"Cough, cough!"
Woken up by an urge to cough, my heavy lids open my view. Cold and freezing, yet my body's still not reacting. I scratch the edge of my eyes and stretch my arm and legs. Only to be halted by something hard...
"Ugh!"
A silent morning, a scratch in the noggin, a stretch for the aching, and a yawn for the ending.
"Yaaaaawn~"
I brush the snow off my body and opened my clear eyes and realize the room has started to be filled by piling snow. In fact, the corners are already piled up taller than us. Seeing July's body being covered I quickly get close to her and brush of any snow piling on her. I hastily check her condition seeing if she's any better or worse. I hold her forehead to see if she's sick, check her pulse through the neck and giving her a pat in the head saying:
"Thank goodness, you're still okay. But it won't be long before you're not. Especially when you're covered by snow all night."
I look at the door that leads further inside the building and nod to myself.
"Okay, let's get this day started. It seems thanks to the harsh winter, we can't stay in the same room all the time."
I quickly search for the bag, digging through the pile of snow with haste. Before founding it in an entirely new place where I left it off last night. Grabbing a bottle to drink, I check it's content and was please to know it hasn't been turned to ice yet. Having to force the lid open with one hand while holding the bottle with my thighs, I have to exert more force than usual thank to the cold.
*splash* *gulp* *gulp* *gulp*
"Pah! Much better. But getting brain freeze in the morning is not great."
I close the lid as I watch July again. Sleeping with a smile on her face I wonder what she's dreaming about. Especially how is she still smiling when she's piled in the snow?
I proceed to dust off the piling snow and remove the crate blocking the way further inside while trying to make as little noise as possible. When the items are removed, I slowly turn the knob and open quietly.
*creak*
The door, stuck midway. Probably thanks to the cold.
"Screw it!"
*bam*
I forcefully slam my body and open it. I look back at July wondering if I wake her up but she's still sleeping.
"Now I feel even more worried if she didn't wake from that."
What greeted me was an empty and dark kitchen where the snow hasn't entered yet... I check around, opening shelves and under the table.
"Yup, empty."
(As in any bodies or enemies. And I need to create a light source too).
Just like the previous room, there are trails of frozen blood. But this time, this one leads to a locked wooden door.
"Welp, not gonna check that far yet. Let's just hope my luck doesn't run out. Time to prepare some meals."
****************************************
With two mugs of cocoa filled with marshmallows, and two plates of some warm meat stew made by some unknown ingredients. Albeit it took me longer since I'm not used to the balance, and much much longer to clean the plate before using it.
"I think it's more of a brunch now than a breakfast. And I manage to refill the water bottles with the sink. Clean it not, we can figure out later."
(I tested it and it tastes like eating meat and sausages with spaghetti sauce as the soup. It's nice with how I don't even know what I put in there. The tomato flavour is rich and preserved thanks to the cold).
"I'm more surprised I manage to this all with one hand. But then again, didn't I always cook with one hand back then too? One cooks while the other holds a book or phone."
I diminish the flames by using the dirty bowl as a bucket and splash it with water before putting the dirty tools in some dishwasher. Leaving the room cold and dark. I first brought the mugs to the storage and still see July sleeping with the cutest smile on her face.
"Haah, she really is hopeless."
I check on her condition again to see if she's alright before placing our breakfast infront of her hoping she would smell it and wake up but that doesn't seem to work... Maybe a bit closer?
I push the plate closer to her nose and soon, she twitched.
(Oh, it's working!)
When I pull the plate to the right, she frowns and follows. I pull the food up and she begins to follow it by using her hand to get up.
"Hahaha! This is too funny."
I pull the dish closer to me and she gets closer. When I place the meal beside, she was so close I easily let our forehead touch. She finally opens her weary coral blue eyes. She blinked multiple times before her face boils red.
"Uwaah!"
The accumulation of her shame shoves me away in shock before backing away to the wall.
"E-eh? Big bro?"
She rubs her eyes and looks at me again blinking multiple times... She gets closer and leans at me, tapping my cheeks before she smiles and falls into my arms. Clutching my chest, she rubs her head on me saying:
"Thank goodness. Thank Libera, it's not a dream."
I pat her head saying:
"It seems you had a bad dream. But I should be happy seeing you wake up. A little more longer and I'll really need to check seriously."
She shakes her head saying:
"Big bro, I dreamed of how our meeting at the library, and travelling together closely is nothing but an illusion when in reality, I'm still stuck at the basement alone. It's weird and it hurts how even though we just met you've become so important to me. Just like my parents, I'm truly lucky to have you."
(Wait, so she too realizes we got together too quick huh?)
"Well, I'm real and I'm not going anywhere soon."
She looks up from my chest saying:
"Prove it."
"Huh?"
"Prove you're not leaving me... K-kiss me, again. Vow your actions!"
Her cheeks blush as she says those words.
"Pfddfdgh! W-what!?"
(Isn't that even more hurried and fast!?)
She tilts her head in confusion as she saw me getting surprised.
(Wait, again? When? You sure it's not in a dream?)
"K-kiss huh?"
"You've already kissed me multiple times yesterday. So why are you hesitating?"
She looks down as she said that as if she's avoiding my eyes.
(I did!? When!? I don't remember kissing her at all! Did I kiss her while sleepwalking!? Now' that's creepy as fuck!)
I turn back holding my chin as I search my memories...
(The only closest we get is our forehead touching and that's it! But, I guess why not! Since my brain isn't disturbing me for some time now nor has guts root me ever since... Fuck it, Let's do this!)
I look at back at her, holding her chin and force her to face me. Her eyes leer away as her cheeks grow even redder. She shut her lips and pulls her chin in as if embarrassed.
(Ah, that's so freaking cute! I'm luckier to have you!)
I close my eyes and let our lips touch. Even throughout the freezing cold, her soft lips were warm. The jolt I felt feels surreal. And when I open my eyes, I see her eyes looking at me confused as if she's wondering what I'm doing...
When I back away, she looks away blushing and pressing her fingers asking:
"Big, bro, when are you going to kiss? Please stop teasing me..."
(Eh?)
"Didn't we kiss just now?"
She looks back at me with shock replying:
"Huh? Geez, our forehead didn't even touch!"
"Huh?"
"Hmm?"
I touch my forehead asking:
"Wait, foreheads?"
"Eh? Could your memory lost not only makes lose your memories but jumbled your perception!?"
Her face grows worried as she pushes me down and topples me. I felt the snow left on her falling at me. Holding my head as if she's looking for any wound. Stuck in an awkward moment I try to defuse it, saying:
"So we kiss by our foreheads huh?"
She looks at me face to face and nods saying:
"Mhm! Yea..."
I hold the back of her head and pull her towards me. Gently, I press my forehead at hers saying:
"So that's why it feels magical."
(Right, this is another world. I better be careful about my actions. After all, those models in the porn mag I saw was posing in some weird ways. But I'm just glad nothing went wrong... I think).
Her face burns so red, the meal I made looks pale in comparison before she pushes me away again saying:
"B-Big bro, n-no more sudden kisses!"
She stutters in her words but I can only smile and pat her head in return saying:
"Well, I'm glad you got your spirit back. Now come on, I made you some breakfast. We better eat it before it gets cold."
"Breakfast?"
She looks around and decided to get off me and look at the meal I made. She looks back at me confused asking:
"What's this? Don't tell me you mix some random stuff again."
"Don't worry. I already taste it. It's delicious!"
"There's a limit on how much you can mix before it becomes poison you know."
"How rude! I am a pretty confident cook myself! And besides, isn't that how food is usually made? As long as it tastes great, it's good food no?"
(After all, little Omena is pretty hard to please since she ate the same food all the time but just different ways of cooking it and humans have evolved to differentiate the taste of poison and not. While the taste of modern medicine is sweet thanks to sugar and sweetener like how I usually sell mine back then. Ancient medicine is usually bitter, that's simply because medicine is just one thin line of becoming lethal poison. That's why medicine always has a limit of dosage. In fact, nothing over excessive is ever good anyway).
"Do I need to eat it again to prove it?"
I push an empty box between us and place the food there. I use the spoon and scoop up a mouthful. I smile at her saying:
"See? It's the perfect taste of sweet and sour. Just sad that there's no cheese. Or else, this would be perfect."
"You're saying weird things again big bro. But I guess I could."
She uses the spoon and takes a small bite. Her face grows dark and she freezes in place...
(Did something happen? When I taste it it's fine. I even checked if it's spoiled or not just in case by smelling it when cooking and see if anything weird is growing. Oh, wait! Could it be she's allergic to the food! How could I've been so stupid!)
I grab a bottle of water and towel saying:
"July, I'm sorry-"
"It's delicious!"
"Huh?"
July scoops another spoonful for herself before shaking her hands up and down ecstatically saying:
"It's delicious, big bro!"
"Oh! S-so you're okay? You're not allergic to it right?"
"Never been better! I'm so lucky to eat something so good this early. It tastes so nice! In fact, it tastes like the soup I ate back at that hotel- urgph!!!"
July hold her urge to puke and push away the meal. She backs away, cowering as she holds her mouth.
"July..."
"I just remembered why I fell unconscious. I'm sorry for making you do so much big bro. The one who should've made the meal is me."
I get closer to her and give her a hug. As I felt her hugging me back, I lean my head over her saying:
"Don't worry. Let me do the chores for now. When we get to your hometown you can spoil me as much as you want. In fact, I insist!"
"Big bro, you idiot... Thank you."
"No problemo, now let's eat up, and drink that cocoa or muq. Maybe that'll cheer you up. Oh, and another good news, while running around all night, it seems I ended getting near the shelter. So I think we'll arrive there soon."
"Um! sorry for making you worry."
I caress her head saying:
"I told you it's fine. Now eat up, the food becomes easily cold especially here."
I back away and get on the opposite side when she holds me back by grabbing my arm saying:
"Big, bro, please eat beside me..."
(How can I say no when you say that!?)
"Sure."
I grab another crate and place it beside it to make the table longer. She then sits close enough till our shoulders touch before starting to eat the warm food. I observe July who's now eating it slowly in contrast to just how she was scooping up a mouthful each time she bites.
(Hmmm, how do I cheer her up? I know. But I'll best give it a try).
"July, look at me."
"Hmm?"
When she lifts her head, I stare at her with my serious face-
"Plurghffff!!!"
And soon, the food in her mouth shoots out like a claymore ravaging my face and clothes...
"Pfff, cough, cough, pfffffufufufu! B-big bro, what's with that face!?"
"Yeah, yeah, I'm glad you're happy."
"Pfff, fufufufu! S-stop! Sthap! I can't... My stomach can't handle it!"
"I already did..."
I use the towel I grabbed earlier to wipe my face.
"No! Fufufufu! I can't! I can't!"
July places her food in the table before laying down and curling into a ball as she laughs.
"July?"
"Big, bro! You meanie! D-Don't... Fufufufu! Huff, huff... Don't make that face ever again!"
She tries her best to not laugh and get a hold of her self.
(Fufu? That's pretty cute).
"But seeing you smile and laugh like that is really cute."
"C-Cute... Still a no!"
She finally gets back up and replies back with a maddened face with both her cheeks puffed out, which is still pretty cute.
"Okay, okay, fine. I'll remind you next time."
"No, means no!"
She shakes her arms up and down as to gesture she means it.
"Fine~ but I still want to see you laugh..."
"Uuuh... Laughing to someone who's not my...usd... Or else the Bxqytk will steal your voice."
Her voice grows quiet in the middle before becoming normal. Still...
"You serious! We can't laugh!?"
(What kind of made up excuse is that!? More like what kind of grumpy old culture doesn't allow someone to laugh!?)
She blushes, looking away and pressing her fingers together saying:
"W-We can, but that's only for private sessions and when we're finally together as husband and wife..."
Her eyes leer towards me and as we make eye contact, she hastily looks down and continues saying:
"But since you don't remember anything. I guess I'll forgive you. So take this secret to the grave!"
(Porque? Wait, did I do something I'm not supposed to again? Wait, what kind of private session requires laughter? I'm starting to get curious, but...)
"You know, with all that I did. I wouldn't really mind marrying you, you know."
"Eeeh!?"
She backs away shocked.
"I already stole a kiss from you, been pretty physical and heard your cute laughing voice. I really hope I can be with you even after we get to your hometown. In fact, I really want to know you more. And in return, I want you to know me too after I got my memories back of course or you can help me make new ones together."
I lean forward and rest my head on my arm as I look closer to her.
"Wawawawa! Just eat up first!"
She quickly changes the subject and continues to eat a mouthful as I see her spirit coming back. I can't help but smile asking:
"Talking about your hometown, mind telling me what do we do when we arrive at your hometown? Or what's your town like?"
"Huh?"
Confused by my question, she can only tilt her head as she asks.
(Maybe I didn't ask specific enough).
"I mean, what do you plan to do when we get there? You said it's your hometown right? So will we meet your grandparents? Your uncle? Or maybe your dad? I mean if it's your hometown he'll be there right?"
Her eyes opened wide as she just remembers that. She nods exuberantly saying:
"Ah! You're right! Ehehehe~ I can't wait for you to meet my dad of grandpapa."
(Wait didn't she just laugh just now? What the hell is laughter for then then? When she goes fufufu and not hehehe? I don't understand!)
The smile she had when she said that exudes so much joy I can't help but smile back at her replying:
"Sure, me too. That way, I can ask for approval in marriage."
"D-don't say that so casually! Just because you have no memories doesn't mean you can say anything!"
"It's because I have no memories I want to say what's honest in my heart. With no memories, I can only follow what my heart tells me. So please take my word in the heart."
"Rrrghgh! Stop teasing me!"
(Ahhh! Then stop being so freaking cute! Not that I mind).
She pouts once again as she still eats. I lean back asking:
"I wonder what kind of guy is your dad?"
"Eh? Dad? Well... I'm sure you'll love him!"
She starts eating more quickly and when I followed suit in her pace, I can't help but wonder...
(This is going to be bad- no, scratch that, worse idea! I mean, what will her dad think if one day you lost your daughter and she returned with a man in hand. I certainly would explode if little Omena would grow up and suddenly bring a man home. And since I never really hear anything about her mother, she must be living with only her dad, so it's not wrong to assume he must be pretty overprotective of her. And worse what will he react when he hears she got along with me even before a day and all the things I did to her here! I better try to avoid that topic. Let's not talk the face value either, the way I acted feels like I'm taking advantage of her. This is not good...
But in the end, I'm still going to meet her dad anyway. It may end being a long lecture and maybe if he's violent, fist or sword fights oh, since this is a world of magic maybe some spell bouts? But all of that aside, I still want her beside me, she's just the cutest after all. And how much I've already done to her without knowing my actions. I think it's very safe to say I have to take responsibility for my actions... And I feel like I'm forgetting one factor in the thesis but I can't put my tongue on it...)
*slurp*
"Pwaah! Delish!"
She proclaims happily as she cleans the bowl of soup and leftovers. I hand her mine saying:
"Eat mine too, it's not enough isn't it?"
"Eh? Really big bro!?"
"Yes, I think I'm just going to enjoy a few cups muq and qlo."
"Thank you, big bro!"
We both happily enjoy the breakfast I make while exchanging a few conversations to keep the room from being quiet and cold...
"Wait, isn't your dad going to come here?"
"Huh?"
"I mean, even if he thinks you died, wouldn't anyone come back here to retrieve the body or something? Maybe they'll reclaim back the city!"
I smile and speak in a loud voice to give her hope but,
"That's... A lost cause..."
"Huh?"
Now it's my turn being confused.
"Monster attacked this city remember? They probably think the Dark Gods have devoured our bodies by now. But from what I see, it seems there are no monsters or is the body being devoured either."
I ate a bit and swallow before asking:
"To put it simply, no one's coming for us?"
"Um..."
She nods back at me and the mood slumps back down to the gutter...
"Raaagh! Don't act so gloomy! We're getting out of here alive! We're going back there and show them we're alive!"
She looks at me surprised before nodding back at me with a cheerful smile.
****************************************
*stomp* *stomp*
As the night blizzard pass, the snow it brings covers the streets. The layers of snow it brings is so thick we're now walking so high I can touch the window from probably a two-story building. Carefully we walk so that we won't fall in...
(I'm more worried about myself since I'm the one carrying the bag but I'm glad I don't have to worry about her. But in all seriousness, I'm surprised in just a few days this whole city is already buried with snow. In fact, we had to use the large hole above the ceiling to escape just now. And the only reason the place we haven't piled up with snow is because of the second floor of the building has some sort of gap that sucks all the snow.
"July, can you use your magic now?"
I ask her as we get close to the shelter but she shakes her head as she gets her hands close saying:
"I can emit a little but I don't think I can cast any spell."
"Very well, I'm just worried about the winter this harsh could really halt us in our journey."
(And let's not forget about the monsters. If I could find plentiful food for me to survive when I'm a monster means that there are many monsters out there. And just I've learned that the magic roads in out there are used to guide travellers to each city and prevent the snow from piling up. But with how this whole city is in ruins I doubt the road is active. But she did say she remembers the way back so I can only place my trust on her).
"Don't worry, we still have the crystals. When we get out of the city we can use that."
"For what, specifically?"
"It's a guiding crystal. It will show us a beacon there."
"Oh, that's convenient."
"What about you big bro? Can you use magic?"
"Huh?"
(Wait, that's right! I can use magic!)
"Hold on let me try..."
I open my hand and try imagining something and soon realize...
"Ah! I don't know how..."
July looks at me with widened eyes saying:
"No way did your amnesia not only take away your memories but your magic too!? Well as long as you have magic circulating around you, no one will suspect you."
"Sorry, it seems I've been trouble along the way."
"No, you're not! You've been a lot of help, so come on, we're finally close."
July grabs my arms and pulls me along as to rush our travel.
*stomp* *stomp*
As we scale the large cliff before us and look below, we could see the great spiralling tunnel being filled with the coming snowstorm.
"We made it!"
July raises her hands high and starts to crawl down.
"Hey, wait up. Do you know where to go?"
"Yea! Last time I came here with my dad I saw the map of the whole province in his room! And I still remember where it is, follow me!"
"Really!? Lead the way then!"
I start to jump down and follow her through the snow. Travelling the blasted winds, July runs with full haste and I was forced to follow so that I don't lose her. Everywhere I see is white except for the large black pillars and the great mountain ahead of us. July stops in her tracks near one of those pillars and starts digging through with her hands, I went beside her and gave her the small shovel saying:
"Use this."
"Thanks."
July grabs the shovel and starts digging through. I help her out digger the outer layers and soon,
*ting*
Her shovel hits something hard and July double her effort and digs out a steel bunker door.
"Is this it?"
I try to confirm with July and she nods replying:
"Yea! Help me open it!"
"Right or left?"
She grabs the wheel and starts to turn it, as I hold the wheel, I felt the stiffness of the thing and tried my best to pull...
"Wait, is it right or left?"
"To the right! Hrrrgh! I can't gather strength, I feel like my magic is being sapped away!"
"Let me try!"
With only one arm I tried...
"Hold on, July."
"Huh?"
July stops and looks at me confused. I dig around the sides and soon find a corpse of a black knight with a giant harpoon impaled in his chest.
*gasp*
July backs away in shock saying:
"That's... That's the black demon!"
"This thing? I'm sure this is just someone normal."
I remove his helm and inside is a young man.
"See? A normal person."
"Huh? Y-you can touch that?"
July gets close while holding me and try to touch it. As the tip of her finger touch it, she immediately back away with haste shouting:
"That's the cursed stone!"
"Really? Well if you can't hold it then, I'll remove it then."
I carry the body away and close his eyes. Wishing him peace, I look below him and see a giant hole on what seems to be the door lock.
"Oh, this thing is already open."
I start pulling the door and effortlessly open it even with one arm. Placing my hand on the back of the door, I start pushing the door wide open.
(The door must be oiled pretty well to open this smoothly... Wait, there's oil in this place too?)
"The fact that they destroyed the bunker door means something must've have happened inside. Be ready."
July who's been staring to space looks at me as if her head's been filled by something.
"Um... July? Don't space out, we're in a dangerous place right now!"
I pat her cheeks when she snaps out of it replying:
"Uh, yea!"
July nods and readies her shovel. I adjust my bag and jump in. As I walk in, the place is dark, without any source of light.
"July, be careful, this place is dark."
I place the bag down and take out a candle I kept from our resting place. With a certain trick, I produce quick friction on the end of a certain flint I pick at the kitchen and cause a spark and light up the candle. As I lift it up, all I found is a corpse staring back at me.
"Nice but not nice."
Having but a little ember lighting up the way. I brought the candle all around and walk ahead a little, all I found were more black knights impaled by a harpoon or cleave in two or beheaded. I went back to the entrance saying:
"Be careful July, this place is filled with those black knights."
"Eh!?"
July hastily hugs me from the sides saying:
"Then lead the way, big bro! Just make sure you don't bump them!"
"You know you can just stay here right?"
"No! I wanna help too! I feel so useless this whole time, so please let me do something!"
"Ah..."
I remember our conversation this breakfast and pat her on the head saying:
"I see, then I guess you can guide me then. Tell me where to go."
"Uhm! Leave it to me!"
July nods and tries to hold my hand and remembers that I only have one. She compromises and hugs me tighter as she looks forward...
(That's so freakin cute!)
I started walking, avoiding the corpses, but July hugs me more tightly whenever we walk close to one. She looks like she's in pain. I hasten my tracks saying:
"July, this cursed stone... What do they do exactly?"
"Huh? I see, so you don't even remember that huh... Simply put, they're stones that absorb magic out of everything. Plants, animals, zerians, and even the ground itself, turning the thing absorbed to black."
"Whoa!"
(I see, so...)
"How are these people even use them?"
I look at the corpses and July shakes her head saying:
"Malicious beings must have delved their hands. They are probably Corruks who turned to their servants in exchange for their power. Since they don't have any magic inside of them in the first place, they're immune to that thing. I mean this is not the first case they use those cursed stone as weapons but...
The weapons and armour they have now are just mystic, they're not stones from their shine, and they don't even have magic yet they can shoot out magic shots. In the end, I'm just clueless as you big bro."
"I see... So where do we go now?"
I stopped at the fork, with each path having an open door. I light each of them to show an endless path deeper into the darkness.
"To the right big bro. The left side is the living quarters."
"Living quarters? You think we'll find food there?"
July shakes her head saying:
"No, the canteen is on the left too. I think my dad told me so that no one can sneak through the night and steal provisions."
"Hoh~ okay then. Keep staying close alright."
"Uhm!"
As we went deeper, there doesn't seem to be any bodies anymore. In fact, the place still looks clean. When a room appears in our view July hugs me tighter saying:
"Keep going forward, my dad's office is at the end of the tunnel."
"Okay. But other than that, do you think we'll acquire any weapons? I mean, if we're going to travel to your town, won't there be monsters? It'll be dangerous when we can't even use magic."
"Ah! I see... I guess there are stock storages near my dad's office."
"Stock huh? Okay then, I guess I'll let you take the map while I... Wait, we only have one candle. I guess we'll take the map first."
July looks up at me and nods saying:
"Uhm! And... You smell like Xifis's..."
(The fuck is that? Is it the food we ate?)
"And whose fault is that I wonder?"
July looks at me irritated replying:
"It's your fault for making that face! Hmph!"
She dugs her face in as she hugs me tighter like she's trying to hurt me but all I felt is a soothe in my soul.
"Okay, okay..."
Continuing our travel through the dark tunnels. Only the sound of whistling wind echo in our ears, the chilling breathe of mother nature guiding us deeper inside.
"Sigh, this kinda sucks. The silence and darkness make it all even more gloomy."
(I mean, I at least always turn one bit of night light to at least make the place dimly lit).
July looks up at me saying:
"Why? Dark is pretty nice and calming."
"Wait, really!? Didn't think you're that kind of person."
"Is it that surprising? Before Hyu and the new King turns this city into a city of light and venture. All the people living in the cold north has been living in the darkness... Are you not good with the darkness big bro?"
"Well kinda, I mean I can't see a damn thing. I'm not good with dark stuff at all."
(Especially since I have a lot of reports and reviews I have to document back then. Darkness is pretty much my enemy... Especially to my olden eyes. But then again, now my eyes now is pretty neat).
"Hehehe, you really are weird, big bro."
"Ugh, don't say that."
*************************************
"I admit, we've been walking pretty far. How deep does this bunker go?"
"Hmm? Since this place is used for other stuff my dad won't tell me. It goes very deep. But we're getting close. See."
July points at a sign at the wall dimly lit by my candle. As I brought it closer, it reads...
[ARYUE GALATES]
Moving the light a little as I got closer, another hallway comes to a view.
"There, go in there and we'll reach my dad's room. He has a map on his office last time I came."
"I see... Say the sign... Is that your dad's name?"
"Huh? Oh, it's not. That's some sort of rank or something when Hyu and the military high command decided to reform the military or something... Sorry, I can't remember much but most things in the military are given huge reformation and names. I think my dad's like some lieutenant or captain or something..."
(That's actually a pretty high rank. Her dad must be a pretty prominent figure... Erigar was it? Now that I think about it, some of the words spoken by her or written are not that hard to speak or is it translated either. So it's safe to assume that... I don't want to be rude but my Goddess blessing is out of date).
Since my only hand is occupied holding the candle, I rub my cheek on her head saying:
"Thanks, July, you've been a huge help with this stuff."
July look up, pushing my head away replying:
"Eh!? N-no, not at all. It's just appropriate to help inform someone who lost their memories no?"
"Right, but I'm thankful none the less. I feel like I'm going to be lost for a long time without you."
"You really think so? Then... Please let me stay close to you okay big bro?"
She hugs me tight as I felt her warmth, I reply saying:
"Of course, now let's proceed."
"Yea!"
Not too far from the sign, a single steel door comes to view. Inspecting the exterior, I notice how the handle seems to be blown off.
"It seems the door is unlocked. Let's proceed cautiously."
July lets go of me saying:
"Yea..." and opens the door her self.
The door swings open smoothly inside. Inside, the room was a mess. Pen and parchments are littered on the ground as I could see a sword and shield displayed on the side of the room, behind the table in the middle that seems to be her dad's work table is...
"A map!"
(Thank God we found it!)
"Yea! We did it!"
July celebrated as she runs ahead and grabs the map. As she places the map on her dad's table, I put the candle on the edge to light the map up. The map is fully coloured, from the green filled by rivers, lakes and mountains in the south, till the white north. Sprawled on the maps is the location of cities, roads, villages and etc. Heck, there's even a compass and names for each place and region... One thing to say, this map is detailed as heck for something hand-drawn.
"This is the city that we're in..."
July place her finger at the top of the map where there seems to be a large city drawn there, when I look at the name this city is called, Cxrg.
(How do you even pronounce that!?)
Her finger starts to move down following a road and soon,
"There! That's my hometown!"
July points south-east from where we're at. A minor settlement by the name of Dvs...
(Again, where do the people here get their ideas? Still, I agree that names are better short and easily remembered).
"Hoh, so so you now remember where to go?"
July nods confidently saying:
"Yea, with my crystals and the map. It'll be easy! I'm the best in my school when it comes to geography after all."
"School? There's a school here? Oh yeah, you did say you're here for vacation huh..."
"Yea!"
I give her a pat in the head saying:
"You really are the best."
"Hehehe~ now let's move on!"
"Yes, but first. Let's get to the storage for weapons and stuff. We're going to travel outside after all."
"Uhm! Follow me!"
"Hold on, mind if I use that sword instead?"
I point at the sword on display and July looks at me with a hesitant look saying:
"Um, that's a magic sword, unless you're strong enough or have the proper qualification like my dad, you'll never even be able to lift it."
"Hoh, now I'm even more curious, but at least you'll let me have it right?"
"Well... My dad already left it here so he probably won't come back for it... I don't know..."
July looks dejected as she tries to decide for an answer but I pat her in the head again saying:
"How about this? I'll borrow it until we get to your town. And I'll return it when I meet your dad again."
"Then, in that case, it's okay."
"Thanks, July!"
I grab the sword and pull it out of its sheathe. The sword is light, lighter than a feather, it's blade has a distinct gleam of red in the middle making it looks somewhat magical as if blood flows at the centre like a flowing river...
"This is pretty nice."
"Woah! You can lift it, big bro!?"
"Yeah, it's as light as a feather even."
"Really!? I can't even pull it out of its sheathe!"
"Hoh, so does that mean I'm qualified?"
July nods enthusiastically saying:
"Mhm, mhm! This means you can use aura!"
"Hold on, aura?"
"Yea! Hyu created the technique as an alternative to magic. It seems that things enhance by this aura is immune to the cursed stone. It was a huge and major breakthrough that he uses that knowledge to do something big to all over this frontier... Not that I know what it is."
"I see..."
I try swinging the sword around as it leaves behind a trail of crimson strings which looks freakin awesome!
"I like this sword. I think I can easily use this."
I sheathe it back in and strap it along the bag.
"Hoh, I know! If you can use aura like my dad, that must mean you are someone powerful, if not important!"
"I guess that makes sense..."
"Big bro, if you gain your memories... Will you still treat me the same? You won't change, won't you?"
July walks closer to me and asks with a face of worry.
(Ah... Well, to be honest, I doubt that will happen since this body is not mine in the first place and if there are memories I don't remember is actually my own past memories).
"Don't worry. I'm still going to be the same person. The same person that loves you always."
(That sounds so cheesy but I can't help but say it! Cause she's just that cute! But maybe I shouldn't ask her to call me big bro, it'll be so weird if your lover calls you that. I mean I totally get the feeling like what my friend describe me but it just feels so wrong).
"Huh? W-what are you saying, big bro! D-don't tease me!"
"When we become proper lovers. Maybe you can stop calling me big bro and call me Axe TV."
"You mean Agxtv big bro."
"Yes, yes, however you spell it."
"Wait... You actually like the name I gave you?"
"Why not? It doesn't sound so bad and it's appropriate since I gave you a name too."
"R-really? Most people say my naming sense is weird..."
(So you willingly gave me a name knowing how weird it is huh?)
"You can be cruel sometimes."
"Eh? Wait, I didn't mean to say that! I mean... I'm sorry big bro! I didn't mean to trick you. I just thought if you learn about it, you wouldn't want a name from me anymore..."
"Well, you really are the cutest."
"Eh?"
I pull her chin up as our forehead touch her face blush red even through the darkness. July pushed me away saying:
"I-I-I told you, n-no more sudden kisses! Do it again, I'll g-g-get mad at you!"
July stutter as she speaks and backs away.
(Sheesh, if she's this cute I really regret making her call me that).
"Now that's something I don't want. Now let's get to that storage room. And get properly equipped."
"Uhm..."
July slowly gets close and pinch the end of my coat instead of hugging me...
"You know, I'm really sorry for that sudden kiss. So can you hug me again?"
July puffs her Rosen cheeks replying:
"No..."
"You're mad aren't you?"
She looks away replying:
"I'm not, now let's go or I'll really be mad! Hmph!"
"Fine... I guess I do deserve this..."
As she kept the map in her winter coat and I grab my candle ready, we continue on our venture through the dark tunnels...
(I hope this won't take long since the snow would pile up outside and shut the door if we're not quick... Wait a minute!)
"You know what let's just skip that idea."
"Huh? Why?"
"I mean, we're going to travel into piles of snow and a heavy blizzard right? Wouldn't carry something heavy that will slow us down be very dangerous?"
(Unless gravity doesn't apply here. And I doubt we'll be flying the way there in the blizzard... That's if we could fly anyway).
"Oh, I never really think that much. I guess you could always change your clothes big bro. I doubt travelling in those thin clothes would do you any favour and that smell..."
"Eh, true. I guess both of us could use some cleanup."