Chapter 6 – After-War Glimmer
The day after the battle, a heavy silence reigned over the village. A silence of ashes and blood. The ruins smoked, families mourned their lost ones, but despite it all… a strange light bathed the air, as if the nightmare had finally dissipated.
In the center of the square, the village elder, a bent old man with sharp eyes, approached them. He placed a trembling hand on Seth's shoulder.
— You have saved us… Despite the loss of so many of our kin, we still breathe. And for that… we can never thank you enough.
An almost soothing aura surrounded him, as if his voice gradually brought life back to the battered streets. Funereal songs rose, and for the first time, the air no longer carried the scent of death but that of hope.
As night fell, Kael approached Tara, who was staring pensively at the sky.
— You know… you could come with us.
She turned her eyes to him, surprised.
— Me… leave?
Kael nodded determinedly.
— Yes. You don't have to stay locked here. You have the right to discover the world. Besides, I owe you my life; without you, I would never have been able to free myself from that nightmare.
Tara, intrigued, asked him what he was talking about, but Kael, troubled, was unable to reveal the truth.
— I was prey to hungry lions, haha! It was really horrible.
— Hmm, if you say so, she replied, a playful smile curling her lips.
Then it was mealtime, and our friends feasted on a well-deserved meal after such an intense battle.
The next day, during the farewell ceremony, the village elder placed his hand on the young girl's shoulder.
— Tara, we allow you to follow your path. Discover the world, and return when your heart needs it.
Tara burst into tears, falling to her knees. She cried for everything she had lost, but also for everything she was gaining.
A few days later, after leaving the village and walking eastward, they reached a small tranquil town. There, a public bath offered them a moment of respite.
Kael and Suo settled into the hot water, their battered bodies finally relaxing. Silence hung for a moment, broken by Kael, who noticed the countless scars running along Suo's back.
— You have… so many marks.
Suo opened one eye.
— Each scar is a demon I have killed.
Kael fell silent. Those words echoed like a brutal truth. Suo was not just strong; he had paid for every victory with his flesh.
Meanwhile, Seth, alone in a neighboring pool, stared at his hands. The flames had calmed, but his heart burned with a dull doubt.
— What if… I became a threat to them?
He didn't speak of it to anyone. Not yet.
Days passed. The road was long but peaceful. In each village they passed, smiling faces offered them a meal, a word of gratitude, sometimes even a song. Tara discovered each moment with wide-eyed wonder, laughing and crying in turns.
They stopped in a small trading town. There, they went shopping: Kael awkwardly negotiated for a new blade, Tara marveled at colorful fabrics, Suo remained cold but allowed himself to be tempted by a sack of provisions, while Seth, almost despite himself, found himself smiling at a group of children playing with lanterns.
These simple moments felt unreal after the horror they had endured.
A week later, their footsteps finally touched the grand cobbled road leading to the capital. Gigantic walls loomed before them, shining white, adorned with vibrant banners. The towers gleamed in the sunlight, and the gates opened to let in merchants, travelers, and knights.
Seth felt his breath catch.
— So… this is it.
Tara, in awe, clasped her hands against her chest.
Kael took a deep breath, as if making the decision for a new beginning.
And Suo, as always, remained impassive.
Their journey had crossed a new threshold. And beyond these walls, a much greater destiny awaited them.
To be continued….