"This kid was the one crying."
Gaja asked so what did you do?
Don't tell me you went outside following the voice.
Limbo nodded. Isn't that obvious? if someone is calling...for help. I have to follow to end of the source of voice then, find the cause.
It's just that, something inside me just couldn't ignore that.
And sometimes was pulling me towards it.
Rin groaned while hitting her forehead.
This is why you worry us? And we now we can not even peacefully, who knows what will you do?
Limbo ignore her, and asked the child it's name.
Hey, what's your name buddy?
What didn't you know? Gaja asked.
I didn't get the chance.
The silence —
The child didn't say word.
But after Limbo care him, and calmed him...
The long silence finally break...
"SAMBHA...."
He told his name in slow voice.
Rin widrawl her vines, and Gaja sheaths back his daggers.
Finally the tensed and fearful environment in the cave was slowly ease.
Rin kneeled near Limbo and sambha slowly and carefully.
"Hey Sambha... Did you get hurt anywhere?"
The child didn't answer, he looked at Limbo while tightening his grip around Limbo's leg. Beside Limbo everyone else was a stranger.
Limbo place his hand over the Sambha's head. Don't worry.
"You're safe now."
The boy refuses to leave his side.
He feared that if he let him go Limbo will disappear again.
Rin and Gaja exchange glances.
Rin broke the silence.
What trouble did you get this time?
Limbo sighed.
It's a long story...
Deep inside Limbo already knew.
This child and this event... Doesn't have to coincidence.
It wasn't like random accident where he met sambha, in that situation.
Was this some kind of fate or someone deliberately pulling the strings..
That night.
When I walked deeper into the forest, i found the footprints.
It was too small to be a beast's.
And also I found a strange glowing tear-shaped crystals, which was also have strange patterns on it.
Like a scratch...
And finally when I arrived at a clearing.
Near the source of the crying... There was.
A group of wild beast— a wild dogs the corrupted ones were surrounding something in the center.
No... Someone tobe presise.
A crying child.
He was covered in mud and bruises, his tiny hands was covering his face. Trying not to cry but...
"Mommy... Daddy...save me..."
Limbo was shocked and stunned.
Limbo didn't think twice and sprinted forward in rush.
Quickly responding he prepared to attack.
"Lightning cannon..."
He threw at them carefully while not hurting the child and reduce the intensity of attack. That attack drive away the beast.
And some where still hiding, Limbo turned at them preparing for next attack.
Lightning...bullets.
Du du du dudu.....
The rapid round of bullets made of light. Fires at them. Some of them were scared and run.
Phoooow...
Limbo take a breath.
And turned towards the back.
The child gasped and looked up.
His eyes met with Limbo's eyes.
For a moment both of them were still standing in place frozen, for a moment.
He was still crying... Scared.
"... don't leave me."
Limbo walked closer carefully.
It's alright buddy, you're safe now.
The wind was blowing between them.
Limbo knelt keeping a safe distance between them so child won't get scared.
"What's your name?"
Who are u?
The child's lip trembled as he wanted to say something— but...
He runs towards the darkest forest.
But before Limbo get up and chase him.
— he just vanished.
Not a sound.
Not any movement and no mana trace leaving behind.
He was just gone.
Limbo quickly getup and and searched the entire area.
System scan...
Mana tracking...
Beast heat signature scan..
Nothing worked... This was something he couldn't imagine.
But, a faint crying sound was still echoing in his head.
"... don't leave me."
A low voice that didn't reached at Limbo's ears.
After that, Limbo waited for an hour in hope the child would return.
But he didn't.
So Limbo came back towards the cave.
Alone.
Thud.. thud...
A tiny footsteps were chasing Limbo until the cave. Limbo was already lost in deep thoughts he didn't even.....
Back to present..
Rin stared at Limbo like he was—
"....so what happened next?"
Huh as you know already? Limbo said.
That's it.. you said this is long story!.
Rin unsure and doutful tone.
Yeah that's it...
"Then how did he get in the cave?"
Limbo swallowed, that's something I also don't know.
"I didn't even bring him."
Rin and Gaja blinked.
"What?"
"I came without him, Limbo repeated.
He was disappeared before I could talk more."
Rin's eyes shifts towards Sambha..
But he's here. Next to you infront of us.
How?
Limbo looked at sambha.
Sambha's bare feet... Covered in fesh mud and brushes. Leaves were stuck in his torn clothes. He must have run randomly around, maybe he must have followed you Limbo all the way back. Gaja puts his theory. And entered silently while you were sleeping.
And lay beside, and due to exhaustion he fell in sleep on the spot next to you.
After all he's just a child. It's still miracle he survived this long.
Limbo whispered.
"He followed me..."
Gaja exhaled, who knows?
"What kind wanders alone in a place like this?"
Rin nodded.
"And why didn't we hear him enter? We were right here!" Rin said.
Yeah.
We usually wake by a little voice, then how he manage to enter without anyone noticing!.
Limbo didn't have the answers yet this moment.
But the one who has was not in the state to talked.
But he had a feeling—
This was not a coincidence.
And this was not a noranal child, the boy still clung to Limbo's side.
"...don't leave me...brother."
Something in limbo froze, he tightened his chest while for a second his hands trembled.
Rin and Gaja were starring at them.
Rin finally whisper breaking the silence on her mouth.
"Limbo... What have you dragged us into, who knows?"
Limbo...
Hey how's it my fault, this not like I deliberately take him here— he shut all of sudden in mid-talk.
Something inside told him this was only the beginning. And far in the forest...
Something answered back with a distant heartbeat like sound.
BADUM.
BADUM .
...
BADUM.