332 The Past And The Present
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Apparently the war against the demons wasn’t one-sided, humans weren’t the only ones invading the demon continent, as demons also invaded it back using their sheer numbers. However, unlike the humans who were more prepared and had created many magical tools alongside the elves to facilitate travel and conquest in new lands, demons seemed less prepared, relying on their brute strength and powerful magical ability to overpower their way through, but the scheming mind of humanity won, rather expectedly so.
I am not really cheering for the humans nor the demons, I doubt war is a good thing at all. And it only brings more suffering than anything. Only the elites at the top fully benefit from the slaughter, while everyone below them is a mere plaything. The worst part is that war only creates more war, violence only breeds violence. As the humans attacked, the demons fought back, and then the humans became even more aggressive with their invasion. The heroes, who had been growing all that time had probably finally reached the demon continent, and their clash against the demon king was imminent.
“The demons sent to attack the human continent failed miserably at the end…” Said Shade. “It was war, so loses were expected, especially those that invade an enemy’s continent. Humans also were lost in many numbers as they invaded the demon continent.”
“Y-You’re well informed…” Said Mary. “I am part of those people that… managed to survive. With Lucia, and perhaps a few hundred of other demons… We were thousands back then. I-It was very arduous to survive. Some scattered away and hid in woods, only to be hunted down by the people of this continent… W-We were part of those groups that ran away, but ultimately, we were too wounded to run faster… But… if it wasn’t for the sacrifice of my big brother, I… I might not be alive right now.”
“Mary…” Sighed Celeste, as Lucia petted her shoulders and hugged her with her tail.
“Lucia too… She’s like me, we were captured by the people of this town… Back then, the soldiers and adventurers were constantly hunting down and capturing demons, there were big bounties for us, although there were even bigger ones for our heads. All these times were still in war, a conclusion had yet to be reached so… S-So… we… we were not treated well.” Mary said, as her hands began fidgeting nervously. “W-We… we were tortured for… information and other things… In those times, I don’t know how much I wished to die… It was living hell… I-I… I still have… n-nightmares about it… I-It never… leaves my head.”
Everyone looked in silence as Mary mustered the strength to speak more with us, despite being part of the group of races that discriminated and hurt the demons, she was opening her heart to us, perhaps due to our solidarity. I felt the impulse to hug her, but I calmed myself down, knowing well that would be rude.
“You don’t have to tell us anymore, we understand, dear.” Said my mother. “We… also participated in the war… We did things… we feel so much guilt about… There are many times where I have nightmares of such things… They never leave my head either.” My mother spoke words I had never heard her talk about before. She… never told me about that. Was she opening her heart to Mary so she could relate?
…..
“I-I know that what we did was unforgivable… We really deserve to be hated for the rest of our lives.” Sighed my mother. “But I wanted to tell you that I am sorry.”
Mary looked into my mother’s eyes, their gazes met, as Mary smiled a bit, as tears began to flow like rivers. She seemed to be moved by my mother’s honest words.
“T-This is the first time someone addresses this and even… ask for forgiveness like you’ve done, lady Faylen… B-But don’t worry… I’ve already made up my mind long ago… I don’t want to hold grudges, nor I want to hate others. I feel like if I do, I would be only making my life worse… My brother always taught me to look forward into the future, and never look back… It is very hard to follow his words, and I understand you well. Do not worry, you don’t have to be sorry, you’ve helped us so much today, we can live and eat now, for days and perhaps a whole year… These children are our lifeblood, the pillars of our life, the reasons we keep moving forward… All of them are my reason to live, to see them happy, with their bellies full, and smiling… It is all I really want in my life. If you’ve helped me reach this goal… Then I am already grateful to you.”
“M-Mary…” My mother muttered, as her hands reached Mary’s hands. “Even then… I am sorry for what they had done to you… These people… they did more than we had ever thought they would. Perhaps we thought too highly of ourselves back then, as we never looked back here when there were still people that needed our help, even if they were of the enemy faction… People is people at the end, if you were captured, that was already enough, torture and other things… they are an illegal act, there are laws in war that had been set between the many nations of humans. It saddens me to think that these people would forbid all the laws they have made… and all the humanity they are so proud of to act like barbarians…”
“It is big enough of a surprise to see people comprehend us so much, Lady Faylen… I am moved by your words… But you don’t have to feel sorry… M-Much like all of us, you should keep looking forward, and move through the path you’ve been walking on, there’s a family with you as well. I-isn’t it?” Mary asked slightly embarrassedly, as her hands were being held by my mother.
“I suppose… you’re right. But that wont stop us from helping you… I want to make a difference- no, we want to make a difference, right?” Asked my mother, as my father, Shade, Nepheline, and Ninhursag nodded.
My mother seems to want to change the injustice of this town, but is it even possible without ending up looking like the villains?
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