Tales Of Darkness And Light
Chapter 34's

The silphi ship is a large and beautiful ship. Black in color and has three large sail masts, the facilities inside the ship are also very smart, even though the ship is actually a warship. Starting to sail from the Port City of Denethor to the Kingdom of Catax, the crew walked there and there to open the ship's sail and warm the anchor.

The apple and Regis on the deck of the ship did not care about their surroundings. Sitting looking up his head looking up at the sky, Apple tried to control himself. The feeling of worry, anxiety and fear that suddenly attacked him two days ago was no longer felt. However, he still could not erase all the feelings of worry and uneasiness that he had in his heart since he was separated from Rue.

Regis who was from earlier staring at the sea with an expressionless face turned his face towards Apple. Apparently, the young man had returned as usual, he did not look angry and imitated the people around him anymore.

"Sister Apple, who's Rue?" ask Regis suddenly. He was very curious about the girl named Rue who often mentioned Apple. Although it had only followed them for not long, he knew, the purpose of them all traveling to the Catax Kingdom in a hurry was to find the girl named Rue and her friend. It seems that the two girls were captured by robbers and will be taken to the Kingdom of Catax.

"Dia—" replied Apple quietly. "She's a stupid girl."

"Stupid?"

"Yes," Apple nodded its head slowly. A small smile filled his face. "She's the dumbest girl in the world."

Years of living together in the forbidden forest, the girl had seen the real thing that Apple wanted to hide the most. But, even so, he never left her. Never fear nor disgust at her being so pitiful, that's why—Rue is the dumbest girl in the world

Regis did not understand Apple's answer. If Rue was the dumbest girl in the world, why would Apple look for her? With the nature and way of thinking of Apples, a foolish girl was definitely the type of human she would avoid if she met. "I don't understand what you mean, Brother Apple?"

"If you meet him, you'll understand by yourself I mean." Reply Apple flatly without looking towards Regis.

Regis did not ask about Rue anymore, because, even if everything would be in vain—he would not know who Rue was. He would look forward to his meeting with the girl and judge for himself what exactly the girl who was said to be the dumbest girl in the world by Apples.

"Sir Apple," call Regis again. Clenching both of his hands, he looked straight at the Apple that was beside him. "You're very strong. Can you teach me how to fight?"

The apple turned its head towards Regis upon hearing the boy's request. "Why? Is it because you want to avenge the treatment of those who have been oppressing you?"

Regis shook his head. "Because I want to be strong in order to protect myself—and also, I don't want to trouble you constantly, Sister Apple."

"Don't you hate them?"

Regis shook his head again. "I don't know. I don't know if I hate them, because all I know is that I hate myself."

Apple said nothing, she just silently heard Regis's reply.

"Sir Apple," call Regis slowly. He hesitated a little, but he did not want to hide anything from the Apples that had received it. "I can't curse someone dead like the villagers said. I have a strange ability. I can see the time of someone's death through dreams. However, every death I see in a dream is proven, everyone will assume I am the culprit, and also, the misfortune that always follows me wherever I go makes everyone hate and stay away from me."

The apple remained silent despite hearing Regis' explanation. He did not give the slightest reaction, however, he understood very well his intention—because that was also him.

"Sister Apple, after knowing all this, are you going to hate me and stay away from me?" ask Regis slowly a little scared.

Apple smiled slightly and patted Regis on the head, "I don't hate you and also, I won't stay away from you," he replied softly. "I'll teach you how to fight, and also, I'll teach you how to use magic."

"Magic?"

"Yes. You have an amazing talent for magic, Regis."

Regis smiled as soon as he heard the words Apple. He was very happy to hear Apples reply "Thank you, Sister Apple."

"It turns out you're here, huh?" fedrick's voice suddenly interrupted Apple and Regis's conversation. Staring at the source of the voice, they saw the Prince Crussader walking towards them with a smile. "You better eat first, Apple, Regis. Food is ready."

"You eat only Regis," lowered his hand over Regis' head, Apple said softly. "I'm not hungry. Meet me once you're ready to eat, I'll start teaching you how to fight as well as magic."

Regis nodded his head. Without saying anything else, he immediately stood up and ran off the deck of the ship towards the canteen of the ship.

The apple stared at the figure of Regis who was running away leaving him. The child is very similar to him, both in terms of way of thinking, attitude and way of life. But he also knows. Regis is different from him. He is not a cursed creature like him, and also, he has no sin and a painful destiny to bear forever.

"Apel, you want to teach Regis how to fight and magic?" fedrick asked who had been beside Apple while looking at him.

The apple nodded its head in response.

Fedrick smiled and looked up at the blue sky above. "I envy you, Apple. You are so strong, I am so weak. In fact, even though I have managed to master the magic of controlling the beasts of my family's pride, I still can't help my many— is really useless."

In their journey from the beginning until now, Fedrick knew, he didn't help much. Moreover, this all happened because he was too weak and could not keep his promise to keep Rue well.

"My strength is only to destroy, absolutely nothing to be proud of," Apple's reply suddenly shocked Fedrick. "Your strength is better, Fedrick. Your strength is gentle, and yet, it is also very strong. You don't have to worry, 'cause you're not a useless person—we won't be able to find those robbers without you."

Fedrick stared in disbelief at Apple. This was the second time the young man had mentioned his name, then, his long speech just now—was he praising him?

A big smile then filled Fedrick's handsome face, he didn't expect Apple would think so. But, most importantly; could he consider the relationship between the two of them to have made rapid progress?

Apple paid no heed to Fedrick's excitement, she looked up her head looking up at the sky, walaudia could not see anything because of the white cloth that closed her eyes. "—dan, too, there's nothing you need to get out of me like this, Fedrick."

Fedrick was silent as soon as he heard Apple's words. He did not understand the meaning of the words of Apple. But a moment later, what happened in Erfin Magic College and Bold Mountain flashed within his head.

"Apple," call Fedrick again. He dared himself to ask Apple, although he was also very hesitant and also—takut. "Who are you really? You're human, right?"

Apple didn't answer Fedrick's question. The question just now did not surprise him at all, because he already knew, the young man had realized and doubted his true identity. "You think?" his question then without lowering his head looked up at the sky.

"Eh?? I-that's. I think. that's.." stammered and disjointed, Fedrick confusedly answered Apple's question. She had not expected Apple to ask back like that.

Apple smiled faintly at Fedrick's reply. Fedrick's attitude now made him think of Rue. He realized in their journey, between Rue and Fedrick there was a similarity, namely; the attitude and nature of their— who live in a world of light.

Fedrick did not believe what he saw. Apple smiled, this was the first time she had seen Apple smiling at her.

Seeing the smile of Apple, Fedrick could not help but laugh happily. Apples are very closed people. However, it seemed like he had already started to open up to her. He felt very happy, and the question he had just asked felt unimportant. Apples are his friends, whoever he is or whatever creature he—it doesn't matter anymore.

"Alright, Apples. Forget my question just now. I know you're not hungry, but you still have to eat. I'll bring you food here—we'll eat together here." Fedrick smiled as he looked at Apple and walked away leaving him.

Apple did not stop Fedrick or reject his offer. Lowering his face, his blood-red, cloth-covered eyes were fixed on Fedrick's back who was walking away.

Envied.

Fedrick envied him? If Fedrick knew who he really was and what his power meant, he doubted Fedrick would still be envious of him. His strength was not something to be proud of, in fact, he hated his strength greatly.

"There's nothing you need to get out of me, Fedrick.."

......................