As I walk through the darkness of the forest, I begin to think about everything I have been through, all these years I have been traveling without any destination in mind or purpose. An emptiness fills my being, but I continue forward in search of the answer that will give meaning to my existence.
Several years later
The world keeps changing, but something remains the same no matter how much time passes. The earth painted red, widows and children cry when their husbands and fathers do not return, buried in a sea of bodies in a never-ending war.
Men call this land France, stained by war in the pursuit of freedom. Upon arriving in a small town, I hear the news: a great step toward the freedom of France had been taken. Rumors say that a woman named Jeanne d'Arc liberated Orléans and became known as the Maid of Orléans; she claims to be sent by God, what nostalgia.
Many years have passed since that day, but it seems that Religion has become a strong pillar in the world. Did he know what would be achieved?
As I walk through the crowded streets, a small body bumps into me. Due to my sharp senses, I instantly felt that the child took the bag I had of copper and silver coins from criminals I killed and fed on.
Not that I need the money, but the feeling of being robbed is not pleasant, and I decide to follow her secretly. I see the child enter an alley, a horrible smell fills the air.
I see the child crawling between some wooden planks and decide to confront her. When I remove a few planks, I see two children: the thief, who seems to be around 11 years old, and a smaller, frail girl of about 6 or 7 years old. The moment the older one sees me, she looks at me with fear while placing her small, malnourished body in front of the other little child to protect her.
-"Sir, I beg you, please let us go! I will give the money back." says the child as she extends the bag in my direction.
I look at the child behind her and see how weak she is; if this continues, she will die next week or in a few days.
-"Where are your father or mother?" Kael asks while looking directly into the child's eyes.
-"My father went to war, and my mother went to work at night as usual, but she never came back!" says the child with tears in their eyes.
My gaze softens, I pick up the bag and put it back away. I bend down and extend my hand toward the forehead of the younger child when the older one turns to put herself in front of me.
-"It's okay, I just want to help!" Kael says in a friendly way.
The child seems scared but in the end lets me reach the younger child. I gently pick her up; her body is very malnourished and light, in her eyes I notice the lack of light and joy that a child should have.
-"My name is Kael, come on, let's eat something!" Kael says to the older child while carrying the younger one in his arms.
-"Thank you, my name is Léa, and she is my sister Gabrielle." Léa says with gratitude.
We reach a small stall where they sell a type of food called bread, I buy some and give it to Léa while I help feed Gabrielle.
I look at the older girl with compassion and say:
-"I'll stay in town for a while, you can stay with me as long as you need!" Kael says amiably.
-"Thank you!" Léa says with a big smile on her face.
I rented a room with two beds in an inn and ask the maid to give the girls a bath. When night falls, both look at me as I pull off the covers that hide my appearance.
-"Wow, brother, why is your hair white? Are you old?" says Gabrielle, who, despite being malnourished, now has eyes shining with light.
Léa gives her sister a gentle slap because of the words, fearing that I might get offended.
-"No haha, I was born like this, I've had white hair as long as I can remember." says Kael while laughing.
Because of my joy, Léa relaxes her shoulders.
After a while, the two are sleeping hugged in bed while I look at the ceiling.
-"What am I doing?" thinks Kael. "And when I leave? What will my kindness mean then? Wouldn't it just be a long-term cruelty?"
Maybe I should leave the future for when it reaches the present.
As soon as the morning comes, Léa wakes up and looks at me, I am slightly leaning on my bed reading a book. Yes, during the years I traveled I learned to read and speak other languages, an unintended gift from meeting Lilith.
-"Do you know how to read, older brother?" Léa asks, getting up and looking at the book.
-"Yes, it's a good way to pass the time, a book can bring stories and adventures from other worlds and eras!" says Kael with a smile.
-"Can you teach me?" Léa asks with curiosity.
-"Of course." says Kael.
I helped Léa learn how to read while Gabrielle slept, and even though life hasn't been fair to this child, she is very intelligent and has an enormous willpower.
-"Brother, you're going to end up leaving, right?" Léa asks sadly.
I stay silent for a moment while looking into her eyes.
-"Yes, eventually I will have to leave, I don't belong in the same world as you!" Kael says sadly.
-"But..., we can go with you, we can be a family!" Léa says as tears stream down her face.
I see fear in her eyes, not of me, but of me leaving. A look I'm not used to. She doesn't seem to suspect or fear my red eyes.
-"It's dangerous to be with me." Kael says calmly.
-"Living is already dangerous! If you leave, will we be out of danger? If you can't protect us, can I protect Gabrielle?" Léa says, raising her voice with tears in her eyes.
Because of the noise, Gabrielle wakes up and looks at her sister crying.
-"Is everything okay?" Gabrielle asks her sister.
I reach out my hand and lightly touch Léa's head to comfort her.
-"Okay, don't cry, I said it before, didn't I? You can stay with me as long as you need!" Kael says to Léa.
Léa wipes away her tears and leans forward to hug me. Even though I can't feel the warmth of the hug, in my frozen heart I can feel a warmth that shouldn't exist, the warmth of the bonds that connect us all.