For Peace

33. Heavenly Tunes

Even from a distance, the villagers recognised Seonghwa, for they had awaited his return for so long. Old man Gain was the first to lift his head and squint his eyes at the odd pair coming down the road. He let his sickle sink and stood in disbelief, not connecting the delicate priest to the demonic creature by his side.

When Seonghwa thrust his arm into the air to wave at him down in the valley, he returned the salute in surprise. Now, the few other people out in the fields during the evening noticed the travellers, too, and the familiarity in Seonghwa's step had their faces lit up.

As the elders waited patiently, two smaller figures that had easily recognised Seonghwa with their youthful eyes sped down the path. They had been playing with their dolls on the weathered remains of the wall lining the road. Now, their little feet whirled up dust as they came to greet him at the entrance.

"It's him! He's back!" One of them cried in joy as they raced past the stunned elders. In response, they lay down their tools to draw near, following behind their excited youths.

Seonghwa crouched when the two dashed towards him on their short legs. They fell into his arms with delighted giggles, hugging him from both sides as he cradled them close. Nothing felt more like home like their clingy arms around his neck.

"Leila, Moni," he beamed, happy to find them energetic as ever. "How have you been?"

"You were gone for so long," Leila accused when she pulled back from him. Moni played with his hair. "And you look different."

"A lot happened," Seonghwa explained with the patient adoration for them that never ceased.

From suspicious eyes, the two blinked up at Hongjoong. To them, he was a stranger, though the gargoyle knew everyone in the village better than Seonghwa did.

"Who is this? Did you make a new friend? So much changed. Here, it was boring as ever."

"This is Hongjoong; he is very dear to me," Seonghwa introduced. If he told them he was the statue of the chapel's roof that had watched over them for many years, they would claim him mad.

"He has wings," Moni pointed out, as if there was any way to overlook that.

"And horns," Leila added.

When Hongjoong smirked at them, showing off his fangs in addition, they squealed and hid behind Seonghwa. Cooing, he petted their heads.

"He's a good person. Can you two do me a favour? Can you tell people I am back at the church? I want to say hello to everyone."

"Of course!" The two scrambled away before Seonghwa could thank them, running through the streets, hollering about his return. Everyone who hadn't noticed yet peeked curious heads from their windows and doors.

Seonghwa turned to Hongjoong before going to greet Gain.

He didn't need to clarify for Hongjoong to understand.

"One thing at a time. I will wait on the roof until you're finished." In the privacy of his unfolding wings, he breathed a kiss on Seonghwa's cheek. As he took off into the sky with an elegant twist of his body and sailed away towards the chapel, the farmers caught up with Seonghwa.

"Are my old eyes deceiving me? Is it you, Father?"

Seonghwa moved to cradle Gain's hands, squeezing them gently. Wrinkly and soft in his grip, they were so familiar, as if he had never left. Gain's fingers skimmed the scabbing of his hands, careful not to put pressure on them. A sweet knot of feeling clogged Seonghwa's throat.

"It is me. I returned from my travels and I am back now."

"And are you healed?"

Happy that they had been concerned, Seonghwa nodded once more.