Chapter 385: Hana (2/2)

Rae mentioned something about amplifiers, including people like Fey and the Yalveran Union's Awakeners president. They were the secret of The Shon Theocracy, ruled by people outside of the Seven Families.

'Does it have to do with the Spirits Realm?'

Arthur thought that it was highly possible. However, there were many things he didn't know about the other nations or the seven families.

He believed that he bluffed his away out of the conversation with the monk, which would endanger his identity. However, the monk was from Earth instead of Alka, so it was unwise to reveal too much.

Arthur saw the short head of the girl jumping up and down as she waited for him. She stood by the railing, looking expectantly at the ocean. When she heard Arthur's footsteps, she snapped her head before jumping with joy.

”Mister!”

”I'm not annoying anymore?” Arthur asked with a smile, and the girl shook her head as if she didn't know what he meant.

”Mister is mister, a nice mister,” the girl feigned ignorance. ”Are we playing again today?”

”Haha,” Arthur was amused by her antics and nodded. Then, he walked toward the ocean and raised his hand. As he closed his eyes, he could feel the spirits underwater.

'Heed my call,' Arthur invited a spirit, and it answered. The water's surface broke as a spirit emerged. It was a killer whale instead of a dolphin. The girl's chin was on the railing, looking at the whale with dancing bangs.

”Mister, mister! Can I ride this cute whale?” She said, and Arthur could hear the expectations in her voice.

”First of all, what's your name?” Then, Arthur decided to shoot his shot. The girl looked hesitant, but the whale gave a cute shout that made her gather her courage.

”My name is Hana,” she introduced with a face that said 'I need to ride this whale no matter what it takes.'

”And how do you know what animal this is?” Arthur probed, as the answer could tell him if she lived in a coastal city or if she came from a knowledgeable family.

”Um,” she hesitated again. Arthur glanced at the whale, and it splashed its tail. ”There was a book in the library about animals, and I read it a lot! A lot, a lot!”

”Okay, Hana. Let's get you down,” he was about to help her go down, but Hana jumped off the railing and landed on the whale's back. ”Wait, careful!” Arthur warned as the killer whale gave a surprised shout.

”Kiee!”

Arthur made sure to communicate his will to the whale, which seemed to understand. Then, just like the whale before, Hana began playing with the spirit as they swam around the ship.

After spending an afternoon playing, Hana was tired. Arthur wrapped the chains around her and pulled her aboard. He crouched beside her as she tried to rest.

”Are you tired?”

”Yes, it was the first time that I played so much since coming here!” She seemed delighted nonetheless.

”What about before coming here?”

”I never played because my parents were...” the girl paused as if she caught herself in time. Arthur noticed the change in her demeanor, and it strengthened his theory about why she stayed in the Spirits Realm for so long.

”If you stay here for any longer, then you will disappear. There won't be any more animals or playing. There will be nothing.” Arthur didn't want to tell a kid about death, but he was running out of time. The girl was quiet before answering his question.

”I don't mind disappearing,”

As the words fell on his ears, Arthur noticed a dark spot appearing inside Hana's green head. He grabbed her head with his hand and allowed his gentle power to wash over her without thinking.

”Don't say that,” he said with a sad voice. ”If you disappear, who am I going to play with?”

”Mister is lying,” she shook her head. ”You don't know me enough to care about me.”

”I know that you need my help, and I want to help you,” Arthur said with a smile. ”Return to your world and let me help you. I'll take you away from that house, and we'll build a city with a lot of animals.”

Hana's body began shaking as green tears pooled in her eyes. They streamed down her face unceasingly as her sobs resounded through the ship.