Chapter 25: The Village’s Silent Cry

The man standing before me had introduced himself.
Crimson Hunter. After seeing his status, I could tell the crimson name wasn't given to him because of his jacket.
'Those stats are crazy. And what do you mean while dripped in blood he can heal and get stronger.' I was taken aback—seeing not only heroes, but the people of this world themselves wielding broken, frightening skills.

[ Not many, Master. Nevertheless, a nontrivial number of individuals can stand face-to-face with — or even overpower — heroes in this world. ]

'I guess that would make sense. Only a idiot would give a random person all the power and let them be most powerful person in their world.' The pieces were starting to slot into place.

[...]

'Hm?... You want to say something Sebas?' I asked, confused.

[ Nothing, Master. ]

'If you say so.' I shrugged it off.

Nux moved closer and peered at Liora. The ruined chapel around us tasted of dust and old incense; shafts of late sun cleaved through broken stained glass and set motes sparkling in the air. His voice was gentle as he addressed the child.
"Do you remember John, little one?"

Liora tilted her head and looked to me for guidance.

'How would I know ?' I thought, taken aback.

"..He… he is asking about the person who taught you the prayer," I simplified Nux's question for her.

Liora's forehead creased in her usual childlike confusion as she replied, "Swun, Mister?"

'Sun?' I was puzzled.

"What do you mean by sun, Liora?" I asked.

She blinked and repeated, "Swun Mister is Swun Mister."

'I can't understand what does she mean by that. A little help here Sebas.' I was flabbergasted.

[ Master, I can suggest one interpretation. ]
[ It may indicate a divine light — a halo.]
[ In some rites, when an individual is sanctified as a pope or an apostle, witnesses speak of a halo or divine radiance visible behind them. ]

'Oh, But if John was that strong how many did the church bring to defeat him?' I wondered, mind racing as the chapel's silence tightened.

Suddenly Nux exploded into laughter, the sound ricocheting off cracked stone and broken pews—too loud in that hush. "BAHAHAHAHA—" The sound broke like a wave. He doubled over, slapping a hand to his knee. "I CAN'T TAKE IT. BAHAHAHA— SUN. SUN! SUN MISTER—" Tears shone at the corners of his eyes from laughing too hard.

'What happened to him?' I was bewildered.

Nux took a breath, composure slowly returning. "Give me a minute, man," he wheezed, wiping his face. "Uff. I haven't laughed like that in a long time."

He glanced at me, bewilderment softening into a grin. "If you're still wondering about the sun—that's because John was bald." He burst into another round of chuckles.

'HUH?' Hearing that, the image I'd been building of him shifted—sunlight struck his smooth head and reflected in Liora's eyes.

'I guess that makes sense.' I accepted the explanation.
'But need to know how he looks like. My image of him is a mess.' I fretted, trying to pin details in my head.

"Can you tell me how he looked?" I asked.

Nux inhaled, still smiling. "Huff… huff. Ah— deep breath… He was bald. He kept a fine beard. Muscular—worked out his whole life. That's about it." His voice softened with fondness, the memory warming him.

I thought of the vids and vlogs I'd seen on Earth—bald fathers with beards, steady, kind. Maybe it was bias, but the image fit.

I watched Nux and then Liora. The chapel's air was cool against my skin; somewhere outside, a crow called—a sharp contrast to the tenderness unfolding here. My chest eased, breaths long and slow.

'Should I ask Liora what happened , was she here when they attacked how she get there? ' I braced myself—knowing the question might dredge up fear or grief.

'I can't let my curiosity get the best of me.' I thought, feeling the mood darken.

"How did they justify the killings, Mister Nux? I remember you saying 'sacrifice' but you also said no children were harmed." I asked in a low, gloomy voice.

Nux's smile died. The laughter drained from his face and was replaced by the same hollow I'd felt. "I never said the children weren't harmed." he said, sorrow ringing through every word.

He leaned closer, voice dropping until only the chapel could hear. "They didn't need to kill anyone—smearing John's name or the goddess's reputation was enough to destroy them. But they didn't stop there. One day..., a boy went into the forest to gather berries and herbs for John. John warned him not to go far. But, The boy didn't return by dawn. John asked around—no one knew. So John, the children, and a few villagers searched the woods for hours. They found nothing. When they returned to the village and John entered the church, the boy lay dead—inside, before the statue of the goddess."

He swallowed; the words left a metallic aftertaste. "John rushed to him and tried to heal the child, but it failed. He began to pray to Goddess Anessa… and at that moment, Knights from Nolvarra—Paladins and soldiers—stormed in. They accused John of demon worship and announced his guilt to the whole village."

Anger coiled beneath Nux's voice, visible in the tightening of his jaw. "The villagers—who knew John—refused to let the Knights take him. For some reason the Knights retreated, inexplicably, and John sent me a letter by a special route we alone used. I was deep in a dungeon; the letter didn't reach me in time. When I returned and went to the village, I discovered the Church had secured permission from Nolvarra and the Main Church to purge the entire settlement as demon worshippers."

He paused, rage and regret warbling in his chest. "They executed them. They razed the homes. Anyone who could have testified for John was silenced or killed. The smell—ashes and iron—haunted the place for months. When I saw the chapel… it looked like this." He ran a hand over his face and failed to hide the shake in his voice.

Multiple emotions swelled inside me. My heart hammered; my skin warmed until it felt hot. MY rage was rising.
'There's No need for me to ask Liora what happened. I'll eradicate Church of Adessa and Nolvarra.' I made the vow.

Nux set off toward the church entrance.
"Follow me." he said.

'Where are we going?' I asked myself instead of Nux for some reason.

I glanced at Liora. She looked bored. I swept my hand out and small creatures of water formed at my fingertips: a curled cat, a wagging dog, and, of course, a waddling duck. They shimmered like blown glass, beads of water catching the light.

As always, Liora reached out cautiously, touching them slowly. Nothing shattered. Her face broke into a grin when she realized she could cradle them. Her eyes brightened and she began to play.

With Liora in my arms, I followed Nux as he led us out of the village toward the far side. We climbed a low hill and stopped before row after row of tombstones—an endless, ordered sea of gray. Graves lay packed together, fresh earth still abruptly lumpy in places. I had assumed the remains had been returned to the soil; seeing this made the past feel raw again.

"It was hard." Nux said, voice rough with memory. "Carrying those bodies myself—clearing rubble, pulling people from beneath beams. It took me two days without rest to find everyone." His words trembled with a thousand small, terrible images.

"I come to the village from time to time to see my friend." Nux continued more softly. "While I'm here, I pay my respects. I didn't know them all well, but they trusted John. I'm grateful for that." Gratitude softened his voice, but it didn't erase the muscle of grief in his jaw.

After a while, Nux moved on through the graves one by one. I didn't know what to do; there was nothing I could do at these moments.

"We'll take a look around the village." I said.

"Okay. I'll meet you back at the church later." Nux answered.

We left the hill.

'I don't know how Liora left so I can't conclude how they took care of Liora.' I was confused.

Then I looked at Liora and an idea struck me. "Liora… was Sun Mister a good person?" I asked.

She beamed and raised a small hand in the air. "Yesh! Liora like Swun Mister."

'That answers all of my questions.' I felt relieved.

'I didn't know them so I couldn't find a reason to mourn for them but I feel their pain. I'll take your revenge. For you have took care of my daughter.' I thought with conviction, the vow settling into my chest like a stone.

We walked toward the forest where Rex and the wolves waited. The trees rustled with the evening breeze; the scent of damp leaves and pine resin calmed the tension a little.

"We'll be staying in this village for a while. I won't be able to cook for you." I told the wolves, feeling a twinge of guilt.

"Understood, Master. But I sense someone strong from the village, Master." Rex replied from the shadows, eyes glinting like coals.

"That's a friend, you could say." I answered.

"I'm thinking of staying the night. We'll leave tomorrow morning. Wait for me here." I ordered Rex.

"Are we allowed to attack back if humans attack us, Master?" Rex asked.

'Is he asking about Nux?' I wondered, but then something struck me.
'Is he asking in general? This gets misunderstood a lot.' I thought.

"If someone attacks you, it's up to you to kill or to spare. But for humans—if they show malicious intent—kill them and leave no trace. Try to avoid people otherwise they'll group up and try to overwhelm you. That would be bad." I did my best to explain how dangerous humans numbers and tools could be.

"Understood, Master." Rex replied.

Back in the village, we scoured ruined houses and charred streets for anything that might tell me more about the past. Soot scarred doorways and the air still tasted of ash. I unturned boxes and combed for scraps—letters, a personal token, anything—but after a long search I found nothing meaningful.

'I guess there's nothing. If there was something, Nux would have found it.' I gave up and returned to the church.

Dawn was washing the sky in pale gray when we arrived. A warm, delicious smell hit us as we stepped inside. Nux stood at a battered hearth, stirring a pot.

"You're finally back. I'm almost done. Take a seat." he said, refreshed, as if the simple act of cooking had steadied him.

'I guess he's feeling better now.' I thought with relief.

"What is this?" I asked, the scent making my stomach clench in gratitude.

"It's a herbal soup with vegetables. I'm out of meat, so I made this." Nux answered, ladling steaming broth into two bowls.

I took a sip. The broth was honest and healing—ginger warmth, an herbal bitterness rounded by root vegetables. It tasted of careful hands and small comforts.

Liora watched the bowl in my hands. "It's hot." I said, blowing across the surface to cool it.

"Here you go." I handed her the smaller bowl.

She drank slowly, expression impassive—no delighted grimace, only quiet satisfaction.
'Did she not like it?' I worried.

"Did you not like it, little one?" Nux asked.

"It's twasty." Liora replied.

She looked at me with those big, round eyes. "Papa, Liora want Jam," she said, voice soft as a bell.

'Of course it's jam' I thought, and chuckled despite the heaviness.

"Jam we can only eat in the morning." I told her.

"Jam?" Nux blinked.

"It's a sweet spread you put on bread. I'll show you in the morning—otherwise she won't stop." I said, answering his curiosity.

Later, Nux spared us a blanket. We settled down to sleep: Liora curled against my right side, using me for warmth and support.

to be continued…

Author's Note:

I’ve been getting sick left and right—had a fever yesterday and I’m still not feeling well. I did my best to re-read the chapter, but if there are still mistakes, please forgive me. I really need some rest.

Thank you all for reading and for the comments—I’m truly grateful for every single reader. Your support keeps me going.