Zephyr’s POV

‘Sigh, how did it end up like this? The once-known Twinlight who had fought countless hordes of beasts and cheated death more times than he could count wasn't able to withstand the questions from two four-year-olds.’

Taking deep breaths, I massaged my forehead.

‘Them asking was inevitable, but of course I couldn't control my emotions, damn it.’

Right after Theodore left, conveniently, Will came knocking on the door, asking Orion to go check on little Ben, leaving me alone to gather my thoughts. Lyon didn't deserve to be yelled at. He was a child full of wonder for the world. It was my responsibility, as an adult, to make sure he stays safe and out of danger.

‘Sigh, this is too hard for me, Seth. You were always better than me when it came to emotions. Why did you do it? You could have survived, you could have…’ I let the thought trail, refusing to finish it.

"You shouldn't think like that," I whisper, wanting to believe these words.

After so many years, I was still not over it. Every time I recalled the events of my last dungeon as a Ranger, Seth, sacrificing himself to save me, flashed before my eyes.

I went to the bathroom and splashed water on my face, trying to wash away the haunting images. Faint yelling could be heard in the distance, but I couldn't focus on it until a sudden knock came at the door. Wiping my face, I was met with a confused Cain and a gasping-for-air, exhausted Theodore.

I blinked. In the hurricane of thoughts, I had momentarily forgotten that I had asked Theodore to find Cain for me.

"Father, what is going on? What did Lyon do this time?"

Bending down to his level, I took him by the shoulder. "Easy Cain. Lyon didn't do anything wrong, he just went to the forest. I would go to get him myself, but… the cake must have upset my stomach. Could you do it in my stead?"

My stomach was perfectly fine. My core was the problem. Ever since the... incident, whenever I use too much quint, my core would ache as if I was on the brink of backlash for a prolonged period of time.

"No!" Cain snapped, his confusion turning into frustration. "He always brings problems!"

"Cain," I stretched his name in a light scolding fashion, "is this how to talk about your little brother?"

"Hmph, it's true!" He crossed his hands and averted his gaze. "Besides, you said it earlier. He is stronger than me." His face hardened, pained by the words he spoke of.

The more I look at Cain, the more I am reminded of my younger self. I, too, was stubborn and didn't do anything that wasn't in my personal interest. Perhaps that's the reason he was my sweet tooth. Seth gave me the opportunity to look back and reflect upon myself, and Cain, bearing a few similarities with me, was here to remind me of who I used to be.

Just as Seth had given me the mantle, it was now my time to do the same for Cain. To guide him and help him take a different path than I had. A path he wouldn't have to walk alone, but one where he could trust his family and form bonds with them, not out of necessity for survival, but for love and care. And who knew, perhaps if I succeeded, Seth's sacrifice would stop haunting me one day.

Taking a hold of his other shoulder, I looked him in the eyes. "Cain, sometimes people don't want family and friends with them because they are stronger or because they can use them. Sometimes knowing someone is out there is enough to allow you to push forward, regardless of how hard or painful it might be."

He looked down, his expression showing how sorry he was for his outburst. "And what does this have to do with Lyon?"

I smiled back. "Lyon is all alone now, and soon it will get dark. I'm sure he will be very happy if his big brother finds and brings him back."

His cheeks took a pink color of embarrassment. "F-fine, I'll go, but what will I do about the beasts? I can't fight them like Lyon."

Searching my pockets, I caught onto my old dimensional ring. I always knew there would be a time I'd have to give it away, but I didn't expect it would be so soon. It was a very cheap one, barely able to hold two items, but it was the very first thing I bought with my own hard-earned money.

It's funny. I always said I would get rid of it the moment I found something better, yet it turned out to be the last remnant of my past.

‘I guess this is it.’

Paying my final goodbyes, I gave it to Cain.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

"What is that?" It was Theodore who asked, his eyes only a few centimeters away from the ring.

"Cain, remember what I told you about enhancing your body with quint?" He gave a nod of confirmation and I continued, "Put it on and try reaching with your quint. What do you feel?"

He closed his eyes, and his brows furrowed in focus. "Yes, I feel two items inside this. How is that possible?"

"That's a dimensional ring. Its ins and outs can be explained later. Now, try to reach the longer one of the two."

His furrow deepened, and then, a moment later, my old sword formed into his hands.

"Wow! How did you do that!?" Theodore exclaimed, his eyes sparkling.

Unsheathing the sword that was a little too big for him, he held it high, trying to balance it. It wasn't heavy, a little over a kilo, but for an untrained child, even that proved a challenge, Elemancer or not. I didn't have to touch its edge to measure its sharpness. I personally maintained it, after all. Placing my hand over his, I tightened, and his hand stopped shaking, the point of the blade reflecting the orange light of the sunset in a clear line.

"This used to be my sword, but I have no need of it anymore. I would like for you to have it." I said, slowly taking off my hand.

Cain's jaw twitched, struggling to form words, but nothing comprehensible escaped his lips. It was only after Theodore chuckled loud enough for him to notice that he composed himself. "Thank you, Father, I won't let you down!"

I ruffled his hair playfully. "Atta boy. Now," I turned and pointed to the sunset, "It's already getting late, go brink Lyon back, before it gets too dark."

"Yes, father!" Holding the sword tight like a teddy bear, he took his leave, leaving me alone with Theodore.

Theodore's eyes, despite shining a moment ago, dazed away to Cain's back. After running so much, it's only natural for him to get tired. "Are you sleepy, Theodore?"

He gasped and his ready to fall asleep eyes, opened wide, regaining some vigor as his hand raced over to his mouth, trying to hide his shock. "H-how did you know!?"

I couldn't help but laugh at his innocence. "Haha, I have my ways."

"Is it because you're an Elemaner?"

"It's Elemancer, Theodore," I corrected, "and no, you can say..." I paused, pondering to find a fitting words,"... that comes with experience."

"Wow! That's so cool! I want exrience too!"

I chuckled, turning to gaze out the window one more time. Climbing up a stool, Theodore sat next to me, appreciating the distant sunset with me. It were moments like this that warmed my heart. Like we were a true family.

"Papa, can you tell me a story?" Theodore shook my sleeve eagerly.

With a light chuckle, I said, "Of course, Theodore. Do you have any in mind, or are you perhaps interested in one of my own?"

He looked down a little, twiddling his fingers. "Th- the Lonely Friend."

I frowned a little. "Are you sure, Theodore? I'm not sure you're going to like this one."

"Y-yes. Then he won't be lonely anymore."

Sighing a smile, I patted his hair. "You're right."

Sitting back on the chair, Theodore climbed atop my lap and grabbed my robe as a makeshift blanket. "Let's see… how did the story begin again… ah yes."

"There once was a man. A very strange man. His skin was pale like milk, his hair was as dark as the night, and his eyes were unalike, however, the most prominent thing about him was the pair of wings behind him, one black the other white.”

I paused.

"No. That's not quite right."

No more lies.

"The most prominent thing about him was that he was very, very lonely."

"Why was he lonely?" Theodore asked, his interest and confusion trying their best to keep his eyes open.

"Because he once made a mistake, and ever since, wherever he went, disaster followed."

"Was he cursed?" His voice was slow and distant.

"Many believe so, but no one knows. Word spread far and wide about the man who brought destruction and misfortune, so, they shunned him. The man, despite that, didn't hate them. He understood and empathized with them, so he left to wander the world. But wandering the world alone proved too difficult for him. He didn't have any friends to help him fight the scary beasts, any family to treat his wounds. He was all alone and sad. He couldn't take it anymore."

"In the end he—" Abruptly, my robe was pulled. Looking down, Theodore was breathing lightly, grabbing tightly to my robe for warmth.

"You got tired little guy?" I rubbed his cheek with a finger.

Looking out the window, the orange hue was almost completely gone, and the stars, and the moon, started making their appearance.

"P-papa," Theodore murmured, half asleep. "Can you finish the story next time?"

"Of course. Anytime you want, Theodore." I said, but he didn't listen, turning to the other side for more comfort. At that time, the wooden door creaked open, revealing Orion.

"Ah, perfect timing." Carefully standing up with Theodore in my arms, I whispered. "Can you take him back to the orphanage?"

He squinted his eyes, glaring daggers at me, but didn't say anything. Instead, the breath he gathered left his body with a sigh. "Fine."

Carefully giving him Theodore, we didn't exchange any words, not wanting to wake him up.

I watched them until they took a turn behind a house. Being left alone, I looked up towards the sky, the young night dressed with dazzling stars. As I did so, a dark grey cloud took my attention. Before I could even turn in its direction, an earthquake struck.

Quickly glancing, I froze in terror. The volcano was erupting; the summit holding an orange color, lava pumping up, ready to burst like a bubble. From its sides, waterfalls of lava were visible despite the distance, and yet, that wasn't the reason I couldn't feel my lower body.

From the summit, there was a shine. A white shine. The same white shine from fifteen years ago. The white radiance that brought the daylight in the middle of the night was speeding towards the village.

Thump! Thump!

My heart pounded, the surrounding sounds drowning out as my own quivering voice, begging for Seth to not sacrifice himself for my sake, cried out. My breath quickened, the distant echo growing clearer.

Badump! Badump! Badump!

The pounding in my heart became louder, sweat outlining my forehead as I was beginning to feel light-headed.

“What are you doing!?” A voice boomed in my mind. A voice that sounded like Seth.

‘What am I... I... I—’

Kraa-aww!

The phoenix's thunderous cry interrupted whatever thought I had, snapping my eyes open and gasping for air.

Coughing violently, I looked up. The phoenix had already closed the distance in that small frame of time. Then something began falling from its beak. Squinting my eyes, a piece of fabric was dangling in the air.

My hair stood on end, and a tear ran down my cheek.

“Lyon...”