Scene 131 — "Only Human"
The journey home was slow.
The brother carried most of the Traveler's weight.
The elder sister supported him whenever the narrow paths became uneven.
The younger girl walked ahead, clearing the way.
By the time the familiar house came into view, the pale glow of the hidden world had softened.
The brother exhaled heavily.
"...Finally."
The elder sister opened the door.
"Careful."
Together, they carried the unconscious stranger inside.
The room was simple.
Wooden walls.
A stone fireplace.
Shelves lined with dried herbs and neatly folded cloth.
They laid the Traveler gently upon a bed near the window.
For several moments, nobody spoke.
The younger girl quietly looked at the stranger.
He hadn't moved once during the entire journey.
His breathing remained slow.
Steady.
Alive.
The elder sister knelt beside the bed.
She carefully cleaned the dried blood from his arms and shoulders with a damp cloth.
The brother watched in silence.
"...Whoever did this..." he murmured.
"They wanted him dead."
The elder sister gave a small nod.
"The wounds aren't from an accident."
The younger girl looked at the white-haired stranger.
"...Do you think he's dangerous?"
The brother looked at the unconscious face beneath the hood.
After a long moment, he slowly shook his head.
"No."
"I think..."
He looked again at the bloodstained bandages.
"...he's just an unlucky human."
The elder sister finished wrapping a clean bandage around one of the smaller wounds.
"He needs rest."
"Nothing else."
The younger girl glanced toward the window.
"So... he'll wake up?"
The elder sister looked at the wound on his chest.
"I don't know."
"But if he does..."
She stood.
"...we'll ask his name."
Silence settled over the room.
Outside, the crystal trees swayed gently.
The silver breeze drifted across the hills.
Inside, the Traveler slept peacefully.
His breathing remained unchanged.
To the three siblings, he was simply a wounded stranger.
A human who had somehow survived impossible injuries.
Nothing more.
None of them noticed that, hidden beneath his cloak, the ancient wooden Anchor rested silently against his side.
And none of them knew that far beyond their quiet home...
Something had already begun searching for the man sleeping in their guest room.