Next morning, Eric steps out in to the backyard, holding a cup of coffee.

He turns to look at the ruins of the upper floor.

While i did my swings, he dismantled the staircase and used the materials to block out the hole left above it.

Why even bother, if it'll be abandoned anyway.

Maybe to hold on to a little bit of hope that we will return.

When he turns back towards the yard, his eyebrows raise when he sees me lying on the grass on my stomach.

He walks over to me, sipping his coffee.

"He's sleeping on the same exact spot where he practiced the sword strikes. Looks like he passed out right after, not even bothering to lean against the tree for a more comfortable spot."

He thinks, his eyes showing a hint of concern.

"This boy, he's so... different. I never imagined he'd grow up like this. The thousand sword strikes, a task i suggested half-heartedly. Yet, he went through with it, not even questioning it. A normal seven-year old doesn't have that kind of determination, or isn't supposed to, i think?"

He taps his foot against my side, waking me up.

"Come on, wake up."

"Mm... wha-?"

I mumble and slowly get on my hands and knees, then sit up.

"Ah! My arms..."

My arms ache intensely as i reach to rub my eyes.

"Why didn't you come inside after you were done? Your legs should work just fine. You could've gotten sick by sleeping outside."

I raise my head and frown at him, the morning sun shining against my tired eyes.

"Can you not scold me first thing in the morning? I did what you asked me to, i was just too tired to go inside."

He watches me stand up, his grip on the coffee cup tightening slightly.

"As your father, my duty is to keep track of your well-being. We've already been struck by a tragedy, we don't need another one if you were to become seriously ill."

"Hmph, whatever."

Something snaps inside Eric and he drops the coffee cup, then grabs my left arm firmly.

"I don't know what's up with you but i've put up with your attitude long enough, perhaps for too long."

My eyes go wide and i stare at his hand.

"Let go."

"No, listen to me, you-"

"I SAID LET GO!"

I shout at him and rip my arm off his grip.

He's visibly stunned, his grip was a lot tighter when compared to last time, but i still managed to get out of it.

I take a few steps back and raise my fists, ignoring the pain in my arms.

Eric's instincts take over and he too raises his arms.

"What is this... aura!? Is he making me feel threatened? A child!?"

Our eyes lock, and he can see the growing fury behind my eyes.

"He's serious, and where did he learn a stance like that!? How does he know all this!?"

"Stand down, Alex! What's wrong with you!?"

He takes a step towards me, so i lunge and strike with my right fist.

"Shi-!"

He leans back and blocks it with his left palm.

The force of my strike smacks his hand away.

"Ah!"

He clutches his hand, he didn't expect that kind of force from me.

"Fine! Have it your way! No more holding back."

He begins to get irritated too.

I dash towards him.

He attempts to grab me, but thanks to my small frame, i duck under it and slide between his legs.

"What the...!?"

With my hand on the ground, i quickly get up and use both legs to kick him behind his right knee.

As he falls on his knee, i jump on his back and wrap my arms around his neck, aiming for a rear naked choke.

Unfortunately my arms aren't long enough to properly execute the technique, but i try to choke him regardless.

He manages to get back on his feet while i choke him.

"HNNG!"

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He grunts and reaches behind him, grabbing the back of my shirt.

He pulls me off him and throws me towards the ground, but i break my fall just in time.

I don't waste any time and strike again, jumping high to deliver a spinning high-kick towards his head.

He blocks it swiftly with is right arm, then grabs it together with my collar with his other hand.

"Got you!"

I also reach and grab his collar, pulling myself closer.

Concentrating all of my strength to my left fist, i strike his right cheek.

"GAH!"

Reeling from the blow, he spits blood on the grass and let's go of my leg.

"Grrr, that's it!"

He raises his right fist and strikes the side of my head, knocking me out cold and i drop on the ground.

"Eric, what're you doing!?"

Anna screams and rushes to the backyard.

"What did you do!?"

"He was being a brat! I had to teach him a lesson."

He looks at me lying on the ground, then his heart drops, sweat drops forming on his face.

"He's... out cold. I... hit him. My own son?"

He raises and looks at his trembling hands.

"I struck my own son!?"

"Groan..."

I begin to wake up, struggling to get on my hands and knees once again.

The grass is painted red when i spit out blood and wipe my mouth.

"A solid blow. Not bad, Eric. Didn't think i'd get knocked out again so soon."

"Alex! I-I'm sorry, i didn't mean to hurt you."

He tries to help me stand up but i smack his hand away.

"Enough!"

I say sternly and raise my head to look him in the eye.

"Let's just say we both overreacted. Now, can we get back to my training?"

He hesitates, looking concerned about what he did.

"Are you sure? Sigh, alright."

He leans down to pick up the cup he dropped and heads inside.

Anna squats down to my level, then cups my cheeks into her hands and looks at the bruise.

"whatever are we going to do with you?"

She lets out a worried sigh before uttering a silent prayer, healing my bruise.

She lowers her hands on my shoulders, keeping still as she continues to look me in the eye.

I can see her eyes welling up, but a tear has not yet fallen.

It's as if she's looking for something, studying my face.

"Is everything alright, Alex? Is something wrong?"

Her question takes me aback, my brow furrowing slightly.

"...No, i'm fine?"

A slight pause.

"Then, Alex, can you... call me mom?"

Another question sending a shiver down my spine and causing my breath to hitch.

"...What?"

"You've always called us by our names. Why can't you call us mom and dad? D-Do you hate us?"

There's pain in her voice and i find myself speechless, unable to look into her teary eyes, so i look to my side.

Her grip on my shoulders tighten, but i don't feel pain.

She's not particularly strong, but the way her finger tips dig into them could make any ordinary child cry.

Due to my pain tolerance and developed muscles, i doubt she realizes how much strength she's using.

The situation once again has made me uncomfortable, making me want to run away, so i release myself from her grasp and dash away towards the river.

"Alex!"

She falls on her knees and shouts after me, her hand extended as if to grab me before falling limb.

At the same time, Eric returns, his eyes scanning the backyard for me.

"Where did that boy run off to now?"

He sees Anna sobbing on her knees and quickly gets down to comfort her.

"What happened, Anna? What's wrong?"

Unable to say anything, she presses her face to his chest, clutching his shirt and staining it with her tears.

He caresses the back of her head, remaining silent.

A strong gust of wind blows against the large tree, catching his attention.

"Why things had to go this way?"

A somber thought as he watches the brown leaves fall to the ground.

I slowly walk alongside the river, following it towards the forest.

My hands are in my pockets as i kick a small rock, watching it tumble around unpredictably until it lands in the river and i stop in my tracks.

I look around me and see a tree growing close to the river, its shade inviting.

The weather isn't very warm, but i decide to sit and lean against it.

Watching the river makes my eyelids feel heavy, the gentle wind ruffling my hair and the leaves above me.

"Can you call me mom?"

Anna's question hangs heavily in my mind.

I do realize that i've been calling her and Eric by their names ever since i was born.

They are my parents but... i had parents in the old world too, although i wasn't very close to them.

The memories of my old world are being mixed with the new ones i'm making here.

To me they're like, acquaintances or caretakers, rather than parents.

The whole concept feels foreign here.

And to them, I'm as much their child as Ava.

They love me more than i...

"Sigh."

All this time, even now, i don't know what i feel for them.

It wasn't relevant to me, so i just kept pushing it aside.

I hear footsteps approaching and i look to my left.

It's Ava, hugging her cat plushie.

"Big brother?"

"Ava? You shouldn't be here, the river's dangerous."

She sits down next to me and grasps my sleeve.

"Why is everyone sad?"

She asks, her feline pupils turning round.

I can't help but to scoff at her question and look away.

"A lot has happened."

I can't blame her though, she's too young to understand.

Our parents shower her with love and positivity, while trying to hide their own pain.

"Where's Alfreda? I want to play with her!"

The mention of Alfreda makes me look back at her.

"She's gone, Ava."

"When she's coming back?"

Didn't they tell her about Alfreda's departure?

For her the news would've been quite sad, considering how close they were, so i can see why they wanted to avoid that.

"She's not."

She tilts her head in confusion.

"What do you mean? Where is she?"

"She's gone, Ava. She's not coming back, ever."

I realize my tone was a little louder than intended, causing her to startle slightly.

Great, now she's going to cry too.

"Oh..."

Her ears go flat and she looks down at her plushie.

"I want to see her soon."

She adds, then gets closer to me and rubs the top of her head against my neck.

The gesture is new to me, but i've seen Anna do it to Eric a few times.

It reminds me of cat bumping or rubbing its head against your hand.

There used to be one which hanged around the gym in the old world, i saw Alice pet it a few times.

Ava hugs her plushie tightly, then curls up before closing her eyes and laying her head on my lap.

I'm not very close with her either, yet she still seeks comfort from me.

I gently place my left hand on her head and slowly stroke her hair.

For some reason it feels oddly soothing.

She starts to purr, her small tail swaying contently.

Not the best spot to take a nap in, but it'll do for this moment.

I'll just close my eyes for a little bit to gather my thoughts.

It's still early, sword training can wait.

An hour so later, i open my eyes and see Ava still sleeping.

"Ava, wake up."

I gently nudge her awake, hear ears twitching.

She sits up and rubs her eye.

"Yawn!"

I get up and pat my clothes before i extend my hand to her.

"Come on, let's go back."

She takes my hand, her cat plushie secured tightly.

"Okay, big brother."

Once we arrive in the backyard, i see Eric sitting on the bench, looking down at the ground.

Ava let's go of my hand and catches his attention, running past him and going inside the house.

He sees and watches me walk to my sword.

I pick it up and stare at it briefly, before turning to him.

"I'd like to continue my training if you're still up for it. If not then i'm going to figure it out on my own."

He stands up and slowly walks up to me.

"If you're fine with me teaching you, then i'd be happy to, son."

There's concern in his eyes, i can see he's still bothered about hitting me.

"I'm fine, Eric, I'm not angry about you hitting me."

I try to put some kick into my voice to make him drop the issue.

"Still, as a parent i shouldn't have done that. It was completely unacceptable from me and i feel ashamed. I understand if you hate me."

I stab the sword on the ground and cross my arms.

"I don't hate you, actually i respect you, your strength specifically. That's why i want learn from you, so can we just forget about what happened? We have less than a month left until we have to leave."

Eric inhales deep and looks up at the sky before exhaling.

"Alright. No time to waste then, let's get to it."