Yoa stared a while longer, his expression was stoic, hard even, but those fingers still circled her knee rhythmically, gazing into pools of blues. In some lights, Nova's eyes sparkled, like the stars winking back at him in the depths of the navy night sky. Yet, Nova's eyes were so bright, so vividly blue, he was enthralled by them.
His outside appearance didn't expose the truth of his inner thoughts as Nova became self-conscious, brushing a few stray strands away from her face, wondering what state it was in.
Yoa noted the small action, his gaze flicking to her short, wavy locks, the mousy brown hair highlighted with pale strands, undoubtedly kissed by the sun. Yet, those in the forest didn't have such hair. It was another feature that set her side to everyone else on the island, the sun-kissed strands that didn't belong in this forest, marking her as different, as other, as an outsider.
Nova was weak and even to prey, she would be sought after. Yoa placed her on the more even ground of the forest floor, setting his gaze on the forest. "We must be quiet from here. The Takaru will pose no problem, but we cannot wake the Cihuateteo."
"The what now?" Nova stared up at him, her heart pounding more at the possible threats they would be coming across.
Yoa brushed aside low-hanging branches and wide leaves, holding them back for Nova as they trekked slowly and quietly through the forest. In a hushed tone, he explained who the Cihuateteo were. "Phantom women that paralyse victims. They rarely kill other women, but the creatures are deep sleepers and must remain that way."
Nova paled, freezing to the spot like cold water had been thrown over her body. "Paralyse… T-then what do they do?" Her voice trembled. This wasn't real. It couldn't be. Phantom women? Ghosts that paralyse?
Yoa hesitated. It was the first time in their short interaction she'd seen any hesitancy in the man. "Steal their souls." Then he added quickly upon seeing her eyes bug out. "But they prey on men and children."
"Oh, well that makes everything okay then," Nova couldn't help but sarcastically reply to hide the fear bubbling up in her body. Yoa's eyes narrow slightly, but he doesn't comment on her little outburst. Taking a steadying breath, she asked, "And the Takaru?"
Yoa scoffed. "Nothing to worry about with that tribe."
Nova stared up at him, unimpressed. "This was the safer route?"
Yoa took her hand, his huge one engulfing hers in warmth, and a sense of safety fell over her. If anyone could keep her safe, it would be this giant mammoth of a man. "Yes. I appease the cihuateteo, quietening their vengeful spirits by performing a ritual every full moon, offering my kills to them. The full moon was two days past. The Takaru do not pose a threat."
Yoa guided Nova through the forest, his hand wrapped over hers. The dread faded away as she watched his back, watched his watchful eyes scanning the forest for threats, for these phantom women. Nova tried not to search the giant trees, tried not to jump or look when there was a rustling of leaves or a sudden snapping of a branch. The forest was deadly quiet here.
Cold whispers like tendrils of icy fingers glided along Nova's arms and cheeks. Soft sobs echoed along the dying trees. Yoa's hand tightened on Nova's, a low growl warning the invisible forces away. Although it was utterly petrifying, Nova couldn't help but feel a sense of sorrow filling her heart, making her legs weigh down like lead.
With a shiver, Nova couldn't help but step closer to Yoa. His hand tightened slightly, and his body angled protectively around her like a shield.
It felt like hours they wandered through these cold and desolate trees, of the whispers and the sorrowful cries drifting on the wind. Still, no cihuateteo did not come to steal her soul from her body. In the dark forest, the sorrow that weighed her body down lifted as it fell behind them.
Nova inhaled deeply and released all the tension in her body, exhaling as life breathed into the forest again with vivid greens and browns. The sounds of wildlife filled the air, the birds chirping, parrots chatting about the 'pale face', insects droning in the background, the lines of ants marching along the ground and climbing trees with their findings.
Yoa's muscles relaxed somewhat. "Why do they go after men and children?" Nova asked curiously, unable to completely shake off the chill on her nape, breaking the prolonged silence between them now that life surrounded them again.
"They are women who have died in childbirth. They seek vengeance on any male that may be harmful to their women. They steal babies or infants, seeking to replace the life they lost in childbirth. Their existence is truly sad," Yoa explained, his voice solemn, low and gravelly, his brows furrowing slightly as he stared ahead, guiding Nova through the forest. "But the destruction on the island is too great."
Nova's heart squeezed for the phantom women while a chill flourished along her body, pebbling her skin into goosebumps. "And you offer them your… kills?" She asked, still trying to work out what exactly he was. She sensed there was more to Yoa than he was letting on.
Yoa nodded.
"And only you… complete this ritual?" Nova asked, truly curious.
Yoa nodded again without comment.
Nova wanted to ask more but Yoa was like a brick wall, she knew he wouldn't offer anymore about himself. Who was she to him? Just the girl who helped him from that pit, a girl he was helping. Someone fleeting in his life.
As they continued venturing through the forest, it was only then Nova felt the dig of more than a few eyes staring at her. She looked up, and her breath hitched at the monkeys surrounding them. Unlike the capuchins, they didn't get close.
Dark brown fur, long limbs and a tail that wrapped around branches. Nova gazed up at the spider monkeys. "We are in Takaru land," Yoa stated quietly. They were mostly silent, many climbing further up the trees with their young. Others watching Yoa fearfully.
Any that they came close to scatter immediately, leaping into the trees or leaves. Yoa's presence sucked out the air, replacing it with fear. Fear of an apex predator.
The Takaru were no threat to Yoa. He'd scoffed at the idea earlier. She watched his back muscles again.
"Seriously… What are you?" Nova exclaimed, exasperated by how many times she had asked this and received no response.
"Your protector."