Chapter 89 - Campfire (2)

Already aware of these circumstances, we are eagerly awaiting their reactions and their first initiatives.

_ Orta: " Early in the evening, Gwen came to see me, saying she had something to tell me. Though she’s usually calm and stoic, I sensed a certain unease about her. Then, she dropped it on me: her little brother is possessed by a demon and absolutely must be neutralized. "

_ Hazel: " You must have been shaken. "

_ Orta: " You can say that again! I was furious, hiding such a vital piece of information like that is low, and above all, extremely dangerous. Plus, even with the info, I had absolutely no idea how to neutralize a demon. "

A few bites later, the conversation continues.

_ Son: " Did you keep the secret? "

_ Orta: " Not at all. I had to reveal everything to the elders to solve their problem. "

_ Ayden: " How did they react? "

_ Orta: " The majority of the community was against the idea of helping because it wasn't our business. Except the Elder felt sorry for them and decided to act. "

_ Matilio: " Pity? Yeah, right. He’s just way too kind for his own good. "

A constrained smile brushes his partner's lips, unable to refute the evidence in this response.

_ Orta: " I’ll spare you the details, but the surgery went well. "

_ Shailly: " Phew, that’s a relief. "

_ Orta: " After that event, our relationship slowly improved. As I told you earlier, we saw each other again two years ago, and it’s still just as cool to see them. "

Hardly had the story ended when his hands fluttered from side to side, expressing his agitation, an eloquent sign of his distress.

_ Orta: " Sorry, I’ve been talking a lot. I hope I didn't bore you. "

_ Shailly: " No, not at all, it was interesting. "

_ Hazel: " Thanks to you, we know a bit more about our tutors now. "

_ Orta: " Well, I'm glad then. " she said, with a smile on her face.

Her portion almost finished, her mouth half-full, she rushes to start a new conversation.

_ Orta: “ And what about you guys?? Why are you out here? “

A shared look replaces the words that no one dares to say. Then, I decide to go for it.

_ Ayden: “ Basically, we left our village to… “

I explain all our adventures to him, from Edna's group and Blaike's group to the death of our companions and even the escape from the hyenas.

_ Orta: “ I see... You lost two companions in this whole ordeal… ”

A heavy silence falls over us, each of us weighed down by a palpable bitterness. Seeing this desolation, she strives to instill a breath of peace.

_ Orta: " You may not know the circumstances of Moana’s death, but I am sure she made an admirable sacrifice. "

Suddenly, a figure rises.

_ Maïko: “ I’m sure of it! ” she says, her fist clenched.

A faint smile appeared on Shailly's face as she saw her friend galvanized despite her sensitivity.

_ Edna: " So, the woman with them was their leader. "

Then, she fixes her gaze on the floor.

_ Edna: “ Thinking back on it… Standing before her, it was the first time in my life that I was truly afraid of someone. ”

A silent rage engulfs her, manifesting in the inexorable clenching of her fist. Immediately after, her jaw tightens so hard that her teeth grind under the pressure.

_ Edna: " I never want to feel this way again! "

With the last skewer gone, a new question arises.

_ Orta: " I should have asked you sooner, but how old are you? "

_ Hazel: " Mostly 9. "

_ Orta: " So young… "

_ Edna: " What?? "

Surprised by this exclamation, we are targeting it.

_ Edna: " Stop talking shit! "

_ Son: " What? "

_ Edna: " We’re the same age. "

_ Son : " Huh? Are you crazy? Have you seen how tall you are? No way we're the same age. "

_ Matilio : " Why the attitude? " he said, gesturing toward the hooded girl.

_ Edna: " I’m taller than average and they are a normal size, so to me, it felt like we were the same age. "

_ Matilio: “ I see. You are likely unaware that, depending on the Zone, the ecosystem can influence living beings, whether through their morphology or even their overall constitution. ”

_ Edna: “ ... ”

The brief silence is broken by a light laugh, stretching their lips into an unexpected smile.

_ Son: “ Why are you laughing? “

_ Edna: " So, you’re nothing but little shits. "

Eyebrows furrowed immediately.

_ Son: “ What did you say?? ” he asked, standing up.

_ Ayden: “ Don’t answer; she’s just baiting us. ”

Gradually, her smile fades as she looks away, leaving her face neutral.

_ Edna: “ So, I got trashed by those little brat twins when they’re younger than I am. The South Zone is just teeming with great surprises. ”

A new voice followed, cutting his/her thoughts short.

_ Orta: " So, how old are you, then? "

_ Edna: " 14. "

Everyone, myself included, has dilated pupils, most with their mouths slightly open.

_ Son: " Wait, for real?? You’re almost the same height as Tutor Keren; I thought you’d be in your twenties! "

_ Orta: " Even Gwen was shorter than you at the same age, haha. "

_ Matilio: " That explains your reaction from earlier a bit more. "

While most people are surprised by its size, I'm focusing on something else entirely.

_ Ayden: " A Sourceless with this level of power? That's impressive. Every Zone might have its own specialty. This is truly interesting. "

_ Orta: " Every single one of them managed to survive in this Forest. At their age, it’s just insane. Who knows… "

Then, cross your arms.

_ Orta: “ I might be facing little prodigies. “

After that, she gets up.

_ Orta: " Right, enough talk. I’m going to tell you what you want to know. "