His Beloved: A Simple Trick Game

Pablo was reminiscing. Long, long ago…

Pablo was lying on the roof, staring at the blue sky. He wanted to have fun and play with his new friend, and then get to know her more.

His new friend was mysterious. He found her weird. But the moment she showed an unusual smile, he started feeling safe around her.

She was really good at comforting. Though it doesn’t happen much to him, but every time it does, he feels fine in a matter of seconds. Just like that time in the river after they left Ban’s village. It was unexpected for him, but he was very thankful. After they left the village where uncle Ban was, she stayed with him until he felt relief. It was so helpful for him, but couldn’t get the chance to thank her.

Occasionally, whenever they were left alone, he sees the version of her that the others don’t know of. ‘It was the best her’ he always thought so.

In their way to the village Deneb mentioned, he remembered about his late parents. She talked to him to enlighten him, and even said he have permission to hug her anytime he feels like it.

“Why would even bother saving me?” he asked. “You’re important to me,” Pablo felt so relaxed in her arms that he wanted to sleep and never wake up, comforted by her. “Am I really important?”, “Of course, you are,” Pablo hugged her tighter. “Like, how important?”, “You are the most important person to me,” Pablo felt sad after hearing it, and untightened his hug. “Is that so?”, “Yes”, “Then, that’s a shame,” a knife appeared in his hands and used it to stab the girl hugging him. “You know, I really like your kind and soft side. Too bad this one was not real”, “Really?” the girl started dissolving into air. “Is that really just what you loved about me?”, “…And your fainted-colored red eyes, too. I think they are really beautiful.” Then she disappeared completely in his arms.

Pablo was lying on the roof, staring at the sky. He wanted to have fun and play with his new friend, and then get to know her more. But at that time, he was still frightened about her every mysterious action. He gave up on approaching her, kind of afraid of her. Just when he was about to just sleep, the girl’s companion asked what was wrong. After hearing the issue, she said the two of them play with the rocks she found, with the bones and skulls they forgot to burry in the sand. His mood lit up, and the two enjoyed playing together.

His newer friend was mysterious. He found her weird. She was always emotionless, and barely react to anything. But the moment she showed an unusual smile during that night she told him about her and her mistress, he started feeling a lot safe around her.

She was really good at comforting. Though it doesn’t look like it, and doesn’t happen much, but every time it does, he feels fine in a matter of seconds. Just like that time in the river after they left Ban’s village. Despite Pablo living with other humans before, he felt really close to Ban, and the departure was hard for him. She stayed in his tent, and gave the idea to write something until he fell asleep. It was unexpected for him, but he was very thankful.

Occasionally, whenever they were left alone, he sees the version of her that the others don’t know of. ‘It was the best her’ he always thought so. ‘The kind, soft one.’

In their way to the village Deneb mentioned, he remembered about his late parents. She talked to him when he was lying on the tree. She gave her their ripest mango, gave him a warm smile, and even said he have permission to hug her anytime he feels like it. Even that very moment, he did hug her, and she gently patted him.

Pablo broke out of the illusion, and retrieved his grown body again. Even the knife which was made by his imagination, disappeared. He stood up, and faced the amazed merchant again, but with a fierce look this time. “Whoa, lad. Good job breaking out from that. How’d you do that?”, “Even if you try to make me believe it, it won’t work. I know it for myself, after all. I can never be Carnelia’s most important person. It will always be Xadulo,” Pablo said with life in his tone. Suddenly, a spear produced by his mind appeared in his hands.

“And let’s say that if I kill this Xadulo, will you be your beloved’s most precious person?” the merchant said, as if making a good deal. Pablo, however, just pointed his spear towards him. “You can’t. and even if you can, I won’t let you”, “Why so?”, “Xadulo is still a friend who saved me from solitude. Even if she wasn’t, on what part of hell is it fine to let you kill the person Carnelia had been protecting all her life?”, “Well, sure that makes sense,” the merchant laughed.

“Why are you targeting me?”, “To take revenge. Pedro’s dead, anyway. You’re all that’s left”, “That doesn’t make any sense. How would your anger reach him if you pour it onto me?”, “Because it’s fun! You kids do anything for fun, too, right? Kill anyone, burn villages down, steal… we are not different from each other!”, “…Fine. I’ll play along. What’s the game?” the merchant wore a big, scary smile. “That was the most unexpected answer I have ever received! Alright, a‘right, I’ll tell ya! All you have to do is find the way out of here while you escape death.”