The Life I Gained From Dying

Chapter 16 - Apologies

"Can you repeat that name please?" Elder Aira stated.

"I-I said Kaden Adams... is someone  with that name here?" Aaron repeated.

Treya and Aira looked over to each other, surprised by the name they just heard.

"Interesting." Elder Alex said as he leaned forward in his seat.

"How do you know him?" Faye asked.

"...He's a long time friend of mine, and I have reasons to believe that he's in this village."

Faye looked over to Treya who slowly nodded to confirm the words he was saying.

"He is here, isn't he?" Aaron questioned.

"I say we grant his wish." Alex stated.

"For what reason?" Mildred questioned. "The longer he's here, the more furious the gods become."

"How much harm can a single conversation do?"

"If we do allow this, then I believe it should happen after Kaden attempts the gate." Treya stated. "I don't think this is the time for him to be exposed to such a situation."

"I agree with sister Treya." Claire said.

"You're both fine with this?" Mildred questioned.

"Of course we'll be voting on this." Faye stated. "All those in favor of reuniting Kaden Adams with Aaron Cooper, please raise your hands."

All of the six elders promptly raised their hands except for Elder Mildred.

"I'm sorry sister, but the majority has voted." Faye said.

"I can't believe this." Mildred replied in disbelief. "We are disgracing all of the previous seatholders before us with this decision. They would all have this anomaly to be dealt with immediately."

"Don't speak on the behalf of people you've never met before." Alex stated. "The last time the lake was illegally used, myself and sister Faye were the only elders then that are still active today. The both of us can tell you that this situation hardly draws any resemblance to the previous one, therefore it's only natural that this will be settled differently."

"No matter the circumstances use of the lake is forbidden, and we have rules set in stone to deal with this."

"If we handled every situation the same way there wouldn't be a need for this gathering. Sister Faye could've killed this boy when she found him and brought back the tortured body of this girl and that could've been the end of this..."

"Our job is to handle each problem with care as they are handed to us." Faye added. "If we had a predetermined answer for everything then as brother Alex said, their wouldn't be a need for this gathering. So if there isn't anymore objections, the decision will be to allow this boy to converse with Kaden Adams but only after Kaden returns."

"Return? Where is he?" Aaron questioned.

"Don't concern yourself with that." Faye answered. "Damien take them away, discreetly."

"Yes ma'am."

"But wait! I have-"

"Aaron." Via said softly from behind him.

Her voice calmed Aaron down immediately and made him give up on arguing. Damien then took the both of them away from the courtyard and left the Elders to continue their discussions.

.....

Knock. Knock.

"Hello?" Mai called out after knocking.