Chapter 49: Chapter 49- Afraid
Chapter 49- Afraid
For the first time perhaps in its entire history, the sun rose on the Wood Folks village, and it wasn’t another great day. The atmosphere, the mood, and the silence were all suffocating and grim. No one was laughing; the kids weren’t running around playing.
Even the sun that usually breaks through the canopy didn’t appear that day, as it was a cloudy day.
In a distant corner of the village, all the Wood Folks gathered around several holes that were dug earlier that day. Everyone was silent with the occasional sound of whimpering and crying. At the same time, several others came there, carrying over their shoulders the bodies of the dead.
Everyone watched with shock and terror as the bodies were slowly lowered into each hole before they started covering them in dirt. The chief stood at the far front, his hands leaning on a cane and his body covered in leaves as he stared down with a dark expression.
As the dirt covered the bodies, he finally raised his hand.
"May all of you flourish in this forest and bring peace for us." He said. "Your sacrifice to protect this wonderful place has brought us life. The Goddess shall welcome you in her merciful embrace. May you all sleep in peace."
Zen and Cipha stood in a far corner near a tree as they watched the scenes in silence. Zen closed his eyes as he let the wind rustle his hair. Cipha, meanwhile, watched silently. Her eyes were locked onto the graves as they were being filled.
Time passed slowly for them, and eventually, the ceremony came to an end, and people started scattering away. Some remained behind to mourn their loved ones. The chief stood to the side, watching them with a cold look on his face. Nobody could read what was going through his mind.
His eyes were completely lost as thousands of thoughts crossed his mind. What will happen from this point on? Would the intruders come for them again? How was he supposed to stop them if they did? They were certainly going to be far more prepared, and he was already weak enough as it is.
For the first time in ages, he truly feared for the life of his people. He was clueless, and he hated it.
"The Nars won’t come for your people."
He suddenly heard a voice behind him. He didn’t turn around or shift his gaze. He already noticed him approaching.
"What makes you think so?" He asked back.
"I have what they want," Zen replied as he leaned against the tree on the opposite side. "For them, no offense, but you and your people are irrelevant. I have killed Kaiser with my bare hands, and they will certainly try to catch me knowing I carry the rune."
"..." The chief didn’t reply immediately as he stared into the distance. "Are you not afraid for your life, kid?"
"Afraid?"
"You have offended a clan that could erase you from existence, and not only that, but you also took away something they wanted dearly. You are a dead man walking." He said. "So, tell me, are you not afraid?"
"..." Zen pursed his lips as he smiled. "I am."
"..."
"I am afraid of losing, and I’m afraid that I will let down someone I don’t want to let down again," Zen said. "I have known fear. Perhaps more than anyone else."
"Then, why did you-" The chief turned around.
"And for that reason, I will make sure to do it right," Zen said as he walked out of the shadow. "Keep your eyes on the news, Chief. You will see this ugly world reshaping into something that your people might find somewhat peaceful in their rough times."
Staring into the boy’s eyes, all the chief could see was confidence and belief. The boy looked like he knew something, like he understood the world better than anyone else, and that shocked the Wood man.
’Who is this kid?’ He asked himself. He couldn’t tell why his old senses told him that... But he somehow instantly believed that this boy was bound to achieve what he said he would. ’Did the Goddess perhaps choose him for this same reason?’
"I came here to say goodbye. Cipha and I need to leave as soon as possible. We are already behind schedule. I wanted to say I wish you luck, you and your people." Zen walked past the old man. "Oh, and if something ever happens, please contact us if we can help. Consider it as paying you back for the hospitality."
"... And how do you expect me to contact you, human?"
"Eh, I’m sure you will find a way. See you, Chief."
Then, Zen walked away.
"Hm." The man stared at his back silently for a while before he finally turned to the graves. ’I truly hope your deaths weren’t for naught, and if that’s the case... Perhaps it was worth it, after all.’
"A sacrifice that brings the world from the darkness to the light." He muttered. "Show me what you will do, boy."
***
"What did you say to him?" Cipha asked as the two started walking through the forest.
"Nothing. Just wanted to say goodbye. We are finally back on the road." Zen said. "The past three days felt like an entire month."
"Yeah."
"How far are we from our destination?"
"Not that far away. We should arrive there before the end of the day."
"Then, let’s hurry so we don’t have to move at night."
***
The duo continued their journey through the forest, cutting a path for themselves with their own swords. For hours, they walked, talked, and simply enjoyed the beautiful nature around them. They came across a few monsters here and there, but they were quickly taken care of.
Zen’s rank-up had completely reshaped his strength. He was now way faster; his senses were supernatural, to say the least. He could feel things all around him in a diameter of almost 400 meters.
Even Cipha ranked up and gained immense power from their previous battles. The two had walked into this forest and then left completely transformed. They could’ve never expected things to go this way.
*Swish*
Zen cut through the leaves as he emerged into an open field. The sun peeked through the clouds as it hit his face, making him squint before he opened his eyes. That was when he saw it.
A road. A cement road that led into a small town. Cipha reached him a second later, and the two stared at the town.
"I kind of missed modernity," Zen said with a sigh of relief.
"Let’s go. We need to get a car and leave. Our first target is in the next major city we arrive at." She said as she tapped Zen’s shoulder and walked down the slope.
"Yes, ma’am." Zen laughed as he followed her. The two walked into the town. It was still afternoon, so it was pretty active, and they immediately caught people’s attention.
After all, the two had shredded, bloodied clothes and were patched up with leaves. It was an odd sight to say the least.
"It seems people think we’re homeless or something."
"We will buy clothes."
"Hm? With what mon-"
Cipha suddenly pulled her credit card from her pocket. "I always keep it on me."
"..." Zen pursed his lips. "Smart."
