Nestor's voice was heavy as he began explaining. "It's always been this way, ever since I can remember. Humans despise the sight of us Shades. They call us abominations, claiming we're some cursed mistake of creation." His jaw tightened, the bitterness in his tone unmistakable.
He continued, "We were driven out of towns and cities, forced to seek refuge here in the depths of the Atherian Forest. But even that wasn't enough for some. There are humans who see Shades not as people but as property. They hunt us like animals, capturing us to use as slaves or to display like trophies."
Lancer frowned, the weight of the story settling heavily in his chest.
Akhe, who had remained quiet until now, spoke up, her voice softer but no less pained. "We've had to move constantly, always staying one step ahead of those who would harm us. That's why we're here, in this clearing. It's not home; it's a hiding place."
Nestor nodded, his gaze steady on Lancer. "You and your friend are... different. Any other human would've seen Thalia as an opportunity. They'd have sold her off without a second thought."
Lancer looked away, the disgust in Nestor's words piercing him. He had seen the cruelty humanity was capable of before, but hearing it laid out like this was different. It was personal. This world might've been different from his own, but the darkness in people's hearts seemed universal.
"I'm sorry," Lancer said, his voice low but resolute. "For what it's worth, I'm not like them. I don't see you as anything but people who deserve better. If there's anything I can do to help..."
Before he could finish, a small boy peeked through the doorway, his wide eyes darting nervously to Lancer. He whispered something quickly into Nestor's ear, his voice too soft for Lancer to catch. The boy shot another glance at Lancer before running off without waiting for a response.
Nestor straightened, "It seems the chief has requested to meet you."
Lancer and Livia walked hesitantly toward the house Remus had pointed out. It was tucked away on the outskirts of the village, slightly larger than the others but no less modest. The tension between them was palpable as they stepped through the door.
Inside, two figures waited for them. One was a tall, wiry man with sharp features and a suspicious glare that seemed to cut through the dim light. Beside him, seated in a carved wooden chair, was an older Shade with a full beard and an air of quiet authority. Nestor and Remus immediately bowed as they entered, addressing the older man with reverence.
"Chief Kanto," Nestor greeted respectfully.
Lancer and Livia quickly followed their lead, bowing low.
The chief raised a hand, his voice calm but commanding. "Raise your heads. I owe you my thanks for returning Thalia to us."
Before Lancer could respond, the lanky man—Alastor, the chief's assistant—stepped forward, his eyes blazing with fury. "You expect me to believe that humans wandered into our village by coincidence? They're spies, using that child as bait to gain access to us! They should be executed immediately!"
Before either Lancer or Livia could react, their bodies suddenly went rigid. They fell to their knees, unable to move no matter how much they struggled.
What's happening? Lancer thought, panic coursing through him as he strained against the invisible force.
Alastor smirked, his voice filled with venom. "Caught in the act, didn't you? Your tricks won't work here!"
Just as the pressure seemed unbearable, Chief Kanto's voice cut through the room like a blade.
"Enough, Alastor."
The assistant flinched at the booming authority in the chief's voice but tried to protest. "Chief, you—"
"I said enough," Kanto repeated, his gaze firm.
The oppressive force vanished, and Lancer and Livia slumped forward, finally able to move again. They stood shakily, their hearts still pounding.
The chief turned to them with an apologetic look. "Forgive my assistant. His time in captivity at the hands of humans has left him with... strong feelings. But I assure you, his loyalty to our people is absolute."
"It's fine," Lancer said, his voice steady despite the lingering unease.
Alastor remained silent, though his eyes still burned with suspicion.
The chief inclined his head. "That is all I wished to say. You have my gratitude. You may leave."
Relieved, Lancer and Livia turned to leave, Remus following close behind. Once outside, Remus sighed, scratching the back of his neck.
"I'm sorry for Alastor," he said. "He's... not the friendliest, but he's fiercely protective of us. I hope you understand."
Lancer nodded. "I get it. It's hard to trust after what you've been through."
The tension began to ease as they returned to Nestor's home. That evening, they shared a modest but warm meal with the family. Thalia sat close to her brother, smiling as if the day's terrors had never happened. Livia chatted animatedly with Daphne, the two of them laughing over something trivial.
Lancer found himself enjoying the meal despite the earlier encounter. It felt strange—peaceful, even.
When it was time to leave, Nestor saw them off, pressing a small woven bag of provisions into Livia's hands. "For your journey back. You'll always be welcome here," he said with a smile.
In the weeks that followed, Lancer and Livia found themselves returning to the Shade village now and then. Each visit became easier as the villagers grew more accustomed to their presence. Though Alastor's cold stare never quite thawed, there was no denying that the little village in the woods began to feel like a place of belonging.
The wall was finally complete, standing taller and sturdier than ever. Thanks to Lancer's relentless efforts, nearly the entire village had been rebuilt, and the once-devastating shock of their losses was slowly fading. Life began to settle into a new rhythm, and the villagers moved forward with a sense of cautious hope.
Whenever he had a moment of free time, Lancer often accompanied Livia to the Shade village to visit their newfound friends. Over time, he had taken it upon himself to strengthen their weapons, ensuring they were better equipped for survival. Chief Kanto had expressed his gratitude more than once, deeply moved by Lancer's kindness.
On this particular day, they were back in the Shade village when Thalia, a small girl with messy silver hair and wide, tearful eyes, came running toward them. She wrapped her arms around Livia's waist, sobbing uncontrollably. "I don't want to leave you!" she cried, her words muffled as she buried her face into Livia's dress.
Livia knelt down, gently stroking Thalia's hair. "What's wrong, sweetie? Why are you crying?" she asked softly, concern etched on her face.
Remus and Daphne stepped out of a nearby house, their expressions somber. After a brief inquiry, Remus sighed and explained, "We're leaving tomorrow. It's time to find another hiding place."
Lancer frowned, his chest tightening at the thought of losing his new friends. "Leave? Already?" he asked, the disappointment clear in his voice. "But—"
Remus held up a hand, his gaze firm but understanding. "You know how it is. If we stay in one place too long, the humans will find us. It's not safe here anymore."
Lancer bit back his complaints, understanding the necessity of their decision. Still, it didn't make it any easier. "I'll miss you all," he said quietly, looking down at Thalia, who was still clinging to Livia. "Good luck… and stay safe."
As he spoke, his eyes caught sight of a Shade in the distance, carrying what looked like a massive boar. Except this creature was easily the size of a pickup truck, its weight causing the ground to tremble slightly with each step. Lancer pointed toward the scene. "Uh, what's going on there?"
Remus grinned, his mood lifting slightly. "What does it look like? A feast in your honor before we go. It's the least we can do."
Daphne added, "And besides, you've done more for us than anyone has in years. If not for you, we would have lost Thalia forever."
Remus nodded, his expression softening. "You've heard me say it before, but I'll keep saying it: I'll never forget what you did for my sister."