Chapter 21: Mother’s Hand

Nathan stretch out and leaned back against the rocks. After the battle with the Gorgon, Saria showed him to a spring where he could bathe. Apparently, the Gorgons blood had a foul smell, it became all to obvious, when only Iris would approach him.

He stared up into the night sky, looking for anything that could distract him, but he couldn’t relax. His mind wondering back, to conversations prior. Like a recording, it played over and over.

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Nathan: “Your telling me, there’s more than one of these things!?”

Everyone around jumped from, Nathans sudden outburst. He didn’t realize it just how loud he was, but Saria’s revelation was just that shocking.

Saria: We are just as surprise as you are, we only know of the one.

Nathan: You didn’t think to search the area for anything else, anyone else?”

Saria: Of course, but we haven’t found anything suggesting there was more then one, I wasn’t even aware of any of this.

 Nathan looked around at the other nymphs, faces in disbelief or tears. The Grassvalley tribe, that they were counting on to suppress the Gorgon, laid in pieces, scatter across the area. With the enchantment removed, the bodies had returned to their original fleshly forms. The smell of death overpowered the senses, it was truly a grotesque sight

Nathan: “You live at the only entrance, how could not know?”

Saria: “No, we only taking refuge there at the moment, if anything ever happens in the garden, everyone is to meet there, until matters have been dealt with.”

Nathan: “So, your telling me, that no one saw them enter, except the only person who can’t speak and you have no real means to communicate with her, so she couldn’t tell you, this is ridiculous.”

Nathan anger couldn’t be more clear, he wanted to scream at their carelessness he took a deep breath and calmed himself before he became irrational. He needed to get a handle on things.

Nathan: “Saria, send a message to the Tribe, tell them to send reinforcements.”

Saria: “Uhh, r-right.”

Nathan: “Iris, help them clean this place up, take the bodies and burn them.”

Iris: “Understood.”

Saria: “What are you doing!?”

Nathan: “They can’t stay like this, or can any of you sort through all the pieces, to give them each a proper burial?”

Saria held her tongue, Nathan words spat like venom, it was best not to argue and just do as he says. Iris begin burning the bodies and scattered pieces, this is not something you make a girl do, he rather do it himself, but he doesn’t have any fire magic. He also noticed a fair amount of elven weaponry scattered around. He would be sure to stop by here later to confiscate it all, no need letting it go to waste. He turned to the water nymph from earlier.

Nathan: “Lynn, right?”

Lynn: “Y-Yes.”

Nathan: “How long will it take for the Gorgon to arrive?”

Lynn: “Uh, well, at its current pace, three days.”

Nathan: “Alright, with any luck, the Grassvalley Tribe would have arrived by then, for now, once we done cleaning we should all head to where its safe.”

Lynn: “Huh?”

Lynn, Saria, and the others were visibly confused by Nathan, which intern confused him.

Nathan: “What’s wrong?”

Lynn: “Are you not going to fight the beast yourself?”

Nathan: “What, why the hell would I do that, I barely beat this one?”

Lynn: “But, aren’t you the “Hero of Legend”?”

Nathan: “So?”

Lynn: “Well then, isn’t it your job to fight in time like this, regardless if you win?”

Nathan “……………………”

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Nathan submerged, forcing himself from the memory. He couldn’t think of anything else to say after that. He was summoned here to be this worlds hero; the people would have certain expectations. Whenever there was trouble he would save the day, putting himself in harm’s way, not caring for his life and putting everyone else’s first. Even now, all the nymphs are expecting him to fight the other Gorgon, that what the one with the title of “Hero” supposed to do.

Nathan: “BULLSHIT!”

Nathan words echoed through the trees. Why did he have to fight some giant eye, even after they seen what happened to their guardian, they still want him to jump in front of it. Nathan shook his head, he was going to stress himself out once again.

Nathan: “Maybe, I should wait it out in the Study, *sigh* I sound like a coward.”

 He pushed those thoughts away and focus on getting the blood out his fur.  He started scrubbing himself clean and was having a particularly troubling time with his tail. At several times, he had even managed to slap himself in the face, trying to keep hold of it.

Nathan: *Splash*, Come on dammit, stop running, damn tail.”

After several attempts, he gave up, he scrubbed at his ears and settled back into the water.

He was embarrassed at the thought that he looked like a dog chasing his tail. The water glowed an eerie green, it was beautiful to say the least, he scooped up a hand full and splashed it in his face.

Nathan: “How is this water even hot, there no way for Heat to flow enter?”

Celes: “(It’s not a natural made hot spring, the minerals in the water, heat up when exposed to water.)”

Nathan: “Oh?”

Celes: (Mhm, the green glow is a prospect of gasses escaping from inside the mineral, the gasses also have restorative abilities, so it nice to soak and take in all the benefits.)

Nathan: Okay, cool, thanks for the info, Celes.

Celes: “(No problem.)”

Nathan: “…………………..”

Celes: “………………..”

Nathan: “CELES!?”

Celes: “(Yes?)”

Nathan covered himself, but remembered he was wearing a towel.

Celes: “(What’s wrong?)”

Nathan: “What do you mean what’s wrong, when did you get in?”

Celes: “(We got in at the same time.)”

Nathan: “Seriously, and no one tried to stop you.”

Celes: “(Why would they?)”

Nathan: “…………. Iris and Anais were right, you guys are way to defenseless, you should really think of your age.”

Celes: “Well, being only three-hundred, makes me the youngest, I can’t really do anything about it.”

Nathan: “Wait, what your age is three-hundred, hold up, how many years is that in human years?”

Stolen story; please report.

Celes: “(I don’t believe there’s a difference.)”

Nathan: “And the days here are twice as long as Earths, so your actually six-hundred.”

Celes: “(I guess?)”

Nathan: “That means, all the hot girls around here, are “OLD ASS GRANNIES”.”

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*Crash*

Saria picked up the cup she just broke.

Lynn: “Sister are you okay, you dropped a cup, that was very uncharacteristic of you?”

Saria: “Sorry, it’s the strangest thing, I suddenly feel really angry.”

Lynn: “I know what you mean, I feel it as well, a seething fury.”

Saria: “Yes, truly Strange.”

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Nathan moved further away, no matter how old she was, it wasn’t like was interested in her undeveloped body, plus he was respectful to woman, even if they didn’t know why. Though as a man he still thought of the possibilities, he rather it be Saria or that Lynn girl, both were way more pleasing to the eyes, even if they were “OLD”. The understands all the stories of men falling into traps set by nymphs, if they all look like those two, they probably fell on purpose.

Nathan: “Yeah, I wouldn’t mind those two at all.”

Celes: “(Mind what two?)”

Nathan: “Whoa, why did you get so close?”

Celes: “(You moved away, so I followed, I thought we were bathing together?)”

Nathan: “Don’t say it like that.”

As Nathan moved around, Celes would follow. This was strange, she was acting way too familiar, even for a child. He soon gave up trying to get away from her, he was exerting energy, that he did not want to.

Celes stared on as Nathan leaned back against the rocks. He was a sight to behold. Long black hair, that dripped water down on to his flawless brown skin, a face the would make the gods, go mad with jealousy.

Nathan: “Why are you staring at me?”

Celes: (You are breathtakingly beautiful, like a goddess.)”

Celes words were like daggers in his chest.

Nathan: “You could have, at least said god!”

Celes: “(Oh right, sorry, I keep forgetting you’re a man.”

Now they felt like swords, into his soul. Celes produce soundless giggles, towards Nathan’s animated reactions.

Nathan: “……….Okay, what’s going on with you?”

Celes: “(What?)”

Nathan: “First time we met, you built a literal wall between us, we cleared the understanding, you still kept your distance, but the moment I grow a flower, your personality did a complete three sixty. I know that you know I have “Plant Physiology” as well, but that can’t be all it takes to garner so much affection.

Celes: *giggle*”

Nathan: “What so funny (Did she just think laughter)?”

Celes: “You’re funny, pretending like you don’t know, now and before.”

Nathan: “Know what?”

Celes: “(Come now, the fact that you can grow plants, is a clear sign that you have my “Mother’s” blessing.”

Nathan: “What, your mother?”

Celes: “(Of course, she is the only one who could have given you your “Plant Physiology” or the ability to grow plants.)”

Nathan: “No, that what due to my “Legacy”. Iris told me, everyone received a Legacy at birth, rather I from another world or not.”

Celes: “(Yes, but it is impossible to be born with the ability to manipulate plants, like you do, without my mother’s say.)”

Nathan: “Why not?”

Celes: “(Hmm, well the simplest answer, is that, my mother has control over such things and she deemed it, too omnipotent.)”

Nathan thought he could argue that magic in general could be consider omnipotent, but in a world where magic was a part of everyday life, maybe not. Though he didn’t think he could or would ever do anything that damaging, he had to be careful how he uses his powers, worse he could think of right now, was he could change an entire ecosystem, if he felt like.

Celes: “(Don’t think too deeply about it, she would not have given you the power if she thought you would use it that way.)”

Nathan: “So, this is why you’ve been so familiar.”

Celes: “(Does it bother you.)”

Nathan: “Not particularly, at least now that I know the reason, but now that you’re not afraid anymore, can I ask a favor?”

Celes: “(Sure, if it’s for you I’ll do anything.)”

Nathan: “Okay first, don’t ever say that to a man, while in a bath together. Second can you show me how to manipulate plants, like you did with the trees?”

Celes: “(You can’t?)”

Nathan: “It’s not that I can’t it’s just, I don’t get how, do you mind.”

Celes: “(I not sure of what I can do, but I don’t mind trying.)”

Nathan: “Good, how about tomorrow morning.”

Celes: “(Yes, that’s fine.)”

Nathan stood up to get out, luckily, he had a towel wrapped around himself, just in case a certain fairy tried to enter or a certain mouse was watching. If Celes mother was the one, to give him his abilities, she had something to do with saving him, he now had a reason to stay and help, but he still did not want to fight another Gorgon.

Celes: “(Aren’t you going to finish?)”

Nathan: “I’m clean enough, plus I want to speak with everyone while it’s still early.”

As Nathan turned to leave, Celes notice that Nathan’s tail still had clots of blood. He was struggling with cleaning it earlier, at least from what she witnessed. She could help him by cleaning it, she took the initiative and grabbed hold of his tail. Nathan yipped, nearly falling over from the sensation.

Nathan: “W-What are you doing?”

Celes: “(Don’t worry, I notice your struggles earlier, allow me to wash it for you.)”

Nathan: “N-no, p-please let go, its fine.”

Celes: “(Nonsense.)”

Nathan words fell on deaf ears, as Celes started to vigorously scrubbing his tail. Pulling, twisting, wringing, so focused she was completely unaware of what she was doing to him. He tried to pull himself free with the little bit of strength he had, but she had him held tight. What made things worse is that this was nothing like Iris, she was genuinely trying to help, however the feeling was pushing him closer to his limit.

Nathan: “C-Celes please let g-go.)”

Celes: “(I’m nearly got it, it’s just a few knots in your fur, Gorgon blood is really difficult to get off.)”

She started scratching at the knotted fur, but wasn’t doing anything. Irritation, started to overcome her, which in turn made her try harder.

Iris: “NO, NO, NO, YOU’RE DOING IT ALL WRONG.”

Celes: “(Miss Iris?)”

Nathan: “Oh god, no.”

Iris, who had been watching from afar, decided to make herself known, she could not stand to watch such sloppiness any longer. She floated over and snatch the tail away.

Iris: “Observe, you must gently move your hand up and down at steady pace, wants you work in a fine lather, then you add a wringing motion to remove excess water, while at the same time working in the lather.

Celes watched enthusiastically, as Iris did her job. Her flush face from concentration, her heavy breathing indicating the energy she was exerting, her chanting “Almost clean”. Celes understood immediately she was a pro.

 With her godlike precision, iris was effortlessly removing the stains and at the same time tending to the knotted fur. Celes grabbed the tail and begin mimicking Iris’s motions, she would master this, even if she had to continue long after the tail was clean, which they both did.

Anais: “YOU IDIOTS, LOOK AT WHAT YOUR DOING!”

Both girl turned to Anais, who was hiding her presence.

Celes: “(Lady Anais?)”

She was pointing to Nathan, who lied face down, floating on the water’s surface, motionless.

Celes: (HERO!?)

Iris: “HERO!?”

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Nathan: “So I know you all were wondering if I was going to help.”

Saria: “Actually, Hero, before that, what’s from with them.”

Saria was referring to Iris, Celes and Anais, who all had noticeable bumps on their head, that looked increasingly painful.”

Nathan: “Don’t worry I just knocks some sense into them.”

Saria: “If you say so?”

Nathan: “Now for what I was going to say. Yesterday I was asked if I was the Hero, why won’t I fight the Gorgon.”

Everyone stared an anticipation, it must be some serious reason that he would not live up to his duty.

Nathan: And the truth is……….. I don’t want to.”

Group: “WHAT!?”

Almost everyone in the area screamed out suddenly, except for Anais who was chuckling.

Lynn: “But you’re the Hero, you were summoned to do these things.”

Nathan: “No, I was summoned to defeat the demon lord and according to the history books, I did and died in the process.”

Lynn: “Well, yeah that’s true but?”

Nathan: ‘But what, are you telling me that I should risk my life once again, as long as I save you, everything is okay, that I should just fight the Gorgon because I carry the title of Hero, I don’t know about you, but in my world, we called that being selfish.

Nobody spoke, a word, it was true, everyone had the same thought. He is the hero so he must fight for the good of the world, protect this world, live for this world, die for this world. These thoughts are what he didn’t like, doing something because someone said you should, will always result in that individual death. He sure he would have to say all this again in the future, might as well start with them. Wants what he said had time to fester he took the floor.

Nathan: “However, I will help you.”

Everyone stared in confusion, he just said that he didn’t want to fight.

Nathan: “Don’t get me wrong, I’m not straight out fighting the Gorgon, however, I plan to buy time for the Grassvalley tribe to take action. The only reason they lost before, was information on how to defeat it. But, I have obtained such information. Now that we know how to fight and kill it, we can be sure the Grassvalley Tribe will succeed. So don’t give up hope on your guardians, they will reclaim your homes. Believe in them, as you did before.”

Charisma Increased +10

Eye’s around the area lit up, the Hero had successfully defeated on Gorgon and with his help, the Grassvalley Tribe could do the same. The girls around the area had mixed expressions, some took Nathan words to heart, while others  still looked pale. Nathan told everyone to prepare for tomorrow and Left them behind. He took Iris an Anais with them, to form a plan.

Iris: “Are you really not going to fight, if we work together I’m sure we could defeat it.”

Nathan: “Even if we could, we can’t Iris.”

Iris: “Why?”

Anais: “Does he have to spell it out, these girls have been depending on their guardians to fight their battles all their life, what do you think would happen if Nathan out rights kills the thing that they lost too?”

Iris: “Ah, they may lose faith in them, even worse if they all, decide not to help, they would never learn to fight for themselves.”

Nathan: “Exactly, I not going to make them fight the thing head on, I just show them how to slow it down. These girls are much more powerful then they realize, Celes can command an entire forest to do her bidding, imagine how strong everyone else is. If we help fight, instead of fighting for them we might give them a little confidence. However, I can’t say that we might not end up in a battle, so before that.

Nathan held out his arm to both girls.

Nathan: “Lets form a party.”