Had yet to engulf the gloomy skies, for the moon seemingly still trying to lie down for a while, for a little longer hanging in the lower distant horizon, feeling reluctant to rise amongst the stars for a moment; because such a job was better counting on the countless stars at the moment. However still, the lunar landscape had properly begun its early job of allaying the tension left in the straining day, soothing away the angst thus giving birth to this thin and pellucid ground-level cloud surrounding the surface where air was warm no longer.
The night was breezeless, seemingly the land wanted to rest itself amongst this comforting silence as well for a while, unbounded by ever-changing atmosphere every now and then upon the struggling became no longer salient when the sentient threat too, met the same end as the warmth across this small land on which a settlement should thrive afterward... after what they had gone through.
The condensation had been reached thereby. It was inevitably once the said warmth had gone, albeit for some time thus the evening mist appearing itself shortly after the sunset had been reduced into the total gloomy however starry skies.
The evening mist it was being called; time after time emerged, oftentimes taking a shape of a bashful haze since constantly hiding its phantasm beneath countless of the little glitter covering and beyond the sphere of the starry skyline... seemingly lurking from behind the gloomy crack therefore, where no starlight could reach thus hiding its amorphous body that was often cold for being born under such a circumstance, in which neither breath nor beat were present much less the warmth inside, for the supposed soul inside did not exist no more but a fragment of the remained consciousness lurking within the evening mist illumined by the newly rising moon... the lunar landscape which surrounded the little cottage noisy by noises seemingly in the middle of dawdling which fortunately could be seen as the crimson light capable of warming---at least slightly---the evening mist through its staying open window.
Nothing so standard in that dawdling busyness; to put it into one's consideration, it was that kind of feeling... mainly for a figure slowly evinced her soulless form lurking from behind this evening mist, felt a yearning for a simple rapture, this longing feeling for long-gone moments which now could never she grasped within palm of these eidolon hands - otherworldly impossible. So near and yet so far, almost such hands could reach for that window and once again would meet at least touch; fortunately the regret was absent within her, albeit the inability, for this pair of eyes, hiding amidst the solitary mist of the evening, already found so much gaiety and peace merely by catching a glimpse through that window thus bringing upon a smile,
It was merely a reaction an older sister would certainly be shown upon knowing her little brother had stripped down that sorrow and resentment from his face as he stood inside that bright and warm, with friends he could rely on, friends he could laugh together with... and also oftentime, friends he could argue with,
"So you two were talking about that, huh?"
Inside this shining warm and bright cottage, still the same old where the hissing firewoods and the crackling fire kept them company from the solitary and cold outside, as well seemingly served as a simple accompaniment for yet another continuance of this colloquial chatter that was commenced by a little boy uttering his response upon knowing the prior, supposedly hidden discussion to keep it a secret from his ear only until now,
"I thought you said you were not talking about me back then, huh, did you, Maya? Somehow, I felt I was being talked behind my back... and now I know."
While leisurely resting his glutes above this free-from-dust-and-dirt wooden floor near where the flame warmed inside this cottage, and quite a number of books with different thickness resting as well, seemingly towering around him; he then turned his brownhead, somewhat gazing annoyingly with browny eyes beyond this tower of books where his same-aged friend too, sitting while being drowned between her own books,
"Q-quiet and shut your mouth close, Gizado. I-I'm... I'm busy right here as you can see, a-and... aren't you as well?" ignoring that somehow annoyed utterance from her annoying friend, this little girl responded with the connivance trying to immerse herself within a book she currently read and flipped through its old pages of parchment, making it her reason to ignore him so that could be justified later and also for her only way to alter the current subject matter; since never ending the flushed reigning over her round-shaped face, hence never once she stared with a glance towards him, instead kept her face even more drowned within her book.
"Guh, she's at it again... ignoring me again. What's up with her exactly? I can never really get to understand her." Gizado, the little boy hence whispered to himself once his friend---whom he may regard as quite an enigmatic one---averting her same browny stare for a large and thick book lying on her little lap. Knowing her well for quite years, after watching that little girl seemingly lost within her own world---or in this case, lost trying to ignore him---hence he found no literal benefit trying into more of inquiring the wonder but to wonder himself.
"It was me who asked Maya to tell some... too many things regarding yourself, Gizado. I couldn't help but to wonder. My apologies, for I may interfere your past life." seemed to be the third party whose voice came in between these two young friends of a single-horned devil, joining with the two with somewhat a formal tone of a direct apology coming from a mouth which was found to be rare, uttering such statements for it belonged to that devil thus that voice as well.
Gizado instinctively looked for the source, looking up to where the voice came from; where was this devil at, and at this point what she was doing to make her voice was seemingly non-exist beside him instead was approaching him right now, "W-why with that... uh... stiffness, Erynew. There's no need with that... stiff apology. It doesn't matter, really. I mean, if you wanted I could and would gladly tell you about that."
Awkwardly smiled, chortling to ease the nuance which somewhat had entered such a tense atmosphere they---especially he---never ever once experienced nor expected before; because prior this, the chatty and friendly chatter they once had, and he intended to keep it that way, hence with this goofy chortle of his, and his pair of brown eyes stared at that single-horned devil walking closer towards him and his towering books as he also began to notice another towering books being carried on her two hands just to add it into another collection for it was only the first wave out of many others silent explorations between parchments.
"Right, but it's always kind of my ego to seek answer from different thoughts. Besides, you were busy back then, and I didn't feel like to trouble you with my selfish desire when you seemed immersed in them."
Erynew, that single-horned devil joined with them, sitting on this wooden floor which filled with books already eventually, upon answering the little boy with her reason for her prior decision wondering something more personal matter about him and his past. She found then, a nice and quiet spot between her and this little boy, where she could take a closer look either him and his same-aged friend who remained unvexed for she still had that same old book on her lap, thus seemingly being distracted for the moment... leaving now the little boy and that single-horned devil to relish their own colloquial into which they two should engage,
"Well, yeah I can understand it, Erynew. But others thoughts from Maya, I mean... she, well... she sometimes over-said things. Like that five days I was locking myself inside this cottage, it's still kinda hard to believe that, because I never really felt it was five days had passed since then."
"So that was what happened. But, how about the others, like your father; you did feel through their worrying eyes, as if five days already passed for them. You could tell by their eyes... they, especially Maya, did not over-saying things, could you, Gizado?"
The truth had always been the sincerest, regardless of opinions and thoughts which might felt things otherwise; however one's heart invariably and without fail flowed valuing through that kind of expression that required no words whatsoever, because of its irrespective manner disregarding the reality itself sometimes, as the little boy seemed try to remind himself what truthfully happened back then,
"Well, but... that's what really happened back then, Erynew. Moments after they took Sis Gisalda away... my anger for this village and its people... I... I dunno... ought to be my hatred perhaps, that kind of feeling that took over my mind, because they couldn't protect her, much less my father. So, locking myself up inside her cottage, hoping to see her woke me up in the morning as she used to when I oversleeping in here. Kinda childish I know, such a wishful thoughts. But instead, I was surprised by Maya, crying out loud as she could."
"N-no, I didn't! I wasn't crying!"
Quite a surprise to be expected, it seemed another was too listening to his past ode this whole time... the little girl who was thought to be focused only towards her book, instead she silently and unknowingly felt compelled to peek inside the chatter of theirs two, with still the same flushed face, her cheeks and ears alike; Maya abruptly came with quite an exclamation, trying to aver his claim of her crying loudly at that moment.
"Yes you did, Maya. I still remember it, because you did kinda surprised me with that face of yours flooded with tears."
"Th-that's... that's---fine, I admit it I did cry at that time. I couldn't help it but to cry... to feel sad. I thought you were dead when I found you lying limp on this floor. I just... I just don't want to lose anyone else I care for... after Sis Gisalda. You're selfish, you know that, never letting anyone else to cry and mourn together with you. It's not just you who feel it."
Quite a surprise to be expected, it seemed Maya eventually found some courage; the tenacity to convey feelings she wouldn't dare to tell him sooner until later - this moment the devil eventually gave for her. This was but merely a chance,
"Is that... so? I... I kinda see it now. So, it really was five days, huh? It's funny to know that to be honest, because I felt only a night had passed at that time. I know this kinda late, but I'm, well, sorry to make you all worried." smiled a reassuring one, upon listening not only to words she uttered truly but truly from her eyes the little boy also listening to, something ineffable merely with words only; her timid solicitude which had been long hiding beneath hazel eyes of his childhood friend, "But too bad for you, Maya, you don't need to feel that way again. Because I've changed, you see... now I can protect you and this village the way Sis Gisalda did."
Boldly he said such a loud-impact statement---overconfident perhaps---becoming part of his demeanor bearing quite the insouciance for the great future that may come greater in terms of many unpredictable possibilities; hence boldly he said such an enthusiasm which brought upon a soft smile but a hidden one, only meant for herself enhancing her small and round face...
"No... you didn't change even a bit, and never be. You are no like her. Except from the courage and heart you both shared together, you were clearly dumber since then, and still are."
...until snapped that little girl then, abruptly cutting the build up moments, might seem to overturn it into more typical of their fuss, and that softly giggle of hers seemingly became the go-ahead sign,
"Dumber, you say, huh. Stop calling me that, though... well, I am yes dumber but now I clearly meant it, Maya." the usual; the annoyed little boys, sometimes being poked fun even though in his supposedly serious, character-changing moment,
"But... I clearly meant it as well, dummy Giza," the casual; the grinned little girl, oddly seemed out of her character, sometimes did enjoy making fun of him,
Then,
"Maya, Giza..."
Familiar voice; calling the familiar names, coming from the outside of the cottage shortly before the noises inside would soon be tuned into their typical and the usual fuss once again... the little argue which abruptly came to a halt when the source of that voice arriving on the wide open doorstep. The village girl; brown hair in a single bun neatly on the nape of her neck - the chignon that made the browny hair looked short and simple, easy to do any activity as she seemed to have done a few prior her appearance on the doorstep while her pair of deep brown eyes staring at the two figures she was looking for...
"As I thought you'd be here."
...the two figures; sitting on the floor amongst many towering books thar were also sitting and seeming quite near where the source of the flame warmed this whole inside of cottage as her face had felt for its warmth upon coming inside only to eventually realize another figure with glowing yellow eyes staring back at her deep brown,
"A-ah, good evening, Erynew. I am terribly sorry for interrupting you in between your busyness."
With two hands neatly placed on her side and slightly nodded her head while greeting the owner of such stares; the single-horned devil who instead would quickly reply with a slight chortle over this somewhat awkward moment... for the devil especially,
"Why with that formality, Reya? There's no need to, let alone such gestures of apology really. I'm not busy. We're just reading some books."
"Haha, Reya as usual doing her things. Always looks so serious." the little boy soon spoke up, uttering his thoughts to lessen the awkwardness in between,
"Is there something wrong, Sis Reya? You seemed looking for us," the straightforward inquiry from the little girl, straight up ignoring quite a babbling from that little boy,
"No, no, Maya. Everything's fine. I just want to say that dinner is ready. Sorry to make you wait a little longer. I hope you feel hungry." Reya, the village girl smiled---albeit merely a simple curve on her pale rosy lips---staring at the two young pals, trying to ease herself at least after taking the words of the devil and the little boy alike, into her consideration eventually,
"Oh, it's already the time?! Weird, thought we just---"
The little boy seemed to feel the surprise, for the sunset apparently had long vanished since he and the others entered inside this cottage, yet time seemingly telling them the opposite, therefore seemed to act as a simple suggestion for every tummy that might hear such a remark, to let out such a growling... mainly sourced from that little girl's, seeming effortly to hide quite an embarrassing sound for a girl with her blushed face facing down,
"Maya... did your---?"
"N-no... it's not... st-stop making false assumption, Gizado. And that smirk as well, stop it." snapped Maya, the little girl, all of a sudden to clear some misconceptions before anyone else,
However such misconceptions, for the devil such Erynew... easily noticed the implicit; even anyone could easily noticed it as well from her rumbling tummy alone, "It's fine, Maya. Human body is fragile, remember? It needs food in order to do any activity, so we may continue it later. It's only a few left, after all."
"And also, Erynew..." was seen remained standing on the doorstep, Reya seemed to have one last message she'd like to deliver especially for that single-horned devil in front of her, "We'd like you to join us as well for dinner. Would you?"
Coming back on her feet and straightening the slender pale legs of hers, that pair of yellow eyes then stared into the village girl seemingly waiting for the devil's answer to the dinner invitation. It might not be that kind of sumptuous nor the opulent dinner to expect the least, however it was a kindly one... perhaps the human ways to celebrate something after achieving the freedom or to thank someone for their freedom. Nothing concealed, merely the sincere expression... gathering as one big family around the same table with food they could relish. And it always had been a pleasure to be a part in it, as the devil had come to comprehend such a concept that was supposed to be absent from the mind of her kin.
However the devil's answer had already been made up since the beginning, then answering while smiling,
"No."
.
.
.
.
.
Moments quickly passed upon declining such a kindly invitation from the human whom this single-horned devil struggled to know about so well that she had been spending her energy and time to save, protect and preserve this small human community. However when the chance had appeared, she seemed easy and unburdened to decline it; the small chance before her own yellow eyes which had just faded into a silent moment... standing alone inside this shining warm and bright, but still the same old cottage, thus capable of screaming loudly the crackling fire and the hissing firewoods were, devoid of the others typical noises for they had now gone to replenish the energy spent,
Staring at the towering books on the dark wooden floor, and the empty bookcases hugging the dark wooden wall; staring back and forth to conclude the result so far of their little venture searching for the demonic portrait that the little girl had been talked about - claimed to have some sort of devilish look, foreign letters and unspoken language describing it.
However so far, even after searching through every page and parchment... nothing such a thing was ever be found.
Fortunately this devil had always come up with an alternative; the reason why she must sacrifice such a kindly invitation in the first place, thus capable of forming that grinning face and yellow eyes seemingly glowing against the crimson shine of the flame... turning her back and staring at the same old doorstep,
"It's okay now, no need to worry they will see. There's no one here but me inside your cottage. So, you may reveal yourself and please let me ask a few questions."
The devil at first glance, might seem talking to no one but an empty space of the gloomy night visible through beyond that wide open wooden door. Later however, she wasn't actually staring at the doorstep, instead gazing into a spectral blue shadow that slowly revealed herself, bringing about the chilling mist around the lower body of hers, seemingly trying to hide its ghostly appearance that thin mist was. Only then the gaping mouth of hers was seen beneath that chilling mist... mainly because of a surprise that her otherworldly existence could somehow be manifested in the living world.