Soul Nexus. Volume 1: Before Dawn

21

I don't know how much time had passed since the first projectile destroyed the wall and the barns, but the adrenaline that coursed through our bodies made time seem much faster and slower at the same time. After the attack, people began to fatigue as a result of the strong, emotional burden they suffered, slowing their pace and dragging their exhausted feet.

We arrived at the meeting point. I hoped we wouldn't arrive too late and would find more invaders in the place. However, there was no sign of anyone; there were no footprints, marks, or anything to indicate that someone stopped to wait right there not long ago. Everything was so quiet and calm that only the wind could be heard.

Shun hadn't arrived yet; I started to believe that something had happened to him or that he was in serious trouble. The worry made me anxious; I wanted to go back and find him as soon as possible, but it wouldn't be right to leave the group like nothing, even less could I make them wait there forever; they were the priority, and I had to take them to a completely safe place, far from the kingdom. But I couldn't abandon him either...

Max: 『 Mr. Roig, could you do me a favor? I need you lead the group for me. Take them north, towards the frontier. Flee the country and save yourselves. 』

Mr. Roig: 『 Wait a minute, boy, give me a break. Why are you suddenly asking me that? You're not abandoning us, are you? 』

Max: 『 Not at all. It's just that... I agreed to meet Shun here, and he still hasn't shown up, so I have no choice but to wait for him...』

Mr. Roig: 『 And what if he doesn't come? 』

Max: 『 Huh? 』

Mr. Roig: 『 My sister, Ventura's wife, the chef's son, Mr. Jakob and his daughters, even your mother. We are all moving forward, knowing what we leave behind, right? 』

Max: 『 ... 』

Mr. Roig: 『 Believe me, I know how distressed you are, but you said it yourself: as painful as it is, we have to keep moving forward... We can't be selfish now. 』

That's true, many left behind all their belongings and their homes, but they also had to leave behind several of their loved ones and some without knowing what became of them in that chaos, including me. They had all lost something so valuable, and no matter how much it hurt, they didn't stop to look back. He was right; I was being very selfish... But...

Max: 『 Yeah, it's true... maybe worrying while others avoid doing it and enduring their pain is very selfish... But it's Shun we're talking about; he's the only one who can escape that hell on his own, and that's what makes me worry... As his older brother, I can't let him do something crazy; without me, he is nothing but a disaster... No matter how perfect he may seem, he can't do things alone, at least not yet... That's why I have to be with him... I must find him. 』

Mr. Roig: 『 ...*Sigh* There is no doubt that you're both the same. Chef, untie the horses! 』

Chef Capello: 『 HUH!!? Have you gone mad, Roig?! And why are you giving me orders?! I'm your boss! 』

Mr. Roig: 『 Calm down! Young Max will need them for when his brother arrives! It won't be for long! 』

Max: 『 Are you sure?! You would have to go much slower! 』

Mr. Roig: 『 Don't worry; we will do with those donkeys for the moment. When you catch up with us, we can continue at normal speed... Here...』

He took out of his pocket a kind of opaque black gem with a few shiny edges, which looked like inked quartz. He mentioned that it was a "humarole", a kind of magic stone; capable of instantly creating a dense smoke screen.