By Your Setting Sun

To Be On The Burnt Route

It was a hazard. Golden flames burning ever so brightly, with the whole village as its fuel. Cries and shouts echoed through the night as the people tried their best to survive from the unforgiven flames.

He gasped for air. The thick smoke had invaded his lungs, and the longer he stayed in the demolishing village, the harder for him to breathe. It was terrifying as it was hurting. The lack of oxygen made every part of his body stung in a different way.

However, he didn't stop moving forward. The woman he was dragging undoubtedly heavy, yet the guilt if he left her behind will be heavier. Without many words except his mouth moving to grasp any more air, the boy kept on moving. He carried himself forward, ruby eyes glazed in tiredness and stray tears.

Another building collapsed, this time narrowly hit the boy and the unconscious lady. The impact threw him off the balance and caused him to slip and fall. The lady remained undisturbed despite the loud noise and effect, stumbled along on the boy. Her weight on top of him caused his lungs to and lacked an air. But at least he learnt that in the lower ground, it was easier to access fresh air without any smoke in the way. He noted that for next time.

If he survived this.

But he had to. He had promised Najin he would. His twin was nowhere to be seen, and he hoped he wasn't somewhere inside the flaming town. He was aware Lauzun was with him. Hopefully, Lauzun could snap his brother if he ever went too far.

He pushed himself off the ground, in addition pushing the lady off of him. She rolled to the side, still dozed off to god knows where. He wanted to glare at her for still in an unconscious state despite the life-threatening situation. Yet he couldn't be bothered by it. All his energy was focused on having them both out safely.

So, with one last gulp of any air he could get on the lower ground, he slung the lady's arm around his neck and pushed himself upward. At the sensation of his hands touching her, it gave a flash of unbearable pain, making him drop her. But he refused to give up and carried on despite the ongoing pain in his hands. The lady was taller than he was, courtesy of him being a pre-teen, and she was a fully grown-up. But the height difference didn't stop him from trying to save both of their lives.

Each path to evacuate was nearly destroyed. The smoke was itching his eyes terribly and choked him. The flames grew hotter by the second. Yet he didn't stop. He moved on. Continued to do so, scouting any way out till he saw a view in the colour that wasn't orangish, dark grew or anything involving burning. The clear dark blue sky was like an oasis in the desert for him.

To add more of his hope, a familiar young girl with shoulder-length dark green hair came into his view. She spotted them and immediately rushed to his aid. He thanked for this wonderful chance as the lady's weight had been lifted slightly. Together, they rushed out of the burning town. Saving themselves from being toasted alive.

And he glad they did. Because once they were out and safe, many feet away from dying town, Nagyunn immediately collapsed on the ground. He could hear the girl's crying out his name while holding the lady off for him. But he didn't care. Every part of his body was aching greatly in pain. He wanted to scream, but his throat was already dried out, and every noise came out sound akin to a wheezing.

Gentle hands touched his shoulders. He didn't raise his head, busying, shutting his eyes shut as if it could lessen the pain. Every part of his body was in great pain, especially in the hands. What happened to his hands?

Whatever it was, Nagyunn was too afraid to take a look at it.

He couldn't hear Luzian desperately calling him. He couldn't hear the approaching footsteps reaching him, nor the hands touching his face.

Those hands...it felt familiar. Gingerly, he flickered his eyes open, and relief flooded in at the sight of another pair of ruby eyes staring back at him. The corner of his dried lips curled upward.

"Na...jin..."

Then those rubies were glassy.

"Gyunn-ah..."

When his brother pulled him for a hug, Nagyunn let himself rest in the embrace. Face leaned on his brother's shoulder. He closed his eyes, opened it, and closed it again. It was in a repeated manner for him to catch a few glimpses of the current situation before his mind told him to get a rest.

A familiar, pale-shaded haired boy stood behind his brother. Was that Tyr? Huh, Nagyunn thought he was with his family. He didn't see Lauzun anywhere, but he could hear his voice muttering something, mixing with Luzian's who had lift her hands from his shoulder backs. But he knew they were close by, or else he won't hear them.

As black spots filling his vision, Nagyunn silently prayed everything would go well. He didn't know what he was praying for, but he remembered before this, everyday he only prayed for his brother's safety and happiness. So he prayed for it again. Again and again. Until his eyes fully shut in, and he was lulled to sleep.

While his consciousness went away, the rest of them stared at the blazing town. Every buildings were burning to crisp, every hardwork and their proof of existence had gone in one night.

Tyr couldn't averted his eyes away from it. Not even to spare a glance on the unconscious lady Luzian had put away close to Lauzun. His hands clenched and unclenched repeatedly at his side, his breaths were slightly off its usual chart. The boy closed his eyes, and opened it again.

No, it wasn't a dream. His home, their home, was destroyed. Just like that. By flickering hungry flame. The same flame that he saw the adults lit up to cook or to warm themselves. The same flame that had been guiding him through the darkness.

Luzian was sobbing. Despite everything that had happened, she was surprised she could find herself to cry. Or there was any tears left for her to weep. She was kneeled on the dirty ground, her tattered sleeve was used to rubbed her teary, dirt countenance.

Lauzun took the responsibility to comfort her. Gently, he rubbed his palm on her back, like someone in his lost memory used to do to him when he was upset. The girl didn't stop sobbing, but she was leaning into his touch.

The children watched.

The children witnessed.

As the town was in shambles, fate took a different path. A pair of eyes closed, another opened. One thin line formed to be an eerie smile. As the future sets in place, was there a wonder the future still be just like it had shown?

The children watched.

The children witnessed.

Was there anything left to say?