Sekai Break

Thud! Thud!

Sen's chest tightened as his heart raced beneath it. The air seemed to turn colder with every step closer to the village. As his eyes coursed through wooden gates he remembered. The flames, the screams, the blood, Miss Chin… .

" No ! " He said .

" Not now ! " he continued

He clenched his fists until his knuckles paled, trying to force his breathing into an even rhythm. They were on a mission—he couldn't lose control now. But the scent in the air, that faint trace of ash and pine, dragged at something buried deep. He shook his head once, hard, like it could erase the pull of memory.

" Are you okay? " he heard a voice ask.

" Yeah am fine . " he answered suppressing down the nauseous nostalgia.

" Remember you two , we are on a mission. Don't let your guard down. " Dym as they walked into the village. Liora and Sen walked behind him, Sen still clenching tight his fist as they fighting from within.

The village was nestled beneath towering canopies where sunlight broke through in dappled patterns and the forest faded making it seem part of the forest itself. Homes were built from moss-covered logs, roofs slanted with layered bark and straw, and vines wove naturally through their wooden walls. Villagers wore rough spun cloaks of bark-tanned leathers and muted greens that blended into the trees. Smoke curled lazily from central hearth chimneys while elders wove baskets and children played with carved sticks beneath the roots of enormous trees.

The atmosphere was gentle non like the bustling air that encompassed Laptove. Warm vibrant smiles welcome Sen and the others into the village as children and adults drew closer to the gates to look at their new visitors.

"So many people ." Sen said as he gazed at the wooden structures and silent forest residents.

" Why are you so surprised ? They are just people. " Liora reprimanded his intrigue in people.

" Even so this many living in a small village like this . I wonder what happened? " Liora wondered as they walked past the crowd of people gazing at them.

" There are others even deeper in the village. " an unfamiliar voice said gradually approaching them.

Approaching them with a gentle smile on her face was a dark haired girl. Stitched by hand from wool and bark-dyed cloth, her tunic bore stains of past salves and earthy tonics. A satchel filled with bundled unknowns rested at her hip, and a necklace clicked softly with her every step. Her hair was tied into a pony tail with her sleeves rolled up.

" Hi there .I'm Ery. " she said with a small wave.

" Hi … ? " Sen and Liora said in unison both perplexed at the girls sudden gesture.

" I'm Liora . "

" I'm … " Sen paused hesitant to say his name.

" … Sen. " he added .

" Liora and Sen huh ? It a pleasure . " she said cheery as she joined following them man guiding them.

" Oh you were one of the two girls back in the forest. " Liora said .

" Yeah. " she said excited.

" I'm a healer. " she added gesturing to her satchel.

" So were you investigating on the shriekers. " she asked .

" Back in the forest… the beast that attacked you. " she added after seeing their puzzled faces.

" Yeah . One of them got too close to Laptove and we were sent to investigate. " Liora answered.

" They've started to venture that far, huh ? " she said rubbing her chin.

"What do you mean by that ? " Sen asked curiously looking at Ery.

" In the past few months they started to act weirdly venturing deeper into the forest far from their normal habitat. "

"They usually stayed close to Wisree caves near the river but something made them start to wonder the forest bed slaying anything in their paths."

" They are rather territorial. " she added.

" Do you have any clue what could cause them to change their norms. " Liora asked.

" No. Not really. "

" Most of the villagers are non combatants and they few fighters we have are stationed around the village to protect it from any outside attacks.

" Wait . So you mean you hardly ever go out the village ? " Liora asked .

" Yeah . Basically everything we need is provided to us by the village elder . "

" She's the one who sent us to help you. "

" She has this cool power that enables her to talk to trees and plants. She also makes the best green tea in the world. " Ery said enthusiastic and excited as they approached a wooden log cabin house with rune carvings all over the margins of its exterior.

As they entered the log house Sen lagged behind. He stood still, mid-step, as if his body remembered something his mind tried desperately to forget. A smell, smoke and damp wood soaked in blood. He clenched his fists tighter and tighter , but there was no escape. The memories from back then , suppressed no more , had started to rise back.

" Sen don't lag behind . " he heard Dym say.

Dym's eyes had narrowed . He had gotten several glimpse of Sen's fingers shaking as though struggling with something unknown to them. Even though he didn't understand fully he knew something was wrong.

" Why does he trust you so much Sen ?" Dym thought as he watched Sen pass him as they entered the elder's house.

" I welcome you all to her humble abode. " the guide said as he ushered them in.

Across the wooden floor of the house seated on slightly raised wooden platform was a lady. Her back was slightly bent supporting her self on her lap with her arm,she was draped in a kimono and draped over her shoulders was a cloak, dark green , engulfing her arms completely. Her hair flowed in thick grayish braids down her chest, bound in rings of carved wood.

" Welcome visitors to my village. " she said in a slow and graceful tone.

" My name is Elder Lin. I'm the villages elder. "

"Thank you for having us Elder . My name is Hayden Dymstro. " Dym said with a slight bow as he addressed the Elder.

" These are my two subordinates. Sen and Liora. ." He added ushering to the two teenagers standing quiet behind him.

The elder's eyes searched the two standing behind Dym , as though gauging them. Suddenly they stopped and settled at Sen, her face growing more stern.

There was a moment of silence with only some slight singing from passing birds .

" Bard … " the elder finally broke the silence as she pointed at the man who had guided the trio here.

" Make arrangements for their accommodation. "

" Yes Elder . " he said with a bow before exiting the room.

Then she turned to a door left from where the exit was. The sternness of her face softened as her eyes pierced through the thin wooden shutter doors.

" Ery . Please come out no need to hide anymore."

Seconds later Ery walked through the doors sliding them shut behind her. She approached the Elder her with a smile on her face , trying to seem innocent.

" I wasn't eavesdropping or anything… I promise. " she said with a chuckle pleading for her case.

" Take Liora and Sen and show them around town and maybe I'll lenient with your punishment. " the Elder said.

" Yes Elder Lin. " she said as she ushered Sen and Liora to follow her.

As they walked out, the elder's gaze watched Sen closely. The doors slid shut and a while later their footsteps growing fainter.

The elder turned to Dym as she ushered him for a seat.

" Care to join me for some tea, Mr Dymstro. " she asked as a maid entered with a teapot.

Dym took of his shoes and settled down onto the seat offered.

" Thank you for the tea. " he said taking the cup handed to him.

" What do you wish to talk about, elder Lin. " Dym asked .

" You have two rather interesting young ones with you Mr Dymstro. " She said taking a sip of the tea.

" Interesting? How is that ? " Dym asked perplexed at her choice of words.

" I assume you already know the underlying complexities facing the girl… Liora was it ? " she said pausing gauging Dym's reaction.

Dym remained expressionless .

" Yes I do. But that's not why you offered me tea is it ? Elder. " Dym countered.

" Yes . Even though her situation is rather intriguing, she not the beckoning matter here. " she said as she added some tea leaves to her cup.

" It's about your other youngling. " she said as her and Dym's eyes locked .

" Let's talk about Sen. "