"Which future are you talking about?" Hanaele asked, clarifying the thoughts I shared with her with the concern about our lives. After that event, I could not concentrate on every task that the Agila squad officers ordered us to do.
It was midnight right now, and only the stars gave light to our sight. Hanaele was standing on the rooftop, so I went towards her to clarify things that kept bothering in my mind.
I tilted my head after hearing her response. I was slightly confused about her question, and I could not digest what she meant.
"The goals we have. What are they?" I argued, making a few steps closer to her until I reached her side. But, she quickly stepped forward and looked up to the sky.
"They were imposed to give meaning towards our actions. Just like how the stars appeared to confirm our existence." She whispered in the middle of a cold strike of the night.
My forehead narrowed, realizing that I wasn't talking in a straightforward conversation with her. "But why the stars?" I asked.
She bowed her head and looked around the ancient houses. I glanced in those directions as well, and I just realized how far we were from the main gate. The air went a bit heavier than a while ago. It made our hair and clothes flew in fresh. Hanaele's long red dress collided with the wind's direction. It reminds me of her superiority over others.
Hanaele moved her back to watch me listening to her. "When there is darkness, it is hard for a man to strike his way towards his goal. He feels hopeless, knowing that he is getting blind by the path he is currently striking. But when he looks above him, he will see tiny lights, tiny hopes, which makes him feel free behind those celled dreams."
I raised my shoulders a bit to show the depth of my understanding. "Well, why will he proceed though when it's still dark? He can run back home or wait for sunrise."
She sighed, closing her eyes before making a response. "I see your perspective, and I understand. You don't need to get along with us immediately. We recruited you from a different dimension, after all." She advised while removing the strands of her hair that stuck on her face.
Because of what she said, I suddenly remembered that time when they injected something on my neck that brought me unconscious all the time until we arrived at Pag-asa. I shook my head out of confusion. I honestly don't get what she was trying to say. Dimension? What was she explaining? I also don't understand the reason for creating a military system with unclear goals.
But, I guess it is just that I do not understand their works here.
To express and become open towards Hanaele and Cassius was my first struggle at all. I have many questions that keep pondering inside my mind. My concern was I don't have that perfect time to release them. Also, this hesitation did not bring that much trouble to me. Besides, I was somewhat happy being here. At least, before that strike of giant tree incident happened.
I have no idea about my fate right now, but I believe that these people who brought me here have a purpose. I think I just have to wait.
"Thank you." The sudden response of Hanaele surprised me. What was she thanking for?
I looked her straight into her eyes. "Huh? I did not say anything-"
"But I heard your voice in my mind."
Wait, what was she talking about? I tilted my head while blinking my eyes towards her. "What?"
She gave a little smile. Then, she looked away. "When we found you within the woods, we do not want you to expose early yet. So we injected an extract from the Tree of Snaedis into your neck. That rare extract allows AEliens to read minds. AEliens can lock and open their thoughts towards any creature they choose to invade their thoughtfulness."
Phew? I became speechless. There are many things that I need to remember in this place. From talking about the future, goals, stars, freedom, and now Aeliens?
"You mean, I can lock my thoughts so that an Aelien cannot read my thoughts?" I asked, raising my hands in a laid position, right-aligned with my shoulders. At this point, I was a bit terrified to know that an unfamiliar chemical that went to my entire body, have this kind of magic to do with locking and unlocking our mind.
"Yes,"
I accidentally made a few steps back while digesting the information I discovered. Also, after hearing Hanael's response. "Are you somehow confirming to me that I am an Aelien right now?"
"No,"
"Huh?"
"There's a lot more things that you should consider putting your attention to this time. We are going to start the formal expedition tomorrow. You should go and rest." Hanaele left me hanging after saying these words instead of making things clear. I let out a word, but I was unable to continue since she quickly jumped below and flew away.
I even forgot to ask about how to lock and unlock my thoughts. Ugh!
-
Wearing with me the official uniform of training Agila Forces that Cassius gave to me, plus the white hip-level cloak, I hopped myself over the stirrup iron placed at the back of the horse. The horse made a sound and moved its two front legs upwards when I positioned myself on the seat while holding the reins.
I leaned forward and caressed its neck. "Be good with me, buddy."
After which, I controlled the horse to make our position at the back of our squad leader, which happened to be in the middle of us. Hanaele and Cassius went far ahead. Obviously, their ranks are higher than us who are here.
"Good morning, Sophia!~" The morning greeting of Flora startled me. She inserted herself between a guy and me a foot or two beside me. I just noticed that it was Nover. Our fellow comrades saw what she did, and they were slightly sour to see her confidence in breaking a military instruction.
"Why are you here?" I asked due to my surprise. "I mean, you want to get punishment, huh?"
She made a pout while slightly rolling her eyes. "Eh, Larch doesn't care anyway! Also, aren't you happy to see my cute face?~" She laid her chin over the palms of her hands, forming a v-shape underneath. Her head was slightly tilted as she let out a huge smile. Her cheeks were evident because of what she did.
I rolled my eyes and looked away. Tch. She still acts this way despite attending a formal expedition.
Without me noticing her, she pinched the left side of my hip. This made me moved my horse out of the line. "Ah! Hey!" I gasped. I accidentally slapped her hand.
"You're mad at me?" She asked. Her eyes looked straight to mine. It was graceful but sad. Ah, what drama is this?
"I am concern about you're recklessness," I explained, hoping to bring her into a full army mind setting this time.
"Awie~ Really? You're concern?"
"Yeah, whatever."
"Yay!" She released the ropes she was holding and moved her horse closer to mine just to hug me. I froze. It brought me into a surprise situation. Her gestures were uncomfortable, and at the same time, I felt awkward for no reason. Thankfully, I managed to remain calm.
She leaned her head beside my shoulder and pulled me closer to her. I glanced at her face, and she was smiling. "What are you doing?"
"You are the only closest person I have here."
Point taken, but why? Wasn't she lived here for a long time? I just shook my head. Maybe because her jolly attitude made her unfit for this environment.
I shrugged my body to moved away from her. "Stop with this drama, Flora."
I felt relieved when she moved back and fixed herself away from me. "Aight! Okay!~"
Flora led the horse in exchange for Nover's pace. Oh wait, I just realized that Nover wasn't around anymore. I looked around to see him. Villagers were surrounding beside the path, they were looking at us. Some members also looked around them when my eyes glanced at theirs for a second. They knew that I was finding someone.
The last time I checked him a while ago, his eyes were half-opened. He also got some eyebags on his eyes. He barely speaks to the rest of us even if someone initiates to have a conversation with him. Nover literally went stagnant all the time now. I caught him starring alone, facing the walls, and a while ago, he was looking at nowhere without moving an inch.
I bowed my head and stopped looking for him. He probably needs space after his grandfather died.
The sound of the trumpet, which the head commander operated, began. We immediately prepared ourselves to move out. Some horses yelled with the sound. Agila commander, Sir Raven, leads the whole Agila team which consists of both the Force and Squad. The same system goes with Sabahi Contingent and its Squad, the ones in-charge of hunting and safeguard the borders-which I have no idea where to locate.
As the gate opened, the Esperers, which happens to be the top five veterans and masters, from Agila and Sabahi headed the way first along with the head commander.
When the gate closed, and all of us were out from Pag-asa, Flora screamed in happiness. She raised one arm while feeling the fresh wind. "Yoho!"
She spotted me looking at her. "I am excited to apply what we have trained for almost a month!~"
And with that, we accelerated towards the path.
I've been here for almost a month, and yet I am still doing something which destination is unsure. And, I have no idea what my mother was thinking and doing throughout the time that I left. It must be painful for her, but I have no choice. I need to move on and start a new life.
I want a new life...