The village was reeled under Sora's words, silence deepening the mourning. Even the wind seemed to hesitate, brushing the thatched roofs as though afraid to disturb the weight hanging over the square.
Valora remained unresponsive, her knees on the pathway—a mosaic of cracked asphalt and hardened sand.
The wrinkled leader stepped forth, his eyes hidden by age and his white hair falling on his shoulders. Each step grew louder as he approached Sora, who clenched his fist.
The dripping sounds of the blood that squeezed out of his hand stopped as the old man held Sora's injured hand—his two hands enveloping Sora's.
"I am glad you are back."
His rumbling voice resonated with Sora, whose heart skipped a beat as his breath shortened in surprise. The soft smile of the elder glowed in his widened eyes as the old man continued,
"Indeed, we've lost a battle. But what's victory over life?"
"I know your hearts are wounded. But please, do not let your tears take you away from us."
His words, shared between wisdom and compassion, sent a healing hand to the sobbing population, while his warm hands appeased Sora's wounds. His eyelids pinched against themselves, trapping tears of relief.
The old man tilted his head to the right, looking at the soiled caravan before turning to the warriors.
"Rys loved calm and peace. He must be better where he is right now."
"You fought well. Have some rest now."
The wheels of the squealing vehicle merged with the trudging assembly that dispersed, making way for the incomers.
Behind them, Valora had vanished.
XN pulled the luggage through the village under the lead of the old man, followed by a number of less-injured warriors and Sora.
The grief that earlier lingered in the streets had shifted to wariness, as distrust established itself in the gazes and murmurs of the residents.
"A stranger? Here?"
"Who's he?"
XN pushed through, focusing his attention on blue hues that glowed at the entrance of a cave ahead—at the feet of a mountain.
Inside was an abandoned mine, illuminated by a lazuli blue light emitted by gems buried in the walls. Their footsteps echoed as the sight expanded to an area that roughly measured eight hundred hectares, shared between gray land and a sparkling blue lake.
On his left, an organized pile of stones aligned in rows. The few who accompanied XN, Sora, and the leader walked the ground in that direction, while XN remained at a distance.
He watched the people bury the corpses, the old man leading the funerals.
"A funeral. This must be a sacred place."
It didn't take long before the funeral was over. The bereaved washed their sad faces with the lake's water.
"Nekrolyma."
A wise voice interrupted XN's pondering. The old man approached XN, who didn't understand their custom.
"It translates to the 'death lake water ritual.'"
"It may be superstitious in our era, yet it comforts us to believe our lost ones live in Nekrolymion—the death's lake."
Their left profiles were illuminated by the glowing gems.
From a distance, they observed the tears of the bereaved turning to smiles as they completed the ritual. Yet Sora's gaze stayed locked on his reflection. His tears dripped into the lake.
"You should have some rest as well. The ritual is over."
The old man suggested this to XN.
The bright lights graciously illuminated his silvery hair, faint sparkles dancing on his luxurious tunic.
"I'll take care of Sora."
XN heeded the advice and walked out of the cave, guided by a young male resident who seemed to disagree with their leader's compassion. He silently followed the discontented soldier to a tent when the soldier spoke up,
"The old man is too compassionate."
His grumbling voice matched the disgust twisted across his light-brown face as he sighed before leaving.
"Tsk! You don't belong here."
XN remained indifferent as he rested on the hay, draped with animal pelts. A soft wind blew the flap inward, revealing displeased gazes.
"Sounds like I'm not their favorite."
His bed squished as he fixed his head, facing the tent's canopy, while he pondered,
"This village is a nest of mysteries. I hope I made the right choice."
If trust was scarce in the village, XN would focus on what was at hand at the moment—rest.
Four hours had passed since XN fell asleep when his breath became difficult, as though a weight had been added onto his chest.
He gradually opened his eyes, feeling the cold of metal on his neck. Long strands of ruby-red hair coiled on his chest, baring blazing red eyes burning with wrath.
"Va… Valora?"
"What are you doing?"
Her murderous intent was palpable as she exchanged rapid, shallow breaths.
"Shut up!"
"You're one of them!"
XN's eyes widened in shock for a brief moment before returning to calm—not because of the situation, but because of her words. He had heard them earlier.
It was Sora's.
"Not again,"
XN breathed out.
"I said shut up! I'll kill you!"
She looked up at his unconcerned features.
"What are you waiting for?"
He held her hands, which shivered with hesitation, then urged her,
"You could have snapped my throat with your knife, yet it rested on my neck until I woke."
"What's taking you so long?"
His calm voice sent doubts dislodging her conviction, his unnerving eyes shaking her resolve.
Gradually, Valora yielded and descended from XN. The flap was zipped closed. Long, creeping shadows were cast by the setting sun of the late afternoon. He settled properly on the hay, creating space between him and Valora, who sat in seiza.
"Why are you here, stranger?"
XN stared at her with a disinterested demeanor, the bags under her lids reflecting her fight with tears.
"I was just helping,"
he replied.
The sounds of crunching stones steadily intensified as two healthy soldiers approached. Their silhouettes formed on the tent's flap as they conveyed a request.
"Get out, stranger. You have an appointment with our leader."
The hay on his left rose. Valora had vanished.
The soldiers hastened their weapons, aiming their black nagamaki at the flap as XN unzipped his tent.
"How am I even still alive here?"
XN wondered in a composed voice.
Together with the soldiers, he walked two blocks away from his tent. The lights escaping from the longing abodes highlighted the verges of the mosaic pavement that stretched to the leader's home.
From a window, a female profile watched XN as the soldiers took him into a large room in the abode.
"Goodness! I'm glad you could make it here."
"Forgive my children; they can be petty sometimes."
The leader sat on the main seat at the end of the table.
"I would love to have you join dinner."
For a while, XN contemplated the woodcrafts and their occupants. At the elder's right, Sora sat, watching Valora on the counter close to the window, who seemed to snub him—his gaze almost begging for indulgence.
"Sure, thanks."
XN responded as he joined them.
The thunk of cutlery dominated for a moment while the air warmed from the steam of the half-empty bowls.
Then the old man spoke up,
"I apologize for the bland meal. You see, spices are hard to find out here."
[Hmph]
XN released a deep breath. The weight of his dissatisfaction made its way to the leader.
"I wish I could provide the finest cuisines of Regis, like in the old times."
The old man began to reminisce.
"Regis?" — XN
"Huh? You seem surprised."
"Hold on."
He stood up from the table and pulled a book with a silvery cover from the shelf by the archway behind his seat. He passed it to XN, who opened a random page.
It read:
...The Old World might be no more. Still, its influence lingers in the great walls, with BLOOM at its center. Today, we are divided and compensated with egocentric leaders in a power system that favors a new human characteristic BLOOM coined "accommodation." In this New World, wealth is measured in silver, beauty, and gene quality. I feel sorry for the children of Nu, who might never know such privileges. Perhaps I shouldn't complain myself, as a proud member of the Regis family. Though, I must admit, it hurts even more to watch our sector succumb to darkness.
If only the master of the Regis sector—Igor Regis—would listen to his people.
~Captain Reynolds
As XN read through, the leader explained in a sad tone,
"It's no news that the New World has divided humanity."
"Within Nu, we are further divided into sectors governed by powerful families."
A loud sound suddenly burst out, abruptly interrupting the leader's monologue.
Sora slammed the table.
"And the Regis family has us under their thumb!"
Sora, enraged, exploded off his chair.
The tension drastically escalated as Valora's disinterest rapidly backfired, concern sketched across her features.
"Sora…"
XN observed them in silence as proof of understanding while he analyzed the situation.
"This makes sense. I guess the other guy—Eyes—must work for the Regis family."
The drama hushed, leaving the atmosphere awkward. Cerulean lights from the sky filled the room, blending with the unsettling energy. In the emotional chaos, XN remained composed as he dissected the subtle hints.
"His words and tone—they match the persona of the book."
XN thought to himself before breaking the silence.
"Old man, what's your name?"
As he inquired, frantic steps approached at a running pace. A soldier ran in, panic devouring his face.
"Master Reynolds!"
His breaths were rapid and shallow.
"We need your help!"