The young girl stepped forward, her gaze serious but determined:
— My name is Yui Dorei, I'm 16 years old. I belong to this clan... but not by my own will. I still dream that we could be like our peers in the city, free and equal.
Wendy stared at her intensely:
— And what exactly do you want to tell us?
Sakolomé, in his old man guise, placed a hand on his staff and answered calmly:
— Let her speak. She wants, just like you, to free the clan. Remember that, Wendy.
Yui nodded and slightly turned toward the tall grass.
She pulled out an old, somewhat stained and worn white loincloth and began rummaging inside:
— Visitors... once upon a time, a little girl got lost in the woods. First, I would like to know if you know her.
She produced a photo and held it out toward Sakolomé.
Sakolomé took the photo, smiled faintly, then handed it to Dan:
— I think this is for you.Dan took the photo from Sakolomé's hands. Immediately, his gaze froze.
Cold shivers ran down his spine and a heavy pressure settled in his chest.
— It's... it's... Nehan! he murmured, voice trembling.Wendy frowned, surprised:
— Nehan? Who is that?
Sakolomé, in a calm but grave tone, explained:
— She is Dan's lost little sister... Nehan Hasu.
She disappeared three years ago.Wendy's eyes widened, her jaw clenched tight.
The photo showed a young girl with ebony black hair and orange eyes identical to Dan's.
Every detail seemed to reflect him perfectly.Yui, arms crossed, serious gaze, asked:
— So you know her?Dan suddenly stepped toward her, breath short, and grabbed her by the shoulders:
— Where is she?! Is she alive?!
Yui slowly shrugged, a slight tremor in her voice:
— I don't know... She simply disappeared.Silence fell, heavy and oppressive, while Dan clutched the photo tightly, fists clenched, eyes misted.
Wendy placed a hesitant hand on his shoulder, sensing the depth of her friend's emotion.
Sakolomé, standing back, observed the scene with strategic calm.
His discreet smile showed he knew more than he revealed... and that this meeting would finally trigger the next phase of their mission.
Dan, visibly angry, squeezed Yui's shoulders with a force that made her wince instantly:
— Sir... you're hurting me! she groaned, teeth clenched.
Dan, panting, looked at her with eyes full of despair and rage:
— How? How do you not know where she is?
Sakolomé quickly intervened, placing his hands on Dan's arms and gently pulling him back.
Yui collapsed to the ground, panting, still under the effect of the pain.
— Calm down, Dan... said Sakolomé in a firm but reassuring tone. Don't worry. I can assure you your sister is still alive. But... I cannot locate her yet.
Dan stepped back, his breathing trembling:
— How... how do you know all this, master?
Wendy, meanwhile, stood frozen, shocked. She had never seen Dan lose control like this. Usually, he was composed, methodical, and calm.
But now... he was consumed by fear and worry for his sister.
Sakolomé slightly averted his gaze from Dan and turned to Yui:
— Very well... speak. How did you cross paths with Nehan? And above all... how was she involved in your clan's story? Dan, eyes wide and jaw clenched, almost whispered to himself:
— The stories of their clan... I hope they haven't harmed my little sister...Yui lowered her eyes, hesitant, with a trace of guilt in her look:
— I... I don't know exactly what they might have done to her... But I know she was taken by them... and that they kept her... for reasons I never understood...Dan felt a shiver run down his spine.
His grip on Nehan's photo tightened instinctively, eyes shining with anger and worry.
Wendy placed a firm hand on his shoulder, silently supporting him, while Sakolomé observed the scene, his face calm but his mind calculating every possibility to find Nehan and protect all the clan's youth.
Sakolomé insisted in a soft but firm voice:
— Yui, that's your name, right?The young girl nodded timidly.
— Do you at least know how you found little Nehan? he asked. If so, could you simply tell me exactly what you know?
Yui lowered her eyes, thinking for a moment. Her voice trembled slightly as she replied:
— I didn't really see everything that happened... but I might have some information. Or rather... call someone to tell you.Sakolomé furrowed his brow slightly:
— Making outings like that in the village, don't they pose a problem?Yui shook her head:
— No. There are specific times allowed for that. And... right now, I'm allowed to go out. But after this, it will be over. We only go out at times to fish or gather fruit, nothing more.Sakolomé studied her carefully, then asked:
— And you, have you already taken your share of fruit?
The young girl nodded:
— Yes. That will allow me to come back without trouble. But... I really need my clan to change. And I'm not the only one who wants it. If you could stay until tonight, I could call Kujin.
She's one of the women who saw little Nehan... she even followed her several times.
A silence settled. Sakolomé exchanged a quick glance with Dan and Wendy.
Their faces betrayed both impatience and concern.
He then turned again toward Yui:
— Very well. Go. We will wait here, okay?
Yui nodded quickly, then turned on her heel. She slipped into the tall grass, disappearing with an almost instinctive discretion, as if she had learned to live hidden.
The sun slowly began to sink behind the hills, painting the sky with orange and purple hues. The air grew cooler, and the twilight insects awoke, filling the tall grass with a faint buzzing.
Dan paced back and forth, unable to stay still. His fists clenched and unclenched, his eyes intermittently fixed on the horizon as if hoping to see Yui return at any moment.
Nervousness showed in every gesture.
— It's been too long... he muttered under his breath. What if she betrayed us? And what if... Kujin doesn't even exist?
Wendy, sitting not far away, looked up at him.
She tried to keep calm, but her sharp tone betrayed slight irritation:
— Dan, there's no use going around in circles like that. If you keep it up, you'll draw the whole village's attention to us.
— So what?! he snapped, turning abruptly. Do you think I have the luxury to wait doing nothing when my sister might be in danger?Wendy pressed her lips, ready to reply sarcastically, but held back.
She looked down at the ground, fists clenched on her knees.
Sakolomé, quietly observing, finally spoke. His deep, steady voice contrasted with the tense atmosphere:
— Dan... listen to me carefully. Your anger is justified. But if you let your emotions guide you, you will lose clarity.
And believe me... that is exactly what might make things harder.Dan stopped abruptly, breathing heavily.
His eyes darkened for a moment as if struggling against his own instincts.
— So what? We just sit here, waiting as if nothing's wrong?
Sakolomé held his gaze, unflinching:
— No. We remain vigilant. And when Yui returns, we will finally have a solid lead.
Patience, Dan... is a sharper weapon than you think.Silence fell again.
Only the wind stirring the grass gently and the breath of awakening nocturnal creatures could be heard.
Wendy raised her eyes to the sky where the first stars began to shine.
Despite her unease, she couldn't help but whisper:
— I hope we didn't make a mistake trusting her...Sakolomé stood still, his eyes fixed in the direction where Yui had disappeared.
His features, bathed by the glow of the rising moon, seemed almost carved in determination.