THE TRACES OF THE FRIENDSHIP OF SPIRITIS AND HUMAN.
CHAPTER 4 (SHADE TREES ON THE EDGE OF THE CANYON)

One day passed and they had walked far enough away from where they had been, two young men were seen walking side by side down the road where on their left was a canyon, while on the right side stood large trees but not too many.

One of them was seen putting one of his hands behind his back, the young man wearing white clothes was also a red color. And to his left, a young man in simple ash-coloured clothes who was dominated by white and his hair bound.

They are both beings with different realms, namely spirits and humans. It was an unusual moment because after hundreds of years, spirits and humans were rediscovered. But now one of them did not know that the person walking with him was a spirit, and he was much older than he was.

The passage of time the secret will probably be uncovered and he will know it, because no matter how much someone covers the truth will one day be revealed.

"Unaware we have come a long way" Chang said, glancing at Xiuhuan.

"Time goes by very quickly, so never waste it"

"Yes you're right"

Chang yi stopped his steps and then looked at the small-looking spirit mountain from where he stood. Seeing that Xiuhuan also stopped and followed what he was doing.

"It's a mountain of spirits" Xiuhuan said.

"Yes, I heard there the dwelling place of the spirits, so they called him that"

"My sister used to love the stories of the spirits, and she was hoping to meet them" he continued.

"really?"

"Yes that's right"

The two walked back while talking, it was the beginning to friendship.

Xiuhuan looked surprised to hear Chang yi's words which turned out that he knew about it. "Then what did you tell him?"

"I told him that the spirits were good creatures, they would help anyone who was in trouble"

"Do you believe that?"

"I don't know, I haven't even met them. But someone once told me that once they and humans had a very close friendship. But because of an incident, they decided not to make any contact with humans anymore"

"Who said it?, "Xiuhuan frowned with a look of questioning because all this time humans in the present times never know if the spirit and they had a friendship.

"That's not important"

"Why?"

"Since the person who said it is gone, "Chang yi seems not to want to discuss it any further.

" ... Then you don't have to tell me," it's a good thing Xiuhuan can understand that so he doesn't continue his question.

Moments later they decided to rest under a shady tree that stood a few steps away from the canyon, from there you can see a long stretch of mountains and blue sky accompanied by white clouds and wind that blows not too strong to make the atmosphere more comfortable.

From afar, both of them were sitting there, Xiuhuan leaned his body against the tree and placed his right hand on his knees. And in front of him Chang yi sat a few steps behind him, he also straightened his legs and looked relaxed while looking at the mountains standing far away from his eyes looking.

"Our journey is long"

"Xiuhuan, are you thinking the same thing as me? it seems like all these things we see are the result of our hard work that has been going on all day," Chang yi turned to look at Xiuhan who was behind him.

From there he saw Xiuhuan closing his eyes and seemed to be enjoying the atmosphere at that time, although the wind blew his hair and almost covered part of his face it did not bother him at all. Seeing that Chang yi smiled at him then then turned his attention back to the mountain in front of him and did not bother him. He also closed both of his eyes just like Xiuhuan.

However it was only a moment when he did that, that suddenly a rustling magic flashed startling him. Chang Yi opened his eyes and they were just leaves falling from the tree, but in reality it was indeed a magic that he did not realize when he turned his entire body around Xiuhan in a blanket of light that was none other than magic that came from a pure soul in his body.

Chang yi who thought it was some fallen leaves then turned his attention to the leaves that were on top of it and it was true that all he saw was a green leaf from the tree where he was resting.

"This tree looks young but why are the leaves falling?" whispered.

Just now that he said that, from behind came the sound of a very melodious flute and there was a look of Xiuhuan playing his flute, he was also still closing his eyes. Once again Chang yi turned his attention then looked at Xiuhuan. Seeing that made him pause to look at it because it was the first time Chang yi had heard such a melodious flute sound.

Chang yi let Xiuhuan play the song, then went back to seeing what was in front of him while listening to him, the tone that the spirit youth was playing in now sounded different from before, all the positive energy seemed to surround Chang yi's body and make him feel better.

...****************...

The night came, and without them knowing it they were asleep there. The first person to wake up was Chang yi, he gasped when he saw the atmosphere was already at night.

"Tu-Wait it's night now?"

The once bright sky now shows a dark color or night, there are also sounds of night animals such as owls and wolves. The wind that previously felt warm was now cold.

"It seems like I overslept, "Chang yi then saw Xiuhuan who was still sleeping in a sitting position and tilted his head to the side, he was also seen holding his white flute.

After that Chang yi then whispered. "How could he sleep like that?"

"But the song he played was so melodious, it seemed like he was an expert player"

After that Chang yi decided to look for some twigs to make a bonfire, because that night it felt very cold.

"Alright I'll go for a while, "he left Xiuhuan to look for a tree branch.

It didn't take long for some twigs to finally gather, after which Chang yi sat down at the previous place and was about to light a fire. He then took out a red piece of paper from his hand, then the paper burned by itself, after which Chang yi placed it on top of the twig he had stacked.

"Hahh is better now, "he said as he cleaned his palms.

Not long after that Xiuhuan woke up, the first thing he saw was a bonfire in front of his eyes. Just like Chang yi he was also surprised when he saw that it was already night.

"Eh? is the sky dark?"

"Hem" Chang yi replied as he nodded his head.

The man then looked at the bonfire in front of him as well as Chang yi who was sitting not far from there. He then asked her about the fire.

"You made it?"

"Yes, it's very cold so I made it"

" ... Was it from earlier?"

"Ah no, I just woke up a few minutes ago"

Xiuhuan shifted his body to get a little closer to the fire, and after that again asked him. "Is it midnight now?"

"Emmm if you look from the moon's position, it's now morning" Chang yi returned to reply while looking at the sky.

"Then we slept for a very long time, from noon until now"

"It's only natural, we're walking all day and exhausted"

After that both of them just looked at the fireplace and did not say anything more, until suddenly an unexpected event just happened. Xiuhuan who looked still sleepy was startled by the appearance of insects jumping towards him, at first he did not realize it was an insect and thought only a leaf had fallen from the top of the tree. But as he opened his eyes wider how surprised Xiuhuan was that the one who had just jumped at him was an insect.

"Aaa!!, "looking at it immediately made him shout because insects were his greatest enemies during his life of hundreds of years.

"A-What's up?" Chang yi who saw that was also shocked and stood away from the fireplace like him.

"That's it?, "By using his flute Xiuhuan pointed at the insect, and his face looked so frightened that even his body trembled. It is very surprising that a man with a large body also seems to be afraid of such animals, but that is the reality.

"It's just an insect" Chang yi said in disbelief at what he saw, before he had thought it was something as terrifying as a snake or a scorpion. But it turned out to be just a small insect and nothing.

"I thought you saw something terrible, "he looks back sitting with a slightly irritated look on his face.

The frightened Xiuhuan continued to stand while watching the insect as he was afraid that the animal would fly towards him. But Chang yi who noticed it then told him to sit back.

"Let's go you'll be cold"

"I don't want to"

"Why?"

"The insect?"

"You scared?"

Xiuhuan slightly nodded his head with a flushed face embarrassed that he was afraid of such a small animal.

"Good God that's embarrassing"

"Everyone has their own fears!, "feeling Chang yi mocking him he now looks angry because he does not like his words.

"Alright, I'll get rid of him" Chang yi forced to stand up again and was about to keep the animal away from there.

"Give me your flute"

"For what?"

"For what else but to throw him out!"

"Don't use this, find something else"

Chang yi looked at him with a slight annoyance, he could not believe it turned out that the person with a tall body and looked brave seemed to be afraid of such a small insect.

"Why do you see me like that? quickly get rid of him!"

"Let me tell you, your body is just a display, "Chang yi then took the rest of the twigs to dispose of the insects. After that he sat back down and followed Xiuhuan who was now sitting a little close to him. With the same face Chang yi looked at the man who had just sat down, then said.

"It turns out that it's true, we can't see a person just from the outside, "after that he turned his attention to the campfire.

"Shut your mouth or I will push you down there" Xiuhuan replied as he brandished his flute and looked at her with a horrifying look.

Not long after dawn arrived and visible tinge of orange on the sky emanated by the sun was seen to swell, also the sound of birds chirping in the morning began to be heard, from there they can see a new sun rising from the east.

"The color of the sky in the morning looks attractive" said Chang yi who was amazed to see it.

"Krukkruk?"

Xiuhuan's bellied voice distracted his cool looking at the sky, and for the umpteenth time with a surprised face Chang yi looked at him while the shy Xiuhuan looked unable to hide it, he also seemed to be holding onto his stomach which had just let out that sound.

"Don't look at me like that"

The bewildered Chang Yi had to say what then take her back for a walk, as a few more meters would be visible to a city and there Xiuhuan could fill her starving stomach as well as her.

"Let's go, "he asked as he stood up.

...****************...

"Now ahead there will be a city that is not too big" said Chang yi.

"Awhile we will stop there and buy food" he continued.

"Hem"

From far away began to look a city gate that looks high and made of wood brown, even there is also a lotus flower carving made of gold like an advanced city, Xiuhuan and Chang yi who had just arrived in front of the gate looked puzzled as they did not find any writing usually written on the top of the gate or beside the gate indicating the name of the city. And strangely when they just arrived there, the gripping air came suddenly and it was like coming from inside the city.

For a moment they were silent and seemed hesitant to enter it, because it was not just that. They also saw the strange behavior of the people who lived there, that there was no interaction with each other like other cities, also their faces looked flat and pale.

"Why are you quiet? let's go inside" Chang yi asked sounding troubled.

Chang yi and Xiuhuan then entered while thinking positively and trying not to think of anything strange, but when they arrived inside suddenly a wind came that felt like it was piercing their skin, it even makes them both goosebumps. Again Xiuhuan and Chang yi fell silent but this time while watching the people there.

"Finally we arrive here, this city is very interesting and unique, "with a voice that sounds excited while smiling Xiuhuan embraces Chang yi's shoulders and the two are now accelerating their footsteps.

"Ah haha yes you are right"

"Aren't you hungry? let's go eat haha"

"Let's go, "return Xiuhuan while giving him a code to immediately find a place to eat so they can hide in it.

Of the many people there were only the two of them who looked ordinary, even when the two of them were talking in a loud tone not a single person glanced at them.

"This place is really strange" whispered Xiuhuan who was still embracing Chang yi.

"Yes you're right, though there are a lot of people around us but somehow I just feel like there's only two of us"

"I don't really want to eat here, but I'm too hungry so I have to"

"I'm the same as you, hopefully it doesn't look like them"

After that the two entered a place to eat, there was quite crowded but people just fell silent and they also did not touch some food on the table.

Chang yi and Xiuhuan then sat at one of the empty tables, but after that the two seemed hesitant to call the maid.

"Why silence? quickly call one of the servants here" Xiuhuan said.

"I? no, you and you're very hungry anyway"

Not a single one of them dared to call out to him, until a few minutes had passed and they were still there with stomachs that did not stop ringing. Then a waiter approached the two with a meal complete with tea and wine, but they had not ordered anything. The two exchanged glances in surprise at the waiter who suddenly brought a lot of food for them.

"I'm sorry eeee? but we haven't ordered anything?" chang yi said.

The waiter did not answer him and left after putting some mouthwatering food on the table, the two of them looked up at the empty-looking eyes of the servant.

"He didn't answer me"

"Maybe he's lazy to talk to you" Xiuhuan replied as he stuffed food into his mouth.

"Where do you know?, eh? Xiuhuan why did you eat it?"

"Of course it's because I'm hungry"

"But? ..."

"If you don't want me to spend it"

"Don't be greedy I'm hungry too!"

The two began to eat the food that the waiter brought, at that moment they seemed to forget about the people around them and attach importance to the food on the table.

"Gosh, when was the last time you ate? you look like a greedy person" Chang yi said looking at Xiuhuan who was eating meat so voraciously.

Xiuhuan did not pester him, he continued to eat the meat that was on the table. It was only natural because while in the forest he had eaten were only fruits, and while visiting the human world for the first time Xiuhuan ate meat, he had only eaten meat, since then meat is his favorite food so no wonder if he will be so greedy when eating it.

"Although I rarely eat and once I eat, I never look like a starving person" Chang yi continued.

A few minutes later all the food was gone and with only tea and wine left, the waiter came to them and was about to pick up dirty bowls and chopsticks.

"Wait for us not to pay" Xiuhuan said, seeing him leave after taking him.

In a soft voice the servant replied. "Your money is not needed here"

"really? th-thank you"

"Ahhh now he is talking" Chang yi said after drinking tea.

"Xiuhuan don't daydream, "he then realized Xiuhuan was suddenly daydreaming.

"What are you thinking?"

"I feel guilty"

"That's it?"

"Hem, because I ate too much and it turned out that the food was free"

"Wait, do you feel guilty about eating too much?"

"Yes"

"That's not necessary, it should be me who feels that way because I just ate a little and most of you ate it!"

They then drank the few glasses of tea that were still on the table while quietly watching around.

"Xiuhuan came here, "in the midst of that silence Chang yi suddenly whispered to Xiuhuan and told him to come closer.

"What?" Xiuhuan then followed his orders by slightly pushing his body and was about to listen to him speak.

"Xiuhuan actually I've never been here"

"What do you mean? so how do you know there's a town around here?"

"A few years ago when me and the others were just driven out of the city we had previously occupied, we had stopped by a city not far from the canyon. But as I remember, the city is not the same as this city"

"Everyone looks ordinary unlike them, and next to the entrance gate is also written the name of the city, but strangely when we stood before the gate I did not see any writing. And not only that, the gate looks different because as I recall there are no lotus flower carvings on each side"

"really?"

"Yes that's right"

"Then what city are we in today?"

"The ghost town, "so smilingly grinned Chang yi said that all of a sudden. Xiuhuan gasped at his words, accidentally spitting out the tea he had just drank on the face of Chang yi who was in front of him.

"What are you doing?, "because it was Chang yi who looked upset.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean it, why did you say that anyway?"

"Because it's true, you just pay attention to them. They didn't do anything"

"In addition, didn't you see the servant's eyes? it was like a blank look and his entire face also looked extremely pale. The way it goes is not the way we do"

"Then let's get out of here" Xiuhuan asked.

Xiuhuan and Chang yi then rushed away from the city, but just as they had just walked out of the dining area, they were, the city that was previously filled with people now looks lonely and also the condition is like a city that has long been uninhabited. Some buildings looked destroyed and suddenly smelled a foul smell.

Slowly the two walked while looking around, there were also blood spots on the ground in the middle of which they were stuck, and the number was not only one but there were many. Then suddenly the door of the room that they had just come to suddenly closed so hard, they also had time to see inside there was no one when before there were many people sitting.

"I guessed it" Chang yi said.

"Let's go" Xiuhuan asked.

Soon Xiuhuan and Chang yi were about to walk towards the gate, but they did not get there and instead it felt like they were getting further away, when they saw the gate in front of their eyes. Eventually, both of them started to get tired.

"Wait to stop, it's useless since we didn't get there" said Chang yi who looks tired.

"No, we have to get out of here or we'll be here forever"

"For ever?"

"This place is filled with spirits with negative energy and they are watching us from earlier"

"Now I get it, this is all their game for us to come here. Because actually the town you were referring to was around the canyon, but they covered our vision and led us here"

"Arwah?, "suddenly Chang yi felt that someone was walking towards them, he then turned to look back. And it turned out to be true, there was a headless woman walking closer to the two.

"Huh? Xi - Xiu huan?, "seeing that clearly made him tremble which then patted slowly Xiuhuan's shoulder for him to also turn around and look at her.

"What?"

"Now where do you follow my eyes, after that you tell me do you also see a headless woman with blood in her tattered clothes walking towards us?"

Xiuhuan who was astonished by his words followed what he said, when he turned around he also saw what Chang yi was seeing. But he also saw the woman holding her head.

"You're right, but it looks like what I saw was not just a headless woman but that woman was also carrying her head in one of her hands"

"Re-really?"

"Huh?, "Chang yi then turned his attention to the woman's hand, and it turned out that it was true that he was holding his head while walking towards them.

Then suddenly from behind someone holding their shoulders, Chang yi and Xiuhuan looked at that person's hand that was red with blood.Then they both turned around and looked at him, although scared and trembling but they are also curious to know who the person who is now behind them.

Slowly the two looked back, and it turned out that it was the headless woman's hand that was suddenly behind them, somehow. Chang yi and Xiuhuan were trembling in fear, they actually wanted to run away but suddenly their legs were motionless. From there the two clearly saw a headless body with blood constantly pouring from its neck very close to them.

The woman's hands then slowly touched their faces, and as her hands covered both of Chang yi and Xiuhuan's eyes, instantly the sight of the two darkened as well suddenly heard terrifying screams in their ears.

The screams were getting louder even the two seemed to be unable to hear it because of the loudness, until a moment later the voice disappeared and now only a long buzzing sound was heard. After that, both were unconscious.