26
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When they reached the village, It was already dark all around. Surprisingly, The village gate and all those cottages were glowing with colorful lights.
Both were confused of what's happening.
All the doors and surroundings were decorated. Children were running all around. Adults were all on the ground in pairs.
Everyone seemed to be busy doing something.
Lora ran inside to look for Hannah and Stilla. As exprected, They were too on the ground with Ren and Alex.
H,"They're back."
L,"What's going on here? Is it a special day for someone?"
H,"No silly. It's a ceremony we perform every year. In this day, The couples who make lantern and blow them off together are blessed to be happy whole life. All the pairs are making their own now."
L,"Gosh...is it necessary..."[noticed Stilla]
"Why are you making it?"
S,"umm...well..."
H,"She has Ren."
L,"Ren?!?! "
She couldnt care any less about the relation between Rena and Stulla. Since they were close enough and she already noticed Ren's feelings.
L,"what about those who has no partners?"
H,"Are you talking about yourself~
Do it with...Rao?"
L,"(I wish i could...but i cant lose my sense and forget that he's not Leo.)"
"Im not interested. You guys do it. I'll take some rest."
The villagers continues in their ceremony while Lora heads back to her cottage. She could only stare from the window and see the only couple who was highlighted from that angle. [Ren and Stilla]
The amount of affection they have for each other was completely visible in their eyes. 2 months were enough to make them understamd each other. Even Astrid id sure of her feelings now. At least, In this life, Astrid experienced what fondness is.
When all the couples were done with their Lanterns. A lovely music plays and they all started blowing them off together with their hands.
Stilla took a glance at Ren who seemed to be fasinated by the lights in the sky. She couldnt help but think about all those things the real Stilla missed by just ending herself.
At last, Astrid found out the precious thing Stilla used to cherish. It was her feelings and affecrion for Ren since her childhood.
Just like her words, It came back for Her.
In other way, Lora was still staring at the sky through the window. For a second, deep down she was missing every person back in her real life. Specially when that special person popped up, she couldnt help but hold her necklace tightly and remember all those moments.
The room was dark. She suddenly heard a footstep behind her.
R,"Arent you suppose to be out there. You seem like someone who would attract guys easily."
L,"Look at them. I dont want anything else."
R,"Why? Is it because, Ren's your cousin or Stilla is your friend?"
L,"None. I just feel like my work here is done.(In our real life, I shouted that Astrid can never find herself someone precious. But now, Im jealous...)"
R,"Do...we know each other?"
L,"(Suddenly?)"[confused and surprised]
R,"I mean...i feel like i've seen you before and Stilla is way too close with you."
L,"You've seen me? that's impossible...(Or maybe...it's not.
What if The 'me' in this life met with Rao and now he thinks it was me.)"
R,"Are you sure...?"
L,"I just cant seem to remember when."
R,"Yeah...me niether."
L,"(come to think of it, I havent seen myself yet. Am i even alive.)"
R,"Since None of us are attending these craziness, There's a small garden nearby.
You wanna go there?"
L,"yeah sure. I have nothing better to do."
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Few hours later, They came back and saw a bloody scene.
All the villagers were dead on the ground.
Some were killed in their houses and some were dead on the roads. Their dead bodies were all over the houses and blood flowing over the whole ground.
What happened in this few hours?
Just when they en
tered the gates and saw the scene, Lora started panicking while covering her face in shock. She was about to faint while crying. Rao was running all around looking at them in disbelief.
At last, They both lost their calm in this situation and started shouting.
L,"STILLA!! REN!!"
R,"quick,in their house."
Hannah's house wasnt any different. They were blood on the ground that leads to upstairs.
Both ran up stairs and found Hannah and Alex dead. The cause of death seemed to be stabbing the whole body.
Lora quickly ran to them. She gently puts Hannah's upper body in her arms. Unable to say anything. She kept crying in disbeliefe."how...is..-this...possible?!?
Who did this!?!?"
Sje couldnt help but stare at their dead faces and remeber all those moments she spent with them. Starting from the day when they first gathered in the room laughing.
"WHAT DID THEY DO WRONG!!!!", she shouted and cried.
Rao was also standing there helplessly.Suddenly something hits his mind,"ren and stilla?", He quickly Ran outside.
After a while, Lora got up. She puts both Alex's and hannah's body in line. At last, She tangle their hands.
"I may have cursed at you by saying that you're the only one who lived a happy life in your past. The truth is, you both just gave up on your life for someone else.
I wont be surprised if Ren and Stilla are safe because of you. You both are angels meant to be together."
She pulled herself together and went out.
Rao was nowhere to be seen. So, she kept looking around at all those innocent people who died because of them.
R,"The Sabe soldiers. It has to be them. They came to look for us.These villagers went against them to save us. They ended up being killed.
The king must take responsibillity for this merciless murders."
L,"Stilla...where are you?"
R,"I fear...They took them away."
L,"…", Falls on her knees and started crying.
(I was so close to take her back...what went wrong? Was i too careless about the situation...!)
Suddenly, they heard few soldiers coming back at the village. Both ran in to the forest to hide.
R,"ssh!"
One of the souldiers shouted, "What a useless scum. Its better off wiped away."
Another shouted,"Why did the king order us to look around again in this Grave yard! He already captured the Princess."
-I'm relieved. I heard they found another useless villager with her.I wonder why he decided to keep that trash.
Their conversation was so loud that Lora covered her ears and walks away in a corner.Rao follows.
None of them knew where they are headed. Just lost in ground.
At last, They stoped.
L,"Let's go back! I can save them."
R,"…"
L,"I know I can. They risked everything for us. We should save them. I need to protect Stilla from that monster."
R,"Its not that easy. He has high guards all around."
L,"then....how about we plan something...i dont know..."
R,"How about we just surrender?"
L,"what!?!?"
R,"We'll just pretend. Then I'll come to save you all."
L,"are you sure about this-"
Before they could finish, A sabe soldier caught them, "THERE THEY ARE!"
L,"oh no! How can we be so careless."
R,"Run!"
Both started running.
But it was so dark and deep in the roads. There wasnt any way around.
At last, after running for half an hour, It was a dead end.
The sabe soldiers surrounded them.
R,"scared?" L,"…"
R,"lets go with the plan. Look for Ren. I'll come to save you. Trust me."
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They were dragged to the kingdom. The news of Finding Lost Rowans after 2 months were all over the kingdom. After a certain road, Rao and Lora seperated.
As a no one, They Pushed Lora into a cell.
She was badly wounded in her arms after being dragged and pushed. It was a large scratch. The healing chance was already used 2times. No one knows how long this suffering will go on.
She sat down in a corner, Thinking about everything she lost.
"I was being so overconfident about saving Astrid. I ended up putting her in danger because of my own selfish desire. Someone was right. I dont deserve to be the chosen one.It was all a mess from the begining.
Sorry...Alex and hannah..."
Ren was right beside her cell.Just one wall apart. When he heard Lora's voice, He shouts,, "Ora..?"
Lora was still closing her eyes as if she isnt sure of what she heard,"(i thought i heard Ren's voice...)"
Ren again shouts to confirm,"ora! Is it you?!?"
Lora at last pulled herself together and realises that Ren is right beside her.,"Ren!Oh my gosh... Im glad you're okay. Is Stilla with you?!"
Ren voice went down. Cause the answer may worry Lora,"Unfortunately..No. She's taken to the Royal palace."
L,"As expected. That filthy king wont leave her alone.
She's in danger now.
...They killed everyone in the village..."
Ren knew how much Lora was attached to Hannah. He knew she would break down if she starts talking about the villagers. But right now, He decided to stay strong and so let her,"… Let's try to get out of here."
Lora seemed to be really distracted. But she answers in relief,"Dont worry. Rao will come for us.
We have a plan. He can save us both."
R,"Glad to hear that....Are you okay?"
His question moved her.The question wasnt uncommon in this situation but the person was Ren. So, She was kinda shuttering L,"Im fine."
Suddenly, Both could hear all the guards running outside. Something felt weird. The whole prison hall was empty.It took a while but at last, Rao came to save them.
They weren't suspecting cause, It was the original plan. Rao must have done something that leads the guards outside.
Rao,"Sorry...it took a while. It was hard to fool the guards. Let me untie you both "
While Untieing Lora, She could feel Rao's shaking and nervous hands. L,"are you okay...? Why are you sweating...?"
Rao started panicking,,"Sweating...?really? I told you. It was hard to manage the situation."
But His words werent convincing. Something did feel weird. So Lora kept questioning.,"How are you so calm? Arent we suppose to run?"
Rao started acting,,"You dont need to do that. Back door is opened with no guards. We can escape from that side."
L,"Right...we can.(something doesnt look right...)"
Rao's face became serious,"Hey, Trust me.
We should leave now."
Ren objects between their conversation
,"I cant leave without Stilla. Let's save her first."
Lora was shocked after listening to his words. Even after all this trouble, Ren just wants to save Stilla?,"Ren, are you serious about this?!? No one knows where she is. You'll end up killing yourself."
Ren was sure of what he's saying. He again confirms, "I know where she is. I'll meet you outside in half an hour."
Rao wasnt trying to pay any heed to Ren's action. As if he doesnt even care if Ren dies. His only motived seemed to be taking Lora out of that Castle.,"Whatever, [grabs Lora's hand]"
"Let's go."
﹉Lora was confused but she wasnt disagreeing the fact that they should leave as soon as possible. But leaving with...Rao, She thought to herself"(Can i trust you....?)"