Chapter 101: The Road of Return and the Sweet Taste of Life
Before the sunlight could fully illuminate the earth, a silence filled with hope spread its wings over the caravan. The caravan was passing through a very deep valley covered by a white mist as soft as silk. This was the road of return—a road that no longer smelled of blood, but of wet grass and rain-soaked soil. Time here had grown calm; no war remained, no cries of the enemy. Only the sound of their footsteps on the stones and the whisper of leaves could be heard. This was the moment when warriors learn how to become ordinary humans again.
A Deep Conversation within the Mist
Rina and Diari walked together at the front of the caravan. Rina looked at her own hands—the hands that once emitted fire and poison now held only a simple softness.
Diari looked at her and said in a low voice: "Rina, don't you feel the air is a bit different? It's as if the weight is no longer on our shoulders."
Rina smiled and said: "You are right, Diari. For the first time, I feel that the sky is only here for beauty, not so we can see when the rain of fire will fall. But, can we truly return?"
Diari took her hand and said: "We are in the journey now, Rina. Returning home isn't just about reaching a place; it's about returning to ourselves."
The Unexpected Incident: The Pool of Memories
While they were occupied with these deep words, the path narrowed, and they reached the side of a very large and blue pool of water. Rina was about to look at the glow of the water, but because the path was slippery, her foot suddenly slipped and she fell heavily into the pool!
The water was cold and deep. For a second, Rina felt numb. Diari shouted without hesitation: "Rina!" and immediately threw himself into the water. Everyone stopped; Elara, Rina's father, and Elias rushed to the side of the pool. With his strong arms, Diari pulled Rina from the depths of the water and brought her back to dry land.
When they reached the ground, Rina was coughing, and her whole body was soaked. Diari quickly took off his own cloak and covered her. Elara placed her hand reassuringly on her daughter's shoulder and said: "Do not fear; this is only water, not poison. Your body is simply reconciling with nature."
The Lollipop Seller
After Rina rested for a bit and her clothes dried, they continued on their way. Suddenly, in the distance, they saw an elderly man pushing a small cart and singing an old song. As he drew closer, they saw that he was selling red apple lollipops! The lollipops were so red and shiny they looked as if they were made of rubies.
Diari and Elias looked at each other and laughed. Diari said: "Let's taste some of this sweetness." Diari bought all the lollipops and returned to the group. They sat under the shade of a large tree. Each of them held a lollipop and was busy eating it. It was a very strange and beautiful sight; the great warriors, the saviors of the world, were now eating apple lollipops like small children!
Cleaning Rina's Face and a Moment of Love
Rina was eating her lollipop so eagerly that a bit of the redness and sweetness remained around her mouth. Diari, sitting beside her, locked his eyes into Rina's. For a few seconds, both were silent; only the sunlight sparkled within their eyes.
Diari gently pulled out a white handkerchief and said: "Rina, your mouth is a bit messy." Rina wanted to clean it herself, but Diari said: "Let me do it for you." With the utmost calmness and kindness, Diari cleaned Rina's face. Rina turned red under the gaze of Diari's eyes. Elara and Rina's father watched them from a distance with deep smiles; they were happy to see that their daughter had not only saved the world but had also found a heart full of love.
The Little Girl and the Big Question
At that moment, a small child from a nearby village, wearing a blue dress, came rushing toward them. She looked at Rina and Diari with her large eyes and asked: "And where is your child?"
This question was like a bolt of lightning! Rina and Diari both turned as red as tomatoes at the same time. Diari almost dropped his lollipop, and Rina lowered her eyes. Elara, Rina's father, and Elias laughed so loudly that the birds on the tree flew away.
Elara said with a laugh: "That was truly a beautiful question!"
Rina said in her heart: "My God, we haven't even reached home yet, and people are talking about children!"
Diari thought in his heart: "Perhaps a child with eyes like Rina's would be the greatest invention we could ever make."
Rina kindly stroked the girl's head and said: "It is still early, my soul, but be sure that a day will come when we tell you their story too."
The journey continued; the road was long, but their hearts were so close that no distance remained between them.
Written by: Dlin_myth