Zaiyila's jaw dropped. She truly didn't know how to respond—she simply stared at him like a lifeless being. No tears fell from her eyes, and her expression remained blank, as if she had long prepared for something like this.
"Village chief, don't keep the Serpent King waiting! Go and feed him immediately!" the woman urged.
"Take her!" The village chief cast a glance at Zaiyila before ordering the men. "Lock her up first. Tomorrow, we will begin the necessary sacrifices," he declared.
Several men from the tribe emerged and seized Zaiyila, dragging her away. She was too weak to resist now or maybe she wasn't in her right state of mind.
"M-Mother! You gave her away just like that? What if the Serpent King devours her early and demands another female from our family? I don't want to die!" Soya exclaimed in panic.
"There's no need to worry. The sacrifice begins tomorrow. All we need to do is pack our things and escape immediately," the woman responded coldly. "That girl's bad luck is like a curse. Before she drags my family down with her, I'd rather take action first."
"Yes, Mother! Let's pack up," Soya agreed eagerly and rushed inside. But not long after, her shocked voice rang from within.
"What's the matter?" her mother questioned, concern creeping into her tone.
"Mom! Zara is nowhere to be found! She's not inside!" Soya shouted.
"What?!" her mother gasped, feeling as though the strength had drained from her body.
---
By evening, Zaiyila sat in silence inside a wide iron cage. Her hair was a tangled mess, her clothes oversized and dirtied. Her entire face was hidden beneath the strands of her disheveled locks, making it impossible to discern her expression.
"Sister…" a young girl's voice echoed through the quiet night, stunning Zaiyila.
She lifted her head slightly, trying to confirm the owner of the voice. In front of her stood a beautiful young girl, no older than fourteen or fifteen, dressed neatly in blue. Her dark, silky hair was tied into a ponytail, and her large brown eyes shone with emotion. Despite her young age, she carried herself with a noble air.
"Zara? What are you doing here?" Zaiyila questioned, her face still partially concealed by her hair. Though her expression remained unreadable, her voice carried clear surprise.
"Sister…" Zara's lips trembled, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. She looked at Zaiyila with pure heartbreak.
"Let me take you away, okay? I came to free you. I heard that the Serpent King is cruel—that he devours the women sacrificed to him. I don't want you to leave me," she pleaded. "So I snuck out of the house."
Zaiyila observed her in silence before letting out a low chuckle. "Are you here to free me, or mock me?" she murmured. "I remember clearly that even you always sought trouble for me. You never wanted me in your house."
Zara bit her lower lip. "I don't want you to leave me," she whispered. "It's only now that I realize—I don't want to lose you. Please, Sister… let me do something good for you, at least this once."
Zaiyila didn't shift her gaze, just as she was about to speak—
Thud.
Zara's eyes fluttered shut, and her body collapsed onto the ground.
The village chief stepped into view, gripping a thick wooden staff in his hands. He looked down at the unconscious girl with disgust before turning his gaze to Zaiyila.
"She deserved to die for even thinking about freeing you," he sneered. Then his expression changed slightly as he stepped closer.
"She's just a child… was that really necessary?" Zaiyila murmured, lowering her head.
The village chief smirked. "I overheard your conversation. I already suspected that her family was giving you a hard time." His gaze darkened. "This old man has had his eye on you. I can't stop thinking about you. If you agree to be mine, I won't sacrifice you to the Serpent King. This child here—she's the daughter of the woman who made your life miserable. We can offer her instead. What do you think?" He grinned, revealing his yellowed, unkempt teeth.
"Tsk." Zaiyila clicked her tongue in irritation, her expression unreadable. "I'm tired. Just let me be," she muttered.
The village chief's brows furrowed. "Such a waste of beauty… if you insist on being food for the Serpent King," he mused. Then, stepping closer to the cage, he reached through the bars and grabbed her by the fabric of her dress. "Don't be stubborn now… show this old man some sincerity." His grin widened.
Zaiyila struggled and managed to break free, but his grip had been too tight. Her worn-out dress, already frayed from countless washes, tore easily at the front, exposing the curve of her shoulder.
The village chief licked his lips, his stomach twisting in excitement. But then—
Something caught his eye.
The large snake tattoo on Zaiyila's shoulder, which had always seemed dormant, was now eerily visible. It lay peacefully against her skin… until, for a brief moment—perhaps by coincidence, or maybe a illusion—
The tattoo's crimson eyes snapped open.
The serpent's gaze locked onto the village chief, staring at him with undeniable hostility.
The man stumbled backward, his face draining of color. "You… you… you—" he stammered, pointing at Zaiyila in horror.
She lifted her head slightly, her peculiar green and red irises peering at him through the dim light. A soft breeze brushed her hair away from her face, revealing her striking appearance in full.
The village chief's entire body trembled. Then, unable to contain his terror, he turned on his heel and fled.
As soon as he disappeared, Zaiyila's eyes returned to their usual deep black. Silent tears began to roll down her cheeks.
"I hope you die a sinful death," she whispered, her voice trembling.
Then, her strength faded entirely, and she collapsed into darkness—unaware of the strange, glowing lines that had begun to form on the ground, slithering silently in the direction the village chief had run.