[https://i.imgur.com/fJm4t6d.jpg]

----------------------------------------

- Her condition is stable, so everything should be fine.

Mamou returned to Bubble's arms and Porencha smiled.

- I'd still like ya to stay here for a few days so I can check it out one last time, since I've never seen anyone have the Tide in them for so long, but I'll let ya go wherever ya want after that.

- We have to keep these two tourists for a few more days, then? asked Gareed.

Porencha scratched the back of her head.

- If it bothers ya, we can find them a hotel in the capital…

- No, I'm fine with it. I was just asking.

Gareed turned to the reassured Bubble and smiled.

- Good for ya both.

Bubble smiled and nodded.

- I’m happy too.

- Mamou is too strong!!! Porencha told me!!!

- Of course, you are!

Bubble began to stroke her hair and Porencha crossed her legs.

- Ya give her this medicine once every five days, before she goes to sleep, and everything will be fine. I've already given it to her for today," Porencha explained.

- With food or by itself?

- I gave it to her with a shot of water, it goes on better. It's not too big, so it should be fine and she didn't complain.

Mamou showed her thumb with a big smile, which made Porencha smile.

- I'll make several of these, they'll go on the road, and I'll give you the recipe to concoct the medicine. Go see a doctor who is not an idiot and ask him to make it and Mamou will be able to live her whole life without worry.

- Is it going to be expensive?

- The price shouldn't be too high, but it won't be free, that's clear. I'm not asking ya for anything because I'm tooooo nice, but that won't be the case for the other doctors.

- I can pay ya if you want.

- Nah, keep your money.

It was Cerise who spoke. She had just finished her green tea and put her feet on the table.

- Consider it our gratitude for... I dunno.

She shrugged her shoulders.

- We're not going to ask for money from someone who's come all this way for a little girl. We make enough money as it is.

- Speaking of money, I have to ask you something, then," Gareed told them.

- About torture?

- Yuuup!

- I look forward to doing business with ya.

Cerise and Gareed smiled together and Porencha coughed. Everyone turned their attention to her. She crossed her arms and looked at Bubble.

- Make sure that she is well and that the effects don't get worse all at once, since the Tide has been inside her for too long,” she said.

- Of course.

- If ya need help directly, just come to our house and I'll see you right away. I'll make sure I don't have a job until the next time we meet.

Bubble smiled. It was nice of her... Porencha was a member of the FIREFIGHTERS and yet, unlike Cerise, she was really calm, polite and friendly. He understood that Cerise was far from being "mean", but when he saw Porencha…

Bubble thanked the two members of the FIREFIGHTERS and watched them walk away into the unsafe landscape of Lost Hell. He wasn't worried about them being attacked on the way, since they would be able to defend themselves without any risk. He wondered if Vixen could defeat Cerise, but he smiled at his stupidity.

- The King would probably be the only one who could confront her…” he thought before closing the door behind him.

A fight between Vixen and Cerise would be carnage he wasn't sure he wanted to see. On the one hand, it might be a lot of fun, but one of them would end up succumbing; probably Vixen. Still, thinking about it wouldn't do any good: the chances of them fighting were very small. Cerise seemed to want to know where Kari was and had a strange relationship with her, but she was probably not interested in Vixen: it was Kari she wanted to defeat. Rather, to kill. Bubble walked down the hallway and back into the living room where little Mamou was playing with cards, these ones given to her by Syrianna. Mody was beside her, explaining the rules, but Mamou was more intrigued by the drawings on them. Bubble smiled and sat down next to them.

- Look, big brother Bubu!

She pointed to the cards with representations of some of the known Gods. He grabbed one and whistled.

- They are superbly drawn!” he said.

Mody stole the card he had grabbed, along with Mamou's, and put them all in his hands to mix them up. She smiled and nodded.

- It is an acquaintance who lives close to the Red Capital who makes them. He draws in such a way!” she explained.

Bubble watched her mix and asked her what the rules were. Mody seemed surprised.

- It's a pretty simple game, but do ya wanna play?" she asked.

- Hm, it depends.

- Hm, okay. Wait, then. GAREEEED?!

She screamed so loudly that Mamou had to cover her ears and Bubble closed one eye. In a hellish noise, caused by a door which had just opened suddenly, the muscular man shouted in his turn.

- WHAT?!!

He walked into the room, a not very happy look on his face. Mody smiled at him.

- Do ya want to play cards with us?

She showed him the deck of cards with an innocent smile. Gareed frowned, but eventually smiled back.

- Yes!

He quickly approached and sat down next to Bubble, as if he were another man. He had gone from imposing to... cute?!

- Do they know the rules?" he asked, a much more sympathetic look on his face.

- I'll explain it to them!

Mody put down the cards and began to explain the rules, which were not very difficult.

Mamou didn't play for long, not liking the game very much. Syrianna took her place and the four of them played for a good two hours before doing something else, all in their own corners. Bubble stayed with Mamou and they talked together. About the future. Even if Bubble didn't tell him about his plan to find an orphanage, he talked about the doctor they had to find, the money Bubble was going to raise for the medicine and where they were going. Evening fell quickly, without them even noticing. The dinner filled their bellies with pleasure and their palates wanted more, but they had to set a limit.

Mody passed a small portion of his food to the little girl while Bubble was satisfied with the portion he had received. They all chatted together at the big table. Laughter. Smiles. Joy and funny anecdotes. Weird. Amusing. Silly discussions and meaningful discussions. There was everything around this lively table. Mamou was happy. Bubble didn't think anymore about everything he had thought of himself. Although he wasn't going to forget the lessons he had learned after his fight with Vixen, for now, he could only think of joy and was in an unexpectedly good mood. He never thought he would feel so good when he arrived in Lost Hell. This hateful country with horrible landscapes. These violent and unremitting lands, which did not allow the weak to walk on them. The people were aggressive and their Auras proved their determination, their will to live and their strength, and yet they were friendly. Syrianna, Mody, Cerise, Porencha, even Vixen or Kari. Everyone in Lost Hell had to be strong to live; to survive.

And yet, each of them had a heart that beat with a sweet melody. Bubble would never have believed it.

They had managed to find Porencha without too much difficulty and Bubble had not had to use force or plans to convince her to help Mamou. Even though he had been kidnapped, everything had gone relatively smoothly. Bubble didn't know if it was luck or if it was just the friendly side of the underworld, but he didn't care if he had the answer: all that mattered to him was that everything was going well for them. Whether it was for Mamou or himself.

He went to bed at the same time as Mamou, but before going to sleep, he looked at the note Porencha had passed him. With the medicine she had given him, she had left a little note for Bubble. She had told him to read it alone, but if he wanted, he could read it to Mamou. Intrigued, he decided to read it by himself first and see if he read the contents to the little one he was accompanying. The writing was neat and the words clear.

Dear Bubble,

We will probably never see each other again after I come back to visit Mamou. His condition should be stable and you will be fine. I don't know what adventures you will encounter in the future, but I wish you good luck.

Lost Hell is anything but kind, and yet you live there without too much worry. I know what you went through and I'm glad you did well, but I'll be honest: not many come back alive from a fight in these lands. You didn't want to tell us how your fight went, but if you managed to defeat the opponent, know that you are strong. Powerful.

I wish you all the happiness in the world. I could say it to your face, but I wanted to say it now. Maybe I'm being too nice and almost emotional for people I hardly know, but it made me feel good to see Mamou's little face. A little cuteness doesn't hurt.

Thank you both. Porencha.

Bubble folded the letter in half and smiled before placing it on Mamou's desk. If she wanted to read it, she could: nothing bad was written in this letter. Bubble closed his eyes and lay down on his bed, joining the land of dreams without further delay…

Arasol rose early enough, showing with its beautiful light rays the country that was Lost Hell. The real hell on earth. A country surrounded by Teizania, a country not very recommended, but free to visit by anyone who wanted to. Bubble stretched her arms and looked at the bed next to her and saw Mamou with a big smile.

- What big sister Porencha wrote is so cute!” she said, holding the letter in her hands. Did you read it?

Bubble rubbed one eye and smiled.

- I read it before I went to sleep," he confessed. You're calling Porencha "big sister" now?

She nodded.

- Yes! She is beautiful, strong and very, very beautiful !

- Ahah, it’s true.

Bubble could not deny the beauty of the woman. Her white hair, the mask she wore around her head, her elegant clothes... She was a woman who could turn the heads of many men and surely of many women too. However, Bubble was a little more difficult man: falling under the spell was not easy for him.

They both got up from their beds and brushed their teeth before joining Syrianna and the others on the floor above, which was the first floor. They were still sleeping in the same place, in this basement, but they weren't complaining about it; just being housed was very nice of them. They would soon leave here and go to Winry-Rock, passing through Teizania first. Bubble ate alongside everyone else and enjoyed a breath of fresh air by himself, but Syrianna eventually joined him.

- Phew, we ate goooood!!!

She stretched as she finished her sentence and sat down next to Bubble.

- Where do ya plan to go after all this?" she asked.

- I'm thinking of going to Suirui, where it all began," he said. I will find a family that will be kind enough to take care of Mamou and I will give them money to pay for the medicine in Mamou.

Syrianna squinted her eyes.

- Ya’re going to leave the lil’ girl all alone... ?” she asked, surprised.

- By herself? She will have a new family. I plan to visit her sometimes, but I'm still a wanderer with no purpose in life. I can't stay with her all my life…

- Why not see Mamou in a different way, then?

Bubble blinked, not understanding what Syrianna meant. She looked up at the sky.

- If ya don't have a purpose in life, then why not create one?

- …

She turned her face to Bubble and smiled at him.

- Turn Mamou into a reason to move forward, and protect her.

- Syrianna…

- Well, that's just my opinion!

She stood up, having just sat down, and shook her hand, arm raised. Mody arrived and watched her go before chuckling. Bubble blinked and questioned her with his eyes.

- Syrianna, don't leave because ya're blushing!!!” shouted Mody.

Syrianna stopped suddenly and turned around, her cheeks red.

- I'M NOT BLUSHING YA LIL’ BRAT!!!

- Ahahah!!!

Mody laughed and Syrianna flashed her screwdriver in her hands before running after Mody. Mody ran away, but she stayed outside, still laughing. Meanwhile, Bubble rubbed her chin and squinted.

If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

- To make Mamou my reason to go on... My goal in life?

In short, protecting her would be his reason for living. A goal he could cling to. As the King of Lost Hell had told him, he couldn't go through life without ever fighting. So

why not use his Power to protect Mamou's life and his own? What if in the end, he didn't have to wander around different countries, but could stay by the little one's side? At least he was confident that he could take care of Mamou without worry. She already saw him as a member of her family: her beloved big brother. Bubble still had the nagging doubt that a family could accept Mamou as an adopted daughter, but wouldn't know how to deal with the Tide in her body and that she would eventually succumb. Otherwise, they could always say that they didn't have the patience or the love to raise a child with the Tide. It wasn't a contagious disease, but little was known about it: some were still afraid that the Tide hadn't revealed all its secrets. Bubble clicked her tongue against her teeth and thought for a long time. He adored Mamou and he knew her well, so could he go that route? Stay by Mamou's side and see her as... a little sister? As someone he should protect and love...for the rest of their lives? Could he do that?

- …

Until now, he had managed to keep an eye on Mamou and make her happy. He had been away for a few days, but that was because he had been kidnapped by the King of Lost Hell. It wasn't going to happen again and even if it did, then it wasn't his fault. He conjured his Power in front of him and watched it float in front of him.

- Kirekomi…

This time, he would not be afraid to use his Power, so such a situation would be difficult to happen again. He would stand up for himself and not allow himself to be afraid of himself anymore. He shook his head, telling himself one thing: even if he wanted to make sure that he would not be afraid to use his Power anymore, there was nothing to say that it would not happen again. He couldn't confirm that he would use his Power without worry, even in front of Mamou: there was nothing to say that he had really gotten rid of all his fears. Chances were, it would still take him a lot longer... He scratched his hair, thinking again and again about the future... What should he do? What should he choose?

Which choice to make?

The evening fell more quickly than expected. Of course, the cycle of cheek and night had not changed, but Bubble had not seen the time pass. He was outside again, watching the starry sky alongside Mamou. It wasn't every night that the stars showed up in Lost Hell, so they decided to come out and see them as long as the sky was clear. Syrianna and the others were playing cards together, and even though you could hear one or two of them getting angry, it didn't break the calm of the night. Mamou smiled as she pointed to a star that was a little brighter than the others.

- Say, say!!! Which star is iiit, this oooone?" she asked.

- I don't really know anything about astrology…

Mamou touched her mouth with her index finger.

- Eeeh?

Bubble scratched his cheek, an embarrassed smile on his face.

- Eheh, unfortunately, this is not my area of expertise.

As he spoke, Mamou finally pouted. He thought it was because Bubble couldn't name the star, but he soon realized it was because of something else.

- Big brother Bubu says strange words! Mamou does not understand!

He remained speechless for a few moments before letting out a small laugh. Mamou increased the intensity of her pout.

- Hmmm!!!

- S-Sorry, ahah! I'm not making fun of you, it just surprised me, ahah!!!

Mamou noticed that Bubble was happy and that made her smile; it made her happy in turn. She showed a beaming expression and let out a little "Hihi!" which was one of the cutest things she had ever done. Bubble stroked her hair and she moved her legs.

- Saaay, Bubu?

- Hmmm?

He looked her straight in the eyes.

- Do you think we'll be together forever?

- …

Bubble didn't answer right away. He didn't want to give her a quick answer, or one that wasn't the truth. He had thought about it a lot that day and he was going to think about it again and again, but there was something he was sure of. He stopped stroking Mamou's hair, but he didn't stop watching her. He offered her a new smile, but this one was as beautiful as the last.

- I don't know yet, but no matter what happens, I will always be your big brother. I'll come to see you every birthday. I don't plan to leave, Mamou.

It was an honest answer, filled with sincerity and love. One that a brother might feel for his sister. He was afraid the little girl wouldn't like it, but she kept her smile on her face.

- You'll give me big gifts, for my birbday?

Bubble almost giggled when he heard her stammer the word "birthday," but he was afraid she would take it the wrong way, so he just smiled. He nodded.

- Of course you will. You will be very happy, I am sure.

Mamou waved her fists in front of her little body.

- Yaaay!!!

She walked up to Bubble and gave him a big hug, her eyes closed and a beautiful smile on her face. Bubble had forgotten how warm it was.

That of a passionate hug.

Mamou used to do it to him often and yet this was the first time he felt this warmth. Was it because he had finally opened his eyes on himself and understood that he had to think more about himself? In the end, shouldn't he be happy that he was kidnapped and forced into this fight to the death? It was a strange thought to have, but he really wondered. Maybe fate had decided to help him... Was it the Gods? The Higher Divinities? The Creator of their Universe? Life itself...? Bubble would never have an answer to that question, but it didn't matter: what had happened could not be changed. He was grateful to the King, Kari and even Vixen for what they had done for him.

- Waaaah…

Mamou yawned and rubbed one eye. She had stopped cuddling Bubble and looked at the sky again. Bubble smiled.

- Tired?

- Hmm…

He could understand: night had already fallen and the hands of time were still moving. He didn't feel very tired, but it wouldn't be long before he went to sleep, either. They could still enjoy the stars, since clear skies weren't going to happen every day, but they would still have other opportunities to stargaze at night another time. He was going to suggest to Mamou that they go down to their room, but she spoke first.

- Sayyy, big brother Bubuu…

- Yes?

- Can you sing me a lullaby?

- A lullaby?

It was the first time she had asked such a thing. She nodded with a big smile.

- Before going to sleep, I want to hear Bubu sing me a little lullaby.

Bubble scratched his cheek, a little embarrassed by the request. He didn't think he was a very good singer and he didn't know many lullabies. One or the other he knew and another he had heard from his mother. He still remembered it like it was yesterday, but he hadn't heard it often. Bubble noticed that Mamou had a very cute face... A face of a beaten dog. Her big eyes said what they meant very well. Bubble sighed and opened her arms wide.

- Okay, come on.

Mamou let out a big, beaming smile before putting herself between Bubble's two arms. She hadn't run, tiredness starting to get the better of her, but her excitement at hearing her "big brother's" lullaby had made her kept her awake. Bubble put a hand on her hair and wondered what lullaby he would sing. He quickly decided to do the one his mother used to sing to him in the past, when she was still alive. He smiled and looked up at the sky, with Mamou imitating him.

Then he began to sing.

About the sky and the bright stars in the night. About dreams and friends. A soft song that lulled Mamou, that made her happy. Bubble's voice was soft, like the sound of a breeze. The dark night was not scary, but reassuring. Mamou's eyes were gradually closing as she listened to her big brother's beautiful lullaby. They may not have been related by blood, but their relationship could not be seen otherwise. Mamou let herself be lulled to sleep, as sleep caught her in his arms little by little. Bubble sang, talked about sweets and how wonderful dreams would be. Mamou had never heard such a lullaby... Her mother was singing another one, less beautiful than the one Bubble was telling. She finally closed her eyes and fell asleep in the man's arms. He continued to sing and finally finished his lullaby, smiling as he stroked Mamou's hair. He slowly lowered his gaze.

- Sleep well, Mamou.

Continuing to stroke her hair, he stood there, having just finished his lullaby. He didn't have his usual cloak on, but he wasn't in his pajamas yet; neither was Mamou, really. Both of them should still shower and go to bed.

As he sat on the porch, Syrianna opened the door behind him and sighed heavily.

- They are too strong, these idiots…

She sat down next to Bubble and sighed again. She began to complain.

- They have bastard strategies and they pretend to be at a disadvantage or an advantage... Too complex, I give up.

She turned her head to Bubble, looking at him.

- Hey, are ya sleeping?

She opened her eyes wide as she looked at him and closed her mouth. She remained in that position for a few moments before turning her gaze to the sky. It was clear, letting the bright stars show.

- ... Ya know, Lost Hell is really a shitty country. A shithole. A place that doesn't deserve to exist.

She began to monologue.

- I wish I had never been born there. May this curse never appear in this world. In any world, really.

She was holding on to his arms, both behind his back and her hands touching the porch floor. She was watching the starry night.

- They say that here, luck does not exist, but neither does bad luck. It's stupid and it doesn't mean anything, but I understand.

She smiles.

- Being strong is all that matters. There's no point in praying to a God that will never come. Clench your fists, fight and stand up for yourself. No one will come and do it for ya.

Syrianna spoke in a tone that was unlike her. So gentle, so friendly…

- People who come from outside are always super naive. They think ya can live here without having to fight, without having to defend yourself. Protecting someone ya love, something ya care about or even your own life. They think they'll be lucky, but there's no such thing here.

Syrianna sighed and leaned forward a little, both her arms now crossed over her thighs.

- I thought ya were going to die, going to see the FIREFIGHTERS, to be honest.

Bubble didn't react. Not a single hair. With a sleeping Mamou in his arms, Bubble listened without saying anything. Or maybe he didn't hear anything. Syrianna looked proud.

- People like me survive without a problem. People like ya shouldn't. Maybe for once, ya were lucky.

Syrianna slowly approached him and finally touched his head with her left hand.

- But ya know, ya can't count on luck here. Or anywhere.

Syrianna pulled Bubble's head closer to her shoulder and smiled again.

- Hey, Bubble.

- …

- Ya know what they say about strong people?

- …

Syrianna giggled before she even said her sentence, but eventually she said it.

- They say that to be strong, ya must not feel unnecessary emotions, like love or joy.

She shook her head.

- I say, bullshit. It's all bullshit.

Bubble still didn't answer. He didn't say a single word. He had not reacted since the beginning of his monologue. Syrianna looked up at the sky; at one star in particular, to be precise. It represented something that only she could know and even people like Gareed or Cerise didn't know that part of her. She smiled as she looked at it. She was glowing so brightly, in the sky. She was happy to be able to see her tonight.

- And ya're strong, Bubble. I don’t need to see ya fight to tell. So, ya know…

She began to stroke her hair and closed her eyes.

- Ya can cry.

His eyes filled with tears, Bubble finally let go. Without making a sound, he cried, his head against Syrianna's shoulder. He had stopped caressing the sleeping Mamou, but his trembling hand was still on her hair.

The night shone softly over their heads and only Bubble's sobs could be heard. Syrianna stroked his hair without saying anything, not needing to hear him speak to understand what was going on. Maybe it was a gift, but looking at Mamou, she understood. Watching the sky without saying anything, she couldn't help but feel sadness in her heart, but despite what she had just said to Bubble, she did not cry. She just kept smiling.

She hoped that Mamou had been able to enjoy a beautiful night free of Lost Hell for her last day on Arcave.

And she hoped she wouldn't be too mad at her for not saying goodnight... one last time.