The night was clear.
Starts hung low and bright over Naval, scattered like quite embers spread across the sky. The air carried the faint scent of earth and. Wood smoke calm, almost hypnotising and soothing.
Limbo stood at the edge of the yard, gazing upward, alone lost somewhere.
Footsteps approached behind him, steady and unhurried. Which he didn't heard.
"It's wonderful sight, isn't it?" Ronan said, stopping beside him.
Limbo didn't not turn.
"Truly appreciable."
Silence settled between them, not heavy, not strained. Just shared.
A few breaths passed.
Then finally Limbo spoke, breaking the ice.
"Dad... I'm going for a while."
Ronan nodded once.
"Hmm...be safe."
Limbo glanced at him. You don't want to know?"
Rohan's eyes remained on the sky.
He grabs limbo with shoulder and sit.
"You're free to do with your life what you choose, whatever path you walk. Unlike most people, you know what is good and what is bad."
He looked at his son now.
"I trust your decision."
Limbo hesitated.
"It might be dangerous."
Ronan smiled faintly.
"I know you can handle it. You're more than capable."
A pause.
"Don't forget whose son you are." Ronan said with smirk.
Limbo exhaled slowly.
"I have to go. If I don't... everything might be in danger."
Ronan nodded again.
I guess that much. No one visits the guardian - or gets noticed by it- without reason."
"And if guardians is involved then you'll be safe."
Another silence.
"But at least tell your mother," Ronan added gently. "Don't just vanished, she'll worry the most."
"If I do," limbo replied softly, "she won't allow it."
Ronan shook his head.
"She will."
Limbo looked unconvinced.
"She knows what you're capable of more than anyone else, but she's also a mother, of course she'll worry and sometimes try to protect her child from danger.
Still she would never stand between her son and his growth."
Ronan smirked slightly.
"You know... You're more like your mother.
Calm. Observant.
And something bothering you...guys always be alone. Like mother and son"
Then he leaned closer, voice lowering.
"But when you snapped...man, it hard to control you."
He burst into laughter.
Limbo laughed too.
Then his expression shifted.
"Dad...are you scared of me? Like others are?"
Ronan laughter dies instantly.
He reached out and convered Limbo's mouth firmly before he could say anything more.
"Don't ever say that."
His voice was steady and absolute.
"Even if the entire world stands against you," he said quietly, "we will stand stand with you, always"
He lowered his hand.
"Yes, you're different, But that's not bad. The way you see thing, that's who you are."
"So be it."
"Treasure this gift of mother Nature."
Soft footsteps approached from behind.
Ela stepped into view, holding a tray with tea and pakoda.
"What plotting is happening between father and son," she asked lightly, "leaving this old lady out?"
Ronan reacted instantly.
"Old lady? You are the most beautiful and young woman in this village."
Village???
Ela rolled her eyes.
"Stop flattering, old man."
Limbo laughed.
Then Ronan...
....and finally, Ela join.
They sat together under the open sky, sharing tea and warm food.
And sharing the stories of their life.
For a moment, there was no corruption.
No density.
..just Family...
The morning dawn arrived quietly.
The elders gathered near the Northern boundary.
Chaya spoke first.
"You will not go alone."
Limbo stood calmly
"I have to."
Caya frowned. "At least take a small unit. The soil is unstable. The influence is reactive."
"The path is not one of numbers," limbo replied. "Something has to be walk alone."
Chaya studied him carefully
"You want to walk alone?"
'Yes."
A long pause.
Rin stepped forward.
"Then I'll go."
Limbo turned to her. "No..."
She narrowed her eyes. "You don't get to decide that."
"I'm not deciding for you," he said quietly. "I'm deciding for what's right, if you stay here with mom she will be at ease."
The words were settle.
Chaya finally spoke.
Sometimes...a single root must descend where a forest cannot."
She looked at him.
"If you go, you go with clarity,"
"...leave the village to us, and we leave the forest to you.."
"I do."
"And you don't lose yourself."
"... people won't be there to handle..."
A faint breath escaped him.
"I won't."
Don't tell anyone about this, it's better if as few as people knows.
After the meeting and planning he returned to his home briefly.
Ela was already Waiting on doorstep.
She didn't have any tears.
Nor she said any dramatic words.
She stepped forward and adjusted the woven cord she had given him the night before.
"Come back," she said simply.
"I will..."
She touched his forehead lightly.
"Trying is enough..."
Ronan stood at the doorway.
No speech.
Just a nod.
Man to man...
... Father to son.
After the taking permission and goodbye.
The Northern ridge was quite.
Too quite..
The soil veins were darker now, slowly stretching further than before.
Limbo stepped into the affected patch.
The earth pulses once.
Then twice.
The warmth within his chest responded, the silent gift from guardian stiring.
The ground in front of him shifted.
Not violently.
But deliberately.
The soil parted.
The narrow descent opened.
Cold air rose from below.
Not to rot or decay...
...it was more like an ancient.
Limbo inhaled slowly.
Somewhere beneath the layers of stone and root...
Something moved.
A vast body adjusted.
A coil tightening.... waiting.
He did not hesitate.
He stepped forward.
As ground behind him closed.
Above, the forest held its breath.
And below... two presences began to move forward... towards each other.