The Sixth God (Arc 1: From The Pale Ashes) [BL]

Chapter 18

Shida peered out from under the tarp, observing the rolling hills dotted with trees. It was strange, seeing the ground unexpectedly rise up and down like that. Even more odd was the temperature. While the nighttime air became chilly, it wasn't icy. Your breath failed to fog and even more bizarre was during the day, the temperature rose. It was pleasant.

A world without snow.

Sometimes Shida believed he saw snow. Little glints of white light collected at the roots of trees, like little stars. However, Shida was never able to get a good look at them. Not only were they too far away, but no matter how much Shida shifted to get a better view, it was always obscured by trotting horse legs and underbellies.

"It's like a beckon."

Shida shuddered, face paling as he peeked up. Clay was riding next to him, head cocked as he stared down.

When Shida didn't answer, Clay seemed unfazed and persisted, "Your eyes. They just reflect the sun's light so well. It is genuinely a problem for the future, you stand out too much surrounded by black." Clay gestured closer to the black tarp that was supposed to be over him.

Shida without delay dropped the tarp, cringing again. Laughter rang out from the other side.

"What had been you looking at?" Clay asked, jovial.

Shida hesitated. Clay seemed to be in a good mood. He didn't want to spoil that. No answering would possibly do that however Shida also struggled with himself, his mind screaming to escape from this guy.

As the silence ticked on, Shida nerves wound tighter and tighter until he could not handle it anymore and blurted out, "Th-those lights. By the trees. What are they?"

"Fireflies?" Clay answered. "The ones you see at night?"

Shida shook his head even though Clay couldn't see it and corrected him. "Not the flying lights. Those close to the roots of the trees."

Clay went silent for a moment before he sneered, "Insects."

Shida cringed, scooting back. The good mood was gone.

Shida didn't believe that they were insects. Because except twinkling, they by no means moved. 

It was something else. But Shida failed to understand what.

"Stick your hand out," Clay ordered.

Shida hesitated but the thought of what Clay would do if he failed to obey got him to shakily stick his hand out from under the tarp, flinching at the slightest brush of air and cloth.

A solid small item landed in his palm and Shida nearly dropped it in panic. However, at the last second, he recognized the dips and curves of the jar and tightened his hand eagerly instead.

"This is the last batch of your reward for saving the merchandise. Use it wisely. " Clay's voice grew fainter as the clopping of hooves sped up.

Shida pulled his hand back in quickly, immediately opening the jar and applying thick smears of the salve on his beat-up body.

It left an icy feeling on his pores and skin, the residue slick and shiny. The pungent medicinal scent seemed to work like a balm on Shida's mind as well.

After a couple of days of using the medication, Shida felt a lot better. Even the wounds had become less irritated. They have been scabbing and in some locations, falling off and showing pink skin. Shida was positive he would scar but at least, the pain was fading.