A beast appeared infront of the entrance of the cave. Thanks to the light from the moon present tonight, Takahiro could see the magnificent white fur that being swept by the wind. The eye of contrasting red and blue were piercing onto him. He couldn't move from where he was and the beast also stands still that feels like scanning him. It tails were moving like wagging and seems like excited but at the same time there is an intent to kill. He gulped and watches the wolf and flinches when he saw it move. When he was about to jump and protect his father, a pair of shining black wings appeared with yukata and vanished in a wink. He couldn't mistake it as an illusion because he clearly saw it. The sudden appearance that he thought was just a dream made his head pulse and heart hurt. After that the beast wolf run away and he collapsed at the top of his father. He could see him panicked and shake his shoulder to wake him up before he lost his consciousness.
==
I appeared in a darkness again but it's different. Not far away in my direction, I saw a pulsating cracked ball. It felt familiar but distant at the same time. There is a black and white mist circling around the ball which emits a very strong mana. The gust that's been eerily surrounding the whole space is suffocating and it's making me hard to breathe. Even so, I can't make myself turn and leave. There is a strong emotion that is pushing me to come forward and touch the ball. For some reasons, my heart's been on a rampage since I saw it. There is nothingness in this space but only the ball with white and black mist. I started to walk and every step was like tons heavier than the usual gravity pull.
wuuuung..
The ball pulsates and a wave of mana spread out and hit my face. Blood escaped from the cut and gushes out of my cheek. I wiped and went stuck on my feet. What now? Should I move forward or what? I'm contradicting myself again dammit. Whatever happens, I'll just regret it if I don't do it now right so let's just quench this thirst of curiosity.
The ball have a faint color of gold while the cracks are spilling some mana that feels so familiar to me. I moved forward and ignores the cut that is unleashing and reaches my hand to touch the ball. Before I could even touch it, the black mist become rampant and violent. It went out of the circulation and pushed me out of the ball.
kwaak
I thought my shattered bones would spill out of my mouth but instead a darken liquid gushed out like a faucet. When it detected that I'm out of range, it went back to the circulation again and the harmony between the two stabilized again. My ears rang again and my head is splitting. As I blink profusely, I noticed the white mist going closer to me. I tried to stand up to run but my knees are too weak to move but to my surprise, it circles around me and it felt warm like a mother's care and love. I was stunned in my position when it took its leave and come back to the black mist. They seemed having an argument but they make up I think? Since they circles again in the ball. I stood up and lost in my thoughts.
Oh! I could stand. My bones are okay and it feels like I'm Iight headed. Maybe that white mist healed me I should say thanks. I walk again to that ball and the black mist was alerted by my sudden action. It was ready to attack me when a pair of shining black wings landed infront of me. The same yukata guy who keeps appearing but I can't seem to see his face.
"My lord, this is not the time. Go back. "
"Why are you calling me your lord? I'm just a human. Also, I don't know how to come back. My father will be worried if I don't wake up. We still have to investigate the land of forbidden existence. "
The yukata guy seems unfazed and remained in his position, blocking my vision of the ball. What I said is true, I don't even know why I ended up here everytime and keeps hearing this ringing in my ears that keeping me accompanied with migraine. The wings are still covering his upper body that's why I can't see his face when I looked up. I can't do anything about it I'm so small.
"Don't worry. We will do our best ability to eliminate that worries you our little lord...We are ---"
Gasp!
Sweats covered my entire forehead and my clothes are wet too. I woke up from reality and I saw my father praying beside me. I scanned the surroundings and we are back home. Maybe he got worried when I fainted again and decided to halt the investigation for my safety.
thump thump thump
A familiar footstep entered the room and I saw my mother holding a basin with water and a towel hanging on the edge of the basin.
They looked so stressed and I'm feeling so guilty for worrying them so much.
"Oh dear! You are now awake! God answered our cries! Thank goodness! "
Mother hurriedly put down the basin and hugged me. Father bolted up in his seat and hugged me too. I'm so blessed to have such caring parents which I never had in my previous lives.
"I'm okay... Sorry for worrying you...mother... father. "
"No! No! We are glad that you woke up! I wouldn't forgive myself if you don't wake up at all! You have been unconscious for a week now and there are no signs of harm but still you worry us so much my child! I'm sorry! I shouldn't have brought you in there! I .....I-I am so sorry. "
Sincerity and regrets are mixed in father's voice. His eyes were blood shot red from holding his tears from falling. I could see dark circles under his eyes and I could feel his worries. I'm such an idiot for being weak. I couldn't protect my family. What I can do for them is show my love. I hugged father and bump my forehead into his. He looks confuse and stared at me.
"You look so cool back then father! You defeated that huge monster with a rampage of slashes from your short swords! I want to be like youuuu! So cool! "
I could see his tense muscles relaxed and then hugged me tighter. Phew. At the least, my father calmed down and that would solve a piece of the whole picture. On the other hand, my mother grabbed my ear and pulled me up. I winced in pain but mother painted a very scary face that even me, once a demon lord, can't help but gulp a few times.
"I did agreed to your father in taking you to the land of forbidden existence but I did not expected that he have not the power to protect you!"
Her eyes shot fire to me and switches with my father as she continue to lecture the both of us. I can only accept the punishment beause it's my shortcomings that made this situation and might put us into harm but I did not expect her to spout this words.
"I heard from Felinn that he..... he showed you mana circles and magic. And that you want to learn that. I don't want to pop your bubble son but I have tested you a long time. Your mana core is not yet established and that is a great impact to you learning magic. So listen to mother since today I will----
"NO!! I WILL LEARN MAGIC AND WILL COMPLETE MY MANA CORE! THAT'S MY DREAM! "
"TAL!"
Takahiro went out of their house and run as fast as he could. He will not accept that he will never willed mana or do magic. He have lost hope when he found the thin traces of magic energy in the air but since his father can do it, he thought that being his son will make him do magic too. But really, his mother is too much. He can't prevent the tears that is gushing out of his eyes. They hinder his vision as he speedily entered the forest. He did not notice the vine and fall to the ground. It made his cries louder as he felt stingy in his knees. Why did he have to be born and have to be this weak. He can't even cast spells or create circles. He is a total useless of a person right now and all he can do was to cry. It's not a big of a deal but having a body of a child makes his emotions eat him.
"I want to grow up and do things to be stronger! waah"
Wiping his tears one by one, he spout words while sitting on the ground. He don't care if he is throwing a tantrum right now, he just want to get rid of the emotions he is having. Besides, what he spoke was true. He wants to grow up and complete his core so that he could prepare for the inevitable.
"Then grow stronger. What do you get from crying little kid. "
He got startled from the girl with blonde hair and patched one eyes. Wearing a flowery kimono with jeweled hair ornament. She's wielding a pink flowery wagasa that matches her kimono. She is a few inches taller than me but feels so much older than Takahiro. He can also feel the familiarity he felt with the yukata guy. The girl lowered her stature and smiled at Takahiro. Gentleness and gladness were glowing in her face while elegance are spelled in the air surrounding her.
"I'm glad we meet again Ak---bouya. "
Thump... thump.
His heart roared as he heard her speak again. He doesn't understand what is wrong with him or what he is feeling. His tears won't calm down as he stared at the girl infront of him.