"I don't want to be friends with you," Yola said quickly. I was quite annoyed to hear her say that. "What can you do? You must want to use us, right?"
"Honestly, I do."
Yola glared, probably shocked at why I said that without hesitation. Well, what could I do? I didn't know what else to lie about. "I'm not being pushy, though. If you reject my offer, I have nothing to lose."
"Then it's better to refuse, right?" Yola said firmly. She put her hood back on. "I hope I don't see you again."
"But I want to see you guys again, especially with you, Yola."
Yola shuddered in disgust. She immediately left while Zuna was still staring confusedly at her departure. "You're not coming with your sister?"
"Of course I'm going," Zuna said. She whispered softly. "I want to be friends with you, Abby. I hope we meet again."
"Of course we'll meet again, because I'll be the one looking for you two."
"What do you mean-"
"Zuna, let's go quickly, asshole!"
Zuna seemed to still want to talk to me, but Yola had already sulked and walked away. I quickly walked away from that place, still holding Ruel who was just silent from earlier. I went back to the muddy and watery road, looking at some of the barrels that I had rolled over on purpose earlier. I quickly looked the other way when some villagers complained about the difficulty of lifting the barrels. Fortunately, they hadn't seen me yet.
"Hey, how are you?"
Ruel didn't answer me. He looked shabby and haggard. Maybe he needed food to be able to reply to my insignificant words. I reached into my pocket, finding a few gold coins that were still intact. Hopefully, it would be enough to fill my and Ruel's rumbling stomachs.
"Blood," Ruel muttered weakly. I turned my head to either side, looking panicked that we were already in a crowded area. "Don't talk here. Shut your mouth!"
"I need your blood," Ruel said again. He flopped weakly in my arms. "I-"
"What the hell are you!" I said annoyed, a little scared and wary. Ruel didn't speak again. He just closed his eyes with his body relaxed. I chuckled, looking for an alley that was fairly quiet from the crowd. I found a deserted grocery store in the corner of town. I quickly patted the cat's cheek. "Hey, wake up. Are you dead?"
There was no answer from Ruel. I looked at him with mixed feelings. I didn't want to give my blood if only it could help the man. I didn't know him very well yet, and I honestly didn't trust anyone here. I peeked out of the alley, seeing a few meat stalls that had just opened. I whispered. "How about some cow's blood, would you like some?"
Ruel didn't answer. I clucked. I was so sick of seeing him helpless like that. Reluctantly, I put my index finger into his clenched mouth. "You owe me an explanation, Ruel."
Ruel didn't say much. He immediately bit my index finger, sucking it lightly until my head was spinning. I endured the stinging feeling in my finger, then breathed a sigh of relief when Ruel could look at me with his round eyes. It was like he had been brought back to life.
"Thank you, Yang-Abby."
I said nothing, looking at him sharply. "Why did you walk away from me?"
Ruel didn't move. I shook his body, demanding an explanation. "Why do you also need my blood?!"
"The man who approached you yesterday," he said, "you shouldn't have met him."
"You're crazy, aren't you?" I chuckled. "He's the Lord Kaltain I wanted to meet. I also made a pact with him."
"A pact?" Ruel said in a shocked tone. "You are not to go near him again, Abby."
"Why?"
"He's dangerous, Abby. He's sucking my energy," Ruel said, "I can't return to my human form for a long time."
"Sucking you say?" I felt like everything didn't make sense, but from the start here everything seemed to be without logic. "But why is he sucking your energy too? He doesn't seem to need you."
Ruel grimaced. "Trust me, Abby. Don't deal with him anymore."
"I've made a stupid deal with him. I don't know how to undo it!"
"Leave it, Abby! He must have stolen your powers too!"
"I know her better than you, Ruel." I said seriously. "You can't prove anything to me. Until then, I will stay with Lord Kaltain."
"I dare not deceive my lord."
Ruel looked down. "He most likely already knows who you are, Abby. Trust me. I would never lie to you."
"Is that so?" I chuckled, giving Ruel a dismissive look. "If you're not going to lie to me, sacrifice for me someday."
"Sacrifice?"
"When the time comes, I want you to take my place in death, Ruel."
—Ordinary Visage—
Ruel didn't come with me to Celosia Castle. I ordered him to return to the Red Territories and meet me at Samu Castle. Several freight trains and special carriages had already been prepared for the expedition to Samu Castle. I put on a brown cloak made of wheat sacks and got into the freight train filled with sacks of crops. Lord Kaltain's soldiers then bent down with tarpaulins, covering all parts of my body that were sitting uncomfortably. The sound of horses neighing was followed by the carriage moving forward. I peeked slightly through the tarp as I leaned against the sack and looked at the serene atmosphere of Celosia. There was no clock here, so it was probably midnight by now, as the houses were already dark and there was hardly any buying and selling going on when we passed through the Blue Quarter. I was actually reluctant to go back to Samu Palace and meet the strange Shiloh, but if I didn't then I would definitely cause new problems. I wondered if Shiloh was happy about my leaving all this time or sad, huh? Most likely Shiloh would be happy that there was no more talkative girl beside her, but how could she do that to me? Well, why would I expect her to be sad because of my departure? I'm a nobody. Please realize yourself.
I started to close my eyes, trying to fall asleep. However, I found myself thinking far away, almost unimportant things coming back into my brain. When the first awakening failed, I was sure that it was because of the Aqua ginger candy, but it seemed like the power of the Northern Goddess was converging on me. That is, if Ruel's words weren't just a trick. Tomorrow is the second awakening of the Northern Goddess' power. Lord Kaltain wants me to stay in the hall and do nothing. I think Ruel is right, that this Lord Kaltain already knows who I am and is trying to use me.
It looks like I want to use him too.
The carriage suddenly stepped on a large rock, causing me to jump in my place. I clucked, pushing the tarp out of my sight, but it broke. A flash of fire consumed the tarp, followed by the sacks that the flames had crawled over. I looked down at my hand, snapping my fingers lightly. Sparks shot out of my hand. I quickly beat the flames with whatever I had, occasionally stepping on the growing flames. The men on horseback in front looked panicked. They then poured some hastily-supplied drinking water, while I froze and almost jumped up to run away. Lord Kaltain, who was riding the frontmost horse, walked to the back, approaching me. His gaze was sharp. I don't know what Lord Kaltain was thinking at the moment, but I could see he was smiling. I don't know because of what. []