Selene and Moon decided to no longer waste ti and headed toward the Rotten Pine Forest now that Mirage had finally woken up.
As they prepared to depart, making final checks of their equipnt and saying brief farewells to the Savi warriors, Yara approached them with a serious expression on her face.
"I want to co with you."
The statent was direct, lacking her usual hesitant uncertainty.
Selene and Moon exchanged a brief glance before Moon turned his full attention to the young Savi maiden.
"Why?"
It wasn't dismissive. Just a simple question that demanded an honest answer.
Yara's small hands clenched at her sides for a mont. Then, she released them along with a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding.
"I want to grow stronger," she said, her voice steady despite the weight of what she was asking. "I also want to leave this world and join you on your journey to the other world."
She pointed upward, toward the sky that marked the boundary of their realm. "The world outside this place. A world filled with dangers and opportunities. I want to beco strong enough that I'll be able to protect those I care about."
Moon studied her carefully, searching for doubt or hesitation. But there was none. This wasn't an impulsive decision born from montary emotion.
He'd seen Yara when they first spoke about the world outside, she was hesitant, and afraid of change.
But sothing had changed.
The attack on the Heretics' settlent. The death of her people at the hands of the heretics had changed Yara greatly. She had beco much more proactive in her approach.
Those experiences had transford hesitation into determination.
Yara wasn't the sa person who'd first guided them across Lunaris Island. She'd been forged by loss and hardship into soone willing to pursue strength, even knowing the dangers that path entailed.
Selene's expression grew worried, her concern for her friend evident. "Are you sure, Yara? This is a very serious decision." She paused, her voice taking on a more cautionary tone. "Besides, you aren't human. When others of our race see you, they'll attack you thinking you're an enemy. They won't stop to ask questions or listen to explanations."
Yara's expression didn't waver.
"And I might ascend soon," Selene continued, her voice carrying a note of regret. "So I might not be able to stay with you for long. You'd be alone among humans who see you as a monster. It's... it's not a kind world for soone like you."
"That's okay."
Yara's response was unwavering.
"I know the risks," she continued, eting Selene's eyes directly. "I know I'll face discrimination, violence, maybe even death just for existing where humans don't expect . But staying here..." she gestured to the Heretics' settlent behind them, "staying on this island where I'm 'safe'... that's not living. That's just surviving until sothing worse happens."
Her hands clenched again, but this ti with determination rather than nervousness.
"Most of my people are dead. And I couldn't do anything about it. This world limits us, it doesn't allow us to reach our potential."
Yara's voice grew stronger, and more passionate.
"I don't want to just survive anymore. I want to be strong enough that when danger cos, I can protect the people I care about instead of watching them die."
She looked directly at Moon, then at Selene.
"You two saved us. Saved . You fought the strongest creatures and won. You walked into the Rotten Pine Forest—a place that killed everyone who entered—and ca back alive. You're strong. And I want to learn from that strength."
Silence fell over the group.
Gratis, who'd been standing nearby, stepped forward. His voice carried a mixture of resignation and understanding.
He placed a hand on Yara's shoulder, a gesture of support.
User Comments
0 comments from readers