The path from the ethereal forest to the deck was filled with a fresh layer of snow, crunching softly under our boots with each step. Though it was already mid-morning, the sun remained hidden behind the thick, overcast sky, casting the island in a cold, greyish light. Snowflakes fell lazily from above, adding to the more beauty to the white landscape.
Hina walked ahead of , her arms stretched out as if she were embracing the quiet beauty of the place. "So, we’re finally leaving now..." she said, her voice carrying a hint of longing. "I was actually enjoying it here."
I sighed. "It was hardly a few days, and you’re already getting attached? How emotional are you?"
She shot a glare, her brows furrowing in irritation. "Ugh, you’re so cold-hearted sotis."
I smirked, brushing her off as I adjusted the strap of my bag.
She exhaled through her nose and hopped down from a large stone, landing gracefully. As she turned, she instinctively reached for my hand to steady herself, her fingers wrapping around mine before letting go. "We said goodbye to everyone, right?" she asked, glancing up at .
I gave a half-hearted nod. "Yeah, I guess..."
But then, she abruptly halted, her boots skidding slightly against the icy ground. Her face twisted in realization.
"Wait... no, we forgot about him!"
I blinked, tilting my head. "Who?"
"Lala," she said, turning to with wide eyes.
I let out a small groan, rubbing my temple. "Ehhh..." My face unconsciously scrunched up in mild disgust.
Hina crossed her arms, eyeing with suspicion. "What kind of face is that?"
"Nothing," I said quickly, already turning away. "Look, if we forgot, that’s probably for the best. Let’s just go."
But she wasn’t having it. "No way! We have to see him one last ti."
I scoffed. "Every ti that guy sees , he tries to kill ."
"Well, maybe that’s just his way of saying he likes you," she teased, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"Yeah, sure. Next ti he swings a sword at , I’ll take it as a friendly hug," I muttered sarcastically.
She grabbed my wrist and tugged. "Co now, stop being a baby."
"Says the baby herself," I mumbled under my breath.
Hina imdiately turned, narrowing her eyes. "You said sothing?"
I put on my best innocent face. "No, no! Let’s go," I said quickly, raising my hands in surrender.
She huffed but pulled along, and despite my protests, I found myself following her back towards Lala’s place.
The snow continued to fall around us, and in the distance, the faint echoes of the island’s ever-present winds and animals sung through the trees.
We arrived at Lala’s place, the wooden cabin standing in solitude beneath the soft snowfall. The roof was dusted white, and the faint remnants of footprints trailed toward the entrance, already being filled by fresh snow.
Hina was the first to step forward, raising her fist.
*Knock, knock.*
Silence.
She frowned and knocked again, harder this ti.
*Knock, knock.*
Still nothing.
"Is he not ho?" she muttered under her breath, stepping back slightly before suddenly hopping up in front of the window to peek inside.
I watched her from behind, my hands inside my pocket. The way she bounced, her hairs and her hips swinging along the white sweater dress she was wearing, made realise that I am right when I call her a weird child. But if I can’t say that aloud, I might not live to see the next sunrise.
"Let it be," I said, turning away. "If he’s not ho, it can’t be helped."
Hina let out a dissatisfied hum, pursing her lips in a small pout. She glanced back at the door, as if expecting it to magically swing open. But just as she sighed and turned to follow , a voice interrupted.
"Are you looking for Lala?"
We halted.
Turning our gaze, we saw the female elf who was healing Lala on the battlefield. She stood a few steps away, holding a woven basket filled with red apples, her expression calm and unreadable.
Unlike before, when she had been dressed in her healer’s robes, today she wore simple yet elegant casual clothes. The soft fabric hugged her slender fra, and the hem of her skirt barely covered the curve of her smooth thighs. Her long silver hair cascaded over her shoulders, glistening faintly under the grey daylight. She was effortlessly beautiful—not in an intimidating way, but in a way that was serene, like a gentle river flowing through land.
Hina perked up imdiately. "Yes, we are." She stepped forward, her boots crunching against the thin layer of snow. "Do you know where he is?"
The elf nodded faintly. "He left yesterday evening."
Hina blinked. "Where to?"
"I’m not sure," the elf admitted, shifting the basket in her arms. "But he said to not look for him. Sighh* He said he’d co back when he is ready. I don’t know what is getting ready for though."
I exhaled sharply through my nose, rubbing the back of my neck. "That damn kid... Always doing whatever the hell he wants. Just leave him be already."
Hina threw a side glance, unimpressed. "You could sound a little less heartless, you know."
I shrugged. "Not my problem."
She rolled her eyes but turned back to the elf. "Do you think he’s okay?"
The elf’s lips curled into a small, knowing smile. "Lala is stubborn. But losing... it wasn’t easy for him, was it?" She looked at with a glint of amusent. "Being defeated by Esther must have hurt his pride."
Hina chuckled, folding her arms. "Yeah, I guess."
The elf nodded before giving a light sigh. "He’ll be fine. Wherever he went, I believe he’s searching for sothing. Maybe a reason, maybe strength, maybe himself."
We said nothing at first, just standing in the soft quiet of the snowfall. Then Hina sighed, pulling her bag around herself.
"I guess there’s nothing we can do," she said softly.
I stayed quiet, staring at the empty cabin. My breath misted in the cold air.
Maybe Lala had left for sothing deeper—a purpose, a way to move forward. Maybe he was chasing answers.
And maybe, just maybe, our paths would cross again soday.
I just hoped that next ti, he wouldn’t try to kill .
But knowing him, I wouldn’t count on it.
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