The World They Left Behind

Dery looked at him with an expression difficult to read. "A married couple once tried, but... they were never blessed with a child."

"Ah, maybe they were just bad in bed!" another man quipped, breaking the tension with a burst of laughter that echoed through the room.

Loud laughter once again filled the room, like sparks of fire warming up the cold atmosphere. Even Dery couldn't help but smile as he raised his glass high.

"Alright, everyone!" he shouted enthusiastically. "Let's drink to Kashgar's new family, to Arga's relentless quest for answers, and to our courage in surviving this world!"

Cheers erupted. Glasses were raised, clinking lightly, and the clear liquid sparkled under the golden rays of the late afternoon sun streaming through the window. In that moment of togetherness, even though many unanswered questions still lingered, they felt content. At the very least, they knew they were no longer alone.

The district lights began to glow, casting a warm radiance that softly crept along the main streets of Kashgar. Small lanterns hanging low in front of residents' homes added a magical touch to the night. Light and shadow danced across the cobblestone sidewalks, creating an atmosphere that felt like a scene straight out of a fairy tale. Along the main road, crowds of people bustled about, filling the sidewalks with laughter, chatter, and the cheerful calls of vendors selling local delicacies and entertainment. This night market was the heartbeat of the city, breathing life into it until the late hours.

Sana stood at one corner of the street, her gaze piercing through the crowd, though her thoughts wandered elsewhere. She finally broke the silence lingering between her and Nico. "Nico, why are they still following us?" she asked, glancing at a few of Ningning's guards walking not far behind them.

Nico shrugged casually, but a small smile tugged at his lips. "Maybe they're afraid we'll run off. As if we had any intention of leaving Arga."

Sana gave a faint smile at his reply, then shifted her gaze to the night sky. The stars twinkled, but her mind was fixated on one thing. "Why hasn't Arga come back yet?" she murmured, a hint of worry lacing her words.

Nico glanced at her briefly before returning his attention to the bustling scene ahead. "I don't know either. Last I heard, he said he was going out with that woman… what's her name again?"

"Ningning," Sana quickly interjected.

"Yeah, that's the one." Nico exhaled softly, rubbing the back of his neck with slight unease. "Do you think they're spending the night outside? Or—" He paused mid-sentence, as though weighing something troubling in his mind. "Could they be in danger?"

Sana shot him a sharp look. "Why would you even joke about that?!"

Nico let out a small laugh, raising both hands as if in surrender. "Are you starting to feel like their mother?" he teased.

Sana huffed in annoyance and pinched his arm. Nico only laughed harder, but a serious glint appeared in his eyes when he looked back at her. "I'm a little worried too, honestly. But you know Ningning isn't just anyone. You've seen how people in this district respect her. Remember what happened at that diner? Those arrows"—he mimicked drawing a bow—"pierced right through the men who tried to approach her. Ningning isn't a weak woman. I'm sure they're fine. If they're not back by morning, we'll act."

Sana took a deep breath, trying to dispel the anxiety weighing on her chest. "Alright," she murmured softly, more to herself. Yet another thought flitted across her mind. "But she's punished Arga before. What if she actually hurts him this time?" Her words hung in the air before a faint smile broke across her face. She shook her head lightly, as though brushing off the negative thoughts. "No, Arga will be fine," she said, reassuring herself.

Nico observed her with an inscrutable expression before lightly patting her shoulder. "Of course he will be. Now, let's enjoy tonight. Let them take care of themselves for a while."

Sana nodded, though a trace of unease lingered in her eyes. Together with Nico, she stepped into the throng, blending into the laughter and clamor of the night market that continued to pulse like the city's ever-beating heart.

Nico nodded, sliding both hands into his pockets. "That's the Sana I know."

They began strolling down the main road, mingling with the crowds that packed the night market. The lanterns swayed gently in the evening breeze, casting warm light that danced along the cobblestone streets. The sound of residents' laughter, vendors' shouts, and the chime of traditional musical instruments formed a harmony that complemented the magical ambiance of Kashgar.

The night market seemed alive, its rhythm aligning with Nico and Sana's footsteps. Every corner held a story, every stall like a portal to another world. The aroma of spices mingled with the sweet scent of honey cakes wafting through the air, making anyone's stomach growl with hunger. They had only just arrived in the city, yet this atmosphere felt familiar, like a call from a nearly forgotten past.

"I've never seen a night market like this," Nico remarked, his eyes fixed on a craftsman blowing molten glass. Small, colorful lanterns emerged from his skillful hands, as if magic were being created before their eyes.

Sana smiled faintly, a nostalgic tone coloring her voice as she replied, "Of course you haven't. Back then, we were too busy to notice things like this..." Her sentence trailed off, her gaze softening. "All the little things that should have mattered."

They stopped in front of a small stall selling woven fabrics. Sana picked up a lotus-patterned shawl, her fingers tracing each stitch in awe. "It's beautiful," she whispered. "Imagine how much time it must have taken to make this."

"Maybe a lifetime," Nico replied, his tone half-joking but tinged with bitterness. "Like the time I spent ruining my life."

Sana turned to him, her smile full of understanding. "Then now we have time to fix it," she said softly.