Remnya

Night had fallen, and the smell of grilled meat sneaked into Remnya's bedroom. She lay still in the darkness, listening to the music blaring through the walls, mixed with the shouts and laughter of Debrin's army.

They had arrived by twilight and surrounded the house with their camps. According to Merle, they celebrated another successful mission.

Remnya didn't feel like meeting new people, but being courteous was the least she could do for those who had protected Brisa. She sat up and took a moment to recover her energy.

The golden pendant around her neck tickled her skin, reminding her of her last words. Remnya wondered if she'd get to see her sister again.

Just one last time.

Remnya rushed to the bathroom to wash the melancholy off her face.

Looking in the mirror, she noticed how long her hair had gotten; her bangs covered her eyes, and the back touched her tail. She lifted it in a ponytail, adjusted her clothes, and headed outside to face the horde.

As she opened the door, the music hit her like a train, resounding in her ears and chest with loud thuds.

Lamps hanging from trees illuminated the forest, along with the orange glow of multiple campfires placed around tables and chairs where Debrin's people drank and ate.

Nobody noticed Remnya as she wandered among the crowd. Nephilims, hybrids, and humans; everyone laughed together. An unlikely sight that gave Remnya a dim light of hope.

A heavy hand landed on her shoulder. She turned and saw Merle beaming at her with a roasted turkey in his left hand.

"I thought you wouldn't come," Merle said, the reek of alcohol hitting Remnya like a punch. "Glad to see you!"

"Mr. Merle, I was just. . ."

Before she could finish, Merle shoved the turkey into her hands, covering her clothes and skin with sauce and oil. "You're too skinny. You better start eating more if you want to become strong!"

She almost dropped the food but caught it mid-air while Merle guffawed at her clumsiness.

Remnya scowled. "I can't eat all this on my own." She tried to give the food back, but Merle didn't listen.

"Come with me! I will introduce you to the rest of my crew!" He grabbed her arm and dragged her with him toward a table, where a group of shady-looking people gathered.

Remnya hugged the turkey and gulped when two creepy eyes locked on her.

"Is this the kid you were talking about?" a shirtless, overweight man said, biting a goat's thigh. He sat on the floor with a lady by his side.

"That's right!" Merle slapped Remnya's back, trying to be playful, but his massive hand emptied her lungs. "The big fella here is Vladimore, and the beautiful lady next to him is his wife, Ozura."

Remnya rushed to bow to them. "It's nice to meet you. I am Remnya." She noticed he and the lady had horns and tails too.

The big man chewed his meal and scanned Remnya from head to toe while the woman greeted her with a cold smile.

"Merle said that woman was your friend," Vladimore told Remnya, dipping his bread in spicy sauce.

"What woman? Brisa?" Remnya asked, widening her eyes.

"Yeah, that one." He pointed at her and nodded. "We found her."

"REALLY?" Remnya put the turkey on the table and rushed to him with a smile plastered on her face. "Where is she?"

Vladimore chuckled, his pink cheeks shining under the yellow light. "The outskirts of Crysalton, hiding in some cabin amid the mountains."

"Is she okay? Is she alone? Is she safe?" Remnya's pupils sparkled with hope and joy.

"She seems to be alright, plus I don't think The Hunters have any interest in that human."

Remnya gulped. If they only knew she was pregnant with a hybrid baby.

"Mister." Remnya narrowed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Will you be coming back to that place soon?"

He scratched his reddish beard. "We plan to return to Crysalton when the situation is less hostile. The Hunters seem to have begun a witch hunt on our people."

"I apologize for asking this, but," she said and swallowed slowly before spilling his bold request. "When you return to Crysalton, can I come with you?"

The whole table fell silent as Remnya waited eagerly for an answer.

"Sorry, child. That's beyond your reach right now."

"I can take care of myself. I promise I won't cause you any trouble."

"We know your history." His expression darkened. "I'll be damned if I risked my people's lives because of such a naive request. The answer is no."

Remnya let out a silent sigh and nodded, but her insides burned with anger and frustration.

"Those crimson eyes are eager to burn the world, aren't they?" Merle said, putting his hand on Remnya's head and messing her hair. "I can't blame Vladimore for not wanting to get burned." He chuckled.

Remnya leaned away from his touch and averted her eyes. "It's fine. I don't want any of you to get in trouble because of me again."

Merle grabbed a bottle of wine and chugged half its content before speaking again. "If you want to return to Crysalton so bad, I'll take you there myself."

"What?" Remnya's eyes widened like full moons.

"Consider it part of your training. We'll find your friend and bring her with us."

"Are you serious, Mr. Merle?" A wide smile spread across her face.

He nodded and finished his drink. "I had planned to return there alone anyway, but your company will come in handy. Tell me something, can you cook?"

"I'm not good at it, but I will do my best if that's what you need!" Remnya's eyes shined as her heart raced in her chest.

"That works."

"Merle, what the hell are you talking about?" Vladimore raised his voice, scowling at him, while the group at the table murmured and exchanged disapproving looks. "That's madness. Have you stopped to think what would happen if The Hunters find out you're hiding this girl here?"

"If anyone finds out, we'll just eliminate them." Merle shrugged.

"How many drinks have you had?" Vladimore stood up and stomped toward Merle. "You can't go to Crysalton alone either. The place is completely besieged."

Merle raised an eyebrow. "Vlad, since when The Hunters scare you so much?"

"Fool!" Vladimore shouted. "Are you seriously going to risk your life for this child? What about your army? What if you die?"

"If I die in such a stupid way, it means I was never good enough to lead any of you."

Vladimore facepalmed and shook his head in frustration. "What makes you think the Boss will allow such stupidity?"

"Debrin will be the first one to agree."

Vladimore's jaw dropped. He tried to say something, but words didn't dare to come out. He put his hands on his head, showing defeat, and returned to his spot by the table next to Ozura.

Silence.

"You'll have to trust his judgment," the woman said, caressing Vladimore's back as she held his hand. "He and the Boss are of a different breed. Most of us wouldn't be here if they weren't crazy enough to go against all odds."

Vladimore let out a deep sigh and nodded at her, refusing to look at Merle again. The rest of the group only murmured and shot glances at Remnya.

Remnya felt as if the weight of a mountain had fallen on her shoulders. The eyes of Karx were on her and penetrated through her skin like knives of distrust.

Ozura locked her purple eyes on Remnya. "Have you ever killed anyone, young girl?"

Remnya's blood froze, and hesitation invaded her body. Yet, she clenched her fists and forced herself to answer. "I haven't."

"I see," she said in a soothing voice and observed her for the next minute, which felt like hours for Remnya, who couldn't bring herself to look back into her eyes.

"I trust her," Merle said, slamming her hand on Remnya's shoulder. "She might've not killed anyone, but she has looked death straight in the eyes more than once. How many of you have faced The Hunters and lived?"

Half of the people at the table averted their eyes, but the woman still held her gaze on Remnya.

"She's faced people like Ronner, Edo, and Leuko and survived. Yet she's not afraid to return to the very gates of hell again. If that's not impressive, I don't know what it is."

"If you trust her, I will too," a young man said from a corner.

"So will I," said the next one, and soon six more followed.

The woman bobbed her head and smiled. "Alright. We'll see what she's made of soon."

"I'll prove it to you, miss, and everyone here." Without thinking, words escaped Remnya's mouth like wildfire. She took one step forward, her heart racing in her chest. "I won't disappoint my friend, who is waiting for me, nor Brisa, nor anyone!"

Remnya's knees felt weak and trembled, but the magma running through her veins kept her standing with raw confidence.

"She's a true Nephilim, isn't she?" Vladimore finally spoke and looked at her with approval, which warmed Remnya's soul. "It'll be a dangerous journey, young girl, and having this crazy monster by your side will make it worse." He smiled and glanced at Merle. "Are you ready for it?"

"Yes! I'll do my best, mister Vladimore!" Remnya shouted, clenching her sweaty fists.

Vladimore nodded, and so did Ozura.

"It's decided then!" Merle raised his voice and patted Remnya's head. He whispered in her ear, "Tomorrow, your training will begin."

"Tomorrow?" Remnya swallowed through a closed throat, and a bead of sweat rolled down her forehead.

He smirked. "Eat well and get enough rest tonight because tomorrow things are gonna get exciting."

Remnya raised her head at him and narrowed her eyes. "Yes, sir!"

*°*°*

By midnight, the music had faded, and the smell of food vanished into the moist air of the forest. Owls murmured amid the trees while a swarm of fireflies surrounded the tents.

Before bed, Remnya searched for Debrin. She hadn't seen him since the morning, but by asking around, she found his location.

Debrin sat alone in the darkness under an avocado tree, far from the noise. He ate a meal of fresh vegetables he had prepared that afternoon. Two empty pumpkins cut in half rested on the table along with the peels of tomatoes, eggplants, and potatoes.

Remnya stood nearby and observed him in silence. She could have sworn ten people ate at his table.

"Why are you alone?" Remnya asked, crossing her arms behind her back.

"I can't stand the reek of meat," he said and took a careful bite out of a piece of pumpkin.

"You don't eat meat?"

He chewed slowly and swallowed before answering. "I'm tired of blood, flesh, and bones."

"I can understand that. I don't like it a lot either." Remnya walked closer, noticing how no firefly dared to swarm nearby; every insect kept a distance, forming a circle around the zone where Debrin sat. Why?

He stared at her for a moment, his sunset eyes unreadable as usual. "You'll go with him tomorrow."

"Oh, they already told you."

"No." Debrin pointed at his ears.

"Right. . ." Remnya chuckled. "Zeo could do the same."

"Our ears are a curse and a blessing, I guess."

"I think they're cute, though." Remnya beamed at him.

Debrin twisted his lips, hiding a smile. "It'll be a dangerous journey. Make sure you listen to Merle. If you make a mistake, I won't be able to protect you anymore."

"I am aware." Remnya lowered her head. "Why I wanted to ask for your permission before doing this."

"My permission?"

"Yeah." Remnya narrowed her eyes and took one step forward. "You went through too much for my sake. It was stupid of me to agree with this without thinking things through. . . I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault. I can understand how you feel about your friend. If I had to blame someone, that would be Merle."

Remnya shook her head. "I know I'm still young and naive. That's why I want to learn from my mistakes, and I won't make another reckless decision without asking someone who knows better, like you."

Debrin raised his eyebrows and brushed a strand of dark-ginger hair away from his eyes. "I believe you should go. I hate to admit it, but Merle is right. We've been living on the edge of life and death for far too long. Fear is a feeling he and I have long forgotten." He tilted his head. "Are you afraid, Remnya?"

She tightened her lips and nodded. "Very."

"Good." His pupils glowed like the alpenglow. "That means you're not stupid. You're ready to do this."

Remnya beamed at him and nodded. "I promise I won't disappoint you."

"I know you won't." Debrin nodded and began cutting the giant tomato he had harvested in the morning. "Do you want some?" He took one of the halves and offered it to her.

Remnya was full but didn't dare reject such a gift from him. She took it between both hands and smiled.

"By the way." Debrin buried his long kitchen knife into the table and gazed at her. "When you return from your little trip, I'll tell you about your parents."

"What did you say?" Remnya's blood froze as she squeezed the tomato in her hands. "My parents?"

"When we were researching about you, we ran into some valuable information. At the time, it was essential to be able to find you, but now, I believe such information belongs in your hands."

"My parents. . ." A burning feeling stung the depths of her chest. "All I know about them is they died during the Blood War."

"There are things about them that will help you understand more about yourself, and perhaps, find closure."

Remnya locked her gaze on the ground and remained silent for a moment.

A gentle breeze caressed her hair.

"I'll be happy with anything you tell me about them." She cracked a fragile smile, hiding a tear that trailed down her cheek, which she quickly wiped.

Debrin's expression softened. He stood up and walked up to Remnya. "Make sure you return alive, and we'll talk about them." He patted her head.

"Thank you." Remnya stared up, her eyes glistening with melancholy and hope. Being so close to Debrin, she perceived the faint scent of lavender lingering around him, the same one from his room.

He leaned closer and ruffled her bangs tenderly. "Please, don't die, Remnya," he whispered in her ear.

Remnya felt a cold shiver running down her back. A mix of strange emotions invaded her body, and peace eased her soul, hearing his fatherly voice so close to her.

"I-I won't," she stuttered, holding back the stupid urge to hug him and cry in his chest.

Silence.

Debrin grinned awkwardly as if showing emotions was painful for him. "You should sleep now." He wiped a tear from her cheek.

"Where are you gonna sleep, though?"

"Don't worry about it." He returned to his table to finish his meal.

"I can sleep on the floor if you want."

He shook his head.

Remnya rolled her eyes. "Fine. . ." She turned and began walking away but stopped to look at him for one last time. "Goodnight, Debrin." Remnya beamed at him and darted away, waving.

Debrin waved back at Remnya and watched her fade in the distance, along with the sounds of the night.

. . .

"You need to live. . . Crimson."

*°*°*