Rebirth-Transcending All Beings-Chapter 72: Outside Events

The rhythmic pounding of hooves echoed along the dirt trail. An unwelcome intruder in the tranquil, sun-dappled silence of the forest.

The horse galloped forward at its fastest speed. Thick piles of dust followed from the kicking of its powerful legs.

Perched on top of the horse were two women. Both with long brown hair. Their clothes fluttered against the opposing gale.

The older of two, Eleanor sat at the front, her expression hardened with determination and a sense of restlessness. She guided the horse with expertise.

Behind her, Elena clung tightly to her waist. She leaned forward — face pressing into Eleanor’s back, her arms locked around her in a desperate embrace.

She tried to remain calm, her heart thudded with anxiety and stress. She wasn’t much younger, but she was less experienced. The tide was clearly taking a toll on her physically.

The saddlebag heavy with provisions weighed them down. Stocked with canteens of water and dried meat and bread.

The sun was now an unrelenting force, pressing down from above with an oppressive force of heat. Sweat leaked from their bodies onto their leather clothes.

"Can we not go back for him?" Elena finally asked, raising her voice over the elements.

Eleanor didn’t answer right away, her hands tightening on the reins. She looked back once, hesitating but in the end she didn’t go back for him.

"Remember what he said," she replied. "We’ll meet at the academy, I’ll make my own way."

Elena frowned. "So we’re just going to leave him there? With that demonic beast!?" Her fingers dug into Eleanor slightly. "What if something went wrong."

"If we were of help, I would’ve turned around." Eleanor’s shoulders tensed.

"But—"

"That’s enough," she snapped. "He’s capable, you saw it yourself. If he’s alive, he’ll make it. If not... there’s nothing we can do."

The words hung in the air like a sharp blade that made Elena’s throat tighten. She wanted to argue, but deep down, she knew Eleanor was unfortunately right. Yet the feeling of helplessness gnawed at her.

The dirt road stretched for miles on end, winding through the woodlands. The occasional roaring of beasts in the deepest parts echoed through the forest surrounding them.

Time slipped slowly under the accumulative weight of exhaustion and silence. The horse’s pace slowed to a trot with a heavy breath — each step deliberate.

Eleanor glanced down, pulling gently on the reins, guiding the horse towards the edge of the path where a cluster of trees offered both shade and safety.

Eleanor was the first to get off. Dismounting smoothly, her legs were still stiff from the long journey. She turned to help Elena down, helping her step down with a soft hitch of her breath.

"We’ll stop here for now." Eleanor glanced at the sun. "Once the horse is ready we’re carrying on."

Elena nodded, brushing back strands of hair on her damp face. Eleanor could tell how worn out she was. And the same could be said for herself.

They led the horse into the shadows, tying it to a low-hanging branch. Eleanor uncorked a waterskin from the saddlebag, letting the horse drink first in steady and rhythmic gulps.

After the horse was satisfied, she passed it to Elena, who took it with shaking hands. She drank deeply, exhaling with loud breath after finishing.

They moved, sitting on shade grass — leaning against the trunk of a wide tree.

Neither spoke. The only sound being the wind whistling against the leaves above their heads.

"You don’t really believe he’s okay, do you?" Elena asked softly.

Eleanor stared at the leaves above in silence. Thinking of all the possibilities that could have occurred. "He’s unique for a reason — he wants to live more than anything."

"What do you—"

"Trust him."

Elena stared at the empty waterskin, her thumb hooking into the mouth of it. "I just... don’t want to lose anyone else."

Eleanor’s gaze flickered towards her. "We can’t afford to lose focus, the academy isn’t far. Once we regroup there — we can decide our next step."

Elena didn’t answer.

After their short rest, they remounted and continued on. The sun began to dip slightly, casting shadows in its wake. The road ahead narrowed through a forested stretch.

The air around cooled, but the quietness of the coming night became deeper and heavier.

Eleanor kept her eyes sharp, they weren’t out of danger yet. Beasts, demons and other things. So many possibilities and variables could occur on these unguarded roads.

After the Demon war, Vaeloria and the other continents lost much territory and the damage wasn’t negligible. It had taken them a few years to rebuild what was destroyed and even more to take back what they lost.

Elena noticed. "Do you think someone’s following us?"

"Maybe," Eleanor said. "Always assume someone is." She remembered the three Knights that headed to Vergil’s location, for some reason they were ignored but Eleanor saw the emblem.

Aurelia.

She didn’t tell Elena and Vergil... she refused to continue thinking, only hoping for the best.

They rode with increased caution, taking turns when needed after reading the symbols carved onto bark.

Finally the trees thinned, revealing a vast plain ahead and in the far distance, just barely visible through the distant horizon. Stood a tall, slender tower.

"There," Eleanor pointed. "We’re getting close."

Elena’s gaze filled with relief. For the first time since their escape, a sense of hope washed her body.

"Do you think he’ll be there?" She asked.

"I don’t know," Eleanor admitted. "But he’ll find us."

They pressed on as the sun descended, painting the landscape bronze. Their path remained arduous, yet with a destination finally in sight, their desperation turned into a thin, clinging thread of hope.

------

Inside the planet, an entity began its climb.

Ascending from the darkest depths. If someone peered into the darkness, the abyss would look back, whispering in a silence that swallowed all sound.

The depths pierced deep into the crust. The ledges were too steep and too far apart. If the average person got trapped, they would never see the light of dawn again.

Yet the figure climbed, moving with fluidity and precision that only improved as it moved up.

It continued to ascended. And soon, the people would know his name.

Would he bring chaos — ravaging the lands and its people?

Or peace — cleansing the world of corruption?

Only time would tell.