"Why did you tell your true name?"
"Why did you tell the truth?"
"Are you not afraid they will report you?"
Countless questions were heard from the shadows. The moment Rulia opened his eyes, he began hearing different voices from the shadows. He first felt scared then got used to it. He sometimes felt happy that someone was talking to him, he didn't need to hear a deafening silence which made him remember those moments. He realized that he was a Black Bearer, those voices said that he has a high affinity making him have the ability to hear them. He onced asks what they are.
"We are anima"
"Ever wonder why shadows and taming are together?"
"Those idiots will never understand it"
"They end up taming land monster"
"But land monster are also monster"
As time passed by, Rulia began to calm down and think about his future. He realized that Grandma Ami and Grandpa Arni meant no harm but he wondered if he would be accepted even if he massacred those monsters. He felt anxious, and sad, thinking that he needed to leave again. That's why he was that happy when they accepted him. He didn't need to be alone. Who didn't want to seek light? He still does, he wants to be seen, to be heard and to be genuinely love.
He once thought that once he died everything would end, but the moment he heard and saw those monsters, all he felt was rage. Why should he die? He didn't do anything wrong. He was not in the wrong. The people that should cease are those monsters. Even if the time would turn again, he would kill those monsters again. Even if the world deemed him wrong, he will never think he was because he never was.
Rulia slept peacefully that night.
•
"Good morning Grandma Ami, what are you cooking?" Rulia ask softly
"Just eggs and rice, how's your sleep?" Ami asked with a wide smile, feeling happy hearing Rulia's voice.
"Good" He answered shyly, Grandma Ami nodded and rubbed his hair before continuing to cook. After the three of them had breakfast, Ami guided Rulia to the sofa, he suddenly felt fidgety because of their serious expression.
"Rulia, do you know the chief son?" Grandma Ami asked carefully. Rulia, hearing Xinyi's association, his eyes widened, how could he forget about him. He knows it was not Xinyi's fault but remembering him leaving, the chiefs turning blind eyes, he couldn't help but to blame them. If just the chief says something! Even just a few words, it would never end that way.
"hmm" he answer hoarsely
"That son was investigating what happened, we didn't want you to get inspected. As you know, your Grandpa and I were hunters in our prime. We have a grimoire called Corna, that changes one's gender, do you want to use it? Or the other choice was to drink potion everyday to change your hair color and eyes, long term use will have an adverse effect depending on the Potion Master who concocts it." Ami explain
Rulia looks at his shadow, wondering.
"Why don't you just change your gender?"
"Idiot, how can a prideful man become a girl!"
"Why are you hesitating? Don't you want to erase anything? Or are you sad that the chief's son wouldn't recognize you?"
"Why do I think you wanted to be found by him?"
"Being a girl in this era is not that bad, as long as you are powerful"
"In the end, as long as you are powerful, you can be anything you want, even a God"
"Rulia?"
"I'll do it. Is it for a lifetime?" He ask
"Of course not, no grimoire is that powerful. Only for 10 years and as long as you become strong, strong enough that no one can touch you, you can break the spell." Ami said
"Break?"
"Hmm, this Grimoire was said to be one of the collections of Ancient God. This one has a fatal flaw, as long as it was your greatest desire to turn back to your previous gender you can. Even without the 10 years limit. So, this spell cant be used to those unwilling." Ami explained
"So, I'm asking you again. Are you really willing to do this?" She asked
"Yes" Rulia answer more firmly
Ami looks at Arni, Arni conjures the Grimoire. It was a white grimoire with a carnation and orchids pattern at the front.
"Do you know how to use it?" Rulia asked curiously, he couldn't fathom how a book can change a gender.
"You don't know that much about the Majica right? We'll explain it later, give me your hand." Grandma Ami said, Rulia did as a white light gathered around them. Then Rulia didn't feel anything at first when suddenly, he felt a thousand crawling ants all over his body. He felt he was being eaten and transformed alive. His mouth widened as he gasped because of pain, he heard their shout before losing consciousness.
When Rulia wakes up, he still feels pain everywhere and he hears Grandma Ami crying.
"I didn't know this would be painful"
"How could we, no one use this spell in the history"
"Rulia! Are you okay?"
Rulia just nodded lightly before closing his eyes again. It took months before Rulia was able to leave the bed. He then saw himself for the first time. His black hair became white that was waist length, his milky brown eyes became purple, as for his face structure it didn't change, his body also became smaller. The thin body became even more thinner, he felt he was going to be blown by the wind. He felt quite conscious of his new look but at the same time happy. Now, he can stare at the mirror without remembering his mother's milky brown eyes that were devoid of emotion before her death.
"How is it?" Grandma Ami asked
"Good" He answer quite happy
"As long as you like it, it will take time before you get used to it. We wanted to change your name, do you have any you want?"
"Amelia"
"Amelia"
"Amelia"
The shadows immediately shouted in unison.
"Amelia" He answer
"Amelia? That's good, we'll call you Amelia from now on. Let's eat." Ami said
He looked at himself firmly in the mirror before leaving the room. This was the first day of his new life.