| Fan Fiction |
by Aelk
“Surrender now, humans!”
One of them shouted from above with deliberate hostility, and the voice was obviously from a young female whose features stood out from the others’. Kazo and Gunter took a closer look at the person and replied with a weak smile.
“Come on, Lilith, you don’t recognize me anymore?”
Lilith stretched her head out of the shade so that her uniquely sandy-brown hair shone. They were basically short, but her fringes were strangely much longer and fastened in place with huge hairclip made of rosewood. Upon her closer examination of the trio and the Juhnas below, she leapt off from the high branch she was on and landed beautifully onto the ground levels. More and more of her people followed suit, and when they were all able to see each other face to face, Lilith sprang forward and hugged Kazo tightly.
“Brother Kazo!!!”
There were tears flowing free from her eyes, and Azure could see how tight her hug was by the purplish tinge on Kazo’s face. From the looks of it, the Juhnas’ basic wear consisted of a sleeveless dark spring-green blouse with a high round neckline collar of khaki. For Lilith, she had a khaki waistband tied into a tiny ribbon at her back, which perfectly carved out her petite and slim figure. Wait; there is something different about her, Azure thought when he gazed at her egg-shaped face.
It was then he began to notice, that there were nothing but Juhnas in this location they were in, except for him and her.
“A… human girl living with Juhnas...?” He pondered deeply. Lilith too noticed the oddball of the lot, and quickly questioned his background.
“Brother Kazo,” she released her hug and inched towards Azure with extra caution with the sharp tip of her spear pointing at him, “Who is this Human?”
Circling him all around at every angle, her emerald eyes glared at Azure’s.
“Yes Kazo, you must explain why a Human girl can be your sister.”
Both had placed an extra emphasis on the word “Human”. Kazo was taken aback by the sudden questioning from the duo, and heaved a sigh as he turned towards his sister.
“Lilith, Azure is the person who helped us escape from the Empire.”
And he turned towards Azure.
“Azure, Lilith is my adopted sister.”
For once, Azure could finally see some light being shed into the forest. After that, nobody spoke more words other than navigating through the labyrinth and finally reaching the actual Juhnan tribe. It was a small, but welcoming place. Single-storey houses built using the dark brown woods and roofs were weaved with the long narrow leaves from certain species of trees. There, not too far from view, stood a shop with blacksmiths hammering their weapons into shape.
“Welcome to the haven of Juhnas, Ruthern Woods.”
Upon the slaves’ return, Juhnan housewives and children emerged from their houses and sprang towards their homecoming husbands and sons.
It was a warm sight to behold.
The company sat down to enjoy a moment of peace as well as a conversation with the village’s Elder, Lady Maya the Wise, a renowned Mu user and a sage. Her house was a little larger than the others, and whiffed of the light aroma from the sandalwood incense she burnt.
Unlike Lilith’s, her garment was a dark green robe with the high collar embossed with Juhnan’s ancient symbols. The waistband she wore was broader and very long, and had colorful beaded accessories hanging at the sides. Owl’s feathers decorated the headband she wore, symbolizing wisdom and sharp-sightedness. She was slightly hunched and plump, and the wrinkles on her face were being carved deep into her skin by time.
Azure respected the old lady right from the bottom of his heart the moment he saw her. Despite her eyes being unable to see, the wise and gentle demeanor of her made the race succumb willingly to her leadership. Anyway according to her, Ruthern Woods is only a little village formed by Juhnas as a haven for their fellow tribesmen scattered around the world.
“Is hiding in the forest safe?”
Azure knew that his worries might be too unfounded, as he saw the old lady gave a hearty laugh before answering to that question.
“Definitely. The almighty god, Anu, has given me the power to protect our people from harm. But we have to talk about our future. Harboring fugitives on the run from the Empire; it wouldn’t do our tribesmen any good to offend the Humans…”
Some words lingered at the edge of her striated lips, but could not be spoken out.
“You are the person they want, Azure…”
Although he did not want to mention it, Gunter’s sentence brought great sadness to all. Indeed, sacrificing the entire race in order to protect one person may not be that practical after all. The other Juhnas nodded silently in agreement. They wished for an alternative to exist, but they have families to take into consideration.
”… So the best option is for me to leave here as fast as I can. “
Azure was right. But where to? It was okay for him to bear all the responsibility, but Kazo and the others will surely be implicated. He tried to think of some places where they could go, but predictably, there was none left in his empty memor---
”I will go to the place where they found me to look for clues to my memories.”
Kazo and Gunter were taken aback by his sudden suggestion. It was not that they disagree, but they could not bear to part with their new friend and leave him in the lurch.
It was then the two Juhnas decided that they will help their friend in his journey.
“Azure, we will go with you.
“?”
“We can’t leave our pretty friend alone in this treacherous world, can we?”
”Yes, besides I’m a little interested in your past, Mister no-name. I want to see what exactly you are.”
Azure shivered at Kazo’s use of adjectives, and raised his eyebrows when Gunter proclaimed his passion. Knowing that nothing could stop them now, he said no more. He was glad that at least in this treacherous world, there are two Juhnas who would be his friend. Lady Maya smiled contentedly and nodded.
”We Juhnas are in your debt for setting our captured tribesmen free. Although we cannot do much to repay, I hope these two Juhnas will help you well… May the blessings of Anu be with you.”
She lifted her arms sideways to that they are parallel to her body, and stacked her left palm on top of the right. Holding the two palms at her eye level, she lowered her head gently to touch the wooden floorings decorated by exquisite carpet. The bow she has just performed was a tradition of the followers of Anu.
“Oi! Don’t you throw me behind again!!”
Lilith shot up suddenly, with her slender legs wide open to grab firmly on the grounds and hands resting on her hips. Azure noticed an exquisite flute being tied to her with her waistband.
”Lilith, you can’t co---“
And she stops her brother by pressing her little finger on the Juhna’s lips.
“I don’t care. I will stalk you guys like a fly. Besides, you will need me when time comes.”
She talks just like her brother, Azure thought secretly while holding back his laughter. When the conference has ended, and the company left the Elder’s house, Lady Maya poured herself a cup of tea brewed from morning dew and sipped in silence.
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A/N
Two new females, one old and one young ^^~ Alright Lilith will be the female lead, together with Anzu (if you remember who she is. O_O) Lady Maya... I added her just one minute ago XD. (not so important?)
I loved the name 'Lilith'.... she is the person i drew on the poster XD~ (i guess my english isn't all that powerful anyway haha)
Another woman will be coming out soon, but i'm not telling =P! But one thing though, she is a dynamite =)
And yayness for me, i'm going for a pot luck tonight *Hurrays!* So see ya =D!