Awaiting The Dawn

11: Move Forward

((Please don't play the track just yet if you plan to listen to it! We need to get to Yoon and Ik-Su's moment!!!))

Hisa went off to collect firewood.

It was only after she'd gotten an armload that she realized there was a small storage building next to the house. It was filled with wood, meaning they wouldn't need any more for quite a while. She took what was already collected and put it on top of a stack of firewood.

Since her arm was almost healed, Hisa decided to do some training by the river nearby.

Only, she stumbled upon Yoon and the thunder beast cooking some fish. An unexpected thing, one that wouldn't interfere with her exercise, but Hisa approached and quietly sat by the fire.

Yoon asked. "You can already move around enough to catch fish?"

"I'm immortal." Hak joked, then turned serious. "Actually, I can't afford to die. I have to look after a troublesome princess."

"Why? You're an idiot to risk your life protecting a princess."

Hisa let out a dry, airy laugh.

"Do you value your life when you want to save someone you care about?" Hak looked at the fire, speaking without a hint of blame or criticism. Not caring that no one answered his question.

"Want some fish?" He held out a stick for Yoon and Hisa each.

"No." Yoon stood, looking a little more determined than before.

Hisa took the fish, blowing on it before biting down.

She and Hak ate in a relaxed silence after Yoon left. He was probably going to think something over. Precisely what, she could only guess.

This was something that had to be solved by the priest and his young caretaker. Hisa wasn't going to stick her nose into it.

At least, that was her plan. But after eating all the fish and burning out the fire, Hak dragged her with him. They met up with the princess and together, they secretly followed Ik-Su, who was going toward the spot where he had told them the prophecy. Yoon was sitting there.

"Yoon." Ik-Su called out to the boy.

Hak, the princess, and Hisa sat together behind some nearby bushes, whispering and gesturing to each other.

'This is eavesdropping.' Hisa tried to pull Hak away, but he just wouldn't budge.

((Please start music here! Replaying it might be necessary))

"Ik-Su, I know I called the princess naive, but she's actually just ignorant. She probably doesn't know anything about the world. It's so lame."

"Yoon."

"I called her that, but the truth is, while I know a lot of things, I probably don't know the first thing about the real world."

The two stayed in silence for a minute, until Yoon continued in a hesitant voice. "Hey, Ik-Su? You might not realize this, but to me, your words are absolute. So if you order me to go, I'll go." He spread out his arms, like he was ready to embrace the vast world in front of him. "Who knows, maybe it's my destiny."

Maybe,' Hisa mouthed. 'But that's not why he's telling you to go.'

Yoon put his hands down to his hips. "Besides, I'm sure you'll be fine without me."

"There is a strength in words." Ik-Su paused a moment before continuing. "Sometimes saying something can make it true. So if I say I'll be fine, it should become true. I should feel better, but...but it's no use. It's not working." His voice lost its strength and he started to cry. "I still...feel so sad."