Just as my crimson skeleton was about to crush the clone's head…
It suddenly melted into the ground.
I quickly created some distance between us.
The coins in the sky earlier…
It's Gabriel's doing.
"Return," I whispered.
My skeleton liquefied and returned to my body.
I sighed, then fell to the ground in exhaustion.
"Hey!"
A voice.
A voice!
I quickly sat up and saw Gabriel approaching, then relaxed.
"Are you still alive, Loras?" he said as he held his wounded shoulder.
"Unfortunately. How about you, Mister Gabriel?" I asked as I slowly stood up.
"Don't worry about me, Loras."
"Where are the others?" he asked as he looked around our destroyed village.
"They headed west. There's a cave there."
"If we hurry, we could catch up to the Chief and Jean," I said as I walked clumsily.
Gabriel walked beside me silently.
He kept holding his shoulder, healing it in the process.
— Meanwhile —
Jean's POV
...
I breathed heavily as we hurried toward the cave.
"Chief, we're almost there… People will get you treated."
As we approached the cave, some people gave us concerned looks.
A girl suddenly approached us.
"Get out of the way."
"Chief!"
"Can you hear me?"
The Chief slowly opened his eyes.
"Just… treat me already. The tendrils poisoned me…"
Poisoned?
I glanced at him.
Then I noticed some tiny holes around his arms.
The girl gestured for me to follow her, so I settled the Chief down.
Then, the girl started treating him.
I watched in silence, but something felt off…
I wandered around, thinking about it… until I reached the cave's entrance.
When I looked forward, I saw two figures approaching.
My eyes lit up momentarily, forgetting about everything else.
I ran toward them.
"Gabriel! Loras!"
"Mister Jean, be careful. We're wounded," Loras said as he struggled to drag his leg.
I scooped up his other arm, offering him assistance.
Gabriel then pointed to himself with a cheeky smile.
"How about me, kid?"
I continued walking with Loras, then gave him a side-eye.
"Deal with it."
After that, I laid Loras down near the Chief.
Gabriel stood beside me, now fully healed.
I glanced at him and noticed how he was searching around for…
something…
someone…
Gabriel noticed me and quickly smiled.
"Yo, kid! Can you take everyone outside for me?"
I stared at him, as if trying to figure out what was going on, before standing up.
One by one, I gathered the villagers outside.
We stood outside the cave, waiting for him.
An hour later, Gabriel still hadn't returned.
So I began to grow suspicious…
But just as I was about to make a move, he emerged from the cave.
"Sorry if I took too long. I've got some business to deal with."
"Anyways, let's get moving… We should fix your village right away!"
"Elders, stay with our healer and help the other injured people…"
"The rest, let's work on the houses."
I watched the people follow Gabriel's instructions with awe in my eyes.
After days of labor, we were done.
The village threw a celebration.
I sat in the corner, alone, still thinking about something.
Then—
THUMP.
Gabriel tapped my shoulder and smiled.
"Why are you all alone, kid?"
I stared at my food, then answered.
"Just thinking."
Gabriel didn't respond, but he nodded.
"There's been something bothering me, but I couldn't quite figure it out…"
"It feels like something is missi—"
Gabriel suddenly grabbed my shoulder and shook me.
"Don't think too much, kid. You're still young."
"Your siblings will be fine."
I looked at him, then tilted my head.
"How did you know about that?"
Gabriel stayed silent.
…
"Loras filled me in."
"Anyways, like I said, don't think much of it, kid."
Gabriel started chugging his drink, then let out a satisfied sigh.
"Ahhhhh!"
He brushed his mouth.
"After all, I'll be taking you... We're going to find them."
I stared at Gabriel, then reluctantly started eating again.
Taking his advice not to stress myself over it.
The next day, I was up so early.
The birds weren't even singing yet.
Gabriel set up his carriage while Loras checked on me.
"Pardon us, Mister Jean, but... The Chief decided to let Mister Gabriel take care of you."
"We wouldn't be able to protect you if Envy returned."
He tapped my shoulder and handed me a short blade.
"Take this. Use it to protect yourself."
I slowly reached out and unsheathed it.
"Take care, Mister Jean."
Loras bowed to me before leaving.
I stayed standing there, staring at the blade.
...
Then—
"HEEEEEEY!"
Gabriel shouted.
"We're going now, kid."
I quickly slipped the blade onto my waist and hopped onto the carriage.
The carriage moved as Gabriel guided the horses.
One last time,
I glanced at the village that welcomed me.
The village that kept me safe.
As it slowly grew smaller in the distance,
a shiver ran down my spine...
Something still bothered me.
I don't know what.