Enigmas - Chapter 7

Standing over her grandmother’s grave, Hilia clapped her hands together, clasping them and silently saying her prayers to her grandmother. It was early in the morning and the sun was shining onto the graves, embracing them in a gentle warmth. She also performed a ceremony like she did for the neighboring village, so that their souls would rest peacefully despite their cruel deaths.

The neighboring village would be safe for now, since her grandmother sacrificed her own life to eliminate the ruffians.

Yoan opened his eyes, waking up groggily and standing up, walking out of the charred house, yawning loudly as he squinted his eyes at the sudden brightness. He glanced around, finding Hilia standing over her grandmother’s grave and a smile drifted past his face.

Hilia crouched down, patting the grave gently before heading over to the tree, placing her hand on it as she caressed it. “I’m sorry, I won’t be able to pay my respects every day. I’ll leave this here instead as a form of respect.”

Hilia’s pupils changed into the same unique shape again as she pressed her hand against the tree trunk. A few moments later, after removing it, an intricate flowery symbol was imprinted on it and she smiled, paying her respects to the tree.

The symbol was another way of paying her respects if she was going to be away from the village for a while. However, it would only be effective if she was away from this area at a certain distance, otherwise, it wouldn’t take effect.

“So, what do you plan to do now?” Yoan asked behind her and Hilia slowly turned around.

“I want to catch the person responsible for all this. It doesn’t many any sense, why would a group of bandits attack a poor village, without stealing anything? They were also killing every one of us, not taking hostages for ransom.” Hilia questioned, her eyes lighting up in anger. “This was obviously a premeditated attack, and the bandit that attacked me was told to kill everyone in the village.”

“So, looks like I wasn’t the only one suspicious of this. I wouldn’t mind joining in the chase.” Yoan grinned at her and she smiled, however, her smile still held a hint of sadness.

“What’s our first plan then?” Hilia questioned, glancing at Yoan who furrowed his eyebrows.

“Let’s head to the neighboring village, just to ensure that they have already been informed. If our village was attacked, they might be in danger too.”

Hilia nodded in agreement. “And what about the next step?”

“We then need to go to a crowded place, the more people, the better it is.”

“Why?”

“The more people there are, the more rumours there are. That means information, we might not be the only village that was attacked.”

“Well, doesn’t that mean we should…?”

Yoan nodded, both of them thinking the same thing.

“We should head for to the main town after.”

“Okay then, let’s go.” Hilia replied, walking ahead.

She spun around when she didn’t hear Yoan walking behind her or beside her. Yoan didn’t follow her, since he was taken aback by Hilia’s eagerness.

Was she leaving? Just like that? So quickly? Was a day even enough for her to recover?

“Hey, what are you waiting for? Come on, let’s go, we don’t have time to delay!” Hilia stretched her hand out to Yoan, who glanced at her hand and then to her face repeatedly.

“You are leaving, just like that?”

“The longer I stay here, the more I’ll absorb the negative energy of the souls who were murdered brutally. Grandmother…she wouldn’t want me to stay here, the tree will cleanse the souls, to make them feel at peace.”

“Are you sure, Hilia?”

She rolled her eyes, reaching out to wrap her petite hands around Yoan, pulling him forward. He stumbled as she walked, dragging him along and Yoan’s eyes just widened a little, before his lips curved into a smile. He looked back at the village, his eyes landing on Hilia’s grandmother’s grave.

Don’t worry, grandmother. We’ll be back soon and I’ll make sure to return Hilia back to you unharmed.

After all, I

Yoan’s eyes widened as he recalled a certain memory that he tried his best to bury.

“Yoan, my boy, come here and take a sit.”

A young Yoan, around the age of thirteen took a sit opposite of Hilia’s grandmother, a curious expression on his face.

“How do you really feel about Hilia?”

Yoan shook his head, looking up and staring at the seventeen-year old woman in front of him, her small hand was soft and warm around Yoan’s calloused hands. It’s been six years since she asked him about that question and she never brought it up again, but Yoan knew that the reason she didn’t choose to ask again was because she knew the answer, despite him laughing it off six years ago.

“Yoan”

“hmm?”

“Don’t you dare die or disappear on me.”

Yoan chuckled, pulling her towards him and she fumbled, her back hitting his chest. She looked up at him with curious eyes. He ruffled her hair, making her growl in annoyance as she swatted his hand away.

“Don’t worry, I won’t.” Yoan said and she stared at him, smiling happily, continuing to drag him along again while Yoan gazed at her back, an unfathomable expression on his face.

Unless I have to die for you, Hilia.

Hilia glanced up at the clear blue sky, her thoughts thinking back to yesterday, how she felt she was alone in this world. Despite that, the warmth seeping through her petite hand told her something else, something different.

No.

You are not alone.

Hilia broke out into a beam, allowing a giggle to escape from her lips.

“What’s so funny?” Yoan asked, snapping out of his reverie.

“Nothing, I’m just happy to have you here with me, Yoan.” Hilia said, turning her head and showing Yoan her tiny smile before she turned backed to the front.

Yoan’s heart skipped a beat, his eyes widening slightly at her smile. “We-weird woman.” He muttered out and Hilia snickered at his awkward retort.