[ Chapter 17 ] What changed?

Ana, Hearts, and Fer make their way back to Straya, following the road back they took to Terr Swamp. Fer holds a small bag filled with treant remains.

[ Fer ] He sighs as he puts away the bag, ¨We might get paid less now… Did you really have to use that technique on them?¨

[ Anathea ] She giggles softly under her breath, with a sincere tone to her voice,

¨Hehe… gomen… there was just a group of them. So, I had to use the technique.¨

Fer makes a blank face toward Ana, bewildered. Hearts jump towards Ana, her voice filled with thrill.

[ Hearts ] She put her arm around Ana´s shoulder, ¨What skill was that Ana?! How many more skills do you have? That was your Light Will right?! That was so cool!!!¨

[ Anathea ] Speaks sheepishly, ¨Huh… yeah it was. It´s one of my arts for light. It´s a strong skill of mine I use only for groups.¨

[ Hearts ] Steps back from Ana, ¨Kakkoi! You have to show me more! Especially having other elements too!¨

Fer listens to their small conversations but takes in the word ¨other¨.

[ Fer ] Intervenes with their conversation, ¨Others…? What do you mean by others? Are you telling me, Ana, you have more than one Will element?”

Both Ana and Hearts turned to face Fer.

[ Hearts ] Tilts her head slightly, “Oh yeah, you don’t know?”

[ Anathea ] “I have three Will elements. Light, water, and earth.¨ She scratches her head slightly, ¨I don´t remember how I got water and earth Wills. Light is my original."

[ Fer ] His eyes turn in bewilderment, ¨You have three?! What the hell… you don´t see any more than one most of the time. Not many have multiple Wills.¨ He turns away, contemplating, turning back to Ana, ¨Who… are you…? And… not remembering is weird…¨

[ Anathea ] Scratches her head while tilting, ¨Sorry, I really don´t remember how I got the other elements. Whenever I try to dot down how I got the other elements, my brain just stops and shuts down. Like I´m not allowed to or something is preventing me.¨

[ Hearts ] Puts her hand on her chin, ¨Do you have memory loss, Ana? Did something happen to you and you don´t remember?¨

[ Anathea ] Nods her head slightly no, ¨Not to my memory, no. I don´t believe I have memory loss… but I could also… It´s only how I got the elements… that is what I don´t remember.¨

[ Fer ] ¨It is quite prominent you have minor memory loss… The best choice here is to let you figure it out yourself for the time being, these things don´t come naturally quickly.¨

The three continue their way back. Fer looks at the sun setting, turning back to Ana and Hearts.

[ Fer ] He signals, ¨Hey! It´s getting close to nighttime, let´s set up for camp.¨

Ana and Hearts nodded, following him. The three set up camp near grass plains near a forest. As they set up their tents, the sound of a campfire was prominent. Hearts had separated to collect firewood.

[ Anathtea ] She talks as she makes the tent, ¨Hey, Fer!¨

[ Fer ] Her turns to Ana, ¨What?¨

[ Anathea ] ¨May I ask you a question?¨

[ Fer ] ¨Depends on what the question is but ask.¨

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[ Anathea ] Turns her head to Fer, ¨Who is the… higher up… person Ragna was talking about? Who is he to you?¨

Fer stops in his tracks. An awkward silence stretches between them for what seems like seconds. Anathea decides to break the silence.

[ Anathea ] Her tone was dismissive, ¨You don´t have to answer it if it is uncomfortable.¨

[ Fer ] Puts the final pin to his tent, standing up straight, ¨No, it isn´t anything bad. I just don´t like sharing this information out much.¨

[ Anathea ] ¨You don´t have to share it then.¨

[ Fer ] Nods no, ¨No, I´ll say it. The person Ragna was talking about was… my brother.¨

[ Anathea ] ¨Your brother…? I remember you mentioned him yesterday. Why… don´t you like talking about him, if I may ask?¨

[ Fer ] ¨It´s not I don´t like him… it just… him and I… we don´t have a great relationship. We don´t get along well.¨

[ Anathea ] Turns her head, ¨Why´s that? Do human families not get along? In Kathin, we rarely see hostile families.¨

[ Fer ] ¨It isn´t… that we hate each other… We just have indifference. So, we don´t talk or see each other much.¨

[ Anathea ] ¨Did something happen to you two? You said it was just the both of you growing up.¨

[ Fer ] ¨As far as I can remember, nothing happened. Just one day after he had left joining the Royal Arms. As we were home one day… we got a knock on the door. I remember staying in the back listening to their conversation. It´s not as prominent in my head anymore… But they were walking about him joining the Royal Arms.¨

[ Anathea ] ¨What is the Royal Arms?¨

[ Fer ] ¨The Royal Arms is the guards and power of Astrea. The army and protectors of this city. Think of it as our military source.¨

[ Anathea ] ¨What happened after he joined the Royal Arms?¨

[ Fer ] ¨He joined the Royal Arms at 15… when I was 10. He rarely came home to Mom and me. But ever since when he did… he acted differently. He became… distant and blunt. He used to always cheer me up when we were little… but now all he does is try and bring me down. I don´t know why.¨

[ Anathea ] Touches her chin, ¨Maybe something happened when he joined? How long did it take for him to come back?¨

[ Fer ] ¨I remember the day he left… he said to me…¨

Fer begins to remember his past, going back to the day he left. Fer but his younger self stood looking at a door. A black figure he was looking at, his brother.

[ Young Fer ] ¨Brother… why are you leaving us…? Leaving me and Mom.¨

The figure kneeled down to Fer, his tone became low and soft.

[ Brother Figure ] ¨I am leaving to to help us. I´ll make sure you and Mom don´t have to worry about trouble. You won´t see me for a year but… I´ll be back. Trust me.¨

[ Young Fer ] Tone was of plead, ¨But I don´t want to be alone… why are you doing this?¨

[ Brother Figure ] ¨I´m joining the Royal Arms to help Mother. Don´t worry Fer, you´ll make new friends.¨

The figure had closed the door, leaving Fer alone standing at it. Tears began to fall, and soon, a small cry was heard. Fer and Ana were both now sitting near the campfire.

[ Fer ] ¨He came back the next year, but he wasn´t the same.¨

[ Anathea ] ¨That´s… I don´t really know what to say. I´m sure your brother has a reason right? He wouldn´t change that much without one.¨

[ Fer ] Lowers his head, ¨Maybe… but I don´t know if it is either.¨

Hearts was behind a tree listening to their entire conversation. Talking a step onto both of their visions.

[ Hearts ] Carrying firewood, ¨Have you asked him about what happened? He is your brother, I am sure he´ll answer.¨

[ Fer ] Turns to Hearts, ¨No… I haven´t asked him yet, he has been so distant. I can barely talk to him.¨

Hearts put the wood scraps onto the campfire, sitting near Fer and Ana.

[ Hearts ] ¨Like Ana said, he´s your brother. Find some time to talk to him… and if he´s a good brother, he´ll answer you. My grandpa whenever he acted off, I always asked him and he answered feeling better.¨

[ Fer ] Thinks for a second, ¨I´ll ask him then… when the time comes.¨

Both Ana and Hearts smile at Fer, the poping of the campfire prominent.

[ Anathea ] ¨If you mind… what is his name?¨

[ Fer ] Hesitates for a second, ¨H- His name…? His name is Kusan.¨

[ Hearts ] Her eyes widen in blastomey¨K- Kusan?!?! You mean… Kusan Uni? One of the three Royal Hounds?! The Terra´s Savant??!?!¨

[ Anathea ] ¨Terra´s Savant is your brother, Fer? Ragna told me that man is the one who he used to bargain with you.¨

[ Fer ] ¨Yes… my brother is the Kusan Uni. Is it that important?¨

[ Hearts ] Stands up quick, ¨Important?!? He is one of the few chosen by King Erwin to lead the Royal Arms!¨

[ Fer ] ¨That is true but… that doesn´t change much about who he is to me.¨

[ Hearts ] Sits back down slowly, ¨I know, but still. It might be hard to be in contact then. Considering the amount of responsibility he has.¨

Anathea chuckles slightly at the interaction that happened.

[ Anathea ] Looks at Fer, ¨I´m sure you can find a way, just take some time Fer.¨

[ Fer ] Nods, ¨Right.¨

All three of them stay there in silence for a couple of seconds. The moonlight glows onto them as the campfire keeps a warm temperature.

[ Hearts ] Stands up slowly, ¨I´m going to get some shut-eye now, get some sleep you two.¨ Walks to her tent going in, ¨Thanks for building my tent for me Fer.¨

[ Anathea ] Stands up also, ¨I´ll go to sleep then also. Make sure to go to sleep soon, okay?¨

Fer nods as Anathea slowly goes into her tent, leaving Fer alone sitting near the campfire.

[ Fer ] ¨We should be back to Straya tommorrow, hopefully… nothing goes wrong.¨