Chapter 7: A Bundle of Curiosity

“Teacher.”

Theo looked behind to meet the voice that had called him out. A girl with a long ponytail that reached her waist was before his sight. She carried a thick book on her left hand. It had a wooden cover with smoothed out edges. On the cover were engravings that denoted the book for what it was. “Adi’s Notebook”.

“Adi,” Theo responded.

“Teacher, what are you looking at?” Adi asked. 

Theo turned his head facing forwards. “I’m simply just wondering about the forest.” 

“The forest?”  

Adi shifted her sight to the village’s entrance and saw the forest that surrounded the village. The forest of birch trees was usually a sight to see. The white trunk with black spots brought out the bright vibrant leaves that made up the tree’s crown. 

However, the thing that stole Adi’s attention was the “road” that ran through the forest. Since the corpses of the beast tide were taken care of prior, the road served as the last reminder of the battle aside from the infant. 

From Adi’s view, the road was just a straight line that never ended. It was a completely empty road, the previous trees that once stood tall had been trampled down into nothingness.    

“What do you see?” Theo asked. 

Theo’s question was a spark that started a series of fireworks in Adi’s mind. Different ideas and questions flew up within milliseconds. 

Theo glanced at his student. He could tell what she was thinking.

“Sometimes, the most simple answer is the most correct one,” Theo advised.

His words caused Adi to look up at him. 

“I just see a road that runs through our Midris forest.” 

“I see the exact same thing. Yet the question is what lies at the end of the road?” 

“The end of the road…” Adi mumbled to herself. “The closest village in that direction is the Apis village,” she stated.

“Correct. Now, since the tide managed to reach us, that would mean?”

“It means that… the Apis village is no more.” 

Theo listened to Adi’s conclusion while maintaining his sight onto the large road in front of him. Even though it had nothing, it couldn’t erase the fact that it was the Reaper’s pathway; painted from bloodshed. 

“And?” Theo asked.

“And… further back was Glane then…” Adi’s eyes shuddered at the thought of it all.

“Yes, we aren’t sure yet how far back this trail of death goes.”

Adi could only nod at Theo’s word while her shoulders trembled with fear taking reign in her heart. A warm hand ruffled her hair, dragging her mind out of the terror. 

“It’s okay now. You are safe,” Theo comforted. 

“But all those people, the villages. They are all gone now,” Adi muttered. 

“Yes, and that’s why a tide is so fearsome. This village is fortunate to have such a powerful Astral Spirit.” Theo nodded. “Adi.” 

“Yes, teacher?” 

“How much of the world have you seen?”  

“I’ve never left the village,” Adi answered.

Theo smiled. “While there are great terrors out there like the Exiled and the tide. There are also brilliant wonders that prevail in this harsh world. Do you want to hear about them?” 

Adi’s eyes sparkled with the opportunity to learn. Theo’s words were the shining light that condemned the fear in Adi’s heart. Even though the fear might never disappear, for now, it’s been controlled. 

“Yes, I do!” Adi responded.

***

Lydia’s heart was a thunderstorm that beat out loud but not so proud. Her ears took on the colour of the sunset sky: a pinkish-orange. The embarrassment ran amok in her heart, sprouting numerous fears. 

My heart is too loud… can he hear it? Is my face a tomato? Oh no, what if he sees it? What would he think? 

Prior to this, she has never had any interaction with her chief. A man she had admired for a long time. She had an urge to glance at Polius but then another urge smacked the thought away as she couldn’t bear to risk showing him her rosy face. 

The corridor was short yet the small fraction of time felt like an eternity. At last, they finally reached the end of the tiny path. Lydia’s heart rested slightly at the sight of the wooden door in front of her. Albeit this moment of relaxation was fleeting as she could feel the presence of Polius behind her. 

She pushed the door and stepped inside immediately. 

Inside the room, a bundle of cuteness laid quietly on the bed with his eyes shut closed. He was by every definition, an adorable baby. His soft chubby cheeks that had a tint of pink and his dainty nose painted a picture that you couldn’t get enough of. 

Lydia’s heart soothed as her eyes landed onto the infant. Her fingers got itchy as an urge to pinch the baby’s cheek rose up within her. But the sound of the footsteps behind her snapped her out of her thoughts.

Polius stepped forward and passed by Lydia. He arrived before the bed and stared down on the infant. He appeared to be in deep contemplation over the infant.  

Meanwhile, Lydia’s eyes were glued to Polius’ chiselled face. Her heart wanted to burst out as the seconds went by. But then a wave of sadness quickly washed over her as the boulder of reality squashed the flame inside of her.

Who am I kidding… I’m just here to help take care of the infant. I shouldn’t expect anything. He doesn’t know anything about me. 

She was just an orphan picked up by Empedocles and survived by the sympathy of the village. What more could she have asked for? Polius was, in the end, just a man that she admired from afar. 

Lydia fiddled with her hands as her eyes were stuck to the floor. Her heart was still in disarray as if they were strings that were made into knots. 

“Lydia,” Polius called out.

His sudden words caused her to jump up and bury down her self-deprecating feelings.  

“Y-yes?” Lydia answered.

Polius’ eyes widened at the strange behaviour, “What’s wrong?” 

“Nothing, nothing at all,” Lydia responded in a haste.

“I see. Thank you for taking care of the infant,” Polius said. 

“Ah, please don’t say that.” Lydia’s eyes faced the floor once again. “This village… took care of me when I had nothing. This was the least I could do.” 

Polius nodded at her words. “But even so, thank you for your effort. I’ll have to rely on you from now on.”

“I-it’ll be my pleasure, Chief!” Lydia stuttered. 

Polius glanced out through the window and saw the orange sky. The sun was setting, dying the horizon with its vibrant colours. It was a captivating view. 

Lydia’s eyesight rose up after a moment of silence. She saw the orange light nested perfectly on Polius’ face, basking him in the afterglow. Following his gaze, she stared out to the beautiful sunset. 

They both watch the sun slowly descend down into the distance. No words were spoken during this small pocket of time. Instead, their focus was on appreciating the nature of the world. Regardless of what took place, the sun would always rise up from the east and set in the west. 

This simple but undeniable fact alleviated the anxiety that was hidden deep in their soul. 

“Lydia,” Polius called out.

“Yes, Chief?” Lydia turned to face Polius. 

“You should head back, I’ll handle the rest for now.”

“Ah, are you sure Chief? The elder told me to take care of the infant.”

“As you can see, the child is rather tame. I think I can handle it for the night.”

“Ah,” Lydia nodded. Her heart couldn’t help but drop from disappointment. “I’ll take my leave now.”

She turned around and walked away. Before she left the room, she turned back and bowed toward Polius. 

He nodded at her action and she left the room, leaving Polius with the baby alone.

***

Polius glanced down to stare at what could possibly be the embodiment of joy. He sat down on the bed right next to the sleeping infant. Just like how Lydia had described the baby, the infant stayed still without any movement at all. 

Unable to resist the urge, Polius nudged the baby’s cheeks. He could feel the soft pillow bouncing back at his small exertion of pressure. And a gentle smile crept up on Polius’ face, unbeknownst to him.   

You adorable fella. 

Ever since Polius woke up from the battle, his mind had been plagued with numerous concerns. Even the Banquet of Mourning couldn’t offer him the solace he sought. Yet now, when left alone with the infant that was partly responsible for his villagers’ death, he couldn’t help but feel his mind and soul being soothed by the baby’s presence. 

It was the irony of life and fate. A source of headache for the village was now pacifying his weary mind.  

Polius laid down sideways next to the baby, his elbow placed above the infant’s bald head while his hands supported the weight of his chin. He watched over the toddler and continued to nudge the soft bouncy cheeks. 

Regardless of how many times Polius poked the baby’s cheek, it wouldn’t even frown let alone move. The infant simply laid there like a statue, motionless and indifferent. 

The night continued to pass and the two stayed inside their small bubble without any disturbance. 

***

In a small room with wooden walls, Lydia was folding a blanket made from animal fur; a gift from the kind Hunters.

A humming sound leaked into the room as the door opened wide and a figure shot through, tackling Lydia from behind. They both fell onto the bed.

“Lydiaaa!” A clear energetic voice rang out.

Lydia didn’t need to turn around to know who her tackler was. “Yes, Medea?” she responded. 

Laying on top of Lydia was a girl with shoulder-length hair.

“Guess what?” Medea asked as she rubs her face against Lydia’s back. 

Lydia laughed, “Stop that! You know I’m ticklish. What is it?” She wriggled out of Medea’s tight grasp to face her and hugged her back. 

“I got to talk to the Chief today!” Medea giggled.

“Oh?”

Medea grinned, “The elder told me to take care of Reynold. You know the kid that delivered the news about the tide?”

“Ah yes, I remember him,” Lydia responded. 

“So when the kid woke up, I rushed to the Chief to tell him about it!” 

“Ahhh,” Lydia nodded. 

Medea’s eyes were gleaming with stars that could light up the night sky. Lydia couldn’t help but smile at how enthusiastic her sister was. 

Lydia looked up at the ceiling. “I also got to meet the Chief today,” she muttered.

“What?! No way. How?”

At that moment, unknown to Lydia, Medea’s eyes lost their light as a layer of darkness veiled over them. 

“When the elder told you to take care of Reynold, he entrusted the infant to me,” Lydia said. “You should have seen the infant, Medea. His cheeks were so soft. His looks reminded me of Sir Theo. I think he’ll be a really handsome child when he grows up...” 

Lydia continued to speak while waiting for Medea to interrupt her like usual but it didn’t happen. Met with the unexpected silence, Lydia glanced down. 

She saw Medea’s smile. 

“What’s wrong?” Medea asked.

“Ah, it’s nothing,” Lydia responded.

Medea pouted, “Hmph, the elder is being mean to me.”

“Silly, let’s get ready for bed.”

“Okay!”