Chapter 7
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The first to wake up was obviously Hana. She had slept for two days. When she first woke up, her parents were both so happy. She cried for three hours while in the arms of her parents before she fall asleep again. She woke up a few hours later to some food, and after eating she was questioned.
"Can-can I see him?" (Hana)
"Do you not want to talk about it?" (Quinton)
At these words, memories of 'it' flashed through her head.
"Din-Din warned me. He said it was dangerous. I-I made him. It's my fault. Where is he?! Is he okay?!" (Hana)
"He is just resting, and his eye and arm are healing. Although they won't be the same, he is healthy again... for the most part." (Alejana)
At the word arm, Hana winced. Memories of it flashed through her mind. She remembers watching as her brother put his arm over her head, blocking the snakes from getting to her. If she wasn't there, he could have gotten away... or rather he wouldn't be there in the first place. Even when it came down to it, and all he wanted to do was rest, she woke him up. She was scared, and she heard the noises. She knew that he was injured and could barely even move, yet she woke him up anyway. She couldn't fight or do anything, the entire time all she could do was rely on her brother. Even though he was on the verge of death, she woke him up and sent him to fight. Like some cruel leader that only cared about her own life.
As the gruesome memories came back one by one, and she watched her brothers arm be torn apart like it was put through a meat shredder while he paid no mind to it and kept on protecting her, she began to breathe heavily. She knew that he felt it, but he had no idea what had happened as he only looked at her.
"We, we were having so much fun at first.... it's... im.." (Hana)
Useless. That's the word that ran through her mind.
"I'm useless." (Hana)
"So become stronger." (Quinton)
This immediate reply, as if he anticipated that she would say that, both Hana and Alejana looked up.
"If you want to protect yourself so no one else has to, or even protect others when they cant do it themselves, become stronger. Study magic, and become stronger. That's all you can do. Listen Hana, we love you. Aiden loves you. We don't think bad of you, so please... talk to us about it when you're ready. Until then, go to your brother." (Quinton)
Alejana, who had not expected such wisdom, looked at her husband with surprised and loving eyes. After looking towards her daughter, who got out of her seat and began running towards the room, she could only smile. Although all she had done was cry since the accident, for the first time... she smiled.
***
After about a week, Aiden woke up. Without treatment, he surely would have been dead... was healing magic really that strong or was that doctor something else?
He woke up to a calming feeling, and he opened his eyes to see his mother. His mother was bed bathing him, and right now she was scrubbing his torn up and ugly arm. The pain was completely gone, but it still looked rather... gross. His mother's facial expression was relaxed as she was humming an old nursery song that used to put him to sleep. She didn't seem to mind looking at it anymore.
Although it didn't hurt, he wondered if it functioned properly. Nothing felt odd about it, and he squeezed his hand into a fist and released it. It seemed as though it was in perfect condition... besides the looks. He looked on the bed table and his eyes fell upon the home made black sleeve. He assumed that it was to cover up his arm, and he smiled upon the thoughtfulness of his mother.
When he had squeezed his hand into his fist, his mother had looked up. As she saw her son looking over at the table and smiling, she burst into tears. She dropped her wash cloth and jumped onto him, giving him a hug.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a moving shadow. Figures of snakes ran through his mind as he instinctively threw a hand out in retaliation. While heavily panting as his pupils dilated, his arm was about to strike his own mother's gut. Luckily, she noticed his face as she quickly stopped herself. Upon realizing how terrified her son was of his own mother... her tears grew. Happy he woke up but sad at his trauma, she only wanted to reach out and touch him.
Realizing the situation, Aiden quickly shook his head and hugged his mother. They sat like that for a while before they both, at the same time, said 'Im sorry'.
After snapping back to reality and realizing he was at least safe in his own home, Aiden calmed down. After both saying sorry at the same time, they began to laugh and cry at the same time.
"I'm so glad that you're okay... my little hero." (Alejana)
Due to the sound of the laughter, the door quickly burst open as the other two family members ran into the room.
"Aiden!/Din-Din!" (Quinton/Hana)
As they both dove onto the bed and dog piled on the recent coma patient, Aiden could only help but laugh. After a while,
"M-my lungs are collapsing." (Aiden)
His usual indifferent tone, that only his close ones could tell was filled with love right now, brought happiness to his family. His sarcastic humor had been missed for over a week.
"No really. Dad." (Aiden)
"Ahh.." (Quinton)
***
Shortly after the reunion, somehow the talk tuned into an argument about school. Although she had a point, his mother was stressed that her son who had just woken up wanted to go back right away. Although Aiden loved his mother, she always was majorly protective. While what she said made a lot of sense, the doctor seemed to have done a wonderful job. Aiden felt like a million coins. He looked into his father's eyes, who in return looked at his... eye. After their silent exchange ended, Quinton turned to Alejana.
"Let him go. Personally, I have returned from the brink of death plenty of times from that doc in my life, and I always felt perfect when I woke up. I'm telling you, that doctor is amazing. Aiden will be perfectly fine, I think we should let him go." (Quinton)
Nice assist, Dad! (Aiden)
Hana, who was just happy that Aiden was okay, twirled her long blonde hair as her legs dangled off the side of the bed. After another smaller argument broke out, Quinton finally convinced her to let him go to school. The night passed without any other major issues, and they happily ate dinner together. To Quinton and Alejana, this dinner meant the world to them. Although it had only been a little over a week, it felt like forever since they last ate dinner together as a family.
"Aiden, your 8th birthday is coming up in a month. I know that it is a little early, but what would you like to have for dinner?" (Alejana)
At these words, he looked down at his bowl. They were eating a soup that mostly consisted of garden vegetables. Although he loved his mother's cooking since it was made with love, he was different than an elf. Elves, in his eyes, were weird. It was like their tongues were completely different. Although elf cooking tastes good enough, what he really wanted was what he had only read about in books.
"Meat." (Aiden)
At these words, both Alejana and Quinton stopped eating and looked at each other. It seemed that they had grown so attached to their adopted son that they completely forgot he wasn't an elf. Although he got enough protein through soy and other beans and nuts, if he wanted to get stronger... it all came down to meat. Or at least that's the conclusion he came to.
"I'm sorry son. I know you're not like us, but as long as you live in this house hold, please never think about killing and eating an animal for food. I'm afraid you're going to have to think of something else." (Quinton)
***
*First time Aiden POV? Be gentle ;) let me know if it doesn't feel natural.*
As I walked to school with Hana, I looked at my reflection in the water. Ugh... it is still pretty noticeable. Although the scar that was on my neck and upper arm were still very prominent due to the razor sharp snake wrapping around me, the one on my face had gotten thinner. The snake had only nicked me on the face when we fell off the waterfall, so the face scar was a lot more shallow. Still, considering it was so sharp that it left a life time permanent mark just by barely touching me, I have no idea how I got out alive. Pure luck. I am currently wearing the black sleeve that mother made me to cover up my scarred arm, as it stretched from my shoulder to my wrist. Using my left hand, which was still fully functional, I held open my left eye lid as I looked at my eyeball. It was still quite red, and the cut hadn't healed fully, but the doctor had said that it will look relatively normal if I visit him for a few more doses of healing magic. Apparently, with just two doses a week apart, I had already healed this much. Although I couldn't see out of it again, It could at least look normal.
Like I said, my arm and neck were probably beyond repair, but my face looked relatively normal. The scar on my face was thin and light. Although it was still very much there and anyone could see it, it didn't look gross or unnatural anymore. You definitely couldn't tell that it only happened recently. Man, I owe that doctor big time. If he could take the redness out of my eye, then it would look like I was cut bad with some glass when I was five or so as opposed to 'I fought bare handed against razor sharp snakes'. All in all, I looked normal besides my neck and arm. But it was nothing my long sleeve and white scarf couldn't fix. We were in the middle of the rainy season right now, so it was rather cold out. There were quite a few people who still wore their scarves, but I will have to find a solution before the dry season comes if I don't want to stand out.
School went by like normal, and apparently the elder exempted me from having to take the test. I have never really talked to him, but apparently he heard of the situation and decided that I was strong enough based on that night. It would be troublesome to go in front of everyone, who has already taken their tests, and take mine alone as they watched. I'm thankful to him for getting me out of such a situation. Apparently, various rumors had spread. Not that I care enough to hear about any of them. I shut my surroundings out and put my head on the table. Sometime during my slumber, I felt the presence of my teacher beside me as he tried to give me my built up homework. I think he gave up as he realized I had no intention of doing any of it.
As I slept through homeroom, it came time to make my way over to magic class. I went outside to head to the public bathroom to relieve myself first, but when I came out... The elder was standing in front of me.
"Hello, Aiden. You have grown up a lot since the last time I have seen you." (Elder)
Fake. His smile is fake. He had years of experience on me, but I could tell in a moment. For some reason, he had always avoided me during festivals or speeches. Was he afraid of me or something?
"Ah. I'm sorry Mr. Elder. I don't mean to sound rude to someone of your stature, but I have only ever seen you from afar. Have we met before?" (Aiden)
"Ahh, I heard that your memory was very strong, but obviously it's foolish to think that you could remember when you were an infant. That makes me kind of sad... I met you when your parents first adopted you, you were tiny then. You were rather cute too, but what is with this cold feeling? Hmm?" (Elder)
I inwardly clicked my tongue. It seems that he was able to see through my formal front just as easy as I was able to see through his. Well, it was too late to drop it now. I'll try to play it off. I turned my head to the side in a confused look, and ignored what he had said about my attitude.
"Ahh, I'm sorry that I do not remember our meeting, but thank you for your compliments." (Aiden)
"Hmm... how mature for an eight year old. It's like you're from a totally different plannet, the children here are all snot nosed brats... although I love them all the same." (Elder)
I didn't know what to say, so I ended up just bowing my head and saying thank you.
"Haha, what a strange child. Never mind all that, what I really came here to talk to you about is your magic. You want to learn more, yes?" (Elder)
At these words, my ears perked up. The chance to become stronger. The chance to protect myself and my loved ones. Of course I would love to. Although it would give this senile man satisfaction, I had no choice but to agree.
"Well then follow me, you will not be going to the same class with those children." (Elder)
***
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The school is really just a bunch of different tree houses connected through rope bridges rather than one large building. It was like this for mostly all of the buildings in this town. However, the building that the elder led me to was on the very edge of the school area, and it was different than the rest of the buildings. This building, on the corner of the school campus, was not in a tree but was on the ground. There were few buildings that were on the ground in this village, and the only ones that were normally housed soldiers or the elderly.
When we walked in there was a human. She was younger, and seemed to be in her early twenties. I quickly turned around and faced the elder.
"You're keeping two humans?! Does the village know about this?" (Aiden)
I was shocked. I didn't think that there were other humans living among us. Nobody had ever talked about it, and it could cause a huge uproar. The capital of elves accepted most races, but this village was hidden because the people living here would rather be secluded. The elves that lived here protected this Great Forest, and honestly only elves had such favor with nature to be able to do such a thing.
"Of course not, and don't you dare tell anyone! I pulled a lot of strings to get her to come here in order to teach you, so don't ruin this perfect chance. If you want to become stronger, this is all you have." (Elder)
Now that he mentions it, she probably arrived recently. I have never seen this building, and it looks rather new. Well, it's not like I cared what happened to the village as long as my family is okay. So I stepped into the classroom. As I walked in, the door shut, and the elder was nowhere to be found. Did he really run away?
The woman in front of me had long black hair that complimented her purplish eyes. She was at normal height for a human of her age, and this was the first time i've seen another human. Unlike most women in this village, she had larger breasts. Noticing my gaze, she spoke up.
"If it turns out you're some pervy little brat then i'm not teaching you. I don't have any attention to be harassed by someone weaker than me just because that old man pays me." (???)
Ugh. I can already tell that she is going to be troublesome.
"Breasts are just flabby. Your ass is as flat as this wall, so you have no need to worry about me being attracted to you." (Aiden)
Maybe I went a little too far. Every boy in my class always talked about human or beast-kin women and how their breasts were larger than elves. There was a lot of art in our study books, showing both genders of all the races listed, and they all went gaga over it. I never really saw the attraction, i'd much prefer them smaller. It seems like they would only get in the way during a fight anyway.
"Listen kid, we are going to be stuck with each other for a while now... so I don't think you want to piss me off on the first day. If you want to get stronger then shut up. Let me tell you about myself. My name is Kana, although I doubt that you've heard of me in this dinky little backwater village. I am the youngest person to achieve Rank S mage, and I now work in the royal guard. The only reason that i'm here teaching a single kid like you is because it seems like the human king owes your elder a favor. I hate nobles and snotty brats, and I enjoy magic and astronomy. Your turn." (Kana)
Ugh she is bitchy. She is so full of herself as well. I understand I have to deal with her if I want to get more powerful but...
"*Sigh* My name is Aiden. From what i'm told, I was adopted by elves here and I've lived here as long as I can remember. I like sleeping and reading, and I hate noisy and vain people." (Aiden)
Taking another subtle stab at her, I walked towards the center of the room. It was a lot like a normal classroom, but there were no desks or chairs.
"Well, Aiden. There will not be any sleeping in this class. If you want to become stronger, then you are going to stand during lectures." (Kana)
Oi, are you kidding me right now. What is this all about?
"There is no way that you are going to become stronger if all you do is sleep. Also, we probably wont be using this classroom very much, so follow me." (Kana)
As she grabbed her coat, she pushed me aside and pulled on the rug in the center of the room, revealing a trapdoor. As she opened it, she took another look at me.
"What is this?" (Aiden)
"We are going outside the walls, so get a move on" (Kana)
No way no way. Not at my current strength. I need to learn how to use my magic first! The area outside the walls is full of magical beasts. There are snakes, bears, deer, snakes, wolves, snakes, snakes, snak-
"Come on! We are going hunting!" (Kana)
"Hunting!? For what!" (Aiden)
"Anything. You're far to skinny for a human. Among the elves your age you must be fine, but you will probably get beaten up by kids your age. We are going to get some meat. M-E-A-T." (Kana)
I paused for a second. I don't really care about the rules or anything, it's just I would prefer not to do anything else that dirties my parent's name.
"Woah- wait a minute. You mean you've never eaten meat?" (Kana)
"You don't have to answer, I can tell. If you have had it before then you wouldn't even be arguing right now. Meat is amazing, the flavor and juiciness cant compare to the dry beans that you have been living off of." (Kana)
"Fine. If it will make me stronger in the end then I guess it can't be helped." (Aiden)
At these words, I followed her down the hatch as we walked down the tunnel leading to the outside. When the tunnel ended, there was another hatch. This time, it opened up under a bush. We walked out into the open forest, and embraced the nature. Kana stood in the wind as she welcomed the fresh air, as her hair lightly flowed backward. The wet dew of the long grass made the ankle parts of my pants wet.
"Ahhh~ this is the stuff kid. I've been stuck inside for days because that old man doesn't have the balls to tell his citizens about me." (Kana)
It was a very nice day out. It had rained the night before, but it was rather sunny out... although it was still a bit chilly. It was refreshing, and the singing birds lightened my mood a little. This woman made me angry, but now she was acting like a child as she clasped her hands with glee. Although her foul mouth was still a problem, she seemed more approachable. When I thought about her as the students that never treated me as an equal, she at least became easier to deal with.
After she led me through the forest, we eventually reached an open plain. Standing in the center was a beautiful doe. Moments such as these makes me wish that I was an elf so that I could get it to come towards me. Just as I had such thoughts, an arrow of fire shout out from Kana's palm. It pierced a spot in the torso just above it's front leg, killing it before it could let out a cry.
"Bulls eye! Right through the heart." (Kana)
As she said these words, she hopped out of the bushes and ran towards the animal. I quickly followed her, and we soon stood over the beautiful corpse.
"Since we cant carry it all back, we are going to just take some with us. Luckily it is rather small, so we wont be wasting much meat in the first place. Watch carefully, I'm going to begin gutting it. This skill will prove useful in the future i'm sure." (Kana)
She took out a knife and began to cut open the torso. I was amazed at her swift movements, and how she seemed to know where everything was. I watched intently as she pulled out each of the organs, and eventually she pulled out what used to be the heart. It was now just a bunch of torn meat after her fire bolt passed through it, but it was still fascinating. The way she separated the meat from the bones and organs was engraved in my mind.
"Most kids your age would be totally grossed out by this you know... yet you're smiling. You know you seem really weird right now right?" (Kana)
"Aren't you smiling as well?" (Aiden)
It was true, her smile was probably even bigger than mine.
"Well maybe we both are a little strange huh?" (Kana)
At these words, she patted me on the head with her blood soaked hand before wrapping up the meat. It seemed like she was a totally different person when she was not cramped inside that little house, and maybe she wasn't so bad. Although she was strict, she acted like a child sometimes. Maybe i'll have to reevaluate her.
Before we left she burned the body and bloody mess, claiming that it would be bad if the elven scouts found it. We retreated back into the forest before she stopped to light a fire. She made three rock spikes using magic, and placed them on top of the fire. After placing the meat on top of the make shift grill top, she let me sit down for the first time. She sat on the other side of the fire as she watched the meat.
"Hey, how old are you?" (Kana)
"I'm turning eight soon. Why?" (Aiden)
"Hooh, you seem a little older. Although back where i'm from, all of the noble's kids that I deal with are snotty and spoiled." (Kana)
I didn't reply. I normally don't tend to reply to someone unless I feel the need to or I want them off my back, but for some reason, I didn't mind if she went on.
"Although I said that I was forced to, I gladly took the offer to come here. It's nice to get a break from the hustle and bustle of the city, and everyone in the noble school is so rude. There are of course exceptions, but it's still really stressful. I miss things like this, it was fun." (Kana)
"Yeah. I normally don't like the outside... but this is... okay." (Aiden)
"Do you go outside the walls often?" (Kana)
As she asked this question, she sat up and flipped the meat with a stick. The sizzle of juices hitting the fire could be heard and the smell of the meat made my stomach grumble.
"...once." (Aiden)
Other than when I was adopted, there was only that one time i've gone outside. The time I should have stopped my sister, the time that because of my poor judgement, I almost lost her. It was the reason that I need to get stronger.
"I meant to ask you this, but what's with your eye? And that sleeve on your arm?" (Kana)
I paused for a moment. Does she really need to know? She is getting to personal, even though I just met her. Although it was nice to hear about life outside the walls, she didn't need to tell me all of that, so why should I tell her?
As she saw my reaction, she sighed.
"-Oh! The meat is done, you ready for it?" (Kana)
As she skewered the pieces of meat and set them on a cloth, she handed me one.
"Although it goes better with vegetables, eat it. Magic wont always cut it, so you need to get stronger in the body as well." (Kana)
As I took the meat, the aroma made my mouth began to water. I took a bite, and the juices spread throughout my mouth. Unlike the dry beans, there was an explosive and wild feeling flavor that took me by surprise. As the tender meat of the female doe melted in my mouth, I couldn't help but let out a few words.
"... so good." (Aiden)
"Right?!" (Kana)
***
After eating until my stomach was full, an overwhelming sense of fatigue swept over me. It was a nice kind of fatigue, and my whole body felt warm. After gaining Kana's permission, I fell asleep. The next time I woke up, I was being carried towards the tunnel over her shoulders as she hummed a song. The sky was already turning dark, and I quickly smiled as I fell back asleep.
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In the future, I dont think that I am going to make it first person. It seems weird making an indifferent character when you can read all of his thoughts, and It also doesnt seem like he is eight. In the future I think that I am going to do third person.