Chapter 10: The Swamp of Reflection
Yogan found himself surrounded by the lush, green hues of the swamp once more. The air was thick and humid, filled with the sounds of croaking frogs and the gentle rustle of leaves swaying in the breeze. The earthy scent of damp soil and decaying foliage hung heavily in the atmosphere. He felt a peculiar sense of familiarity as he trudged through the knee-high water, the same swamp he had wandered into a few weeks prior, albeit under vastly different circumstances.
As Yogan navigated through the dense underbrush, he noticed how the vibrant colors of the swamp seemed to pulse with life. Sunlight filtered through the thick canopy above, creating dappled patterns on the water's surface. The stillness of the swamp enveloped him, contrasting sharply with the chaos of the battle he had just escaped. Just when he thought he had wandered alone into this mystical place, a figure emerged from behind a gnarled tree, and Yogan's heart skipped a beat.
It was the same young man he had encountered before—the stranger who had evoked laughter and curiosity in their previous meeting. This time, however, Yogan could see him clearly. He was dressed in simple, earth-toned robes that blended seamlessly with the swamp's surroundings. His hair, dark and unruly, framed a face marked by sharp features and an easygoing smile. Those familiar, piercing eyes seemed to hold a depth of wisdom far beyond his years, glinting with mischief and calm in equal measure.
The two stood there for a moment, locked in each other's gaze. The memory of their earlier encounter flooded back to Yogan—the shared laughter, the inexplicable joy in their brief connection. The young man's smile widened, and he spoke first, his voice smooth and melodic against the backdrop of the swamp. "Well, look who it is! Yogan, back in the swamp! It seems fate has a sense of humor."
Yogan, momentarily taken aback, replied with a chuckle, "I could say the same about you! I didn't think I would find you here again."
With a calm demeanor, Wan strolled closer, his movements graceful as he stepped lightly over the muddy ground. "The swamp is a place of reflection, it seems. It brought us together once, and here we are again."
Their eyes met, and Yogan felt a strange comfort in Wan's presence. "What does this mean?" Yogan asked, a frown creasing his brow as uncertainty washed over him.
Wan's expression shifted slightly, a thoughtful look crossing his face. "Honestly, I'm not quite sure either. But perhaps it's a sign. Something important awaits us."
Before Yogan could respond, the surroundings began to blur. The vibrant greens and earthy browns faded into a soft haze, and he felt a sudden tug at his consciousness.
---
Yogan awoke with a start, his body covered in a thin sheen of sweat. He found himself lying on a simple cot in a healer's hut—a modest space constructed from woven branches and thatch, adorned with herbs and healing plants hanging from the ceiling. The air was fresher here, infused with the scents of lavender and mint, but it was tinged with the lingering odor of antiseptic mixtures.
As his vision cleared, he was met by the sight of Kaiya rushing toward him, her eyes wide with relief. "Yogan!" she exclaimed, her voice a melodic combination of joy and worry. She leaped forward, enveloping him in a tight embrace.
For a brief moment, Yogan felt a rush of warmth at her touch, but the sudden movement ignited a sharp pain in his side, causing him to yell out, "Ah! What are you trying to do, break my ribs?" His voice came out in a comically high pitch, almost drowning the intensity of the moment in humor.
Kaiya pulled back, her expression a mix of concern and amusement. "Sorry! I didn't mean to hurt you! I was just so happy you're awake!"
A healer approached, an elderly woman with gentle eyes and a kind smile. She wore simple robes that hinted at her experience, and her hands were deft as she began examining Yogan. "Now, now, let's take a look at you, young man," she said, her voice soothing.
Yogan winced slightly as she prodded at his sides but relaxed as she continued her examination. "Most of your wounds have healed nicely," she noted. "You've been asleep for a whole week. It's a miracle you pulled through, given the extent of your injuries."
"A week?" Yogan echoed, surprised. "I had no idea I was out for that long."
"Indeed," the healer confirmed, offering a warm smile. "But you should be able to get some fresh air now. Your woman has been worried sick."
With a nod, Yogan swung his legs over the side of the cot, testing his strength. As he stood, he felt a slight dizziness but quickly regained his balance. Kaiya was right by his side, her concern evident in her furrowed brow.
As they stepped outside, the soft sunlight greeted him, illuminating the village beyond the healer's hut. Kaiya began filling him in on the events of the past week. "You won't believe what's happened! The elders called a council meeting after the bandit raid. They found that nothing was actually stolen from the temple. Everything is accounted for."
Yogan blinked, confusion washing over him. "Nothing stolen? But why would the bandits attack in the first place? What was their goal?"
Kaiya shook her head, her brows knitting together in thought. "That's the question everyone is asking. It makes no sense. They caused so much chaos for…nothing. It's like they wanted to distract us, but from what?"
Yogan's heart sank, his mind racing as he considered the implications. "It feels like there's more to this than we know. Whatever they were after, it has to connect to something bigger."
Kaiya nodded, her expression serious. "We need to figure it out, Yogan. The temple depends on us. I can't lose you again, not after everything."
As they stood there, bathed in sunlight and surrounded by the sounds of the village, Yogan felt a surge of determination. The weight of the recent events settled on his shoulders, but so did the knowledge that he wouldn't face it alone. He glanced at Kaiya, feeling a newfound strength—his journey was just beginning, and he was ready to uncover the truth.
With the echoes of Wan's words still in his mind, Yogan took a deep breath, prepared to face whatever lay ahead.
***
Yoan stirred awake in a different room, a sense of disorientation flooding his mind. He blinked against the soft light filtering through a small window, trying to gather his bearings. The room around him was simple, filled with wooden furniture and the faint smell of herbs. Sunlight streamed in, illuminating the dust motes dancing lazily in the air, but Yoan's mind was clouded. He couldn't remember how he had ended up here or what had happened before he lost consciousness.
Pushing himself up, he found that he was alone. The last thing he could recall was being in the Great Hall during the chaos of the bandit attack, but everything after that was a blank slate. As panic began to creep into his heart, the door creaked open, and Renji stepped inside, his expression unreadable.
"Yoan," Renji greeted, his tone steady yet laced with an edge of tension. "You're awake."
"Where am I?" Yoan asked, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "What happened? Why can't I remember anything?"
Renji stepped closer, his brow furrowed. "You were found unconscious in the Great Hall after the bandit raid. They said you were caught in the fray, but luckily you seem to have come through unscathed. It's strange, though—how you ended up there in the first place, especially considering the chaos around you."
"What do you mean?" Yoan's heart raced as confusion settled in. "What are you implying?"
Kezin appeared in the doorway, leaning casually against the frame, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "It's just peculiar, isn't it? You, of all people, right there in the middle of the attack. Almost too convenient, wouldn't you say?"
"Convenient?" Yoan echoed, his voice rising. "My friends and the villagers were in danger! I would never willingly put them at risk."
Kezin shrugged, a feigned innocence washing over him. "Of course. It's just that many of us are still trying to piece together what the bandits were really after. If nothing was stolen, what was the purpose of the attack? There has to be a reason behind all this."
"Perhaps they were testing us," Renji suggested, his voice carrying a note of seriousness. "To see how we respond to chaos. It's something to consider. If they're planning something larger… who knows what else they have in mind?"
Yoan shook his head, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. "I don't care about their games! We need to focus on the village and how we can protect it. This isn't about me or my past; it's about the future of our home."
Kezin stepped closer, his eyes narrowing. "And how do you plan to do that if you can't even remember what happened? You might have some answers locked away in that mind of yours."
Yoan felt the weight of Kezin's words, but he dismissed them. "I don't believe for a moment that I played any part in this. Whatever happened, I was trying to protect everyone!"
The atmosphere in the room grew tense, but before the conversation could escalate, a healer entered, interrupting their exchange. "You should all be careful with your words," she cautioned, casting a glance at Kezin. "Young Yoan needs to recover."
As the healer began to check on Yoan, he noticed Renji and Kezin exchange a loaded look. The feeling of suspicion lingered, creating a knot of anxiety in his stomach. Was it really just coincidence that he was found unconscious in the Great Hall? The unease began to gnaw at him.
What they failed to mention was that he was actually conscious when they found him. Living out this crucial detail was their way of somehow trying to make Yoan slip up on his story. Unfortunately for them, Yoan was telling the truth. He could not remember a darn about how he ended up in the castle in the first place.
---
Meanwhile, outside, Monk Nara stood at the edge of the village, her gaze fixed on the horizon. The sun was beginning to dip below the treetops, casting a warm golden glow across the landscape. The battle had left scars on both the temple and the people, and the weight of what had happened still pressed heavily on her heart.
She couldn't shake the feeling that this was all somehow connected to Wan. The laughter they had shared in their travels, the fleeting moments of joy now tainted by uncertainty. It was as if their paths were intertwined, yet she felt a chasm separating them.
"What could this all mean?" she muttered to herself, her voice barely audible against the gentle rustle of the wind. "Wan, where are you?"
Her thoughts turned wistful as she thought of him—her lover, her mentor, her friend—wondering what he would say if he were here. The events of the past week felt like a web of complications, and she longed for his insight, his calming presence amidst the turmoil.
As the shadows began to lengthen, Nara turned away from the horizon, her heart heavy with questions. She knew the village needed her now more than ever, and she would do everything in her power to protect it. But deep inside, she couldn't help but wish that Wan was beside her, guiding her through the darkness that loomed ahead.
[A/N: Read five chapters ahead for this novel, available on my patreon right now at patreon.com/saiyanprincenovels]