19691 The 1st Summer

In the following year, mom and dad took me around the city, showing me how different craftsmen work and their products. Turns out not all of them enjoy making the things they do because the results they like and what people would buy are not necessarily the same.

I also tried sparring with dad when he was home to see how fighting sits with me. Mom is a bit too fiery and would just bully me. Unsurprisingly he made it look too easy and beat my ass over and over again with a wooden stick so I lost interest quite early on. Mom also brought home some books about magic every time she came back from another adventure, knowing well how much it fascinated me. Also taught me how to read while showing me magic, a crucial step just for the books to have any value to me.

Name: Elyssia

Age: 8

I’m eight already, I don't want to sound vain or anything, but still, I’m growing up to look mighty fine. Every girl in town knows that mom’s one of the prettiest here and I’m her spitting image as dad says. Slender, quite tall, radiant smile… Uhh, I must sound full of myself, huh? Well, it is what it is.

I’m currently sitting in our backyard beneath our large oak giving us some pleasant shade in the summer heat. The book in my hand is called The Mystery of Magic, it's an interesting read, it's just…it feels incomplete for the lack of better words.

It says:

Every element is present in nature or its creatures in one way or another. Mana in its natural form sticks to the things it represents. Life mana is in every living being and you’ll find plenty of water mana in the sea. Now, does the mana make the river or the river the mana, we might never know. The only thing certain is that the world is only complete when the two exist together. You can create some water with magic, however, it will never be as stable as water found in a pond for example, it lacks the physical stability, just mana forced into material form.

We can use mana in three different ways. We can mimic a certain element’s nature by simply warming our body using the fire element, the least mana-expensive option. Influence the environment by forcing our own mana into it and then shaping it to our will. Lastly, force mana into physical form, the method requiring the most mana and concentration.

Then again what exactly is mana?

Let's take fire for example, fire is heat, fire is passion, and fire is life burning bright even if burning short. Fire is also destruction and fear, respect the fire, embrace it, and move it naturally like you draw breath. It's the heat in the air, or to look at purely on the basis of mana, it's the red strands of the weave.

…

Now that’s nice and all, but why? Why do they turn red? What do they do once they turn red? And why would the color red make something hot, an apple can be red and it has nothing to do with fire.

“Questions, questions… I mean, he might be right. This is just an idea, right?” I ask myself. A habit of mine when I’m deep in thought. “Uh, whatever mom should be home soon, let's see if I can help with lunch.” With that, I go back inside.

I should really stop talking to myself, mom said others might think there's something wrong in my head.

Dad seems distracted while almost finished with the pasta he’s making. I set the table and sit down but he just stands there as if not even noticing me. I’ll just wait a few minutes, maybe it's just him simply zoning out. Men…

“Uhm, dad? Are you okay? Did you hurt your head?” I ask with a bit more mockery than worry.

“She should be home by now.” Is all he whispers. So I just tilt my head signaling to elaborate. “Your mother Eli, she should have been home hours ago, in the worst case. She’s never been late in the past 6 years and she’s experienced enough to know how long a job will take. Even with some complications." Now he just paces back and forth.

“Dad, do you think something bad happened to mom?” My eyes widen as the realization hits. “Can’t she just be late because a carriage broke or something?” Hopeful words… even I don't take them seriously.

Mom is strong, I believe in her and still, even if she were the strongest existence on Aelion I’d keep worrying for her.

After some further hesitation, dad looks into my eyes and places his hands on my shoulders. “Eli, you’re a big girl now, can I leave you here for a day or two? I know it’s not alright to do this,” He chews on his lips fighting hard for the words to come out. “still I can’t just stay here and wait. Your mother’s job is a dangerous and unpredictable one, even if it earns quite well. I hope with all my heart that she’s okay and is just a bit delayed. But, if that’s not the case and I sat here knowing she could be in danger and did nothing… I could never forgive myself.” His gaze never left me, so I could see the intense worry on his face.

There was no need to think.“Please dad, bring mom back home safely.” I place my hands on his, to reassure him. ”I’ve been home alone for almost a day a few times now. I’ll be fine, if I get hungry then I’ll just go to the market and get something, so don’t worry about me and go get outta here.” Although my voice was cheerful and confident, I was anything but.

I’ve never been home alone that long, if nothing else I’ll sleep over at Nia’s place. Their parents are friends with mom and dad, so it should be fine. Dad also just made some food which should be enough till they return. I got this, soon my System will unlock so I should be able to take care of myself.

Dad still looks conflicted about leaving me here so I start pushing him to move. “What are you waiting for? I’ve got this, it’s just a few days. I’ll just stay home and read most of the time anyways, so move already or mom will have to save herself.”

My last comment manages to brighten his expressions if only a little, so he nods and gets ready to… leave me. He’s wearing his hunter’s armor, both his swords and his longbow. In full battle gear, he leans down and gives me a gentle hug and a kiss on my cheek.

“Take care of the house, okay? Try not to burn it down while I go and fetch Luna, sounds good?” The grin on his face looks a bit strained.

As his daughter, noticing such things is childsplay.

I stick out my tongue in reaction and wave him goodbye. “Go already, I’m starving and wanna go back to my lunch.” I turn away and start making my way back to the kitchen, to make it easier for dad to leave.

I’m just as worried for mom as he is and the chances of me being fine seem a lot higher.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

“Stay safe Eli.”

“Bring mom back safe dad.”

As soon as he leaves and the door closes behind him tears start falling down my face. I'm scared of losing mommy and I’m even more scared that dad won't come back either. I want them back, both of them.

So instead of a meal I just sit down in the backyard and cry. My parents taught me that the best thing to do when you’re frustrated and angry is to exercise. So when crying gets boring without me feeling any better I start running around in the garden. Laps after laps after laps. I did some jumping jacks and sit-ups after my legs started shaking. I'm thinking about my future here, my parents insisted on me doing some basic training to be conditioned just in case I choose a physical class. I must be cursed to have a pair of melee combatant parents but I would give anything to have them back safely. I love that curse.

I exhaust myself over and over again, which surprisingly helps a lot with my frustration. Dead tired I sit down again to eat my, by now cold, lunch. Then I try to read some books, which are totally unenjoyable with my mind spinning on what might’ve happened to mom.

I decide to call it a day pretty early, as physically I’m dog-tired and have nothing better to do. Sleep comes surprisingly easy, and I basically black out.

***

Some noise from the front door wakes me up in the middle of the night, so I quickly vanquish tiredness from my eyes and run towards the front door.

“Mom dad are you okay?” The sight that welcomes me is anything but mom and dad.

Three hooded and masked men, quite young-looking, sneak inside the house. “Fuck, haven’t you said that nobody would be home?” Asks one of them.

“Yeah and the parents aren’t so just ignore the kid and take what you can.” Replies another.

“Hurry and bag everything moveable.”

My first reaction is utter shock. What are the chances that they break in right today? Their conversation reveals that it's no coincidence, they planned this seeing that mom and dad both left home.

Anger starts boiling in me.

How dare they? This is our stuff, mom and dad worked hard for it and I’m not gonna let some damn nobodies take them.

“Hey, what the hell do you think you are doing, get out of here or mom and dad are gonna beat you to pulp.” I shout at them, still, they just stop for a second in surprise before snickering and continuing to ransack our home.

“Hey, I’m talking to you, you fuckers. Leave, now!”

“Tone it down brat, or we’ll make you shut it!” They don't seem too bothered and one thief starts searching through mom’s chest.

That’s where she stores her mementos from her adventuring days, the belongings of fallen friends, the tokens of accomplishments. Yesterday's events and my worry for mom’s safety make me snap when I see him rummage through her treasured trinkets. I run at the man and bite his arm with all my might. He doesn’t seem too hurt but still yelps in surprise and then swats me away, returning to the chest.

Seeing that biting doesn’t work, I strike at the weak spot of every man mom told me about.

“Dad left the house in my care!” I roar, the kick connects and the man falls to his knees crying out in pain.

He groans on the ground for a few seconds, then gathers himself and turns towards me with fury in his eyes. He swings his left arm and hits me, properly this time. I slam into the wall next to me, my head dizzy, tears appearing in my eyes and breath knocked out of my lungs, making me unable to even scream.

“You shitty brat, why can’t you just stay put, huh?” He slaps me. “If you'd shut up” slap ”Everything would be fine.” slap “What do you think you can do, huh?” slap “Know” slap “ Your” slap “Damned” slap “ Place” slap. He takes a few deep breaths. “Now, which leg was it?”

He finally stands up, leaving my face alone, I can’t even see through the tears and my swollen cheeks anymore. I’m just a sprawled-out mess on the floor, sobbing and quivering.

“This’ll teach you a lesson” He says, anger flaring in his eyes, and stomps my right shin.

PAIN.

Immediately agonizing anguish radiates through me as he shatters my leg. “AHHHHHHHHH” I cry out, my throat turning hoarse. I couldn’t stop shouting even if I wanted to, look at my mangled leg.

“Shut the fuck up, you’ll alert everyone” A punch land on my face before he stomps on my hand making everything even worse by breaking a few more fingers.

“What the fuck do you think you are doing? We came here to take what we can, not to kill a damned child!” The others stop the lunatic venting his anger on me.

I don’t hear the rest of what he says as I’m already losing consciousness. Pain radiating through my leg, hand, head and throat from all the screaming. My tears don’t never stop sliding down my face.

I feel so helpless. I can’t do anything to stop them, I can't defend myself, I can’t prevent them from taking mom’s treasures and I can’t do anything to help mom. I hate this feeling, I despise being helpless, despise being weak…

***

The next thing I know I’m lying in a bed, and it's dark outside. When I look around I see that I’m in my room and mom's sitting on a chair next to my bed. Her head is laid down on my lap, sleeping. As I try to sit up and put my weight on my left hand, pain flares up in it making me scream. This wakes her up. She looks up at me, I must look like a mess but she’s not much better. Her eyes are red from crying, she’s dirty and looks so very tired. Shock, pain, and deep guilt flickering her face.

“Eli, my dear little one.” Soon dad runs in, basically throwing the door off its hinges. “I'm sorry, I’m so so so sorry. I shouldn’t have left you here, I should have been more patient, I should have…” He just keeps holding me gently.

“Elyssia... I-I can’t even put it into words.” It's mum’s turn. “It's all my fault. I made you both worry, I…, I…, your father came to get me and you ended up in such a horrible state because of it.” Her voice is weak, her usually strong and radiant appearance nowhere to be seen. She seems small, almost vulnerable, guilt probably eating her up from the inside. “I feel like such a failure of a parent right now. I-”

“Just come here already!” I shout at her. ”Do you know how worried I was? I thought I’d never see you again.” I don't have to tell her twice, she crushes us in a big family hug and we just stay like that. Teardrops fall endlessly as we stay huddled together, fearing that if we let go something terrible might happen again. “I’m sorry I couldn't protect our home.” They just hold me tighter after this comment.

After the tears dry up, I look at the damage I’ve suffered, my leg looks better, but still, it’ll probably be unusable for quite some time. My hand is in a lot better shape, my face is still swollen and is more colorful than necessary but that happened before.

We tell each other what happened, starting with me and the robbery. After the thieves escaped I probably just lay there unconscious, all the way until mom and dad returned around the next day afternoon. They had a bad feeling when they saw the front door wide open, they rushed in and saw the destruction left after the looting but the worst was seeing their daughter beaten half dead on the floor. I was rushed to the town healer who could patch me up more or less. My Endurance is too low so my body can’t take too much healing and supposedly I lost quite a bit of blood. Endurance is what supplies the energy and material for the reconstruction of the body, that’s why my leg couldn’t be fully repaired with magic.

They also told me what caused mom’s delay. She fought some monster in the forest close to the town near the Moon's Mirror Lake and when she walked past the water something decided to jump out and take a bite out of her calf. That made the way home much more troublesome and with her barely limping and beasts constantly being drawn to the smell of blood it took a little longer.

Now that everyone has told their part, I take a deep breath, determination burning inside me. “Mom, dad I don't want to feel this helpless ever again, I don't wanna lose anything or worse, anyone because I can't fight back… I don't want to be abused or beaten one-sidedly… so I’ll fight.” I clench my blanket harder. “I won't just cry in the corner again waiting to be saved, I won't let people walk over me because I’m weak. I will take matters into my own hands so you won’t have to be sad because of me getting hurt again.”

This is my chosen path. This is my determination.