"Did you see him?"
"He was so brutal?"
"He was like an animal!"
"Was he the beast or were those animals one. I am not too sure."
"Look at all that blood on him."
"He's a monster of a human."
The words stung like needles. Edith couldn't help but hear every single one of he murmurs that had spread like a wave next to the fireplace.
He initially wanted to push through the crowd, getting to the center and find Ren from their. When the first person he pushed turned around to look, they screamed in horror.
The people turned their heads one by one similarly shocked at the bloody figure Edith had turned into.
The blood the beast had vomited on his face was still there, dying his clothes red drop by drop.
His arms were no different. Painted by the same crimson hue and giving him a feeling of lingering warmth.
Edith walked step by step, turning his head around to look for Ren in the process. The people had already begun to open a path for him which he tread slowly.
Amidst the cracklintvof the fireplace that was gradually getting louder, Edith felt the fire shroud him in an alien sense of peace and serenity.
He couldn't relax though. His eyes still darted around in search of his sister. Taking the final step into the center, Edith straightened himself to take a full look around.
He noticed the girl he was looking for sitting next to Selenea. A look of discomfort could be seen on the little girl's face. Her hands trembling slightly, the fire providing no warmth.
Edith relaxed his tense nerves as he stepped forward towards his sister.
Tap! Tap! Tap!
His footsteps were like drumming around the fire. Controlled and steady, their sound only filled the air with more tension.
His gaze did not falter for even a moment and therefore, he could see the green-haired girl with round glasses turn her head around.
Everything seemed slow. From the twist of her neck as locks of her hair parted like waves. The blink she did. The look of fear that gradually painted her face. And that of worry which immediately followed afterwards.
Edith was confused for no longer than a moment when he realised the crimson hue he had been bathed in. Which was why, he wiped his face against his not-so-clean shirt smearing the paint more while also staining his shirt with red.
He then moved his gaze towards his sister, the girl being calmed by Selena. His footsteps had never stopped and so, it made sense for Ren to turn her head around owing to the gradually loudening footsteps.
Looking at his sister, her silver hair and innocent, blue eyes, Edith finally felt peace and serenity drown his heart.
Only moments afterwards though, a confused look started appearing on his face. That was because he could see Ren's face become gradually painted by shock.
Her breath came to a halt as Edith saw her reel back in fear and fall on her back.
Then a peculiar expression appeared on her face as she took in a deep breath. Edith was puzzled.
He continued walking. Everything still seemingly slow in his vision.
Then an ear piercing scream reached his ears which jolted him to senses. His sister had let out the scream.
Edith could see the shiver the girl was under, her teeth clattering and her eyes becoming more and more teary.
Selena rushed to envelop the girl in her embrace.
Edith heard the screams die down slowly and then cease completely.
He saw the little girl's arms fall to the side weakly. He rushed his pace. His footsteps turning quicker
Tap! Tap! Tap!
He reached Selena's side, worried looking at Ren.
She had fainted from shock. Edith's voice turned shaky as he made efforts to wake the girl up.
"Ren! Ren! Wake up!"
"Irene! Wake up, Ren!"
He shook her. Tried to jolt her awake.
"Get away, Edith!"
"Look at yourself! Look at the condition you're in! What do you think you're doing making such an appearance im front of a girl!"
It was only then that Edith looked at the blood that has smeared onto the little girl's arms.
He feel down in his back,his legs having turned weak.
His eyes became teary and soon they turned into a stream, failing to wash the blood that has already thickened.
"Don't worry, kid. She'll be alright."
A hand tightened around Edith's shoulder as a calm but stern voice followed it.
The voice continued, "Seeing you covered in might have shocked her. Your sight right now isn't too pleasant for a girl to see, is it?"
Edith turned his head. His vision blurry. Blinking the tears away he looked had the figure that was reassuring him.
It was the captain. Edith shook his head but his voice said, "Yes captain, I should've been more careful."
Inwardly though, Edith was thinking, 'It is likely that Ren was reminded of the horrid sight of that day on Old Pal. I'm covered in blood right now, it's stench trailing along. This is no different from all those people who drowned in the sea of blood that day. I should be more careful in the future.'
'I also have to maintain the lie I've said to get in the caravan. I'll have to find a chance to tell Ren to be careful about it. But first...'
Edith summoned the scroll and the unfamiliar text started appearing.
[Name: Irene Wane]
[The Second Marker is a successful Ritual]
[Age: 11]
[Stage: 0 (Progress: 20%)]
[Condition: Unconscious]
'She's just unconscious. That's a relief. I'll have to rely on Selena to care for her. Of course, I'll do everything I can as well. Staying by her side is the least I can do.'
Edith continued to summon his own "Scroll"
[Name: Edith Wane]
[The First Marker of a successful Ritual]
[Age: 15]
[Stage: 2 (Progress 100%), 3 (Progress:12%)]
[Complete the Ritual as the First Marker]
He said to the man behind him, "Captain can I get some water? I don't want her to see me like this again."
He got up and dusted himself off, following the captain while being aware of the gazes people cast him.