Another week had passed and Jericho was now fully healed. In fact he was already healed 5 days ago. The reason he was delaying his departure was because he wanted to enjoy this peace and relax while it's present. Once he returned he would again have to do his duties and serve the Empire.
During his first week at the village, Sarah was always with him. She would bring him food and she would guide him around the Village. She was always there, always energetic and always full of smiles. But one day she didn't come, he didn't think much about it but then days passed and she still didn't show up.
Their last conversation was she would be back tomorrow so he better prepare a good story for her. She likes listening to the stories of the Empire and would always bug him to tell her one. He didn't find it annoying or bothersome in fact he was always looking forward to it. He likes seeing every reaction she made when he tells the story of the first Mutant King.
"Uncle Hods, where's Sarah? I haven't seen her this couple of days." Jericho asked the owner of the house he was currently living in.
"Oh? What's this? Smitten already? Hahaha looks like I won the bet with Old man Digk. There's also the bet with Narli and Groph."
Jericho slightly blushed and was embarrassed. Turns out the people in the Village were betting how long he would fall for Sarah.
Sarah was after all gentle and beautiful Except for her pranks she was the ideal wife material. But sadly…
After laughing, Hods' expression turned solemn.
"You see Marcus, Sarah… she's suffering from a curse. She was born with a weak constitution that would worsen everyday. It wasn't that bad at the beginning but one day it suddenly worsened. We already tried everything that we could to cure her but all of it was in vain. Some of the medicine we acquired from the Empire seems to do more harm to her than good."
"Desperate for a way to save their daughter, her parents trekked the mountains until they reached the summit. You see, legend has it that a Shaman was living at the very summit of this mountain. In fact, that very Shaman used to be part of our Tribe. She was the wife of the Tribe's Founder." Hods had a mysterious look in his eyes as he told Jericho this story.
"I didn't know the exact details but her parents said that the Shaman was indeed real and was still alive. Even I can't believe it. You know how long this Tribe has been around? It has been around longer than the Empire." Hods said with a serious expression causing Jericho to froze in his place.
'Longer than the Empire?! Then that would mean that Shaman would be ancient by now!' Jericho had a disbelieving look as he processed what he had just heard.
"Even I can't believe it. Anyway back to the story." Hods continued
"Her parents didn't reveal anything about the Shaman other than confirming that she existed. They said the Shaman insisted that they don't talk about her. Her parents then said that when the Shaman diagnosed Sarah, dark clouds gathered above the summit! Lightning rained down and a roar of a beast was heard across the sky. Let me tell you now that I can attest to that for I also heard it. No! I witnessed it! And I bet you did too." Hods said he looked at Jericho in the eyes.
Jericho shivered as cold sweats ran down his spine.
'It's true! I did saw it! In fact the whole Empire! No! The whole world got news of it! It was said that a huge storm suddenly manifested around this area but it went away as fast as it appeared! And the roar! Wasn't it just a loud thunder?!'
'The government said that it was just an abnormal weather condition. I can't believe that Sarah was the cause of that. What the hell is up with this village?!!' Jericho inwardly thought as he assessed the information he just heard.
'Should I tell father about this? No! He wouldn't believe me!' In the end Jericho decided to not inform his father about this.
Hods continued the story after he saw Jericho's reaction. That alone confirmed that the phenomenon was seen miles away.
"The Shaman said that little Sarah was blessed by the Serpent God but in turn she was also cursed by the world. Something about bringing an end from a new beginning. I already forgot." Hods shuggs his shoulder. He then warned Jericho.
"So boy! I'm warning you now, don't think about laying hands on little Sarah. Not just me but all the Villagers would beat you up until your mother doesn't recognize you anymore! She's our precious little angel, Got it?!" Hods said as he made a throat slitting gesture. He then shooed Jericho away.
"Now what are you waiting for? Get out of here and find little Sarah! I bet she's lonely right now since she can't probably come out of her home." Hods then began pushing Jericho out of the house.
"Huh?"
"What are you waiting for?! Shoo! shoo! Go on!"
"Wai- I don't unders-"
Bang!
The front door suddenly shuts.
And then it opened again…
"Remember I got my eyes on you boy!"
Bang!
And then it was shut again.
"What just happened?" Asked Jericho as he scratched his head.
'Now what? Should I go find Sarah? But what if she was tired don't want to see me?'
*Sigh
'I should still check up on her- oh yeah I don't know where her house is.'
Jericho then asked around where Sarah's house was but everytime he asked they would only say that they won a bet and would run off somewhere. Some would sulk as if they lost a be-
'I see. Almost everyone bet that I would fall for her in just a few weeks' Jericho shook his head and just shrugged it off.
Jericho then walked towards the Village Chief's hut to ask him. When the Village Chief heard what Jericho wanted. The old man smiled from ear to ear. 'Not you too Chief'
But unlike the others he told Jericho where Sarah lived. Jericho followed the direction given to him and arrived in front of a house on top of a small hill.
*Knock *Knock *Knock
When he heard no response he turned around and was about to walk away when...
"Marcus? Why are you here?"
Sarah had a blanket wrapped around her. She looked a little pale but her cheeks are still rosy.
"I...I was just checking up on you. I haven't seen you in a couple of days."
"I see, so you must've heard already?"
"Yeah… are you alright?"
"I'm feeling better now, thank you."
Suddenly a voice was heard inside the house.
"Sarah, who's at the door?"
"I-Its Marcus Mom, he was just checking up on me" Sarah shouted back.
"Invite him in then, I've just finished cooking dinner. Also you heard that Hon? Looks like I won."
Sarah's face flushed as she heard the last part.
"C-C-Come in." she said and then hurriedly walked inside.
Jericho didn't know what to do. After much contemplation he went inside, after all it would be rude to just leave right after he got invited.
-------
2 more weeks passed and the travelling merchant once again arrived at the Village.
During those weeks Jericho got along with every Villager. He had already decided that he would join the merchant to go back to the Empire so last night he decided to tell the truth to the Villagers who he really was and how he ended up at the river.
He thought that he would be berated and hated but instead…
"What? You're a soldier? I already knew that from the beginning."
"Yeah only a soldier would move and talk like you. The way you walk or even run looks like that of a soldier."
"We already know Marcus isn't your real name too. I mean the first few days you were here you didn't respond even though we're calling you."
"Yeah! You think we're stupid? Is that it?"
"N-No that's not what I'm saying." Jericho had a panicked look as he tried explaining.
"HAHAHAHA We are only messing with you. Relax."
"HAHAHA Did you see his face? He was about to cry. Lol"
'Lol?'
"HAHAHAH Yeah that was hilariou-
"Hmmp!"
Sarah who was sitting beside Jericho suddenly got up and walked away. Turns out she was the only one who didn't have any idea. The Villagers who were laughing now had an angry look.
"See what you've done Jeriboy? You made Sarah angry!"
'It's Jericho though' thought Jericho.
"Yeah lying is bad!"
"I can't believe I trusted you! How could you do this to me!" Said Hods as he wiped his tearless eyes.
"We've all been deceived!" Said Village Chief.
"Yeah! Get him!" Said the little kids.
Jericho wanted to chase after Sarah so he could explain it to her properly but he was surrounded and was getting punched and kicked by the little kids. He couldn't break away from them as the kids were pulling his clothes and climbing on his back and shoulders.
The adults? Well they were just happily watching Jericho's misfortune. Jericho watched as Sarah started to get further and further away. He didn't know why but for some reason it hurts when he thought that Sarah was angry at him. He knew she would be angry before he told them the truth but now...now he can't explain this feeling. With no other way, Jericho wielded his aura which resulted in the bulging of his muscles which created a little bit of force which forced the little kids to back off. He then picked up the kids on his back and shoulder and put them on the ground.
He bent his knees and jumped.
Boom!
Jericho flew and then somersaulted before landing in front of Sarah.
"Whoa!"
"What a move? You think you can do that?
"Of course I can! T-That looks pretty easy."
-
"Sarah wait!" Jericho blocked Sarah's path and looked her in the eyes.
Sarah looked away and pouted…
'I only got upset because the others didn't tell me about what they know. After all, how can I know stuff about how a soldier walks and talks.'
'It's embarrassing if I told him that so I'll pretend I'm mad at him and then forgive him after. Yes! I'm so smart.'
'I don't have the right to get mad. After all everyone has a secret.'
Sarah thought as she waited for Jericho to explain.