Casmute

Chapter Two: Farewell to Homeland

Hoot Aleem gazed upon the scene before him，—a landscape where eternal daylight and endless darkness intertwined, forming a mysterious and ancient tapestry.

This place was known as Ihneira, in the language of Casmute, it meant the edge of the sun, the convergence of life and death, light and darkness.

In this realm of twilight, time seemed to stretch, bearing the flavor of ancient myths, brimming with endless mystery. The climate here was pleasant, with spring-like seasons throughout the year. The border of the sun allowed the land to be bathed in softer sunlight than other regions of Nebuha'u, nurturing lush vegetation and vibrant life.

This area was the most important population center of the empire, a shining jewel under imperial rule.

However, the scenery here was no longer as magnificent as it once was.

After the empire's fall, various tribes fought each other for control, and countless innocent people were displaced by the flames of war, turning the once prosperous Ihneira into the center of conflict.

Refugees, armies, and bandits poured in, converging into a surging tide of people. Bloodshed and chaos ravaged this land, with sinister deeds brewing in the shadows.

The once-glorious jewel of the empire now resembled a flower fallen into the sewage, its former splendor obscured by dirty marks, its remaining beauty ruthlessly trampled.

Aleem and his family set up camp in the wilderness, their escape long and arduous. The sandglass they carried with them had long lost its meaning of timekeeping.

Days of rough living had left them exhausted. Aleem knew their destination was not far ahead, but he couldn't relax his vigilance. Looking at his wife and daughters huddled in the tent, Aleem felt powerless and guilty.

He knew that this arduous journey was his choice, yet he couldn't provide more protection and safety for his family.

As for the cause of the rebellion, Aleem had always been puzzled. Since resigning from his imperial position and returning to the tribe, he had never inquired about politics.

Until that day came—the imperial mansion in the city was burned down, the streets engulfed in flames, debris and smoke filled the air, and the imperial servants suffered horrific massacres, with agonizing screams everywhere, countless people dragged to the city center and ruthlessly executed.

The bizarre frenzy of tribal soldiers, killing fleeing residents while emitting satisfied laughter, as if killing animals, slaughtering their compatriots who fled in panic, seemed to find a perverse joy in the slaughter.

Aleem's family lived on the outskirts of the city. When disaster struck, Aleem keenly sensed the change in the situation.

Without a word, he quickly packed up their belongings, retrieved the Hapnui Pool containing memories of their journey with the imperial exploration team to Nebuyab, and resolutely set out on the journey to Nebuyab with his family, thus avoiding the catastrophe.

Suddenly, a rustling sound came from the bushes, interrupting Aleem's thoughts. He immediately raised his long rifle and looked towards the source of the sound. The prosthetic eye on his rifle was connected to Aleem's brain through tendrils, and through the prosthetic eye, Aleem saw a boy hiding behind the bushes, his body trembling slightly.

"Come out from there," Aleem commanded in a firm tone.

The boy slowly emerged from the bushes, holding a young girl in his arms. The boy's clothes were tattered, his body bearing wounds, his face filled with despair and pleading. He spoke softly, "Sir, please, spare some food for us. We haven't eaten for three days..."

Aleem put away his weapon and waved for them to come closer.

"What are your names?" Aleem's tone softened, filled with concern as he asked.

"I am Haji Nelos, and my sister is Haji Nefetili," the boy replied, his voice revealing his unease towards strangers.

"Haji people?" Aleem felt a wave of pity, then cleared a space for the children to sit.

Aleem took out food and water from his bag and gave them to the siblings, who eagerly devoured them.

After they finished eating, Aleem began to talk with Nelos.

"Where are your parents?"

"We got separated from them when we arrived at Ihneira. We encountered two tribes fighting, and we got separated from them," Nelos replied, his voice tinged with sadness.

"And what happened to the Haji?"

"So many people died... So many couldn't escape... We jumped into the river to evade the search."

"Are your parents also imperial officials?"

"Yes..."

Aleem frowned slightly. He had speculated that the tragedy in Hoot might be repeated in various tribes, and the boy before him was living proof of that.

The empire once had a sophisticated system for selecting civil officials, with stringent and fair criteria for selecting officials.

The annual civil service exam was one of the most important events in the empire, with thousands of young people coming from all over to participate, hoping to become part of the empire's administration. Imperial officials enjoyed high benefits and prestige, not only receiving generous salaries and excellent treatment but also enjoying many privileges and powers.

If someone in the family could become an imperial official, it would be a source of pride and honor for the family. This not only meant personal success but also meant the dignity and status of the entire family would be elevated. Therefore, whether in the capital or in various tribes, whether in wealthy households or among ordinary people, everyone yearned for someone to stand out and become an imperial official, bringing glory to their family.

But now the glory was gone. Imperial officials had become targets of reckoning with the fall of the empire. Once sheltered under the mantle of power, officials were now ravaged by the storms like fallen leaves, their superior status and privileges were no longer guaranteed in times of disaster.

They were considered representatives of imperial rule, bearing part of the empire's crimes. In this land ravaged by storms, their former authority and glory lay shattered, and the imperial officials were no longer respected and admired, but reviled and scorned, even slaughtered by the tribes. Their fate, like that of the empire, had plunged into endless darkness...

Aleem knew that in such turbulent times, everyone hoped to find a sense of stability, and he might have the chance to bring that to them, even if the opportunity seemed slim, it was better than waiting to die in the turmoil.

"Come with us," Aleem said cautiously.

"I'll find your parents after everything settles down."

Nelos hesitated for a moment, then agreed. He knew he couldn't find his parents alone, let alone ensure his and his sister's survival.

Aleem gently patted Nelos on the shoulder.

"Go to sleep. I'll watch over you," Aleem said gently, watching the siblings cuddle up on the empty ground, wrapped in cloth. He could tell that the boy didn't sleep soundly; Nelos was vigilant, still guarding against danger even at this moment.

As the siblings gradually fell asleep, Aleem's gaze gradually shifted away from them and towards the distance. His mood was calm, yet filled with worries about the future and memories of the past. In silence, he sat in a corner of the camp, holding his long rifle, his gaze vigilantly scanning the surroundings.

In this quiet and dangerous wilderness, Aleem seemed to become a lonely guardian, his thoughts drifting with the wind, immersed in concerns for his family and the future. With anxiety in his heart, he quietly guarded everything he cherished.

The next day, Aleem gently opened the tent to wake up his family. As the sunlight streamed into the tent, illuminating Aleem's family, a serene and warm atmosphere filled the air, as if the arduous journey had come to an end.

Aleem's wife, Celia, slowly opened her eyes. In her confusion, she saw the tent's ceiling, the rough fabric outlining faint patterns in the dim light. Her gaze eventually fell on Aleem's anxious face beside her.

"What's wrong, dear?" she asked softly, her eyes showing concern for her husband.

Aleem lifted his head, gazing into his wife's gentle eyes, his doubts lingering.

"We have new companions, a brother and sister, they are... refugees, and children," he said softly, his tone tinged with helplessness and worry.

Celia's brows furrowed slightly, but she wasn't surprised. In this perilous era, people's fates were extremely tragic, and anyone could become displaced.

"What can we do, Aleem?" she asked gently.

Aleem fell silent for a moment. He understood that this was not just a test of humanity but also a responsibility to his family. He looked into his wife's deep eyes, knowing she would support every decision he made.

"We will accept them, take care of them, until everything settles down," he said firmly, his voice filled with strength and determination.

Approval flickered in Celia's eyes as she gazed tenderly at Aleem, her lips curving slightly upwards, as if appreciating his kindness and determination.

"You are still so compassionate," she said softly, her voice filled with love.

"Alright, let's not keep the little ones waiting at the door for too long," Celia said gently, looking at the two children standing outside the tent.

"Hello there, little ones," her voice brimming with maternal care, trying to make them feel warm and safe.

The siblings responded shyly, their faces still showing signs of fatigue. But the kindness of Aleem's family also relieved them.

"Isis, it's time to wake up, we have two new friends," Celia gently called out to her daughter.

Isis, still sleepy, listened as her mother introduced the siblings. Aleem prepared water and food for them. They had a simple meal together, then packed their belongings and continued their journey under Aleem's lead...