Life in Glenwood slowly returned to normal.
Still, some things were different — the guards increased patrols around the village and also the limited access to the Elysian Forest. Besides that, everything mostly went back to how it once was.
Jonas no longer worked as a guard. He had submitted his resignation shortly after the kidnapping, citing his need to be with Dr. Hana.
The other guards protested. They were already short-staffed, and Jonas was one of their best. But they also knew that Jonas would not change his mind. His devotion to Dr. Hana was well-known throughout the village.
So, Jonas became another one of Dr. Hana's assistants at the clinic. Actually, Dr. Hana didn't really need another helper right now, but because Jonas was so eager, she gave in and let him work with her. He was happy now that he could stand beside Dr. Hana.
Dr. Hana, however, seemed more friendly towards Aziel.
Before the incident in the forest, Dr. Hana was mostly all-business with everyone. That included being somewhat cold to Aziel.
But after waking up in the clinic, she started treating Aziel differently. She was more approachable and seemed to be in a better mood when Aziel was around. She used to be blunt and to the point, now she was more likely to smile and engage in casual conversation. She even started asking for his opinion on cases, something she had never done before.
Jonas struggled to get Dr. Hana's attention. He tried to talk to her more, but she was often busy or already talking to Aziel. He would offer to help with tasks, but Dr. Hana usually gave the important tasks to Aziel.
Jonas became dejected. He started to feel like he was losing not only his chance with Hana, but also his place in her life.
Aziel noticed Jonas's change in demeanor, and he also realized that Jonas had feelings for Dr. Hana. But what could he do? He wasn't even sure why Dr. Hana seemed so much friendlier with him all of a sudden.
Still, Aziel did try to help Jonas out in subtle ways. He would try to include Jonas in the conversation anytime Dr. Hana was chatting with him, especially if he noticed the guard hovering nearby looking downcast.
It felt like the bare minimum he could do. Beyond that, Jonas was on his own to figure things out.
**********
Several months slipped by since Aziel — or Elias as the villagers knew him — first set foot in Glenwood.
Life in the village had settled back into its familiar rhythm after the unsettling kidnapping incident involving Dr. Hana and Jonas. The initial fear and heightened tension had gradually subsided, replaced by the routines of daily life.
The Elysian Forest, once temporarily off-limits, was now accessible again. Dr. Hana, Aziel, and Jonas could once more venture out to gather the wild herbs — and mushroom, essential for the clinic's supplies... and Dr. Hana's own stomach.
However, the area where they could go was more limited. And each time they entered the forest, they must be escorted by a group of village guards — which been trained and reminded to stay vigilant whenever they were in the forest.
While things seemed normal on the surface, there was still some worry underneath.
The frequency and intensity of Crazy Beast attacks had noticeably increased. Small skirmishes that were once rare occurrences now happened more frequently. The guards, though valiant and skilled, were finding it increasingly difficult to fend off the assaults.
So far, they had managed to protect Glenwood, holding the line against the encroaching threat. But whispers in the inn and worried glances exchanged in the marketplace spoke of a growing unease.
The trend was undeniable — the Crazy Beast's attacks were getting stronger, more numerous, and bolder.
How long could the village defenses hold? It was a question no one knew the answer.
**********
One evening, after a long day at the clinic assisting Dr. Hana and occasionally deflecting Jonas's sullen glares, Aziel returned to his room at Madam Rosita's inn.
Steam filled the small bathing area as he washed off the day's grime and the lingering scent of medicinal herbs. As the warm water cascaded over his chest, his hand paused.
He looked down. The scar, the inverted pentagram etched onto his skin seemed different.
He leaned closer to the small, fogged mirror, wiping away the condensation.
It wasn't just his imagination. The lines, usually a stark, angry red against his skin, appeared slightly dimmer, less pronounced than before.
He traced the shape with a wet finger. One point of the star, the one pointing towards his left shoulder, looked distinctly fainter than the others.
Aziel continued to clean himself, but he couldn't stop staring at the curse mark.
"Blackie, it looks like the scar is getting fainter."
From his ring, Blackie's voice responded. "It seems so."
Aziel started to scrub himself, starting with his head.
"So, does that mean… you can tell me something about my past now?"
There was a pause. Aziel could almost feel Blackie processing its thought.
At the same time, Aziel went on to clean his arms and body once he was done with his head and neck
"...Yeah," Blackie finally said slowly. "Maybe I can reveal a little bit about your life before. But…"
"But what?"
"Well, do you really want me to tell you right now?" Blackie asked.
"What's the problem?"
" I mean.. what you are doing right now"
Aziel was in the middle of scrubbing his private parts.
Aziel shrugged. "Well, I don't really mind."
"Ahem," Blackie subtly protested. "I do mind. How about you settle whatever you are cleaning off first? We can talk after you are done."
"Okay, fine. Whatever you want"
With that simple agreement settled between them, Aziel resumed showering more fully immersed in thoughts of what Blackie might reveal after all this time.
Once finished scrubbing and rinsing away any lingering dirt and tension of work from his body, Aziel stepped out of the bathing area and reached for a towel to dry off. The air felt cooler against his wet skin and he quickly wrapped it around himself before pulling on fresh clothes.
After dressing casually in loose pants and a simple shirt, Aziel plopped down onto his bed with a sigh of relief.
"Now, Blackie, please tell me. Who am I?"