Big Brother & Little Sister – 2.5

The procedure took longer than expected. Max thought he might fall asleep, having barely closed his eyes for days, exhausted and in pain, overwhelmed by everything that had happened since arriving in this brutal world. But he didn’t.

He managed to keep his eyes open, clinging to consciousness. He needed to make sure Helen was okay before he could truly rest. Besides, this was practically enemy territory.

It would be foolish to let his guard down. He trusted they would protect Helen, but he wasn’t ready to rule out the possibility of someone stabbing him in the back, believing they were saving her.

He told himself he wouldn’t have brought Helen here unless there was no other choice. But what better way to ensure the secret didn’t come to light than by eliminating a filthy human?

Still, there were more important things than that. Helen’s condition was his top priority. The procedure had taken over an hour. He couldn’t see a clock, but he had no doubt about it. Even so, Helen hadn’t opened her eyes. On the contrary, she had lost consciousness.

“Don’t worry,” the elf said. “She’ll be fine. She just needs to rest. I just wonder what exhausted her so much. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

“I’m not answering that question.”

The elf shrugged. “Look, human. You’re lucky we let you in. And that, apparently, for whatever reason, the boss intends to let you leave alive, as far as I can tell. So, you should count your blessings and cooperate a little.”

“Enough. The girl is his, Lorian.”

The man’s eyes widened. “Seriously? And he’s this concerned? Wow, you don’t see that every day. It’s strange, isn’t it? That I find it harder to believe now that I know he has a reason to care.”

“That’s not the point,” said Silvana.

“I know, I know. Well, if the big guy doesn’t want to tell us anything, so be it. I’d really like to know the cause and what kind of life this girl has, but at least the problem’s solved.”

“You’re not being very subtle,” Max said. “For the record, I didn’t force her to do anything. I didn’t ask her or manipulate her. She did what she did to save my life.”

“Uh-huh. And why did you need her to save your life?”

“What are you talking about?”

“I’m asking if you put her in danger.”

Max fell silent. He couldn’t deny the accusation. After all, he had told Helen himself: she should have turned back and forgotten about the white serpent. Because of him, she was in this state. He had said it himself, so how could he deny it now?

He clenched his teeth and looked away.

“You’re an asshole. She’s my daughter. I don’t care what you think you know about me. I’d do anything for her. Anything.”

“Boss?” Lorian interjected, a clear question.

Silvana crossed her arms.

“Yes. I think he’s telling the truth. Just look at him. No matter how much you dislike it, you have to admit it. He’s scared to death for her. And I bet he’s already considering telling you what happened. Simply because he thinks he can handle all of us—but not while protecting the little one at the same time. Isn’t that right?”

Max frowned.

“You’re a perceptive woman.”

“I have to be, boy. You don’t make it to one hundred and twenty by being stupid. Especially in a world as brutal as ours.”

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Max remembered the cave. The pit for corpses.

“Yes. A world that forgives nothing. I’ll stay here until Helen wakes up,” he said slowly after a moment. “Watching over her. And after she’s recovered enough, we’ll leave. That’s right. You won’t have to put up with me for long, little one.”

Lorian ignored him, pretending to be superior.

“As you wish,” Silvana said. “Lorian, get out.”

“And why’s that?”

“Because I want to talk to our guest alone, and because you’re no longer needed here. Your job is done. And most importantly: I’m the boss here. My word is law. Do I need to remind you?”

The man sighed.

“No, ma’am. I’m leaving.”

And with that, he went to hell.

“What do you want to talk about?”

“Your goals,” Silvana replied plainly. “I want to know if there’s any reason you wouldn’t want to extend your stay, even for a short while.”

Max raised an eyebrow.

“I suppose they’ll accept Helen without any trouble. But me… What makes you think they’ll tolerate my presence for a while?”

“Because I say so. The most closed-minded people have to admit things when necessity calls.”

“Uh-huh. I’m listening.”

“We’re in trouble. If you help us solve that problem—by the sword, of course—I’ll pay you well.”

“Sounds good, except for the part where you skipped all the details.”

“Well, if you let me finish… Never mind. First, I’d like to ask you a question, just out of curiosity. Okay?”

“Whatever. Shoot.”

“I’ve heard that elves, in general, are devoted to… Ares. Is that true?”

“Yes, it is,” Silvana replied without hesitation.

“And why is that? It’s said that you’re a peaceful people, and…”

“And we are. But even our patience has limits. Besides, boy—”

“Call me Max. Just Max.”

“Max. Anyway. Apart from that, Lord Ares has always been on our side, lending a hand here and there throughout history. We’re simply grateful. Unlike most humans, we remember and ensure our children’s children remember. It’s that simple.”

“You haven’t given me many details on this either, but I guess I’ll take it. What’s the problem?”

“Orcs,” she replied simply. “A band of orcs is approaching. We asked for help from the nearest city, but they told us to go to hell. Of course, with more formal language and plenty of excuses, but the same thing in the end.”

Max frowned.

“Alright. I’m in.”

“I think I already know how your wife died,” Silvana said.

“I never even said she was dead,” Max pointed out.

“Except just now, no. But anyway, jokes aside, an expression speaks louder than a thousand words, Max. That pain in your eyes, that rage, how protective you are of the girl, and the fact that she’s not here, of course. Normally, an elf, even if she came to love a human, wouldn’t have left her little one alone with him just like that. Not if she could go with them.”

“You’re very perceptive. Too much for your own good.”

Her lips curved into an arrogant smile.

“What’s that? Is that a threat?”

“It’s an observation. But take it how you want, as long as you don’t take it out on the little one.”

Silvana nodded.

“Don’t worry. If you fall in battle, the tribe will take care of her as if she had always been one of us. Because, in the end, she is.”

If I fall in battle, Max thought, I’m not sure she wouldn’t follow soon after.

——

Max did exactly what he said he would: stay close to Helen, sitting and waiting for her to wake up.

And when she did, when she looked at him with squinting eyes and a radiant smile of happiness and relief on her face, it was as if his heart had grown wings. Max realized he had never loved anyone as much as he loved that girl. He wasn’t sure what that said about him, considering they’d known each other less than a week, but it was still true.

He was grateful to be the first person she saw when she opened her eyes and for Helen’s gratitude. He only thought it at first, but he realized there was no reason not to say it out loud. So he did. He repeated it.

In return, he received the most precious smile in the entire world.

“I should be the one thanking you. And I’m sorry. I must’ve delayed your duties to Ares because of me.”

Someday, and soon, he would have to tell her that he was only a champion of Ares in name. That his plan was to kill him and take his throne as the new god of war. It was the only way to stop being controlled, to no longer be at the mercy of the merciless winds and tides of fate.

Someday, and soon. But not now. It just didn’t feel like the right time. Not because of some foolish concern like Helen turning her back on him. He was fairly sure she’d choose him without a second thought, not the god of war. Even if he truly trusted Ares, he would always choose Helen and never doubt her pure love.

It was just that, well, Helen had already been through enough. She didn’t need more hard truths when she was barely recovering from everything that had happened in Ezos. He wanted to give her some time to breathe first.

“It’s alright,” Max finally said. “In fact, everything turned out conveniently. We have work. Silvana asked for my help.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Apparently, they’re having trouble with orcs, territorial disputes. They’ll pay me if I help.”

Helen tensed, of course.

“Hey, if you want us to leave, if you’d rather avoid those bastards, I understand, Helen. Alright?”

“No, no, not at all. It’s just that... it’s just that...” Helen took a deep breath before continuing. “I want to stay. I want to kill them. Those scum need to die screaming.”

Max placed a hand on her shoulder, squeezing firmly.

“I understand, kid. I’ll help you.”

“With what?”

“With your revenge, of course.”