'In what pertains to life, even the most oblique and depraved; as long as it breathes, can be considered life. Yet, what was in front of my face stretches the believability of this concept. That... thing wasn't life, not that I would ever know what anything was in this strange, placid expanse of infinity. Studying the beast, It was akin to a mass of rotting, onerously writhing flesh. Its large, gluttonous frame barely supporting the guttural wheezes its misshapen lungs emit...' —An explorer.
***
Farther than any telescope could ever hope to reach, farther than any civilization could ever travel, lay a small cosy village, it was a mere 10 cedars* in length and width, with barely enough people there to qualify as a settlement of the empire. This humble community was called Sinus Village. Numerous scholars and nobles across the empire and its vassal states have payed a visit to the village, not because of anything related to the settlement, no. Instead, their interests lie in the vast reaches of grass and flatland surrounding it.
Bearing witness to this marvel of nature was a young teenager; He sported beautiful blonde hair fashioned in short curls swept to one side of his face, further accentuating the sharp eyes that crinkled in delight when faced with such wonders. As he sat under the tree on top of a hill, serenely observing how the winds caressed the blades of golden-brown grass, how the fluffy clouds lazily floated on the sky with not a care in the world, he was abruptly called back to reality.
"Mikhail!" A voice shouted, by the pitch of their voice, Mikhail could tell it was a young boy.
Turning to look, Mikhail curiously observed the boy: the boy was a chubby character, with full cheeks and a natural blush that made his cheeks seem swollen. Mikhail knew who he was the moment he laid eyes on him, though he could never recall the name.
'The baker's son... What does he want this time?' Mikhail thought, they didn't have any relations, apart from living relatively close to one another.
While Mikhail was lost in his thoughts, the subject of his ponderings finally arrived in front of him. Looking up, Mikhail let out a flat sigh before saying:
"What?"
"Mikhail! Your mum's calling for you!" The boy began, his tone urgent.
"Mhm," Unfortunately, Mikhail didn't seem to care, and after giving him another once-over, turned his attention to the fields once more.
"Mikhail! Your mum is turning the village upside-down looking for you! You better get there quick before she destroys the entire village!" The boy's voice sounded again, and Mikhail couldn't help but feel irritated at his persistency.
"...Fine," After a few more seconds of thinking, Mikhail finally relented. Slowly, he got up and began walking to the village gates.
Ending their short chat, Mikhail strode over to the village entrance. There, he was met with two sturdily built men, their bulging muscles barely covered by the thick leather hide acting as their armour.
"Hey, guys!" Mikhail greeted the two guards stationed there.
In response, they just smiled, though a third guard that happened to pass by whispered to the Mikhail, just loud enough for him to hear:
"You better get back to your ma, kid,"
"Che, that old hag can shout all she wants, see if I care,"
Hearing his complaints, the guards shook their heads in resignation, as if they had already given up. Nonetheless, Mikhail continued; passing by the baker's house where the chubby boy lived, then the smithy where the blacksmith worked. Right until he arrived at a particularly flashy storefront.
'Ivanova's Art Museum... why does she even bother coming here when we could be living a life of luxury in the city, ugh, this backwater village is so far from Odrianna,'
-step-
"...Why are you just standing there, Mikhail?" Suddenly, Mikhail could hear someone speak behind him. Mikhail swiftly turned around, his face full of surprise and bashfulness.
"W-Wha?! A-Ana! I didn't expect you here..." He spoke in incredulity, not expecting her to be here.
"Oh? Didn't master tell you I'll be moving in today after becoming her pupil?"
Hearing her question, Mikhail shook his head in embarrassment, but after a few seconds of awkward silence, he mustered enough courage to speak again.
"Ahem! I-I see... But shouldn't you be studying with my mother? Why are you outside?"
When she heard what he had to say, she made a face, as if blaming him for her entire trip outside the house to begin with.
"Hmph! Your mother asked me to look for you, so don't blame me for being a responsible student!"
"...Sorry," Mikhail apologized, looking at the ground in shame. Losing the previous strongman attitude he had with the guards.
Ana flinched at his response, and looking at the downtrodden Mikhail, she could only try to cheer him up with an excuse.
"O-Oh! don't worry, I've never gone outside much. S-So this was a lovely trip— I suppose I owe you a thank you for your irresponsibility! Anyways, let's go see your mother,"
"...Okay,"
***
Walking inside, it was awkwardly silent, fortunately, they quickly reached the reception desk. There, they saw a sleepy employee, her head snuggled in her arms. Looking at each other, both Mikhail and Ana were at a loss with her nonchalant attitude when the job description required her to be on high alert, in the case customers came in.
It was understandable, however. As who would have enough money to spare in this small village? All the leftover money would be spent on food, or animals, and even prostitutes. But his mother was crazy enough to move from the capital city to build a shop here, regardless.
'Whew, at least she was smart enough to get filthy rich before coming here...' Mikhail thought, before following Ana to the galleries.
Passing the still asleep receptionist, the duo reached the actual gallery where his mother's paintings were located. But in contrast to Mikhail's uninterest, Ana was a bundle of interest and awe.
"Her paintings are beautiful..." Ana said, her face filled with a strange mix of fascination and interest.
"Ana, are my mother's paintings that good?" Looking at Ana, Mikhail couldn't help but ask.
Initially, she was going to answer his question, but when she turned around to speak, she was instantly shocked at what she saw behind him:
"Mikhail, my baby boy!" A rich feminine voice sounded
Indeed, it was his mother. Where did she come from? Who knows, all Ana could say is that her master has a kind of sixth sense regarding her son. Still, it doesn't change the fact that Mikhail was violently lifted up and hugged until the brink of suffocation.
"Ma! S-Stop embarrassing me in front of Ana!" Mikhail gasped for air, trying in vain to escape from his mother's grasp. But seeing as she was already holding on so tightly, he quickly gave up and just endured.
"Oh, sorry honey! I just couldn't help myself... " Saying this, Mama-Mikhail reluctantly let go of her son, but not before giving him a smooch on the mouth.
Seeing their outrageous and frankly scandalous actions, Ana struggled not to gush; after all, which mother kissed their son so... Intimately? Eventually, she managed to calm down when the mother and son separated.
"...Mom, I know you didn't call me here without a reason, so out with it,"
He looked at his mother questioningly, after all, asked someone to call him her. And she's normally so enamoured with her paintings to care about anything else; it had to be something important.
*BANG*
Suddenly, The door separating the gallery and the reception burst open. And twisting his head to look at the door, Mikhail could see the panicked receptionist, her complexion was pale. Everyone stared at her, wondering why she intruded.
"Morkoda attack!" She shouted, subsequently turning everyone just as pale as her.