Dinner passed quickly, I hadn't even noticed that plans were made to go on a picnic by the lake until Mary told me. Honestly, I was more distracted by the stake. In my past life.. I was lucky to even be able to have soup, I couldn't really stomach anything else, not that my mother would have allowed me to eat anything else anyways.
'"Haaah
A deep sigh escaped from my lips as I thought about how tense dinner was.
' Even though I was distracted by how amazing the food is, I couldn't help but notice the tension in the room. They were staring at me like they would devour me..'
Just thinking about their intense gazes sent chills down my spine. A cold sweat ran down my back.
'They have intense gazes, I bet they could win any staring contest.'
I chuckled lightly to myself as I thought about the last part.
"Hmm.."
'Now that I'm alone.. now would be the perfect time..'
Taking a deep breath I sat down in the middle of my room on the floor, crossing my legs squarely and eating my elbows on my knees.
'Focus.. breathe..'
Tuning out all of the noise around me, the sound of the wind blowing lightly, the sound of the servants walking about the mansion, even the sound of my breathing. I tuned out everything and focused solely on the mana around me, pulling it into my body and centering it into my stomach.
'My core.. it's finally forming. At this rate..'
'"Drip , Drip
I ignored the sweat that continued to fall from my face and onto the floor. I continued drawing in mana until there was nothing left to draw.
'" haaah , haaah
Breathing heavily and drenched in sweat, I mustered up strength to move my right hand to my stomach and I felt a ball of energy that seemed to be about the size of my fist.
'I did it.'
I had finally absorbed the mana around me. Now..
'I… '
Everything went blurry and the only thing I could hear was the sound of my heart pounding quickly. As the sound faded, so did everything else as I involuntarily fell back, fainting.
"Why.. are you here?"
Greeted by a voice that I have been waiting for, I turned my head to look.
'You.. you're actually speaking this time?'
"You are a foolish prophet."
I couldn't help but feel a bit hurt. For almost 4 years, I've waited to speak to Erebyul again, and now I finally can and they definitely don't seem happy.
'Why.. haven't you answered any of my calls. You promised me.'
"…"
'Did.. you lie to me?'
Did they say that they would answer.. just to ease my mind? But.. they said they couldn't lie.. but..
"I didn't lie."
'Then why—'
"I told you that if you wanted something, that you could ask, and I would give it to you. Of course.. that's only if you can pay the price in exchange for what you are asking."
'Then why..'
"You haven't asked for anything. Or did you think that I would come to you at your beck and call even when it's not important?"
'…'
I was speechless. While they are right that I haven't asked for anything.. did they really ignore me for all of these years just because of that? Even..
'Me and my family.. we almost died. Several times.. '
I couldn't help but feel angry, for the first time since coming into this… space, I've felt an emotion swelling inside of me and my heart.
"You didn't."
'Huh..?'
"All of the time.. you have yet to die. You, nor your family, have died."
"' Thump
'W-what..? E-Erebyul.. Ho-how could you..'
I could feel the anger rising, my emotions, a slew ton of emotions welled up. Anger, confusion, disappointment, denial, emotions I was both familiar with and not familiar with.
'You ignored me.. and let everything happen.. despite knowing. Because of what?!'
"…"
Of all times, just silently watching.. This isn't the time to be silent. I felt my hands tremble. My entire body trembled and I clenched my hand.
'P-please.. ANSWER ME!'
My heart began pounding wildly in my chest and my breathing became uneven. The pain became so intense that I felt as though I would die.
"…"
"'Thud , haah , haa
'Wait… why can I.. '
Unlike every other time, I could feel. From emotions, to being out of breath, even to feeling my body this time..
'What's happening.'
I looked up, but everything was dark. Not the type of dark that comes merely from the lack of light. It was the kind of dark that makes it seem as though light doesn't Exist at all to begin with. It's.. just like.. no, maybe even darker and more suffocating than the darkness that attempted to devour me years ago.
"'Thump , Thump
'Fear'
That was the emotion I was feeling. My entire body shook and trembled and my mind went blank. I couldn't see, or maybe, there wasn't anything to see to begin with. I couldn't speak, I couldn't even think anymore.
"I told you… that you should not have been here."
A clear voice resounded from behind me. A low and smooth voice, that was deep like the ocean but smooth like honey. Hearing the voice behind me, brought me out of shock. I turned, my body still trembling, losing control of my trembling body, my legs and arms gave out and I could only manage to lift my head to look towards the voice.
'Erebyul..'
There, sitting on a throne made of the surrounding darkness, legs crossed one over the other, and an arm resting on the throne, their cheek resting lightly against their hand. A gorgeous deity sat staring down at me who had fallen pathetically. Their eyes pierced my very being.
"Because of your foolishness, do you realize that you almost died yet again?"
'I.. almost died? W-what?'
"Humans, you are born weak. Some, weaker than others but all of you are weak."
"' Sigh
Erebyul sighed deeply while still glaring down at me, I felt as though gravity itself was pushing me down, I couldn't bring myself to even continue looking up at them. As if instinctively, I avoided their gaze, my teeth chattering inside of my trembling mouth. I couldn't even dare to attempt to ask any more questions and could only listen
"You… I haven't answered you, because you are weak. You.. even if you had asked for anything. You are too weak. You do not have anything, and I mean anything, worth taking in exchange for my power, let alone the power and authority to summon me as you please."
After speaking, Erebyul waved their free hand, and with a flick of their wrist the surroundings suddenly felt less suffocating. The heavy weight on my body seemed to disappear.
"Do you know why I'm upset, Prophet?"
My body continued to tremble despite my best efforts to stop it.
'I.. I think I know.'
"You think?"
Erebyul moved forward slightly, the intensity of their gaze seemed to get more intense and my heart trembled but I mustered my strength to cover my pounding heart in the mana I had gathered.
'" Thump , Thud
Once I moved the mana from my stomach and placed it over my heart, I felt a sharp and intense pain that felt as if my heart had exploded, blood spurted out of my mouth but I bit my lip and clenched my fist, forcing myself to stay conscious as I gazed up and met Erebyul's gaze.
'I-it's.. because of this?'
The mana. I forcefully gathered it into my body and almost instantly afterwards, I ended up here. That can only mean that..
'When you said I almost died, and the reason I am here..'
'"Hmph
"It seems that you aren't completely foolish at least."
Erebyul spoke, their lips curling into a slight grin. They stood up and began walking towards me, the sound of every footsteps matching perfectly with my heart that seemed to beat slower.
'" Tak , Tak, Tak
Erebyul stopped directly in front of me and then they flicked their hand, their fingers moving upward and my body went up along with them.
'"Guah
I gritted my teeth as I looked at them. My body floating in the air, my eyes completely level with Erebyul's.
' haaah , haaa
I watched as Erebyul slowly moved their hand towards my body, touching my stomach and then slowly moving their hand up to my chest where the mana was now covering my heart.
Their fingers were long and slender, their nails long and sharp, so sharp in face that as they moved their fingers from my stomach to my chest, I felt a cold and sharp sensation like being cut by a sharp knife. Their touch as they stopped their finger against my chest sent a sticky sensation doen my spine, it was cold and sharp and the feeling lingered for what felt like minutes before slowly fading.
"You forced mana into your body despite having none. Like forcing water into an old, tightly sealed, cracked vase."
Erebyul spoke with a serious and tired tone as they slowly pulled their finger away from my chest, a thin gold line like a spiderweb or thread connected their finger and my heart as they spoke.
"The pain you felt was a sign from your body, a sign that you were hurting your vessel. Pouring water into a broken vessel and not expecting the vessel to burst as the water floods through the cracks… that's what you were doing."
' T-that.. '
"Your father was right. You are weak."
Their words echoed in my mind. The reason I couldn't fight, did my father and brother know that I was broken?
' D-did.. Everyone but me know..? '
My body went limp as I began to come to the realization that my family had known about this and kept it from me.
'Bu-but why.. w-why am I.. broken.. a-and why.. didn't they—'
My thoughts were cut off as Erebyul sighed once more and then moved their hand away. The golden thread disappeared as they did.
"You humans are very emotionally driven."
I looked up at Erebyul as they spoke.
'…?'
"Your family hid the fact that you were broken, because they believed it was the best thing for you."
Erebyul walked back to their throne and sat down with a bored expression as they crossed their legs and leaned their cheek on their hand again.
"They prayed everyday, each and everyone of them. Not that you miraculously become whole.. but that you grow up safely and happily."
"'Sigh
"Your brother in Particular has been very adamant about your protection, even promising me something. Fufufu.."
Hearing Erebyul chuckle as he spoke about my brother caused chills to run over my body, my chest felt heavy.
'W- what did he.. what did he offer you? What did you do?'
However, instead of answering, Erebyul glared at me causing my body to lose all ability to move. I fell onto my hands and feet and couldn't even lift my head.
"What gives you the gall to question me?"
'" Sigh
"Well, little prophet, since you are dear to me, I will once again.. help you out for free. However.."
Erebyul began to trail off for a moment and then flicked their wrist again and suddenly a surge of mana began flowing into my body. The more the Golden mist-like mana pushed into my body, the more unbearable the pain I would feel. My entire body began to spasm uncontrollably as I screamed out in pain so much that my voice went hoarse.
"Bear with it, Prophet. This is just a speck of my power, you can't die from it… I hope."
***
"' Huuuuuahh
I woke up with a deep gasp, as I refilled my lungs with air. I tried to move but my body was heavy and sore, almost numb. I felt the cool breeze flowing in through the window near my bed and tiredly moved my gaze towards it to see that the moon was fully up and peeking at me. Its beautiful somber cool glow shining on me.
' Good, it's only been a few hours.. '
I thought to myself as I tried to lift my head, only for it to throb violently. Grimacing, I laid my head back down and could only look up at the ceiling.
'" Click
The door to my room opened and my heart started pounding. It had been unusually quiet, now the door is suddenly opening in the middle of the night.
' No.. I can't die.. Not when I just got back! '
But to my surprise, it wasn't an assassin entering my room. My heavy tired eyelids moved slightly as I watched as my brother made his way to my bed. He slowly approached my bed and then he noticed my eyes open.
" Y-yuri.. you're awake… "
Staring at me wide-eyed, my older brother Kieran gaped as he looked at me, opening and closing his mouth multiple times before quickly leaving the room, sprinting and yelling.
"H-He's awake! Yuri is-"
It didn't take long for my mother and father to come into the room, seemingly in a hurry.
"Yuri? Sweetie?"
My mother said as she quickly moved to the edge of my bed and touched my cheek and moved my hair away from my face.
"How are you feeling dear? Can you speak?"
'What is going on..? Why are they looking at me like that?'
As I watched my older brother who was crying beside my mum by the edge of the bed, and my father who despite his usual stoic expression actually seemed worried and ragged, I felt a pang in my chest.
I dryly licked my chapped lips and spoke. My voice was hoarse and my throat hurt with every word that came out.
"Wh-at happened..?"
Tears welled up in my mothers eyes and she rubbed my hair gently as she spoke, Kieran held my hand as he listened to her speak.
"It seems, your body has a breakthrough somehow."
She spoke slowly and calmly despite her wavering voice and shaking hands.
"You suddenly had a huge surge of explosive power flooding out of your body, it was so strong and thick that everyone in the mansion felt it and thought that you were being attacked.."
Mother began to sniffle, father moved in closer to her and gently rubbed her back. Then he spoke for her, seeing that she was in no shape to explain. His voice was unwavering and placid.
"When we came into your room, we saw that you were unconscious and being fully devoured by the power."
His calm demeanor while explaining such a scary and dangerous situation almost made it seem as though the situation wasn't anything big. However, he sighed and placed his hand on my head.
"I told you that you were weak."
He spoke in a matter-of-fact tone. The way he spoke made me want to push his hand away, but I inwardly sighed as I noticed his long pause and remembered something.
' This clumsy father of mine.. '
He may not have the easiest time being completely honest just yet but I could tell, from the past 3 years of my life.. that he was learning, so is mum and even my brother. More than that.. It's new to me too, having a family that loves me. It's scary and part of me doesn't want to believe that they love me, part of me fears that they will grow to hate me. However, part of me wants to accept their love and support, I want to have a happy and loving relationship with my family. I want to grow strong to protect them, to help them. To have and protect a lot of people like them.
"I was wrong. You're not weak."
Fathers words were so shocking that mum and Kieran, who were crying together and consoling each other, froze stiffly and slowly looked at father. Even I couldn't help but be caught off guard as I stared into his eyes, my eyes wavering as our gazes locked.
' No way… is this for real? '
Unbothered by the reactions of those around him, he continued speaking. His big hand firmly rested on my head, causing me to bow it slightly.
"If you… had been weak. You without a doubt would have died due to mana disease."
His usual stoic expression softened for a moment before he moved away and started leaving the room without another word. He didn't say it out loud but I could tell, before he left, our gazes met one more time, his eyes seemed to say "I'm proud of you."
' No.. if I don't say it now… I'll never be able to say it again!'
"Father."
'"Tap , Tap
I mustered my strength and looked at my father with a strong unwavering gaze and spoke stiffly. My heart pounded in my chest and I clenched my trembling hands as I let the words flow from deep within me.
'"Shuaaaaaa , Tap
'"Budum , Budump
"I.. will be strong."
The words echoed throughout the room as everyone seemed to freeze. The only sound that I could hear were the sounds of the wind tapping against the window softly and my heart pounding as I felt my father, and older brothers already sharp gazes get even more sharp and intense. I swallowed dryly and clenched my jaw slightly, determined not to show any signs of wavering or hesitation because those were the words that found their way out of my throat. I hadn't planned for them but despite being slightly vague, my point got across fluidly. My worries were immediately lifted when I noticed the corners of my fathers lips curl upwards as he turned around to leave.
"Heh, it won't be easy. If you're serious about the words that came from your mouth.. then your life will change from now on."
Father left without another look in my direction and following behind him was my older brother who pursed his lips before speaking in a strained voice.
"I'll send someone to get you in the morning. You need to rest for now."
His gaze was strict and he sighed heavily. Then he turned around and left.
'Seriously.. what's his problem..?'
"He's just stubborn. He is worried about you and just wants you to be as safe as possible."
My thoughts were cut off when my mothers soft voice echoed in my head. She smiled softly at me, her eyes still red from crying but her colour began to come back to her cheeks. She gently stroked my hair and then cuffed my cheek, kissing my forehead as she stood up slowly to leave.
"Get some rest, don't overthink things, you'll need to work hard to get stronger.. and prove that his worries are unnecessary."
With that, she sighed softly and smiled again before leaving.
Wooshhh
The sound of the wind gently blowing against my window. My own breathing and thoughts were all I could hear for a while. I slowly drifted off to sleep shortly after.
'I'm.. in for a long time starting tomorrow.'