Xane came back a few days later. He walked into our room with a servant, telling me and Mun to pack up whatever belongings we had. The servant placed two leather sacks in front of us. I stuffed some tattered clothing into the bag, and Mun wedged in some storybooks. Once we said we were done, the servant picked up the baggage. Xane murmured "Come", turned around, then slowly walked out with the servant who was holding our packs.

We followed Xane all way to the front door of the mansion. I asked in surprise.

"We're leaving?"

Xane, without even slighting moving his head or turning back to face me, replied.

"Yes, Rial."

The steel front door, embellished with ironwork decorations, swung open. Beyond it laid a rainy day with drizzling droplets of water. Off in the distance I sighted a horse carriage. A majestic looking one, equipped with lanterns and golden patterns. Xane pointed toward it, mumbling calmly to us.

"Hop in, guys."

Mun was abundantly thrilled to have witnessed such a carriage and a horse. He rushed over, splashing across the puddles of rainwater, and jumped in taking a seat in the inner spot of the carriage. I, on the other hand, dully dragged my steps over and slid in the seat beside Mun.

The servant and Xane lazily made their way to the carriage as well. Midway in their steps, Xane turned his head to the front door of the mansion, reacting to a roaring shout.

"Xane!"

Lusk's voice boomed from the doorsteps. Lusk approached Xane until they stood only inches away from one another. Another servant trailed behind Lusk, holding up an umbrella over Lusk's head. From the seat of the carriage, I studied Lusk glaring at Xane and speaking.

"You're going to make sure, right? About the-"

Lusk gestured a zipper over his lips, nodding his head to the horse carriage where Mun and I were sitting in. Xane sighed, and replied.

"Yes."

Lusk, upon hearing this, smirked and proceeded to pat Xane on his shoulder.

"Pleasure doing business with you, hearer."

Xane shoved Lusk's arm away violently, and spat out in a hostile manner.

"Rot in the dark, Lusk."

Lusk cackled maniacally and thumped on the face of the servant holding up the umbrella. He pointed back to the mansion with his index finger. Lusk and the servant scurried back inside.

Xane stood still in place for a moment letting the raindrops fall over his body, staring at Lusk disappear behind the front door. His fists were clenched tight. Xane snatched the bags out of the other servant and waved his hands away. The servant who was previously carrying the packs of our possessions also headed back inside the mansion. Xane then finally made his way over to the carriage, tossed in our bags, and took a seat in the opposite side of me and Mun. Rainwater seeped from his drenched, white outfit. He scrunched down, burying his face within his hands.

The carriage took off. The droplets of water plunged against the roof of the carriage, making continuous beating noises. An awkward atmosphere clouded over us.

Mun was the first to break the suffocating silence.

"Where are we going?"

Xane, who still had kept to remaining absolutely motionless with his head around his arms, lifted  himself up speak. Upon a closer look, his dark spots under his eyes were revealed. He resembled a zombie that has been seriously deprived of sleep; all boney and pale. He frightened all the talk out of Mun.

"To the Zenith."

The thick, depressing aura radiating off Xane was enough to keep even Mun silent upon hearing the word 'The Zenith'. His worn-out facial expressions stifled Mun's courage to ask about the hearer outfit and the carriage as well.

The ride continued in total, soundless quiet.

Us, me and Mun, we lived as we were led. First by Carn, then by Lusk. And now apparently Xane. We dared not ask questions; Carn didn't appreciate us wondering  about where the little bits of food we had came from, nor did  Lusk tolerate any statements beginning with "But could I-".

We each held something dear to our hearts; one thing that the years of starvation, torment, or abuse couldn't defile. The one thing keeping us insane enough to live the world acting sane. For me it was Mun. Only him, I only needed him happy. That was no longer a personal desire, but an instinct. That's what held my mind tightly in place through the nights with Lusk.

I could have not given a single damn all this time about Mun, to be completely honest. Yet, his joy was what let me tell myself I had a reason for my sufferings. Perhaps I sound mad.

Mun. Mun gave me meaning in this hell of a life. He was meaning.

That was the voice in my head; the screams in my soul, my primal instincts urging me to not let go of the single strand of rope I had connecting myself to everything else around me.

I don't like sad Mun.

I don't want to be lost.

I must have fallen asleep. When I opened my eyes, Xane was leaning over at me tapping on my shoulder. He whispered in a barely audible voice.

"Rial, Rial, wake up."

I rubbed drowsy sleep out of my eyes and looked back at Xane. He set his fingers to his lips, then pointed at his side. Mun rested his head against the window of the carriage, fast asleep. Xane waved his hands down from his face, sending the message that we need to be quiet. Xane whispered once more.

"Rial, I need to tell you this first. Do you remember me and Tourn talking to you about..."

Xane clenched his teeth.

"...work with Lusk?"

I nodded.

"You hated doing it, right?"

Nod.

"You don't need to do it anymore. Not in where we're going."

Xane took in a deep breath.

"But you need to promise me that you'll never speak of the 'work' that happened back at the mansion; not to any other people, and not to Mun. Erase the five years you stayed there."

"Why?"

"Evis, the hearer other than me and Tourn. You remember him? He talked to Lusk. The promise to keep you silent, the promise to cover up what happened there was what got you and Mun out of there."

Xane's face distorted with a very similar expression; guilt. Just like Alk. I asked one last question.

"...what was 'work'?"

"The worst thing a man can come down to."

Xane hunched back to his seat.

Hence that day forward, the mansion became a section of my memories I was to wipe clean.

The rain continued, and so did the ride. We approached the Zenith.