Akeh sat cross-legged on the floor of the dinning area, the wooden panels beneath him cool to the touch. A small table stood before him, simple and low, just enough to hold the dishes being placed down by Altine and Trinity. His legs were folded like a monk in meditation, his body still tender from the injuries that has yet to fully heal.
The air was thick with the scent of freshly cooked food, rich and savory, and his stomach growled in anticipation.
The meal in front of him was something Altine called "fisherman soup" a vibrant broth filled with fish, vegetables, and spices that promised to nourish and heal.
Altine and Trinity settled down across from him, kneeling on the floor as they prepared to eat. Trinity, more direct and confident, sat down opposite Akeh, her posture relaxed, almost careless.
Trinity then spoke to Akeh, breaking the silence.
"Don't feel shy, eat up." She said, her voice confident as she reached for her bowl.
"Makoko isn't friendly to shy people."
Akeh nodded, but still uneasy. He didn't fully trust them yet, especially after what happened with his mother. His mind drifted to her, where was she? Was she really safe?
Trinity continued, her tone now more serious.
"My father is the chief purist of makoko. He'll decide what to do with your mother when he arrives. For now, we'll take responsibility for the both of you."
Akeh's stomach churned at the thought of someone else deciding his mother's fate. He wasn't sure he could trust Lamthe, or anyone for that matter, with something so important. But what choice did he have?
Trinity took a mouthful of fisherman soup, her gaze fixed on Akeh.
"So... What do you think happened to your family?" She asked, her tone light, almost too casual.
Altine's elbow brushed against Trinity's arm... A small nudge, a silent warning. The question was delicate.
Akeh's jaw tightened. His eyes, dark with unspoken grief, met Trinity's.
"I'm guessing you already know the answer." He said quietly.
"So tell me... what really happened?"
For a moment, Trinity said nothing. She simply stared at him, as if deciding how much truth to reveal. Finally, she spoke.
"A serial killer reincarnated in your sister's body."
She said, her voice calm but firm.
"In his past life, he was known as a bane to every soul. He brought nothing but destruction to every soul he devoured."
"Yes." Altine added softly.
"Women were often his victims. He devoured their souls, leaving their bodies hollow."
Silence stretched between them. Akeh's gazed dropped to the table, his thoughts spiraling. Why me? Why my family?
Altine's voice broke the silence, steady but careful.
"There's something we've been researching on." She said
"It might not bring your mother back, but there's a chance it could save her."
Akeh's head snapped up, his attention fully on Altine now.
She hesitated, choosing her next words with precision.
"There's a scroll, it's tied to a spirit entity named Bori. It holds a fragment of his soul, something we purists have been struggling to read. We believe that the soul fragment contains answers we've been looking for... But so far, we've failed to read the soul fragment."
The room felt heavier, the weight of their mission pressing against the walls.
Trinity noticed the flicker of impatience in Akeh's posture... The slight clench of his fist, the twitch in his jaw.
"You'll get to read it..." Trinity said, her voice quieter now, almost reassuring.
"But only when you truly understand your spirit gift."
Akeh frowned, his eyes narrowing.
"Why can't I just use the scroll now?"
His frustration was evident, the desperation to save his mother boiling over.
Altine and Trinity exchanged amused glances before laughing softly.
"You think it's that easy to read it?" Trinity grinned, her reckless nature showing through.
"Alright, let's have it your way."
Trinity rushed from the room and returned moments later with the scroll in hand. She handed it to Akeh, who eagerly unrolled or. His face fell when he saw that the parchment was completely blank.
"It's blank." Akeh said, his brow furrowed in confusion.
Altine and Trinity chuckled again.
"It's contains a soul fragment that's not visible to the eye, you'll have to develop your soul reading technique before you can read it." Altine explained.
"Even we struggle to fully understand it, and we've been training for years."
Akeh's frustration mounted, but he kept it in check. He took a deep breath and nodded.
"Teach me then." He said, determination burning in his eyes.
"How hard could it possibly be to learn?"
That evening, after a long day of healing and conversation, Altine escorted Akeh to a dormitory where other students stayed. Walking through the courtyard, the narrow walkway was lit by dim lanterns, casting soft orange glows along the path.
As they passed by, the other students greeted Altine with respect, bowing their heads. Their eyes, however, lingered on Akeh, filled with jealousy and curiosity. He could feel their gazes burning into his back as they walked.
Altine stopped at a door and pushed it open, revealing a small, simple room.
The walls were bare wood, the floor clean but rough. A single lantern hung from the ceiling, casting a faint, warm light across the space. There was a bed in the corner, low and plain, with thin mattress and a folded blanket at the foot. A wooden desk sat beside the bed, completely empty except for a lone candle.
"This is your room." Altine said softly.
It's not much, but it's yours. Get some rest. Tomorrow, we'll start early. Meet in the courtyard at dawn."
Akeh nodded silently, stepping into the room as Altine left him. He closed the door behind her, the wooden latch clicking softly into place. The quiet settled in like a heavy blanket.
He moved to the bed and sat down, his body still sore but his mind ablaze. The room felt too small for the weight of his thoughts. His fists clenched, trembling with a mix of rage and helplessness. His sister, Beatrice. No, the darkness inside her was to blame for everything. It took his father, shattered his family, and left his mother hollow.
Akeh's chest heaved as he whispered to himself, his voice low and intense.
"Whatever has taken hold of you, I'll make sure to bring you back, Beatrice. No matter how long it takes."
The words slipped through gritted teeth. He sat there on the bed, trembling, the anger surging like a storm inside him. But he held it back, forcing himself to keep it contained. The boiling rage wanted to explode, but he couldn't let it consume him. Not yet.
Silent tears fell from his eyes, mixing with the anger as he wept quietly, his mother needed him. His family needed him. And no matter what it took, he would find a way to save them.