Chapter 14 – Whispers of the Past
The small wooden hut was simple, barely furnished. A straw bed lay in the corner, and a clay bowl of water rested on a crude wooden table. The air smelled of earth and old timber.
Ymir sat on the edge of the bed, her fingers idly tracing the scars on her arms. She had never been in a place like this before—a home untouched by war, by conquest. No chains, no orders. Just… quiet.
Ember floated near the window, his form barely glowing in the dim light. He watched the village outside, his expression unreadable. "You know, I think this might be the first time you've been around people who don't see you as a god or a monster."
Ymir didn't answer.
She had spent centuries being one or the other—an instrument of war, a nameless entity bound to Paths. But here, she was just… a stranger.
It was unsettling.
Ember turned to her, his eyes sharp. "You're thinking too much again."
Ymir frowned. "They don't know what I am. If they did—"
"They don't. And they won't. Unless you decide to throw a Titan tantrum in the middle of the village."
She gave him a flat look.
Ember smirked. "Relax, Ymir. You're not in the Eldian court anymore."
The words stung more than she cared to admit.
Before she could respond, there was a knock at the door.
Ymir tensed.
Ember simply drifted back, his glow dimming even further until he was nearly invisible. Only she could see him, after all.
Another knock. Then, a voice. Soft, hesitant. "Are you awake?"
Ymir hesitated before standing and opening the door.
A young girl stood outside, no older than ten. Her brown hair was in loose braids, and she held a small clay bowl filled with steaming food. "Mama said you must be hungry."
Ymir stared at her.
The girl shifted nervously. "You… are hungry, right?"
Ymir finally nodded and took the bowl. The warmth seeped into her fingers. "Thank you."
The girl brightened. "Mama says travelers bring stories. Have you seen anything amazing?"
Ymir hesitated. What could she say? That she had witnessed kingdoms rise and fall? That she had shaped the fate of empires? That she had died and yet still remained?
Instead, she simply answered, "Yes."
The girl beamed. "Can you tell me one?"
Ymir wasn't sure how to respond.
Ember chuckled. "She's persistent. I like her."
Ymir gave him a warning look before turning back to the child. "Maybe later."
The girl pouted but nodded. "Okay! But you have to promise."
Ymir didn't promise anything.
The girl didn't seem to notice. "My name's Lifa! What's yours?"
Ymir hesitated. It had been so long since anyone had asked.
Lifa tilted her head. "Do you not have one?"
Ember scoffed. "Oh, this is just sad."
Ymir ignored him. Finally, she said, "Ymir."
Lifa smiled. "Nice to meet you, Ymir!" Then, she turned and skipped away, calling over her shoulder, "Don't forget about the story!"
Ymir stood in the doorway, watching her go.
Ember floated beside her. "Well, that was cute."
Ymir didn't answer.
She looked down at the bowl in her hands, at the food that had been given freely.
For the first time in centuries, someone had spoken to her without fear.
And she wasn't sure what to do with that.