Chapter 209 - Written And Directed By Yours Truly
Chapter 209 – Written And Directed By Yours Truly
A war without shedding blood was impossible in this situation. Our enemy was rotten to the core. Niall wasn't afraid to sacrifice tens of thousands of people. He wouldn't even bat an eye. Meanwhile, although werewolves were powerful creatures, they weren't as heartless as to turn a blind eye to their fellow wolves' death.
It didn't matter if they were close friends, family, or strangers. If one was wronged, especially if they died in the hands of the vampires, everyone would take it personally.
"Bowie," I called under my breath, staring at the bonfire while I was sitting on a log outside our tent. "It's happening."
I felt Bowie gaze at my side as he sat down beside me. We had been in Althea for more than a month, helping the said country to recover to its order.
"In the end, the past still seemed to catch up to me," I added in the same low tone, listening to the crackle of the fire and the indistinct noises in the air. "It leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. The Tarsa tribe might get caught up with it again."
"The Tarsa tribe was caught in the holy war because we were unsuspecting." I turned my head in his direction, only to see the reassuring smile plastered on his face. "We won't let that happen again."
"You should flee."
He shook his head with his lips closed. "We are your people, Rinnie. Don't abandon us. If you're going to fight alongside the werewolves, then we would have your back."
"Bowie…" my eyes softened, but not because I was moved. If anything, his words brought worry to my heart. The Tarsa tribe had suffered already, but now, they would be stepping into the flames of hell just because they were following me.
"I know you want the Tarsa tribe to have nothing to do with this. However, we are against a powerful opponent. I'm not saying I do not have faith in you or in His Grace. What I'm saying is, IF by chance, the child of evil rose victorious, the Tarsa tribe will still be in danger," he explained logically, peeling his eyes away from me to the bonfire. "There's no place to run, Rinnie. Even if we run to the ends of the world, we will still have one end."
"I'd rather fight for our freedom as well. At the very least, we wouldn't have regrets, whatever the outcome is," he continued while the side of his lips curled up into a smile, casting me a look. "Don't blame yourself, Rinnie. We're fighting for ourselves to uphold the pride of the Tarsa tribe."
This time, I smiled wearily as his words slightly lifted off the burden on my shoulder. "It's inevitable, I guess."
"It is inevitable."
"It's already pre-written." I looked up at the night sky, staring at the lone moon staring down at me. "Although all creatures had one ending, how we end is something we can choose."
"That's right. Everyone dies. It's simply a matter of how we would die and how we would spend our lives before the inevitable end."
I didn't reply to Bowie's last remarks and stayed silent, staring up above for as long as I could remember. The side of my lips curled up, peeling my eyes away from the night sky to Hugo, who was approaching me.
"Once we return to Ronmin… I will definitely get stronger. Niall is mine." I felt Bowie's gaze, but I ignored it as I assisted myself up as soon as Hugo stood in my vicinity. Hugo cast Bowie a quick look before setting them back at me.
"Ready?" he asked, flashing a quick smile at me.
"Yes." I nodded, reaching for his hand, which I squeezed lightly. "Hugh, before we set off to Ronmin, shall we run?"
"Mhm?"
Unlike his confused visage, the side of my lips stretched into a wide smile. "I want to drop by somewhere first."
"Uh… where?"
"Everfell."
*****
Since Hugo and the person in charge of Pailao agreed, the latter would continue to assist the new king of Althea. We had agreed to return to the Ronmin Empire. There was no need to make excessive preparations as there was not a single individual in this troop who couldn't run in the night.
Even so, I still wanted to drop by in Everfell before we leave. The second we leave this place, I was uncertain when was the next time I could return. Or rather, even if we do, I was certain Everfell would become a battleground.
Gazing at Everfell from the top of the mountain, I took deep breaths. I glanced to my side as Hugo stood beside me, eyes on Everfell.
"Why would you want to see Everfell?" he asked without looking at me.
I looked ahead, lips curling up into a smile. "To bid farewell." I slowly held my hands together in front of me. "And to pray for the lives that were lost."
"Huh?"
"All creatures, bad or good, deserved to be prayed for, Hugh." I closed my eyes ever so slowly. "Life is life, living is the true means of death. May they reach the destination they ought to reach."
Hugo remained silent as I prayed for the souls that left this world. To wherever they were heading… I prayed they find enlightenment and peace in their hearts.
They said no one was born a monster. But in this world, there were creatures who were born to be one. Even if they didn't ask for it, if their pre-written fate was to cause disaster, it would happen one way or another. I don't sympathize with Niall even if his reason to fight was for survival.
Just like what Hugo said, this was a kill or be killed situation. If I didn't fight… we would die.
"May you bless us," I whispered, opening my eyes as I closed my silent prayers. I looked at Hugo and smiled, slipping my fingers in his hands before gazing at Everfell.
"This land… will favor you, Hugh." I felt his eyes on my side, but I kept mine ahead. "You will win this war, for sure."
"We will," he muttered, squeezing my hand lightly. "We might not be able to rewrite our fates, but we change our destiny."
When Hugo looked at me, we both flashed a gentle smile. Our lives that were bound with fate… we would definitely change it. With our hands intertwined, Hugo and I left the mountains to catch up to everyone who set off to Ronmin Empire.
As he ran free, I looked at Hugo's rear and smiled. 'Mother, watch over this man.'
With days that were passing by without condition, the tangled red stings that bound us all would soon stretch and tighten. One thread would lead to one, and then to another.
'Mother… you started this story. But I would definitely write the ending. Just watch how I write his name down in history that will shake even the empyrean realm.'
— END OF VOLUME 2 —