Yner was stunned. He didn’t expect to receive such words from their new neighbor. He sighed and lowered his gaze. “I see. You’re really a foreigner.”
Revi didn’t respond. She was expecting something . . . She was expecting an explanation or an answer to her question. Why does mother need to die? Why do you need to take her life? Answer me . . . please.
Yner slowly returned to the swing and silently sat there. Revi just watched him return and didn’t bother to move a single step to approach him.
Revi sighed and went near him. She finally decided to let herself hear what he’ll say as she’s mentally demanding an explanation.
“Foreigners hate us . . . and so do you. They hate us for fighting what’s rightfully ours, for fighting our rights. Can’t they just understand that we are suffering too?” Yner painfully gazed at Renata. “Why can’t you understand, Revi?”
Renata chose to stay silent.
“They see wars as a sign for a terrible death, but for ours, it’s a sign for fighting what’s ours. We also want peace but . . . we can’t attain peace if there’s no war.”
Revi softly soffed. “How can you attain peace if you’re always committing violence? If you’ll use violence to stop violence—you’re only making their deaths in vain! Wars won’t stop the cycle of death and hatred, Yner.”
Yner stood up and gazed at Renata. “That’s why I’m asking you—why can’t you understand us?! We’re doing this because nobody understands us! Nobody can’t understand that we’re only fighting to keep and protect what’s ours!”
Renata clenched her fists. “Is attempting invasion to my homeland is what you called fighting for what’s yours?! Is killing my mother in front of me what you called rights?!” She scoffed. “Your nation went to those lengths because your higher-ups are selfish! Think, Yner, think! Your officials don’t care about you and your family! How could they care for someone they don’t even know?! Tell me, will they send men to war and fight for the nation without even hesitating?!”
“How can you tell that they aren’t even hesitating? For sure they’re having a hard time deciding about these endless wars! If they lose their men, it will be a great defeat for the nation!” Yner started catching his breath. “I knew because they honor my father so much! He . . . died because of war and his general and comrades seemed so problematic after losing him.”
Renata slowly looked away. “Seemed, Yner, seemed. You don’t know what’s running inside their heads.”
She gazed at the moon. It was luminous and beautiful. “They might really care about your father, but do remember that there are rulers who cared for his men because of power, or fame, or even something they’re obsessed about. But once he stopped gaining benefits from his men and got what he wanted, he’ll surely throw them straight into hell with no mercy left in his heart.”
Yner’s eyes were teary when he gazed at Renata. “But . . . they said that my father is a hero. Tell me, Renata, is he really a hero? If they don’t care about my father, it’s alright. I just want to know if he’s a real hero. Is he?”
Revi looked at him emotionlessly. “Call him a hero if you want. I won’t stop you, but you can’t also stop me from seeing you, your family, and your race as my enemy.” She turned around and was about to walk away when Yner spoke.
“I just want to be friends with you, but it seems that you don’t want to. By the way, when the school year started, you can approach me if you’re having a hard time answering your homeworks. I won’t hesitate to help you. Goodbye, Renata.” After that conversation, Yner and Renata parted ways.
When they returned to their parents, Susan immediately escorted the Vigliancos to their home because the sun already set down.
The fight that took place between Yner and Renata did not reach their parents, but they both thought of the words they said to each other all night causing them not to fall asleep immediately.
Yner thought about his father who died a year ago because of the war. Renata, on the other hand, thought of her mother who died just a few days ago.
Although Renata momentarily forgot about her mother and was amused by the celebration that took place in the city, all the anger and pain returned to her when she encountered the man in the forest.
That night, she shouted at Yner, but despite everything she did to him, Yner was willing to help her.
Revi sighed as she couldn't forget what happened today. So this is the outside world. The world got bigger than expected but it is full of enemies. I’ll make sure they’ll atone for their sins in the worst way possible.
Yner might’ve been wary of me, but for sure he was hurt.
~*~
“Rise, my daughter. Soar the sky and embrace the wind using your wings of freedom,” someone uttered. His tears were falling while watching his daughter fall into the prison of fear and terror.
They say monsters are the most dangerous when they are scared, and now, his daughter proved it. The daughter rose from the prison and let her monsters out to play.
The nightmares of people entered reality when the daughter raged and tried to find her wings of freedom. Everyone was running for their lives, screaming and asking for help. If one turned around or looked behind him, surely it was his end, so no one dared to step backwards. Thus, they kept moving forward and marched through hell.
Since that day, freedom became slavery. People were thirsty for freedom and peace yet they continue declaring wars, believing that it would stop everything.
 
To be continued . . .