" Yu Yu, Kibbles welcome home," My mother said with a broad grin on her face. The scars had subsided substantially and all that had been left was pink skin that looked no more different than a birthmark over her pale white face.
She came up to both Kibbles and me giving us each a hug before making us some tea. She poured each of us a cup before she too poured herself some.
"Are you looking forward to your adult ceremony next month?" Mother said with a smile.
She seemed to pause for a moment. I couldn't only guess that she was reminiscing on our time together in the Dredge Lands.
" mm.. we should also be able to return to Tama soon" I added quietly.
"I hope, I hope your father is waiting for us." She said quietly.
"And Ren too" I added with a nod.
Kibbles, my mother and me all sat for a moment and stared into our glasses. The tea swayed gently as I swished it.
"My sons you stay safe okay. No matter what happens when we get back the both of you.." mother said before pausing.
"Mom you have nothing to worry about!" Kibbles said with a smile.
Mother grinned and held his hand while Kibble's smile broadened.
Since we had all been together for a long time and Kibbles had gained his human form mother had officially adopted Kibbles as a member of the family, Loki as well. She had realised that the two of them were a little different than the rest.
She had also taken a shining to Sora, Heyu and Nathan. Loki and Kibbles, however, were not from this world and had no ties here. Although no one had told her it seemed that she subconsciously realised something was different about the two.
I remember Kibbles holding on to her for dear life and smiling brilliantly when she invited him into the family. Loki had just stood there shocked. Although Loki hadn't said much I could tell that he was very protective of her.
Almost as much as I was.
Last year she had cut her hand while she was cooking and Loki had rushed to the house from the Sharman hut to heal her. What he hadn't told anyone was that at the time he was in the middle of treating someone with a broken leg. Kibbles, on the other hand, would escort her every time she left the village to pick mushrooms and other wild vegetables.
Between Loki and Kibble's, I knew that I had no need to worry about her safety, they are my family too after all.
In future, if I were to get a happy ending Loki and Kibbles would still most likely be here. In future being an Akiyo wouldn't be so bad for them.
" I have almost finished the adult ceremony robes," Mother said as she pointed to a loom in the corner of the house. Kibbles would be having his ceremony the day after mine while Loki would have one on the third day.
Heyu and Sora had already had theirs last year since they were a year older and Nathan would be sharing his with Loki.
The adulthood ceremony was a coming of age tradition for the Tulk. It involved climbing a rock formation just outside of town and placing a marker on a statue that held a spear near the top. The statue was several meters high and was created hundreds of years ago.
The statue was said to grant the young people who placed their mark protection as well as a grant each being a warriors heart and mind. The gist was that the steep climb would teach young people to work through hardship and try to face their fears.
The statue was also rather sacred to the people of Tulk, the women it was based on was one of the first leaders of the tribe that had apparently shown the Tulk to their new homeland from a continent far away. It had surprised me that they had not come from this country.
I couldn't imagine small boats making their way across the ocean. Scared, alone and probably hungry they travelled hundreds of miles to reach the desert and find their home underground. The whole story was amazing.
I was surprised when the Tulk said that they would give us the honour of marking the statue. Since they were prepared to share such a sacred tradition with us, we had all made an effort to become as much a part of the village as everyone else.
I looked over at the loom and saw the many coloured threads that made up the shades of colour that the Tulk wore. The most amazing part of the adulthood ceremonial outfit was the brightly laced armbands. They were actually woven from fibres of the luminous parts of the cave mushrooms granting them a slight glow.
It was symbolic of the hope that the future of the next generation of adults would be bright.
The Tulk in a lot of ways dressed as if they were less advanced then Tama or Vance but in a lot of ways, I found them to be much wiser.
I let out of a small puff of air before I smiled brightly.
" I am sure the outfits you make will be as beautiful as last year," I said as I looked at mother.
" You have gotten much bigger. I hope by the time the ceremony has arrived your clothing will actually fit!" Mother said as she giggled into her sleeve.
I walked over and kissed her on the forehead before saying goodbye.
" I will see you both later," I said as I headed towards the exit.
" Don't hurt yourself in the fields!" Mother said with a worried expression.
" Bye Yuki don't forget to call if you need me!" Added Kibbles as he stood next to mother.
" I won't!" I said as I watched their figures get further away.
The fields where I worked supplied a good percentage of the food and medicine to the Tulk. It was also where I had learned and trained my new abilities. By the time I got to the field at night, each plant would already be watered.
The reason for waiting for the sunstones on the ceiling to dull was because it would be when the field was the most lit up. Each plant that was used shed light when it became darker causing visibility to actually be higher.
Not only could I see better in a way that inspecting the plants became easier but it allowed me to fix the ones that were ill or change the soil where they needed to be. I had spent more time then I cared to admit looking at each plant and using my magic where needed.
It was only when Loki appeared with a basket full of snacks that I had finally wiped the sweat off my face and looked over.
" I did say we would have dinner didn't I?" Loki said as he sat down a blanket.
I nodded before heading to a nearby well to wash my hands and face.
" What's for dinner?" I said mid wash.
" Something delicious as per usual" I heard Loki call from behind.
" Hey, Loki?" I said as I took a bite of the food that he had prepared.
" What can I do for you?" Loki said as he took a sip of juice.
" You know a lot about love right? How do I know when I like someone?" I said after I swallowed.
" What do you mean?" Loki said with an eyebrow raised.
" Well, the only person I ever loved in that wayโฆ Did I like him just because he was nice to me?" I said as I looked down at my hands.
" What has gotten into you tonight?" Said Loki as he laughed.
" I don't know.. maybe it's the beautiful view or the nice home-cooked meal or your kindness. I guess I feel kind of lonely" I said as I shrugged.
" Seems your finally ready," Loki said nodding.
" huh for what?" I said as I shook my head.
" Ever since.. ever since we were sent here you haven't looked at the profile section of the Lubu system have you?" Loki said as he tapped his chin.
" I guess so?" I said as I inhaled.
" Maybe.. maybe you are ready to open your heart again," Loki said smiling.
" Yeah maybe," I replied with a single nod.
So it was that Loki and I spent our time near the farm with the various plants shining blues, purples and greens lighting up the area like a night sky and talking happily till it was time to sleep.