Jude’s silently relieved when Sorey doesn’t let go. Maybe if he holds on, maybe then he’ll be able to save someone. Just like he wasn’t able to do for… At Sorey’s question, Jude glances around. It appears they’re…exactly where Agria and Presa had…
“It’s the…Nia Khera Hallowmont…” Jude says, looking almost as if he’s about to be sick. His grip on Sorey’s hand tightens, and he backs away from the edge.
“Come on…Milla’s shrine is…back down that way.”
He points in the direction of the path that will take them back down the mountain. The area is usually rampant in monsters (which is why so few rarely traveled there, regardless of its sacred significance to the people of Nia Khera), but surprisingly, the two of them climb down the relatively simple path without encountering a single one.
Jude knows they can head back through the forest to the actual town of Nia Khera, but he has to pause once they reach the inside of Milla’s shrine. He catches the scent of incense from the candles placed near her “throne.” Aside from that and the decorative banners, there isn’t much in here. After all, Milla had never needed anything for 20 years…until…
“This is–I…I guess was Milla’s shrine. She…lived here. Was worshiped here before I let her die…”
Had the room always smelled of blood? Or was he just imagining things?
The way Jude tightens his grip on Sorey's hand doesn't go unnoticed, and he furrows his brow -- mostly out of worry, with the accompanied way of Jude's speech. He doesn't let go of Jude's hand ( not until he wants him to, at least, or Jude pulls away himself, ) so he holds on as they make it down the path. He shifts his gaze from Jude to look around the area, taking in the details.
When Jude speaks again, Sorey gives him his full attention. "I know I wasn't there, but I can bet that you didn't let her." He squeezes his hand in affirmation, hoping it'll be a little comforting,
"You don't strike me as the type, you know? So... if it was an accident, you can't put the blame entirely on yourself." Although he does understand feeling responsible for deaths, he knows weighing too heavily on them may breed malevolence, which is something he can't afford either.
If Jude were to be overtaken with it... he doesn't want to think about it, but he knows it's within his ability to purify him should it come to that.
"You ever think about using the shrine for the memory of her?"