Polathrin's Ruins
Part Two: Burned

Zak shook his head. He had to get out of it. His heart was heavy, but a new world awaited them. It was almost as if Magony was on his shoulder, holding him down with every step he took. But she was no longer with them. He had failed once again as a leader. Grint’s promise now seared through him, like a burn mark on his chest. Two days. She had been in his care less than a week, and somehow she had escaped his grasp. Could he not handle more than the current group? Was he not made to hold the weight of five people instead of four? Was he not as strong as he thought?

Night was quickly approaching, but the usual light of Arji was absent, because they were on the purple-blue planet of hope. He had to keep alert. The group had been marching for a full day, passing through land, but not seeing people or dwellings. They crossed a dirt road, but all was quiet in this place. Zak was beginning to wonder if there were people at all, when he started to see small buildings appear. Most were quiet and empty, though in decent condition. Still, they moved, trying to gain as much ground as they could. Though he felt more like he was running from something instead of toward.

Zak could feel regret like a rock in his stomach. The challenge of being a leader was almost more than he could handle. His sole job was to keep people alive, but Magony…

Focus, Zak shouted in his head. He had to keep a clear mind. It was his only choice. If he wanted to keep the rest of the group alive, he had to remain alert. Had he not been alert when Magony was killed? He had jumped so fast, hearing Ramza’s bullets as his feet hit the deck. Magony’s eyes pleaded with him as he reached for her, and it seemed as though she had gotten away for a second. For just a second.

Zak stopped, dropping low in tall green plants, his shoes taking more water in as the pressure changed. The sor was nearly gone. He was better than this. Akio was carrying Mia, his eyes watching Zak carefully. Ramza was emotionless, but she waited patiently. They were counting on him, now was not the time to halt. His heart beat loudly, but somehow his breath kept catching in his throat as though someone held him, slowly strangling.

Zak shook his head again. They had to keep moving, so he got back up, much to the confusion of the others. This land was too wet. They couldn’t camp out here, but he had no idea where to go. He couldn’t continue to walk aimlessly. Could he continue at all?

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