Baffled at Uncle Blacks sudden statement, I can only continue watching him from the back of the wolf-mother.
Even Saria who kept walking next to us appears to be slightly confused, unable to follow the situation.
However, Uncle Black remained relentless, already telling us what we should pack and what not. For whatever reason, he appears rather annoyed by the fact that he need to travel somewhere, though I can’t really tell why. Anyway, seeing his serious expression, and him telling me to come along, I raise my voice, asking an important question.
“Uncle Black, can Sumi, Anna and Alice come as well? I don’t really want to go anywhere alone…” (Arin)
I may not admit it, but since the time I arrived here, I somehow fear being alone. I don’t know why, yet something tells me that I shouldn’t be alone, and that makes me scared. Well, actually, am I even alone…?
Suddenly coming to mind, I remember mama Lumi who is always with me, as well as Luna, who is still sleeping currently. Additionally, most of the time either Uncle Black, Cyan or Saria are here, as well as the girls.
Anyway, only now realizing my words that I blurted out, I quickly cover my mouth, yet it was already too late. Looking down, Uncle Black only shows a stupid grin, nodding towards me before speaking that I can take with me whomever I want.
Well, the moment he said so, behind me Sumi and the others suddenly raised their hands, mentioning that they will come along. To my left, next to the wolf-mother, Saria also mentioned that she would take care of us on our travels, while, and still covered by the big body of the wolf-pup, Cyans voice rose, saying something similar.
Hearing that, Uncle Black acknowledges it quickly, before he mentioned us to go into the mansion and prepare, as tomorrow will be the day of departure. Due to the amount of people who will come with us, he mentioned that we will use the Crystalliz, the ship which is still in my possession one way or another.
Anyway, listening to Uncle Blacks words, he told all of us to enter the mansion, go to our respective rooms and begin packing our stuff. Well, guessing by the listed amount of clothes, I believe we will stay there for a while, or will it just be a long travel time?
However, when I jumped down to do so, Uncle Black saw the dried blood still on my clothes, suddenly feeling panicky. The moment he saw it, just like a whirlwind, he suddenly appeared by my side and begun touching the places I was wounded before, asking questions such as if I am all right.
To his worried voice, I could only apologize, and explain what happened. Though I was already reprimanded for what I did, I feel ashamed for having acted that way, but I was just getting too excited at my idea.
Well, Uncle Black kept listening to my explanation, and after I was finished, he suddenly picked me up, threw me over his shoulder and carried me away. Looking back for a moment, he only told the girls to go pack their things, and that he would soon return. And with those words, he turned back around and walked towards the mansion, with me hanging over his shoulder. I wonder, I somehow couldn’t even gather the strength to fight against it… maybe because I am ashamed for what I did…?
The sky was already darkened, yet I could tell that Uncle Black had a serious expression on his face, seemingly contemplating something.
I didn’t resist, and before I knew it, we ended up within Uncle Blacks room, where he placed me on his bed, letting me sit on it while he took a seat on the chair he probably uses as an office-chair.
Sitting down, he looks at me for a while, before sighting and opening his eyes, which somehow… appear sad…
I feel uncomfortable under the gaze; it is the same one Saria had on, yet a lot more intense. Feeling the pressure, I only lower my head, looking at the wooden floor.
“Arin, please look at me…” (Uncle Black)
Listening to his words, I slowly lift my head, watching him through the gaps in my hair. He still sat there, watching me with deeply concerned eyes.
“Arin, I can understand you probably didn’t mean for that to happen, but please… look after yourself more.” (Uncle Black)
With those words he sat next to me, using his hand to run it through my hair, making me feel comfortable, yet somehow… it feels heavier than when he does it normally… not physically, but a silent pressure maybe?
Just as I was thinking about the emotions that bottle up within me, Uncle Black said a few words in a silent voice, yet loud enough for me to hear.
“Arin, I wouldn’t be able to take it if I lost you too, so please… if there is a problem or you want to do something, come to me first please, okay…? I don’t want to have to worry about you, because you are precious to me.” (Uncle Black)
With those words, Uncle Black kept massaging me… yet something inside burst.
I know this feeling… fear.
“I’m, sob, sorry.” (Arin)
With a silent voice I apologize, to which Uncle Black shows a glad smile. Yet something… I feel something is wrong… I felt fear… not because of Uncle Black or Saria’s gaze, but because of what I learned as to what condition they found me in.
I fear… my power. I fear what it could do, how it could harm myself, and those around me.
This fear, only today it was shown to me, and I tried suppressing it, the whole time. Yet, feeling it crawl up my throat, I look at Uncle Black, nearly pleading for help.
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Uncle Black first appear to be unable to follow, so he calmly asks me in a friendly tone, while I was slowly beginning to have hastened breathing…
“What is it Arin, why do you look at me like that? Is there something bothering you?” (Uncle Black)
To his friendly and warm tone, I can calm my rampant emotions a bit, yet I could only barely squeeze out the answer, as fear was somehow clogging my throat…
“I.. I am… sca… scared o… of this p, power… I.. I don’t kno… know what to do.” (Arin)
With my breathing turning increasingly hasty, causing my words to be cut off, and feeling tears gathering in my eyes, Uncle Black only holds me, continuing to massage my head, letting me calm down a bit.
“Hmm, so that was it. Arin, you don’t have to worry, everyone around you is here to help, so you don’t have to keep to yourself. Its true that your power is growing at a rate where it might be scary, or even painful to you, but you should remember, that we will always stay by your side. We are trying to help you overcome it, so you should just trust us, and yourself, a bit more. If you are careful about it, then you won’t have anything to worry about.” (Uncle Black)
As Uncle Black keeps talking, I can feel as the warmth it gives me chasing away some of my fear, but I still feel scared of the power within me. Silently crying to myself, I keep watching the floor, while my view grows increasingly misty.
“Look Arin, it is good to respect your power, but you must not fear it. Because, it will consume you if you are scared of yourself, yet knowing that you respect your power for what it is, it also means that you would never do things to misuse it, so that is good.
Also, it would be a shame to not use it, as experimenting is fun after all. Just maybe, with a bit of surveillance and security watching over it, okay.” (Uncle Black)
Laughing towards the end, Uncle Black started knuckling me out of nowhere, surprising me as I was still digesting his previous words. Yet, I quickly caught up, letting me finally realize the uncomfortable feeling of having my head knuckled.
Trying to defend myself, I begin lifting my arms, wanting to push away Uncle Black. Yet before I could execute my plan, Uncle Black caught me with his other arm and pulled me into a strong hug, making me unable to use my arms.
Flailing with my legs, I realize that I am way too light to have an influence on Uncle Blacks attack, so I begin throwing my tails into Uncle Blacks Face, trying to distract him while I wriggle free.
Uncle Black only used the fist he knuckled me with to keep the tails from his face, beginning to laugh, still leaving me within his strong grasp.
Seeing this chance, I begin using my tails a bit more concrete, trying to confuse him. Yet, within our hectic movement, I also begin laughing, infected by Uncle Black. When I finally managed to wriggle free and stand back up, I could feel the fear lessen in my heart.
Still laughing at the little fight we just had, I wait for am moment, until my breathing slowed down and I could speak once more.
“Thanks, Uncle Black.” (Arin)
Those are the only words I wanted to say, yet for some reason, Uncle Blacks smile only grew wider seeing me like that.
“You're Welcome little Arin, now go, you still need to prepare for tomorrow.” (Uncle Black)
With those words, I finally remembered that tomorrow we will begin traveling with Uncle Black, and I also need to change my clothes, my current ones still have red stains of dried blood.
Remembering that, I only wait until my breathing once more evened out, before smiling towards Uncle Black once more and leave the room after being seen out. Uncle Black only waited as I left, still having a calm smile hanging on his lips.
Anyway, after leaving the room behind, and having lost some of the dark clouds looming over my head, I finally make my way towards my room.
I begun skipping along the way, feeling relieved within. And so, with a good mood, I open the door to my already dark room.
It didn't take long for me to prepare, as due to my now elated mood I quickly threw out the clothes I wanted to take with me and put them into the spatial ring. I may have my space element already unlocked, but using it to create an artificial space is still too far away. My training wasn't enough yet.
Well, I don't have to worry about that, as Uncle Black said that my speed of learning is already abnormally fast, so I guess I mustn't become inpatient?
Thinking about it, I one more feel a chill along my back, as I am still unsure how to deal with my magic. Yet, knowing that Uncle Black trains more for exactly that reason, I decide to just give it my best.
Well anyway, due to it having been a tiring day, I threw away the clothes I was currently wearing and put on my pajama. Luckily, today I wasn't tired enough to mistake it, so I put on the right pajama and crawled into bed.
Stretching one last time, I pull up the blanket and make myself comfortable. Honestly, having ones tails out while using a blanket makes it hard to keep it in place, yet unless I get excited, I can mostly keep them under control.
So, letting them rest beside me so they don't get in the way, I grab three of them before cuddling myself in and slowly close my eyes.
A small yawn escapes me though, yet as I keep drifting away, I don't even notice anymore.
---POV: Aaron Geyser---
Watching as Arin leaves the room, a small sigh escapes me. The boy is very enthusiastic when it comes to magic, yet he is also quickly intimidated. Probably because he is still so young.
Anyway, with him having left the room, I stand up from the bed once more and change to my office-seat, looking at the letter still present there.
The Letter was received by Scyrra, and handed off to me. Honestly, I wish I could just burn it and throw it away, yet knowing of what importance it is, I am reluctant to do so. Also, it is not only the Letter itself, but the content as well, how did they even know?
Thinking about what might happen, my head begins to hurt. However, no matter what they might say or do, if they dare to even touch one of his hairs without my permission, I will go rampant in that forest, no matter how holy he is to them.
Anyway, even if it is under the cover of a diplomatic-mission, I am sure that there is something going on behind the scenes I do not know about. And guessing from Scyrras's warning, I am not the only one.
Still, the Letter itself has the seal of 'that', so I can't really just say no. Yet, 'that' would never bring harm to anyone, and would always shield its allies, so I will not have to worry about that. However, the ones living next to it, even if they are its guardians, they worry me, especially with their recent power struggles.
Well, I have now been given the mission to complete, and with Saria and Illois agreeing to tag along, I won’t have to be on edge the whole time. In that case, let’s enjoy the trip with the kids, as I am really looking forward to Arin’s opinion of my newly learned flight-ship tricks.
Actually, hasn’t Cyan recently gained the ability to force beings out of a blood-rage? I remember him bringing back a former savage dragon after he returned from bringing the royal-family here, even if it was weakened a lot.
Anyway, his race, even evolved, should not have that power, which means it came from his connection from Arin. Maybe because Arin overcame his own Blood-rage?
Well, I will have to investigate this, as if it is true and can be utilized by others, we might have the solution for many young dragons who lost themselves, and maybe even a way to counter the despicable methods of ‘those’ bastards.
Thinking about it, if it wasn’t for the neutrality of the Dragon-Mountains when it comes to the wars of men, I would have already sent help to Arcadela Kingdom. Ugh, those damned guys from the theocracy, in my opinion they should all die, always starting those idiotic crusades against the evil-races, only to keep in control of those around them.
However, getting worked up about things that do not concern me directly won’t help right now, I should first focus on trying to get over this “diplomatic”-Mission.
Now, I can only hope that Alpha returns soon enough, as I am still waiting for his report. Hopefully my doubts are unfounded, yet I can’t shake off this feeling that something is about to go majorly wrong. Alpha, I wish you luck.
Actually, Arin never met him did he? I should introduce him once I have the chance, even if he is slightly eccentric. I wonder, does he still have that collection? It might be interesting to Arin, especially since he is learning the Golem-arts.
That aside, I still need to pack, so after a few minutes of preparation and changing, I step to my bed and lay down. I hope the adventure starting tomorrow will remain calm, yet I can’t help guessing that Arin will once more whip up a storm, even if not intentionally.
Though I can’t help but wonder, am I really a good Uncle to little Arin? Letting out a large sigh, I look at the roof, seeking the stars it covers from me.
Maybe I should just rest from time to time and enjoy the blessing I have received, especially now that I have finally gained the power to protect those important to me, shouldn’t I, Father, Mother.
“Hmm, thanks for keeping watch over your useless son, who kept hiding in a cave for thousands of years only because of his emotions. Thanks, for not giving me up, even until the very end.” (Aaron)
Saying those Words in a silent voice, I keep watching the roof above me, before slowly closing my eyes as I begin drifting off into the darkness, letting the memories that resurfaced sink once again.
Not noticing the light of the stars ever so slightly increasing to shine through the window, I sink deeper into the realm of dreams, letting my mind and body relax to be well rested for what is to come.
…