Her father couldn’t confirm or deny hearing anything, but he looked rattled and that was enough of an answer for her. Maybe they were both going crazy, but if so, at least she wouldn’t be alone in her insanity. She nodded as he ushered her forward, following along just a step behind him, taking comfort in not having to think or make any decisions for herself. She could trust that he wouldn’t lead her to harm, at least not intentionally, and if they did get into trouble she knew he’d have her back.
When they entered his old den, her gaze roamed the space, wondering what it might have looked like when he still lived there. How different he might have been, and how strange it might feel to him to return to a place that he must have spent so much time in so long ago. The voice that spoke this time was undeniable, offering an ominous sort of welcoming, a small cluster of fireflies beaconing them in deeper. Had these dark caverns always been there, when he called this place his den? It seemed an odd place to make a home, not knowing if some other creature might be lurking in the depths…
When they stopped, she couldn’t help but be taken aback by the massive amount of fireflies. The pulsating blue light was bright, but it didn’t extend far enough, and it made the darkness of the second cavern feel that much darker, deeper. She’d been uneasy since these strange events began, and the bear had genuinely rattled her, but now she was afraid deep down in her bones. The fireflies swarmed together to form the shape of a wolf, and it spoke to them, the voice seeming to come from everywhere and nowhere all at once. It spoke of things that made no sense to her, names of people she’d never heard of. She wanted to ask what the hell they were talking about, but as Ignis began to respond, her mouth snapped shut. Sacrifices? One of his children?
Slowly, she began to retreat, her steps taking her backwards the way they had come, her eyes never leaving the forms of what she thought was her father, and the firefly creature. She wanted to turn and run, but the idea of turning her back on them had taken over completely, slowing her limbs to the point where it felt like she was underwater, caught in a current that was trying to take her closer to the danger. It was a fight to keep up her backwards motion, but it ceased as her fathers gaze swung around to meet hers. She was trapped there suddenly under the weight of his gaze, eyes wide, the sound of blood rushing in her ears rising to an almost deafening roar. "Yes, dad?" Her voice came out as a soft whisper, almost timid as she questioned his intentions in bringing her here.
"Speech" || Thoughts
