Before Zeal wakes up, Lilia and Lupel both visit the Cruz's. They both traveled there to talk with Elioth.
"Elioth." Lupel knocked on their front door while looking around.
"Lupel, Lilia? What brings you guys here?" He asks as he opens the door for them while inviting them in.
Lilia and Lupel both moved inside. After that, they got seated to get comfortable.
"I'll brew you guys some tea ... just be comfortable there."
Elioth tried to get them some tea, but Lupel cut him off.
"No, that's nice of you, Elioth, but we won't be here for too long."
Lupel looked at Lilia as he reached his hand to hold Lilia's.
"What Lupel said is right. We want to talk with you about Zia."
Elioth was shocked, forced to walk towards Lilia and Lupel. He got seated.
"What about my Zia? Is there something wrong that I need to know about?"
Elioth was worried that he had her daughter put in danger by allowing her to come with Lupel and Zeal on the hunting trip.
"Nothing to worry about Elioth-." Lilia pulled Lupel's clothes and nodded.
"We are sorry for what happened ... and it was our fault that Zia got involved." As Lilia bowed to apologize, Lupel saw this and did the same.
"Please raise your head, Lilia, Lupel, and it wasn't anyone's fault ... we both didn't know that would happen."
Tears fell from Elioth's eyes. Lupel and Lilia, having seen this, both went to Elioth's side.
"I-I just want to protect Zia ... I don't want to lose her like how I lost her mother."
Elioth lost his wife to a Demonoid attack while they were out hunting. When they left, Zia was only three years old and taken care of by Lilia.
"We understand Elioth, I am not asking you to not worry about Zia; I am a parent too ... and it's tough, but what happened that day ... I swear, I won't let that happen ever again."
"I understand ... I've got to get myself together."
Lupel and Lilia both went back to their seats.
"So, what brings you both here?"
Although Elioth teared up, you won't see it in his eyes; he is a brave and tough father.
"I brought a spell caster to read Zeal."
"Read Zeal? Wait ... do you mean that ..."
Lupel looked at Elioth straight in the eyes and said.
"Yes, we are looking for a blood weapon contract inside of him."
Before Elioth replied, he laid his back on the seat and thought.
"Wait, aside from that, what does this have to do with Zia?"
Lupel took a deep breath as if revealing a big secret to Elioth.
"That day Elioth... the sky turned into crimson ... twice."
!!!
Elioth still looked confused. However, that news is something not to be ignored and is a serious matter. Some time passed, and they finished conversing.
"I'd like to thank you again, Elioth, for ... listening to us, despite everything that has happened."
Again, Lupel and Lilia both bowed to show their thanks.
"Hm-mh ... thank you as well for the visit, Lupel, Lilia."
The three all looked glad that they could speak with each other about that day. Lupel and Lilia both prepared to go home and were about to see Zeal with Ms. Aneres. But, they only say Zeal standing in front of the house door.
"Zeal? Sweetie, what are you doing at the front door?"
Lilia rubbed Zeal's shoulder worriedly.
"Nothing, I was waiting for you both here… why did you take so long, though? I saw you both already near the house, but it took you guys over 5 minutes to get here."
Zeal then opened the door for them.
"What are you talking about? Anyway, enough of that. Where is Ms. Aneres?"
Lupel looked around but didn't see Ms. Aneres.
"About that, I kind of mistook her for a stranger, though she introduced herself. Now she is at the back waiting for us."
I closed my eyes, waiting and preparing for whatever reaction they had.
"You put your guard up against a stranger; there is nothing wrong with that Zeal."
He patted me in the back; I opened my eyes, got a better look at him ... he wasn't as cheery as he was. Lilia also wasn't herself and just gave me a stifled smile. Something is definitely going on.
"Let's go invite Ms. Aneres back inside, I'm sure she must be waiting for us."
Lupel opened the door, and we all went in. Lupel then walked outside through the back door to invite Ms. Aneres inside. I sat down with Lupel while Lilia made some tea.
"I believe you've already met my son, Ms. Aneres." As Lupel put his arm behind my back.
"Yes, he's quite wonderful. You are very fortunate, Mr. Noir."
"I wouldn't want to make your visit any longer. So, do what you must."
Lupel removed his arm and stood.
"What's going on?"
I asked worriedly.
"Relax, son; it's going to be fine. You can trust Ms. Aneres."
Ms. Aneres stood and walked towards me to be seated. She took out a paper and a bottle with a blue liquid out of her briefcase.
"Hold this paper, young Zeal." I held the paper she handed to me.
"I will draw lines in your body using this. I get questions a lot so, this liquid is to find where the said blood weapon is inside your body."
I pulled back.
"What's wrong young Zeal? Are you afraid?"
And again, she tilted her head.
"No, it is just that I don't exactly know ... what a blood weapon contract is."
Ms. Aneres looked in the direction of Lupel and Lilia.
( I guess they told her not to say to me. )
Lupel closed his eyes, shook his head, and gestured at Ms. Aneres to let me know.
"Ahem, so ... a blood weapon contract is basically a contract between a bearer and a blood weapon. The people who possess blood weapon contracts are called User; they are entirely different from Weapon bearers ... as they may or may not have the contract in their upper hands."
"Meaning?"
"I am not done yet, young Zeal; if you could please listen first."
"A-alright." ( Still sounded calm saying that ... gee. )
"For your question, meaning that the blood weapon can control the bearer or on the other hand if one manages to gain the upper hand ... will unlock the full potential of that blood weapon."
I waited for her to say more, but I think she was done so, I asked.
"How does one get a contract?"
"One has to have the talent or potential to get one."
I could feel everyone's stare at me ... but there was something that was bothering me.
"Ms. Aneres, if you are here to clarify if I have one, on what basis do you think I have one?"
"Crimson Sky."
!!!
Lupel spoke.
"The fact that a Crimson sky appeared that day is a sign that you may have received one."