The Soul Reborn: From Silence to Sovereignty Chapter 89

Chapter 89: The Sound of Fun

Since Elowen was right in front of me, I couldn’t help but whisper into her ear as we went through the darkened tunnel.

She jumped every time and squeezed my hand even tighter. It was far from comfortable, and I found myself wishing we had just left her off the ride altogether.

I want to just enjoy it with Noah, who I know would follow me onto anything. Even if he had some fear about it.

“Relax,” I said, patting her shoulder. “I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.

I turned slightly, leaning back into Noah’s chest, making myself as comfortable as possible in such an uncomfortable position.

The log continued to bump forward as we entered shadowy tunnels, the music kicking in with cheerful, cartoonish animals singing. There were lanterns swaying as we drifted past animatronics creatures dancing beside fake trees.

“Honestly, I wasn’t a big fan of the decorations. I was just there for the thrill of the ride.”

Elowen gasped from the seat in front of us. “How are they moving if they aren’t alive? What’s happening?”

“Little metal bones and electricity,” I explained. “This whole ride is built like a story; just wait a bit longer and you will understand.”

The log dipped, sending a light spray of water across our sides.

Elowen flinched. “Is that… was that supposed to happen?”

“It’s only a taste; the real one is coming up later,” I said with a smirk. “That’s the warning of what’s to come.”

But honestly, what in the world is she freaking out about? Even the final drop is nothing much. I’ve been on some of the highest roller coasters in the world in my past life, and I lived to tell the tale. No big deal.

As we floated along the track, passing brightly colored scenes of dancing animals, singing frogs, and bobbing lanterns, I couldn’t help but feel nostalgia for when I’d been here in the past.

The log creaked slightly, rising up a small incline.

“Prepare yourself, Elowen.” I said casually with no fear in my voice. “A baby drop is coming up.”

She yelped softly as we tipped forward and slid down with a light splash.

“I thought that was the drop,” she breathed.

“You really need to get out more, especially now that we can come to such a place. That was merely a warm-up.”

The tunnel darkened once again. Around us, mechanical animals cackled ominously, the cheerful music now a little more intense… foreboding, even.

I watched on as Elowen gripped the side of the log while she squeezed my hand even tighter.

“…Why is the music changing?” she asked warily.

“Because,” I whispered, dramatic as ever, “the finale is coming.”

The log begins climbing, even higher this time. At every click of the chain, she slightly jumped. I can only assume it was like an echoing countdown in her head for some dreadful event.

I couldn’t help but smile at her reaction, already anticipating her scream when we reached the top.

“Is this the top? Why is it so high?” Elowen squeaked.

“We’re almost there,” I whispered in her ear, my body practically vibrating with excitement. “Any second now…”

And then…

Whoosh

The log plunged as we all screamed, although one was more fearful than the others.

Once we reached the splash zone, water enveloped the whole log, getting all three of us soaked. Elowen’s scream was pure horror, clutching anything she could as her body ducked down.

Noah just laughed, arms tightly around my body, chin tucked into my shoulder as we rocketed downward.

We continued to glide forward into the calm exit tunnel, soft music starting up once again.

I wiped my face, turned around and gave Noah a wet kiss.

Noah then nuzzled his face against my forehead. “You're soaked straight through your shirt and still look so proud.”

Back in the other world a woman of nobility would have a heart attack experiencing such a thing. This ride did nothing for keeping proper etiquette; Elowen was a blaring example of that.

“I am proud,” I said. Getting wet like this was nothing out of the ordinary for me after having lived through this type of scenario in my last life.

Elowen, on the other hand, was breathing hard, clinging to whatever she could get a hold of as she sat there completely drenched and glaring at the ceiling like it had personally offended her.

Her voice cracked as she spun back toward me, eyes brimming with tears. “I’ll never trust you again!” A normal person might have felt guilty at the sight, but I only smiled.”

“You say that now,” I said sweetly. “But the next stop is a runaway train on top of a mountain. Don’t you want to experience such a thrilling ride?”

She just groaned. “No more mountains.”

"Too late," I grinned. "This is Earth, and the only way to understand it is to dive into its pleasures."

Honestly, I would rather cling to Noah than keep holding their hands again.

“Alright… Fine,” I said, waving a hand as we dried off under a nearby sunlamp. “You and Livia can just sit the next one out. I’d rather not have you two passing out on me.”

She looked relieved as we connected with Livia and Lyra once again. Her face told me everything I needed to know. There was no way I would get her to go on anything else.

I heard Elowen mutter, “Thank the gods.”

Hehe…

I grinned and took Lyra into my arms, kissing her face a few times as she giggled. She’s such an adorable little version of me.

“It’s too bad you’re not a little older; I’m sure you would have had the guts to join me.” She’s my daughter after all; I refuse to allow her to be this weak mentally.

Then I turned to Noah, eyes sparkling.

“Let’s go have some fun, my stud of a husband.” I took his hand with my free arm as I pushed Lyra in her stroller towards one of the more thrilling rides of this place.

The red rock structure loomed ahead, a roller coaster disguised as a mountain. Elowen and Livia lingered near the line entrance, hovering at a safe distance to panic while I savored every flicker of their expressions.

“That thing moves so fast; are you sure about this?” Elowen exclaimed.

“You’re absolutely insane,” Livia added bluntly.

I stopped just long enough to flash them a wicked smile.

“Wasn’t that a fact already known by most people?”

Without waiting for another comment, I handed off Lyra’s stroller like I was passing over a royal treasure.

"You two are on the most important mission: guard my sweet daughter. Don’t let anyone snatch her or trick her with strange snacks."

Then… just for the drama, I jumped straight into Noah’s arms, laughing as he caught me with practiced ease.

He didn’t even flinch, like he knew I was going to do that from the very beginning.

Instead, he grinned and held me close as I kissed him right there in front of everyone… twice, very slowly, and deliberately.

Behind us, I heard Elowen make a tiny squeaking noise, and Livia just sighed like she’d aged ten years in seconds. She used to find it interesting; now she would rather not watch us. I wonder why.

“Somewhere in the very near future,” I whispered into Noah’s ear. “We’re getting some serious alone time.”

His arms tightened around me ever so slightly.

“My body works again,” I added with a sly wink. “We’ve also got two babysitters.”

I kissed him again, fully aware we were creating our own show and loving it. My confidence was always at an all-time high with my handsome but beautiful protector at my side.

Noah, of course, didn’t complain.

He set me down only when we reached the loading area.

We boarded; our seats were just behind the front row. Good enough, I guess… The view would be good enough.

My excitement was palpable.

“How do you feel, Noah?” I asked, bouncing in my seat.

He glanced around at the rattling tracks, the aged wooden beams, and the wild western music echoing in the background.

“I have no idea what I’m about to experience,” he admitted.

I grinned like a madwoman. “That’s the fun part.”

The operator came by, checked the safety bar, and gave us the all-clear.

Then… the train lurched forward with a dramatic whistle. Our crazy train ride had officially begun.

The coaster started its slow, rumbling climb, the familiar click-click-click of the chain lift echoing through the canyon-like tunnel. The sunlight dimmed behind fake rock, lanterns flickering along the wooden supports like we were headed straight into an old-timey mine.

I pressed closer to Noah, my body buzzing as I rubbed against him, a grin already tugging at my lips, hungry for the rush about to hit.

“This is it,” I whispered, giddy. “Your first real roller coaster… Are you ready?”

Noah gave me a look that was equal parts calm, amused, and deeply skeptical.

“It’s loud,” he muttered.

“Loud is good,” I grinned. “That’s the sound of fun.”

The train reached the top of the hill and then dipped forward with a sudden jolt.

We were off!

Wind whipped through my hair as we rocketed around a bend, wooden tracks rattling like bones beneath us. Red rock, sharp turns, and wild speed blurred together, swallowing the world whole.

I immediately raised both arms above my head and screamed, laughing like a lunatic.

Noah, of course, kept one hand gripping the safety bar and the other on my shoulder. I guess he felt it was unsafe and was protecting me, something he always does without thinking.

I leaned over mid-turn, yelling over the wind, “Hands up, hubby!”

He looked at me like I’d just asked him to leap off a cliff.

“You’ll be fine!” I laughed. “This is the best part!”

The hesitation was real, but his eyes were glued to me, watching the way I threw my head back and shouted with joy. Probably something completely foreign to him, surrendering yourself to this mechanical machine hoping you will survive it.

Then, just after the next dip, he took a deep breath and slowly raised his hands.

I turned to look at him just in time to see the faintest flicker of nervous energy, so I took one of his hands in mine, giving him the much-needed reassurance I’m sure he would never admit he wanted.

“How can I call myself a man,” he shouted over the roar of the track, “if I can’t even do this much?”

I couldn’t help but burst into laughter and leaned into him even more a split second before another drop.

“That’s the spirit!” I cried.

Wind tore at his hair, the track beneath us rattled with every turn, and he was laughing… a deep, real laughter I’d only ever heard in our quietest moments together.

“I told you!” I shouted as we dipped again.

He looked at me, hands still raised, smile wide. “You were right.”

We plunged down the final hill in a frenzy of screams and spray, the train shuddering as it tore through the last corners at breakneck speed.

Once we finally pulled into the unloading dock, his smile wouldn’t leave his face.

His hand was still locked with mine.

I turned to him, breathless from the joy of the ride. I had probably screamed a little too much because I was having the time of my life. With my voice pitched higher now, I was sure I could have shattered a few eardrums.

“You survived.” I said with a giggle.

“I lived,” he corrected with a smirk.

I squeezed his hand.

“Next time,” I said, already plotting, “we should go on every thrill ride this place has to offer.”

He shook his head, grinning. “You’re going to kill me.”

"Probably," I agreed with a grin. "But at least you will die having fun." I hooked my arm through his as we walked off. He didn't budge, not even a little, and the reminder of his strength only made me smile because it always made me feel safe.