Sr for the delay, the midterm last 3 weeks and i finally on a break. Hopefully, i can pull out another chap at the end of this week

On a positive side, my later chapters keep getting longer and longer ^_^

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Cerberos wake up, just to find himself in an unfamiliar dark room.

This place, where is this?

It is too dark, both inside and outside, I can’t even distinguish left and right from it.

Am I still dreaming?

Ouch, my head. It feel like someone keep pounding my head every seconds. This sensation… is too real to be an illusion.

I tried to use my hand to hold my head down, in an attempt to calm this insufferable headache…

Huh?

My hand, it’s the human hand. I can’t see it clearly but still can notice the difference when it touched my head.

Not just my hand, my face too. I’m currently in my human form.

How did this happen?

If my memory served me correctly, I was in my normal form, trying to bite that bastard off before falling conscious.

Anyways, I need to transform fast. This form is not just weaker and slower, but also make all my sense become duller. I’m feeling insecure in this form, given this unknown situation.

“Guarghh”

The transformation… didn’t come out. Instead of it is an intense pain surging within my body

This is… really bad.

My dad once told me, if we use too much energy. Our body will stay in an “exhaust” state, which force us to stay in this body to preserve the energy.

But how, I don’t remember using my energy that much, except

That poison…

And what did that bastard say, “A transformation, quite peculiar, but not unique”.

Did he… met others like me?

“So, you’re awake” (???)

 An unfamiliar voice caught me off guard while I was thinking. A figure, already standing at the door, with a lantern on her hand. A snake mask on her face reflected from the little light the lantern provided, but from the voice, I’m pretty sure it’s a woman.

“Who’s there?”

I tried to stand up but end up falling to me knee due to the exhaustion from my body.

“Relax, I’m not your enemy. Your condition’s pretty bad, your body won’t be able to act for a while. There is an unknown substance that keep acting up inside. But worry not, your body is slowly digesting it, you can move soon”

“…”

“What’s with the cold attitude? I’m your allies, you know. If I didn’t arrive in time, who know where’d you be heading now, maybe in that goblin’s stomach?”

“How can I trust someone who keep hiding their face”

“Oh,pardon me. Where is my manner. I got so accustomed to this mask that sometimes, I forgot I was wearing it” She slowly take off the mask, revealing a good-looking face with silver-hair that was put-up into a ponytail.

“Let me introduce again. I’m Tia. Nice to meet you” a friendly smile beaming on her face that give off a relaxing atmosphere around her.

However, Cerberos didn’t get attracted to that.

That pointy ear, is she an elf? But unlike all of the elf I met till now, which have greenish or light skin, her skin is dark-grey, almost look like an orc. A half-bred?

“You seem to be impressed by my skin? Well, that is understandable. My kind is not so popular around this part of the land, so this maybe the first time you meet someone like me. I’m a Dark elf”

Her smile doesn’t faze, contradicted to Cerberos’s deadly silent. Even Cerberos is feeling bad if he doesn’t response to this conversation

“A dark elf?”

“Yes, we are the proud warriors of shadow, servants of Echidna and allies of the Titan. Tia, from clan Soulscar, at your service”

Titan? Echidna? None of that sound a ring to me

“Where is that goblin? And Anna?”

“Got away, I suppose. I managed to get a sneak attack on him while he focused on you, but he used some sort of strange spell to create a mist and escape. The girl is fine. She is sleeping in the next room. Sheesh, where did you find her? She didn’t even let me come near you when she saw your state and thought that I was the culprit. Took me quite an effort to separate you two.”

So, Anna is safe. That,at least, put a lot of weight off my chest.

 “If I remember correctly, before I lost consciousness, you once called me “Cerberos”. Where did you learn about that name”

Her facial changed, she looked at me difficultly, like she doesn’t know how to explain it

“So, it’s true. Your father really keeping everything from you. Anyways, where is your father? I followed your trace from the forest, or what’s left over from it, but I didn’t see your father’s trace. He should explain this better than me”

(Father)

Just hearing that make my heart ache

“He’s… gone”

This time, her face change to completely serious

“Are you sure about that? Did you see it directly?”

“No… I can’t. When they came, I … was hiding far away. But I can sense it, his presence, his smell, all gone”

Cerberos feel ashamed of himself by just remember it. He is Cerberos, the proud son of Cerberus, and all he did was just hiding away while they killed his father?

However, that woman, Tia, seem relief somehow after hearing this?

What the heck?

Is she mocking me?

“Cerberos, can you answer me honestly. Do you know who is your father, Cerberus?”

 “What do you mean by that? He is…”

I can’t answer that.

Now that I think about it, he never told me about his past, his origins or his relative. All I know is just 2 names, my mother Aquina and his brother, Cerberas.

Damn it, what kind of a son am i?

As if already guessed the answer from my confusing look, the woman continued the conversation

“Listen carefully,Cerberos. Your father is a Titan, a full-blooded Titan”

Titan?

She mentioned that name before.

“For unknown reason, he kept that secret from you and I won’t go into detail about that. But I think you should know this, all Titan is immortal”

“Immortal?”

“Yeah, their life will last very long, almost indefinitely. There is no way to kill them, if you cut off their head, they’re still alive, if you burn them to ash, the ash will regrow back to a full body. Currently, there is no known method in killing a Titan”

What am I hearing?

Surely, my dad always looked very old, almost ancient-like. But to think he is that powerful?

“You mean that, there is a chance, my dad is still out there”

“Not just a chance, I’m pretty sure he’s still alive somewhere. I don’t know what trick they used to make his presence completely vanished, but he can’t be killed. Currently, there is no known method to kill a Titan.”

This woman, I don’t trust her yet. But I think what she is saying is true. Or rather, I want to believe what she is saying is true.

(Dad, I’m coming for you)

“You seem to have digest the information. Now I have a proposal for you. As I said before, you and your father is not the only one in your race. There are others like you, your family, and one of them happen to be my boss. My job is to bring you back to your family, sound good?”

“Sorry, I have to refuse”

“I know, pretty touching, eh ? Thinking you was all alone all this time and suddenly… Wait, what did you just say?”

“I refuse”

“Why? Do you have other plans?”

“I’m going to find my dad”

“But how? You plan to walking aimlessly until you catch a trace of your dad?”

“No, from the persons I killed, I get the information that someone named Emperor sent them to the forest. If only I can meet him, I can make him talk, one way or another”

“Order from the Emperor? That explain the large number of adventurers in the forest. When will we go, Cerberos?”

“We? You seem to misunderstood me, elf. There is no “we” between us. I will go alone”

“Ohhhm, how cold. And after all I’ve done for you, you plan to abandon me and continue your journey?”

“I don’t like that kind of tongue, elf. I’m grateful for your support, but know this, I’m Cerberos, the proud son of Cerberus. I can solve my problem, alone”

“Then, please tell me, o’ mighty Cerberos. How do you plan to find this Emperor? Do you even know what he looked like?”

“That’s … none of your concern. I can manage it, somehow”

She is right, I don’t know anything about outside world. It will be much more difficult for me, without her help.

But so what.

I won’t ever forget that these creatures are the one took out my dad and burned my home. Never.

I’d rather die than receive their charity.

“What about that little girl?”

“Anna, what do you mean?”

“Do you still plan to bring her with you? Unlike you, she has a delicate body, you know. Do you think she can last until you find your dad?”

Of course she can’t.

Damn, what do I do now? I want to find dad, but I can’t bring Anna with me. And after the incident with the goblin, I don’t think I can entrust her to strangers anymore.

What about this elf?

I still don’t trust her, but I don’t think she has any evil intention toward Anna. She only interest in me, it seems.

Better give it a try.

“Elf. Would you mind…”

“My name is Tia, my lord”

She cut me short.

Damn it, elf. Just remember it when I’m back.

“Umm, Tia, would you mind taking care of Anna while I’m gone”

“You forget “please” ”

(Easy, Cerberos, easy. This is for Anna, do not anger her)

“Tia, please taking care of Anna for me”

“That’s better”

“Then…”

“I refuse”

“DO NOT TOY WITH ME, ELF !!!!!”

(Transform)

“Gyarghh”

The pain, it’s too great that I have to convulse on the floor while gripping my chest just to  keep myself from passing out.

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Curse this useless body.

“Okay, kid.Look like your father didn’t teach you some manner when he left, so let big sis hammer something fundamental to your head. First, the least you can do when someone offer you help is say thank you”

“Curse you”

“Second, my only concern is you, that girl is none of my concert. Don’t even dare to think I’m some kind of servant that’s do anything you asked”

(Kill her)

A voice whispered to my ear.

“And lastly, you are not just live for yourself, you are living for that girl too. You should see the look from her face when she saw you collapsed. I don’t know why she’d follow you, but take responsibility for it, will you”

Damn, stop speaking.

And why did Anna follow me?

Hell if I know. I just rescue her from some disgusting humans. I don’t even know what’s going on in her head. Like my father, I don’t know anything about her.

Suddenly, an image appeared inside my head.

(Please… take care … of her)

A fragile body, used her last strength to ask me one last favor.

………….

If something happen to Anna, how can I face myself now?

If that Goblin did something to her back then, because of me …

I just realize …. It was stupid… and irresponsible when I came to the goblin. I didn’t even consider Anna’s feeling and the consequences after that.

I… have to think this thoroughly. I’m ignorance of this world, an outcast. If I want to see my father again, if I want to protect Anna…

I need help.

(Kill her. Trust no one)

That voice again.

(You have “me”. That’s enough. Kill her. Kill the brat too)

Just … shut up for a seconds.

The anger, before I knew it, has completely vanished. The elf seem to notice my change of feeling too.

“Calm down now?”

“… yeah”

“Do you still plan to find your dad?”

“Yes”

“Do you need my help?”

“……………… Yes……. Please”

“See, it wasn’t so hard right. You will get used to this the longer you stay with people”

“…”

“Good, then stay in this house until you have recovered. I don’t think the goblin will be back, for a while, with the wound I gave him. There is food in the kitchen. I need to go prepare something for our upcoming journey”

Her figure quickly vanished after the open front door, reveal the scene outside which is now covered by a bright, pure white light.

So, it already morning.

….

When I can move this body, the first thing I want to do is to check up Anna’s condition.

I know that elf, Tia, didn’t lie to me. No reason for her to do that, but still, Anna’s safety has been weighting on my heart ever since I woke up.

Is it just because my obligation to honor my promise with the death…

I wonder

The little girl, she was sleeping soundly on something look like a chair, with sheep skin on top of it.

It seems like the goblin live alone, with only one bed in his house, and she want to save it for me.

(Sheesh, I don’t need some weak little girl to take care of me)

(looking around)

So this is a house, huh. I know other races like to live in these things, but I never understand why. For me, I feel uncomfortable, unable to feel the breeze of wind on my face, the soft texture of earth on my feet.

This house feel more like a cage than a place to live.

Having nothing else to do, I sat quietly in a corner, looking at her sleeping face. This has calmed me somehow, especially after that talk with Tia

It felt like a long time since I have quiet time for myself. In the past, I used to enjoy lazing around on the soft grass while enjoying the warm from the sun ray on my fur.

Somehow, it sounded so far away now.

As my mind wander around, my eyelids slowly becoming heavier. Damn ,look like I didn’t get enough sleep

…

It was a full-moon night, but the forest still looked as dark as ever, due to the height of those ancient trees.

I quickly follow the scent I pick up on the way, the scent of burned meat, human’s odor and metal.

The scent that unfamiliar with this forest

The scent belong to those invaders.

Before long, I found myself before a big campsite. 3 tents surrounded a campfire, with 2 people standing on guard. This campsite is big, bigger than the other 2 I just paid a visit.

It just mean one thing to me, more “target”.

The two people that standing on guard … doesn’t seem to be on guard at all. One sitting on the ground with his eyes closed and “zzz.zzz” sound and be heard from him in a fixed interval. The other lean his body on a tree while focusing his eyes on a square thing he is holding in his hand.

Slowly approaching the one who is still awake, I can hear a small murmur from him as our distance become closer.

“Linda … I wonder how big she has grown up since I was gone”

“…Damn! Just this once. After this mission is over, I will return. I must return, and then we can …”

*Gnap*

I bite his neck off before he can finish. His body struggle a little but he could not making a sound. Slowly, his body become cold and the square thing fall off to the ground, reveal an image of a male human, a female goblin and a little girl that look like human with green skin.

So, he has someone waiting for him huh?

I felt guilty a little, but it was soon be overrun with my unyielding rage again.

It was their fault to come here in the first place.

They have to pay.

I quickly finish off the other guy.

Dying without knowing pain or fear, dying in a dream.

Maybe, it was too good for him.

After checking that there is no one left around, I focus my target to the 3 big tents. These tents are made so that normal animals can’t enter easily without making a ruckus, but it still no matter for my other form, as I look exactly like other humans.

Slowly, I pick up the knife laying on the ground when the guard’s body fall down. This will make things easier for this body, now then …

“Onii-chan”

Huh?

“Onii-chan”

Before my eyes, Anna is sitting in front of me with a worried expression. Where is the tent?

Ah, damn it, not that stupid dream again.

“Onii-chan, are you okay?”

“Ye-ah”

Damn, that dream keep haunting me night after night, especially after I escape the forest. And that “voice” too.

“Anna, can I talk with you for a little?”

“Yes? Onii-chan?”

“You met with Tia, right? What do you think about her?”

She paused for a second, before reply

“I think… she is matured, and she know what she is doing. What wrong with her, Onii-chan? Do you not trust her?”

Trust?

That’s a luxury word for me.

This Tia, it’s mortifying to admitted that she know more about me than myself. And I don’t know a thing about her, except the name, which can be a lie.

But it can’t be denied that I desperately need her help.

 “Anna,I just had a talk with her, and I think, I know where I want to go now. It will be more dangerous from now on. Do you still, want to be with me”

“Yes, Onii-chan”

So fast, and not even a bit of hesitation.

“Say, Anna. Why do you want to be with me? I mean, what about the Wood elf tribe?”

“Onii-chan, am I … a bother to you”

“N-no, not at all. I’m glad you are here with me.  It just, I don’t think you will feel more comfortable around me, than with your kind”

“Onii-chan, look at this”

Her hand brush aside a part of her hair that keep covering her left face, reveal an eye that look completely white with no soul in it.

It looked a bit, unnatural, but not a big deal to me.

“What’s wrong with it?”

(As expected, he doesn’t mind) she murmured quietly

“Onii-chan, because of this eye, I can’t live in my village. My mom and dad, they still love me, but I think it’d be better for them if they don’t have this daughter” Her eye seem a bit sad

Seriously, what happen to this kid in the past?

Isn’t the herd’s duty is to help raising young pulp? Why is the herd antagonize her?

“And one more thing, I believe living with you will make grandma happy”

“Grandma? That old elf?”

“Yes, she has been taking care of me for a long time. Do you know that she admire you and your father very much.She always hope for us to get along well”

Her face brightened up when she mentioned about that elf. The two must be close.

“And when she *poka* *poka* like this, she made a *piki* *piki* sound like that, then I have to *pukin* *pukin* to …”

Damn, this can take a long time

“Say, Anna. After this all end, I mean, when I found my father. Do you want to live with us?”

“Can I, Onii-chan”

“Of course you can. I think my father won’t mind. Let’s find a forest to settle in, after all this”

“Yay”

“One more thing, Anna. What is Onii-chan mean? I don’t get what it is”

“It is a word that our First Prince, Isaac the Fool invented in. It mean Big Brother. Do you not like it?”

“…No. Onii-chan is fine.Somehow it has a pleasant sound on it. Why do you call him the fool?”

“I don’t know. Everyone in my village keep calling him that, except grandma. She said the prince is a mysterious child and “deeper than the sea” ”

We keep continue talking, the topic revolve around her life in the village and the story she heard when she live with that old elf. Sometimes, a voice rang inside my head with an annoying tone

(Cheeh, I wonder when will this make-believe relationship end)

But I completely ignored it.