Auren managed a faint smile, his lips dry and cracked."Hello, mister… thank you… for the water." His voice was weak, almost dazed, as he lay with his head resting on the man's lap. His half-open eyes shimmered faintly as he murmured, "Your name… it reminds me of my old friend… Sunny Vincent. Are you… Are you his father?"
The old man chuckled softly, though his gaze remained troubled on Auren's wounds."I have no son," he replied gently. "I am just a devotee of the Mother Snake. My name is Aravalli. I have no wife, no children… nothing but Her."
As he spoke, his eyes lingered over Auren's battered body—cuts, torn flesh, blood still trickling. His heart tightened."You shouldn't be talking now," he said firmly, almost scolding. "Come with me. You need care."
Before Auren could protest, the man—Sukamu—shifted his staff aside and carefully lifted Auren onto his shoulder.
