While Valex was carrying me on his shoulder and walking, I asked him:
"When you told me that Flit is what you live for, what exactly did you mean?"
He looked at me for a moment and said:
"Faril, this world is ugly. I hate it and everything in it… but at least I didn't live in it alone. Flit has always been with me. Taking care of her wasn't easy, but it was better than living in this world all alone. I love it when she calls me sama, and I love it when she praises me. But what I love most is when she smiles. Just one smile from her makes me forget every tear I've ever shed."
I sighed for a moment and said:
"I don't really understand you."
"Weren't you happy with your grandfather?"
"Not really, I—"
Suddenly, we heard Flit's voice calling from a distance.
She was running toward us, tears in her eyes.
As soon as she reached us, she jumped at Valex and hugged him with all her strength.
"Valex-sama, thank goodness you're safe! I was so scared."
"Don't cry, please. I'm fine, as you can see."
Valex lowered me from his shoulder and hugged her back.
After they finished hugging, Flit looked at me.
Then tears welled in her eyes again, and she ran toward me.
She hugged me tightly, tears streaming down her face, as she said with a broken voice:
"Thank you… thank you for saving me. I'll listen to you from now on."
What was this feeling? It was warm… and beautiful?
I was about to hug her back, but I noticed Valex glaring at me strangely.
It felt like those eyes were threatening me, saying: "Touch her and I'll kill you."
After she finished hugging me, she quickly stepped back and said:
"Oh, right—I almost forgot. I found something on the tree."
My eyes widened the moment I heard that.
"Really? What is it?"
"Come and see. They were strange symbols."
---
When we reached the tree, Flit went behind it.
And there, on the other side of the tree, were those symbols.
But what I thought were symbols… were actually letters.
Valex and I stared at them in surprise.
Flit asked with curiosity:
"What could those symbols be?"
I looked at her in disbelief and said:
"Those aren't symbols, they're letters. Don't you know how to read?"
"Read? No, I don't."
Valex interrupted and asked:
"Kid, you can read, right?"
"Yes, I can."
"Then explain to me why your name is written on this damn tree."
The letters carved into the tree spelled out Faril.
My name…
Written as if by a dagger, and above it was a large X mark.
I stared at the mark, trying to think.
Valex asked me again:
"I said, why is your name written on this tree? Who even knows you in this world besides us?"
I looked at Valex and said:
"I don't know."
"I've followed you all this time because I thought you knew a good place to live. But it seems there are other things in this world connected to you."
I could feel Valex's unease, and Flit felt it too, as she spoke in a nervous voice:
"Is… is everything alright?"
The moment Valex noticed her fear, he changed his tone and spoke softly:
"Yes, everything's fine… how about we rest here for the rest of the day?"
"Alright."
After hours of rest, night had fallen.
Flit was asleep, while I was still thinking about the meaning of the mark.
As Valex gently patted Flit's head while she slept, he said to me:
"Kid, I know you might not understand what's happening… but I need to know everything you do know right now. Please."
I looked at Valex, sighed, and said:
"Alright, I'll tell you everything I know… but I also have some questions for you."
---
To be continued…
Next chapter: Another letter.