1 Leaving Behind

Silence hung on her face, eyes seeking the light. It had already been three hours since Xahi started walking with her mother and the three unknown people.

"Just a little bit more Nuno," Merino knew Xahi suffered the first day of military training. Her wobbling legs after just a few hours of walk spoke volumes of the hell Merino's little flower went through.

"Xahi, if you don't want to go through that hell again, you must endure the walk for a few minutes more." Merino didn't use the moniker, emphasizing how serious she was.

Xahi saw her mother's fiery eyes. Determination surging in them seems to be saying she would carry her 17 years old daughter if she had to. It could've been the case, but Xahi endured. She could walk until her legs fell off if need be. Xahi knew how much her mother gave up for her sake.

"Mumma, where are we going?" But she had to ask.

"Away" was all Merino replied, and her tight grip on Xahi's hand was enough to convey her spite for the Country. The same Country which took away her husband and was now pushing her daughter on the same doorsteps.

Xari didn't speak anymore and just kept observing the other people marching with them. Uncle Timo was leading the way at the forefront, and she didn't know any of the three Antels walking along with them.

The footsteps of the six people echoed in the night, resonating with humming insects. Everything apart from three meters was a mystery veiled in darkness.

"We are here!" Timo exclaimed once he sensed the clearance in the bushes.

"You are late." A silhouette appeared and responded to Timo. Xahi tried hard to make out the features of the man who emerged from deep in the night but couldn't. One thing was for sure, they weren't Chrono like her mother and herself. appear

Is he a Muto like Uncle Timo? She mused. The person didn't seem to be an Antel; their build was too big for one. Her every guess was proven to be wrong when the person's features became visible. The person was of an unknown species with black fur growing on its head. Their skin was solid dark-brown, and it seemed to be the only difference she could make out from her own race.

He must be a male! It was her first time seeing a human, so it was clear she couldn't figure it out.

It's a human! On the other hand, it didn't take Merino a second to guess the person's race.

"I am aware of it, Hugo. It's only for their safety." Timo replied as he gave a warm look to the mother and daughter duo.

"Whatever..." Hugo clicked his tongue. He had no interest until he saw the people he needed to deliver. When Hugo's gaze reached where Timo was fussing at, his expression turned serious.

"You want me to transport 5 people: 2 Chronos and 3 Antels. It will be 17000 lore crystals, no less. You can offer more." He asserted.

"What!" Timo cried out.

"The fare for Antels stays the same, a 1000 crystals. It's the Chronos that are the real problem. I could be persecuted for citizen kidnapping first, trafficking second. I'd say again. 17000 lore crystals. 7000 per Chrono." Hugo held out his big hand, expecting the amount.

Timo stared at the held-out hand of the human, so did Xahi. She was sure that Uncle Timo would refuse such high, and she would have to go for that hellish military training again tomorrow.

Her hands started quivering, and her knees almost buckled, recalling the cruel drill sergeant, who whipped her and urged her to run faster just a few hours ago.

Timo once again turned back to see the daughter and mother, and his resolve only hardened.

He took out the knapsack filled with lore crystals, but before he could hand it out to Hugo, Merino held his hand and asked, "He is a human. Can we trust him?"

"Yes, he had helped transfer people before." The confidence in Timo's eyes backed away her hand, and he made the payment.

Hugo confirmed the amount by jerking the knapsack twice and said, "Okay!"

The payment vanished from his hand; only Hugo knew where, and he whistled. It was ear-piercing. Two donkeys came running, dragging a roofless carriage behind them.

"Get on board. We are late. We need to make up for the time you wasted." Hugo said as he sat in the driver's seat, secretly giving one last look to Xahi.