Rosie's Games

Chapter 372: Facade

"You seem distracted," Lucas asked as he held her hand.

"Where are the others? Do you think they were able to reach the shore?" Naturally, she would be distracted. They had been walking for hours and hadn't found the others yet, she became increasingly concerned. This lack of progress caused her to feel uneasy.

She had the impression that Lucas wasn't particularly motivated to find the others as it felt more like they were out for a leisurely stroll.

The surrounding haze was dense, making it difficult to see more than a few meters ahead. Additionally, the heat was intensifying, and everything around them seemed perilous.

This was not the time to take a stroll.

"When we reach that area, do you think we'll be able to see the rest of the island?" He asked.

"Have you been here before?" She asked, curious.

"No," he replied.

Rosalind couldn't shake the feeling that Lucas was not being honest.

As they arrived in an area with an even denser haze, the overpowering stench of sulfur filled her nostrils. In the near distance, a towering wall of jagged rocks loomed. She lifted her gaze to observe a volcano belching thick plumes of ash and smoke into the sky. It was a daunting sight.

"This is..." Rosalind trailed off, feeling a strange sense of familiarity. Despite never having been near the Howling Mountains before, she had an uncanny sensation that she had seen this cliff and volcano before, perhaps in a painting from a past life.

Lucas noticed her distraction and commented, "You look distracted. Why is that?"

"What?" she replied, startled.

"Do you still want to find the others?" he asked, tilting his head. Suddenly, a disturbing smile crept across his face. "We don't need to, do we?"

Rosalind furrowed her brows in confusion. Something was amiss, and this time it was with Lucas.

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"For all we know, they could be dead. The waves may have washed them away, and the sharp rocks on the shore could have obliterated their bodies. Is it really necessary for us to continue looking for them?" Lucas replied.

Rosalind took a step back, alarmed by his words. "Lucas, what are you talking about?"

"Are you scared?" he inquired.

"I-" Rosalind began, unsure of how to respond. Was she scared?

The answer to Lucas's question came unexpectedly: Rosalind wasn't afraid.

Strangely, the dense haze and sharp rocks around them seemed to bring her comfort. The perilous surroundings even had a sense of familiarity to her, as if she had been here before and knew that nothing would harm her.

Rosalind couldn't help but wonder what was happening. Why did she feel so at ease in such a dangerous environment?

Just as she stepped back, Lucas took a step forward. "Lucas, what's going on?" she asked, feeling a sense of panic rising inside of her.

She had a gut feeling that she needed to flee from this man, but she couldn't help but worry about him too. This wasn't the Lucas she knew.

When Lucas didn't respond to her, Rosalind couldn't help but ask, "Lucas?" She grew uneasy as he took another step towards her. "Stop. Don't come any closer."

To her surprise, he actually stopped.

Her mind raced as she struggled with conflicting emotions. She didn't want to abandon Lucas, but his behavior was starting to frighten her.

"The scent... does it remind you of anything?" Lucas asked, prompting Rosalind's curiosity.

"What do you mean?" she replied, furrowing her brow.

"Does it bring you comfort?" Lucas's unsettling demeanor and strange questions sent shivers down her spine.

"Don't you want to stay here forever?" Again, he smiled.

"I- " He was right. Something about the smell was messing with her mind. It was making her think that she had been to this place before. Despite knowing the danger around her, a part of her wanted to stay.

"With me?" Lucas gave her a comforting smile that would have made her swoon if this was on a normal day.

"Shall we stay here forever?" He asked again.

"What about the training?" Rosalind asked. "You said you will make me stronger."

"Do you need to?"

Rosalind stared at his eyes before she lowered her gaze.

"You could have fooled me," Rosalind mumbled. "You look exactly the same as Lucas," she lifted her gaze and stared at the disturbing yet familiar smile on his face. Everything about this man looked exactly the same as Lucas.

Even his voice sounded like Lucas's.

Rosalind does not know what is going on but she was certain of one thing.

Lucas would never break his promise!

He had assured her that he would make her stronger, and she was confident that he would deliver on that promise no matter what was happening.

That left only one possibility: this man was not Lucas.

Without a word, a long spear formed from black mist appeared in her hand. "You'll regret doing this to me!" she hissed as she lunged forward with her weapon.

The man stumbled back and drew his sword. "Rosalind?" he asked, looking bewildered.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

But Rosalind didn't have time to contemplate his reaction. She spun around, her spear moving like a blur as she launched attacks from every angle. She wasn't a spear expert, but she could control the dark mists and direct the spear wherever she desired.

Her strategy was simple: overwhelm him with a flurry of attacks.

The man deflected her strikes with his sword, the clanging of metal ringing through the air.

"What-"

"Drop the facade," Rosalind spoke, her voice cold. "I know you are not him!"

Lucas does not look like he cared about other people but he would not abandon them! Especially the people that he trained like Magda and Huig. Rosalind would never believe that Lucas would easily desert them and think about staying in this place!

Finally, Rosalind saw an opening and thrust her spear forward, striking his arm.

He immediately cried out in pain as he stumbled back, his eyes wide with surprise.

....

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