Kai was too scared and too tired to think of a way to escape. All he can do is run while Zion tried his best to stop the soldiers.
He know his friend is strong but theres just too many soldiers. But since he was the obvious target he needs to find a place to hide. If hes out in the open it will be easier to capture him. He tried to knock at houses but people arent opening their doors. They probably already heard the soldiers footstep and so they stay hidden.
He's already losing hope when he saw a door thats partly open. He hurriedly entered the house and close the door.
Inside he saw a very beautiful woman. Her blonde hair is literally glowing and so is her white pale skin. She's looking down on an old bed ridden lady who seems to be very sick.
"I'm sorry for intruding. There are people looking for me. I'm not a criminal please dont tell on me." Kai begged her before she can say anything. She looks kind.
"You can see me. That can only mean one thing. You've seen the death of a loved one very recently. I'm sorry for your loss." She said in a very soft and consoling voice. He was too afraid that he didn't realize earlier what she meant.
"I'm sorry that i went inside your house without your permission. I just need a place to hide. I will go once the soldiers leave."
"Dont worry you're safe here." She then walk towards him and without second thought put him inside her embrace.
As she fully embraced Kai the soldiers came barging in. They didn't even bother to knock. But he was already taken to another dimension.
Her arms brought Kai a feeling of peace. All his fear suddenly disappear. And all that is left is comfort. She brought him to a place that is warm and at the same time serene and far from danger. Her arms is a safe place.
"Don't worry you're safe now." She whispered. As she said that she released Kai from her embrace. And suddenly theyre back in the house. The soldiers were already gone. The house was ransacked but the old lady was fine though very sick.
The beautiful woman return to her side and intently listens to her call.
"Thank you for answering my prayer. Goddess Macaria." she cried out.
"It's okay you can finally rest now." Macaria answered.
She then hold her face and the old lady finally closed her eyes and take her final breath. She died in peace.
Macaria then look at Kai. "Can you help me?" She asked.
"How can I help?" He asked. He doesn't know why hes not afraid of her.
"This old lady doesnt have a family of her own. She lives alone and it will probably take days before her neighbors finds out she already passed away. I wont be able to bring her body to the underworld so can you bury her for me?" she asked. "Don't worry I will reward you for your effort."
"Goddess you save my life. I owe everything to you. I will do anything you asked of me." Kai said.
"You can bury her in her backyard. Her name is Adora. You will find your reward in the pit where you will bury her." she instructed.
He just nod and didnt say a word. Hes too mesmerized by her beauty. She was about to leave when he stopped her.
"I'm sorry goddess, I know I'm a bother. I just have one favor to asked. I have a friend, we got separated when the soldiers chased me. I wanted to know if he is fine."
"Its not yet his time. I can still feel his breathing. He is okay." She assured Kai.
"Whats your name?" The goddess asked.
"Kai. My name is Kai. Goddess Macaria." He kneeled before her.
"I'm just a minor goddess you dont need to kneel before me. The soldiers already left and moved to the next town. You're safe for now." She informed him.
"Thank you. Goddess Macaria. You have my undying loyalty. I will pray to your name till my dying days," he promised her.
She smiled bid him goodbye and then disappear.
He then checked the old lady's body. She's even smiling. She died peacefully. Then he remember his father.
Unlike this old lady his father died violently at the hands of the soldiers. He cleaned it up and after that he went outside. The old lady has a garden in her backyard.
He chose to bury her near the roses. He started digging. His body feels light. Macarias embrace gave him a renewed spirit. Even his wounds were partially healed.
While he was digging his shovel caught something hard. He keeps digging and finally he found some gold coins. Goddess Macaria was true to her words.
After he finished digging he carried the body to the grave. Surprisingly the body was quite light. In no time he was able to bury her. He wrote her name Adora on a piece of wood and placed some flowers on her grave. He said a little prayer for the Goddess and then entered the house again.
He found a lot of gold coins and even some diamonds and jewelries in the grave. He would be able to give his family a good life with the treasure he found.
He suddenly remembered his aunt. He wonders if the soldiers tried to hurt her. Its already evening but he still needs to be careful. Those soldiers might decide to return.
So what he did is he imagined his aunts house and open the door. He peeked first and when he realized the coast is clear he step out of the door. His auntie was already sleeping. He no longer wants to disturb her so he just left a short note saying goodbye. He also left some coins for her.
He then returned to the old ladys house. Hes already tired but he couldnt sleep on the bed. So he decided to just sleep on the floor. Because he was so tired he was able to sleep well on the hard floor, despite what happened to him the whole day.
Before the crack of dawn Kai was already awake There were no food available at the house. So he decided to go outside and went to the market. Luckily some stall are already open. He bought some food and after eating he went and look for some new clothes.
He needed to disguise himself so he bought some scarves and hats. He also found some masks. His hair is long so he went to a barber and asked him to cut his hair very short. After that he went to the river and took a bath.
After he's already refreshed he hurriedly went back to the house and changed his clothes. He looks at himself in the mirror he also bought in the market. He's hoping he looks different enough for the soldiers not to recognize him. He made sure that he didn't look like a farmer's son.
He remembers what Macaria said about him witnessing a recent death. She meant his father. He already passed away. He wanted to cry and mourn but somehow he couldnt. Now that his father is already dead his mother and two young siblings must be very sad and scared.
He needs to go back to them soon.
He again looked at himself in the mirror. He was just a kid yesterday who's now forced to grow up.