Chapter 28 - Revelation (2)

In a hurry, we return the documents to their original location, retrieve the sheet of paper from the folder and the letter. Finally, we extinguish all the candles and close the door behind us.

We leave the building, walking along the wall as we did on the way in, then head toward the training ground.

_ Maïko: “ Well done, guys, you did it! ”

After these sincere words on the way, Maïko is surprised to notice a long, heavy silence. There is no emotion visible on our faces. On the contrary, with our heads bowed and our eyes fixed on the ground, we are overcome with disgust.

The success of the operation, mixed with deep disgust, forms an indescribable pain.

_ Maïko: “ Why aren't you saying anything? Did something happen? ”

We finally enter the training ground, where everyone is waiting impatiently for us with good news.

Afterwards, we let ourselves fall, our backs pressed against a tree, our butts on the ground. We think again about the information, devastated by all this news. No words come out of our mouths as we take time to digest this flood of data imprinted in our minds.

_ Son: “ Ah! They're finally here! ”

Several dozen meters away, our comrades watch us, our bodies slumped on the ground. Confused, Son raises his eyebrows.

_ Son: “ Why are they landing over there? ”

Quick to react, Kona steps forward.

_ Kona: “ Let's join them. ”

The distance between the two groups shrinks with every few meters they travel.

_ Son: “ Hey, what's going on? ” he said, watching Maïko standing there.

_ Maïko: “ Raah I don't know. I've been talking to them for a while now, but they're not answering. ” she said, annoyed

Kona crouched down in front of us.

_ Kona: “ I'm glad to see you back safe and sound. Now please, explain to us what you found out. ”

_ Hazel: “ How can I put it... We managed to steal some very important documents... but… ”

He hesitates.

_ Kaya: “ But? ”

_ Hazel: “ The document in my hands... talks about human sacrifices. ”

_ All the orphans: “ What?! ”

These words fill us with dread, reflecting the horror of his revelations in our eyes.

_ Hazel: “ It's a ritual that involves feeding a demon to satisfy its hunger. ”

_ Son: “ What... are you talking about? ”

_ Hazel: “ The ritual is held every ten years to feed the demon that haunts our village. This demon is in a vessel, and if it is not fed, it takes control of the host and destroys everything in its path. To prevent this, human sacrifices are necessary. ”

A heavy silence descends. Then, Maïko takes a step back, her eyes wide.

_ Maïko: “ A demon?? ”

_ Ayden: “ That's why he looked so upset at the office. ”

I clench my fist, my frustration growing. Hazel continues.

_ Hazel: “ It also states that the villagers sacrificed are primarily all the Source-less... including children. ”

With a jump, I sit up.

_ Ayden: “ Impossible. Why?? ”

I take a closer look at the file to see for myself how cruel this story is. At the same time, I turn my head and see Son taking two steps toward us.

_ Son: “ Wait, wait, this is a joke, right? This is made up, right? ” he said, his heart beating faster.

After these words, I bit my lip. Losing my temper slightly, I raised my voice, staring at Hazel, who was in no way to blame for the situation.

_ Ayden & Kona: “ Why the Source-less? ”

Surprised, I turn my head toward Kona, who is also angry, surely for the same reasons.

_ Hazel: “ Apparently, the village culture considers the Source-less to be imperfections of nature. So they must be purified… ”

_ Kona: “ And so for them, purification means sacrificing their lives?? ”

The tension mounts, and Kona is furious.

_ Kona: “ How can they sacrifice villagers from their own tribe? So many innocent people have been killed unjustly. It's not a crime to be Source-less! ”

All eyes are on the stage, hosted by Kona. Among them, Kaya, the twin in question, cannot hide her astonishment at her sister's reaction. Her wide eyes reflect surprise mixed with incomprehension.

_ Son: “ I'm angry. We're just cattle, isn't that right?? ”

The tension is palpable, a silence descends, but is quickly broken.

_ Kaya: “ Let them come. ”

His words, coming out of nowhere, leave us speechless in the face of this unexpected statement.

_ Kaya: “ I'm not going to let those bastards push me around. Let them come, I'll punch them in the face. ”

Staring at each other, a stunned silence envelops us, our eyes wide. Then, as if galvanized, some eyes light up with new determination.

_ Ayden: “ Wait. ”

_ Hazel: “ What is it? ”

_ Ayden: “ You did say that human sacrifices take place every ten years, didn't you? ”

_ Hazel: “ That's right, that's what it says. ”

_ Ayden: “ Do we have the date of the sacrifice? We'll be able to know exactly what year the next one will take place. ”

Hazel looks again closely at some undisclosed information. On the front, nothing new. He turns the page and his attention is piqued.

_ Hazel: " There are several dates in a row. Next to them are the identities of villagers. 1238. 1275. 1300. “

_ Jenna: ” What do these dates mean? “

_ Hazel: ” They are the dates of the demon's previous hosts. And the most recent one… is the guardian Keren. "