Yaku and Larkwing continued their tour of the village.
They snacked on spiced, boiled corn from a street stall.
"Hope this doesn't make me fat. I already stuffed myself back at the restaurant," Yaku muttered between bites.
"I'm pretty sure appearance should be the least of your concerns right now," Larkwing chuckled.
"Easy for you to say. You're tall and handsome." Yaku paused, then quickly added, "Aaaand I'm straight," as he caught the sparkle in Larkwing's eyes.
They stopped by a stall where a shopkeeper was blowing bubbles with a soap ring, entertaining a crowd of children. The kids laughed and chased the floating spheres with wild glee. One child tried to blow bubbles too, only to inhale soap and cough up a cloud of sudsy foam.
Larkwing and Yaku stood at a distance, quietly smiling.
"I can't even remember my childhood," Yaku sighed. "What a shame."
"You know my past, don't you?" he asked Larkwing. "Care to give me some hints?"
"No mortal shall know their past life on Earth. That's the rule," Larkwing replied politely. "So forgive my refusal."
Yaku shook his head with a wry smile. "Must've been trash anyway. Probably had awful parents, a filthy environment, no friends… After all, I turned out to be a sinner."
Larkwing glanced at him briefly, then looked away.
They wandered to the village farm. Yaku gently patted an orange cow, and it leaned into his touch. Its calf waddled up, and Yaku picked it up, rubbing his face against its soft fur.
"You love animals, huh? You didn't even eat meat at lunch," Larkwing noted.
"Yeah... I think I was a vegetarian on Earth," Yaku laughed.
"Didn't stop you from going to hell," Larkwing teased.
"I swear I'll throw this calf at your face if you don't shut up," Yaku muttered.
Later, in a farmhouse, Yaku collapsed into a pile of hay and stretched with a groan. "I could sleep right here. Try it out."
"No thanks. I like my clothes clean," Larkwing said with a smirk.
He turned to the glowing horizon. "It's almost night. Time to head back to the inn, Yaku."
"Aye aye, sir," Yaku yawned, getting up.
As they walked across the fields, Yaku asked, "If that god of light is nearby, isn't it super dumb for us to be strolling around like this?"
"It is," Larkwing admitted. "And he's probably already tracked us."
"Then why are you so calm?! I literally killed his brother!"
"You have my assurance that you'll be safe… so long as you don't do anything unnecessary," Larkwing said with a smile.
Yaku nodded nervously.
20 MINUTES LATER
NIGHTFALL
The sky glittered with stars, unobstructed by clouds.
As they made their way back to the inn, a group of well-dressed villagers approached. A girl in a flowing purple gown smiled brightly.
"Ah, tourists! I hope you're enjoying your stay in our village!"
"This has been one of our best experiences. Thank you for the warm hospitality," Larkwing said with a princely smile.
Several girls blushed.
"He's so good-looking… I hope he stays longer."
"His looks and manners… like a prince," one girl whispered.
"We're heading to the temple to worship our god of light. Would you like to join us?" the girl in the gown asked.
"We'd love to, but we've got—"
"Oh come on! It's close by, and you can leave anytime. Just a short visit. You must see our god's temple!" she insisted.
Larkwing sighed and looked at Yaku.
Yaku shrugged with a smile.
"Alright, we'll join you. Lead the way."
Squeals of excitement erupted from the girls as they led the way.
Within ten minutes, they reached a beautiful but modest temple. Everyone left their shoes at the door and stepped inside.
The lantern-lit interior glowed warmly. At the center sat a golden orb radiating divine light.
"What is this?" Yaku asked.
"Since we've never seen the face of our god, we worship this orb," an old man explained. "It took years of wealth and craftsmanship, but it's nothing compared to what our god has done for us."
Villagers began bowing. Larkwing and Yaku followed suit.
"Dear god of light, Sunsra. Please keep blessing us with your divine light. May your glow never fade," the old man prayed.
Outside, firecrackers burst into the air.
"Ah, the youngsters must've started early," the old man chuckled.
Yaku and Larkwing stepped outside. A group of girls were launching colorful rockets into the sky.
"To send our message to Sunsra, we light fireworks," a woman said. "He lives in the stars and watches from above."
The sky lit up with vivid colors.
"Come on, Larkwing! Help us light these!" one girl called.
"Yeah! We've got too many to do alone!" another added.
Yaku elbowed Larkwing with a teasing grin.
Larkwing, trying not to smile, walked over.
Yaku stayed back, eyes fixed on the radiant sky.
"My heart… it finally feels some warmth," he thought.
HALF AN HOUR LATER
INN – TERRACE
Yaku and Larkwing sat beneath the stars.
"The light of the sun and stars resides in Sunsra's palm. No wonder this world stays so beautiful," Larkwing said softly.
"I… I wish we could stay here longer," Yaku admitted.
"When your job is done, I'll bring you back. For real," Larkwing replied with a smile.
"Promise?"
"Promise." They shook hands.
"Go sleep. There's only one room, so it's yours tonight."
"What about you?"
"My wagon's cozy enough," Larkwing said, patting his head.
Yaku smiled and went inside.
Larkwing lingered at the edge of the terrace, gazing up.
"Let's not get too used to peace, huh?" he muttered, eyes dull.
MIDNIGHT
The village slept soundly under starlight.
The inn's front door creaked open—Yaku slipped out quietly.
"I hate leaving this place… but if I stay, Larkwing will drag me out anyway. I need to find a different village. Somewhere far."
At the village gate, a cart loaded with animal skins passed by.
"Stop! I need a lift!" Yaku called.
The driver turned with a smile. "Oh, tourist! What's got you out so late?"
"I—I've got urgent work in a nearby village. Could you give me a ride?"
"I'm heading to Raza village to sell some leather. That your destination?"
"Y-Yes. Exactly," Yaku lied.
"Alright then, hop in!"
Yaku climbed aboard, settling beside the pile of hides.
They rolled through the forest, owls hooting and wolves howling around them.
"No need to worry," the driver laughed. "Sounds are common. Attacks? Not so much."
Yaku gazed up at the stars.
"Will Larkwing get punished if I disappear? Isn't this mission his too?" he wondered.
"But I can't go back to hell. I deserve peace after all this."
After half an hour, they exited the forest and followed a road beside golden rice fields.
"Look at those crops—another gift from our god of light," the driver said cheerfully.
Yaku nodded with a sad smile.
"So, where's your partner? That tall, handsome man you were with earlier?"
"Y-Yeah… he's resting in your village. I'll be back soon."
The driver smiled and turned back to the road.
Then a cold voice cut through the night:
"You know… it's not wise to leave behind the only being who can protect you."