*** Author's note***
Hello! Megusta here!
I deeply apologize that I haven't been able to post these past days. I am busy with work as usual.
In order to make it up to you. I will post double chapter today.
Here's the first one!
The second one will be done later.
Anyway... Enjoy!
***
"Mr. Cloud! You're okay! I'm so glad!" Lilya cheerfully exclaimed as I carried her.
"Yeah… Haaa… Haaa… Haaa… Let's talk later… Whew… Escape first… Arghhh!" I groaned as pain shot through my burned left arm. But even when I feel piercing pain as the nerves on my arms are exposed, I continued to run. Who knows when the big ass cat catches up with us? I will not take a chance and get more distance between us as much as I can.
Her cheerful expression was quickly replaced by a concerned look. "Mr. Cloud, you're hurt." Lilya worriedly exclaimed.
"Don't worry. I am okay." I said to her while smiling, trying to hide the pain from my hand.
Sensing this, Lilya says "Mr. Cloud, please place me down the ground. You're hurt. I can run on my own."
"Don't be silly girl… How do you think you could run with a sprained ankle?" I told her, "Don't worry. Just a little further. Until we can be sure that we're safe."
Miya who is keeping with my speed approached us. "Cloud, put her down. We're far enough. Besides, Bihorns wouldn't dare leave the cover of the forest." After I didn't listen to her and kept running, she wrenched her sister off my hands.
"Guhhh!" I muffled a pained scream as some of my burned skin sticks on Lilya's dress and was stripped from my arm.
"See? Your arm is burned badly you Idiot. Why on Astera would you think that it is a good idea to carry a person with an injured arm?" Miya scolds me as she gently placed her sister upon the grassy ground. "I am thankful that you distracted the wild animal to make sure that we are safe. But will it kill you to think of yourself also? Do you think that I am so frail that I couldn't carry my sister myself that you have to carry her with your injured self?" She huffed as she looks at me. "Idiot."
Cradling my burned arm, I apologized. "Sorry. I'll make sure to put it in mind next time." I didn't think Miya could be concerned with someone other than her sister. It is good to know that she cares about others too.
"Good. I will not let you off easily if something happens to Lilya because of your carelessness." Why do I even… "Let me look at your injury" She says and she carefully examined my burned arm. "Hmmm… That's a bad burn." She stated and she looked in my eyes. "Did you try to grab his horn?" She asked.
"Well yeah. What do you want me to do when a 100 kilo death machine come charging at me? Stand there and let him stab me with his horns?" Scoffing at her, I answered.
Raising an eyebrow, Miya looks at me. "I don't know. Dodge maybe?" She answered back. "I've seen you move while fighting those bandits that I thought you could at least dodge an attack from a Bihorn."
Trying to think of an answer, I say. "Well, I was surprised by its speed that's all. I have bad memories fighting against animals that tries to eat me that I froze for a second."
"Yeah… If you say so." Miya whispers as she tears a piece of her blouse to bandage my wound.
"Stop fighting you two. What's important is that Mr. Cloud was able to come back to us safely." Lilya chimes in while nursing her own sprained ankle.
"Okay… Okay… I will stop nagging your hero." Miya snarky answered. Proceeding to apply first aid on my burn, she pulled out a water skin and poured it on my wound. I winced in pain but she continues her ministration and bandaged my wound. "There. It's done." She said before patting my bandaged arm which made me muffle a groan. "This is just temporary. I will change the bandage once we get home."
Cradling my injury, I thanked her. "Thanks." I clenched my fist. It still hurts but it felt better than before when my wound is getting hit by the breeze. "You really know your stuff eh? Where did you learn how to do first aid?"
"When you have a clumsy sister, you will have a lot of practice." She stated which earned a pout from Lilya.
As she proceeded to care for the ankle of her sister, I spotted a light in the dark coming from the plains.
"Look! Someone's coming here." I alerted the two.
After finishing applying treatment, Miya stood up and looked at the incoming figure. "It's father!" She exclaimed.
"Really?!" Lilya sounded relieved as she leans on her sister so that she can stand and watch the figure of her father get closer. Waving her hands to get her father's attention, she yells. "Father! We're here!"
The figure clearly heard her as it began to run towards us. After a few minutes, he finally arrived.
Panting in exhaustion after running what looks like a few hundred meters at full speed, the old man hugged the two sisters. "Finally I found you!" He exclaimed, his voice is full of relief. Finally releasing them from his arms, his face became serious. "I told you two to not go wandering outside when it is dark. You know how dangerous being outside in this time of day especially with the foreboding unrest in the country?" Then, he finally noticed me and placed his self between me and her daughters. He scanned me from head to foot. His eyes then were glued at my bandaged left hand. Coughing to catch everyone's attention, he spoke. "May I know your name stranger? Also, why are you with my daughters at this time of day?"
"Father, he is Mr. Cloud. He---" Lilya tries to introduce me but his father raised his hand to stop her from speaking.
"Dear, I am asking the stranger." He said sternly before turning towards me.
"My name is Cloud Alistair, Sir. For why I am with your daughters, they saved my life that is why I am accompanying them home to guard them from harm." I answered. I then proceeded to offer my hand for a handshake but he just stares at me.
Breaking the awkward silence, Miya steps forward and spoke for me. "Father, Lilya and I wandered around the forest when we found him unconscious by the riverside. We helped him regain consciousness as the Goddess Luna teachings." Seeing that her father was about to say something, she held her hand up to interrupt him too. "It was a blessing too. See father, we were accosted by bandits as we are about to come back home but Cloud here stopped them by literally beating the hell out of those scum. Also, we met a Bihorn not even half an hour earlier and he distracted it for us so that we can escape even if it means that he got hurt in doing so." She said while pointing at my injury.
Looking at both his daughter, Lilya nodded in agreement with her older sister. Finally, their father sighed and spoke once more. "Sorry for my rudeness to someone who saved my daughters not just once, but twice. Please forgive this old Bilya of his rude behavior to you, brave hero." He said while bowing in apology.
"No need to bow good sir. I too will be suspicious if I saw my daughters accompanying a complete stranger out of nowhere. You don't need to apologize; I don't hold you for your understandable reaction. Besides, your daughters saved my life. It is only just that I do the same for my saviors." I told him while putting my hands on his shoulder to ask him to stop from bowing.
"Thank you for understanding. To make up to you, why don't you stay the night in our home? It may not be as cozy as the ones in the town, but at least it has a roof over your head. Miya is a good cook. I will have her cook us dinner when we get back." Bilya offered.
"You still haven't cooked dinner father? It is already late in the evening." Miya says in annoyance.
"How do you expect me to cook when I found out that both of you are missing when it is already late, o daughter of mine? What do you think I will do first? Cook dinner or look for my missing daughters?" Bilya scolds the two of them. "So how about it hero? Would you stay the night with us and maybe share a story or two over dinner?"
Looking at them makes me remember memories of my family, something that both made me happy and at the same time sad. Trying to smile only to be able to make a half smile, I answered. "Of course. I would be glad staying the night with a wonderful family such as yours."
"Yay! Ouch!" Lilya jumps in joy only to stumble after putting weight in her sprained ankle.
Bilya sighs as she walks towards his daughter and carry her on his back. "My clumsy daughter." He says teasingly. "You should always be careful. No man will want to marry a clumsy girl."
"Father!" Lilya whimpers as she is being carried away by her father.
Looking at the backs of those two, I fondly remember when my father used to carry me on his back whenever he picks me up from school. Then, when I got bigger, I did the same with my little sister. I wonder what they are doing right now? Are they fine with me gone? I hope they don't get too sad with my disappearance. Just imagining their sad faces aches my heart.
"Hey." The voice of Miya pulls me back to reality. She stands in front of me with a slightly concerned look on her face. "Are you ok?"
Trying to hold back my sad feelings, I answered. "Yeah. Just lost with some memories there. I am ok now."
"Hmmm…" She looks at me like she is thinking of something. "Let's go. The sooner we get home; the sooner I could prepare dinner. Those two will be insufferable if they get hungry." She then started walking. After a few steps, she turned around and looked at me. "What are you doing still standing there? Let's go."
Smiling at the grumpy woman, I followed her as she started to chase after her father and sister.
Although I miss my own family, being sad will not do me any good. Instead of wasting time being sad, I will use it in finding a way back home instead.
After catching up with the father and daughter pair, we all walked side by side until we reached their home. It is a simple brick house. A 20 meter by 10-meter single floor house that is at least 4 meters in height with straws r its roof.
"Here we are! Home sweet home!" Lilya declares. Then she turns to her father. "Father, you can put me down now."
"Nonsense. I will put you down on a chair, you clumsy girl. Who knows how you'll hurt yourself if left to your own devices." His father refuses and continued to carry the squirming Lilya on his back.
"Father… You're embarrassing me…" She protests.
"Well, if you were careful, then you will not be in this embarrassing situation now won't you?" Her father continued to tease her.
"Miya!" She turns to her sister with a pleading look on her face.
"Father stop teasing Lilya and put her down. I am going to start making dinner now." She said before swiftly walking inside the house.
Putting her daughter down and supporting her so that she can lean on the wall, Bilya turns towards me. "How about a refreshing bath while you wait for dinner brave hero? You look like you've been through a lot and would be in need of a relaxing bath."
"Yeah Mr. Cloud, I will go and start a fire and warm the water for you." Lilya says.
"No silly girl. You go and sit by the table and help your sister set the table when she is done cooking dinner. I will prepare the bath for our hero." Bilya scolds the pouting Lilya.
"Uh… No need to call me hero sir. Just call me Cloud, and yes, I would like a bath if you don't mind." No reason to decline his offer. I haven't had a bath ever since I was lost in the forest, and no, almost dying from falling from a height and almost drowning in a river doesn't count.
"Cloud… Hmmm… Okay I'll call you Cloud. Then, Cloud. Follow me to the bath." Bilya walked inside the house while supporting his wobbling daughter towards the table. Then we continued to walk to the end of the house until we reached a door at the edge. He opened the door and ushered me in. "Here we are… The bath is already filled. I was thinking of taking a hot bath myself before finding out that my daughters are missing. Get off of those ragger clothes and relax. I will have Lilya prepare fresh clothes for you."
"Thanks Bilya." I bowed in gratitude, he answered with a smile before exiting the house through the back door.
I entered the bath room and took off my clothes which is now colored brown with a little bit of red. I only worn it that evening and it is already as filthy as my previous clothes from when I escaped the rebel's hideout.
I shake my head as I remember my struggles that night. It really has been a rollercoaster ride.
The tub is 1-meter-high and made up of wood which looks like cedar. As I step on the tub, I can hear fire crackling outside.
"Don't go in the tub yet Cloud. I just started the fire. It will take a few minutes before the water is heated. You can go and wash up first if you like. There is a pale of water there that you can use." I hear Bilya yell from outside.
"Thanks! I will do just that." I answered and took a sit on a stool. There is a coconut shell beside the pale, this must be something they use to pour water unto themselves. Look there is even soap. I sniffed the soap and found that it is not scented. Oh well. Not like I need to smell nice. I just want to feel clean. So I started pouring water on my head and body and started scrubbing of the dirt and grime that is stuck in my skin. Soon there was a trail of brown water flowing to the drain. Not as thick and dirty when I washed myself back in Rebeccah's quarters, the dirt I washed away there can be identified as mud from how much I got in my body back then.
I wonder how that group is doing? Have they successfully escaped the camp? Considering it was Rebeccah, the person who was able to weaken an Elven Blood Seal and also escape from one without leaving a trace to follow, I reckon they did.
How about Philip and the others? Have I killed M'agorath or did he survive and proceeded to kill the others? Have the Elves won and are now trying to hunt me down? After all they believe that my existence is a threat to this world for I have, or had, the power to bridge this world with the Void if the demon's words were true.
Sigh…
There is so much on my mind. I need to relax. I have an urgent matter to fix first.
I unwrapped the now wet bandage from my arm and winced. Void energy is really handy for it heals my wounds almost instantly. Heck, I even have a hole in my torso and still live because of it. Now, I only have my own power to rely on healing. I closed my eyes and visualized my wound. I feel my Ki flow within me, enabling me to create a mental image of my whole body. Hmmm… Everything is healthy green except for my left arm which is orange. It means it sustained great damage. Not surprising since that horn is hot as hell. I would've lost my arm if I didn't use what little Ki I could spare to protect it and still it burned me up to 3rd degree.
"You could check the water now Cloud!" I heard Bilya yell outside.
I stood up and walk towards the tub. I dipped my uninjured arm in the water and found it pleasantly warm. "Thanks Bilya! It is perfect." I told him.
"Nice to hear that! Go on and dip right in. I am going to find a fresh set of clothes for you to change with." He said.
I jumped in on the tub and peeked through the high window. "That would be wonderful. I am in your debt." I told him.
"Nonsense! Such is a small thing for my daughter's savior. Rest and relax. I will have Miya call you when dinner is done." He stated before he walked off and entered the rear door of the house.
I sat on the warm water of the tub and closed my eyes. I started to Visualize again and proceeded to guide my Ki to flow within me while focusing more on my injured arm. The healing process is slow, but I think that it works. The warm feeling of my thin Aura shrouding my whole body and the warm bath water helps me relax more.
Seconds turns into minutes, and I started to lose sense of time. My shoulders lighten as all my worries seem to slip away. Just my Visualization of my body in the emptiness of my mind. How long have I been in the water? 10 minutes? 30? Or is it even an hour? I don't know. But I feel great. It wouldn't hurt to stay here for another hour or two.
My meditation was interrupted when I heard a voice calling my name. "Mr. Cloud! The dinner is done! I placed a towel and fresh set of clothes outside the bathroom door!" I hear Lilya's voice call to me.
Opening my eyes, I feel refreshed. "Thanks! I will be there in a minute!" I answered. I look at my burned left arm and found that it is still injured. But at least it looked a lot better than before, with white tissues already covering parts of my burned flesh. It still hurts being exposed to the breeze, but I can tolerate it more.
I walk towards the door butt naked and opened the door slightly, just enough to take the towel and fresh set of clothes placed on the floor outside the bathroom door. I started drying myself and wore the plain white shirt and brown pants. This must be the common clothes people wear here for it looks a lot like the ones I had before. Although this one is much coarser than the clothes Rebeccah gave me.
I shook my head and scold myself. Clothes are clothes. I should be grateful that they even gave me one. After wearing the clothes they gave me, I discovered that they have a shelf which has a mirror in their bathroom.
Man, the bandit was right. With this beard and long hair, I do look much older than I am. As I try to fix my hair with my hands, I noticed something in the shelf. A straight razor.
I placed my hand on my chin and winced as my beard touch my burned flesh. Should I? It would be rude to make them wait for longer…
I guess it will only take a minute or two. I am sure they won't mind.