"Because if you said that earlier, I would have agreed long ago!" Sky exclaimed with a wide smile, a burst of genuine laughter following. "Yes… all that drama of yours was in vain! HAHAHAHA!"
Sillia stared at him in disbelief, then put the matter aside, settling in to receive her massage while he obliged. During this time, she shared snippets of her day—meeting friends, the fair, and the shocking news of her two-year-older friend's forced marriage.
"What, really?" Sky's laughter faded.
"Hmm… her parents did such a thing to her; it's so inhuman," Sillia said with a sad tone.
"Hmm… it sure is," Sky agreed as the hours turned into days, and days melted into weeks.
Over the following week, Sky meticulously planned how to confront the shadowy figure from the mountains. He had discovered a cave, a horrifying charnel house filled with human bones. He'd scoured every inch of the village, his home, and the surrounding mountains, but found no further trace of the man.
Sky wasn't sure if the man acted alone or if others were involved. The news, strangely, had gone silent on the matter.
I guess the government hasn't thought of it as a problem yet. Plus, the cases I found were minimal compared to the world's population, so I guess I still have some time to think of a proper plan. Sky mused. He was contemplating a public appearance, a global announcement to warn humanity about these new threats. But for that, he needed something to conceal his identity, as his mere presence would cause an uproar.
Probably some government officials will also try to take him down and think of him as a security threat. It would be very troublesome if they started to launch missiles towards him and track him down. The thought gave him pause. He hadn't tested his invulnerability against modern weaponry—only pencils, pens, knives, and swords. Bullets, missiles, bombs, and nukes were still unknowns.
"Brother, let's go, I'm done!" Sillia's energetic voice cut through his thoughts. She hopped towards him, beaming.
"Wow, Sillia, you are looking so beautiful!" Aria, Maria, and Lily exclaimed, taking selfies with her. Sky and Aria's brother also complimented her.
While Sillia was primping, Aria and her brother, Neon (Sky's age), waited outside with Sky. Sky found himself in conversation with Neon, discussing various mundane topics. Tonight, they were off to the village fair, an exciting event. They left the house, a quartet of friends.
As they walked, their group swelled. What started as four soon became a team of seven or eight. Joining Sky, Sillia, Aria, and Neon were Lily (another of Sillia's friends), Lily's slightly younger brother, and Maria. Maria, a childhood friend of Sky's, hadn't spoken to him in over five years, making their initial interaction a little awkward. But Sky, ever the neutral and composed one, quickly put her at ease.
Time flew as they explored the fair, rode various exhilarating rides, and indulged in all sorts of fast food.
"What happened? You seem a little distracted," Sky asked Sillia as they waited for the others. He noticed her looking down at herself, a faint frown on her face.
"Huh… nothing, just feeling quite sweaty. I hadn't expected it to be so hot in here. My back is drenched in sweat; I shouldn't have come here by walking. Hah… I'm already feeling tired," Sillia complained. Maria, hearing her sigh, chimed in.
"What happened, Sillia?"
"Nothing, Sister Maria. I'm just feeling quite hot and sweaty," Sillia replied, her voice tinged with weariness.
"Oh… Hmm… it sure is hot in here. Probably because so many people are crowding into a small place," Maria observed. Sky nodded in agreement.
"Where are the others?" Sky asked.
"They are buying a few things," Maria replied.
"So what now? Are we to stay longer or return?" Sky asked, eager to go home and take a nap. He saw Sillia stifle a yawn.
"I am very tired, I want to go home!" Sillia immediately declared. But I have to walk that long again to get home. Hell nah… she thought.
"Yeah, I guess everyone has enjoyed enough and gotten tired as well. Plus, Lily even got a call from her mother, so I guess we should return," Maria said, a thoughtful expression on her face, clearly tired herself.
"Okay, once they come, we will return," Sky said calmly. But suddenly, a girl's voice called from behind them, and they all turned.
"Excuse me…" Someone tapped lightly on Sky's shoulder. He turned, and so did Sillia and Maria.
"Oh, hell nah…" Sky muttered softly to himself, though his composure remained unshaken as he recognized the person standing before him. Sillia narrowed her eyes, while Maria remained silent, sensing that the newcomer sought Sky.
"Yes, what can I help you with?" Sky asked calmly.
"Same voice… You really are him… I hadn't imagined meeting you in a place like this!" The young girl exclaimed, her face alight with visible happiness, her smile genuinely radiant.
"Brother, who is she? Do you know her ?" Sillia asked, confused by the girl's enthusiastic behavior.
"No, I don't know her. Let's go," Sky denied, turning to leave. But before he could take a step, the girl immediately stopped him.
"Wait, My lord…" Isha said, halting him. Sky felt a bead of sweat trickle down his back as he turned to face her again, but Sillia immediately interjected.
"What are you saying?! What 'my lord,' huh?! Are you out of your mind?! He is my brother!" Sillia's voice rose, a touch of anger in her tone.
Isha looked from Sillia's indignant face to Sky's calm but subtly worried expression. A bright smile spread across her face.
"Can we talk privately for a moment?" Isha offered as Sky saw an opening as he said.
"Sure," Sky agreed, following Isha. Sillia tried to interject, but Sky reassured her, telling her to wait a second. They moved away from the others' sight, and Isha immediately spoke, a joyful lilt in her voice.
"I am really happy to have met you, my lord." Isha's smile was exceptionally beautiful, betraying no hint of the near-death experience she'd had just a week ago.
"Damn it… How many times do I need to tell you not to call me that?" Sky snapped, stopping abruptly and fixing her with a cold stare.
"That… I am sorry, my lord," Isha mumbled, her voice subdued.
Stupid woman, Sky thought, frustrated that she still clung to the title.