as soon as he left the Crater.
"Hello, my boy, I have some things I need to say to you," he paused before continuing. "You are strong, and I know that you will become a better man than I ever could. I failed to protect the rest of us, but I promise I will protect you, kid, no matter what. Our instincts are strong, yet sometimes we can't change what they warn us about. It is both our gift and our curse to feel the very future between our fingertips, yet be powerless to do anything. All my life, I have felt powerless. I hope you will not have to endure this. You or Cora. However, I know you will probably suffer more than most people who have ever lived, but for me, please endure."
What the fuck is he talking about? Is something up with him?
"Are you going senile, old man? What's gotten into you? Why are you telling me this?" He ignored my questions and looked at his book.
"That book, I made it for you, you know, to teach you, it will guide you as best as it can. It isn't absolute, but I hope you find meaning in it when you need it most. It will show you the path," my eyes widened when he mentioned that. The path. I heard it mentioned in the Cave when I went into Hellmoth, and the book's title had it in there. Now I know something was wrong.
"Grandpa, please just tell me what's going on! I know something's up, just let me know what it is, you told me to listen to my instincts for fucks sake, and that's what I'm trying to do! Right now, it's telling me something bad is going to happen; it's been telling me that for a while. The others might not know as much as you do, but I know that you know, right?! So tell me!" I demanded from him; I was done pretending everything was fine.
"In the grand scheme of things, I truly know nothing, my boy. I'm sorry to have disappointed you again. All my life, I have let you down, and you don't even realise it. You have so much potential that I doubt you even realise it. You are right, and I'm glad you have trusted your instincts. Please continue to do that; no matter what, it will guide you when no direction is clear, it will guide you to the path." Why the fuck was he still speaking in riddles even now!
"Something is wrong," he finally admitted. "But I have already done all I can, what is to come is inevitable so please don't blame yourself in any way, it will gnaw away at you like the winds of the car eroding the rock; but just as we were born to do, you will adapt and become stronger, that is your true strength, the ability to improve beyond any other. Please continue to grow." I knew I had to do something if he wasn't going to tell me, I'd find out myself and stop it. I was getting frustrated.
"Fine then, I'll fucking do it myself if all you're going to do is chat complete shit. You're dribbling out words like you're pissing from your mouth. If you ain't gonna help me, I'm gonna help myself!" I got up, crutches in hand, and went to leave the room. That's when I realised what time it was. Cora was supposed to be here. My grandpa knew what I was thinking.
"Oh, she's getting something to celebrate the fact that you fought for her niece, I hope it's a lovely present she gets you, of course, there is no actual celebration though," he says as he kicks out the crutch from beneath me. I fall flat on my face in confusion.
"I'm sorry I have to do this to you, but I have foreseen it, it's something that must happen for your sake, I couldn't let it happen." he turns and grabs something hidden from behind some rocks.
"What in the fuck is going on?! Are you mad? What's in that bleedin' pouch!" I screamed
"Oh, I already told you about it. It's what I needed to get yesterday. Just remember, you will always be my son. I will always love you. Everything I've done has always been for you. I love you, my boy. For the first time in my life, I see a tear fall down my grandpa's face as he pulls out a needle and injects a fluid straight into my neck.
My world turns black.