Leonard cleared his throat dramatically, his eyes twinkling mischievously. "Alright, Eren, gather 'round. It's time for the tale of one of my greatest, and, dare I say, most embarrassing moments." His voice dropped low, as if he were about to recount an ancient battle. Sara rolled her eyes with a knowing smile, clearly familiar with the story, but Leonard's grin only widened.
"We were on an early quest together, deep in the heart of a thick, dense forest. The kind where the trees stretch so high, you can barely see the sky," he began, pacing slightly, as if the memory was unfolding before him. "We were hunting down some small monsters, and I had just felled a rather pitiful goblin. Nothing too impressive, mind you," he added, glancing at Sara, "but I was feeling pretty proud of myself."
Sara snorted, unable to suppress her laughter. "Feeling so proud of yourself after killing a measly goblin that you thought, 'Why not challenge a wild boar? It's practically the same thing!'"
Eren's eyes grew wide with intrigue at the mention of the boar. He had heard bits of this story before, but it always made him curious. What kind of boar could challenge an adventurer like his father?
Leonard puffed out his chest, clearly enjoying the attention. "It was no ordinary boar, Eren. This thing was massive. Strong enough to knock a tree down with a single charge." His tone was gravely serious, but his eyes betrayed a hint of amusement. "I, in my infinite wisdom, decided that dodging would be the best strategy. But, you see, my method of dodging was…" He hesitated, looking at Sara, his cheeks turning pink. "It was, uh... well, let's just say it was... graceful."
"Graceful?" Sara scoffed, barely holding back her laughter. "Graceful? You tripped over a rock, screamed like a little girl, and then fell flat on your face in front of the boar. You looked like a flailing chicken!"
Eren burst into uncontrollable giggles, picturing his father, the fierce adventurer, falling on his face in front of a wild boar. Leonard's face flushed with embarrassment, but he was quick to recover.
"Okay, okay, maybe it didn't go according to plan," Leonard admitted, scratching the back of his head sheepishly. "But I did manage to get up and fight off that boar. With your help, of course!" He turned to Sara, his voice softening, "You were there to pull me out of that mess."
Sara smiled, her eyes filled with affection as she reached over and ruffled Leonard's hair. "You were lucky I was there, or you'd have been trampled into the mud by that boar. And trust me, it wouldn't have been nearly as funny for me if you'd gotten hurt."
Eren laughed wholeheartedly, his tiny body shaking with the force of it. But as he listened to the story, something deeper began to stir within him. He had never had a father in his past life. He didn't know how to act with one. But seeing Leonard—his playful nature, his obvious affection for both him and Sara—Eren felt something stir in his heart.
This was what a family was supposed to be like. This was what it meant to be loved and cared for.
He had been given a second chance—a chance to experience the warmth of a father's love. Leonard's silliness, his humility, and his tenderness filled Eren with a sense of security and gratitude. Eren knew he had to cherish this, to hold onto these moments, because this love was something he hadn't had before.
The laughter died down as Leonard began another tale. This one, however, caught Eren's attention in a way that made his heart race—the Arch Beast. Leonard had mentioned it several times, often in passing, but this time there was a special gleam in his father's eyes as he spoke about the creature.
"You want to hear about Decislash, don't you?" Leonard said, his voice suddenly dropping to a hushed, reverent tone. "The Arch Beast that's been by my side through countless quests."
Eren's heart skipped a beat. The stories of Decislash had always fascinated him. He had imagined it—this powerful, majestic creature that could match the strength of any monster. What would it look like? Would it be fierce? Or majestic? Or perhaps both?
Leonard's eyes sparkled as he continued, "Decislash isn't just any beast. It's a legend in itself. Its strength is unrivaled, and it's been my companion through thick and thin. Not just a mount... but a true ally." His voice became more serious, more intense. "It's a bond that can't be broken, no matter the danger we face."
Eren nodded, absorbing every word. But there was something in his father's tone that left him puzzled. Leonard, as strong and skilled as he was, never seemed to use magic. His stories always depicted him as a warrior, a fighter with a sword. So how did the Arch Beast fit into all of this? Was it tied to magic? Or was it simply an extraordinary creature with a bond beyond comprehension?
Eren leaned back slightly, his mind buzzing with questions. He had heard countless stories from his loving mother and active father—stories of beasts, elves, dwarves, giants, and even demons. It was a world of wonders, so much like the games he had played back on Earth, but this world felt different. The names were too similar, too close to what he had known before. Could it really be a coincidence?
His heart tightened at the thought. If this world was so similar to his old one, maybe—just maybe—he could find a way to see his sister and mother again. The hope that had been buried deep inside him flickered like a fragile flame.
But before he could ponder the possibility further, his thoughts returned to Decislash. How could a creature like that exist without magic? How did it become so intertwined with his father's adventures? Leonard had never mentioned any magic in his stories. Was the Arch Beast a rare, magical creature, or was there something else at play? Eren couldn't wait to learn more.
Leonard sat on the edge of the chair, looking at Sara with a thoughtful expression. He scratched his chin, as if weighing the decision carefully. "Sara, do you think it's time we show him?"
Sara glanced over at Eren, who was sitting contentedly on the floor, watching his parents. Her expression softened, but there was a hesitation in her eyes. "I don't know, Leonard. Decislash is... not something a child should see lightly. He's dangerous—though I know he's tame now, I don't think Eren is ready for that kind of power yet."
Leonard sighed, rubbing his temple. "I know, but it's been a year now. Eren's growing fast, and if there's one thing I've learned as his father, it's that he needs to understand this world. The good and the bad. Decislash is part of that."
Eren's mind raced as he overheard them. What's so dangerous about Decislash? he thought, his brow furrowing. He's a beast, but a good companion to my father. He's been tamed, right? Eren couldn't fathom why something that had been such a trusted ally to his father could be so feared.
Sara's gaze softened as she looked at their son. "You're right. It's just... I don't want to overwhelm him. But if he's going to be a part of this world, he needs to understand everything—even the dangerous parts."
Leonard smiled reassuringly and reached for Sara's hand. "We'll be careful. I'll make sure Decislash holds back. Eren's strong—he's ready for this."
Sara sighed, a mixture of concern and acceptance. "Alright, but we must be cautious."
Leonard nodded, then stood and called Eren over. "Eren, come here, son. I think it's time you meet Decislash."
Eren's heart skipped a beat. His father's tone was serious, and the hint of excitement that had been growing in him now gave way to an unsettling feeling. Was Decislash really that powerful? Leonard had always spoken of him with reverence, but it was clear there was more to the beast than he had imagined.
As he approached, Eren watched as Leonard closed his eyes and raised his hand. The air around them seemed to hum with a faint energy, and Eren could feel a strange shift in the atmosphere. Suddenly, from the center of Leonard's chest, a soft light began to glow—a pale, shimmering light that spread out like a wave of energy. Eren's breath caught in his throat as the light coalesced into a shape before his eyes.
In a flash, the light solidified into a form—a sword and shield—floating between them. The sword gleamed with a deep copper hue, its blade sleek and short, the metal reflecting an otherworldly glow. The shield was round, its surface glimmering with gold and red, etched with intricate symbols and patterns that seemed alive. Together, the sword and shield formed a powerful presence, both regal and dangerous.
Eren's initial reaction wasn't excitement. Instead, a cold rush of fear washed over him. His chest tightened as a heavy, oppressive weight filled the air, and the scent of blood, iron, and steel flooded his senses. It was as if he were standing in front of a massive guillotine, its blade poised and waiting. His knees felt weak, and the air seemed to press down on him, making it harder to breathe. His heart hammered in his chest.
Leonard's voice cut through the tension like a knife, commanding and calm. "Decislash," he said, his voice low but firm. "Recede your power. This is my son."
At those words, the oppressive energy began to ebb, slowly but surely. Eren's breath became easier, and the fear that had gripped him began to loosen. His mother's soft voice reached his ears, soothing him, coaxing him gently. "It's alright, Eren. Everything is fine. It's just Decislash—your father's companion. He's not going to hurt you."
As the pressure in the room lifted, Eren found himself able to focus more clearly. His eyes moved to the beast before him, no longer clouded by fear, but filled with awe and curiosity. Decislash was no longer just a terrifying presence, but a magnificent creation. The sword shimmered with a rich copper color, its edge sharp and precise, yet it had a strangely noble aura about it. The shield was just as captivating, round and perfectly balanced, its golden and red hues radiating a regal intensity. The combination of the two felt like the perfect representation of strength and protection.
Eren studied the beast with newfound appreciation. It wasn't just a weapon—it was something more, something alive. The shield bore the markings of an ancient, protective spirit, while the sword seemed like it had seen countless battles. The whole creature was a fusion of power, grace, and danger. He could feel the strength radiating from it, but there was also a sense of restraint. As if Decislash was holding back, waiting for a command.
For a brief moment, everything was still, the silence stretching on before Decislash's voice rang out—a deep, gravelly tone that sent a shiver down Eren's spine.
"This feeble kid... is your child, huh. Eren, right ?" Decislash's voice echoed through the room, his words dripping with an odd mixture of disbelief and dry amusement.
But Decislash wasn't finished. His tone grew more playful, as though he found some amusement in the situation. "The one you couldn't stop talking about... hm, I had no idea you'd be so... proud." The beast's voice had a strange, almost teasing quality to it now, as if poking fun at Leonard's ever-present enthusiasm for Eren.