044. The Stirring

Throughout the journey, Jalu didn't turn on his music player. Typically, the raucous tunes of various Thrash Metal bands from the nineties would accompany his travels. However, Liriénka's voice and conversation sounded like soothing music to Jalu's ears. He didn't want to disturb its beauty with any other sounds.
Unlike before, the niylath girl was no longer hesitant to voice her thoughts. She had become much calmer, even after being startled several times by motorcycles passing on the left side of the car. Liriénka demonstrated a remarkable ability to adapt quickly. Jalu himself momentarily forgot that the girl was not human.
"Sorry, you must be bored listening to my stories. Usually, I don't talk much like I just did," Liriénka expressed while lowering her head, returning to her shy demeanor after feeling free to share anything with Jalu just moments ago.
"I won't get tired of listening to you all day, Liri. Your voice and accent are very melodious. Does Arüniylath have its own language?"
"We speak in the language of ilné."
"Can I hear it?"
Liriénka paused for a moment before speaking in a more melodic tone, her gentle voice sounding like a lullaby, "*Hathysníyn, ivall tü eithallyé na inye*."
Jalu took a moment to gaze at the girl before returning his focus to the busy road as they passed through the market area of Lembang.
"Such a beautiful language," Jalu expressed his appreciation. "What does it mean?"
"Thank you for all your kindness to me."
Jalu's eyes softened as he glanced at the girl again. He sighed, smiling.
"It's my responsibility to protect and ensure all your needs are met during your stay."
"I won't be able to repay you, Jalu."
"How about considering it as a fair exchange for shortening your name?"
Liriénka looked at Jalu, guilt evident in her gaze.
"My full name is Liriénka Elthié."
"Never reveal your full name to anyone, Liri. Many creatures can do terrible things just by knowing the full names of other beings," Jalu's tone turned serious.
"I trust you," the girl responded calmly. "You could do anything you wanted after defeating me in the fight. But instead, you helped me, provided a place to stay, and so many things. You could buy a niylath with everything you've given, Jalu."
"Life is not something that can be traded for kindness or belongings," Jalu said firmly. "I don't know if your culture allows that, but I stand against it!"
"It's just an expression," Liriénka quickly explained. "We usually say it to anyone who can have anything they want, like you."
"In that case, stop using that expression. I don't want to hear you seemingly demeaning your own kind," Jalu requested, oblivious to the fact that Liriénka's eyes were fixed upon him, brimming with adoration. "Do you feel comfortable in your new clothes?" he asked.
The girl lifted a part of her summer dress and said, "Clothes in your world are lovely. But I won't be able to fight in clothes as thin as this. Especially the one covering my breasts and groin. Even leaves are thicker and stronger than its fabric."
"The clothes you're wearing are not meant for fighting, Liri." Jalu couldn't help but laugh at the niylath's innocence. "Humans don't fight every day. Sometimes, we want to stroll and dress up to feel happy."
The girl blushed before asking, "May I know your age?"
"Twenty-five," Jalu answered briefly. "Why do you ask?"
"In Arüniylath, men usually choose a woman to be their partner at the age of twenty-two or twenty-three."
"My way of life doesn't leave room for marriage. Back when I was still active in Division 96, most of my seniors lived unmarried until old age."
"What about your father? You were born from your mother's womb, weren't you?"
"My biological mother left after giving birth to me."
"Ah! I'm sorry. I didn't mean—"
"It's okay. I have no memories of her whatsoever," Jalu dismissed. His gaze suddenly hollowed as he continued, "Beside, I had a wonderful stepmother. An amazing woman who meant everything to me. Sadly, she passed away a couple of months ago."
An uncomfortable silence ensued. Neither of them found the right topic to revive the suddenly somber atmosphere.
"My age is twenty-two," Liriénka tried to break the wall of silence. "In the ninth month of this year, I'll have to choose a male to be my husband."
"That man will be very lucky to have you as his wife," commented Jalu. "My friends and I will find a way back for you soon, Liri. I promise!"
The girl was about to speak but refrained when she realized that the car Jalu was driving had stopped next to a row of cars and motorcycles parked in a vast field. They seemed to be on the slope of a highland area with tea plantations stretching as far as the eye could see.
"From here, we have to walk," Jalu informed her.
With a bottle of mineral water in hand, Liriénka stepped out of the car, following Jalu. They walked along a narrow path formed from layers of gravel-covered soil. On both sides, tea trees grew densely and neatly, thriving in abundance.
"Are you feeling cold?"
"This place is very refreshing! I don't need to interact with water often because the air here already contains a lot of moisture," explained the girl while raising her hands as if catching raindrops. "I love this place!"
"Next time, we'll come earlier when the mist is still thick. You'll surely enjoy it!" Jalu suggested.
Liriénka's face lit up with joy. She took a deep breath with closed eyes, then turned her body to observe the beauty of the surrounding nature. The neatly arranged tea plantation looked like green waves in the girl's eyes. Far from the hustle and bustle of the city, Liriénka found comfort and tranquility, just like she did in Jalu's backyard.
Lost in the enchantment of the mountainous landscape, she was unaware that Jalu had been admiring her. Whether an interdimensional being or a human, Liriénka wasn't the first woman to interact with him. Despite being unmarried or involved in a romantic relationship, Jalu was an ordinary man who still had an interest in the opposite sex, not exempt from his biological needs.
With handsome looks and abundant wealth, satisfying his masculine desires was effortless for Jalu. The man differed greatly from his father who upheld Eastern cultural values, Jalu was accustomed to a carefree lifestyle. With access to various countries, he could engage in brief romances with women of his choice.
Like any man, Jalu had experienced love and heartbreak. As a member of the secretive EPCU task force, he had also been captivated by the beauty of élwath girls he encountered. However, as he grew older, Jalu became wiser in distinguishing between desire, affection, and responsibility. After mastering this distinction, he found better control over himself.
Liriénka might have been the first niylath to venture into the human world. Thanks to her narratives, Jalu became well-acquainted with their world and culture. He even understood the strengths and weaknesses of these amphibious beings. The allure of a woman's beauty no longer had the power to enchant Jalu. However, facing Liriénka's innocence, he sensed something stirring in his heart, a feeling he hadn't experienced in a long time.
The girl had rekindled his sense of duty as a member of Division 96. After what he went through with her, Jalu's conscience began to question his decision to turn a blind eye to the existence of beings from other dimensions. He could only sigh, struck by a multitude of questions that shook his resolve. He was involved too deeply to go back to square one. The encounter with Liriénka had changed everything.