Midday.
It was time for a well-deserved break again and all the workers would make the most of it.
The meals served at the various and varied gastronomic establishments looked and smelled more than appetizing. More than one person was eager to eat a delicious hamburger or a plate of beef steak accompanied by a good side dish.
At least, that was what was expected of all people, of all those who were tired from the first half of the work day. No, this was not the case.
At this moment, there was no peace in the surroundings. It was not an afternoon of joy or anything remotely similar.
At this moment, there was a prevailing unrest, penetrating into the bones of all the people who were moving from one place to another.
Many people were unaware of everything that was happening in the city or rather, of what would happen during the night. Until now, no one knew about the criminal organization that was silently threatening Gignit.
And even though they weren't aware of the organization, they were aware of a crisis of disappearances, too many people had disappeared from one moment to the next. Because of that, citizens had begun to draw their own conclusions and with that, many of them have been suspecting what was really going on.
Right now, looking from one side to the other, studying the people who were moving around at the same time as they seemed to be looking for something, the protagonists were not them, none of the citizens, it was not even a person.
It was a cat, a cat sitting on the roofs of a commercial establishment, it was a truly strange cat and this strangeness was due to the characteristics that it possessed.
His slanted gaze, filled with striking and mystical purple eyes, moved into the distance, as if he had not yet found what he was looking for and now he would dedicate himself to searching in another area.
As mentioned, this was not a normal cat, as a strange energy filled with mystery surrounded him and radiated into his existence. In addition to the small rings that adorned both ears and, above all, the pair of long tails that moved as if they had a life of their own.
The mysterious cat that radiated a certain magical and mysterious feeling seemed to be quite restless and the rapid movement of both tails confirmed the hypothesis.
–I was so hoping to find her in this city. –Surprisingly, the mysterious cat spoke with a male voice detonating that he was a male of his species and he did so very fluently.
»It seems I may have finally followed the wrong trail, or perhaps your maid was the one responsible for setting this trap for me.
It is said that if no one listens to what one says, each and every word spoken is carried away by the wind and stored away so that no one can ever hear it. So no one would ever know that this cat was capable of speaking unless they had a witness.
Apparently, this was the strange cat's intention, as the volume of his voice was low, which meant that he had no plans for anyone to hear him. "There is still a remote possibility that he is hiding in this city, so I only have to check with the people who have earned the friendship and trust of all the spirits in the area."
He got back on all fours, preparing to leave. “I hope you really do have at least the smallest clue I can use.” With that, the cat began to jump around, and once again it was confirmed that the cat was a magical being, as he never touched the ceiling again.
He kept jumping in the air, using the wind itself as a fulcrum.
...
“Looks like we have a lot of customers today,” Anita said, walking next to her fiancé, Mathias. They were both holding hands, after all, they were a formalized couple who would soon get married.
–Well, that's too good for the cafeteria –Mathias smiled at him–. The more customers they have, the more gold they'll earn, and what your dad prepares is very delicious. I love the combo of shredded beef sandwich with orange juice that your father prepares.
"Who prepares it?" Anita asked, smiling.
–Oh, yes – Mathias replied, laughing – My father-in-law.
Anita nodded and laughed again at the joke, but it was true. Everything her father prepared was considered a real delicacy and it was all thanks to her father and mother who had worked hard all these years to bring the family forward. A family that had doubled its number of members nine years ago.
They entered the cafeteria and there they reconfirmed what Anita had mentioned.
Inside there were too many people who were anxiously waiting for their orders to be delivered, and after that, finishing off by drinking a nice cup of sweet and delicious coffee.
You can even see kids his age who were adventurers or employees of other commercial establishments who were enjoying their time off.
The atmosphere was quite pleasant, people were chatting with each other very happily. The cafeteria employees were constantly moving around bringing orders to each customer, the cafeteria was going very well.
“Mom, I’m here,” Anita said, watching her mother as she masterfully collected the money from the customers behind the register. “Do you need help? Give me a moment to change and I’ll come cover for you.”
–Oh, hello my love and hello my dear son-in-law. –Lilian greeted while giving a beautiful smile to her little girl and her son-in-law. Between Lilian and Anita there is no such thing as stepmother or stepdaughter, she is their daughter, their beloved daughter and that's it.
–Don't worry, I have everything under control. –Lilian collected the money without having to look at the gold coins, because she knew how many she had in her hand just by touching them. –More importantly, are you hungry? Do you want lunch yet?
And just then the magical beast that Mathias has for a stomach roared, causing everyone to look at him and whisper amongst themselves. –I see that the magical beast that you have for a stomach has answered me, and said yes.
–What a shame. –Mathias looked down, trying to talk to the earth and have it swallow her up. –Don't make fun of me.
–Come on guys, go up to the house and take a moment to fill your stomachs – said Lilian smiling at them – Your brothers must have already finished lunch, they are surely waiting for you
–Mom, and you? –Anita asked again– Are you not going to eat yet?
"I've already told you, don't worry, I'll come up when things get less and less here. Come on, go up and eat," Lilian finished, then Anita and Mathias agreed.
–By the way, Anita, Mathías – Lilian called, but this time her face was full of mischief –I hope you both took care of yourselves, otherwise, start thinking of nice names for my beautiful grandchildren.
–Mm-mom, w-what are you saying, mom? –Anita was bright red in embarrassment and Mathias had steam coming out of his ears. –I don't know what you mean, Mathias and I just went to get our equipment.
–Anita, you know it's very difficult to lie to me –Lilian whispered –I have much more experience than you and I know when a couple of lovebirds like you two have a somewhat... fun time.
–Mom, I don’t want to know about your things! –Anita didn’t know what to say, looking up, down, to the sides, to her Mathias for help. There was no point because the semi-human was in the same situation as her, the best thing would be for her to just give up. –Besides, this is not the time to talk about that, there are too many people.
Shyly and with her eyes downcast, Anita sighed in defeat. “I-If we take care of ourselves, then there won’t be any grandchildren yet.”
–You see. –Lilian started to tease the two of them again–. You just have to be honest with mommy, but it's a shame, I'd love to see my grandchildren with tiger ears and tails. –Lilian laughed again, covering her mouth, making fun of the boys who had their heads down.
Mathias' tail was wagging from left to right rather roughly, to say he was embarrassed would be an understatement. Sighing, Anita took the demi-human by the hand and pulled him along with her.
–Mommy, I’ll save you the biggest plate. I’ll also make you some juice, so come up when you’re free. –And with that, Anita and Mathias, totally embarrassed, headed towards the stairs that led to the family home.
...
Mathias devoured the delicious plate of food in front of him with great enthusiasm, while Anita, on the other hand, found it difficult to even lift her spoon.
–Come on guys, I can't eat properly. –Once again the attempt to get a spoonful of food failed and Anita sighed.
Her stomach was growling with desire and that spoon full of a delicious piece of meat was the only thing that could relieve her. –Besides, if I keep waiting, the food that mom made us will get cold and that will make her feel very bad.
–NO! If we let you go, you'll surely come back out without us. –Said the first of two little ones, located to Anita's right. The first of the twins, Eustass.
–That's right! So if you don't take us, we won't let you go. –The second of the twins, Tazz.
They are both Anita's beloved younger siblings, the fruit of the love between Jhon and Lilian. The twins are cheerful and mischievous.
They spent their days playing, studying and when necessary, they did their part in the cafeteria. Little waiters who were elegantly and gallantly in charge of bringing delicious coffee and pastries to the respective customers.
They were popular with the girls because they found it quite cute to see the boys working, which bothered Lilian because there was no way she would let those lizards take her babies.
–Eustass, Tazz please. –Anita said, failing again in her attempt to get food into her mouth. –I'm not going anywhere.
"You're lying!" Eustass exclaimed, quite angry. "We already know that you're going on a mission tonight and you're going to leave us alone."
–That's true. –Tazz seconded.
"We're old enough to go with you now," Eustass said, quite angrily.
Anita sighed and looked at Mathias for help who only smiled at her.
The demi-human swallowed what he had in his mouth and said a few words to the boys. –You are still minors, boys. But I promise you that when you are old enough, I will go with you and teach you how to hunt magical beasts.
The brothers looked at the man who was their brother-in-law in a very bad way.
"You must support us," Eustass muttered.
–Since you don't want to be on our side, we won't give you our sister. –Tazz sentenced, causing Mathias to fall totally defeated, his head hitting the table, blood gushing out.
“That's enough, guys.” Anita complained, separating the twins from her. “I don't have time to play with you right now, if you want we can play another time.”
“Anita.” Tazz called, his eyes slightly glassy as he looked down.
Only her brother Eustass was strong enough to continue facing his sister. “Y-You never have time for us.” And with that Anita felt something tighten in her chest.
–You never want to be with us, you never want to do anything with us, you're always busy. –Her eyes began to water.
»But you do have time to be with Mathias. –He pointed at the demi-human who squirmed again from his position. –We also want to be with you.
This time it was Tazz who spoke. –But you never want to do anything with us. You don't love us anymore, do you?-.
Anita quickly grabbed her brothers' heads and made them lay on her lap while she gave each of them a tender kiss on the head.
A small tear ran down her cheek, dripping down Eustass's forehead. "It's not fair that you say that to me. You don't know how bad it feels to see my cute little brothers cry. Even worse if I'm the one who makes them cry."
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
From where I sit, I hug them both. “I love you with all my might. You are the most beautiful part of our family. Mom, Dad and I love you so much.”
"And Lucia?" asked Tazz. "Does she love us too?"
–Of course! Even though our older sister can't come to visit us very often, she loves you too. –Both children sighed much more calmly. –I promise to play with you every day starting tomorrow, but it's true that today I have a very important mission. Please understand that I'm doing this mission for you-.
–For us? They both asked at the same time.
“Yes,” she replied. “So that nothing ever happens to them, I am going on this mission to take care of them.” Anita smiled so warmly that even her brothers were able to feel it. “So I need you to encourage me, please, because your older sister is very scared.”
It may have seemed like he said it as if it were a joke, but Mathias, who had heard the whole conversation, knew it wasn't like that. It was true, and that applied to him as well. They were both scared, but this was a unique opportunity that would help them grow.
–We will be cheering you on, little sister! –With renewed energy and vigor, Eustass swung his arms.
–You can do it, sis. –Tazz joined in the same way. –There's nothing you should be afraid of.
"Nothing to be afraid of, eh?" Anita thought to herself. "They're right!"
Anita also expressed more energy in her words. –It is impossible for me to feel afraid if you encourage me like that!
She hugged them both. –You are my beautiful babies, I love you so much.
It was true that Anita wanted to save all the victims of the nefarious organization, it was also true that this was a great opportunity to rise in rank.
But the reason why she didn't hesitate to agree to go was because of them, her beloved brothers, those two suns that shone with unmatched brilliance. Just thinking about the two of them being kidnapped and treated vilely scared her, she would never let anyone lay a single finger on them, not even her own family.
Goooorrrrg.
Her stomach demanded food and that it be as soon as possible, otherwise she would pay the consequences. –So, –Anita caressed the heads of both twins again– how about while I eat, you play with Mathias's ears and tail?
–Can we? –They both said at the same time.
–Wait, what? –Mathias tilted his head as the pair of children watched him with dreamy eyes. But he froze when he saw Anita’s face; behind her, it seemed like a sea of fire was burning mercilessly.
Anita's eyes became flaming balls of fire, her breathing seemed to be a hiss of death.
Mathias sensed the danger, if he refused nothing good would happen because Anita would make him pay the consequences. –O-of course. –Mathias answered causing Anita to regain her good mood and focus only on her lunch. –A-as you order my love, they can do whatever they want with my ears.
Anita smiled sweetly at her and proceeded to finally devour her long-awaited lunch.
–What I do for you. –Mathias lying on the floor while the twins played with him, squeezing his ears and making jokes.
...
Finally, the brother and sister duo and the little half-human arrived at the Hope family home.
Here they were greeted by their subordinates, Roger and Dina, who, somewhat tired, had finished and made progress with all the paperwork corresponding to the last few days.
Even Alexander and Valentina, who after their romantic encounter, were surprised to realize that all the papers they had yet to look at were perfectly organized.
Valentina almost burst into tears because she hates fighting activities. She thanked Dina by petting her feline ears as only she knows how to do, causing Dina to purr out of pure instinct, which amused the others, even Selestia did it after she gave her the candies covered in a sweet acid that Dina likes so much.
After lunch, Dina ate them one by one while lying on her bed, enjoying them while she rested.
Macky was sleepy, so after a yawn he went straight to his room while Roger was the only one who decided to take a walk around the city and clear his busy mind. He spent the whole day looking at and doing paperwork, mentally this is very exhausting and a headache.
Only Christopher and Selestia remained in their places because they felt it was necessary.
–Christopher, Selestia. We need to talk about some very serious things. –Alexander looked really serious and that was in stark contrast to his cheerful and playful attitude that predominated when he was at home. –So come to the office, we really need to talk about things that could change your lives.
Both he and Valentina stood up and headed towards the office, closely followed by Christopher and Selestia.
...
"I imagine you already know exactly what we want to talk to you about," said Valentina, her face denoting true seriousness. "Isn't that right?"
They both nodded and it was Selestia who spoke first. “It’s about the mission and how to proceed with it.”
Alexander and Valentina nodded.
"You're not entirely wrong," Alexander said, and at no point did his lips curve into a friendly gesture; things were much more serious than they seemed to be. "But the reason is something very different and as we've told you, this will surely affect your lives permanently."
Christopher's gaze narrowed, tension palpable around the four of them. He thought for a moment and tried to guess what his father meant, but was unsuccessful. He was not incapable of imagining something big enough to be able to affect their lives forever.
–Although I love to treat you as if you were still my children –said Valentina–. The truth is that you are already adults. –Valentina sighed closing her eyes, it seemed like it was yesterday that she was tucking them in and giving them a kiss on the forehead before both of them went to the world of dreams.
»Both of you know that your father and I support you both wanting to become adventurers and climb the ranks, but you must know that there are certain actions, whether you like it or not, you must perform without having any other choice. Without being able to speak, without being able to reach an agreement, without being able to surrender or end a battle with only wounds.
Here Christopher began to slowly open his eyes, little by little what his mother had said was making sense.
Putting the threads together and looking more generally at what her mother had said, she realized it was an indisputable truth.
It was Selestia who had a face of circumstance, because of her noble and beautiful heart she was unable to read between the lines and understand what her mother was referring to. So Alexander had to be frank and direct so as not to leave room for even the slightest doubt.
The topic I wanted to discuss was a truly serious one.
She sighed with some nervousness and returned her attention to the two. Valentina decided to remain silent and let the harsh truth that would come true be told by her husband.
–Tonight, you two must kill your enemies.
This was a reality that would undoubtedly be applied throughout the course of the rescue mission.
»You cannot hesitate, you must be brave and take the lives of all the enemies you will face today. You must bear in mind that they will not hesitate to kill you, they will not have mercy on any of you.
–Killing a person is very different from killing a magical beast –Valentina looked at both of them–. It is very difficult to see the moment when you pierce your sword through the flesh of the adversary or finish him off with a magical attack.
Valentina sounded crude and cruel, but what would she gain by lying to them if this was exactly what awaited them and would happen at some point?
»Sooner or later you will be assigned missions where you must take the life of a human, a demi-human, and even a… –He looked at his daughter who opened her mouth, unable to believe what her hearing organs were hearing. –An Elf, and before you say anything, Selestia, the answer is yes. There are Elves who are mere scum of our race and must be eliminated.
–Just as there are good people like you. –Alexander pointed towards the two–. There are also scum in society and it is not limited to a single race, even among the inhabitants of the other empires there are traitors, slavers, people who are capable of selling their own family in order to complete their objectives and even commit acts so perverse that the Gods themselves would deny them forgiveness.
Christopher looked serious, clenching his fists as his mind went back seven days.
"They are my slaves and I can kill them if I want."
The moment when the plump and lying slave master had made it clear that if he felt like it he would blind Roger and Macky's lives. What his father said was a truth of this world, there are very bad people who would do anything to get their way and even save their own lives, like for example that time when he rescued Mathias from becoming a slave or maybe dying and Diana who due to her beauty could have become a sex slave thus having a life full of misery.
He also remembered that in that battle and in order to save himself from the extremely dangerous Wyrm, which was also an ALPHA class, the mercenary left his friend behind so that he could serve as bait.
–It's very difficult to kill someone, believe me. –Valentina didn't want to talk about how she had killed many people. She lowered her gaze. Was she lying? No, because that wouldn't help. It was a conversation between adults, older adults giving advice to young adults.
»My father and I have killed many people, but considering my age, I have killed many more.
–If they kill someone, it must be for a very good reason. –Alexander looked up at the ceiling–. To protect an innocent, to protect a friend, to protect your family, to protect your home, to protect your people, to protect your city, to protect your Empire.
Once again, Alexander focused his serious gaze on the two of them. –If your motive for ending a person's life is not related to all the reasons I just mentioned, you will only become one more murderer of the bunch who kill for pure pleasure, greed and nefarious objectives.
"Just like these slavers and mercenaries," he muttered, quite audibly, although no one had an opinion, as Valentina and Alexander wanted to continue with the subject.
–Keep in mind that fighting for your own life is a good cause for you, you have the right to defend your life, so in a battle to the death fight for your life, to return home and return to the arms of the people you love. –Valentina placed both hands on Alexander's shoulders squeezing them tightly feeling how Alexander reciprocated the gesture and also squeezed her hands.
–Right now –Alexander added–. Every member of this team is having this same conversation, just like you, they are also receiving advice on how to deal with it.
»It's hard to forget when you kill someone, although I highly doubt anyone will forget it. It doesn't matter that this is the worst person that can exist, it will still be hard to forget. –He looked at his children. Christopher with his gaze focused on him and Selestia with her gaze downcast. –But if they decide not to participate, no one will say anything to them.
–Don't worry, Dad. –Christopher said with a face full of conviction. –I'll do what I have to do, even though it's only been a few times, I've faced those people before and I know what they're capable of. They don't have the slightest compassion for us, so I won't have any for them.
Christopher didn't know why, but for some reason he sensed that Sebastian would answer with the same words to the same question that his father was asking him at this moment.
"I already knew it," Valentina said, somewhat distressed. "What mother would like the fact that her son might kill someone that very day?"
Her chest hurt, but she had sworn that she would not say anything when that day came and if necessary she would comfort her children and help comfort them.
"And what do you say to me, daughter?" Valentina looked at her daughter who had not said a single word in all this time, but rather remained listening to everything with her head down.
Not even a murmur, even though the parents knew this would happen.
Selestia was the more serious of the two, but at the same time also the most sensitive and noble-hearted. She had to look up when her mother called her. Her nervous eyes contrasted with the always determined Selestia, now she looked elusive, indecisive and most likely a storm was raging inside her.
"Selestia," Alexander called her now. "If you have any doubts, I think it would be best if you didn't go."
"I admit that I have my doubts," Selestia mentioned as Christopher smiled because his sister woke up from some trance she was in. "And that I will also hesitate too much to end someone's life."
"I'm already having a hard time finishing off the magical beasts in the forest," she thought to herself.
»But our people come first, so if I must, I will kill without the slightest hint of compassion.
Alexander and Valentina nodded as she clenched her fist tightly until it softened. “Although, after I finish everything, I think I’ll have to take it out on you, Mom.”
The tension and seriousness died, but it was for the best.
Valentina's beautiful eyes turned into typical heart-shaped drawings when she magically appeared in front of her "beautiful baby" and crushed her with a strong hug. –Oh my love, don't worry, mom will be here to comfort you and pamper you as much as you want. I won't leave you alone, my Selestia.
Selestia hugged her back, completely losing to her mother's strong maternal instincts.
With her eyes still hearts, she looked at her son who understood her intentions.
Sighing, Christopher decided to surrender to her.
"Why not?" he said to himself.
Their mother loved them madly, so letting her pamper them was a way of pampering her.
Valentina wouldn't waste this opportunity.
Alexander smiled brightly as he looked at one of the pictures in the desk area, where all the photos they had taken were.
But that photo was special because it was the only one he had been able to rescue from that tragic and fateful day, the day he lost everything.
In the photo you can see Alexander, six years old, with a half-human from the rabbit clan next to him smiling very sweetly while hugging him.
Behind them and smiling in the same way were two human beings, who were their deceased parents.
"I really miss them" she said to herself.
Everything was going well, Christopher and Selestia being drowned by their mother's hugs, although let's be honest, if they still had their mothers, who wouldn't like to be hugged by them.
He just gave in to her and Valentina was too happy about it. She had finally been able to have her long-awaited mother-son moment and nothing could go wrong.
"What?" Christopher murmured as he felt something quite close to them. "What?"
And he wasn't the only one. Selestia quickly separated from her mother, focusing her gaze on the area where the strange magical power was coming from and without wasting time she had already prepared some attacks. This was reflected in the small sphere of light that floated a few centimeters from the ring finger of her left hand.
Valentina looked much calmer but not with her guard down, she seriously observed the person who was responsible for once again interrupting her time as a mother and children and that was not to her liking.
"Is he behind me?" Taking advantage of the fact that the chair Alexander was sitting on swiveled, he turned around looking for the person who had caused the commotion and put his family on alert.
Still sitting, but with sword in hand, he looked at the creature. “That's it,” he said, tilting his head. “A cat?”
And it was a very large cat, as large as a well-fed and cared for dog would be.
Completely jet black fur which surely made it invisible in the darkness of the night. Only the chest part would be visible which contrasted with the entire body due to the whitish fur in that area.
The eyes of this type of cat could vary between green, orange, yellowish, brown and even violet.
“Isn’t it a bit big for a simple cat?” Selestia asked. “Also, look at its… its tails, it’s the first time I’ve seen a feline of this kind.” She wasn’t scared, rather she was captivated. Those pair of eyes possessed something that would captivate anyone who contemplated the beauty of this cat, which for obvious reasons, was a magical beast.
The supposed cat that was sitting on the window was waving its tail causing an X to form for a very brief period of time.
“It’s definitely a magical beast,” Christopher said, searching through his memories for one that looked like this. “I don’t remember which one, though.”
Only Valentina and Alexander remained quite thoughtful and silent, with that alone they denoted some knowledge of the species of the aforementioned magical beast.
–Valentina –Alexander called–. Is this cat what I think it is?
–Yes. – Valentina answered, this is the kind of relationship these two have. They didn't even need to look at each other to know what the other was thinking and even what they were talking about.
Just by speaking, one already knew where the other was going. "And I have no doubt about that." The children looked at their mother, hoping to confirm the species or race of such a strange cat. "That magical beast is a Caith Sith."