Chapter 7: Family Quarrel

After possessing the body of a weak boy, I feel extremely tired. My body has shrunken and I can't even open my eye's. Just how weak is this body that I cant even open my eyelids? Alright I promised to live his life and I should be saying My body. Either way I feel a warm sensation over me. Must be a blanket. I moved my weak arm's and there indeed is something covering me.

"Wha " I hear a girl's voice slightly squeal beside me.

I also heard something fall, maybe she dropped something? No this is too limiting. I have to see for myself. I forced my eye's to open using all of my strength. I ended up opening my eye's to the fullest and stared at a young girl with brown hair sitting while facing me. She had an awe struck face.

"Salutations..." That word slipped from my mouth.

"AHH! Creepy! MAMA!" She stood up and ran to the door. I sat up, rubbing my eye's I stared at the room, The wall's were grey and there was a lamp beside me, my bed was in the corner of the room and two window's appear on my side and the other. The ceiling was supported with wooden planks across it and beamed on the walls. It was a cozy room, I'm pretty sure the rest of the house looked this comfortable.

"M-m-mama... B-big brother's hair turned dark red and then started talking w-weird..." She pointed to me just cowering behind the door.

Well, upon further inspection, my hair did turn a dark red color. Perhaps it's because of my flame carrying my previous life that it spread onto this body. Though the redness wasn't as intense like my actual red hair, it was enough. It had me reminiscing about a person who bore this same color.

A woman probably in her thirties opened the door slowly. And observed me. She had long blond hair. She was quite the woman. She sighed and walked towards me, sitting just on the side of my bed, she took my hand and asked.

"Richard?"

"Yes, mother?" I have to hide my true identity.

"I see..." She let go of my hand and stood up. She stepped closer to me and hugged me, hunching slightly.

"That's enough Richard... You're safe here." The dam broke and her tear's overlapped my shirt.

"I understand." I also wrapped my arm's around her. Somehow I feel like energy is coming back inside me.

Maybe I've convinced her that I'm truly her son? I eyed the little girl behind the door and beamed a message 'I'm not done with you yet.' While I rubbed my mother's back.

"Eek!" She ran away again.

My mother pulled away and then left afterwards. The warm embrace of the afternoon sun shone down on me. So I took the time to stretch and explore the house. It was a humble abode. My room nested on the second floor with two additional rooms on it. I also found the stair's that led to the first floor, the stair's went downwards in a spiral. I headed down the stair's, the plank creaked below me. I then reached the first floor.

My joint's feel a little looser but I'm still overall awfully lethargic. The first thing I saw was the kitchen, the table top had a bonfire with hanging pots beside it that had a chimney above it. To it's left was the dinner table with 4 seat's and had a bowl of fruits in the middle, also one chair seemed jagged. I assume that hint's that there's a fourth person in this place. To the other side was the living room. It was simple, A few seat's surrounded a coffee table and had a fireplace across it, which was naturally accompanied by firewood of course. And the door between them two is the entrance and exit, depends where you enter. Behind the stair's were a hallway that had 2 two room's across and a conspicuous door at the end.

The house gave a warm and welcoming aura to any otherworldly visitor's. Speaking of other world's. that deer said something about magic and whatnot. Whatever, she probably made some dumb thing up just for me to agree to her condition. Also what's up with that anyway? I haven't thought much of it but it's definitely not a normal trade offer. I need answers. Slap

"Oi. Talk to me." I gave myself a beating to bring her out like a genie in a lamp.

In the end I didn't get a reply. I sighed and explored the rest of the house, the hallway's door to the left was the bathroom and the other was the changing room. All that's left is the door at the end. A single light fluttered on it's entrance. It entices anyone with it's mysterious glory. I put my hand on the handle and I prepare to uncover the land of secr-

"Richard? Is that you?" She entered the house and the door behind her closed while she walked towards the hallway. My body froze.

"Oh... Um, yes mother?" I turned around to face her.

I can't lie my curiosity got the best of me. Forgive me!

"Dinner's ready. You can call your sister down." She reminded me and left.

Oh that little brat was my sister? Well she did run away screaming at mother, I wonder what is she doing right now? I remember a little sign on the room next to mine, that must be it. I climbed the stair's and approached that door. I knocked on it, but I didn't get an answer.

"Hey. I'm coming in." I said opening the door.

"Wai-"

Upon entrance I smelled a sweet fragrance, The room was girlish, potted plant's riddled the side's of the room and the bed looks comfier than mine, A single window opposite of the door. I shifted my gaze towards her and she was tinkering with something, her hand's floated around it, it looked like a square cube made from dirt. I don't know what she's doing but I guess I'll just call her down for dinner.

"What are you doing?" I hate myself sometimes.

"You can't just come in here without permission!" She hissed at me.

"Can I ask for permission then?" I took a step closer.

"...Fine, just this once since you're still recovering." She turned to whatever she was doing on her desk.

She's doing something that take's her full attention, I wonder what it is. I guess I'll do nothing but ask. I walked towards her and watched behind her. 'Wait is she just playing with dirt?' I thought as I watched her hand's float around the cube. My interest gradually come's down to a complete halt, and decided to just eat dinner for now.

"Well, come down for dinner once you're done with that." I stretched as I began to walk away.

"Wait! I got it!" She yelled.

"Huh got what?" I turned around and my eyes went out of my socket's.

There laid the cube of dirt, it was simply molded to be one. But then small pieces of it was taken off, it floated in the air until the cube was separated into small clumps of floating dirt. The dirt then was smashed together, it bent and stretched like a liquid or rubber, it slowed down and settled on a single shape, a horse?. The detail on the horse was almost non existent, it was still very blocky. But the shape was there. I don't know how she did that without any tools. I pondered my thought's as I gazed at the ground. Wait... Don't tell me that was...

Thump. A sound so violent reached my ear drum's pulling me out of my thought's, I glanced at her and she was knocked out cold on her desk.

"Uh..."

What should I do? Should I just leave her there and eventually she'll wake up? No no no, that won't do, I've fallen asleep many time's on my desk before and I always got a ringing head ache after. I should take her to bed after all. I took her arm and placed it over my shoulder, I picked her up, firmly grasping on her leg's and back, I carried her like a princess. She was really not that heavy, actually I think she was lighter than a dog. I laid her body horizontally on the bed and watched over her.

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"Uuu... Ah?" Her eye's fluttered open and stared into mine.

"Hey. Can you tell me something?" My eye's darkened.

"U-uh sure big brother, what is it?" Sweat escape's her skin.

"Do you perhaps... participate in witchcraft?!" I stared dagger's into her retina's.

"N-no! What are you talking about?" She put her hand's up, violently shaking it.

"I can't allow such foul behavior in this household..." I stomped towards her and climbed on the bed, I put my hand's above my head ready to massacre her.

"UWAAH!" She kicked me square in the notch.

"Gah!" I recoiled back and fell on the floor, I gripped my crotch tightly. The pain somehow spread through out my body, I squirmed repeatedly. Kuh! This girl... How dare she humiliate me. My benedict jewel's are now probably permanently damaged. Sorry Richard. I cried peacefully on that floor.

"!...I heard something loud, did someth ..." She witnessed the room. The girl was sitting on the bed with her knee's to her chest and her back against the wall facing me. I was shrunk like a toddler in the middle of the room while my arm's were some where.

"....So, tell me what happened here." She sighed and sat on the bed, while I sat on the floor and traced circles on the plank.

"H-he looked scary again so I kicked him... on the cro...tch" She buried her face in her knee's while I sat upright with my feet folded under me and objected.

"Dear mother. I recall no such event. I simply carried her to the bed and she attacked me mercilessly." I cleared my throat and talked politely.

"Oh... Then is that true?" She glanced at her.

"No but ... I'm sorry." She pursed her lips and apologized. I guess I should reciprocate the gesture.

"I, humbly apologize as well. Your patience is well received." That came out nicer than expected.

"Alright now that you two have made up. The food will get cold so come down right after." She stood up and left. Leaving us two.

What do I actually want to talk about? Oh right that thing she did where she made that dirt horse. Better ask than never.

"Hey."

"Uhm."

Well this is awkward.

We both glanced away before I talked again. I should put this subject later.

"Look. We should eat dinner and we can talk later or tomorrow." It's better to socialize with a full stomach anyway.

"You're right." She got up and left.

Phew. After all that I feel even more exhausted. I pulled my hair back and my two cow lick's sprung back down, even hairstyle's get passed on huh?

I closed the door behind me and went down the stair's. My sight's immediately gazed upon the middle-aged man in front of the entrance. He had a small fuzz of a beard on his chin, and also had noticeable eyebags. He had a sword and a backpack. His black hair was overgrown and messy, the tip's curled as well. He also probably had rippling muscles under those clothes. This person must be my father, I thought. I should probably greet him but my leg's just couldn't move. My lips were pried open but I couldn't speak. I don't feel scared... More like cautious. Something about him is dangerous

"Oh... Richard. Good evening." His eye's looked straight through me and solemnly glanced at mother next to him.

"Tsk. George what did I tell you about arriving late?" She patted his shoulder's and kissed him on the cheek. Apparently his name was George.

"Yeah, yeah. I'm sorry." He had a low and raspy voice. Must be a man who'd done some dirty deed's for his family. I could relate.

We all gathered and started eating on the table. I sat next to my sister and across me was my father. The meal was a simple meat dish with vegetable's, very homy. This reminded me the food I used to eat at tavern's when we traveled. I carefully ate and finished my meal. Just then the man in front of me slapped his hand's down on table and stood up.

"George?" She questioned him.

"This... This is too convenient, don't you think?" He glanced at me. I didn't avoid his gaze. "Don't even think you've fooled anyone."

"Father?" I asked looking perplexed.

"Don't bullshit me with that! Just who are you!" He demanded and grabbed the collar of my shirt.

"George! That's your son you're screaming at!" She also stood up.

"I know who I'm threatening." He glanced over to her, "And it's not my son. His hair changed for god's sake Juliet!" He explained. Well her name was Juliet I guess. I still don't know the girl next to me though. My bad, I should focus on this situation.

"But..." She stopped and held his hand. "I don't know for sure. But aren't you even grateful that he's full of energy?!" She defended ruthlessly. His grip loosened a bit. It's too late now. I'll do it, I'll admit the truth. Discord will only occur if this keeps up. Look's like I won't even last that long in this world either. I wrapped my hand around his arm and responded.

"I-it's true...I...Richard is gone..." I threw those word's in a bind. His grip tightened again. He brought his hand up, balled it. And punched me, I fell to the ground and touched my cheek while I avoided his raging gaze

"George...Slap." She gave him a scornful look and stomped away to the second floor.

"Julie-..." He reached out to her and followed her. He glimpsed at me before leaving. "We talk later." He chided.

I sighed and laid flat on the ground. I stared at the wooden ceiling and occasionally glimpsed at the curious girl who was looking down on me. She poked my cheek like she's checking if I'm still alive.

I'm not an animal.

"So... Who are you really if you're not my big brother?" She poked me again.

"I wont tell if you keep doing that." I pursed my lips.

"Well, it's not like I want you tell me right now." She stood up and patted herself.

"For all you know I could be a giant caterpillar waiting to emerge." I told her false fantasies.

"Oh. I'd like that. You'll look really cute."

Oh right, her name. I forgot to ask like moment's ago.

"Since I don't know any of you... Can I ask for your name?" I sat up. She had a flushed expression before replying.

"U-uh sure... This feels a bit weird... You can just call me Miyu for now." She put on a warm smile.

Coincidence? I think not!

Her name was almost the exact same as my sister in my previous life. No. That deer, she must've done something. Probably tinkered with her brain and made her a puppet. As I rambled in my thought's I heard the stair's creak. It was my father, he'd come after consulting with my mother. I held a poker face as he came down.

"...I'll listen to what you have to say. But if I don't find you any good. Then I'll kick you of out of this house myself." He had a change of heart but still kept his scowl attitude.

"Thank you." We waltzed into the living room. The two of them sat across me and I began my story.

I told them everything about me and everything that involved Richard. How I died and saved Richard from his never ending torment. He took it all with an understanding expression but the girl next to him was in a daze. I'm impressed he saw through me from the start maybe he's like the deer somehow?

"After all that I woke up in this household." I crossed my legs.

"hmm... Richard truly died didn't he?" He glanced away and into the burning fireplace.

The right answer was 'Yes' but a part of me didn't want to admit that to his family.

"Your kid lived a tough life. He suffered because of bullying right? He always wore that down expression that they made fun of him. One even poisoned him and that was the catalyst for his illness." I turned my wrist and stared at the other side.

The memories from his flame was transferred to me when I absorbed his flame. I was overloaded with information the moment I did that though.

"Tchk... I tried my best to protect him, I went and spoke to the parent's of each and every kid who made fun of him. Hoping they'll drill some sense into them... Yet he always came home bruised and crying. That one day he didn't go out, it was too late." His gaze stayed stuck onto the floor.

"Siigh... Listen, I promised to live his life from now own. So I'll be the child and you be the proper father." I stood up.

"What do you m ..." I hugged him tightly and pressed my chin on his shoulder. He sat there in the aftershock and it didn't take long for him to do the same, "You...No... Richard. Thank you."

There was no need to overthink this. Thing's could come back just as the same before I got sick. I'd be the one to bring this family back up. And with that, the family quarrel was over. I've come back to my room and laid on the bed. This mark's my first day on this world. I'm unsure what the future hold's but I'm glad I got familiar with Richard's family.

George came from the Benedict household and Juliet came from the Adola noble family. Though hers was just a branch of the greater Arthur noble family. My sister bore the Adola surname and I held the Benedict's. As I pondered my thought's I slowly dozed off. The cold air around me was soothing, but the blanket kept my lower body warm. I slept on my side facing the wall after that I fell into dreamland...

"Hey. Did you miss me?" A deer with white antler's and blue eyes approached me in this ocean.

Well, there goes my beauty sleep. In all seriousness I've been wanting to talk to her but I couldn't, I guess she'll only appear in my dreams.

"Hi. Well I'll ask the question." I floated and swayed with the ocean letting it drift me along, "Can you tell me more of this world?"

"Hmm? Sorry I unfortunately don't know anything else." She glanced away while walking on water.

Is she just utterly useless? She's practically thrown me in a deserted island!

"Hey! I heard that!" She made a ripple and I drifted away even more. She clopped aggressively like she's saying 'You're the one who owes me!'

Well she would be right, after all I wouldn't make it this far without her. She also gave me another chance at life. I'm sooo grateful to her that I don't know how to repay her.

"Hee hee." She gleefully chuckled and took the bait. Animal's are still animal's in the end. She approached me and pointed her antler's to my chest.

"What are you doing?" My body froze in the water. I couldn't move at all. Wait is she planning to take my flame again? No I cant let that happen. I cant be stuck like a nugget again!

"Relax... I'm just bringing out something in you." Her antler's touched the middle of my torso and I felt a large jolt of electricity run all over my body, "Now you'll owe me even more..."

Her voice became faded as my eye's rolled back into my head. What did she mean by bringing something out in me? My organ's? Is she some butcher? I don't have any clue's ahh... I fell back to the eternal darkness of sleep...

A flash of light filled the room of Richard and spark's were left floating around his body before vanishing...

A person who received an awakening.