Heart of Gold

The skies in the Waste Land didn't look any different from where I lived. But one thing I can say is, the stars back in the village are way brighter than here. I walked around the room thinking about what to do, but I couldn't think of any. 

The room they gave me was huge, that I felt restless. I wonder if I could ask for a smaller space. To tell the truth, I didn't feel comfortable staying in a big room. I heard a knock on the door, and I turned my head to see Yustaf enter. 

"Is there anything you need from me, Sir?" I asked while he gave me a weird look which made me wonder why. 

"Nothing really. I just came to check you up," said Yustaf as he casually sat on the chair with his legs crossed. 

I sat on the opposite side of him and waited for him to say another word. His character from earlier is different from how it is compared to now. Earlier, he was much kinder and more likable, in my opinion, but this time he looked ignorant. But this might be his true character, I guess. As a minute passed, nothing was said. 

I broke the silence between us. I didn't really like the suffocating air that surrounded us. "Sir, may I ask something?" I asked while he looked at me for a while, then sighed out loud. If he doesn't want to be here, he could just leave. But no, he stayed. 

"What is it?" He asked, sounding a bit annoyed. I know I'm a nuisance, I know that. That's why it's better if I bring him out. Kaeden might have asked Yustaf to check on me when I'm perfectly alright. 

"If you have other things to do, you can go. I know I'm just another sort of task or—"

"Responsibility? Don't overthink, kid," answered Yustaf. "Whatever you're thinking of, it's not true. I'm just here to spend some time with you. You need anything?"

I fiddled my fingers in circles and bit my lip. Yustaf, he brings out an aura that doesn't seem so friendly. That is why I feel like he's just annoyed with me. When our eyes met once more, he sighed again. What happened to the cat who patiently lived in my room?

"Whatever you think it's wrong. I'm just here because I feel like it."

I nodded my head feeling unsure, but I decided to trust him since I thought I could. Thinking about what happened back at my house, I wondered why demons would turn against their own kin. I know that some are greedy for power, but I feel there is something more. 

"Uhm, may I ask something?" I asked, feeling nervous as I waited for his response.

"What is it?" He asked, moving to sit across me. "Back at the house when my cousin got possessed. You said that he was being controlled?" I asked while he nodded his head. "Who are they? That's if it's alright to ask or know about it."

"There's nothing wrong in asking. What you saw back then is called a dark spirit. There are two ways to get possessed by them."

"Two ways?" 

"First, the person is filled with greediness making them easier to be possessed by a random dark spirit. Second is they are being controlled either by a demon or an angel."

"If a demon or an angel can control a person, how are dark spirits formed?" I asked once more, but this time Yustaf looked unsure whether to tell me or not.

"You ask too many questions," he muttered to himself, thinking I didn't hear it. 

"I'm sorry…."

"Why are you apologizing? There's nothing wrong. Just didn't think you're this curious and wondering why you don't know about these things," he said, bringing a picture out of his pocket. 

"Is it normal for us humans to know about it?" I asked since to tell you the truth. I have not read anything or heard about this. I doubt the villagers back in the village do not know about it. 

"I'm surprised you don't know anything about this world. A hundred years isn't short. Many things changed. Changed either for good or bad," Yustaf looked down the ground. While I started at his eyes that slowly turned cold. 

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to ask you," I gulped. I didn't mean to ask him, but I can't help since I'm just curious. But then, I didn't think it would be a sensitive topic to him. 

"Why do you keep apologizing? You haven't done anything wrong," Yustaf sighing for the nth time because of me. "After the silver flower tree was destroyed by Princess Floriana, peace was restored. However, some despised her for killing the tree, while some mourned her death. But you know, the silver flower tree was never really destroyed. Instead, it was separated into three parts."

"Three parts? I am sure that the Demon Clan and the Angel Clan got their shares of it?" I looked at Yustaf, who nodded his head. "But who got the third part?"

"The answer is simple. It's the humans. They gave one to the Kingdom of Lumina. To compensate them for the damage and harm that they did to their kingdom."

"I'm curious. Does that mean you were already alive when the great tragedy happened?" Yustaf averted his eyes away from me and nodded his head hesitantly. He kept the picture back into his pocket. "I may not look like it, but I'm a bit older than Master Kaeden," He chuckled, making me a bit relieved after the question I had just asked. 

Hearing his laugh made my heart skip a beat. I think it's because of his character. I didn't expect him to have a charming laugh. I can see that this man has a heart of gold. Though his character isn't really the best. 

I watched Yustaf look out the window, then back at me. He stood up and said, "Get some sleep. You wouldn't want to be drained for tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" I asked Yustaf, who opened the door, to leave the room. 

"Don't ask me. I don't really know about it much," He answered, but I stopped him.

"Thank you."

"For what?" Yustaf questioned me.

"Talking to me and accompanying me," I smiled. 

"You're weird," He said, taking a pause. "I didn't do it for you but for myself," Yustaf shuts the door.