Happy smiles a little. "It was my fault for getting out of the trolley. I wanted to follow but froze." He says quietly, running his thumb along Bastians cheek.
put me back together (one on one/closed)
"But you could die," Bastian insisted. "And I might never be able to see you again. If you die a human I'll never get to see you again."
Halo holds Bastian close then sighs. "Alright." He says softly.
Eventually the ship reached the base of the smoldering volcano. It was immensely high, and there was an air of protection and importance about it
Halo looks up and gulps softly. "Where are we?" he whispers.
"This is…This is the Lonoki volcano," Bastian said slowly. "It's a sacred place. When I was a child, we came to worship the fallen prince who protected our lands. I was never allowed further than the palace, even when I was with my father."
He nods, looking up at the Volcano with awed respect. "Wh-why were we brought here?" He whispers softly towards Bastian, biting his lip.
"Because that fish-looking guy is the prince, and the palace is the only safe place now," Bastian answered, gesturing towards the boy who had brought them onto the ship
He nods, leaning against Bastian tiredly. Everything was so confusing. All he wanted to do was go home and go back to sleep, wishing he had never found that stupid necklace. What had he done? What was going to happen to him?
The boy walked over to them, a stony expression on his face. "My name is Llano. I am pleased to make your acquaintance. Though before we exchange pleasantries, I would suggest we get the infected inside," he said to them
Halo gulps softly as he nods to the boy- Llano. He looks at Bastian, nervousness obvious in his eyes. He was so scared.
"Come along now," Llano said before turning to walk down off the plank extending from the ship down to the ground. Bastian scooped Halo up in his arms, feeling nervous himself as he followed after him
Halo holds onto Bastian weakly, watching Llano with curious eyes. He was scared but also interested.
Llano led them through an ornate, open gate, gold windchimes and various things swaying in the wind from where they were tied to the gate. The volcano in front of them was enormous, but Bastian didn't seem phased
Halo was very scared. He clung to Bastian with fear and nervousness. He gulps softly.
"Hey, it's okay," Bastian soothed gently. "The mountain is a safe place. Nothing will hurt you here."
Halo nods, his eyes wide with curiosity and wonder. He smiles a little towards Bastian.
Bastian smiled back at him, and he pecked Halo’s forehead before looking up at Llano. The boy was leading them towards what looked like a makeshift gondola that led up to the top of the mountain
Halo held on to Bastian. "Where are we going?" He whispers softly.
"The palace," Bastian answered softly. "It's been empty since the fall, but the prince still lives there."
Halo looks up and gulps quietly. "It's safe, right?" He asks.
Bastian nodded. “It’s the safest place in the whole kingdom,” he assured him
He nods and leans against Bastians chest tiredly. He was exhausted and just needed to sleep.
Eventually they reached the gondola. It seemed a bit old, but as Llano led them into it he seemed confident they would be alright
Halo shuts his eyes, releasing a tired sigh.
They got into the gondola, and it creaked a tad as they began to ascend up the mountain
Halo grunts, his bones getting jostled.
Bastian did his best to keep Halo steady, moving against the gondola as best he could. It began to climb the mountain, and the higher they got, the easier it was to see just how immense the city below them was
Halo watches the climb and sighs quietly.
Eventually they reached near the top of the volcano, where an enormous palace seemingly made of gold sat. There was a boy sitting on the railing of the gondola, his appearance oddly similar to that of Luno's