Hatesteria

Chapter 3

Multiple voices and laughter resound the park area, of joy and sincerity, children pulling the strings of their kites, trying to make good use of the wind. The chilling gust threw dirt to the eyes of the wandering sharer of the group. There under a common tree gathered to share their life experiences.

Unfazed, he spoke to them; "Honestly, I don't know where to start." Giving them a smirk.

"You always seem anxious, Asil." A concerned woman, one of the 3 who sat in the circle said. "You don't have to be afraid."

A man, around his early 20s, took a sigh and advised Asil; "Yeah, besides, this was the very reason this kind of sharing exist within the organization. I mean, how could we possibly help you if-"

"It's not that I need help... I just don't know if opening it up will do anything..."

"Family matters?" The woman asked.

Asil just gave them a nod as his eyes went deep into his thoughts. He barely paid attention to what others were trying to say to him. A distorted barrage of words came to his ears, ignoring the very sound itself.

"May I advise you once more Asil, this is the 3rd time you have not opened up to us nor share the most little of your blissful moments. It's worrying, as a group leader." The man said as he stood up.

The meeting was dismissed with Asil just staring blankly at the grass that surrounds him. The woman tapped him from behind, slowly trying to embrace him;

"It's okay." She whispered.

"I just don't know if they're... they're safe, Navira."

"I know. You've told me. But at least let them help you, Asil. I know they can."

The short brown lad started sobbing; "I haven't heard about them for... f-... for about three weeks now..."

The woman just laid herself silent beside him, listening to the tear drops of the mourning young man. Seeing him in such an agonizing state, her heart was stung as she threw herself to him, muffling his cries with her embrace.

"I can't see you like this. I just can't..." She grabbed his hand and caressed it with her charm. However, something odd struck her. There was something on his neck. A tattoo?

Just as she was reaching to see for herself, Asil shoved her hand away from it. Puzzled with this gesture;

"Why do you always hide things, Asil?"

The teary young man looked at her glamorous evening eyes, reflecting the daylight sun from that abyssal mystery. It was furious, well, beginning to be one.

"Uh...sorry. I always drag your patience down the line don't I?" Asil started to wipe his tears away.

"Yes, always but not today. You should stay away from the international news for a while starting the later afternoon."

"Navira... I can't thank you enough for all of this."

"I won't accept your gratitude not until you've fully run this through." Her serious tone grasped the nerve of the young man.

"Of course...that is why an alternative way was granted to me earlier this dawn..." Navira was suddenly perplexed with his words.

"How could I say it? I'm part of that game."

Her suspicions held true as she took a deep breath; an air of disappointment came through her lungs.

"I can't believe it. Isn't this just too much for you?"

"No. It isn't. In fact, I look upon it as an opportunity and not a curse."

"The probability of winning the game is low, Asil. You're going against powerful mages and mercenaries that are... and you're going against them...until the end..." Navira's voice turned to a bludgeoning stream of dismay, worried for the young man.

"I was thanking you earlier because I know I'm in debt to you. But I decided to loan a bigger one. From the very person, the only person that can understand me with the-"

"No." Her response rang through his ears like a screech of nails scratching the board.

"Wh-what?" The man was perplexed as his heart was slowly being crushed.

"Asil...I'm afraid I can't help you with that."

"Wh-why? Of all the people...Navira... why?"

She sighed and stood up; "I...I can't explain it. I'm willing to help you as your woman, but this? I have my life too!"

"We can win this, Navira! You and me."

"You're being delusional, Asil. If I were you, I'd find a way out of the game." The woman bursts away, partly furious and incommensurate with the idea of his man.

Asil tried to reach for her but didn't follow her. Swallowed by the pain of the dilemma and anchored by his shifting reality, he must act. And he must act swiftly and decisively, for the game is nearing its dawn.

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AUTHORS NOTES:

So it's been a while since I've updated this story. I'm really sorry guys, got busy lately. But this Christmas Season, I aim to finish half of the story as the drafts are subjected to polishing. I hope you keep reading! Cheers!