Rise of Yahunyens: Origin

Episode 64: The Eternal Twilight

The air inside the small, rundown eatery felt heavy after Virumi dropped the bombshell that her family lineage wasn't just any royal bloodline. She belonged to the King's family itself. Everyone's reactions were almost synchronized. Spoons clattered against the plates as the rice scattered back into the heap of pilaf, momentarily forgotten. Silence settled, thick and palpable, as if time itself paused to register the weight of Virumi's revelation.

Griswa, usually calm and composed, blinked slowly as his mind processed the implications. His eyes, always vibrant with multiple colors, seemed to darken, their light dimming as the gravity of Virumi's confession set in. He leaned in slightly, his voice low and serious.

"So, you're not just from any royal family of the Mertromath. You actually belong to the king's family itself," he whispered, his tone a blend of shock and intense curiosity.

Virumi, unable to meet their gazes, lowered her eyes to the table. She gently traced her fingers over the wood, as if grounding herself in the tangible world before continuing. Her voice wavered slightly, carrying the weight of unspoken guilt and shame.

"Perhaps that's more of a reason why I want freedom, noi."

The room felt colder for a moment, as if her words had the power to drain the warmth from the air. There was no need for further clarification—her pain, the burden of her legacy, was something they could all feel. In that quiet space, they understood the depth of her struggles. Born into privilege, yet weighed down by the chains of her family's decisions.

"I didn't disclose that I belong to the king's family because I felt ashamed," Virumi continued, her voice almost trembling. "I hope you guys understand noi... But now that I know my family serves a purpose that can help you, I chose to swallow the shame and tell you this."

Everyone instinctively leaned forward, creating a more intimate circle of understanding. Virumi's vulnerability opened a new dimension to their relationship, and they all sensed it.

Virumi took a deep breath before speaking again, "Now that I've learned what you guys truly are, where you come from, what you've faced... My struggles look childish in comparison to yours, noi. Your pursuit of freedom is even greater than mine, noi! Haha, the world is filled with people you can never imagine could exist, noi."

She smiled, a bittersweet expression that mixed relief with regret. "If you were to tell your story to anyone else, they'd laugh at you for making up some fantasy. But as I have seen what you all can really do... how you saved me, how you got me here... your actions speak louder than any words. You're trustworthy. And as much as it doesn't matter what struggles we've been through, I feel like we can be in this... together."

Her words were heavy, but they brought a certain lightness to the group. Griswa, Yesdar, and Malaes exchanged glances, a soft smile tugging at the corners of their lips. There was no need for further words. In that moment, they all understood each other. A melody played in their minds. A tune of reconciliation with a lost friend they never had.

Yesdar, the first to break the silence, leaned forward, resting his chin on his fist. "Well, now that you've disclosed something valuable, it becomes easier for us to get in contact with the King's family and unravel the deeper secrets Griswa mentioned earlier," he said, his tone sincere but determined. "Those secrets might just be the key to taking our first real step toward freeing this world from the Yahunyens. Thank you, Virumi."

His words, spoken with such casual warmth, had an expected effect. Virumi gasped audibly, her face flushing bright red as she was catapulted back into her daydreams of Yesdar-sama. The reality of the situation faded away, and in her mind, she saw herself in a surreal, flowery field, running toward Yesdar, who was waiting for her with open arms. She got up from her seat in the real world, doing a strange, twirling dance as she mumbled in her lovey-dovey tone, "Yesdar-sama! Your oath to eat a fruit after freeing the world is such an amazing thing noi! I can't express how great you think! How firm your resolve is, noi!"