Roxy's POV
Walking for hours in the woods felt like days again. We were only several miles away from Hayabusa, but it already felt like we crossed half the earth.
I sighed for the umpteenth time.
Akira nudged Gena by her arm with his, whispered to her like I couldn't hear.
"She's been sighing a lot. Should we do something?"
"Like what, Akira? She just found out her Satanic father is no longer here. She found no real answers. Worst of all? Her home is gone." She seethed silently to Akira. Their eyes held pity for me—I hated that emotion the most.
"Alright! Hunger time!" Cyrus halted the journey.
"We're only a couple miles away to the next. Can't we just have food near Kamia Village?" Akira asked, not wanting to stop. I, on the other hand, plopped down without protest like the other two. I started digging into my supplies of food stolen from Hayabusa.
Cyrus snorted at innocent Akira.
"Bold of you to assume the people of Kamia will even treat you to a meal. They're top notch savages of the woods, my dear."
"Oh..." Akira and Gena plopped down as well.
"Umm...I think I leaked out my bone broth on the way..." Gena said, holding her empty leather pouch with warm—now nonexistent soup. Akira and Cyrus looked at me, like I would've told Gena. I was walking behind her all the way but...my mind was somewhere else.
"I'll bring you water and some venison bones. Set the fire, I'll be back soon." I said voluntarily. I pretended not to hear them sighing.
Few bushes and canopies away, I found a small pond. I cast a spell, creating a leather pouch of my own with magic. I thought I was alone.
"WHOA! YOU CAN DO MAGIC!?"
"AHHHCK!!"
I slipped and fell into the pond!
As soon as my head popped up, Cyrus's hand held out to me but his eyes were as wide as saucers!
Why do I keep forgetting Cyrus is the only person I cannot detect with my powers? Ugh...
"Another secret of yours to keep." I said softly. I was pulled out, he wiped my face with his hanky and brushed my hair back.
He...is really good at taking care of people...
For someone who lived his life entirely in the woods, without human contact, he's pretty good.
And his touch...was exactly like Sijna's.
Gentle. Soft. Warm.
I started tearing up.
Me.
"Hey..." His smile vanished in a fast blink.
"Why am I so weak!? I was the STRONGEST out of all!!" I cried. Immediately, I was embraced and cradled. Like a child in her father's arms. Dad...I miss you so, so much. I don't wanna live this life anymore...that's how I felt.
It was a momentary emotion, but gosh...it felt real and temporary at that moment.
"Shush...who said you're not the strongest now?" Cyrus asked. I sniffled on his chest, finally bringing my arms around him.
"Well...you know...?" I hesitated.
"You know you're still the strongest, Roxy. You're the DEVIL'S DAUGHTER. Nothing can stop you. Not even the Creators themselves." He assured, but my brows furrowed. Was he one of those rare people in the universe to know the existence of The Creator? Everyday, I find something new and strange about this man. My Sijna...
"Kamia Village is our next stop, right? Let me tell you a secret—another secret about that village." He said,
"You can talk to the dead there. No matter what species, what power. If your heart knows it's something that once lived , you can talk to them." I sighed hearing him.
"It seems impossible. But I've heard of that tribe. In fact...I tried once. I was a fool to believe I even had anyone to remember and talk to." Cyrus added. I broke the hug, eyebrows furrowed.
"You...don't know anyone who is dead?" I asked.
"No...I do. I don't care enough to bring their voice to life. That's the key there, Roxy. You need to care enough."
Oh...
That...sounded super sad.
I wasn't judging him, for being a detached individual. It's good for him. I was like that, too. Until I met Sijna, and then until I didn't have him.
"I'll try..." I said softly.
My secrets were spared. Cyrus and I returned at dusk to the fire and smoke burning in the middle of these lonely woods. Only indication that someone with higher intellect was around. Akira and Gena.
However...I was proven wrong.
Cyrus halted, I did too.
We stared at Akira and Gena's backs facing us. They sat on the log. They were starting a fire, a spark turning big among firewood. Something felt off.
"Guys...?" I made a small sound.
But...they didn't turn. It was as if they were...hypnotized.
"Oh, Heaven no..." Cyrus reached for his blade, cursing. My eyes widened immediately as I've realized.
A Shifter is around.
Hypnotic Shifter, Abnormal Shifter.
Without ado, I summoned my hellish sword. It was a radiant black and maroon. Ah...so long since I've used my own summoning blades.
I called it...The Griever.
It cried of a thousand men put through torture. The sound of it was...Hellish. Reminded me of home yet again~
"Gee, thanks. The noise your sword makes keeps me grounded...to you." Cyrus flirted even in the battlefield. I rolled my eyes.
"Why are Shifters in this mission path almost undetectable? Ugh." I grunted softly. It was as if Captain Janet was testing something.
And then...strangely enough...
The Thousand Cries of my Griever faded out into silence.
That's when I knew...that I was hypnotized, too.