Free Rupture: Rise of the Demon King by Milo Woods Page B

affect everyone around you,” Hannet said.
    Seeko looked away. “And there is no way to avoid it?”
    “All of my vision-branches show you before the portals. There was not a single branch that didn’t eventually lead you to a portal. The choices you make will either speed up or slow down the process. Or lead to death.”
    He took a deep breath. “I am to save everyone else at the cost of myself, then.” His choice had been made the moment he’d walked into that portal. He would accept his fate, if it would answer the burning questions in his mind. Was he ready for this? He had to be. But what about Mori?
    He looked over to Mori and asked quietly, “You sure you want to come along? This doesn’t sound like it will be fun.” Mori peered back at him and his gaze drifted to Ludivina. He didn’t want to look helpless to the lady, so he raised his voice: “I will do it, then. If everyone’s fate lies in one man’s hands, and …” He faltered, taking a moment to regain his confidence. “… and that person is me, then I should at least try.” He had no choice, anyway, according to Hannet.
    Hannet looked down. “I know it’s hard to accept the fact that something is going to happen, no matter what you do. I understand you probably have doubts about me as well. This is the sibyl’s curse, but it is also our blessing. If this knowledge can help our people, if this can save us from the demons, then I will use my gift to help shape the future for the better.”
    Mori smiled at Seeko. “I don’t care about the consequences,” Mori said. “I’m going with you.”
    “Thanks for believing in me.”
    Mori moved closer to him and grabbed his arm.
    Hannet shattered their brief moment by saying, “Most of the locations of the necklaces are still unknown, but one is atop Mount Pharos. I will be searching for the other necklaces. My visions should provide some insight about them.”
    “Mount Pharos?” Seeko asked as he studied a map on the table. This was the first time he had looked at a map of Endetia. The continent was roughly trapezoidal, with the base to the south. The eastern coastline was shaped like a C, and an island was displaced from this C. Above this coastline was Asilis and to the northwest was Layis. Mount Pharos sat in the middle of a forest on the other end of the continent, far southwest of Layis. “How far is that?” He then saw Irris in the center of the continent. The mountain was northwest of Irris. “Wow. It took me three weeks to walk from Irris to Asilis. This is going to take like two months.” He groaned.
    “I know it seems far, but you will be meeting up with the army in Irris afterward,” Hannet said. “Cherish the journey, since afterward, Yosh—”
    Ludivina gave Hannet a dark stare, cutting her off. “Since afterward,” the lady said, “there will be another portal to close.”
    Yoshino? Seeko raised an eyebrow. “When do we leave?”
    “Tomorrow would be best,” Mori said, to Seeko’s surprise.
    “Uh … Yeah, I guess tomorrow, then,” Seeko said, shrugging.
    Ludivina went to the doorway and waved for someone. Soon a man stood before her. “Take these two to their room,” she said before leaving.
    Seeko watched her stride out of the room before following the man and Mori. They stayed in a nice room preserved for royal guests. The only problem with the room was the single bed. Mori didn’t seem to think twice about it, but Seeko didn’t know what to do.
    “Uh, who gets the bed?” he asked her.
    Mori looked toward him and said, “Both of us. Why would only one of us get it?”
    He tried to say something, but couldn’t focus when Mori started undressing inside the room. “What … What are you doing?” He turned his head to keep himself from looking at her.
    “I’m getting ready for bed. Don’t you change your clothes? You’ve been in them for two days straight,” she asked as if nothing was wrong.
    Seeko walked to the door. “I don’t change with other