That night, the small village gathered around the firelight. Long wooden tables were quickly set up, and hot food steamed heavily into the air.
A few village men shyly carried a pot of soup and placed it in front of Noir's group. A young woman softly invited them.
"We hope you won't mind. Our village is poor, but we still hope you can forgive our shortcomings."
Specter was slightly on guard, his sharp eyes scanning all around. Orion crossed his arms, leaning against a pillar, and muttered sarcastically.
"If someone drugged that pot, that would be fun."
His words made a few villagers startled, but they only gave awkward smiles and did not argue.
Noir sat still, her two-colored eyes staring at the bowl of soup in front of her. She read their thoughts. There was no bad intention. Only worry, sympathy, and even their clumsy hospitality.
Kaelith lowered her head deeply and whispered softly.
"They… really just want to help us."
Ari nodded gently and said softly.
"At least they still chose to open their hearts."
Doctor Aurel walked over and sat at the table, then said,
"Orion, come sit and eat. And don't judge others with a petty mind. The villagers here are helping us, don't go too far, understood?"
"Yehh…understood." Orion sat down unwillingly.
"Please forgive them, everyone here. These children are still young, and they have just gone through some things, so they are only a little too cautious." Ari continued.
A few villagers smiled kindly, without blaming them. On the contrary, they were very warm and did not take it to heart at all.
Noir slowly lifted the spoon to her lips. The simple salty-sweet taste, nothing elaborate… but strangely warm. Her chest filled with a strange feeling, something she thought had been taken away from her long ago—the feeling of being treated like a human, sitting at the same table eating with others.
Specter silently watched. For the first time, he saw Noir not only as a cold shadow, but as a fragile girl learning how to trust the world outside.
In that moment, the whole group felt as if they had escaped the darkness of the organization.
The meal gradually became livelier, the sound of spoons hitting bowls, children running around the fire. Noir's group sat in the corner, eating while listening to the villagers talk.
An old man with a silver beard took a sip of homemade wine and lowered his voice.
"Everyone… have you heard? Recently, soldiers from VOIN… VOID or whatever, have been patrolling more often. Some people say they are moving several experiment convoys toward the East."
The woman beside him continued, her voice trembling.
"I heard there are even… people with strange eyes, terrifying appearances. Like they are no longer human."
Noir quietly tightened her grip on the spoon, her blue-red eyes flashing with a sharp cold light. Specter glanced at her and noticed that tension.
Orion snorted, throwing a piece of meat into his mouth.
"Another experimental nest. Nothing more than a snake pit. If we want to get close, we'll only die."
Ari placed her hand on Noir's shoulder and said gently,
"But if that truly is where they are gathering… then that is the opportunity. Data, test subject, and everything… could be there."
Kaelith sat silently, not daring to raise her face. That news was like a knife twisting deep into her heart, reminding her of everything she had once been part of. And her parents were still imprisoned there. She truly did not know how she would face them.
The atmosphere at the table suddenly became heavy. But Noir raised her head, looking at each villager holding their breath, waiting for her reaction. She only gave a slight nod, her voice low but firm.
"Thank you. We will remember."
The firelight reflected in her two-colored eyes, making all the villagers suddenly believe for certain: this girl was not a "monster" like the rumors said, but a fallen warrior.
After many days of resting in the small village, Noir had recovered and become more stable. The wounds on her body healed faster than normal people, clear proof that her body still carried the power of the "perfect form."
One early morning, when the mist still covered the edge of the forest in white, Noir quietly stepped outside. The space was silent, with only the sound of leaves moving.
She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, then opened them—the blue and red eyes glowing brightly in the mist. Streams of familiar energy flowed through her body, like a current that had been suppressed for too long and was finally being released.
She stretched out her hand, and every leaf, every small stone on the ground trembled slightly according to her will. Her strength was gradually returning, even stronger than before. But the moment she tried to push it to its old limit… a sharp pain struck, making her drop to one knee.
Noir bit her lip, sweat forming lightly.
"Again…?"
She stood up and tried again, hoping she could become one with that new flow of power. Leaves, sand, and even stones slowly rose into the air like a swirling storm. But the moment she pushed herself just a little further, it felt like a bolt of lightning shot straight through her mind.
Noir collapsed again, in pain.
She also wanted to continue, but if she did, it would likely only backfire and make her recovery even slower, so she decided to return with everyone first and make a plan.
On a branch in the lush deep forest, a black raven was perched there, silently watching them. Then it flew away.
Noir sensed that something was wrong, and on the way back, she turned her head to look behind. When she looked again, there was nothing there.
She shook her head and kept walking.
But from far away, they had already seen her.
"Haa…"
"Why is this masterpiece only revealing itself now?"
"Soon…"