SURVIVORS
Chapters 136. The Fallen Angel's
Dean sat down in front of the city chief after delivering Yoshi to rest. They talked about yesterday's events and the findings of other creatures in the forest that might be connected to the city chief.
"So, can you explain where you came from?" dean asked casually.
The city leader was silent. His gaze was directed out the large window of the residence. It was as if there was something that really caught his attention among the refractive luminescence of sunlight at sea level. Dean gave him time to compose the word and took a look at the bay.
Then suddenly the room grew brighter and luminous with the ripples of sea water under the sun. Dean turned to the city lord to ask the phenomenon.
But not a word said. Because Dean can't even trust his own eyes. The radiant light came from the body of the city chief. His body looked transparent like a twinkling clear crystal. Very different from the light coming out of Dean, Alan and Sunil.
"Did Bi and Yoshi know you were like this?" Dean's question is still in shock.
The city leader nodded.
"Of course they know. I never hid anything from my wife and daughter."
"Does Yoshi also have wings?" ask Dean carefully.
"Yes. For so long we lived together on this island and appeared as it was. There came a boat that almost sank near the cliff. They are ordinary people without wings. Before helping them, Bi asked me if I could hide my wings to avoid anything untoward that might happen."
"So you taught him how to hide his wings?" Dean confirmed.
"Yes. And fortunately, he also has the ability to fly like Bi has. So Yo would rather hide her wings." The city leader nodded.
"How can you be in this world? Hemm, I mean, before you met Bi." Dean asked.
"We live in a star cluster. The peaceful country. Until one day, another creature attacks and destroys the place. They wiped out most of our peace-loving nation. We lost without a fight."
"Me and a group of other teenagers were sent away to distant and unfamiliar places. Which I think, even the attendant doesn't know where it is and how dangerous it is."
"When we got there, we were surrounded by trees. Like a thick forest. That place is beautiful. And we decided to stay there. Although it's not easy to start something from scratch, but we live quietly and peacefully."
"But the peace did not last long. One day while hunting, we found a wounded man. Like fighting a beast. We helped him to heal. Then he left."
"Only a week. Some foreigners like the ones we helped back then, came to the middle of the forest where we lived. They ransacked the place, burning down the cottages we had built with great difficulty. They kidnapped some of our women. Those who resist and try to help end up dead. They're very strong. We saved the remaining ones by flying away."
The city leader rubbed his eyes.
"Every time I remember this, it feels like my ears can still hear the cries of fear and the cries of the women they kidnapped. I saw them being dragged. Beaten and carried on the shoulder and taken away."
"After the stranger disappeared in the forest, we saved the wounded. Burying the dead. Then leave that place. We're looking for the biggest forest and a long way from there to hide."
"But our existence was already spread in that world. In the end the ones hunting us came from several races. I don't know what's going on until they're desperate to catch us."
"One day, we were chased again. Our group was left with only 15 of the 100 people sent away. Here live 1 woman who we continue to take care of and are pregnant. That we do to preserve the purity of the blood of our last nation. But while trying to fly, they threw a net and snared its wings. Her husband tried to help. But they shot him vile to death. Still ringing in my ears howls the woman saw the light of her husband's life fade. He continued to hug her from behind the ensnaring mesh. Until those people let go of her embrace by force. And throw my friend's body into the abyss."
"After that we stayed away. Then find a small island. We settled there. Avoiding everyone. There's a sense of regret, why didn't we find the island in the first place to hide."
"That's how we live day by day. It is impossible to carry on the pure blood of our nation. So we just survive simply."
"One day my two friends got a turn to go to sea, looking for fish. I never thought something would fall from the sky. It caused a huge wave that directly hit and overturned our small boat. Made me faint and stranded on this beach. Then I found Bi too. Somehow my friends after that."
The city chief fell silent while glaring at his past. The scars of life became more visible on his face.
"I remember the stories in my world about the fallen angel. You may be the last fallen angel in the world. The last pure race." Dean said as he looked out at the bay, where fishing boats swayed in the rhythm of the wind dance.
The city leader smiled. "Tell me about where you live."
They talked long enough. Sometimes there is laughter among the questions. Dean ended his visit after seeing that the old man had already forgotten his grief.
"I've got to go back. We'll try to check the dome again after Sunil wakes up."
"O yeah... Bring your women here. We'll host Yoshi's uncle and aunt." The city leader smiled.
"Maybe later. As long as the stalker hasn't been found, it's impossible to leave the empty cabin unattended." Answer Dean.
"I understand. If he were part of our race, I don't think he would be evil. Maybe he just wants to know."
"Let's talk again about that after Yoshi recovers. Maybe he can replace you persuading that creature." Said Dean.
"All right, I'm back now." Dean bares.
Dean's back in the woods. He combed the coastline to see something that might have been missed. Dean flew close to the top of the trees so as not to attract the attention of the fishermen in the sea.
The sun is high. Dean hasn't found a single clue to another world yet, so they can continue their journey home. So he marked the last area he checked.
'Continue tomorrow again', Dean.
Dean returned by passing the treetops in the middle of the forest.
"This island has a large area of virgin forest. The townspeople did not dare to come here because they had to pass through a light dome in a very dangerous forbidden forest" Dean murmured.
"You're back?" greet Michael.
"Yes. How's Sunil doing?" ask Dean.
Michael just shook his head moodyly. Dean walked into the room.
"Where are the others? Why deserted?" Ask Dean again.
Alan accompanied the women to play water under the cliff. Marianne's waiting for Sunil. And I'm standing guard here." Answer Michael.
"Hmmm.." Dean continued his steps towards the room.
"Is he making any progress?"
Marianne shakes. Dean tried to feel his pulse. His pulsations felt clearer and more regular. Dean nodded at Marianne.
"You can rest now. Let me change the wait." Said Dean.
"All right." Marianne stood up from her seat and exited the room.
"This. There was a grape juice we had made. Drink." Marianne handed the cup to Dean.
"Thank you Marianne. You always took care of us like a mother." Dean said sincerely.
"That's all I can do. Rest." Marianne disappeared behind the door.
Dean sat with his body upright on a wooden couch. Sip the drink slowly while contemplating their journey during this time.
"When did this all end? Which path leads to our world? Where should I look for clues? What about Robert and the others? Uhhh.."
Dean lowered his head between his legs.
"This trip was really frustrating. Could it be that they there thought we were dead? Why else find a way back?" Worried complaints.
"Do you think I've never thought that?"
Michael's voice came from the door. Dean saw him sitting in front of the door, facing out.
"Sometimes I think, could it be that they'll accept us again if we go back? Especially after we tell how our journey through various worlds. Will they believe it? Maybe we'll be considered crazy. Or worse, they will search for the little worlds we pass through. This peaceful and beautiful place would probably experience unimaginable chaos." Michael poured out all his turmoil.
"Should we go home?" Ask Michael who he knows.
Dean sat down. That thought filled his head as well since he was in the lush little world on the rock mountain. To be honest, if it wasn't for Widuri's insistence and the danger of the black fog, he wouldn't really want to go from there.
"It feels like, if later we can find a good place to live and have a family, I don't want to go back to a world full of frenzy and time-hursed." Dean Said.
"Yeahh. Find a peaceful and beautiful place and then we can spend retirement age there," Michael so remembered the beach where he was kidnapped. Beautiful flower fields. Beach and others.
The two men dissolved in each other's dreams.
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