The way to the village, lined with the glowing alfris trees was a great joy for Kael. He ran through the forest, eager to meet his family and community again. He didn’t seem to feel hungry in the days that he travelled. He never looked back, waiting to see the first hut emerging on the horizon.

He arrived after several days of travel. The village was as he knew it before. He tried containing his excitement, looking at the set of houses from a distance. As he walked through the set of wooden huts, he couldn’t help but smile. The people looked at him, all the familiar faces he wanted to see. But one thing is on his mind, he wants to see the two people most important to him. After walking to where his home was supposed to be, he saw one of them, his grandfather, sitting by a hut looking at him. He couldn’t keep his composure, tears started flowing on his face.

He ran to the old man. Amos stood, and was about to go to him, but he’s quick, hugging his grandfather. The old man returned the embrace, and was consoling him. He couldn’t stop himself from crying, he was home, finally.

Then, Cora appeared, from inside their hut, curious as to what’s happening outside. Kael saw her, and without thought, hugged his grandmother as he did his grandfather. The kindest woman he had in his second life returned the embrace, patting his head. He was truly home. He’s happy that all was over.

He wiped his tears, and his smile remained in him. “Grandpa, grandma, I’m home”, he said.

It should have been a heartfelt moment, but something was amiss. His greeting left Amos and Cora confused. They looked at each other, and Amos started the conversation.

“Where did you come from, little one? Did you get lost?”

‘Huh?’

“Come in, join us. You must be hungry”

‘Wha.. What’s happening?’

“I’m Amos, the chief of this village. This is Cora, my wife”

‘I know. You’re my family, of course I know’

“Come inside”

It’s Kael’s turn to be left confused. His smile changed into surprise looking at his grandparents. He was invited inside, not like their grandson, but like a stranger they never met before. They were kind to him, not because they knew his longing, but because he was a crying child.

The hut was empty, his bare foot feeling the brush of straws under him. Cora was far, preparing the food that they will eat. Amos was sitting, inviting him to take a seat. He couldn’t bring himself to accept the offer, as he was trying to understand the situation. Then, as he couldn’t understand, he asked them for answers.

“Do you not know me, grandpa?”, Kael said.

There’s a terrible pause after that, then Amos replied. “I believe this is the first time we met”

A stream of denial flooded Kael’s mind in an instant. Hearing those words, feeling the distance he shouldn’t feel from his family, he couldn’t accept it. He slowly step backwards, his mind denying what was happening.

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“Where are you going, son?”

He ran. The innocent words of Amos pierced through his longing heart. He can see it on their eyes. He’s no one for them, only a lost child that found himself in the woods. He might’ve heard Amos calling to him, but he didn’t understand. His grandfather will not address him so distant. It was painful, he couldn’t accept it.

He ran faster, seeing that the people of the village were looking at him puzzled. This is not what he expected, this is not what he wanted. He thought he could get relief in the village, but he felt worse. Deep inside him, he wished that he wasn’t able to escape, that he never found the hidden passage.

He ran aimless. It doesn’t matter whether the forest is dangerous or not. It’s better he took his chances than to be exposed with pain that he couldn’t heal.

His eyes went blurry. He stumbled, and stood again. It was morning when he arrived at the village. It was noon when he stopped running.

He sat on a protruding stone, dragging his exhausted body. He curled, locking his knees with his arms, hiding his face from the forest, looking at his feet, bruised by his desperate attempt to get away. He doesn’t feel that he belongs somewhere. He was empty, and he was lonely.

Alone in the forest, he tried finding the reason as to why. Why did they forget him? Was he away for way too long that they forget? He couldn’t find the answer, as his mind kept seeing the faces of his grandparents.

He pondered for awhile, and gave up. He started walking, without direction as to where he should go. But his mind was honest, leading him to where he wanted to go. Even if he circled around different paths, eventually, he returned to the village.

He looked at them from the distance. The people were doing their everyday chores. He was lost in thought. But even in his low point, the world didn’t let him rest.

It might be that Kael was out of focus. Someone managed to get near him, coming from the village. The person stopped in front of him, blocking his view of the village. He didn’t notice the change of scenery, but he was about to.

“I have a hunch I will see you here”

Kael heard a familiar voice. He associated the said voice to someone that his community respected. At that moment, the realization hits. He looked up, and saw someone he thought he will not see in the village. It was Elalios, the false deacon.

“Stop!”

He didn’t listen to Elalios. He ran with his bruised feet. He looked backed, and see that Elalios was gaining distance.

[Speed Boost]

Kael used all his mana to run away from Elalios, but the man wouldn’t let him get away. He turned to a tree, then he turned to a rock, then he turned to another tree. He looked back, and Elalios was still there.

He was chased to exhaustion, his lungs burning as he breathed. He felt his heart being crushed in every beat, his dripping sweat trying to cool his body down. He couldn’t run anymore, but Elalios kept on chasing him.

The day turned to night, but the chase continued. Sometimes Kael will hide, then he will run again. The forest is getting more dangerous, turning into a maze for the two of them. Kael stumbled multiple times, acquiring multiple wounds every time. He was weakened, but his persistence paid off. Elalios lost him entirely.

But he didn’t know that no one was chasing him anymore, and so, he kept walking, dragging his bloody feet. It’s a wonder that he can still stand.

He was thirsty, walking aimless to look for water. His dry mouth made it hard to swallow his saliva.

It was the peak of darkness that even if his eyes were open, he couldn’t see even the silhouette of trees. And with such grave condition, he fell down one last time, falling into the darkness. He closed his eyes, and a splash of water was heard from the silent forest.