Black Phoenix Heir

Chapter 80: Chapter 80 — A Quiet Farewell

Chapter 80 — A Quiet Farewell

Victor and Moonlight left Oheema’s hut together.

As they stepped down the stone steps leading away from the massive hut, neither of them said anything. Moonlight followed quietly behind Victor as they slowly made their way through the village.

Night had settled over the cavern, leaving the village beneath the soft glow of the luminescent stones scattered throughout the walls and pathways. The sounds of the tribe had quieted, with most people already back in their homes.

Victor walked toward his hut.

Moonlight continued beside him.

Neither seemed to feel the need to speak.

When they finally reached Victor’s hut, Victor slowed.

He looked toward the entrance.

He knew he couldn’t simply walk inside and say goodbye to Moonlight.

It didn’t feel right.

So instead of heading toward the front door, Victor walked around the side of the hut.

Moonlight followed.

She seemed to understand where he was going without needing to ask.

Behind the hut was the familiar path leading into the forest.

Victor stepped onto it, and the two of them slowly followed the trail until they reached the wooden bench tucked beneath the trees.

They sat down beside each other.

Neither spoke.

For a while, they simply watched the forest.

The faint glow from the cavern’s luminescent stones filtered through the branches, illuminating patches of leaves and tree trunks.

Then Victor noticed movement above them.

A few small birds sat along a branch.

They were young, their feathers still soft and uneven. They huddled together near the edge of the branch while their mother flew from one side to another.

The mother landed briefly before jumping from the branch and spreading her wings.

She flew a short distance.

Then returned.

The babies watched her.

One of them moved closer to the edge.

Victor watched quietly.

There was something strangely beautiful about it.

She was teaching them to leave the nest.

Eventually, one of the young birds would have to take that first step.

Victor continued watching for a moment.

Nature was harsh.

Even something as simple as learning to fly required a young bird to leave the safety of the branch and risk falling.

Sometimes, it seemed, being ready wasn’t the same thing as being willing.

Victor finally turned his attention toward Moonlight.

"I need to leave the tribe."

Moonlight looked toward him but didn’t say anything.

Victor continued.

"I need to explore the next area on the map."

He looked out toward the forest.

"There are so many mysteries piling up. Samal, the statue, the map, the vision... all these little pieces of information."

He paused.

"I feel like I need to find out what they mean. I need to understand them."

Moonlight was quiet for a moment.

Then she asked softly,

"Do you think it’ll be dangerous?"

Victor looked at her and smiled.

"I’d be lying to you if I said it probably wasn’t going to be dangerous."

He laughed quietly.

Moonlight smiled as well, letting out a small laugh.

Victor looked forward again.

"At this point, I really don’t have a choice."

He paused.

"It feels like fate is pulling me in a direction, and I have no choice but to follow it."

Moonlight looked at him.

There was understanding in her eyes.

She understood that Victor’s path wasn’t going to be an easy one.

And she understood that trying to hold him back wouldn’t change where that path led.

She smiled.

"Well, do what you have to do."

She paused.

"I’ll be here whenever you return."

Victor looked at her.

A small smile appeared on his face.

Before he could say anything, Moonlight leaned toward him and wrapped her arms around him.

Victor froze.

He hadn’t expected it.

For a moment, he simply sat there, caught completely off guard.

Then he slowly returned the hug.

Neither of them said anything.

They remained like that for a while, beneath the quiet forest and the faint glow of the cavern.

Eventually, they separated.

Victor and Moonlight slowly stood.

Neither spoke as they began walking back down the path.

They made their way toward Victor’s hut in silence, their footsteps soft against the ground.

When they reached the hut, they stopped.

Victor looked at Moonlight.

"Goodnight."

"Goodnight, Victor."

Moonlight turned and began walking away.

Victor watched her disappear into the darkness of the village.

Part of him knew he was going to miss answering her random questions.

But there were still too many things ahead of him.

He had to keep moving forward.

Victor turned toward his hut and walked inside.

The room was quiet.

He took a moment to look around before his eyes settled on the black feather resting on his bed.

The feather from the Guardian Spirit.

Victor stared at it for a few seconds before letting out a quiet sigh.

"Looks like I’ll be traveling alone again."

He sat down on the bed.

Tomorrow, he would leave.

Victor laid his head down and closed his eyes.

Sleep came quickly.

⸻

Oheema sat inside another hut on the opposite side of the village.

She was no longer in her own home.

A small cup of tea rested between her hands as she sat across from Gregol.

Gregol was also drinking tea, quietly waiting for her to speak.

Oheema finally broke the silence.

"Gregol, the boy is planning to leave the tribe to investigate more mysteries."

She lowered her cup.

"I think, for the future of the tribe, his safety must be guaranteed."

Gregol looked at her and nodded.

"I understand what you’re saying, Oheema."

Oheema continued.

"The boy is going to a different part of the forest. A different part of the cavern."

Her expression became serious.

"He can’t be allowed to die."

Gregol listened carefully.

"I want you to follow him."

His eyes narrowed slightly.

"Don’t let him know you’re following him. Follow him in secret and protect him if it comes down to it."

Oheema paused.

"Don’t get in his way if he’s fighting. Don’t interfere unless you absolutely have to."

She looked directly at him.

"Only be there as a last-ditch effort to protect him."

Gregol nodded slowly.

Oheema’s expression remained solemn.

"I feel that the future of our tribe rests in the palm of his hands."

She looked down at her tea.

"And if he were to die, we may never find out the truth about Samal."

Gregol was silent for a moment.

Then he nodded.

"Understood, Oheema. Whatever you say, I will follow."

Oheema nodded.

"Good."

She took another sip of her tea.

"He should be leaving in the morning."

Gregol nodded once more.

"Understood."

The hut fell silent.

Outside, the village slept beneath the faint glow of the cavern.

And while Victor rested peacefully, unaware of the decision that had just been made, another person was already preparing to follow him into the unknown.

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