My father looks at mother with a gaze that freezes me like an ice block. "But... we never told Sota and Shiro about the church."

His voice sounds muffled, yet sharp as a blade. I hold my breath, feeling my heart pounding against my ribs.

Mother stays silent for a moment, then speaks softly. "Maybe... he heard it somewhere? Or someone told him?"

"From whom?!" The frustration in my father's voice is palpable. "No one in our village speaks about the church or the goddess. There are no priests here, no temples. We deliberately avoided confronting our children with these things."

I hear my mother nervously tapping her fingers on the table. A trembling sound that sends ice through my veins.

"And yet, he spoke the name Elara..."

It's as if the air in the room becomes heavy, suffocating. A silence spreads.

Then my father sighs. "I'll clean up the mess. You go to bed. Tomorrow, I'll question Sota. Make sure Shiro doesn't find out about any of this."

Damn. They know. They know something is wrong. A cold shiver runs down my spine. If they see me as a threat, or even worse, if they fear me. I can’t be caught! Mother will come into the hallway any moment now!

I sneak back and slip into my room. As soon as the door is closed behind me, I fall onto my bed.

Then panic overwhelms me like a wave. My body shakes, my heart races.

What if they send me away? What if they fear me?

I bury my face in the pillow, trying to suppress the panic.

The night is sleepless, each second stretching as if time itself is against me.

The next morning, I sit at the breakfast table, my fork almost untouched. I can feel the weight of the looks piercing through me, watching me. My father behaves normally, but too normally.

"Sota?"

The shock hits me. My spoon almost falls from my hand. My mother looks at me with a mix of surprise and concern.

"N-N-No idea!" I stammer, hoping my voice doesn’t sound too suspicious.

"I just wanted to ask you to pass me the tea."

I feel my face heating up. "Oh, yes! Of course!" I hastily grab the teapot and hand it to her.

My father says nothing, but I notice how he scrutinizes me carefully.

In the afternoon. It's time.

I sit on my bed, keeping an eye on the door, my heart pounding like crazy. Then I hear the footsteps.

The door opens.

It’s my father.

"We need to talk."

I take a deep breath and try to stay calm. Outside, I hear Shiro cursing. Mother must have sent him to weed the garden.

He won’t notice anything.

This conversation is just for me.

The door closes quietly behind Father.

Father sinks into the chair in front of my desk. He looks at me with cold eyes.

"Sota." His voice is calm, almost too calm. "How do you know the name Elara?"

I open my mouth, but no sound comes out. My throat feels like it's closing up.

"Answer. Now."

His words cut through the silence like a blow. I try to think. Faster. But the pressure is too much.

"I heard the name somewhere."

My father's gaze doesn’t change. He doesn’t even blink, and before I know it, the answer shoots out of his mouth.

"Where?"

My throat feels tight, no word will leave my lips.

"I-I..."

"Think carefully, boy." He leans forward slightly, the intensity of his words makes my blood run cold. "Because if you lie to me, I’ll know."

I swallow.

"I had... a dream..."

His gaze sharpens.

"A dream?"

I nod hastily. "There was a woman! She said her name was Elara. She spoke about demons!"

The silence between us now is suffocating.

"And you don’t remember what exactly she said?"

I feel my body tremble.

"Not... not really..."

"Lie."

The blow hits me like a knife to the gut.

"You’re evading me. Your breathing is erratic. Your hands are clenched. Your gaze flickers. Every muscle in your body screams at me that you’re lying."

My heart races.

"And do you know what I do to liars, Sota?" His voice is now dangerously calm.

I hastily shake my head.

"I ask them the same question. Again. And again. Until they finally tell the truth."

I breathe faster, the feeling of being trapped becomes unbearable.

"So, I ask you again. This time, without any evasions."

He leans even closer, his gaze like a sharp knife.

"How do you know the name Elara?"

I tremble. My mind works feverishly. What should I do? I can’t tell the truth. But another lie?

That can't happen.

He won’t give up.

I grit my teeth.

I close my eyes.

"I don’t know."

His gaze remains unchanged, motionless.

Then comes a single word.

"Wrong."

I want to scream, but my mouth remains sealed. My father doesn’t let go.

"Sota, if you think you can fool me, you severely underestimate me."

I struggle for breath. I can't go on.

I can’t continue.

"Can I go to the bathroom for a moment?" I whisper, my heart pounding wildly.

He stares at me.

"Three minutes." He finally says.

In a single motion, I jump out of bed. Without another glance, I run to the door, open it, and rush out.

My breath is shallow as I run down the hall, my hands trembling.

Shit, shit, shit.

I quickly close the bathroom door behind me and brace myself with both hands on the sink.

My face is pale, my eyes wide open.

I splash cold water on my face.

He won’t give up.

He knows. He won’t stop.

I take a deep breath and look at the window.

I have to leave. Now.

I can’t stay.

Without hesitation, I grab the window frame, pull myself up, and slip outside.

One glance down. 

I jump.

I land lightly on the wet grass. My knees absorb the impact, but the adrenaline makes my body tremble.

I have to go immediately.

No footsteps behind me, no shouting. My father hasn’t noticed yet.

I need a plan.

The guild? No, too obvious.

The forest? Maybe. But too dangerous.

I run into the village first.

I run as fast as I can.

The village was full of people. Market stalls were set up, villagers were going about their daily tasks.

I force myself to breathe more calmly. I mustn’t attract attention. If someone sees me running around so frantically, they’ll ask questions.

Okay. Where now?

I stop at an alley. The smell of old wood and dampness fills the air. No one will look for me here.

I lean against the cold stone wall, pulling my knees to my chest. The cold ground comforts me a bit, but the trembling doesn’t stop.

Soon, I’ll have to keep moving. But where to?