While Santiago and Sion were having their conversation on the mountain...
[ LORI'S HOUSE ]
Nemma was sitting on a chair, looking through the window. It was evening, streets were calm. Sometimes a cat or a couple passed. Some mumbling disrupted the peace. It was a short, grumpy old man with white mustache, he was wearing a straw hat with a feather. He loudly stomped through the streets in his boots. He seemed pissed about something, but Nemma didn't know why.
Nemma was alone in the large open room. She looked around, maybe she could find something to do so she wouldn't be bored. In the living room there was nothing specific, just medicine. Behind her there was a kitchen, she wasn't hungry, and one of the only things she didn't learn in Luchester was cooking.. She was pretty bored, so she stood up and walked around the ground floor.
She entered the living room and looked around. She picked up one small bottle of medicine;
' Phobilio
Use against fear magic or nightmares,
2 per day - one in morning, one before sleeping.
Dr. Lori Aguelle '
That was interesting. She never actually thought Lori would be a doctor. An actual doctor.
She returned the bottle back on the table. Nemma continued walking around. Room was very tidy, it was just filled with different medicines. She knows that Lori's ability allows him to clean the house without doing much work since he can just restore everything as it was before. There was another interesting bottle on a table she had to pick up;
' Painkillers
Use against pain magic or pain in general,
take only one per day.
Dr. Lori Aguelle '
It were just regular painkillers.. She placed it back on the table and continued looking. She was humming a melody again while looking at all the medicinal equipment around. As she walked past fireplace, something caught her eye.. It was a picture of Lori and Santiago. Both of them looked just a little bit younger, maybe 2 or 3 years.
That means Santiago was fairly a new member, since he said he joined 4 years ago. They were both wearing thick clothes with fur coats. They were standing on some snowy mountain. Behind them, massive lake and several villages could be seen. They were probably on top. They looked like best friends just casually enjoying their day, no one would expect for both of them to be super strong warriors that fight against government.
Nemma smiled and giggled as she looked at the photo.
" I like that photo as well " voice said from behind Nemma.
She quickly turned around, it was Lori. He was standing on the staircase, he was coming down. He must've been with Lucas all this time.
" I'm sorry I didn't mean to-.. " she wept.
" No, no... it's alright. I don't mind curious people, it's in human nature after all. " he was carrying a bucket with few bloody towels and empty bottles of medicine. He threw them in a large trash bin.
" Feel free to inspect everything you find interesting. If you have need to break it, feel free to do so. There's a reason I've placed my ability on every single object in this house. " he laughed.
Nemma looked at the photo; " This place.. it looks familiar.. "
" It was taken on East, I can't remember the name, sorry. We went camping there for 2 days, just two of us. It was when I've first saved his life, 3 years ago. He told me that he needed to repay me somehow.. " he was looking at the photo, deeply focused.
Despite both of them having rather ominous energy inside of them.. their aura felt warm and rather friendly at this moment. Nemma then turned around to him; " What about your friend up there? Lucas right? Will he be okay? " she asked while being genuinely worried.
Lori looked at the bloody towels and broken medicine bottles in the bin. He looked sad.
He slowly opened his mouth; " He will be okay.. after I'm done healing, I doubt he will still have a scar on his body. The bigger problem is Santiago's guilt. He feels as if it's his fault for Lucas's injury.. "
" Well what happened? " she asked.
Lori sat down on a chair and pointed his palm at one chair on the other side of the table; " Sit.. let us talk. ". She approached the table and sat on the chair.
" Few weeks ago, Lucas accompanied Santiago on a mission. It wasn't supposed to be that hard but, some SS Class monster appeared. It used some curse energy, it caused Lucas to get scorched and poisoned, problem is, as soon as he gets on verge of death, curse stops and waits until he heals. That's when it comes back. He is stuck in a loop of suffering. The monster wasn't able to do such thing to Santiago since he's practically resistant to poison. It's skin was remarkably tough and inapenatratable. Balthazar arrived and saved them by escaping with two of them on his back. " he explained.
Nemma didn't say a word, she looked sad for Lucas. Lori smiled; " Don't worry.. like I said, I'm close to removing all the poison from him, you'll meet him in few days. Now... do you want some tea? ". She accepted.
" Lucas is a great warrior. He is most likely the only one that can defeat Santiago in one-on-one battle. You've definitely heard it many times but, Balthazar, Santiago and Lucas are strongest members of our group. When 3 of them attend missions, they rarely fail. Not to mention he is pretty young, 21 years old only, just few years older than you and Sion.. Unlike Lucas, Santiago is the only one that 'JOINED' the Sons of Freedom, we others have been raised as Sons. Out fathers and their fathers have been members by default, just as we are. "
" So.. each generation has a Healing Son? " she asked.
" Yes, that's right. Healing Son, Warrior Son and Marksman Son appeared in every generation. Others change, based on their personality and affinity to energy. Three of us have very strict policy set by our ancestors, and our affinities are ignored. " Lori said from the kitchen, he was making tea.
She waited patiently; " What about Santiago? He seems friendly but.. "
" But he can be an asshole, right? "
" N-no... "
" I'm kidding. You mean he has some strong, ominous energy right. I can't tell you much, his story should be told by him. He refuses to reveal too much about himself. His past is dark and bloody.. I'm afraid it's up to him to decide whether you should know about it or not, sorry Nemma... Should I add some sugar? "
" Yes, please! ", once again, she turned her head to the picture of Santiago and Lori. While deeply staring at Santiago she couldn't help but wonder.. Just who is he?