"By the way, what's your name kid?", Drew asked me. It was already thirty minutes since we started our journey to the capital. Drew was carrying me right now in his back. I was still not strong enough to walk a long distance that's why he was carrying me.
"My name is Leo." I answered to his question.
"What a nice name."
"Thank you... By the way, how should I call you Captain Drew?"
"You can just call me Drew."
"B-but that's bit too disrespectful!"
"Okay okay. Then, you can call me big brother. I'm going to be your guardian anyway."
I smiled at his suggestion. I didn't have any siblings so I didn't know what it's like to have an older brother or to become the older brother.
"Then, what about Renald?" I asked again.
"Just call him uncle." big brother Drew answered back. "Although, calling him uncle Renald is a bit funny." he continued.
We laughed at the thought. Then we went silent. I was reminded on how he reacted when I cried for my parents so I asked him; "Why did you do that?"
"What do you mean?"
"You know, carrying me and leading me to my parents body. And when Renald-- I mean Uncle Renald blocked your way, you suddenly let off a very terrifying aura."
One minute. Three minutes. Five minutes. He still didn't answer. Was his reason something personal? I was about to say something when finally, he talked.
"Actually, I felt sorry for you." I didn't react. I let him continue. "I lost my parents when I was young. And I didn't get even a single glimpse of their body. They didn't have a funeral. They weren't even placed in a grave."
My heart kinda ached when he said that final line. I asked, "Can I ask why they didn't have a funeral?" I can feel it. He was hesitating to answer me.
"It is because they were eaten by the 'Kraken'.
Kraken. My parents told me about the kraken before. It was one of the strongest monsters in the world. It lived in the sea. It's exact location was not known because it moves along the whole ocean.
The kraken was a ginormous octopus. It was ten times bigger than the biggest ship ever built or maybe, even bigger.
"I'm sorry for making you remember it again."
"It's okay. Well, you better get some sleep. Try to gain as much energy as you can. We still have a long way to go. I'll wake you up later."
"Okay. Thanks for caring for me... big brother." I answered and then I close my eyes to go to sleep.
•••
It was only a few minutes and Leo had already fallen asleep. The party continued to move. An hour passed and they decided to have a rest.
Drew asked one of the party members to fix a cloth for him to lay Leo down and after laying him down, he looked at his cute innocent face.
'I wish I could sleep soundly like this too', Drew thought as he watched the sleeping boy. Renald then approached him and handed him some water.
"Thanks." he said before getting and drinking it. "Waaah! That was refreshing." he exclaimed.
"So, did you figure out how you will take care of the kid?"
"How you say... First I need to fix the mess at my house so that it will have room for the both of us. I already have a job so financial needs is not a problem."
Renald had an amazed expression. "You really thought about it didn't you. I'm kind of impressed." Renald sat down at the other side of the sleeping boy.
"I wonder how my family is?" Renald said.
"I'm sure they're okay. Your wife is not someone so easy to break. And the capital was not taken down so I'm sure they are fine."
Renald chuckled before saying, "I hope so."
Some time passed by and the team was getting ready to continue. "Alright! Everyone who wants to pee, go already. We won't have time to stop until we reach the nearest village.", announced the captain.
Drew laid a pair of daggers beside the sleeping Leo and went behind a tree to take a leak. But, he was startled by the shout of one of the members.
"M-Monsters! We are under attack!" The others who heard this rushed even if they did not finish their business, hurriedly ran back and picked up their weapons.
The captain quickly got a long sword that he saw. They didn't care anymore on whose weapon is who's. "Everyone, formation! Mages and archers on the back!"
His eyes scanned the people. He was looking for Renald but he couldn't find him. At last, he saw him under a tree casting a barrier spell.
'Shit'. He said in his mind. He totally forgot about the boy. He totally forgot that Leo was still sleeping. He felt a bit unresponsible. How could he forget about the person who he will take care of?
After Renald finished the spell, he went back to them and joined the formation. "Those who can use healing magic, be alert. Be ready to heal the wounded." he commanded.
He glanced at the captain. Drew was looking at him. "Thank you for looking after him.", Drew said.
"You still have a lot to learn.", Renald answered back.
"Get ready for battle!" They waited for the monsters to attack. Soon, the creatures emerged from the dark one by one.