Another dream… of another time I’d rather not think about. It was a day like any other… just a normal day... I saw Mia and Kenny off as they went to school, and gave Arlene a kiss before she left for work. After that I packed my lunch and went to work as usual. Things had settled down quite a bit, it was like all the craziness from before, was nothing but a bad dream. We sold my parents house and moved into a small apartment nearby so my siblings didn’t have to transfer schools.

It really was supposed to be a regular day… just a normal work day. A little bit before lunch time I received a phone call… I don’t know why, but I picked it up. There was just this buzzing in my heart, telling me I had to do it. After my parent’s death, I would always be nervous when I would pick up the phone. Silly, I would always think it would be bad news… like this call.

The Police were calling me… Arlene was shot and was currently in critical condition. As soon as I heard she was at a nearby hospital I threw the phone aside and ran… I ran until I could barely breath. My lungs felt like they were trying to burst out of my chest. Every muscle in my body was screaming in pain, yet I ignored it. I had to make it, nothing else matters...she needs me now, I have to be there for her.

Bursting through the double doors I frantically asked the receptionist for where my wife was, thankfully they were expecting me. I felt like I would collapse at any moment but I kept running towards the OR… Dodging doctors, nurses, patients, anyone that was in my way. No matter how many times I hit the wall or ran into things I continued. Even after I swatted away the hand of a concerned doctor I pressed on. But I didn’t make it…

She had died before I could reach the hospital. Time felt like it froze that moment… I stared at the white sheets in denial. It’s a lie...it has to be a lie I told myself. Arlene will probably pull the sheets down and tell me…”Got ya!” … Yea… that’s what will happen. There’s no way, something like this can’t happen again… Not like this...please… stop taking everything from me…

My hands were shaking with anxiety as I slowly pulled the sheets. The delusions I had built up shattered like a sheet of plexi-glass as I saw her face. I...tried to talk to her, in hopes she would reply… my words… But she never did, she merely laid there unmoving, her eyes closed off to me. Desperately looking for a sign to wake me from this nightmare, I grasped her hands.

I don’t remember much else that day… Only one thing… It was a drive by… Some punk had killed my wife for a reason like that… That day everything changed, my life was never the same after that. Waves of regret and anger swept away what happiness I had left… Perhaps it’s my fault… for thinking I could be happy. If I only I wasn’t so selfish… she’d still be alive… if only she didn’t marry someone like me.

(Kirie) “It’s ok son… Mother’s here for you.”

… Mother? What is she doing here? I thought I was relaxing in the city square?

(Kirie) “Kurogane, you seem unaware of what happened. You had fallen asleep at the square, and the human boys carried you here. Several days have passed… Did your sister not warn you about your growth period? Mother’s glad you’re growing… but I wouldn’t mind you staying a child for a little bit longer…”

I...grew... again? To confirm, I check my clothing… of course... they shrunk again... I... just bought these! Now I have to go shopping again for more clothing! I really hope that’s it, this whole random growing thing is a pain.

(Kirie) “Mommy prepared a few sets of clothing for you. And worry not, you should not grow much more. Also don’t forget to thank the boys for carrying you, and the little girl was worried. Mommy needs to go back… I’ll be back to visit you and Aoi both next time.”

Slowly, my mother parts with me. As she leaves a lonely look appears on her face. What she does must be really important if she’s forcing herself that much. When she’s ready, I’m sure she’ll tell me and sis about it.

Getting out of bed, I change into the clothing my mother bought me. I ended up picking out the black slacks and button up shirt to wear and put the rest in my bag. Getting a better look myself in a mirror, I look the same as when I was 16 now. At least now it’ll be easier to buy things… there’s just that issue...

My shortsword is now… exactly that. It’s not long enough for me to attack properly with anymore. I’m going to have to get a longsword, and new gauntlets and greaves…and another chainmail. Hopefully I can exchange them? I really don’t have a use for my old one’s any longer.

(Erin) “Are you awake Kuro…? I saw Kirie leave earlier… are you ok...nOW!?”

Don’t tell me… She JUST noticed I’m taller…

(Erin) “When? How!? Did you grow again!”

“Don’t ask me Erin… I’m told this is about as tall as I’ll get though, no more surprise growth.

Anyways, I heard you were worried… Sorry for that.”

Erin kept denying that she was ever worried for even a moment. The awkwardness from a few days ago, as if it never happened. We kept talking for a while before I inform her that I have to go back home now. I’ve been away for a while now and I should probably go home before Lilly thinks of more pranks to play on me. Also, I’m worried about Lila, being away for this long makes me uneasy.

Before I set out though I have to make sure to buy new things and thank Aiden and Gavin. I quickly found them in the yard swinging new spears. It seems like they are using wooden spears with a red cloth tied to the end.

(Gavin) “Master! You’re finally awake.”

(Aiden) “Are you going into town Master for some new equipment? If so I would advise the shop near the Guild.”

Huh? There’s a branch here? Of course there is… Why didn’t I think about that? Thanking the twin’s I head to the location they told me.

The shop was easy to find and I ended up buying more then I had intended… I ended up buying a few longswords and a chainmail shirt in addition. Unfortunately there aren't any crossbows… since I… yea… no more bows… ever.

Tossing everything in my bag I wander towards the guild and find that they had a small shop inside. They had all kind of things for sale, some potions that would help you recover magic… useless, I’ve never run out before. There’s also some other potions that replenishes vitality… and several antidotes for different venoms.

Hmm… what’s this powder here… Somanilla pollen? I quickly purchase as much as I can get from the shop, these will definitely be useful! For good measure I pick up more lamp oil before trying to leave.

(Female Voice) “You there! We’re in need of a skilled Adventurer, may I see your Guild Card?”

What is this… a game? This is one hell of a forced event if you ask me… I show my card to the girl and she leaves for a moment to check it…? Doesn’t it just say my rank on there…wait… that’s the real card! Ah she’s running this way now...

(Guild Receptionist) “Sir Kurogane! It’s an urgent request from the Guild. With your current rank we can only entrust this to you! A noble family was traveling through and have gone missing in a forest nearby. It’s reported as a Bandit’s hideout, so they must have captured them for a ransom!”

Can’t… I just go home…? Although… something’s nagging at me… Why do I get that feeling that… I have to go? My gut feeling isn’t usually wrong… should I go for it? Putting on my business face I reply.

“I’ll accept… where are these Bandits? I’d like to finish this quickly and return to Demarrer”

After glossing over the details I depart into the forest in the north… again. Didn’t I clear out the bandits from before? Were there more…? Sneaky little bastards, this time I’ll make sure to clean them out.

Reaching the area I met my mother for the “first” time I look around for clues… No one’s been here it seems… That’s strange. There were reports that they disappeared around here. I get it now, there has to be ANOTHER encampment. This was either a dummy dwelling or an outpost.

After searching, I see a man made trail that goes deeper into the forest. Night starts to fall as I continue following the path. Until I finally find what I’m looking for… What the...hell?

Initially, I had the image of a poorly barricaded settlement, maybe 3 or 4 buildings and some shabby looking thieves keeping watch. Instead I get what looks like a small military outpost… complete with a gate and armored guards!

Wasn’t this supposed to be a BANDIT hideout? They don’t pay me enough for this… but a job’s a job, right? While keeping enough of a distance to not be noticed I survey the walls until it was completely night. Now… what to do.

As I start to formulate plans for infiltration, I can hear what sounds like… partying? Are they having a party in there at this time of night? Perfect… I’ll just wait here for a few hours before sneaking in. A bunch of drunkards are a lot easier to deal with.

***

That… should be enough time. After what I guess to be a few hours pass I slowly walk towards one of the walls. Taking out my shortsword I start cutting into the walls to make it easier to scale the walls… god I love this sword.

Reaching the top of the wall I perch upon it looking down I can see most of the lights are concentrated at one point… it must be where the party is. Strange… I thought these were bandits… Why are there patrols moving about. Damned bandits trying to be all organized, making my job harder than it already is!

I start to scout the area in the dark, wearing my reddish black cloak. I make sure to avoid the patrols while I look for any clues of where the prisoners are, or a good hiding place to wait until the morning. That was the plan… until I saw her.

Off to the side I see… my sister Aoi…? She’s holding a tray with some drinks and she opens a door and enters it. Was the nobles… my family!? Growing impatient I run towards the door kicking it down, to see my sister handing a drink to some men.

Unable to hold back my anger I grab my sister and pull her back away from the men, all while I kick the first bandit I could reach into the wall. Pushing my sister towards the door I continue to thrash the bandits. Until I run into what looks like the leader.

The bandit leader was a woman, with long black hair… that had a blue hue to it. She was sitting in the back on a large cushion and looked important. As our eyes met I reach into my bag and fling a dagger at her throat.

Tch! She’s not half bad, she deflected it with her sword.

(Bandit Leader) “Who do you work for Assassin? If you put your sword down and work for me instead, I can promise you much better pay and treatment then your current Employer.”

Typical bad guy banter… trying to get recruit you instead, heard it a million times already. After I close in we exchange several blows until I see… Lilly was sleeping next to the boss? From all the noise we were making… she wakes up rubbing her eyes.

(Lilly) “Big Bwother… Why fighting with Kuwo…You pwomised play nice.”

Lilly starts sniffling for a moment… then crying!? We both drop our weapons and rush to her side to calm her.

“See Lilly! We’re not fighting!”

(Bandit Leader) “Yes, We were just playing around. We’re the best of friends!”

We both throw our arms over each other’s shoulders and smile.

(Lilly) “Weally…? *sniff* No fighting…? *sniff*”

We continue to smile and act buddy buddy until I can feel a smack behind my head!?

(Aoi) “Yes Lilly dear, these two were just playing. So it’s ok, let’s get you to bed.”

Phew… Safe… Aoi carries Lilly off and me and the Bandit Leader start talking. I find out… his name is Addison and he’s Lilly’s older brother. They were actually on their way back to the capital, where the main house was.

My heart sank as he told me the reason they were traveling with the entire...family… Addison, Lilly, Aoi...and Edward…