Chapter 112: Be Clingy to the Bearer.

Natalina studied thoroughly the description of every witness who have seen and viewed the suspect. And it all had a uniform of distinguished veil and scalpel. The form and gender was unknown behind the veil. Nevi stared at the rough sketch given by the officers and was able to recall the figure behind the shroud. Nevi suddenly spoke that startled the team.

"It's voice were in many husk and reverbs. I should have requested Lehi to join us."

Ain also noticed the gloom in Nevi's gaze. His smile and laugh were short and empty. Ain cannot clarify his source of silent arguments and stubbornness.

Ain wanted to help Nevi because he honestly look up to this man who is wise and contemplating.

"I can cut the dimension and bring her to you anytime." Ain offered.

Nevi's answer confused Natalina and Hexel.

"Please do. I badly need her help this time. Can you please switch with her Natalina?"

Natalina felt offended at his request but Hexel nod his head and whispered words of encouragement.

"It's okay. It's not because your unfit but because he trust that you can support his decision for this mission."

Natalina nod and spoke with Nevi.

"I felt offended at your sudden conclusion but I am trusting your resolution."

Nevi flashed the most honest grin for the day and replied.

"Thank you for trusting. Kiel will need a hand since he just woke up. I just don't have the courage to ask Ophir back then. Sorry for having you hooked because of my hesitations."

Natalina acknowledge Nevi's apology and bestowed the team with an sapphire button earings for connection and communication. Nevi added before Ain slash a space from the window.

"Can you please tell Ophir that it's because of "OUR BOOK." that is why Lehi needs to join us."

Ain and Natalina were addled but agreed to what Nevi just said. The two enter Ain's space and vanished. Hexel sat across Nevi started to review the photos and reports.

"This kinds of slice and cut were too brutal. It felt like the user intentionally misused the scalpel." Hexel commented as he shift to another picture.

"Why would the suspect split the heart and take the ears of the priest?" Nevi muttered.

Hexel locked his eyes toward Nevi and answered.

"It's like the story of the Weeping Oak Tree."

Nevi's attention got caught by Hexel's phrase and inquired.

"Weeping Oak tree? I never encounter that story." For Nevi who frequents the library with Lehi. The dimension became octagon in shape and Lehi joined them with Ain.

"Thanks for coming. What did Ophir say?"

Lehi made a soft and friendly gaze and replied.

"I got it but he could have reminded ua before they left." Lehi ended as she tried to mimic Ophir's voice and expression.

"So what about the Weeping Oak Tree? "

Ain inquired. Hexel pointed out the observation he had from the papers they had. Lehi had an hair-raising moment and eyed Nevi. Lehi whispered at Nevi's ear and asked.

"Is this the reason why you took the assignment?"

Nevi grin at Lehi and Ain cleared his throat to start the story.

"It was about a widow who losed her husband because of wicked and evil traditions. The introduction was about the wife visiting the village they rellocated not knowing the customs. The higher rank within the village were angry at their ignorance and demanded for her to bring her husband so that they can lay with him but the wife offered herself in exchange for them to keep their words and not harm her husband. The men satisfied themselves with the deal.They left the woman at the village's gate. The woman crawled back to their house and reached their door at noontime. When her husband open the door he found her beaten and weakened body. The husband was furious because of what they did to his wife. So he went to the village and plead about the case but the men overpowered him and performed their original plan. The wife woke up on bed and found her husband at their door at dawn. She searched for his pulse but her husband's body is already too cold to breath. The woman bewailed in anguish and put on a widow's garment. She bought a new knife which is a scalpel and chop his husband's body into pieces and sent it to the men who abused them. She left the heart and ears and wrapped it with her widow's garment. She changed her garment with a veil. She burried it under the oak tree. The oak tree wept mourned with her."

Nevi had a flashback. The voice were shaky and bitter back then. He recalled the drips he recieved that flows from the veil to the scalpel. The drops he ratified was not just pure blood but it was blended with tears. Nevi suddenly wept when Ain finished the story. Lehi comforted Nevi and gave him a friendly embrace. Hexel jolted when Ain started to sob.

"Why are you crying?" Hexel yelled at the teen age boy. Ain covered his face with his palm.

"It was because the story was tragic.Your insensitive Hexel. I can't believe that you just listened there and haven't symphatise with the oak tree."

Hexel was dumbfounded. He could understand if Ain cried for the widow but he is crying because of the oak tree? How hilarious and ridiculous!

Ophir heared from Natalina about the case Nevi is currently heading. If he recalled it right he mentioned that it was a case that they also experienced during their era. Lehi also added that Nevi suffered because of what he witnessed. Ophir can sense Natalina's downcasted face. She might have been infringed because of Nevi's resolution.

Ophir prepared a snack for Kiel and Natalina with Lila and Urchin. They just finished halfway and are having a break.

Lila and Kiel tried to reason out for Nevi. Ophir smiled and handed her a rice cake baked by Nevi.

"You see Natalina, Nevi is going through an inner battle right now and the only one who can help him as of now is Lehi. He switched the two of you because he does not want to burden the palace team. Seeing that Asno needs the help she can get."