[Chapter 09] - Gharfien - Part 2

She closes her hands with strength and speed. After concentrating for a few seconds, she slowly opens her hands and at the same time, the earth around the house begins to pulse in an effect similar to when a drop falls into standing water. The earth in the center of the waves is sucked to the edges, forming a great elevation in the land around the wreckage of the house.

Finishing this process, the girl throws her arm hard from right to left; next to that, the elevation on the right becomes a wave of earth and crashes hard into the rest of the house. She repeats this action, from left to right, from top to bottom, while waves and more waves of earth attack the wooden logs.

With the house almost completely buried, Kahyu raises his two arms gently, with hatred and sadness on his face. Along with its movement, a huge circular wall of earth surrounds the house, its extension is minimally superior to the trees of the place, which is on average thirty meters high. The girl lets out a loud cry, lowering her hands tightly as the earth wall curves and advances at high speed, crashing into the rest of the house and burying it completely. The dust raised leaves everyone blind, hearing only Kahyu's simple cry .

With the dust low, the group gathers where the house used to be. Now it is just flat terrain, with no trace of what was once built.

— Now ... — Roldi hugs the children and says excitedly. — Let's see the sea!

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Year 952, day 280, Elfen territory , Predatory forest, 10h.

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The days have been peaceful. Every morning the four run, carrying their luggage, towards the sea. After the race they fight each other, on a rotating basis and, finally, train alone for an hour. Kalui has always been doing this, but for the sibling couple it is new.

From a deep sleep, to total despair, Kalui has just woken up from a nightmare he has already forgotten.

Whiger and Kahyu , while preparing the fire, are startled by the awakening of their friend, but continue to light the fire.

— Another nightmare? — Whiger asks .

— Is it about the death of the damned? — Asks Kahyu .

— Yea...

Slightly nervous, Whiger says:

— It makes me a little angry that you are sad to have killed those sons of bitches. I wish I had killed them as soon as I saw them.

Head down, he replies:

— Sorry...

— Don't take it out on him, Whiger . — Kahyu raises his arms. — Roldi must already be returning with the food, cheer up!

Still sad, the boy with long black hair replies:

— Ok ...

Hours later, after completing their joint and individual training, it is time for the last race of the day. Roldi invented this so they wouldn't take so long on trips.

Each carries their own luggage. Kalui is dressed in a brown shirt and short green shorts; already Whiger , uses only a blue shorts; Roldi is also without a blouse, dressed in a red shorts, but long, until a little after the knee, and Kahyu wears a beige, light and loose blouse, along with a short brown shorts.

Kalui , Kahyu and Roldi, have their long hair tied in a ponytail, while Whiger is free with his short hair. Everyone is extremely dirty with dirt. The three children with bloodstained cloths wrapped around their fists, as well as several small bruises on their bodies. Some about to heal and others recent.

As they run, Roldi asks the children:

— Are you really maneuvering in force when punching the trees? The focus is on the number of strokes, not the strength.

Kalui squeezes one hand in the other and replies:

— Yes, I am!

— And you two? — He points to the sibling couple. — Didn't you hear my question?

— Yes, we are, sir! — Answer them both.

A few minutes of running pass before Roldi stops abruptly, looks back, raising his right hand upwards and symbolizes silence with his other hand.

"What was it this time? ", Thinks Kalui .

An arrow passes between them, making a small cut in Kahyu's clothing .

Everyone looks back instantly, surprised and frightened.

Roldi jumps back and gathers the children with his arms, jutting out in front of the direction of the shot.

— Who's there? — Shouts the gray—haired man.

A gigantic tricolor panther jumps out of the woods, dressed in leather, close to the fur. When compared to Whiger's tiger shape , it is three times the size; four, it's the size of Roldi standing. Following her appearance, five men with green eyes, dressed only in a petticoat of black feathers, come out of the bushes holding long bows. Two men aim at Roldi and each of the others aim at a child.

— What do you want?! — Screams Whiger .

The man behind the panther replies:

— I ask. Why are you here? Travel routes and roads are many days away. Why are they here? How did you find us?

Roldi raises his hands and exclaims:

— Calm down, man! There are only three children and me. We want absolutely nothing with you and nothing with this region. We're just passing through. We came by this route just to train, since her name is the forest of predators.

The men hold their bows tightly, squeezing them tightly, irritated. In a second, the big panther turns into an old, bald man.

— Did you ... Did you kill any predators in the forest?

Roldi observes the men around him and replies:

— We haven't found many animals so far. We only ate a fat snake and fruit. We arrived in this region in two days.

"Please, Whiger and Kahyu , don't comment on the huge boar we killed ..."

The sibling couple looks confused. While the two are frightened, Kalui keeps his hands steady and wide open. Ready to act at any time.

"Even if they let us go, I will have to kill them. They can chase us and kill the children in the evening ... "

— We, the proud tribe of Gharfien , will let them pass.

Laughing, Roldi replies:

— Wait, are you from the tribe of Gharfien ? Wow, I didn't expect this one!

— What's so funny, stranger? — Asks one of the men. — Do you prefer to be killed?

— Calm calm. My name is Roldi, friend Enion . Do you remember him? When we were little we spent almost a year here for him to learn from you. I am the green—eyed fortifying boy.

"What's going on?", Thinks Kalui .

The bald old man strokes his long beard with his eyes closed for a few seconds.

— Could you prove to me that you are a fortifier?

With a smile on his face, Roldi says:

— Aim at me and shoot.

Without any hesitation, the man behind the elderly man shoots an arrow in Roldi's throat, but is repelled. The strengthened skin is not even scratched.

The sniper then exclaims:

— You really are a fortifier. Enion was a great companion in my learning. I don't remember you very well, but you will be welcome in our tribe.

— Come on kids.

" Whiger ... You may not know, but we are here for you."

"Okay… We are going to a tribe where Enion , a metamorphic came to learn. Roldi clearly brought us here because of Whiger ! " thinks Kalui .