CHAPTER 13(Side Story): Restless Heart --Aishita’s POV— [THIS IS JUST TOO MUCHHHH~] I buried my face in its fur, holding the weird looking wolf tightly in my arms. Surprisingly Leslie, one of Hayden’s familiar had been pregnant for a while now and gave birth to a white furred little cutie pie which looked peculiar compared to its parents. “Arf!” the pup gave a look that seemed to be a smile, his little tongue kept licking the side of my face as I continue to snuggle up to him. “Ahhhhh~” I felt like my heart was melting, he was just too cute for me. Even with the cold weather wasn’t enough to cool me down. I never got the chance to own a pet before so when Hayden and his familiars decided that I could keep their puppy, I was scared because I don’t know how to take care of one but they reassured me that they will help me so I happily accepted their offer. “Come on dear, stop playing with Mikro and let’s eat. You’re not the only one who’s hungry.” As I sat him down he raced towards his parents to eat his dinner. Because of his small stature I named him Mikro or Kro for short. “Arf!” he wagged his fluffy snow-white tail to Ophelia who always hand them their food, I don’t know if he liked Ophelia more because she gives him food or he genuinely just likes her. [I could spoil him more~ I think.] Months went by since we left Gadvell and got separated from everyone, we climbed so many mountains which gave us a hard time because mother and I were sluggish since we never experienced climbing mountains before. We had to be extra careful, one wrong step and we plummet towards the ground so we took things slow. Ophelia occasionally wakes up during the night screaming and wailing, she would only stop when mother offers her arms for Ophelia to cry on. The wolves remained by my side on those sleepless nights giving me warmth as I quietly listen to Ophelia’s whimpers. Things went better after Kro was born because Ophelia fell for him instantaneously, her motherly instincts kicked in and insisted on taking care of him which I wasn’t able to refuse. [I’m glad Ophelia doesn’t have those nightmares anymore.] I watched Kro ran up to Ophelia after munching down on his food, Ophelia who without thinking carried him like a baby, which made me jealous. [he didn’t like it when I do it~ *sigh* at least she’s back to her usual self I guess] I felt my mouth curved upward. “How was training with Olivia today dear?” My mother asked as she handed me my share of our food. The atmosphere around the campfire was relaxing, the orange hue that came from the campfire gave light on the starless night, the cloud that covered the moon was thick enough to prevent light to shine upon us. “It was tiring as always~ hehe” I responded after taking the hot bowl of soup. We rest underneath some trees, my heightened senses helped me hear the bats from a far even though they never made a sound before. Thanks to Olivia’s harsh training, I’ve become C rank Assassin in less time it would’ve taken and because of it my senses improved significantly. “Be proud of your daughter Mary, she’s been working hard I guarantee you that.” Olivia and Hayden showed up after scouting around for any dangers. Hayden still wore his black leather armor, he had his hood down to reveal a scar on the right side of his forehead and dark grey high faded hair. He put his wooden bow, sword, and quiver down before joining us. Olivia on the other hand wore a black Callum coat, similar to one of those assassins my brother used to play, her soft and slender body was her secret weapon able to fool any man that would think she was fragile only to be strangled like a prey being squeezed to death by a snake. [they looked good with each other~] I taught to myself as I stared at them unconsciously. Both of them were always synchronized, both were handsome and beautiful, a perfect couple in my eyes. “*slurp* That’s so good! I Love the food you always make Mary!” Hayden brightened up after just taking a sip of my mother’s cooking, replacing the tired expression he had moments ago. His familiars suddenly manifested next to him. “Hey! Both of you already had your fill, you can’t always have my food~ no! Arghhhhhhh” both wolves attacked him and spilled his share on the ground which the shadow wolves were excited about, their tails wagged like Kro, who also joined from the shadows with his parents. “Haha~ never a dull moment with those familiar of yours, don’t worry this happened so many times I knew I have to make seconds for you” mother said as she hand him another bowl. “I’m so sorry as always, I never knew that spoiling them too much would led to this” “They always get your food hon hahaha!” Olivia laughed as she pet Sam who happily wagged his tail. Even with the potential of rain, our time around the campfire was warm and fun, every dinner the wolves would take Hayden’s first batch of food even after getting so much from their share and every time we would laugh about it. The first time it happened both Mary and I were surprised but Olivia and Ophelia were used to it just laughed at him and Olivia just shared her food. “Your wolves always get your food~ even after so many years they still get your food huh Hayden?” Ophelia came from behind me and sat down next to me. “*sigh* I honestly don’t know how to stop that, it’s embarrassing when new people see this” “It’s fine we’re used to it, they just love you so much~” “Stop teasing me Ophelia~” “Hahaha” [I hope Kro won’t get that habit from his parents] *** The rain finally poured down and thankfully it was after we finished cleaning up, we took refuge inside a cave we found nearby and Ophelia used magic to prevent water from coming inside and getting our resting area wet. The air and walls were cold, the loud splashes of water reverberated throughout the cave. Ophelia made another campfire, brightly lighting up the dark cave and giving warm to us. As usual the wolves snuggled up to me and made it comfortable for me to sleep, Kro was sleeping between my arms, occasionally licking the air which made him leave his tongue out while he slept. [cute~] [I wonder how’s my brother… is he safe…] I always ask if he was safe before I sleep, hugging the pup tighter in my arms but not too hard for him. I fell asleep on the cold stone floor, my head resting on Leslie’s stomach. I closed my eyes only to find myself inside a dark room where a voice called out to me and got my attention. “What’s up kiddo.” I felt authority and confidence in his voice even from where I stood. He had this shadowy human figure, a burly man is what I would describe the mysterious shadow who sat comfortably on top of a throne. Hundreds of necklaces covered his neck, he wore some heavy armors from his torso down to his toes. His hands rest on his knees slouching himself slightly so that we meet eye to eye. Eyes of green that glowed in the dark looked straight at me, I can feel his pressure caressing my neck like any moment with him, he can just struggle me to death. “D-do I know you?” my hands were trembling uncontrollably so I hid them behind my back. [where am I?] “No... no one does but you don’t need to concern yourself to know who I am, you are the main character of this… story, and I am merely a spectator, not someone special but let’s get to the point. Your brother. He is alive and well.” He sat more comfortably this time leaning back, his arms still on his legs. [thank god…] even if he’s lying or he’s not real just hearing those words lifted some weight I was carrying. “W-why do you know that?” “I just knew.” “W-where is he?” “You’ll know in time.” “I-if you’re not here to tell me where he is, then w-why are you here?” “I just want to know if you knew.” “Knew what?” “The one you call your sibling now is the old brother you used to have” he said those words with full confidence yet it was hard to believe. No, it wasn’t. There were times that made me suspicious of him being a reincarnate, but I didn’t think that he would be my brother. My big brother. “…” “Don’t you have something to say little one?” “I-it’s hard to believe. W-why are you telling me this?” “Just curiosity getting the best of me” his eyes narrowed and gave me a smile that caused all the hair on my body to stand. “I-I see… do you think I’ll be able to believe this?” “Well, it won’t hurt to ask him once you all reunite.” “S-so I’ll be able to see him again? I-is he in IronHolm?” “You’ll see him when the time is right. For now this is goodbye little one, I expect great things from you... Fukuda Misaki” his figure slowly vanished just like the room we were in. “Arf arf!” the loud barks of Kro and his continued licking on my face woke me up. I was sweating all over, my heart was beating fast and the hair on my body still stood. I scanned my surroundings and saw that we were still inside the cave, everyone was awake and out as usual, trying to scout ahead, gather food or washing their faces. [calm down Aishita that was just a dream!] I placed my hand over my chest trying to calm my heart, I still remembered everything from the dream and his smile. “*sigh* were you worried for me Kro~ I’m sorry little buddy” I caressed his head and scratched his chin which I knew he always loved. [at least Kro seemed to have calmed down a bit, did he feel what I was feeling?] the only one I was with inside the cave was Kro who laid down curled up on my knees. [whoever that was, I hope he never shows up again and I hope what he said was true.] I remained inside brushing Kro’s fur with my hands trying to calm both our restless heart.