~2 months later~
Transformed into a winter wonderland, the City of Sharia looked truly magical as soft, powdery snowflakes descended gently from the heavens. The landscape was cloaked in a pristine blanket of white, and the air was filled with the crisp, invigorating scent of winter.
The flames inside the chimneys flickered, crackled and popped as Norn and Aisha sat beside it, throwing some twigs into it.
Norn was dressed in knee-length, A-line dress that was white in colour with black ribbon running between it, forming a cute tie. Her hair was much longer than before, spilling on her shoulders as it well complimented her golden locks.
The dress sported a fitted bodice with a delicate lace overlay and cap sleeves that ended right on her elbow while the black full sleeved innerwear completely covered her arm. Sitting into one of the couches by the fire, she raised one leg up and tucked it beneath her. "It's so cold this time." She complained, throwing another twig in the fire and rested back against the support of the couch.
"Yeah. Especially knowing since brother did something that heated the house automatically. It's still so cold." Aisha agreed with Norn, the two sisters snuggling with their blankets as they struggled to fight off the cold.
"Yeah. At least the floor is warm, so we don't have to die every time we place foot down." Norn rolled her eyes and shivered while remembering something.
"Exactly. Can't deal with so many cramps." Aisha added and both sisters nodded in tandem with to each other. As they looked at each other, the sisters busted into a loud laughter before covering their feet with another layer of blanket.
Aisha straightened out her dress that had slightly crumpled due to her moving around.
She was wearing a stylish outfit where a blouse and a dress effortlessly came together. The upper half mimicked a classic blouse, with its delicate details like buttons, a collar, and sleeves, while the lower part gracefully flowed, offering a coordinated look.
Her hair was also let loose, as she had bathed a while ago and didn't really style it into any fashion, letting them loosely drape like a curtain. However, unlike Norn who had grown her hair out, Aisha had shortened hers, leaving them just below the shoulder.
"Hohoho, hello my little sisters. Santa is here!" Rudeus suddenly jumped in front of them. Norn and Aisha both yelped, looking at someone who was definitely not their brother. By appearance at least.
Rudeus wriggled his eyebrows and jumped in between them, extending both his hands to the side and catching Norn and Aisha in tight side hugs. "I have apprehended you, fine lassies. Pray tell, who shall rescue thy from my grasp?" He said in a dramatic tone.
Rudeus was wearing a full red Santa Claus suit with long white beard and red glasses that were too small for him.
"Ugh, brother! What are you wearing even? Didn't we all agreed to wear something nice? What is this?" Norn scolded him, removing his hand from her shoulders.
"Huh? It is very drippy!" Rudeus exclaimed and swung his arm around Norn anyways, again, this time hugging her even harder.
"Brother, you might break a bone or two at this point." Aisha groaned, getting almost crushed.
Loosening his grip over his sister, Rudeus adjusted his specs before leaning back into the couch. "Ahhh man, this place is warm. Its freezing outside."
"It's much colder than last year." Aisha agreed.
"Much would be an understatement. They don't even begin to compare." Rudeus spoke with an exaggerated tone.
"Where is everyone? I was waiting for Lucy and Solomon." Norn asked as she gathered her blanket up.
Aisha picked her blanket up and used half of it to cover Rudeus' cold feet up, snuggling up close to him and curling into a ball.
"They're here. Just taking off their coats and shoes." Rudeus replied as he looked over at the fireplace. "Norn. Aisha. Want to see something cool?"
The sisters looked at him with confused faces.
"Allow me." In an exaggerated manner, he stood and bowed like a magician before performing his trick. Shoving his hand into the fireplace, he looked at his sisters.
"Hey!"
Norn screamed at him.
Without replying, Rudeus flicked his fingers as the raging flames turned blue, emitting considerably higher amount of heat. "See? Santa is here to grant wishes, hohoho."
"I don't understand what this Christmas and Santa is, but Rudeus, can you fulfill a wish of mine?" Norn asked, shifting in her seat.
"Depends. I can if you have been a good girl. But if you were naughty, naughty...." Rudeus wriggled his fingers as she deadpanned at him. ".....ehm, sorry, what was it?"
"Can you ask Aisha to be a bit honest about her ---"
Before Norn could finish her sentence, Aisha covered her mouth with her hands. "Nothing. Its nothing."
"Hoho? I can smell something very fishy here." Rudeus sniffed the air aggressively before bringing his face close to Aisha. "In fact, the fish has rotten. It smells very, very fishy. Come on now, spill the tea."
"I-Its nothing. You are as-assuming things."
"To be fair, Aisha, you're a confident girl and you can lie almost like Julian. But right now, it's not very convincing."
Adam walked by them, his face containing splatters of blood as he stopped in front of Norn, Aisha and Rudeus.
"Oh, heya Adam." Norn greeted.
"Oho, Adam. How you doing?"
"Hm. Hm." He nodded his head furiously before looking at Norn and tapped at his sword. "Practice?"
"Not today. We are celebrating. Brother asked for you to get changed as well. He wants you in the celebration." Norn informed.
"..." Without saying a word, he nodded once again, his face entirely impassive.
As he went towards the place where Eva and his room was situated, Aisha grumbled.
"Ughh...."
As the siblings argued and tried to unveil the secrets, on the other side of the huge hall, Zenith was sitting in the center of the main area. Everyone else was seated around her. It was a seat that was mainly made for the head of the house, however, Julian almost never sat in it. So, from the start, only Zenith used to occupy it.
She was wearing a cream coloured suit with her hair tied behind in a loose ponytail while two locks came down on either side of her face.
Paul was in a couch adjacent to it, his mouth agape as he snored heavily.
"He couldn't sleep last night. He kept walking around the house to prepare for today and now he can't even wake up." Sylphy commented, looking at Paul with pity.
"Oh, I see." Zenith's response to anything related to Paul was always nonchalant and uncaring. But deep inside her, her used to squeeze with worry. However, she put on a brave front, smiling wildly at Sylphy and changing the trajectory of the conversation.
Lucy who 2 years old now was running all over the house, laughing and speaking half-coherent words. Meanwhile Sara's son, Solomon, a heavy and bulky boy was seated in her lap, looking at Zenith who was playing with his cheeks with a dummy in his mouth.
Eris, Sara and Sylphy were seated in a straight line.
Beside them was Lilia, who was wearing normal clothes today as well. However, she stayed silent, eyes downcast. Zenith talked with other three, while taking Solomon from Sara and making him sit in her own lap.
Certainly, there was still a rift between the family members, however, this much was expected. Scars and bruises from constant betrayal tends to leave deep marks. Scars even.
Eris who had nothing much to talk about, stood up and walked over to the place where Elijah and Luna were sitting. Stooping down to her knees, she saw Luna standing on her own two feet while Elijah was smiling and rolling over the floor.
"Goochie, goochie." She turned her head towards the fireplace, only to see Rudeus tickling Aisha, still trying to interrogate the thing that Norn was about to say a while ago. Eris looked back at Luna who was now standing beside her, looking at her with a straight face.
"Hey." She greeted as Luna tilted her head. "I said hey!"
Luna took a step forward and placed a hand on her head, patting it. Almost as if he was sympathizing with her dumbness. Eris' cheeks flushed as she extended her hand, slowly, before slightly poking her finger into Luna's cheek.
Her chubby cheek caved in. If Eris could have a tail, she would be wagging it furiously right now. She immediately hugged Luna, rubbing her cheek with hers as she continued to pat her head...as if she was a cat. Which if she was, she would be in deep trouble. Eris was a Boreas Greyrat after all.
Luna looked over in Elijah's direction, pleading for some kind of help. Elijah stopped playing for a while before rolling over and started playing with his toys instead.
"Oh, thanks for taking care of her, Eris. She is more troubling than Elijah." Nanahoshi commented from the kitchen, making something.
"N-No problem. She is quite cute." Eris complimented, now gently loving her and not being too harsh in front of her mother.
"Thanks, hehe. By the way, do you want to try this dish?" Nanahoshi asked, pointing at the pot that had steam wafting from it. Roxy was there as well. So was Ariel, who had visited for the first time since she left. Even now, she had come only for a few moments.
Nanahoshi was wearing a white shirt with her cuff rolled up and a red apron over it. Meanwhile Ariel had alternated it, wearing a red dress with a white apron over it. Roxy was wearing her casual clothes with blue apron over it. However, Ariel wasn't cooking. She just sat on the counter, testing every dish.
Eris also joined in. Since she couldn't really cook, she too just began to test everything.
The house was quite decorated. It was mainly decorated by Rudeus with lights and a huge Christmas tree in the corner. Everyone was busy either talking or waiting for food that was being cooked by Roxy and Nanahoshi, which included Mashed Potatoes, Vegetable Casseroles, roasted meat, gingerbread cookies and lot, lot, lot of Mulled wine.
However, as everyone continued to engage in their cheerful banter and laughter spread through the house, Ariel scooted a little closer to Nanahoshi. "Where's Julian? I can't see him anywhere..."
"Oh? He was sleeping. Uhm, still sleeping, I guess. He was working on something in the basement until late at night, so I don't want to wake him up." She paused, placing a finger on her lip. "But we have to wake him up eventually. For the gifts exchange."
"Ah, yes. I nearly forgot about that." Ariel shook her head.
"Hehe, happens. Anyways, let's go and get changed. Cooking's done."
"Sure."
(***)
The snowstorm raged on, creating a harrowingly freezing scene as Julian walked through the relentless tempest on foot. The snowflakes swirled around him, their icy touch brushing against his skin.
The frigid wind almost howled, screeching in his ear.
As he walked through the snow that had gathered until his knees, his trajectory formed a deep path. His breath formed white plumes that quickly vanished into the blizzard.
The world was reduced to a monochromatic panorama of white, with only the dim outlines of buildings and trees hinting at the surroundings.
His gait remained straight; breath steady and jaw tightened.
After a few minutes of walking in the heavy snow, he finally arrived in front of a building. Placing his hand on the lock, he imbued some of his mana into it as the door opened with a subtly creaking click. Opening the door, he stepped inside, lowering his head, so he doesn't hit his head.
As he entered, warmth washed over him due to the fire crackling in the small place. Julian dusted the snow off from his boots. "Brings back memories." He spoke to himself as he reached out for his jacket to hang it from the hanger. However, his hands stopped midway, realising he won't be staying for long.
Walking slowly, as his feet made slight creaking sound against the wooden floor that had not received any maintenance for the quite some time now. Julian entered the room in the center. Looking around he saw the familiar wooden table with a slim glass over it.
There were multiple documents, letters and maps sprawled all over it. In front of the main table were two chairs. Other than that, there were two single-seater couches with a glass table in between them. A familiar floral designed pot and cups were placed over it.
Julian watched everything from the corner of his eyes. Walking over to the giant, leather covered chair, he placed his hand over it, his finger tracing lines over it. Rotating it towards himself, he plopped on it. He slightly caressed the handle, brushing away the dust and frost from it.
Bringing his hand to his eye level, a sphere of pure mana without any element formed in his palm. It was tinged with a few motes of golden. Dying motes of golden.
His features darkened under the shadow of his long hair.
"I am losing touch with his mana...." He spoke to himself, a bit louder than usual, "...Orsted. I wonder what happened."
Laying his head back on the chair, he gazed emptily towards the roof, heaving repeated sighs. Placing his feet on the table in front of him, he folded his arms beneath his head and slightly swung left and right on the comfy chair, thinking of what may be happening to Orsted.
"Hm?" He suddenly noticed an opened drawer. Removing his feet from the table, he bent down and opened it completely. Looking inside, he saw a huge golden key. "This is the locker's key."
Picking it up, he stood up and walked over to the nearby locker, opening it. Inside it, there was a single piece of paper, and something wrapped in a cloth. Picking up the piece of paper first, Julian opened it.
[Greetings, Julian. Hope this letter receives you in the best of your health. If you are reading this letter, it may mean I have died or am in a death like state. Or you just figured out there was something inside that drawer and opened it with brute force. It was mainly designed to open only when I get weak enough to not be able to hold it intact anymore.]
Julian read the beginning of the letter, humming to himself. Pulling the chair, he sat by the locker.
[Well, those things aside, even if I were to die, I would make sure to seal Hitogami. Me dying isn't something of significance. It was my purpose, after all. On to the next set of events, now that you have changed so many things, I don't think the reincarnated people summoned from another world are no longer needed for the war that is yet to come. It might result in the time stoppage to be removed from Nanahoshi, since the boy in the future would be sent back. Or that is the possibility with highest probability. Hmm, I have started to sound like you.]
Julian could almost hear Orsted chuckle. How the ink darkened around this part showed he felt either delighted or angry at the fact. But given the lighthearted tone, it was more of a delighted thing.
[If she goes back to normal, it would be great if you two start a family. A shame most probably I would not be able to witness it. But you have my blessings. Even though you don't need it.]
Once again, Julian could feel emotions manifest from the letter, as if every word was alive, vocal about the hidden meanings and tone.
[There are many things I wanted to leave to talk and had made my mind to write. However, now that I have the pen in my hand, I cannot think of many things to say or write. However, I will say this, Julian Greyrat, not as someone who is indebted to you, but as a good friend, thank you.]
The ink around the region darkened once again, spreading in a huge blue blotch.
[I hope you live your life with a happy smile on your face. Might seem like an outlandish task but smile for your family at least. Your parents, siblings. Your wives. Somehow, I feel you won't settle on one. The whole idea of a peaceful life of yours seems like a lie as well. But who am I to judge.]
Julian paused from reading the letter and sighed before flipping the page and reading the rest of the text.
[The promise of an all-out fight between us seems like a faraway dream. In case you are reading this letter. A shame. I wanted to fight against you. But one cannot be blessed with everything. Something I learned over the course of thousands of years. Years that I have lost count of. Well, that would be all. Once again, I hope a happy and healthy life for you. Although, healthy seems wrong to put in here. Hmmm. Let's not discuss that.]
Julian shrugged his shoulders as if Orsted was actually talking to him.
[I hope the lack of need of her in the future would result in Nanahoshi's time continuation. I have hopes for you both. Well then, I want to write a few more things, but there is a limit to ink and paper. Accept the thing wrapped in grey cloth and the thing behind the locker as last gifts from my side. Use it for yourself or give it to your favourite child---if you decide to have any.]
'Well, I didn't really decide on any of them, but ok.'
[Farewell, Julian. My dearest friend.]
As he finished reading it, Julian just continued to look at the letter, the corner of his lips subconsciously curving into a slight smile. However, it went away as soon as it had come. Crumpling the paper in his hands, he burned it to ashes in a mere second.
Dipping his hand inside the locker and then looking behind it, he picked up the gifts from Orsted.
"How very thoughtful. How am I supposed to give it to 11-months-olds?" He thought as he stumbled to the side, taking the support of the table to stand up.
(***)
Later that evening, due to Julian saying he was sick, the party progressed without him.
Everyone except Paul received a gift from Julian. Rudeus, however, brought something for everyone.
Julian had bought dresses for most of the women. For Rudeus he had gifted him another staff, something that was equally or even better than Aqua Hertia. However, the staff was more attuned to wind element. Norn and Aisha got what they wanted as well. Adam---much to his displeasure was given an admission form in the same institution as Norn and Aisha and Eva, just like other women, was also gifted new clothes.
As for the kids, he left spherical objects for each of his own.
Rudeus as well had not bought something for Julian's children.
The two could not think of much to buy for kids. Both families were well off enough to have a lot of clothes. And that was almost everything what the kids wanted. However, he had left a small ring for Lucy with a magical stone embedded into it which he did himself.
His wives had prepared a gift for him, but his sickness made it impossible for them to give it to him.
The same night, Ariel left back for Asura. She met Julian before leaving. However, Julian told her understood her reasoning and allowed her to leave.
As for himself, he stayed scooped up into his room until the symptoms disappeared.