Chapter 44 - Rebirth

10 a.m. Rain lashes down like whips on the Cursed Village, turning the streets into raging rivers. In the midst of this storm, indifferent to the fury of the elements, Gwen rushes out of her cabin, clutching a bag of hay. The orphans' huts and the silhouettes of the villagers punctuate his journey, before he reaches his destination where the unexpected awaits him.

_ Gwen: “ Oh? There's only one horse. ”

She approaches the only horse present, placing its ration in the manger.

_ Gwen: “ Keren is still in the village, so it must be Moana who went out. ”

An hour passes. In her refuge, the guardian puts on her shoes.

_ Gwen: “ I'm going out to get some fruit. ”

As she walks, a thought crosses her mind.

_ Gwen: “ I'm thinking about it, but I still haven't seen the kids. Are they still asleep? ”

She wanders from one cabin to another, all neatly lined up. Each knock on the door echoes in the emptiness, amplifying her isolation.

_ Gwen: “ Strange. ”

Shortly after, a tremor ripples through the air, followed by a slight splashing sound, heralding a furtive presence.

_ Taïga: “ Tutor Gwen? ”

She turns around immediately.

_ Gwen: “ Oh, Brent, Taïga. You're just in time. Where are your friends? ”

_ Brent: “ They're not our friends. And I don't know anything about it. Honestly, I don't even care. ”

_ Taïga: “ Haha, we left quickly on our side, so we don't have any information. Why? ”

Before a single sentence is uttered, a presence imposes itself in Gwen's field of vision, silencing her in mid-sentence.

_ Ay: " Hi. Hey, have you seen your boss? I'm concocting a new cold remedy. I'm starting on the samples, but I need to know the exact quantity. "

_ Gwen: “ She went out riding this morning. ”

_ Ay: “ Oh dear, I'll wait for her to come back then. ”

_ Gwen: " She must have gone out with the orphans too. But it's surprising that she didn't tell anyone. "

The questions, half-clarified, prompt her to turn around.

_ Gwen: “ Thanks for the information. ”

And she continues on her original path.

_ Gwen: “ If she's with the orphans, there's no need to worry. ”

It's 11:00 a.m.

The night passed. We are at Village Sainté. In the end, we all got diagnosed. Maïko, Hazel, and Kona got off with just physical fatigue. For my part, in addition to fatigue, I also have minor injuries from my fight. Since I cushioned the blows with my Source, I limited the damage.

Son didn't get off so lightly. He suffered more than I did. He has muscle and abdominal injuries, but fortunately no broken bones. Kaya's condition, however, is more serious. Having received several blows, she will have to stay in the clinic for several days. And finally, Shailly…

I walk down the hallway leading to her room. The door is slightly open, and I see her asleep, with Maïko by her side, also in a light sleep. The doctors' skill has managed to save her. Still unconscious but for a limited time, she is expected to wake up during the day. However, given her serious injury, she will probably have to stay in bed for several days.

At the same time, in the next room, are the twins, one of whom is confined to bed, fast asleep. Suddenly, someone knocks on the door.

_ Kona: “ Come in. ”

A familiar face appears.

_ Kona: “ Ah, Hazel, it's you. ”

_ Hazel: “ How's Kaya? ” he said, closing the door gently.

_ Kona: “ She's recovering from her injuries. The doctor said she'll be back on her feet in a few days. ”

_ Hazel: “ That's good to hear. ”

First fixing her gaze on her twin sister lying asleep, her pupils connect with her other sister.

_ Hazel: “ And you? How are you feeling? ”

_ Kona: " It's hard to say. Last night was so difficult that I barely slept a wink. I still haven't gotten over losing Jenna. "

_ Hazel: " I understand. It's unfair, but in her memory, we have to move forward. "

_ Kona: “ Yes, you're right. ”

_ Hazel: “ You should rest too. Don't push yourself. ”

_ Kona: " Don't worry about me, I can still hold out. I'm just going to watch over my sister for a while. But I promise I'll stop if necessary. "

Understanding that his decision is irreversible, he immediately opens the door.

_ Hazel: “ If there's any problem, don't hesitate to come and see me. ”

_ Kona: “ Thank you very much. ” she says, smiling.

Hazel discreetly withdrew, leaving the two sisters in knowing silence.

_ Kaya: “ So that's how you are now. ”

The unexpected voice startled her.

_ Kona: “ Weren't you asleep?? ”

_ Kaya: “ But I promise I'll stop if necessary. ” she said ironically, repeating her sister's words verbatim.

Under the scrutinizing gaze of her twin as these words were spoken, shame overwhelmed her, coloring her cheeks scarlet.

_ Kona: “ Stop making fun of me! ”

_ Kaya: “ I should have recorded it. ”

_ Kona: “ Raaah, you're annoying me. ”

With his arms crossed in front of him, Kona turns his head away. A heavy, thick silence follows this exchange, gradually stretching out over time. Suddenly, a new sound intervenes.

_ Kaya: “ Thank you. ”

This word, uttered out of nowhere, makes Kona's pupils dilate. She stares back at her sister, whose tilted head suggests a confession about to be made.

_ Kaya: “ Thank you for your support in battle and for bringing me this far. ”

His head was held high, but his eyes, turned toward the horizon, betrayed a palpable discomfort.

_ Kaya: " And I would also like to apologize for my behavior. It hurt me when you were irritated by my situation regarding the sacrifice. "

The news disarms her sister, who, with a fluid gesture, uncrosses her arms. Pleasantly amazed, her face lights up, then, with a sly smile, she lets out a soft snicker.

_ Kona: “ What a surprise, you're capable of being gentle after all. ”

_ Kaya: “ You want to fight? ”

Ignoring the remark, she continues.

_ Kona: “ I'm your sister, I'll always be there for you. ”

_ Kaya: “ ... ”

_ Kona: " In any case, I'm very happy. This is the first time we've had a discussion like this. "

She gets up from her chair, full of energy.

_ Kona: " Since you're sorry for your behavior, you can also apologize to Shailly and Maïko. "

_ Kaya: “ Huh? Those idiots? No way. ”

A forced smile appears.