" So you are saying that this mountain is called Baran Mountain, and it also has demons? And even if we get through them we will die by the High Ranked ones ....that's what you are saying!?" Joey asked him as he cross his arms, giving the other a gesture of coldness and anger at the same time, As the folds appeared between his eyebrows, Zain looked at him in concern and then looked the other way not knowing whether he should blame Joey for trusting the witch to save them. But even if Zain was conscious he might have taken a worse decision, Yes, Joey made the best decision by giving that he was the only one who was conscious at the time.
Zain inhaled from his mouth, closed his eyes, and exhaled through his nose in an attempt to calm his mind. as they both set around the fire 🔥 to get warm.
" Yes...I said that's what I read, "
" Ohhh gosh!" Joey said as he puts his hand on his forehead in disbelief.
" We will find a way..." Zain said looking at the fire. as it reflected in his eyes.
" How...it was difficult all ready to get out of this damn cave alive ... how do we deal with a demon, and even if we did how will we pass a high rank. Did you not see this thing that chased us in the forest? His breath was going to kill us left alone we did not even stand before it!" Joey sighed loudly as he put both of his hands to support his face and forehead.
Zain glanced at him then returned to look at the fire in front of him " We got out of there because of the witch thought right? We can just make her open another one after she gets some sleep that's all. Why are you overthinking it?"
Joey looked at him for a while then stood up" I need to get some rest"
Zain looked up at him " Thank you"
Joey looked back down at him" for..?"
" You rescued us from Elia, I was able to hear something even though I was fighting to keep myself awake."
He looked at the fire and then looked back at Joey" this witch...., You made a deal with her, she will take something very important and you knew, but still you chose to believe her and risked your life in front of Elia just to get us out ".
Joey felt embarrassed hearing a compliment from someone like Zain,
" Your... You're welcome" He blushed, he did these things Automatically he didn't know that Zain could be this kind of man who could be sincere and grateful.
Zain laughed then looked back at the fire and got closer to it to get warmer
" Go to sleep we will talk tomorrow when the rest wake up"
"Yeah..." Joey said as he left.
In the early morning Ryou moved his eyebrows as he started to wake up to a delicious smell, he started to open his eyes and slowly got up, he yawned loudly as he slept very well finally after all that they have been through, But he felt Very cold suddenly " What?.... Where is this place...This looks like a hut...but it's freezing in here, and what is this smell, gosh am so hungry !" He said as looked around and found some pieces of heavy clothing beside him, he wore it and felt warmer after then.
He opened the door of the hut slowly and was greeted by the rays of the sun, but it was not this strong as there was snow everywhere and it was freezing, but it was a good view and a bit warm. Maybe because he felt safe.
" You woke up," Joey said as he walked towards Ryou who was still confused.
"We are in Baran Mountain 🏔️, and these people there who are putting the plates on the table are the locals here, I talked to them a bit, They probably some lost souls too, but whoever asks you don't tell them that you are a human, just in case, and we will be meeting the leader after having breakfast," Joey said briefly as he patted Ryou's shoulder. smiling brightly, as always trying to reassure him.
" What. ...I feel a sudden headache" he said as Joey drugs him to the table where they eat. " Just come on and you will feel better afterward," Joey said.
Delicious plates were placed and the people were not many but they seem to be generous as they put these delicious many plates on the table they smile brightly even though they have limited supplies in this kind of condition.
Joey set beside Zain and Ryou as Alicia and Aran set opposite them, suddenly as Joey was setting there, Someone pulled his sleeve and he looked beside him to find this boy who helped him the other night.
" Oh, you here...Last night I wanted to meet your father but I was startled to find my friends and as we talked, I Am sorry if I was rude !" Joey said politely to the young teenager.
The boy smiled widely" it's okay as I didn't find father last night and when I was about to tell you, you were already with your friend, but my father is the leader of our group and he will come to have breakfast with us now!"
Joey smiled and patted his hair softly.
" Here he is!" The boy said as he run towards his father. hugging his waist.
The boy seems to be 12 or 13 he was an adorable polite little boy.
A man came out of a big tent laughing as he find his little boy running towards him.
Joey loved this view.
The Man came and set at the table with them " Oh Hello ...Hello we are pleased and pleasured to have guests here, hope the food pleases your taste, my name is Voha and I am the leader here of this humble tribe, And am taking full responsibility for anything here, also this is my son Sana " The Man said patting his son's hair proudly.
Joey smiled widely" it's our pleasure!"
Alicia interrupted " Are you also demons and such?" She said as she eats.
The place went quiet, as The man did seem to be a little bit bothered. Zain tried to break the tension " Oh Leader Voha! the people here are very generous! The food looks delicious!"
"Ha ha ha, Mr. Zain please, make yourself at home!".
"Oh gosh, this is delicious! This is heaven !" Ryou said crying out of pleasure as he is the kind of person who thinks that everything becomes better after delicious food and that food is a way to solve problems too sometimes!
After they all finished eating" S...Sir" Joey called out, " We want to get back home ...do you have a way?"
Voha did not utter a word, he kept looking at Joey then looked to the ground he seemed sad " Mr. Joey, We are here for 10 years and 4 months. We saw a lot of bad things here, demons of The mountain, they took people from my tribe, from my family! I don't know how or what they do with them, but we hear their screams all night after a couple of hours, then we find their bodies the next morning as they become blue! So in fear of losing who's left, We stopped trying to get out of the mountain, it's our home now, we just surrendered to our fate young man, with a couple of rules we try to adapt! We do not go out after the sunset, We stay here with each other for protection, I am sorry, but I have been here too and couldn't find a way out myself".
Joey felt bad about the man and the rest of the people seemed to have gone through a lot.
Zaa looked at Joey and then looked at them
" Sir, do you mind if I ask...where are you from?"
" Oh, we came from Zelia Village in the upper world. I don't think you know it!" Voha said laughing
All of them became speechless" You...are Human? And from Zelia? the northern country?!" Alicia said subconsciously. as a smile curled on the five people's faces.
finally, Somewhere they know! some people like them!
" Yeah!" The man reassured them happily.
" Shit..." Zain cursed with a low voice.
End of Chapter 19
______________________________________