Valeo sat on one of the logs watching as the trio of Kim, Anastasia and Cho cho patched up the wounded, his eye vacant of any shine or light.
"We caused this just by being here, we...what do we..."
The painful groans from the injured made his self-loathing worse, the smell of blood and dust in the air made the sight more grim.
Valeo saw Kim take his mother aside to talk out of hearing distance, Anastasia sat down next to him after she was done with the last injured.
"So who the fuck was that guy?"
Anastasia asked while cracking her neck and rubbing it.
"He said he was Antonio the lady's shadow, whatever that 'eans."
Anastasia got the dirt of her nails before responding.
"No clue who that is, but one thing is clear. We need to leave, if someone who was capable of going toe to toe with both you and Kim keeps showing up, it'll put everyone lives at risk."
Valeo saw Kim hug his mom while she tried not to cry.
"Looks like he got through to her."
Valeo turned to Anastasia, his face asking the non-verbal question.
"Kim convinced mama Cho cho to let him leave, he's a danger around her, although he hasn't told me why yet, he said he'll explain once we get far away."
"Antonio called him 'Sun's blessed' could that be why?"
Kim and Cho cho made their way to the duo.
"C'mon."
Anastasia followed son and mother back to the cabin while Valeo stayed behind.
"Aren't you coming?"
Valeo looked Anastasia then back at the group of injured people, the three waiting for his response. He shook his head in the negative before making his way to the injured.
"He feels guilty about all this doesn't he?"
Anastasia asked making Kim and Cho cho nod.
"For someone with his reputation, he wears his heart on his sleeve...or cloak."
Kim said making the two women chuckle before they went inside. Valeo sat down next to the turtle from earlier, his lower half wrapped in bandages.
"Ah Valeo *hiss* glad to see you okay."
Valeo nodded but didn't say a word making the old turtle frown.
"What's wrong young one?"
Valeo shook his head but this made the turtle more persistent.
"Come now, you can tell old Juru."
Valeo's resolve was waning as the ushering gaze of Juru was breaking him.
"We...we caused this...if we didn't exist this wouldn't hav-"
"Valeo."
Valeo looked down at the gentle claws grabbing his lower right arm, meeting Juru's comforting gaze.
"Don't say such nonsense, if you weren't here, we'll all still be in that horrible cave waiting our fate."
The people who were listening in their conversations all agreed what the old turtle said.
"We would've been slaves or worse if it weren't for you."
"Yeah, I dread to even think what would've happened if you didn't save us."
"You're our hero man."
They all agreed with the human man as the word hero kept echoing in the crowd.
" brave person for the fearful, a strong person for the weak, someone who rises for the fallen."
"We did it Laylana, we're a hero."
"Can a monster really be a hero?"
Valeo grinded his teeth subconsciously making Juru look at him with worry.
"Are you alright Valeo?"
Blinking Valeo nodded quickly and got up, he walked to the cabin and before he entered Valeo felt a tug at his cloak, turning his head he saw the little skeleton girl and her mother, he was glad she wasn't harmed but it looked like the mother wasn't as lucky due to the cracks and fractures all over her.
"Mister, I made this for you."
Turning around fully Valeo saw the little girl holding out necklace, the cloth string was brown and attached was a crude flower made from bone.
"Us skeletons have inherited ability to manipulate bones."
The mother chimed in.
"Th-thank you."
Valeo gently grabbed it fearing he'll break it, he had never received a gift before and he wanted to cherish it.
The mother and daughter duo made their way back to the campsite leaving Valeo to his thoughts.
"But...how do we...use it?"
* * *
Kim looked his mother, her tear stricken face break his heart but hardening his resolve, the smell of ink and oil was palpable in his workshop.
"Mom, I'm sorry but th-"
"Is for my own and the refuges sake, I know...it's just, what am I going to do if something happens to you huh? What if this is the last time I ever see you again? WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO?"
Kim enveloped his mom in a tight embrace which she greedily returned.
"I don't want to lose you too, your my baby, my little inventor."
Her tears stained his shoulder as they held the embrace.
"I know mom, I know."
They held each other for a couple more minutes until they broke apart.
"There's need to worry mom, Valeo and Anastasia got my back."
Cho cho nodded but still looked apprehensive, she was about to say something before Kim interrupted her.
"I know mom, my arm and brain will make up for it, plus."
Kim grabbed walked to the corner and grabbed a book. The label 'Cletus's thoughts and plans' made Cho cho have a tearful smile.
"I have dad's ideas, and with this I'll be more than fine in the vile lands."
Kim's mechanical arm opened to show a small core of the red and orange energy.
"I still can't believe you made that, it's theoretically and realistically impossible."
Cho cho stared at the core with awe.
"It felt like it too, but...I did it."
Kim closed his arm and looked back up to his mom, his eyes softening at her broken eyes.
"I'll set up a line, so you can call at anytime mom."
This seemed to brighten her mood as her smile was more genuine.
"Thank you."
They hugged once more, both mother and son let out their own tears.
Once they exited Kim and Cho cho saw Anastasia sleeping on the couch and Valeo in his thoughts in the floor.
Letting out a loud whistle, Cho cho scared Anastasia out of her nap and Valeo from his thoughts.
"Alright you lot, I'm going to get my smoker and grill, you three will grab the tables and bring them outside."
Anastasia rubbed her eyes and got up.
"Geez mama Cho cho, a fucking gentle nudge would be nice."
Cho cho chuckled and went to the back door, once she left Kim ushered the confused Valeo and still sleepy Anastasia to follow his mom.
"What's a grill?"
* * *
The smell of grilled meat and sounds of laughter echoed around the still confused Valeo as he ate, the food in his plate made a little mountain.
"Geez eating for two?"
Anastasia joked as she ate her food, Valeo's three pupils stared at her for a second before they went back to watching the crowd.
"Yes."
She blinked, before smirking.
"Didn't know you could joke."
Valeo didn't correct her as he was busy looking across the table.
"We thought you said the Vile Lands were an unforgiving 'lace?"
Anastasia swallowed before washing it down with a drink.
"Man wish I had some booze right now, but yeah it is, not my exact words but still true, your just seeing the bright side but it won't be long until it saw its ugly head, trust me."
Valeo nodded, feeling slightly uncomfortable from the supposed looming threat of the Vile Lands.
"Where'd you get that?"
Anastasia's eyes were in the necklace Valeo was wearing.
"It was a gift, from her."
Valeo nodded his head at the little skeleton girl who was holding the baby wander deer,.it seemed to be comfortable with the little girl.
"That's cute, also I was wondering where that little creature was at, once you saved it from that terror-bash it sort of...stayed."
Valeo nodded before he started to devour his plate.
"I want to ask him but...I don't know, what is that energy he uses, it's not essence because I can't feel his presence and when he grabbed me when fought...my role stopped working and my essence went haywire."
" Just what is that energy?"
* * *
A crowd formed around the trio as they were ready to leave, most of the people said goodbyes and farewells.
"Make sure to brush your teeth, clean your body and shave down th-"
"MOM!"
Anastasia held her stomach as she laughed at Kim's embarrassment, Valeo still confused as ever.
"Just... please be safe, my little inventor."
Cho cho hugged Kim tightly as he returned it, making everyone smile.
"I will mom, I love you."
"I love you too, please be safe."
Kim nodded and made his way back to Anastasia in her travel gear, a new lute freshly made by Cho cho.
"Valeo."
Cho cho waved him over confusing both Kim and Anastasia, once Valeo got close Cho cho spoke in a whisper.
"Remember, look for shadow, she knows the Wigsi ruins like the back of her paw, don't let Na'shando get the map."