Chereads / The Rise of Gods / Chapter 2 - 2. The Village

Chapter 2 - 2. The Village

After a restful sleep, Ralphael gradually opens his eyes. He was laying on a large bed, concurred with silky thin curtains. A soft breeze made his hair sway from side to side as he squinted his eyes for a moment from the bright light. Feeling a slight pressure on his right arm, he turns to see the cause. Laying on his arm was Lucifer, wearing what looked to be a thin silky robe. Her lips, a soft pink, the robe barely covering her body. Both her hands laid gently on his torso, hugging herself to his side. He gently caressed her head as she slept. 

"Goodness, what have I gotten myself into", he mumbled. 'She's quite cute when she's calm' he thought.

He looks around the room, or, what he thought was a room. Surrounding the bed was a grassy plain, sprinkled with beautiful red roses and blue spider lilies. The breeze was soft and welcoming, inviting him to rest his head and ease his mind. 

'Is this her room?' He thought to himself. 'Where in the world am I?'

He laid there for a few more moments, taking in the beautiful sight. Mountains scraped the clouds in the distance. The sound of the river gently running from the distance. The smell of fresh flowers flowed through the thin curtain, a welcomed surprise from the smell of rot from where he just came out of. The clouds blocked the sun, allowing light through, yet prevented it from glaring down. 

After some time, he felt slight movement from Lucifer as she slowly awakened from her peaceful sleep. He looked at her face, waiting for her eyes to open. Surely enough, her eyes blinked open, slowly and methodically. His eyes met hers. She gently smiles before pressing herself into his body.

"Good morning", she said softly.

"Good morning to you as well Lily." He replied.

"Keep petting my head. I like it", she said in a slightly commanding tone. He complied. "So how was sleep?"

Ralphael thought for a moment. "It was good", he finally said.

She smiles. "That's good to hear," her voice sounded relieved. "But I suppose it's time to get up, right?"

Although Ralphael hated to admit it, he was enjoying the moment. "Yeah, sounds good."

Lucifer gave him a smug face. "Daw, you sound disappointed." She said teasingly before leaning in and giving him a kiss on the cheek. "Don't worry, we can have fun later when you're doing better"

Ralphael's face turned beet red from her suggestive tone. "G-god! Stop joking about those things." 

She smiled gently before speaking. "I'm not joking. We can if you want to, ya know." She giggled. "After all, we already slept naked with eachother. What's a little more action, right?"

He quickly sat up and rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment. 'I mean, she isn't bad looking I guess.' As quick as he thought of it, he quickly dismiss the idea. 

"Anyways, where are we?" He ended up asking.

She looked around before answering. "My chamber, like I said." 

"Isn't this outside?"

"Nope, it's just one of the magic spells I set so I know what time it is outside. It's all just an illusion." She said nonchalantly 

She snapped her fingers. In an instant, the once bright field turned into a well lit room. The walls were dark, but the grand chandelier made it seem almost shiny. Ok the walls were numerous banners, woven from what looks to be fine silk, fitting of royalty. It was a simple room, though extremely large for just a bedroom, almost the size of a ball room in the grand castle.

"You are living like a king here," he said, still in a state of awe from the grandness of the place. 

She was sitting to the side of the bed. "Well, that's because for a good time in the past, I basically was." Her voice has a hint of disappointment and sorrow.

She undresses herself, her silky garment falling to the bed as she stands up. 

She took a deep breath to compose herself. "But it's alright. At least I got to keep this room. Well, at least they kept this place the same." She makes her way toward the doorway to another room. "I'm going to soak for a bit. Feel free to join me if you're brave enough" she said. Her voice was teasing, almost mocking. Yet, there was a hint of sadness to it.

She made her way out of the bedroom, leaving Ralphael to sit on the bed, alone. The quietness of the room was soothing, only disturbed by the sound of Lucifer entering her bath, sloshing water around. 

Ralphael stood up, rubbing his eyes for a moment. Looking down, he saw his naked body. Instinctively, he flexes his muscle for a bit, trying to see if there is any remaining pain to his body. Rubbing his hand against his torso, from his pecs to his abs, he can feel numerous cuts on them, likely gotten from being thrown into the cave walls by the warden. On the ground was a near pair of fluffy slippers, likely prepared by Lucifer. 

'That's cute' he thought as he slipped them on. He took a moment to wiggle his toes, noticing how soft the material is. Some sort of fur maybe.

He headed his way to the bath, where Lucifer was waiting. Before entering, he grabs one of the numerous towels from a towel stand, just outside the room, to wrap himself up with. Step by step, he made his way to the bath itself. 

The room was large as well, water refracting the lights onto the ceiling. In the water were numerous rose petals, giving the room a strangely comforting aroma. 

"Come on in. Don't be shy" her voice echoed off the walls.

He made his way to her side. She was sitting on the edge in the water, playing with the petals, swaying them back and forth. He took a step into the water. It was warm, yet not hot. Just enough for comfort and relaxation. He took his time to sit down beside her.

After a few silent moments, he finally asks. "Are you feeling ok?"

"Yeah." She said, followed by a moment of silence. "As ok as I can be, I guess."

"So, why were you imprisoned here anyways?"

She was silent for a moment. "You promise not to judge me?" She asked, looking at him. 

"Yeah, I promise," he said, causing her to give a weak smile.

"It isn't a pretty story." She went back to staring at the petal moving back and forth with her push and pull. "I used to rule over a kingdom. Vesperia, I don't know if you still know it."

He quickly tried to remember the name. "Yes, it is a popular ruine for most hunters." He then looks to the water. "But now, it's called Desbore. Vesperia is a very old name for it."

"Yeah, I'm not surprised." Her voice, now somber. 

"Back then, it was prosperous, more prosperous than most kingdoms on this continent. I was adored, respected, and worshiped." She laid her head back.

"So what happened?" he asked curiously.

"Then, one day.." she fell silent, her voice shaking a bit.

"It's alright if you don't want to say. I was just curious is all." He quickly said.

She shook her head. "It's alright." She took a breath. "One day, I blacked out. I don't know what had happened, but when I regained consciousness, I was surrounded by a fallen kingdom… my fallen kingdom."

She put her face in her palm. "The people I rule over were cowering in fear. Their eyes were filled with hatred." Tears dripped from her finger and into the water. "They were looking at me… AT ME!"

He cautiously held her index finger. She let that hand fall to her side as he held her hand. With the other, she hid her face from his gaze.

Through sniffles and tears, she continued. "They were pleading with me. 'Please, spare us' they said, clutching to their dead sons and daughters. 'Take her down!' Some of them shouted. I looked around me, wishing there was someone behind me they were looking at… it was just me, floating above the carnage of my own doing."

Her cries echoing through the room. The droplets of tears falling into the water sounded like a light rain. He wraps his arm around her as she leans on his shoulder. She turns to buddy her head into his body, her hands clutching to his chest. 

She continued, almost forced to by her own mind. "My people, who worshipped me, were killed, slaughtered by me! I, I didn't do it! I swear, I… I couldn't have! I know it is me, but, IT ISN'T!l

He held her closer, holding tight to her shoulder. After a bit, he held her face up to look at his. Her eyes dodged his gaze, shameful of what she said. 

"Look at me." He said softly. She was hesitant, worried about what sort of look he had on his face. 

"Please, look at me." He repeated, more softly than the last time.

She forces herself to look up at him. Her eyes slightly red and puffy, tears still streaming down her cheek. He gently wiped away her tears. Her eyes were soft, vulnerable to his judgement. Yet, she saw no hint of judgement, only sympathy.

"I believe you." He said softly.

Her gaze softened. 

He continued to speak, holding her close. "A person who would do such a thing wouldn't feel as much guilt as you are feeling. I don't think you are lying. I believe you."

Her cries suddenly got louder. 

"Thank you! Thank you!" She cried out. 

She needed to hear some confirmation, and from the looks of it, she needed someone to believe her for a long, long time.

She held her composure. "But then, they used some sort of binding spell on me. I could have broken free of it, but, by that point, I didn't really want to. It was a punishment I was willing to bear." She turned her head to the side, gazing at the ripples in the water. "But after centuries, the loneliness got to me. It was so lonely. Imagine my surprise when that door opened, and someone came through. It was a dream come true."

"And here we are," he interrupted. "You're freed from your prison." He said, netting her head to comfort her.

He could feel her face smile on his skin. She let go, and got back up and out of the water. She wrapped a towel around herself and headed out back to the bedroom. 

She looked back and gave him a warm smile. "Thanks for joining me," she said. "I needed that." 

He felt himself smiling. He slumped into the water and fully submerged himself to clear his mind. 

Lucifer walked around the bedroom. With a snap of her finger, a doorway opened. Within the room were many magical rings and armor. With a snap of her finger, she clothes herself with a soft silk garment. Looking around her, something caught her eyes. A crown, embellished with jewels and runes. A royal red cloak accompanied the crown. She caresses the cape, feeling it's soft silk on the tip of her finger. 

In her mind, it is a painful reminder of what she had done. She picks up a glove. Woven into the silk itself were numerous spells. The glove glowed, realizing the touch of its owner. Almost instantly, the glove put itself onto her right hand. She gently rubs the glove. 

"It's good to see you too," she said.

At the same time, she picked up some of her magical rings. "Fire, black fire, frost, water, fly, wormholes…" she mumbled, taking her time to pick. She took with her 3 rings. A ring of greater Fire Amplification, ring of knowledge: Shadow Flame, and a ring of knowledge: Wormholes.

Looking around the room, she saw a grand scepter. 

"A fine weapon for a fine man" she mumbled and giggled.

She picks up the scepter, along with a magical cloak. She heads to the bed to wait for Ralphael to finish bathing. Placing her hand on the cloak, she imbues it with a personal spell. 

Quietly she mumbled to the cloak. "Hear me, by order of Arch Demon: Lucifer, I bless thee; Phantom Recovery."

A slight glow encompassed the cloak, then died down. She smiles at the cloak, giving it a kiss to top it off. 

Ralphael stepped out of the bath, looking refreshed. Lucifer staring at his body, enticed by his figure. 

"Come here," she told him. He obliged.

"You need something?" He asks, standing in front of her. 

"I got you something" she said, showing him the cloak and scepter. 

He hovers his hand above the cloak. The silk is expertly crafted, and the fur of the collar is soft and warm. 

"It's part of my collection, and I wanted to give it to you as a gift for saving me." She excitedly said. 

With a snap of her finger, he is clothed with a simple garment, one of his sleeves falling flat to his side. 

She got up, holding the cloak in her arm. "I'll help you put it on," she said.

She got behind him and gently draped the cloak over his shoulder. The cloak glowed bright, registering him as its master. A weird sensation occurs to Ralphael. The limp sleeve slowly gained volume. Inch by inch, a glowing purple arm grew from the wound of his missing arm. His face filled with surprise. He quickly moved the arm up and down, squeezing and moving his fingers.

Lucifer smiled at his curiosity. "So, how ya like it?"

"What is this?" He asked in amazement.

She smiled gleefully before explaining what it is. "Phantom recovery." She said happily. "It's an imbuement spell to replace your arm with one made by your own mana. Of course, it only uses mana to create it, not maintain it, so you don't have to worry about it draining your mana the more you use it."

"Very neat," he said, inspecting the arm.

Her smile quickly disappeared, replaced by excitement yet again. "Oh, and this too", she urgently said, handing him the scepter.

He took hold of it, pointing it, extending it out, moving it around to inspect it. "Isn't this too fancy?" He asks.

She giggled. "Sure, but you did save me. I don't think it's an unfair gift at all."

He put the scepter into a buckle on his belt. "Thank you, Lucy." 

She smiled. "Don't mention it. I'm glad you like the gift."

"So, what now?" He asks.

She took out the 3 rings she picked up from before and laid them on the bed beside her. She gently took hold of his hand and pick up one of the ring.

She spoke as she gently put the ring on his hand. "This is a ring of Fire Amplification. It can increase your fire magic 3 fold." The ring had a dragon wrapping itself around the bloody red gem. The core of it is such a deep red that it almost looks black. 

She picks up another ring and gently puts it on another finger of his. "This is a ring of black fire. It allows you to learn and control Shadow Flames" the ring had a silver band with a black gem in the center. Its dark hue is so dark that the gem itself does not reflect any light back.

She picks up the last ring. "And this is my own ring, a spell I developed myself. It is a ring of Wormholes. It allows you to teleport to places you put wormholes at. The amount of wormholes you can put down is limited to 10, so it isn't as powerful as teleportation that other more powerful beings can use, but it is still quite hard to make." The ring was a clean silver. The gem is in the shape of a rose. Inside it shines like the stars deep in the night. It is more beautiful than anything he has ever seen. She puts it on his ring finger. 

"You're doing too much for me, you know that right?" He asks guiltily.

She shook her head. "Not at all. I insist."

He gave the Wormhole ring a soft kiss, causing Lucifer to blush and smile slightly. She looks up slightly, seeing his hands gently laid out in front of her. She took his hands as he gently pulled her up on her feet. 

"I promise. I will find a fitting ring for you someday." He gently said.

She couldn't help but smile. "Okay!" Her voice filled with excitement and hope for the future. "But first, let's get out of here."

She raises her hands into the air. With a simple snap of her finger, their surroundings warped into another room. In front of them is a large door with numerous seals. 

"Is this the exit?" He asks her.

She nodded her head. "Yep. Now step back." Her voice was stern. He stepped a few steps back to give her space. 

She took a deep breath and raised her glove up toward the seals. "By the blessing upon my name." A large magic circle appear under her feet with a white glow. "Hear my summon". Countless magic circles appeared around her figure. "And manifest before me…" from those hundreds of circles came out tips of what looks to be feathers. "Divine Storm!"

The sound of the feathers cutting through the air was akin to countless birds screeching. The feathers shot out at blinding speed, as if they were beams of light. The explosions were booming, reversing through the hall. The sounds of seals cracking like glass shattering. The magic circles she summoned were relentless, constantly summing new ones to take place if the ones that have been used up. 

After a while, the sound slowly lessens. Seemingly, she had drained a lot of her mana. 20 circles turned into 19, then 17, then 13, then 5, then 1, then 0. She was standing there, legs shaking. Her arms no longer extended so confidently. When the smoke settled, there were still countless seals remaining. 

Ralphael quickly ran to her side, letting her lean back on him as he held her. 

"Don't push yourself too much," he said. "Let me help you."

She nodded. "Thanks," she said. 

He let her sit down to rest. He stood up and readied his stance. His hand firmly extended as he took a breath. A large fireball conjured itself before him, a low humming filled the room. The fire is now glowing hotter than before. He used his control to tightly pack it into as dense of a ball as he could. Using his Black Fire ring, he imbues the ball, intensifying the fire as it flares out black flames as the humming turned into a screeching noise. 

He dug his feet into the ground and grit his teeth. "BREAK THROUGH!" He yelled out.

With all his might, the screeching ball of fire was hurled at the numerous seals. The fireball stopped at the first seal it hit. Ralphael grit his teeth, clenching his hand into a fist. 

"Come on!! BREAK THROUGH!!" He repeated. 

The first seal started showing signs of cracks. More cracks appeared as time pass, and finally, the first seal broke, shattered into pieces. Then, the second started to crack, and broke. Then the third, then 5th, then 10th, then 20th, then 30th, then 46th before the fireball finally exploded, kicking up a massive cloud of dust. They both shielded their eyes from the cloud, and waited for it to settle. 

He held his break in anticipation. Slowly, yet surely, the door is now cleared of the forsaken seals. 

Ralphael jumped in joy, fistign the air in excitement. "YES!" He shouted. "I DID IT!" 

He ran to her and harried her up on his arm as she wrapped her arm around his neck. "Indeed you did," she said with a smile. 

She laid her head on his chest as he carried her to the door. Standing in front of the large door made him feel small. She turned to look at the door. She lightly poked the door. After a moment's pause, a slit of light revealed itself, causing the two to squint their eyes from the sudden brightness. Seconds after seconds, the door slowly opens itself to the pair. 

Ralphael took a step into the light. His feet finally felt the sensation of grass on the ground after the longest 40 hours in his life. 

"You can put me down now", Lucifer said, want to feel the ground on her feet as well.

She took a moment to get her barring on the fresh grass. They are now in a bright forest. The sun shining through the leaves, the air crisp with the morning breeze. The trees and plants are all fresh with a light shower. The sounds of birds chirping filled their ears. Lucifer stood there, silent with her eyes closed. Her face has a faint smile. Ralphael took a moment to look at her face.

"How cute", he blurted out.

She opened her eyes, looking at him. "Why thank you", she replied.

He chuckled. "My pleasure," he said with a smug voice. "So where are we now?"

She looks around her surroundings for a moment. "I'm.. not quite sure… I don't really know where they built my prison." 

"Do you have teleportation by any chance?" He asked cautiously.

She shrugged. "I'm afraid not. I never really tried to learn it."

The two decided to walk for a bit, seeing if their luck served them good. Lucifer was frolicking through the forest, picking up flowers and holding them in her hand, putting it in Raphael's hair, and of course, her own hair. 

After a while, they eventually reached a clearing. Before them stood a worn down village. It looks like a ghost down from the distance. Some houses have completely collapsed. 

"What happened there?" Lucifer asked.

Ralphael took a few steps in front of her. "Let's come and ask them", he suggested.

They proceeded to the village. They walked cautiously together, Ralphael taking the lead while Lucifer followed close behind, holding his hand. Part of her is scared that she will be recognized, and the other part is excited to talk to real people. 

Upon getting closer to the village, they notice the houses have large claw marks on them. Some people peeking through the window of their slightly decrepit houses. Kids and adults alike stared at them like they had never seen a human in their life. The two felt a bit uncomfortable at the stare they were getting.

A man stepped to his doorway and waved them into his house. They were cautious doing so, but they did as he gestured to them. Inside the house were 8 people huddling in the corner of the house, sharing some bread among them. They look worse for wear. 

"What's up with the town?" Ralphael asked them. 

The man started whispering, completely terrified. "A large creature has been attacking us nonstop. The people are scared out of their minds. Usually they attack at night, but for the last 2 days, they have been stalking the town in the daytime too. If they see anyone walking around, they attack, so people are now too scared to even come out in the day." 

Another man added to the story. "We have sent requests to the capital and everything, but they haven't sent no one to help us. Those knights are trying to leave us to death I tell you." He sounded angry, furious even.

"So what are the creatures?" Lucifer asked.

"We don't know. It looks like a mix between a wolf and a bear, but gigantic. They would slaughter until they can't see another person in sight. We usually hide, but sometimes, a person would get spotted and doom the whole house to death." The man pointed to the tone of the broken down house. "That one was destroyed last night."

"We can kill it for you", Lucifer offered.

One of the women frantically retorted. "No can do, it's too dangerous. Besides, if you fail, you'll attract them to us and put us in danger, we can't risk that."

Ralphael sighed. "We can just move far from the village and kill it. That way, even if we fail, you won't be in danger."

The people thought for a moment. They look among themselves, mumbling something inaudible. Finally, they came to a census. 

One man spoke. "Alright, but please lead it far away. I beg you." He got on his knee and bowed his head.

Lucifer spoke sternly. "You may stand. It's alright, that won't be an issue."

Ralphael glances at Lucifer, then back at the man. "Can you at least tell us where we are first?" He asked.

"The Farm Village, just south of Gaitan." The man said.

Ralphael thought for a moment. "Do you know how to get to Novarn?" He asked.

The man racked his brain for an answer. "I'm afraid not, sir. You might need to ask someone from the capital. We're just workers I'm afraid." 

Ralphael sighs. "Fair enough." He resigned.

They waited until night, just sitting and resting. It was better to let Lucifer regain her strength. 

The moon was now bright in the sky. The villagers fell asleep, some on an empty stomach. Ralphael gently shook Lucifer awake for their hunt. 

"Wake up, Lucy", he quietly called out.

She slowly woke up, stretching before waking up fully. 

"Morning sleepy head." He said while smiling. 

"Good morning, handsome." She said teasingly.

He giggled. "Well, the moon is high now. Let's finish the job and get the hell out of here." He said as he helped her up. 

They made their way a fair distance away from town. 

"This should be far enough." Lucifer said.

Ralphael aimed his scepter into the sky and casted numerous fireballs into the air. After a short delay, they all exploded, cautioning a great commotion intended to attract the beast. 

Lucifer held into Ralphael's shoulder. "Cat's eye" She quietly said 

She casted a physical enhancement spell on herself and Ralphael to better see in the dark. She closes her eye for a moment to listen to her surroundings. After a moment, she quickly opened up her eyes. 

"We're surrounded, it appears" she stated.

"Where?" Ralphael asked concerningly. 

She quickly chanted a spell. "By my command, I call the fourth; Great Snow Storm!"

In the sky appear a great blue magic circle. Instantly, a snowstorm started up, raining snow on the land. Some of the snow are stuck on something invisible. The constant snowing making their outline clear to anyone. 

"There, can you see them?" She asked while maintaining the spell. 

Ralphael looks around. "Yeah. So those freaks are invisible I see." 

Raising his scepter once more, he summoned a ring of fire around the pair. 

Using his scepter as a bow, he conjures up fire arrows and imbues them with black flames. Taking aim, he fires the charger up arrows at the beast. The arrow hit its mark, completely lighting up the beast with dark flames. It didn't seem to be damaged much, if at all.

"Well, that works for me. Mind floating up a bit more? I'm new to this black flame thing." He requested.

She giggled. "Sure thing, cutie." 

He channels the black flame into the top gem of the scepter. He quickly slams the scepter down on the ground, creating a large wave of black flames traveling outward at blinding speed. All 8 beasts caught on fire, though it is too weak to do significant damage. 

"Perfect. No more hiding", he said with a grin.

"Nicely done." She complimented. "Divine magic; Lucifer's Glave!"

4 blades erupted from her body, spinning around her with her hand. The blades made quick work of one of the beasts, slicing clean through its legs, then its body, then head. 

Ralphael held up his scepter once more. "Blessed by the God of Fire, lend me your strength. I cast; Solar Flare!"

A huge beam of fire erupted from his scepter at blinding speed, blasting the beast and completely going through its body, leaving a massive hole where it hit. 

The remaining 6 beasts then started to attack together. They lunged and ran, with Lucifer and Raphael trying to guess where they were looking. Lucifer floated higher, giving support with her blades, as Ralphael casted solar flares after solar flares while attempting to dodge the attacks of the monsters.

"Ralphael, run in a straight line!" Lucifer called out.

Trusting her, he did as she told, the beasts close behind him, slowly closing the distance. 

She raised her hand once more and casted a spell. "Demonic Artes; Black Chains!"

A band of black chains appeared around the grouped beasts. 2 of them managed to hop out of the chains before it fully tightened. 

"Now!" She yelled out to him.

He quickly spoke his spell. "Blessed by the God of Fire, lend me your strength. I cast; Solar Flare!" 

This time, his attack successfully cut through 4 of the 6 beasts. The twi remaining started to flee back into the forest. 

"Oh no you don't." Said Lucifer. 

She pulled back her arm, mimicking pulling back an arrow magic gathered into the form of an arrow, and then another. She aimed her sight at the pair of beasts fleeing the scene. "Lucifer's Judgement" she mumbled. After a bit of charging up, she released. The arrows flying at blinding speed, hit their mark perfectly. 

She slowly floated to the ground, breathing out a deep breath. 

"Nicely done, your majesty." Ralphael said teasingly.

"You're not half bad yourself, my loyal subject." She said mockingly back.

They both chuckled a bit.

"So, what do we do about these things?" Asks Lucifer.

Ralphael thought for a moment. "Do those people look hungry to you?"

The two looked at eachother, and shrugged. In the end, they decided to carry one back to the villagers. Lucifer use her swords to cut up chunks and pieces of the creature. Using some chains, she simply dragged it with her as she walk back to the village.

Once the villager woke up, to their disbelief, the pair made it back in one piece. Their surprise only further increased seeing the bounty they had with them. Lucifer carefully took off the skin of the beasts, which were harder than it appears to be. Ralphael slowly cooked the meat, requesting the villagers to keep the flames up to slow cook the tough meat. The villagers gathered outside for the celebration. 

They enjoyed their short, but much needed relaxation. The kids ate their fill, their boney frame telling a sad story of starvation. Who knows how much food they saved up before the beast's attacks. Their joy brought a smile to Lucifer's face. 

Ralphael joined her side. The day went by, filled with joy and celebration of the averted disaster. He sat down beside her, urging her to sit down and watch the stars. She obliged.

Ralphael admired the stars for a bit. "The stars are beautiful isn't it?" He said.

She silently admires the stars for a moment. "Yeah," she responded. "They are."

They say there for a good minute, taking in the sight of the countless glimmering stars, like a treasure box in the heavens. 

Ralphael took a deep breath. "Was it like this for you before?" He asked.

She averted her face from the stars to look at the smiling villagers. "Yeah." She said somberly. "It was." A part of her was saddened by what happened.

He took her head, leaning it against his shoulder. "Don't be sad. What happened in the past has happened. What matters is what you decide to do in the future."

He leans his head against her, pointing at the kids ripping into the tender meat of the beast. "See that? You did that. Those people are relieved due to your effort."

She snuggles her head closer to his neck. "I could have done more." She said.

He thought for a moment. "How about we do more then?" He suggested.

She looks at his eyes. "What do you mean?" She asked softly.

He guided his hand to point at the houses that are broken down. "We could always help them rebuild their little village."

She looks at the ruined village. "Yeah", she said. "Maybe we should." Her voice clearly showing her sense of hope.

They sat there, stargazing for the moment before falling asleep, laying on the cool field, a good distance away from the villagers.