We walked as fast as we could and finally, we arrived back at our village safely. The relatives living in the village were already anxiously waiting for the totem warriors and priests to return. The sound of crying was heard everywhere and broke my heart. Happy tears came from those who found their husbands and children coming home. However, sad tears came from those who kept waiting until all the entourage had gone home, but the person they were waiting for didn't exist. Even though we did our best, but every hunt, it was impossible for everyone to survive. Pain pierced my heart when I saw them cry. Maybe that's what Rex experienced when his father didn't come home after hunting that day.Damn it, I totally remember that day from Rex's mind. I really felt what Rex felt and it made me unable to help myself. I ran towards the back of the village, where there was a clean river, and spilled all my feelings there. The sound of gurgling water makes the sound of my crying not too clear. I l
I gave up because I was so sleepy and cold. I'll think about all that later. Now I just want to sleep because Rex's small body doesn't seem like it will be able to stay awake anymore. I walked into the direction of the tents and headed to the cave where I've lived all this time. I had forgotten that I was no longer allowed to stay there since the day the hunt started.“Rex! Where are you going?" someone asked.I turned around to find a young apprentice staring at me. I've seen him before, but I don't know his name. He was probably a few years older than Rex and tall. His skin is pale and freckled. His brown hair was neatly combed and covered by the hood of the robe he was wearing."Apprentices sleep over here," he continued."Why, thank you. I almost forgot," I replied.I wore the same clothes as him and now I walk with him."My name is Canu," he said, even though I didn't ask."Ar-uh I mean, Rex Hito," I answered."I know who you are. You are very famous these days, Rex,” he replied
I gulped as the High Priest stood right in front of me. Suddenly, his hand grabbed the sword that was in my hand. Instantly he managed to pull the sword from the scabbard. I was so surprised that my mouth gaped involuntarily because I was so sure that earlier I could not remove the sword from the scabbard at all, but this old man easily lifted the sword."B-But..."“Pulling out the sword is not just a matter of pulling out the sword, Rex Hito. Everything has a purpose, everything has a meaning. Only the right intentions and goals can make you successful as an apprentice priest. What is your purpose for pulling out this sword?” he asked.“W-what?” I asked, frowning.I don't understand the point at all. His words were convoluted and I couldn't catch his meaning at all. My purpose for pulling out this sword? Wasn't he the one who told me to do it?"What is your goal, Rex Hito?" he asked again."I-I'm just doing your instruction," I replied.The High Priest sighed at my answer and I felt
I looked around me and finally found the person who was calling me. Aran was standing behind the apprentices' camp. He waved at me like a monkey. I didn't want to see him, so I ignored him.“Rex! Come here!” he cried, waving his hands.I snorted indignantly. I don't know what he wants. Doesn't he really hate me? Why is he looking for me here? But he is very noisy and I'm afraid I will get into trouble because of him. I took a deep breath and finally decided to meet Aran. I just hope that I do not regret this decision of mine.I got up, left the sword stuck in the ground, and went to Aran."What is it? Why are you here?” I asked him.I tried to sound casual, but in fact, my voice sounded sharp. Aran looked at me with a smile."I just want to apologize," he said."What?"I was shocked at his words. It felt like what I heard was so impossible. Aran hates me so much, how could he apologize so easily? It seemed so impossible and I couldn't believe it."I'm sorry," he replied.I frowned bec
“If you don't believe me, just check his pocket! He must have kept it there!” cried Aran.I already know this is bound to happen, but I won't let this drama continue like a telenovela."You came here and handed me an apology gift, didn't you Aran?" I asked."What? Apologize from you? Unwilling!" cried Aran."Check him out!" Aran's father called out and people started to surround me."No need!" I cried while taking out the pearl from my pocket.Everyone looked at me with surprised looks."It's true he took it!" Aran shouted loudly."I don't need to take it if you deliver it to me, Aran!" I shouted defensively. I don't know if anyone will believe me, but I have to give it a try, at least I've started confusing some of the totem warriors.“Don't talk nonsense! I can't possibly come to you, traitorous child!” cried Aran.“This traitorous son has already slandered my nephew!” cried Rais Musi, defending Aran.Damn it! The plot of this trap is getting more and more like a household drama and
"Let's get started!" Rais Musi shouted in a booming voice and an ugly grin that actually scared me. This is really not a good thing. Come on brain, think fast! Find a good excuse! I begged my dull brain to give me a good idea."Wait!" I shouted."What is it again?" Rais asked in a booming voice full of anger."Didn't we have dinner yet? Why don't we have dinner before the duel? I'm so hungry," I said.I may sound like a kid who doesn't know manners or rules, but to hell with it. I really want to eat first, because I know that will recharge the golden tree. I regretted using the golden tree's power while trying to pull out the sword.“Don't try to stall for time!” Rais exclaimed."Right! The duel must take place now and we will eat to celebrate Rais' victory!” cried his father Aran. I dug into Rex's mind and realized Aran's father's name was Sida. A strange name and reminds me of a famous soccer player."Aren't you hungry?" I asked, still trying to buy time.I sound funny and maybe not
I don't know what happened after the duel because everything was quiet, and dark, and I couldn't hear a thing. It felt like I was falling asleep without a dream and suddenly I smelled a pungent aroma and it brought my consciousness back. It feels like I've only been resting for a while, but now I have to be awakened again.My eyes felt so heavy when I tried to open them, but I felt I had to get up. Maybe I'm too used to waking up with the light of dawn, that I feel I have to get up soon. But I felt something cold touching the skin of my chest so I really woke up.I don't know how long I was unconscious, but now there is no longer that excruciating pain. I blinked my eyes and saw that Nola was using something and putting it on my chest skin, that's what made me feel a cold object touching my chest skin."Nola?" I asked in a hoarse voice.“You're awake? Can you see me clearly?” she asked in a curt tone.I narrowed my eyes. Slowly Nola's face began to be seen clearly. I nodded, answering
"Test begins!" cried the leader accompanied by loud trumpets. All the participants started running as fast as they could, and so did I. Without realizing it, Nola and I led the race by running ahead of the other participants. The red-lined route led us out of the palace sports arena. The organizers and the High Priest sat down and watched all the apprentices who had committed any offenses.I glanced at Nola and smiled. Running like this is easy for me because I, I mean Rex, am used to it. In his spare time, since childhood, Rex would run in the woods as fast as he could with his father. Nola looked at me with eyes as if she wanted to kill me, then accelerated her run to catch up with me. All the participants were amazed to see my and Nola's running speed.But suddenly, I stopped running, and so did Nola. There is something I feel. This is something terrible. The other participants began to approach where I was standing, one of the fastest among them deliberately nudged me as he passed