---POV: Aaron---

Standing there in front of her, my tongue becomes tied and my legs shake. How is this possible...

Shouldn’t she be dead… am I dreaming, a hallucination…?!?

While being unable to close my own mouth, the figure in front of me moves…

“Uncle Black, don’t be so shocked, hehe.” (Lumi)

Hearing her voice and soft laugh, I finally snap back to reality… I believe it’s her, she has her own aura, but it is different… somehow...?

While being confused about the situation, the young woman, Lumi, suddenly begins to laugh, making her appear like an angel… well, she is ethereal…

“Uncle Black, please don’t worry. The situation is complicated, but I am alive, or my soul is at least… I don’t have much energy yet to remain, but I hope to see you again, Uncle.” (Lumi)

Giving me a light kiss on my forehead like she would always do since she was a kid, her figure suddenly vanishes in blue mist which then returns back into Arin’s body, returning the room to its former lighting. Still staring at the location she was at until a moment ago, I finally look around after hearing someone collapse. With everyone except the two small foxes gazing there, what appears is one of the maids, collapsed because of her fear of ghosts… but it wasn’t a ghost. I recognize her, this is Lumi's echo, the same one from back then above the dragon-vain… but why, and how?!?

Having questions swirling about in my head, I undermine the urge to shake Arin awake in order to get answers. Because even now, he and Sumi are peacefully sleeping next to each other, undisturbed. Letting my beating heart calm down for a while, I then return my attention towards the personal still inside the room, wearing perplexed and astonished faces.

After telling the personal to stay silent about this, I transport the two sleeping kids into their respective rooms. Actually, the moment I separated them, their tails started scanning the surroundings, searching the others presence. Well, there is a saying in the fox clan, that there is nothing more honest than a Fox-kids tail. Well, maybe they are right about that. Still, the moment I laid Arin to bed, he curled himself up within the blanket and showed a brimming smile, just like he always does.

Meanwhile, as soon as I transport Sumi, I notice that her face has tear-marks on it, with her eyes still wet from crying. Probably her outburst from before was from an overdose of emotions, causing her to forget her past even if only for a moment. And now, she will have to deal with the past that caught up... hopefully she won't break under it's weight. But should she make it through... she will be like reborn, finally coming to terms with what weighted on her heart for so long.

Stroking her through her pitch-black hair, I then lay her down on her bed while pulling the blanket onto her, resulting in a comfortable smile appearing on her face. While wrapping the blanket closer to her, I then shut off the lights and leave the room. As the door shuts behind me, I retire as well, mostly because my mind is still in turmoil.

Sitting onto my bed while sighing, I try to make heads and tails of the situation. Mostly I would joke around and stay calm, but this is above what I can handle.

She returned, but how? What did she mean by her soul being alive? Isn't she an echo?!?

While nearly breaking my head over all those questions, I lie down, only to fall asleep shortly after due to mental exhaustion, but it didn't last long...

...

---POV-Change: Arin---

Waking up to the sun shining through the window, I slowly raise my body and sit up in bed. Rubbing my eyes to restore my sight, I take a look around, my mind still muddled. Trying to understand why I am suddenly in my bed again, I remember falling asleep on the couch.

I don't know what happened afterwards, but Uncle Black or Saria must have brought me to bed without waking me up. So, stretching myself as I leave the bed, I begin recounting the events before I went to sleep.

Anyway, just as I remember what occurred the day before, the door opens and Uncle Black walks in. Looking at his eyes, he must have slept horribly, as deep dark circles decorate his skin.

“Arin, please explain...” (Uncle Black)

Saying so in a weak voice, Uncle Black stares at me intently, causing me to back up a little. The pressure this time is different, not intimidation for training or strictness when he lectures me, but a desperate feeling directly aimed at me.

But what does he mean with explain? I don't understand what he is asking me...

Meanwhile, seeing my confused face, Uncle Black tries again, this time with different words.

“Arin, yesterday Lumi appeared in a soul form, directly summoned from your body... she said her soul is alive... please explain!” (Uncle Black)

Staring at me once again, I finally understand what had been plaguing him, so it seems that Mama Lumi appeared. But didn't she say that she will need longer to create a external form? Anyway, having Uncle Black sit down somewhere, I begin recounting the events, beginning with the time I met Lumi inside my mind while in the blood-rage, the story of her becoming my mother and in the end how it came to be that her echo has now a soul.

During the explanation, Uncle Black's eyes grew wider and wider, making him appear funny. But just as I finish telling him my story, Uncle Black suddenly begins laughing and shows a radiant smile he would normally only show when I did something good, though there is another emotion added. Afterwards he hugs me dearly, forcing me to grasp for air as he pressures my lungs. Normally I wouldn't need to breathe by using Magic-Power instead, but I completely forgot in the situation.

Afterwards Uncle Black cried, having some tears drop onto my head, which he then began massaging. But just as he was about to reach the best spot, he lays down and begins to breathe evenly. My guess Is that he is asleep, probably because he didn't rest enough. Well, even ancient Dragons can get tired, especially when it is about their family.

Carefully laying him down on my bed, I then leave the room and tell Elrion about uncle Black, making him laugh, but he still nodded and promised to leave him for now.

Afterwards we have breakfast, just without Uncle Black the atmosphere isn't as humorous. But the breakfast still tastes great, even without the black dragon at the table. Still, Sumi didn't show up as well, and when I asked one of the maids why, she answered that Sumi is going through a restoration process which depends solely on her. By Cyan's explanation, restoration appears to be her process of fighting through her own past, trying to be freed from it's weight.

Listening to his, I ask if I can visit her, which, after pleading a bit with puppy eyes, was permitted. So, arriving inside her room, I spot her lying on her bed, grabbing onto the blanket while tears run down her face. Seeing her like this, I run towards her side before picking up her hand and holding it. Feeling a fiery heat pass through, I hold onto her while reforming my tails into her pillow, as she seems to have destroyed hers while in her dreams.

This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

I know this because I once did something similar while having a nightmares back when I was still within the Abryssal-Canyon with Uncle Black. That aside, after making her comfortable, her face seems to loosen up a bit while her hands relax even if only lightly.

Meanwhile, Elrion nudged at Cyan, speaking to him with an evil grin on his face:

“Cyan, it's probably better if you tell Arin's teacher that Arin and Sumi won't be coming to school today, they are busy with their relationship...” (Elrion)

“Huh?!?” (Cyan)

I didn't notice the exchange between Elrion and Cyan as my attention was focused on Sumi, but if I had noticed it, I probably would have hidden myself from embarrassment.

Anyway, while actually activating a small bit of healing magic in order to help her mind and body calm down, I keep watching her face. Sometimes she would suddenly grip my hand very tightly, others she would flail her arms around, nearly hitting me. But even then, seeing her fight back, I suddenly feel happy for her, maybe this is what it feels like to have a not so much older sister?

Even so, while hours passed and I am still trying to find an answer to the emotions I am feeling, Sumi suddenly wakes up, covered in sweat, yet with a happy and relieved expression. But just as she wants to sit up, she finally realizes that she is gripping my hand, turning her head to stare at me with her silver eyes.

Watching me for a full minute, she finally catches up with reality. I did expect her to let my hand go, but what she did next surprised even the maid who secretly watched the whole situation.

Sumi suddenly let my hand go, only to pull me into an awkward hug, as she was lying on the bed while I was standing next to it. Her hug wasn't aggressive, nor overly filled with happiness like yesterday evening, but just a simple hug, filled with a relieved and glad emotion.

Returning the hug, she then whispers a silent thank you. Would I have been in my human-form, I would probably had her voice directly next to my ear, but as a small fox-kin I could still hear it loud and clear.

Even so, she didn't let me go for quite a while, but somehow I didn't feel the need to complain. When one of the maids hugs me all of a sudden, I always feel uncomfortable, but not with her.

(A.N: Don't imagine the romantic kind of Hug, more the family meeting like hug. You know, brother and sister meet each other after a weeks long trip or so...the peaceful kind.)

Well, speaking of said maid, she was the one who watched the whole thing, but the moment Sumi hugged me, she collapsed with a completely red face and eyes like she just saw the cutest thing on Earth, sorry, Treia. Well, she was out of order for at least three hours following those events.

Still, the moment she hugged me, I felt a change in her, like a power which awakened inside her, forgotten and hidden, but finally under control...

---POV-Change: Sumi---

Sumi, that is my name. Arin chose that name because he said that it fits me well. Actually, Sumi seems to be a special kind of ink used in painting, being black in color and used to create emotional and touching pictures. So, listening to his description of my new name, my emotions suddenly gushed out, completely ignorant of my surroundings. I pulled Arin into a hug while laughing and playing with his silver hair and fur.

But I have to admit, his ears are so fluffy that I could barely hold myself, hugging him even more. I didn't know if that was an aftereffect from the naming, but I didn't have my emotions under control, letting my instinct passively take over. I could forget my surroundings and just enjoy myself, my past, present and future didn't matter, only this very moment.

Even though I forgot myself, I was still conscious of what happened, and I did enjoy myself while playing with the others.

But the moment I calmed down and fell asleep, I found myself in a nightmare. Darkness surrounded me before a whispering voice sounded out behind me.

Turning my head, I saw the limping figure of a girl, but not any girl, it was Skindy, my childhood friend who died once in a mysterious way.

Her eyes appeared dead with her skin being thin and dry, like a corpse. But her voice was still there, talking to me while looking at me with those lifeless eyes.

“You killed me SUMI, even your name is black, what an irony...” (Skindy)

Laughing like a mad person, she shows a crooked smile, walking towards me with faltering steps.

Meanwhile, suddenly a door made of black ominous mist blows open, revealing the bodies of them...

My teeth begin to clatter, my knees become week as I nearly collapse on the floor. Before me laid the remains of... my parents... but the moment their eyes opened, just like I wished it back then, their brows slanted and their angry voices resound.

“Sumi, You killed us! It is all your Fault!” (Mom & Dad)

Shocked by their sudden shouts, tears begin to fall from my eyes, is it really my fault?

Am I responsible for my parents death? Was everything true after all?! Do I even deserve happiness?!?

While drowning myself in contempt and self-guilt, the figures slowly turn into darkness, crawling along the floor towards me. But in my state I am unable to react or realize so. I want to go, but I don't deserve to be free, it is all my fault... I am the one who harmed them...

Feeling the darkness slowly swallowing my heart, coldness numbing my body, a sudden stream of warm energy flows through my hands, into my heart.

In the distance, through the shadows covering my sight, I saw a figure made of light. It definitely had the figure of Arin, but unlike him, the light had ten tails waving behind his back instead of three.

But hearing the whispers from the shadows, I try to turn away, but at that moment, a flow of information and memories of the occurrences emerged, showing me what I truly saw, and not my memories which changed due to my depression... I saw my friend, dead on the floor, but it was definitely poison on the work, but I didn't hear so as I was crying back then...

My parents death was not me either, but someone else, so would they want me to blame myself?

Trying to fight through the darkness, the whispers of the shadows intensify. Why do I struggle? Can't I just let go and let myself fall and just sleep in this cold darkness for eternity... why am I even fighting it?

But the moment those thoughts pass through me, the image of the little boy smiling at me resurfaces. Him smiling innocently, like a little brother... waving his three tails when he is happy and dropping them when he was sad. He was honest, but real. Back then, he taught me how to free myself of my aura, and he even fought to defend me...

Finally raising my head, I still see the figure of light in the distance, smiling at me with honesty. But the moment I saw that smile, one figure after another appeared. Their Lights are different in color, but they all had happy or glad expressions on. First was only Arin standing there, then his Dragon Uncle, his brother Cyan, and the golden Dragon. But then they all stepped back, making a bit more distance. The moment I try calling out to them, three more figures appear, one is Skindy and the other two are my parents... all three of them look at me like seeing something sad and unpleasant, but once their sight crossed mine, they suddenly smile, slowly walking towards me.

But is it alright to accept this, should I really just let the past drop?!

As more and more Questions swirled in my mind, the voice of Skindy resounds.

“Stop trying to take responsibility for something that doesn't have anything to do with you, okay!? You look pathetic drowning within your own sorrows.” (Skindy)

Talking direct, but with a wide smile, I suddenly break up in tears, isn't it my fault? How come you can talk like that?! You were always like that, so why can't you understand?!?

“Sumi is your name now right? So, maybe you should just give up and let go right? I SAY NO! My friend wasn't someone who let herself go down like that, Someone who broke down only because the people looked at her funny. Now stand up! The ground isn't the place to stay, now go, a greater sky awaits you!” (Skindy)

Laughing while also yelling at me, Skindy then turns her head and pouts at me. She is right, why did I fall into despair?

But at that moment, I remembered my parents and all that happened. Looking at them, I saw their faces. I expected anger or hate, but the moment I looked up, their faces beamed with joy and they hugged me.

“She sure grew up, didn't she honey.” (Dad)

Speaking in a soft voice, Dad suddenly began talking with Mom.

“She sure did, I am proud of her. “ (Mom)

Suddenly praising me, I become flustered, but the question I have to ask, even when I am afraid, automatically runs out of my mouth...

“Aren't you, angry... at me..?” (Me)

“Why would we ever be angry? It wasn't your fault you know.” (Dad)

“Also, why would I hate my baby daughter, you are still young and have much to learn, so you have to make us proud, okay?” (Mom)

Showing a bright smile, my heart suddenly shakes as tears gather once more. With feelings gushing forth, I begin to hug my two parents, not letting them go. But after an undetermined amount of time, they suddenly spoke up again.

“We are sorry Sumi, but we don't have much time left. We really hate to have to leave you alone in this world, but you finally have someone you can trust, so I leave taking care of you to them.” (Dad)

Speaking like that, I scream out, I don't want them to leave. But it is fruitless, Dad only sat his hand on my head while mother spoke again.

“You like him don't you? Well anyway, Sumi, my dear daughter, you have to live your own life from now on, and we can't guide you anymore, but I hope that you will live a fulfilling live, as both our daughter and as yourself.” (Mom)

Leaving me with a kiss on the forehead, both of them begin to emit a dazzling light, making their figures vanish over time. After a wile, shortly before they completely vanished, they once more smiled at me, leaving me with tears in my eyes.

Skindy already left earlier, but after letting them go, I realized. My body felt lighter, and my heart felt like it just made it out of a blizzard. Feeling a soft warmth continuously flowing though me, I then entrust my being to it, waking me up from the darkness before opening my eyes.

In front of me was a ceiling, which I recognize to be from my room within the mansion. While sitting up and steadying my balance, I finally realize the source of the warmth. There stood Arin, holding onto my hands while smiling towards me. It took me a while to understand what occurred, but the moment it dawned on me, I finally realized that it was over. My heart calmed and a new emotion sprung up, one I couldn't understand. But it didn't matter, I finally was able to leave it behind. I will never forget my past, but I will not let it control me, but walk forward with those I trust.

Feeling relieved, I actually pulled Arin into a hug, glad to see him there as he is. Though I did sneak a peek at his tails, but I only saw three in total, confusing me lightly. But honestly, I didn't think that Arin was so light... he felt heavier before...

Leaving the useless thoughts aside, I once more regained anticipation, anticipation for the future, and maybe a tiny bit of hope for it. Well anyway, thank you mom and dad, thank you for watching over me.