After the old chief said that, he ignited two more candles, whispering something under his breath, before blowing them out.
Minos had no idea what the old chief was doing, but it seemed like he was making a prayer for him, so he naturally accepted it.
The prayer was quite long, and it was only after a half hour or so did the old chief finally stop whispering. While Minos wasn't expecting such a time delay, he appreciated the old chief's dedication, so he waited patiently.
Just as Minos thought the old chief was done, he proceeded to ignite two more candles, Minos's face nearly going black.
Just as he was about to politely tell the old chief that he had to go, a knock came at the shrine's stone door, forcing the old chief out of his special state.
"Who is that? Don't they know it's bad luck to interrupt a prayer?" The old chief grumbled, annoyed.
However Minos was secretly relieved, thanking whichever villager it was that actually did such a thing.
"Village chief, it's Nona, she ran off!" The villager shouted, causing the old chief's annoyed attitude to immediately be replaced by seriousness.
"When did this happen? Quick, get everyone searching the surrounding area." The old chief quickly commanded, feeling anxious.
"It's okay, I can find her." Minos stepped in, calming the two down.
"Really? Great!" The old chief said, clearly very dedicated to each and every villager.
Stepping out of the shrine, Minos began sniffing the air, searching for Nona's scent. He had already remembered it from their first interaction, so after a few seconds, he found it.
Following the trail, Minos headed out of the village and into the dense forest by the back. The forest was like a maze, but with Nona's scent acting as the guide, he easily weaved through the trees, making his way deeper inside.
He didn't bother slowing down at all, so he quickly lost the old chief and the other villagers in his wake.
After all, if Nona was in any danger, even a second delay could be the difference between life and death, and Minos didn't want to take such a risk.
So with his incredible speed, he quickly bolted through the forest, soon arriving at a small dark cave.
Heading deep inside, Minos finally saw Nona, sitting by a small lake in the very center of the cave.
The lake had strange glowing mushrooms growing alongside it, illuminating the cave with a soft bluish light, giving it a sort of mystical charm.
"Nona, why did you run off?" Minos asked, as he took a seat beside her.
"Mr. Outsider? How did you find me?" Nona asked.
"That' isn't important. Do you realize this little stunt of yours nearly scared the village to death?"
"Sorry, I just…"
"Just what?"
"I just felt a little sad, sad that I would have to be a normal villager forever. I want to be a cultivator too, just like you, just like my ancestor!" Nona said, softly crying into her hands.
"You could have just said that. If you want to be a cultivator so bad, then I'll show you the path." Minos said with a soft smile, not expecting her problem to be so minor.
"Really, you'd really do that for me!" Nona asked with excitement as she jumped up.
"Why not? I bet you're quite the little genius, just like your ancestor was." Minos replied with a laugh.
With Minos's affirmation, Nona couldn't help but begin dancing around the cave as she shouted out with all her heart.
Minos was smiling at Nona's joy at first, but soon he noticed a strange rumbling sound throughout the cave, causing his heart to drop.
Without even saying a word, Minos ran out to grab Nona, but just as he was about to take her to escape, it seemed it was too late.
With another loud rumbling sound, the cave's roof collapsed, shocking the confused Nona into absolute terror.
Seeing the heavy rocks following towards her, Nona thought for certain that she was going to die, but just before the rocks could crush her, a firm chest blocked in front.
Using his body, Minos tightly hugged Nona in his arms, allowing the heavy stones to collide into his back, tearing his robe to shreds while lacerating his flesh.
As strong as Minos was, the immense weight of thousands of pounds on his back was incredibly painful, causing his spine to creak under the tremendous pressure.
While he could just give out, if he did, then Nona would certainly die under the weight, so Minos grit his teeth as he held back against the weight.
Seeing Minos greeting his teeth so hard his gums were bleeding, Nona couldn't help but cry out in shock, heart broken that she was the one who caused all his suffering.
Minos knew he couldn't just stay like this, so hugging Nona closely, he began slowly inching forward, using all his strength to slowly move the rocks out of his way.
This was more strenuous than any exercise he had ever done, and every few steps he would have to stop to regain his stamina.
It wasn't just his stamina that was being affected, but even the wound on his back was getting worse. As he moved forward, the stones on his back dug deeper into his flesh, reigniting the pain with every movement.
Nona looked down, seeing a trail of blood left behind with each of Minos's steps, causing her heart to hurt even more, her tears spilling faster.
"Mr. Outsider, I'm so sorry. I'm the one who did this." Nona said between tears, hoping that Minos didn't hate her too much.
Seeing Nona's red eyes, and tear covered cheeks, Minos forcefully changed his grit teeth back into a smile.
"Look at me Nona." Minos asked, causing Nona to pivot her head upwards, seeing Minos's familiar gentle smile.
"This isn't your fault, so how could I blame you? Remember Nona, as cultivators, we're destined to fight the heaven's, so what does the earth count for?" Minos said with a laugh.
Hearing Minos's words, Nona's dim eyes couldn't help but slightly glimmer, her blood beginning to boil once more.
"Shout it with me Nona, the heaven's won't stop me, and the earth won't slow me!" Minos said with a shout, catching Nona off guard.
But Minos's words had already ignited her spirit, so after forcefully wiping her tears away, she started shouting with Minos.
"The heaven's won't stop me, and the earth won't slow me!" Nona shouted with all her strength.
"Again, louder!" Minos incited with another laugh.
"The heaven's won't stop me, and the earth won't slow me!" Nona shouted again, managing to find even a little more strength than the first time.
"Louder, we're almost there!" Minos said, as he too started pushing with strength that he never knew he had.
Once more Nona shouted with all her strength, her voice nearly shattering in the process. It seemed her last shout paid off, and with one more push from Minos, the final stones were pushed out of the way, the sun shining down on the two once more.
"We're free!" Nona shouted with excitement as she saw the sunlight.
"What did I tell you? The earth can't slow us!" Minos said with a laugh, ignoring the tremendous pain and exhaustion he was currently feeling.
"Nona, you're safe! We were worried sick." A middle-aged woman shouted as she ran up and tightly hugged Nona, her eyes filled with tears.
"Mom!" Nona shouted, returning the hug.
The other villagers also gathered around the two, making sure Nona was okay. Meanwhile, the old village chief came up towards the smiling Minos.
"It seems like I may have to give you another proper thanks." The village chief said with a smile.
"No need, I've already spent far too much time here." Minos said, quickly rejecting the offer this time.
While the village chief and Minos were chatting, Nona also separated from her mother, running up to Minos.
"Mr. Outsider, thank you for saving me!" Nona said gratefully, tightly hugging Minos's waist.
"No problem, and here, this is what I promised you." Minos said, as he handed her a cultivation technique.
Nona took the technique, but suddenly felt like it was a little tasteless. She couldn't help but think that with her accepting this, it also meant Minos was finally leaving for good.
"Mr. Outsider, how about you keep this technique and stay instead?" Nona said, as she returned the technique back to Minos.
"I'm afraid that isn't possible Nona, I've also got my own dreams to fulfill. Before I go, remember Nona, strength is good, but love is always greater." Minos said with a gentle smile.
"Love is always greater?" Nona asked, a little confused.
"See those around you? They are your real strength." Minos replied, as he pointed out to the entire village that had joined in search of Nona.
Seeing Nona's understanding eyes, Minos smiled. Standing up, he walked away, but just before he could disappear into the forest, Nona shouted out behind him.