Book 6} Chapter 48
The Two Worlds
2つの世界

I walked alongside Sonju and Mujika as they led us through the paths.
"Don't worry, they won't find this path," Sonju told us, a smile on his face.

"I connected the caves of dead vampire trees to make these paths. It's a maze down here, and only Mujika and I know the exits," he explained.

"I still get lost," Mujika piped up, also smiling.
She looked at me and I looked up from the ground, smiling back at her.
I could feel Ray's glare piercing through me, and it wasn't pleasant.

We had a small "argument" before this.
See, Ray wanted us to separate. Emma taking the middle, him in front, and me in back.
But Mujika offered me to stand up with her at the front, and I didn't refuse.

"The demons from the farm don't know their way around this forest. You can go straight on this path to get out of the forest," Sonju told us.

*~*

"Do you guys live in the forest?" Mujika turned to the little girl, "No. we are just traveling through. We travel around, going from place to place," Mujika responded with a smile.

"Sounds like fun," I commented, trying to get my mind off of... something. She nodded.
"And why is that?"
Sonju hesitated before grinning, "Who knows?"

I was pulled back by Emma, Mujika looked back in confusion but smiled and turned away.
"A promise between demons and humans..." Don muttered.
"A promise was mentioned in Mr. Minerva's morse code," Gilda added.
"So that was what he was talking about?" Don asked.
"Probably," Emma responded.

{ Why are we talking about this now? Can't we just relax? }

"But what does it mean that this is earth but not the humans' world?" Nate asked.
"And that the world was split?" Anna asked after.

I answered for Emma, why else was I here? "We thought that something happened 30 years ago that made the world this way. But for a thousand years, this region hasn't had human countries, societies, or cities," I started explaining.

"The promise from a thousand years ago split the world in two," Emma continued.
"According to Sonju, the path is closed. The door is closed. We can't go to where we used to be able to go."

"If that's true, we're on the demons' side of the world that was cut off. So what we read in books and thought of as the world... wasn't here, but a different place," Don said.

"That's why what we're aiming for in the end... is to get out of this world," Emma continued.
"And Mr. Minerva probably knows how to do that?" Anna asked.
"Exactly," I muttered.

"We'll go see Mr. Minerva and ask him how to cross between the two worlds. And we'll prepare and get everything ready within two years... go back to get Phil and the others... and go to the human world. To do that, we're heading to B06-32," Emma explained.

"So there's a world without demons, eh?" Don said.

I mentally face-palmed.

"An unexpected hope," Anna smiled.

"But.. will it be that easy?" Nate asked.
"True. Besides, you were told it's impossible, right? To go back and forth. That is was part of the promise? We're a large group. And even if Mr. Minerva knows something... it can't go that smoothly," Gilda added.
{ Someone with sense... }

"I never assumed it was going to be easy," Emma smiled.
{ Of course. }
"Traversing the two worlds is one thing... but we first need to survive in this demon world. That hasn't changed. But hope is becoming more of a reality. We escaped not knowing what steps to take next. It was all we could do. But now we see a path. I won't let anyone die," she announced.
I stared at them with a blank expression. { No, please, let me die } I thought but didn't say.

"We'll live together again. Together, happily! And now we see a way to get there. I'll do anything to achieve that. Even if they say it's impossible. I don't care how difficult it will be. Let's go, guys. To the world without demons. For that, we're going to B06-32. To where Mr. Minerva is," she smiled. Everyone looked determined.

I just forced a smile and headed back to catch up with everyone.

"Then," Gilda said.
{ Wait, we're still talking? } I looked back.

"Can I say something too? I've wanted to say this to you since yesterday, Emma," Gilda said.

"If you're not feeling well, you tell us immediately," she said sternly.

"Uh, Gilda?" Emma looked scared.
"Listen up. You will never again keep going until you faint. Got it?"
"Uh..."
"Got it?"
"Okay!"

"You're always too reckless! It wasn't in the plan to cut off your ear! It's fine to be brave, but there's no point if you die. So stop being reckless!" Gilda told her.
"I'm sowwy... but..."
"No buts."

I let out a sigh and continued on my way. { To peace and quiet... }
"Same goes for you, Ray," I then heard.
{ Nevermind. No peace and quiet. }

"I heard you set yourself up as bait."
"And you tried to defeat that lizard demon on your own too."
"You're crazy to play tag with the pursuers!"
"You're insane!"
"Ray always tries to run off and die if you don't keep an eye on him."
"Trying to die again, eh?"
The kids all started to talk.

{ Yup. no quiet. }

"Hey, hold it! Hold it, I wasn't..." Ray started.
"Then let's ask Sonju."
"He would have died, 100 percent," Sonju said.
"See?"

Some of the kids looked scared and Jemina hugged Ray, crying.
"I won't die! I won't die! So..."
"We were worried," she said softly.

"Just like you and Emma are worried about us... we were worried sick about you two this whole time," Don said.
{ Two... again. }
"Yeah. Don and Gilda were on the verge of crying," Nate commented.

"If you need help, tell us. If you're in pain, say something. Don't hold it in. we'll work hard too. We'll figure it out. If things get dangerous, run away. Please," their voices mixed together to the point I didn't know who was saying what.

{ I thought this ended now. I thought I was acknowledged now... }

"Please take care of yourself more. We're happy that you care about us so much. But you two are part of our precious family."

{ Stop... }

"That's why... please?"
"Okay. Thank you. Sorry, everyone," Emma said softly, hugging Gilda.

I rushed up with Sonju and Mujika.
{ Is it selfish? To just want someone to notice that I'm here. That happened. I was finally acknowledged. But now? I'm back at the bottom again }

Sonju lifted me up and onto his horse?
"Thank you," I mumbled.
Sonju just patted my head.

"They're all good kids," Mujika smiled.
"Yeah," Sonju agreed.

They then spoke in a different language. Demon language, I guess?
They also spoke in a whisper to what I couldn't hear.

Once they finished, Sonju dropped something in my lap.
My eyes went wide as I wiped the water away from them.
"Where did you-"
"They fell out," he answered.
I took a deep breath, nodding as I put the pills in my pocket.

彼らは私をもっと認めてくれるので、私は留まりたかったのです。

私が愛した人たちが私がそこにいたことを気にしなかったので、私は死にたかった。

3/21/2020
Word Count: 1142