Gloathiac approached Orlan, guilty of his actions. He stepped upon the broken ground, placing indistinctable footsteps.
Due the time he had erupted in anger, he had forgotten the lost arm of his uncle. Now it was mashed up from the collapse.
He lifted his right hand towards a near spot and mysteriously exploded a series of packed blocks and bricks along with some wooden fragments. It blew up and scattered out, meanwhile, a mangled arm floated up with a spherical cover produced by compression of wind. The wind was naturally willed by him. The past bulging and muscled form of the arm had lost its shine, instead, grisly wounds that dripped with blood was plastered on it.
Gloathiac's expression looked hurt as he hovered it towards him. His palm glowed with healing properties, the mix color of verdant green and holy white. It was already prepared to grasp the arm, and when it touched, the composition of the arm rapidly renews its past form. It healed quickly that it finally returned its original appearance: the big arm of Orlan. He looked at his uncle's frail state.
Orlan was breathing weakly but his pale face was visibly seen returning its color. His eyes stayed at Gloathiac, curled his lips jocosely. "Brat, you finally become clearheaded. Come and heal already your uncle."
"Mmm" Gloathiac nodded as he vanished and appeared beside his uncle. He placed his uncle's disconnected arm back to its correct place. Afterwards, while he still touched his uncle's skin, his hand used his healing and glowed comely.
"Hey, kid, are you alright?" Orlan tried to keep his usual smile, but it seemed hard to control it. His eyes clearly showed the light of sorrow.
However, Gloathiac didn't respond. He replied with silence. He continued to reform his uncle's body back to normal. If he used his elemental powers in a distance, the effect lessened on a higher degree. Hence, Orlan was still weak. Now that he was point zero distance, it was maximized.
Orlan's face still carried the wounds when his mouth was shredded. But currently, it swiftly formed scabs then to scars until it was gone. The lost arm finally connected. Everything was finally good. Only then, he pulled off his hand.
Small clouds gathered on the golden sky, a negligible amount from sky's wide expanse but it managed to cast its shadows to the two.
Looking at his nephew's grieving expression, Orlan consoled, "I know it hurts. But we must continue to live on. That was what your parents will also likely say."
Hearing the word "parent", his expression changed. His heart felt pain but something darkness swelled within. Rage and Hate rose up within him.
However, Orlan snapped him back to his senses as he called his name, "Gloathiac"
Gloathiac rationalized. He then unyieldingly eyed his uncle, "Uncle, they died unjustly. How can I not bear hatred to the ones who killed them? We didn't even do anything."
Orlan's feelings surged with guiltiness. "I'm sorry Gloathiac. I think I'm the one who caused all of this."
Gloathic's felt as though his entire head was buzzing. "U- uncle, You caused all of this? I don't believe it. What did you do wrong?"
"Because I let my greed does this to us. If I just had become more low profile every time I entered the city, recklessly selling valuable beast parts, this should have never happened to us. Gloathiac, I'm sorry. I'm very sorry." Orlan's eyes became wet, his two arms patted on Glothiac's tiny shoulders.
"Uncle… mom and father are dead... Did they die because of you?" Gloathiac teared up again when his expression suddenly became insistent. "I don't believe it. Uncle, you're my idol! How can you make a mistake?"
"Gloathiac, it's the truth. I have not covered my footsteps well. They must have followed me into this house. My greed was the reason for all of it."Orlan despite his pride as a man, had uncontrollably let his tears flowed on his face.
"Uncle" Gloathiac gritted his teeth as he controlled his fists, and repeatedly punched Orlan's chest that was already fully healed. He controlled it so he won't harm Orlan.
"I trusted you uncle… mom and dad are dead…" His voice squeezed out.
Orlan felt every punch pierced his heart. Hearing his mutter, he felt his chest strongly tightened. He casted his gaze away and stared at the morning sky.
They were still eclipsed by the clouds' shadows, continued to slightly move atop. Finally, the spring light pierced through and yellow curtain slowly covered the two.
In a short while, Gloathiac finally calmed down and stopped his punches. He lied on Orlan's robust chest and sniffled.
For a long time, they maintained their position.
"Kid, do you know where the money goes from our countless little deals?" Orlan broke the silence.
"What deal?" Gloathiac asked in bewilderment.
Someone who was recently in depression couldn't directly answer when asked.
Orlan kept his eyes on the clear sky. He was thinking something. "You know, about how you killed beasts while I sold the carcasses. I earned golds but I only gave you items worth of silvers."
"Why are you making this topic?" Glothiac said strangely. After all of what he just experienced, naturally, he had no mood for reminiscing.
Orlan didn't pay heed to his question and asked again, "You know where the whole profit goes?"
"In your belly?"Glothiac answered with confusion.
"In a little village somewhere in this forest. The place where you are first found by your parents." As he said that, he looked at Gloathiac deeply.
Gloathiac was shocked. "You didn't used the money for yourself?"
"Yes, your father invented the idea. Sorry if we hid it for you. Heish knew you must harbor some anger towards the village. And even more now... after you had lost them."Orlan said.
"Dad... "Gloathiac muttered in a daze before he clenched his fists in anger."How can I not hate them? They exiled us knowing fully the danger of the forest. Mom can't go to the city and no other places were near. We've no choice but to live here. You know this yourself uncle, how many times have my mother healed you?"
"I understand how you feel kid. Those times your father and I have struggled to defend our peace from the beasts. But..."Glothiac paused. "That doesn't mean the village have no hard times. In fact, they have suffered more than us. If we didn't give the monetary contribution, the village had longed been in poverty."
"But...I... "Gloathiac found it hard to accept.
"You must accept it. The village where your father was born and your mother had lived since she was a kid. The village they called home. Even if they were already been exiled and no longer have to do with each other, your parents were stubborn to financially contribute them."
"Do you want to hate the things your parents loved? The village they deeply cherished despite their harsh experiences...?"Orlan said harshly.
At this moment, Glothiac lowered his head in mix feelings.
"Kid... "Orlan patted Glothiac's head. He felt pity for the kid. "It's okay. I don't need to force you. It's just that it's your parents' wishes to go back in the village. That includes you, their son."
Glothiac's mind reeled, looking at Orlan. He was unable to say words.
"That's why starting now, we're going to live in the village."Orlan continued, shocking Glothiac further.
"I... But... I.."Glothiac spoke incoherently.
Suddenly, Orlan stood up. "I'll give you time to think for yourself. For now, let's bury your parents."
Gloathiac was silent. His expression turned grief. As he slowly stood up, he caught his uncle's expression the same as his. He was not the only one in pain. It was just that Orlan knew how to conceal it.