Meanwhile, on the other side of the pine forest, a cool breeze slipped through the old Alfrore branches. His breeze touched the surface of Seeka's dying skin. Candramawa collapsed in the arms of Alfrore's branch. The wound hasn't healed properly. It may take her minutes, even hours. Several times Candramawa felt herself on the edge of consciousness. Her fingers twitched, her calf and back muscles stretched. But she still felt so tired. Her eyes refused to open and her muscles ached. Candramawa allowed herself to fall asleep again before she even opened her eyes.
Ever since Laureen left Candramawa, Alfrore had been holding back from moving at all. Thankfully Alfore was used to pretending to be an ordinary tree in front of humans. Despite feeling sore, Alfrore could enjoy his task without complaining at all.
At least until Mark comes around. The man stamped his foot hard, so Alfrore couldn't hide his worry. The tree pushed Candramawa deeper and deeper with its barren branches. Alfrore's bloodshot eyes kept watching the Coalition General. He won't let Markus take Candramawa from him. Just like he did with his twin brother. Alfrore had already heard about that event from Laureen.
"What are you doing here Markus?" asked Laureen after landing lightly behind the man called Mark. “You annoyed my friend.”
Markus turned around, but didn't smile at all. "I didn't come to fight or chat like two heroes in kung fu films, Laureen. I'm looking for my niece."
"She is not here." Lauren lied. Of course the woman knew that Mark would not believe her. Especially after seeing the gigantic weaver bird's nest that Alfrore had made with its branches.
"Don't be funny, Lauren." Markus was patient.
Lauren shrugged. Then pointed at Alfrore. "She's there, but this old man won't let her go."
There was something about this anomalous pine tree that always frightened Markus. But this man didn't want to make assumptions about how much power Alfrore had and what that tree could do. Precisely because the tree doesn't speak and never acts, Markus can't guess. He knows that every big tree has bigger and stronger roots. So Markus played it safe and chose the other way.
Markus relaxed his gesture, he looked at Laureen with a sad face. Hoping that the ever-drunk Laureen will see through the skits and be fooled.
“I was there last night, that Reeda attacked Marlon then…”
Laureen held up a hand for Mark to be quiet as Alfrore's branches clattered. Laureen knew that Candramawa had regained consciousness.
Markus immediately covered his mouth. He faces Candramawa. Hope the first word that comes out of the child's mouth does not corner him.
Alfrore spread his branch so Candramawa could stand up. The branches guarded Candramawa until the girl could stand straight.
“I can't stop thinking. Every time I almost die, someone always comes to save my life.” Candramawa quipped, while feeling her wound which was almost healed. “But, they don't do that to the others. People who don't deserve to die."
Laureen felt bad when Candramawa said that. At first, Laureen wanted to ask about the events at Garg's house. Immediately after Candramawa regained consciousness. But she undo her intention. Forcing Candramawa to speak at a time like this would be unwise. Laureen knew very well what would happen if Candramawa went berserk.
"Candramawa, my niece." Mark says hello. The man wanted to get closer, but it didn't look like Alfred would let him. So the man stayed put. He lowered his hand again which had been raised in vain. No one wanted to cuddle with him right now.
"Marlon and his future wife, I can't save them," Mark's voice trembled. He lowered his head and rubbed his cheeks to make it look more serious.
Candramawa stared at her uncle without blinking for a few seconds. Considering something in her mind. Then the girl yawned. Candramawa stroked Alfrore's trunk while asking about the condition of the tree. They haven't seen each other for three months. Markus was offended by what his niece did. But he held back.
"Candramawa, I came here because I was worried about you." Markus demands attention.
"Where's Felis?" asked Candramawa finally. But her body was still facing Alfrore.
"I can't find it." Markus answered.
"I didn't ask you, Uncle." Candramawa turned to Laureen.
Candramawa is not an ordinary Seeka girl. Before she even knew that a Lumons could arm themselves with the magic they called aisikla. Because her father was a Seeka and her mother a Reeda. In the past, only the Gods knew whether Candramawa would become a Reeda or a Seeka.
All Marlon knew was being on guard. He wanted to be a father who was always there and nurtured this girl with love. Even if Candramawa becomes a Reeda, he won't be too cruel.
However, the human school cannot always be conditioned like that. There was a time when Marlon and his wife had to move Candramawa from one school to another. When the girl doesn't get what she wants, fights with her classmates, or gets bored with her teacher.
Little Candramawa will seek her own justice. She made sure everyone received their rewards before Marlon picked them up. The girl had set fire to a classroom—before the building was empty. Without getting her hands dirty.
Candramawa, can become a devil whenever there is a chance. Until the moment her mother died. Her father was relieved that Candramawa was a Seeka. Marlon asks Garg to teach Candramawa in a Weesa way, so that her harsh nature seems to evaporate. And Laureen is always there to supervise.
Now there's no Garg, no Marlon anymore. Who knows how Candrawama will face this event?
"She's not there," said Lauren.
"Kid, I'm your uncle, we have a lot to talk about." Markus tried again. He already cursed dozens of times in his heart. He was grateful no one could read it, at least that's what he knew. Because Marlon never told his twins that Candramawa could easily read his father's thoughts. Candramawa just doesn't want to do it anymore.
"I'm not talking about dead people. Starting today." Candramawa made a decision.
"I'm not talking about that, I'm talking about Gregora." Markus paused, glancing at Laureen. "Someone killed him."
"Where did that information come from?" Laureen was both interested and worried.
Markus doubted. He didn't answer Lauren's question.
“I'm not talking about Gregora either. Because he too is dead,” concluded Candramawa.
“That's not the case. But the possibility of the killer is a Reeda.” Markus quickly finished his sentence before Laureen could interrupt him.
“Maybe…” Candramawa's tone was mocking. "What is impossible here?"
"Are you sure? However, Felis never met Gregora in person.” Lauren panicked.
Candramawa glanced at Laureen. The girl flicked her eyebrows so that Laureen wouldn't make a gesture that would make Markus suspicious.
“Laureen give us some space to talk. If you do not mind." Candramawa gets rid of Laureen.
It took Laureen three seconds before she agreed to Candramawa's wish. “Of course,” said Laureen.
Then after Laureen jumped off into the other side of the forest Candramawa confronted Markus. "Well, now we're alone. Exactly as you planned. Tell me what you want to talk about, uncle.”