Sasha's Dream

The next day, the villagers who were less injured woke up early. The most injured ones were conscious but in rest. As for the children, they were resting, too. Sasha woke up early also and helped Doko and Lily prepare their meals. And so, all of them had breakfast. But, everyone was so silent that one could clearly feel a dark and strange aura lingering.

Doko was about to go to the village to see if it was safe to return yet. But then, some villagers gathered around him. Lily was nearby and had a bad feeling about that. All of them looked angry. But to Sasha, they looked confused. Because, she couldn't believe how they could say such a thing to the one who rescued them.

"We think you've done enough for us. It's all because you bring strangers into this land all the time. That one time... And, this time too!"

Doko lost his words when they suddenly started saying like that.

"You are bringing destruction upon our world! You're a filthy beast!" As they continued, some other wounded also gathered and blindly agreed out of grief.

"Yeah!" Some said.

"The leader must vanish him!" A few said.

"You destroyed our home!" Some falsely accused.

Doko just stood there and looked at all of their faces. He was utterly disappointed. But, he couldn't make things worse.

Finally Sasha spoke up taking his side,"What are you people saying? He rescued you! Everyday, he helps you all live easier and happier. He works so hard for you! Shouldn't you thank him instead?"

"Shut up, girl! You don't even belong here! Stay out of this!" One of them said loudly.

The children and other wounded inside the temporary homes started to worry hearing all the hassle outside. Tension stated to grow among them. But, one of the villagers was on Sasha's side.

Though Mr. Gratus was gravely injured, he struggled to get up and using a branch lying nearby, he got out slowly.

"Everyone, what are you doing? He said loudly and everyone stopped talking and looked straight at him.

"Aren't you ashamed of yourselves? You are accusing a person who committed no sin! You are badmouthing someone who has saved your lives."

Then turning to Sasha, he continued, "And this girl is a fellow villager. Why would a stranger ever help us so greatly? Have you all lost your minds? Why are you letting this silly disaster get to you?"

Saying that, he couldn't remain standing anymore. However, before collapsing, Doko made way and rushed to him and had him lean on him.

"Thank you, gramps," he said quietly, "But you should rest now."

He couldn't stay awake much longer. Soon, he passed out. Doko took him to his place and asked Lily to tend to his wounds which had opened up.

He came back and stood before them. They silently looked back at him with the same expression as before. Doko knew that they couldn't be convinced. Sasha stood still where she was and didn't move an inch. She didn't know what to say to any of them.

After some time, Lily came out of Mr. Gratus's temporary home and stood near Doko. One of the villagers standing before them came forward and looked down.

"Lily, the highest leader of this land... No matter how high and mighty you may be, you guardians exist because of us. And, I know that it is your duty to do whatever you must to sustain the moral of this village and its people. And, that moral can be sustained when we can feel that we are safe."

Lily remained silent. She could've said something taking Doko's side. She knew that he or Sasha did nothing wrong. It was all for the sake of this land. But, she didn't think that it was possible to change the villagers' point of view. They had already considered Doko and Sasha to be their enemy. And, there was nothing she could do to change that.

Doko knew that Lily had to make a choice. And, he also knew that it might be against him. But, he was relieved a bit to realise that Sasha would not fall in any danger even after the decision. Because she was an outsider. It wouldn't be applicable in her case. So, before all that, he wanted to convey some words to her.

Suddenly he turned into his beast form in front on everyone and picked Sasha up. Then he jumped off and soon he was out of sight.

"He's trying to run away!" Some said.

"Somebody catch him!" Few others said.

"Silence!!!" Lily said loudly and all pain attention.

"He is not running away. Nor he needs to be caught. He will came back. Have patience."

Lily got hurt when she said that herself. She knew Doko too well. She knew...that he had already noticed what the outcome would be. And, she knew that he had already accepted it.

The villagers said nothing more. Lily remained silent as well. If Mr. Gratus were there with them, he would've definitely refused. He would've defended Doko. He would've tried to convince them even if it was futile. But, how unfortunate!

On the other hand, Doko had taken Sasha back to the river bank. Putting her down, he transformed back. Sasha looked around and then looked at him. She never saw Doko like that before. His face was darkened a bit. She could see that he was struggling to keep a faint smile on his face. Yet again, she couldn't find anything to say to him.

"Looks like I can't stay here for much longer," Doko finally said.

Sasha had trouble understanding his statement. She stared at him as he continued, "The villagers only wanted a peaceful life. But it looks like that it's not that easy."

Sasha's eyes were shaking. Perhaps she wanted to tell him something at that moment. Perhaps she wanted to ask him what he meant. But, she was paralyzed.

"Take care of them when I'm gone. Okay?"

Those words had pierced her heart. She pushed herself to the limit and finally broke through her paralyzed body.

"What are you talking about!? You promised! You said that you would help me!" She finally said trying her best to hold in the tears.

"You said that we would do it together..." She said lastly looking down.

"I'm sorry, Sasha. But, I want you to promise me."

She looked up again angrily thinking that he was in no position to ask of her such a thing. But, looking at his eyes, her anger faded away. They looked like they were in pain.

"Please!" He said making a pitiful expression.

She only stared at him. Suddenly, Lily appeared before them. She didn't seem so happy about anything.

"Doko, I can't hold them off much longer."

"I know," he said closing his eyes. He opened them soon after and said, "Let's go."

Sasha was forced to see everything she cared about just disappear. She didn't want any of it. She only wanted to live a fulfilling life.

Before going, Doko looked back at her for the last time. He gave her a faint smile which was full of mysteries. Sasha wanted to know so badly what it was.

After some moments, both of them just disappeared.

Sasha just stood there helplessly and hopelessly staring at utter  nothingness.