Chapter 2 - Exception
Luke
Zane and I had finished our work and were walking. As usual, he was talking about something. I was half-listening to him, while absentmindedly staring at the hilt of the soaked dagger in my hand. Roughly carved roses and poisonous ivy patterns covered the thick, dark brown leather. I put the dagger back into its sheath and attached it to my belt.
I cleared my throat and turned to Zane:11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0chRwtmg1
"You go. I'm going to walk around the forest a bit."
He looked slightly offended, as if this was the first time this had happened, and sighed:11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0FiBbYoOB
"Come on, Luke, again? And in this weather?"
"No need to exaggerate, Zane. I’ll just take a short walk and come back. You go home."11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNnDpTXEyW
After saying that, I adjusted my mask and turned left, starting to walk away.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1Iqxsn3qC
Zane’s “Be careful” got lost in the sound of rain and rustling bushes.
I was aware I had been ditching him a lot lately. So I felt a little guilty. He was my childhood friend — in fact, my only friend. I promised myself I’d spend time with him again as soon as possible.
As I kept walking — still distracted — I stepped wrong and twisted my ankle.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡau944v3QbI
Just before hitting the ground, I reflexively grabbed onto a tree branch, narrowly avoiding splashing into the mud. But that didn’t mean I didn’t feel the pain in my ankle.
For Creator’s sake, how do I even manage to twist my ankle just by walking straight?!11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOj2qrnS9Y
Still, I continued on, limping. The pain seemed to increase with every step, but I didn’t care. I’d been through worse.
After walking for about half an hour, I finally arrived…11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmtsa9kYPH
As I moved through the bushes, my heart started pounding faster, and then I saw her:
Navia.
She was organizing items on the old table in front of her cabin. Not even the rain could ruin her silky light blonde hair, always tied into twin buns.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RX5u55Hup
The melody she sang in her soft voice filled me with peace despite the noise of the rain.
Oh Creator… I could listen to this forever.
I took a few more steps. She heard the sound and turned toward me. Her soft pink eyes softened as soon as she recognized me.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AOJXKmJ24
"Oh, it’s you, Luke? How many times must I tell you not to approach so quietly?"
I rubbed the back of my neck and chuckled softly:11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMXTtd3sEA
"What can I say? It’s in my nature."
She laughed lightly too, but her expression changed when she noticed my limp. When she frowned, she’d lift her tail slightly.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRNHBRfXGI
Yes, Navia was a demon — the kind with white limbs.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2tuD59CvD
And yes... I absolutely hated demons.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjoZvWYA2g
But she was an exception.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOLLWscZtp
The kindest soul I had ever known…
Her soft voice interrupted my thoughts:11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDg6TNgDBpS
"What did you do to your foot? Have you been walking on it like this since morning? I’ve told you how wrong that is! Get inside right now, let me take a look."
She opened the cabin door and motioned for me to enter.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TG9ARiF7V
Creator… she was so worried.
"It’s just a slight sprain, Navia. Nothing serious, happened on the way here. I’m fine."
Navia paused, crossing her arms.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2aU7l7MXB2
"Then why did you come? You should’ve gone home to rest."
"Without seeing you? I can handle a little pain, Navia."
She sighed deeply and rubbed her forehead. Then, as always, she slipped into big-sister mode:11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzRr1z5UAv
"It’s probably started swelling already..."
Another sigh...11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDszcF77Pv9
"Alright then, I’ll give you some ointment for the swelling and pain, but you will go home and rest afterward."
I didn’t want to leave right away, I had just arrived. I wanted to spend more time with her. But I didn’t want to upset her either. Reluctantly, I nodded. She quickly went into the cabin and came back with a small jar. It was half full of a dark green mixture.
When she came up to me and handed me the jar, her soft skin lightly touched my gloved hand.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVClNwPfDcU
I don’t know what I would’ve done if I wasn’t wearing my mask…11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKsjxu9G8k
She smiled gently. I realized I had been holding my breath when I saw her.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMj5rlZtTz2
I tried to breathe in and out silently.
She took a few steps back and waved. I lifted my arm slightly to return the gesture.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjwGfVfgw7
I watched her until she entered the cabin.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5e0tQpzATy
Then I turned and started walking.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0lFGppUkL
I had forgotten the pain in my foot.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHq30VZnAE
Creator… it was one of the most beautiful moments of my life.
I reached home, trying not to limp. I paused for a moment at the door.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeWucmt2Sk
Then I opened it and stepped inside. I hung up my cloak, took off my boots, and placed them neatly.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklpBWXWeUZ
I tucked the jar of ointment into my cloak pocket.
Just then, I heard footsteps.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVzjhmP2IYC
It was Zane.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcAID4pa1U
On reflex, I hid the jar inside my cloak.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgW5Um557c
Zane was standing in front of me. From his facial expression and posture, it was obvious something was wrong.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWD7Lt8YhrK
A few steps behind him stood Jayden.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAQ1mQftdN
Normally, his face was expressionless, but this time I could sense something in his brown eyes — tension, maybe even stress.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv87Nn7nNPh
That piqued my curiosity.
Zane spoke anxiously:11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmF04Ed9Bcx
"Luke, what happened?"
"Forget it. It’s nothing. I tripped while walking, nothing serious."
"But you’re limping really bad—"
"I said forget it, Zane. It’s not important."
I wasn’t in the mood to deal with this.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKHQuy9dPZ
Even limping, I walked inside quickly... and saw it.
A small demon sitting on the couch—11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2VfV7uwp5
Wait a second. I looked closely. No, it wasn’t a demon, it was a half-blood.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUqecHe9re
Demons have slit pupils; his looked human.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XFYsEHqTD
A half-blood with black limbs.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR53TbA5rqU
I could see a bandage on his forehead between his white hair.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7A0kOitaL
He was wearing a sweater that belonged to Jayden.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2Qb75XGit
The kid was staring blankly.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuNPCr6tq3
It felt strange to me.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5WS0OCPZa
I looked back at Zane and Jayden behind me, then turned back to the boy:
"The half-blood is your responsibility. Don’t get me involved."
My answer was clear.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojz50FrLFm
Before they could say anything, I headed to my room.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONXBaeRGky
Right now, I didn’t care about that half-blood’s story.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJnyghtoyc
and then Add to home screen.