The cold, damp wooden floor sent shivers through him, water cascading off his still-wet body. The concept of bathing was alien to him. In Fionn's memory, bathing was a simple ritual: wash the body with water, lather with soap, then rinse again. Though simple, the effects felt extraordinary, as if all aches vanished, and the call of the bed became irresistibly stronger.
Fionn stood before the mirror, mesmerized by his reflection. "Golden hair, dark red eyes, height..." he murmured, scrutinizing himself with a thoughtful pause. He did not grasp the concept of age, but his body seemed to suggest he was around sixteen years old.
His dark red eyes gleamed like rubies, radiating a mysterious glow under the room's light. His golden hair shimmered, creating an enchanting contrast. He continued to examine himself, trying to understand every detail of his newly noticed body.
He lifted one of his arms, bent his elbow upwards, and flexed his bicep until its tone became prominent. The muscle bulged like a drawn bow ready to be released. Then, he attempted to flex his thigh muscle, hoping it would be as hard as marble, but he felt only the pliability of bamboo when it swayed.
A look of surprise was clearly etched on Fionn's face. He had assumed his thigh muscles were well-trained, given that he relied on his parkour skills and his legs to get home. Every leap and agile movement should have made his muscles strong and firm. However, the reality in the mirror was different from his expectations. As he continued to observe, his eyes fell on the most unfamiliar part of his body, the fruit hanging between his thighs, like a newly ripened banana. Curiosity crept into his mind, but he soon dismissed it, having never seen such a thing in his life.
After engraving his own image into his memory, Fionn turned, ready to look for clothes, but his action was momentarily halted when his eyes landed on the neatly folded shirt and pants on the bed. Approaching the garments, he caught a whiff of a potent floral scent mixed with vanilla and a salty undertone, as if each thread had been bathed in the fresh aroma of the ocean's edge. Fionn recognized this scent from his memory—it was the distinctive fragrance of sea lilies.
These sea lilies were no ordinary flowers; they only grew on the shores of Tytoal-ba, cultivated on the northern outskirts and thriving only in a specific type of sand. This unique scent was rare and seldom encountered elsewhere, especially in an underwater city like Wetlands, adding to the peculiarity of these clothes being in Fionn's room.
He furrowed his brow, sensing something amiss. Now, this scent enveloped the clothes on the bed. The question was, who had placed them here? Because just before he bathed, those clothes were not there.
Fionn took a deep breath, letting the scent seep deeper, feeling a tickling sensation in his senses. He carefully picked up the clothes, feeling the softness of the fabric that seemed to beckon him to wear it. With quick movements, he put on the attire—a comfortable white t-shirt for sleeping and soft fabric pants. A sense of familiarity emerged as the clothes enveloped his body.
After dressing, he glanced at the mirror once more, ensuring his appearance. The clothes fit perfectly, as if they were made just for him. Fionn exhaled and stepped out of the room, walking down the long corridor towards the stairs. As he descended the steps, the scent of the clothes he wore still accompanied him, providing a strange sense of calm.
Downstairs, Fionn heard a familiar chatter. Paris's voice mingled with the laughter of someone well-known to him. Slowly, Fionn approached the dining table, curiosity tingling in his chest. When Paris saw Fionn, a warm smile spread across his face. "Ah, there you are! Come, let's eat," he said cheerfully.
Fionn sat across from Lon, his fourth sibling, while Paris sat at the right end, between them. They were close, and in front of them was a white plastic bag brought by Paris. The bag looked ordinary, yet Paris seemed proud of having brought it.
Across from Fionn sat Lon, with long, disheveled hair, wearing an oversized blue shirt and shorts. His skin was smooth and fair from head to toe, even his hair shone black. It was no wonder, considering Lon always stayed at home, keeping everything in order. After all, he was the one who took care of the house when we were not around.
Memories flooded Fionn's mind, explaining why the house was always clean and the clothes on his bed were neatly arranged. All of this was Lon's handiwork. Without Lon, the house would undoubtedly be a total mess.
"This food type of food that you can’t get in Tytoal-ba, you should be grateful I managed to snag it," Paris said with pride. His hand calmly reached for the white plastic bag and slowly opened it, revealing the food inside.
Inside the bag was a dish called Pigeans Geprek. Our eyes widened in surprise at the sight of it. "Why are you so shocked?" Paris asked, noticing our expressions.
"It's just that I've heard the Pigeans birds flying over Tytoal-ba are notorious for their terrible taste. So, even though flocks of Pigeans often hover above, the people of Tytoal-ba usually have the task of culling some of these birds to control their population," Lon explained, raising an eyebrow with a serious expression.
"That's exactly why it's in high demand. The food stall just opened and was immediately swarmed by everyone. Only they know how to cook Pigeans birds to make them delicious," Paris explained, his smile growing wider.
The dish looked like chicken, breaded and fried until crispy. The fried Pigeans birds were then smashed with a mallet until their bones, meat, and breading were all crushed, served with several sauce options.
"I chose the Tomato Lemon sauce, by the way," Paris said as he began to devour his meal eagerly.
Fionn glanced at Lon for a moment, and before he knew it, Lon had also taken a piece. His surprise deepened as the taste of the Pigeans Geprek was not as bad as he had imagined.
Fionn quickly sampled his portion, and his reaction mirrored Lon's—astonishment. He hadn't expected the food to be this delicious. The crunch in every bite blended perfectly with the tenderness of the Pigeans meat, enhanced by the tangy tomato sauce and the freshness of lemon. It was perfect, no wonder it was so sought after.
The magical flavor of the dish seemed to transport Fionn to another dimension, where each bite was a harmonious blend of texture and taste. The crispy coating around the Pigeans meat created a symphony that delighted the palate, while the tender meat inside added an elegant touch that was hard to describe with words. The tangy tomato sauce and fresh lemon added a layer of flavor that made it irresistible.
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Tears almost welled up in Fionn's eyes. Did he deserve all this? Taking over a stranger's body, killing everyone but himself, and now pretending to enjoy a comfortable life like this.
Paris, noticing the change in Fionn's expression, simply smiled with understanding. He gently offered a plate of Pigeans Geprek.
"It's a shame Adonis and Ashsa can't join us," Paris said with a slightly somber note.
Fionn was startled, memories began flooding his mind as he ate the Pigeans he had just taken. Each bite brought flashes of recollections that seemed to come from afar.
"Adonis and Ashsa are on duty guarding the northern breach. The Alteker are busy holding off threats there while patching the breach," Lon explained, his voice calm but serious.
"Maybe in three days, they'll be home," he continued, eating his food casually.
Adonis and Ashsa had just been accepted as Alteker, if Fionn’s inherited memories were correct. They were indeed strong, but their personalities could be quite troublesome.
"Good thing they're not here; we can finally have a peaceful dinner," Fionn said, trying to sound casual, though there was a hint of longing in his words.
"You say that, but you're lonely without them," Paris remarked, a slight smile playing on his lips.
Fionn knew well that the presence of Adonis and Ashsa could turn the dining table into a small battlefield. They tended to scatter food and create chaos. When Fionn thought about the peace he longed for at the dining table or the soft bed that could take him straight to dreamland, he felt a bit selfish but knew it was the best for now.
"I hope they keep working overtime, so there's not too much laundry to do," Lon wished.
"How's Tytoal-ba?" Lon asked while chewing his food.
"What do you expect from a prosperous city up there? Every day they keep coming up with new innovations," Paris replied, his tone slightly cynical yet full of admiration. "In fact, some robots came to my office to help stamp letters. Honestly, I was surprised by such a thing, but I can't deny that it made my job easier."
Paris said this with a small laugh, making his siblings relieved to know that Paris's tasks were not weighing heavily on his mind.
"Oh, and you guys shouldn't go out too often. The tension between Tytoal-ba and Wetlands doesn't sound good to me," Paris added, his tone turning serious, unlike before. This immediately caught Fionn's attention, sparking his curiosity.
"I heard the crown prince went missing when he visited the Wetlands. So, they sent royal guard here to search for him. The situation is pretty tense, so it's best to spend your time indoors," Paris said with a serious tone.
Lon merely nodded nonchalantly, as if Paris's warning was nothing new to him. Being a homebody, he was accustomed to boundaries and preferred spending his time indoors. However, a sudden fear appeared on Fionn's face. The perpetrator of the crown prince's disappearance was here, merrily eating with his family—himself. His hand trembled as he put some Pigeans in his mouth, his face pale. His heart raced, and sweat poured down his brow.
Paris observed Fionn closely, noticing every small change in his face and body language. "Are you alright? You look sweaty," he asked with a tone full of concern, as if he could feel the waves of anxiety emanating from Fionn. His eyes stared intently, trying to penetrate the layers of unease hidden behind his calm facade.
Fionn swallowed hard, trying to calm himself. "The sauce... it's spicy," he replied quickly, his voice slightly trembling. He tried to cover up the growing nervousness that was becoming harder to control. His words were an escape, attempting to divert attention from the big secret haunting his mind. His trembling hand still held a piece of Pigeans, and he struggled not to show how stressed he was.
Paris frowned, sensing something was off. He was sure he hadn't ordered any spicy sauce. However, seeing Fionn trying so hard to hide his feelings, Paris decided not to press the issue. "Well, then, drink some water," he said with a faint smile, trying to ease the tension. He turned his attention back to his food, trying to enjoy each bite while still keeping an eye on Fionn from the corner of his eye. Paris set aside his suspicions and returned to his meal, although a hint of curiosity lingered in his mind.
Meanwhile, Fionn tried hard to maintain his composure. Cold sweat trickled down his temples, and his heart pounded like a war drum beaten fiercely. He felt as if he were on stage, under the spotlight that exposed his every move. However, he knew he had to stay calm, keeping his secret hidden. The guilt and fear enveloping his heart grew heavier, but he tried not to show it.
Without realizing it, all the food in front of them had disappeared. Fionn himself hadn't noticed how much Pigeans he had eaten, yet his stomach still felt unsatisfied, a sign that his energy had been completely burned out just to get home. The atmosphere at the dining table returned to normal, but the shadows of fear still haunted Fionn's mind.
Each last bite of the remaining Pigeans felt like a weight binding his stomach, yet strangely, it wasn't enough to satisfy him. It was as if the hunger he felt wasn't from his body, but from his restless soul. His vision blurred momentarily, his eyes staring blankly at the now-empty plate. The sounds of laughter and conversation around the dining table seemed like distant background noise, unable to dispel the fear enveloping his heart.
Although the food was gone, the fullness he felt was peculiar. His body experienced a profound fatigue, like a runner who had crossed the finish line after a long race. Eating with his family should have brought him peace, but for Fionn, that feeling never arrived. Every sound at the dining table, every cheerful laugh, seemed like an echo bouncing off distant walls, unable to reach his heart, which was shrouded in anxiety.
People say that eating makes you sleepy. This is entirely true because blood flow is directed primarily to the digestive system for processing food, causing the brain to receive less blood and resulting in drowsiness. This is what Fionn felt. His eyes began to feel heavy, as if weights were hanging from his eyelids.
"I think I'll head straight upstairs," Fionn said, yawning widely, trying to fend off the sleepiness that had become overwhelming.
"Must be nice, eating and then heading back to your room," Lon remarked.
"Don't blame me; all the blood in my brain has rushed to my stomach," Fionn retorted without a hint of laughter. He held his full stomach, feeling the effects of the meal settling there, and continued climbing the stairs, ignoring Lon’s annoyed grumble. "As if you're the only one who's sleepy," Lon muttered, rolling his eyes.
"Just rest, Fionn. You look exhausted," Paris offered gently. "I'll help clean up the dishes."
Hearing that, Fionn didn't stop his stride for a moment. He continued to hurry to his room, like a warrior running toward a final refuge. When he opened the door and entered, he immediately removed his footwear and all the clothing that impeded his comfort. He leaped onto the bed, ready to be embraced by the softness of the mattress that seemed to call him into its warm hug. Every fold of the fabric beneath him felt like clouds bearing the weight of the world, offering a moment of peace amidst the storm raging in his mind.He glanced at the book lying on the table, curiosity still haunting him like a shadow that refused to leave. Slowly, he closed his eyes, pondering the possibilities of what he might do tomorrow.
"Maybe I could go to the city tomorrow," he thought. "In my memories, there's an acquaintance who loves antiques. Who knows, this book might interest him."
He also felt the need to see the state of the city. Until now, all the information he had was based on the memories of the body's previous owner. "I need to see it for myself, feel the pulse of this city with my own eyes and ears," he murmured.
However, he knew he had to be cautious. Paris had warned about the tension between Tytoal-ba and Wetlands, as well as the presence of Alteker searching for the missing crown prince. His mind was restless.
The more he thought, the more he drifted off. His body was unconsciously pulled by the overwhelming sleepiness. The sounds around him began to fade, turning into soft whispers that soothed him. His heartbeat slowly became a lullaby, putting him to sleep and carrying him into the embrace of dreams.
"Maybe tomorrow will be a long day," he whispered to himself before finally surrendering to the sleep that enveloped him, allowing himself to sink into an endless sea of dreams, far from the reality that weighed on his mind.