Vayu's body was bruised everywhere due to Overdrive and the heavy beating he received, even breathing felt heavy, but he was alive. It was around midnight when Vayu opened his eyes, the faint glow of oil lamps filled his eyesight and the healer who had been tending to him gasped softly.
"He's awake!" he exclaimed with excitement hearing his voice another healer approached "Call the elders" said the first healer in a urgent voice. Within minutes, footsteps echoed through the corridor. One by one, the elders entered the room, their expressions tense. The First Elder stepped forward, her tone warm "Vayu" she said Vayu turned his head towards her trying his best to smile "can you speak? " she asked.
"yes elder "Vayu replied in a hoarse voice
"can you tell us what happened? " she asked
"yes elder " Vayu replied, he took a deep breath, trying to gather his thoughts. His voice was weak but steady " About three to four hours before the end of our shift, two villagers came to our camp, when I questioned them they said they had bought food on your orders, so I didn't suspected them much" he said "but soon after eating the food, people started collapsing — one by one" The room grew silent. Every elder leaned closer as Vayu continued, recalling each moment with grim precision.
"I realized something was wrong" he said
"wait how did you stayed conscious" asked the third elder
"I didn't eat that food, because on night duties I bring my own food" the third elder nodded
"Then I noticed people in black cloak started appearing in our camp from every side and their leader ordered them to kill all the villagers in the camp and free the animals inside the cage to attack our village" Vayu took a long breath "That's when I knew… they weren't villagers, so I decided to attack them and kill their leader atleast " then Vayu told them how he killed their leader and the rest he could after that he explained about the nine people who watched him fight, after he was exhausted they surrounded and attacked him, Vayu tried to resist but was soon overpowered. Then they tied him to a tree, and that was when, Aspen appeared and how he had helped Aspen in last. After hearing Vayu's story, the elders exchanged uneasy glances. Then the First Elder's turned towards the healer "Summon everyone who was present at the mountain that night" she ordered. Not long after, the infirmary was filled again. The healers were sent out, only the people on guard duty that night and Aspen stood in line before the elders. The Second Elder spoke first "Tell us" he said sharply "who brought you food that evening?"The men glanced at one another, uncertain finally, one of them stepped forward "He lives in the central arena… he is my neighbor " he said hesitantly " from the last two-three months his behavior had been strange, he would stay out of his house every night and when they asked him, he got angry and started shouting at his family, we have known each other from childhood, even when I tried to talk with him but he didn't listened to me"
A murmur ran through the room "Find him" first elder commanded coldly. "Take four men and search every corner of the village" four attendants bowed and hurried outside. Soon everyone was dismissed and everyone except Vayu and the elders left the infirmary, after that elders start to leave one by one, only first elder stayed she sat down near Vayu " how are you feeling" she asked, Vayu just smiled not saying anything "take rest" she said and got up to leave.
Early morning in first elders house. The attendants that had left in night came empty-handed, when asked from family members they told that he had not returned home from last 3 days.
"The culprits… have fled," said the second elder grimly "Their tracks lead straight into the forest — they have crossed the boundary"
A heavy silence filled the room "Continue the search within the village and tighten the security around the village" ordered the First Elder " Inform everyone to search for any foreign object inside every house, every storage, even the fields if you must" and so, the village was turned upside down. Men, women, even children were questioned; the guards searched from dusk till dawn but they found nothing.
Yesterday, when the elders finished their questioning and began to disperse, the Second Elder quietly took a different path — heading toward the village boundary instead of his home. There, he noticed a guard sitting by the post, The man straightened up immediately upon seeing him.
"Elder" the guard greeted respectfully.
"Sit down" the Second Elder said calmly.
"No, no, please—" the guard replied, quickly standing and offering his seat.
The Elder smiled faintly "How is your wife and child?"
"My wife is well, Elder" the guard replied, his voice weary. "But my son… he has been sick"
"How old is he now?"
"One month and four days" the man replied with a smile on his lips.
"Then why are you still here? You should be with them"
The guard hesitated. "If I don't stand guard, Elder, how will I earn for food and medicine?"
"I'll take your post for tonight" said the Second Elder firmly " you should go home."
"Elder, I can't—"
"This is an order."
The man bowed deeply, with tears in his eyes. He gathered his belongings and hurried towards his home with a grateful heart.
Once he was gone, the Second Elder sat down in his place, glancing around to ensure no one was watching. After waiting for a few minutes, he gave a discreet signal toward the left. Two men emerged from the shadows of the trees, approaching slowly.
"Elder" they whispered, their voices nervous.
"Go inside the forest" second elder instructed quietly "I'll send food and water every three days, use your supplies with care"
"Do we really have to leave the village?" one of them asked nervously. The Elder's eyes hardened. These were the same men who had delivered supplies on his orders, but if these two were caught, sooner or later his name will come too, so he made a plan to kill them, once they were inside the forest, two of his man were already inside the forest and they were instructed to kill them they moment they dispose the foreign object.
"Yes," he said coldly. "If you stay, we'll all be caught, here take this"
He handed them the oval-shaped object, the same mysterious object he had found earlier.
"Throw it somewhere deep inside the forest" The two men exchanged uneasy glances, then nodded. Without another word, they disappeared into the forest, swallowed by the night.
The Second Elder remained seated at the boundary, alone hiding his own secrets.