- When Katara saw the face of the person who had secretly approached her from behind, she froze for a brief moment, slightly surprised. Then she slowly lowered her sword and spoke in a calm but cautious tone as she looked at the owner of the voice.
KATARA: So it was you, Isis.
ISIS: Don't you dare call me Isis! Now explain—why did you leave the village without saying a single word?
-The woman crossing her arms and scolding Katara with furrowed brows was named Isis, the head healer of the village. She was a female Void warrior about one ninety centimeters tall, middle-aged, and had been friends with Katara since childhood. With her long black hair reaching down her back and her bright ocean-blue eyes, Isis was a lively and powerful healer. She was also Miana's mother.
ISIS: I only left the village for a few hours to take care of something, and when I returned, what do you think I found? "Katara has left the village with a human child!" That's what the villagers told me! Couldn't you have at least waited for me to come back? Doesn't our friendship mean anything to you?
- As Isis continued her scolding, Katara silently sheathed her sword. Then, fixing her gaze back on Isis, she responded in a calm tone. The village chief wanted me to leave as soon as possible. I didn't know when you would return.
ISIS: You could've at least left me a note!
KATARA: Was it necessary? Honestly, I doubt anyone in the village knows me better than you do.
ISIS:True... I can't deny that, but...
- Isis's face flushed slightly after Katara's words. She hesitated briefly before regaining her composure. But Katara noticed something else. Narrowing her eyes slightly, she turned to Isis with a cold, threatening tone.
KATARA: You brought it with you, didn't you?
- Caught off guard by Katara's threatening question, Isis remained silent for a few seconds. Then, thoughtfully touching her chin with her index finger, she replied.
ISIS: Oh, you mean Miana? Well, I ran into her on my way back to the village. She was incredibly worried and told me everything that happened—she was actually looking for me to help talk you out of it. So we rushed back to the village, but you were already gone. Ah, you should've seen her face! She was furious, but... it was kind of cute.
- Despite Isis' answer, Katara's tone and expression remained cold and distant.
KATARA: I wasn't talking about her.
- At that moment, an unknown deep, mocking voice echoed through the room.
UNKNOWN VOICE: So you noticed me, huh? As expected from the strongest female warrior of the village. Though, I didn't think you'd notice so quickly. Impressive...
- As the mocking voice reverberated, something small dropped from Isis's hair onto the wooden floor—a seed-like object.
-CRACK-
-The seed cracked open, sending out small, curling roots that clung tightly to the wood. Within seconds, the shell split completely and transformed into a faintly glowing purple plant.
The plant rapidly grew into a slender figure resembling a thin Void being—bony limbs and branch-like arms. But the transformation didn't stop there.
Suddenly, the bark-like texture peeled away, revealing blue, living skin underneath. The body pulsed like a living organism, and golden pupils formed in previously blank white eyes.
The body was then enveloped in golden light, shifting like rippling water. Clothes formed—a white fur cloak, a green sweater, black trousers, and bead-like mystical accessories. Finally, a colorful feathered hat appeared atop the figure's head.
As the light faded, standing there was a Void wearing shamanic garments.
UNKNOWN PERSON: Ahh... much better. Waiting around is so boring.
- Stretching out his arms, the figure yawned, then lowered them and turned his glowing golden eyes directly at Katara. With a playful smile, he stepped forward and raised a hand in greeting.
UNKNOWN PERSON: Yo, Katara! It's been a while, hasn't it?
- Katara and Isis stared in shock. Because the man before them—dressed in shaman's clothing—was none other than Coyopa, the village Shaman. One of the most revered figures, second only to the chief himself.
As Coyopa approached confidently, Isis suddenly grabbed his ear and shouted angrily.
ISIS: What are you doing here?! How did you even sneak out of the village?!
COYOPA: Ow, ow! Okay, okay! I'll explain! Just stop pulling my precious ear!
- After Isis let go, Coyopa rubbed his ear and faced them, ready to explain.
COYOPA: I was repairing ritual tools at home as usual when Lala rushed in and told me what happened at the meeting. Honestly, I didn't care... until she mentioned Katara brought a human child. At that moment, time itself seemed to stop for me. After hearing the details, I rushed to Katara's house—but you were already gone. I returned home heartbroken and full of regret.
- Coyopa dramatically finished his story, sneaking a glance at Katara and Miana for their reactions. Then, brightening up:
COYOPA: Just then, I saw you and Miana leaving the village. I thought, maybe they're going to meet someone? So I decided to follow you!
- Isis frowned, growling under her breath.
ISIS: So basically, you gambled. And what was that stunt with the plant?! That wasn't UTA!
- ("UTA" is a special Void magic that allows the manipulation of trees for movement or pathways.)
COYOPA: Correct, it wasn't UTA. It was the ultimate form: Spirit Flow—a gift from the forest spirits! Although... this was my first time trying it.
ISIS: Spirit Flow?! Wasn't that banned when we were kids?!
COYOPA: Uh… maybe yes, maybe no.
- Isis sighed deeply.
ISIS: How exactly does it work then? And how did you track us?
COYOPA: Glad you asked! I infused one of my ritual seeds with spiritual aura and... kind of accidentally stuck it on your hair instead of Miana's.But hey, you were going the same way, so it worked out! Afterward, I hid in my house and listened carefully until Katara sensed me.
- Isis gave Coyopa a death glare.
ISIS: So you used me to escape, endangered your life with an untested technique, and when the chief hears about this... it won't be pretty.
- Coyopa nervously laughed.
COYOPA: Relax! I told Lala I was entering seclusion for a few hours. Besides, look—I'm fine!
- Coyopa spun around proudly like a ballerina.
ISIS: Wait, what about your leg?!
- Coyopa blinked, looked down—his leg was still a wooden branch!
COYOPA: AAAAAAH! MY LEG!
- Purple light flowed from his hands, restoring his leg back to flesh. Isis and Coyopa both breathed a sigh of relief.
COYOPA: See? All good! Brilliant as always!
ISIS: YOU IDIOT—do you know how worried I was?!
COYOPA: I know, I know, I'm sorry! But hey, everything's fine now... right, Katara? ...Katara?
- Katara wasn't even listening. She was gently rocking a now-awake Allen.
COYOPA: She's not even paying attention...
- Noticing Allen, Isis's expression softened. She approached and observed him for a moment before speaking.
ISIS: So this is the human child you left the village for, huh?
KATARA: His name is Allen.
ISIS: You named him?
KATARA: No.
- Isis blinked in confusion.
COYOPA: Oooh, so this is the famous human baby.
- Katara glared at Coyopa. Coyopa quickly corrected himself.
COYOPA: I-I mean, little Allen!
- Katara's face softened slightly, a faint smile playing at her lips.
ISIS: Katara... can I hold him?
- After a moment's hesitation, Katara carefully handed Allen over. Isis held the tiny human with awe, marveling at his fragility.
ISIS: So... what now?
KATARA: I'll raise him.
ISIS: Alone? He's so weak, Katara. He won't survive like this.
KATARA: I'll find a way.
COYOPA: But even that won't be enough.
- Coyopa spoke coldly. Isis turned to him.
ISIS:What do you mean?
COYOPA: Even if you don't realize it yet... I know. Humans are fragile.At this rate, this child will die within days.
- Coyopa's words stabbed Katara like a knife. She gritted her teeth, drew her sword, and pressed it against Coyopa's throat.
ISIS: Katara, stop!
COYOPA: You know I'm right, Katara.You know nothing about raising humans. All you'll bring him is suffering.
- Katara froze. Slowly, she lowered her sword, tears pooling in her eyes.
KATARA: I know... I know I'll hurt him because of my selfishness.But I can't abandon him. No matter what.
- Allen, sensing Katara's sadness, started to cry.
ISIS: There, there... it'll be okay.
- At that moment, Miana entered the room, looking bewildered by the tense atmosphere.
MIANA: What happened here?
- Everyone slowly began to calm down...
TO BE CONTINUED...