Such Dreadful Interchange

   They forwent what had happened, but their sorrow was remarkably present - for an undeniable matter it is that they failed. The two seekers, after they had seen themselves safe at the laboratory, decided to show themselves up to the village. To Stacia and Noel. On the vast atmosphere of the grand underground lobby, which was boldly unfinished, Sonn asked,

   "Have they seen you, brother?" He said as they walked in calmness, where the place and every torch were lit. The word 'brother' is what always assures Simoun that Sonn is in tranquility.

   "They are yet to see me. It is just about time since I got here, too." Simoun responded as he looked at Sonn's tired eyes. They walked and succeeded at the elevator. Sonn went first and Simoun followed.

   From the ground, the two appeared. They stood on the ground where everything was observable - the unfinished bastion mansion, their main home, and lastly the village. The two immediately ran towards their main home just to find Noel himself. As they opened the door, they found Noel reading a book. Noel was astonished. He stood in confusion as he observed the two seekers' composition - for they were grimy in clothes and far exhausted in face.

   "Why're you here so fast!?" Noel exclaimed as he dropped the book and stood. "What happened?"

   "We failed." Sonn said to him. His tone was depressed, and his face was evidently sad. As he said, Noel hastened to fetch glasses of water for the two.

   "Sit over here... and... and maybe we can talk."

   They seated themselves and the two seekers' stared at him... as if he was nothing - as they always stare at nothingness. "You failed for now. But you would go back, right?" Noel inquired as the two proceeded to drink the water - [Burble Burble].

   "Perhaps." Simound declared and as he did, Sonn looked at him in weary.

   Until Noel noticed Simoun's slash on the chest, he exclaimed,

   "Oh, dear me! What had happened to that!" Says he, pointing to the bandage-covered wound. Simoun resisted to respond. Rather, he went on his way. Simoun looked around and Sonn was still in weary, trying to think about his life.

   The former stood and the latter followed, Noel was animated, and so he followed, too. The three headed to the village where Stacia might be. Given such a statement, Simoun suddenly went to see Jane's condition and not Stacia's disposition. Noel went to go and find Stacia as the two were left scrutinizing the terror.

   "I can still hear her." Simoun said solemnly, knowing that he assigned someone to feed Jane by the hole on the door.

   From that scene, Stacia commenced to appear from the elevated part of the village. At last, she saw the two who were wrapped in greasy clothes caused by the devilish dimension.

   Stacia rushed to approach them and Noel was behind her. The two seekers' stood in the most confusing manner where Stacia could not understand, from afar, whether they failed or succeeded. As Stacia was in rush, the two still stood, looking at her who was in haste. Until Stacia finally got to them in front of the house where the terror begins,

   "Wh- How are you?" She uttered every word in the most worried manner that the two listeners were clearly assured of her worry.

   "We failed." Sonn said to her. Again, the sadness on his face was evidently present - it was and is there.

   "Maybe we can go home and I will cook for you." Replied Stacia, trying to elevate their feelings, for she saw how downcast were their faces. And so as she said, she exclaimed to notice the bandage-covered wound on Simoun's chest, "Oh! Are you fine?! Come! Let us go and clean such wound!" Again, Simoun resisted entering such a matter - as he does not want to discuss a matter of his would, caused by a perplexing occurrence.

   So they did. And in their main-house where everyone was seated, the discussion started. Although it did, Simoun and Sonn tried in dedication to avoid their failure - as they did not want to recollect how they failed. The truth, however, was that they did not fail on their own, but they failed by a circumstance which is inevitable.

   Simoun started to utter the most solemn word at that moment,

   "How is the village?" They had gone for merely an hour but he said this in sudden - for he was deeply dispirited.

   "Stacia suggested Ariel, the head builder, to build a watch tower. Is that fine?" Noel promptly said without hesitation, smiling and looking at one after another. Stacia was cooking, and she did not happen to hear the interchange of ideas. Moreover, such matters are something good.

   "I... I haven't thought of that." Simoun replied, still emotionless, "That is absolutely fine."

   As he said those remarks, Stacia approached with a steak and ample amount of greens. It was not late nor early - it was in the midst of afternoon.

   Stacia then gathered some wooden bowls and placed it on the table, saying,

   "Let us eat."

   The two seekers' tried to show that they would relish over the steak for it would be unethical if they would bestow not appreciation but still dread. Besides, the two were far ravenous from the previous adventure. It would not be a matter to forgo what had happened and proceed to eat.

   The whole party ate, relishing their plate empty. No one spoke a matter for Stacia and Noel saw how vexed Sonn was. Simoun on the other hand was composed blank - not vexed nor saddened, but rather blank.

   How they would proceed I cannot narrate. But what I can assure you is that they did proceed... proceeded until the night had come when everyone was settled. That night, the matter was planned. In their main-house the whole party planned. And the whole scene happened at the table where most revelations were declared and most inauguration were settled. That night, the plans were told. They were still seated on the same position. The same position as when Alexandrovna was still there. Simoun commenced, declaring:

   "Me, Sonn and I, would go back and find the cure." His breathy voice declared a thing where he and Sonn failed. No objection was heard nor any flinch of word was uttered, so Simoun continued stating his deed in the most articulate manner,

   "Considering that Jane is still alive, we still have hopes. I will invite Blue to help you manag-" Cut those words when Sonn said in sudden,

   "Blue? Our... our cou-"

   "Our cousin Blue." As Simoun did clarify, Sonn made a diminutive bow. That being indicated, Simoun continued,

   "We must be equipped with bravery and many necessary tools."

   Stacia stood in an indifferent manner and opened the chest just to get a carpet. She laid it off the ground, indicating that they must sleep. At last she said,

   "I would be happy to see him, brother. I am the most afraid of lingering around and taking the responsibility alone." She said, staring at Noel awkwardly - for such statements imply that Noel is nothing in the matter. Stacia had noticed such awkwardness so to ease her liberating clumsiness, she said in an imposing manner,

   "Though Noel is here, of course, it would be far better if three proprietors would be left."

   Everyone stood from the table and composed themselves to sleep - for slumber is crucial. Stacia extinguished the remaining fire on torches to reserve fuel. She and Noel rested on the ground which has the carpet laid, while Simoun and Sonn lied on their original beds.

   At last when they were all rested fixed, Simoun declared in a low tone,

   "Tomorrow... too soon in the morning we will go."

   Sonn looked at him as if he was confused. Though he was, no words from him expressed reluctance and interference.