Me: Anderu-saaaaaaan~
Andrew: I'm going to castrate you.
Me: Oh, don't be like that, my fellow tomodachi.
Andrew: They will never find your body.
Me: *Sigh* Anywaaaaay, already hit 4 favs and 5 followers in mere hours after the prologue so thank you guys so much!
Andrew: SOD here went through editing the 1st chapter so while you all read, I'm going to be using Machias' shotgun on a certain author.
Me: Wait... What? Whoa! How'd you get that?! I thought there was only one!
Andrew: The power of fanfiction doesn't belong just to you! *Pumps shotgun* Now bow before me.
Me: Aw shit, here we go again! *Pumps shotgun* Come at me then, God!
Andrew: You think you can defy my power? Behold! TWO shotguns! Now tell me. What is mere human to a God?
Me: What is a God... TO A NON-BELIEVER!
POP POP POP POP POP POP POP POP POP POP POP POP!
...
On a serious note, thank you all for the love and comment down your thoughts so far! I'd love to hear them.
Time goes by for the odd trio. The sword remaining close to Relon's side throughout their travels from the waist of the man. Whenever someone wanted to mess with the infant, it would begin to rustle causing said man to ease both the weapon and whoever dared attempt to touch its partner. Soon months turn into years. Nine to be exact. Relon having become engrossed with sightseeing throughout their travels. Anywhere and anywhere they went, the child was taking in his surroundings with sheer curiosity. One thing that the man quickly picked up on referring to Relon were these.
He never became cold. Or rather, his body always felt warm. Sometimes even hot depending on where they were. As they are currently in Ymir. Known for its snow and cold temperature, Relon always felt hot to the touch yet seemed never bothered. Wondering if he was fine, the only answer the man got was the mysterious sword coming ablaze for a single moment as if to say 'yes.'
And as for the man himself, he has simple wandered Erebonia a few times over. That was all he told Relon when the young boy first asked.
Much still shrouds him in mystery to the now young boy. Such as his own name. Because of which, Relon has resorted to calling the man, 'Mister.' Some of the places that they've ended up staying in all had one thing in common when it came to his legal guardian; the people showed him the upmost respect and Relon had no idea why.
When ever he asked, the man always said the same thing. "If you want the answers to something, then you need to search for the information."
A common phrase that has left Relon stumped more times than one.
Currently looking at the now nine-year-old Relon running around playing with two kids, the man and a relentless sword can be seen watching from afar on the top of a staircase in front of a manor.
"I swear, that boy can be difficult sometimes." Out the corner of his eye, he sees the sword shake a little. "Don't even think that his attitude is my fault." He mutters in defense. "He would rather keep to himself reading and sightseeing than go out and play with kids his age. And you have seen and heard me mention multiple times that he should get out and enjoy himself whenever we end up somewhere." Another shake from the sword. "You can be the worse to converse with sometimes." The two seeming to glare at each other.
"You two seem at it like a married couple. Something I can certainly relate to." A voice interrupts causing both the man and the sword to turn seeing none other than Baron (Teo) Schwarzer himself coming out with his wife Lucia.
"How is he doing?" She asks glancing over to the children.
"Took some talking to from both me and your kids, but he seems fine now. He tends to be more on the reserved side as I've told you both. Though I have to give it to your kids. We've been here for six months and everyday they've been asking to play with the kid. Saying the same old excuses could only last so long. I think it was a month into our stay they finally convinced him. Don't know if the two like the kid or if they're just stubborn. If it's the latter, I can guess who they get it from." The man giving a small laugh earning a chuckle from Lucia.
"Hmpf, mocking me as usual. Some things never change."
"That reserved nature could be a trait from his family. Have you told him about his birth?" Lucia asks for a sigh to escape the man.
"Yeah. One day, I think when he was around 6, he asked me out of the blue asking if I was his real father."
"Did you tell him you were?" The mother asks, the man turning his head to her.
"No. I've never lied in my life and I refused to start just to protect the kid's feelings. After I took him in, I told myself that I wanted him to not end up like what I once was. Besides..." He looks back to the kids running around. "No point lying since we look nothing alike. I flat out told him right then and there how I found him and adopted him as my own. That whole spiel."
"Was that the right decision to make though?"
"Don't know. But considering he didn't get mad or cry, I could only guess that he knew for sometime. Though for a while he was obviously saddened. A few months give or take."
"Did you at least try to console the boy." Teo questions.
"Of course!"
"What exactly did you say?"
"I said and quote, 'If you ever want to ask me anything, I'll answer to the best of my abilities.'"
"Okay... And what was Relon's response?"
"He asked if I knew anything about his real family." The sound of a facepalm and sigh can be heard from Teo and Lucia respectively.
"I should have known..." Teo releases a heavy sigh. "What did you tell him?"
"I knew nothing about them because at the time, I didn't. It wasn't until my curiosity got the better of me that I took a few days to visit Ashland while I left the kid and sword behind. But regarding what I found... Nothing could prepare me for that."
"You said you found a cave somewhere after you left the kid and sword at the inn while you went in. And inside was what you described as a bloody massacre. Burned corpses everywhere." Teo speaks up.
"That's right. The kid isn't ready for that revelation."
"Do you plan to tell him? Or do you plan to keep that another secret for the boy to find out, Mr. Wandering Beast." At the reminder of his nickname, the man groans rising to his feet.
"Once I feel he's ready, I might tell him about what I found regarding his family... If he still hasn't figured out who I am by then. Then there's the matter of his training." He mutters.
"Certainly you haven't started training him yet?" Lucia speaks up.
"Of course I haven't. I want him to enjoy his youth a little more. I mentioned the earliest that I was willing to begin was when he turned 10 and the latest being 12. It's all up to him."
"Has he even done anything regarding your... ahem. 'Friend?'" Teo careful asks for the man to glance at the sword.
"Nothing much. Taught him how to wield and swing it. That's really it. I'm just thankful he doesn't mind carrying it around now."
"Well, that is a good thing, is it not?" Lucia comments.
"Yeah. Back then, Mr. Sword here made so much racket whenever it wasn't on the kid so once he became 7, I gave it to the kid. Though it still hates being hidden by the cloth." He points a thumb at the sword, said weapon only looking away as if pouting.
"It's still odd. A sword that is alive. The only monsters we've encountered like this were in Legram at Lohengrin castle but they all looked the same. Not to mention they attacked us on sight. We've seen some odd things but this is up there. How'd you convince it to leave Relon's side tis time?" Teo asks.
"I didn't. The kid himself did believe it or not. After your kidspersuaded him to have some fun and get out of those books, he actually told Mr. Lonely over here to remain on standby. Hell, both the sword and I were surprised he said that. I was even more surprised when the sword agreed with how 'fond' it is of the kid."
"It's like a sibling to him if you think about it. It's just overprotective." Lucia smiles moving to the sword caressing the handle. "Isn't that right?" The sword giving a nod as its answer while rubbing against the woman's hand.
"As I just told you, the kid and this sword are bonded at the hip. In a way, they share this link. Both can find the other if they're somehow apart." The man rolls his eyes.
"Moving on, how are you going to conduct Relon's training?" Teo questions trying to ease a forming headache.
"Teach him my martial arts of course."
"Saw that one coming. Having a disciple is something you've always wanted. But can he handle it?"
"Believe me when I say he has talent. Sparred against him once and his reflexes are phenomenal for his age. If he gets into a situation where he can't use his sword, I'd prefer he knows how to defend himself properly without a weapon. He tends to pick up on things quick so I'm sure he can handle it. It's not like I'm going to beat him into the ground or anything. He is basically my own son after all." The man chuckles.
"Basically?" Teo gives him a look. "You still haven't fully considered Relon your own yet even though you've been caring for him since he was an infant?"
"Is that a problem?" He asks half caring as he returns to eyeing the children.
"You don't think so?" Lucia asks.
"It's not a matter of whether I think of Relon as a son, it's a matter of whether Relon thinks of me as a father."
"Care to explain?" Teo asks.
"Nine years. In all of the boy's nine years, he has not once addressed me as dad, pops, father, nothing. The only thing he addresses me as is mister. That's it."
"Mister? He knows your name doesn't he?" Lucia asks though the man remains silent.
A sigh escapes Teo as he pinches the bridge of his nose.
"Damn it, Yujiro! Why the hell haven't you told the boy your name?!" Teo scolds as the man reels back his head in annoyance before turning to face the two adults.
"Why do you think, Teo? Hey kid, I'm Yujiro Namikaze. But don't tell anyone because everyone in Erebonia thinks I'm a damn Beastman."
"Technically, they're not wrong." Lucia admits.
"Regardless, that's something I don't want some kid spouting to anyone."
"Minato, you said so yourself that the boy is on the reserved side. Not to mention he's nine now. Four to six or seven I would understand, but nine? Come now, old friend."
"He at least has a birthday, doesn't he?" Lucia asks.
"Hmpf to the first and yes to the second." He looks to Lucia. It's the day I found him since the note left behind didn't give me a specific birthdate."
"That's a little ways away." Teo comments.
A nod is Yujiro's answer.
"Well then, back to Relon's training. You're not exactly the most proficient when it comes to swords let alone weapons in general as you tend to use your body more than anything else. So, who is going to be the kid's teacher?"
"I have two people in mind. You can guess them both. One has knowledge covering weapons and the other is quite bright with the sword."
"Cecily and Victor." Teo answers not a second after Yujiro finishes.
"Heh, one point for you. What's the score now? 505-487 in my favor?
"I think it's 505-487 in my favor." Teo gives a deadpanned look.
"A part of me was hoping you would think I had 505."
"You had the lead back in our school days but I told you I'd catch up."
"Heh, I never doubted you... I contacted Victor some time ago. Told him about Relon. He has no problem teaching him the way of the sword. Said the kid can even train alongside his daughter, Laura. I'm sure having a rival will be good for him. It did wonders for us, after all. Hell, those two alongside Rean might be the next Big Three if they somehow end up going to some academy like Thors together. The same as you, Victor, and myself, Mr. Divine Blade of Frost."
"You're the last person I want to hear calling me that!"
"Hahaha, glad you've joined my boat of secrecy."
"I have not and never will again. The last time I joined you on a boat, we were lost at sea for hours!"
"Hey, at least we learned how to deal with aquatic monsters. Those amphibians really thought they would get an easy dinner. Sure taught them."
"You weren't kidding, dear. You two sure do have quite the friendship."
"Don't. Remind me."
"Hahaha. Hmm? Where'd the kids go?" At Yujiro's words, the parents look to see the kids are indeed out of sight.
"They must have gone off somewhere else to play." Lucia suggests.
"Yujiro?" Teo calls, said man closing his eyes.
"Hmm. They're further down the path near the stream." He answers opening his eyes.
"You can sense them that far? Teo wasn't joking about you seeming like a beast."
"Wandering the world as much as I have, you tend to gain some traits." He grins.
"They're most likely fishing. That's a popular spot here in Ymir."
"Well, they're only a few minutes out. What say we exchange some more stories inside." Teo suggests.
"Sounds good to me. I'd love to tell your wife of the time we had our first field study."
"You wouldn't dare!" Horror overtaking him.
"My, Yujiro, I would love to hear such a lovely story. I'll brew us some tea." Lucia smiles claping her hands, the two heading inside.
"Yujiro Namikaze! Don't you dare! You swore we wouldn't speak of that again, damn it!" He chases after the two.
With the kids
"I still haven't gotten a bite." A young girl sighs.
"I'm sure you'll catch one soon, Elise. Sometimes, you just have to be patient. Right, Relon?" The black haired child looks over to his fellow black-haired friend, said boy simply nodding as he returns to staring at his fishing rod.
The only difference between their appearance aside from their clothing are their eyes. Rean Schwarzer having lilac and Relon Lucinance vermilion.
"He hasn't really spoken much during his time." Elise whispers.
"He just isn't the talkative type is all. There's nothing wrong with that. I mean he's been friendly towards us, right?"
"I suppose you have a point..." Both glance to the quiet boy.
"Well we aren't getting anything here. Should we go further up?" Rean wonders. "Through the woods up ahead is our family cabin and the lake this stream comes from. It's only a little hike but we won't be able to stay long once we get there."
"I have no problem. Do you Relon?" He shakes his head.
"Alright. We can take the back path there. We should hurry." Rean suggest, both nodding as they grab their fishing gear and takes off for their new destination.
It's been a while since I've fished. Mister wanted me to enjoy my time as a kid. Is this what he meant...?
"We're here!" Elise's voice snaps the boy from his thoughts as he looks exits the clearing.
Taking in the sight before him lies a large open area encompassed by cliffs. A lake ahead of them with what seems like a frozen waterfall behind it.
"There's our cabin." At Rean's words, Relon glances over to his right seeing the mentioned wooded cabin.
With it, some chopped up tree trunks on the side of the structure. Also a hatchet lodged in a trunk still attached to the ground.
"I'm going to head inside for a moment. I want to get my lucky fishing rod." Elise announces already heading for the cabin.
"Don't take too long." Rean calls out, both boys watching her disappear behind the front door.
"What say we go ahead and get started?" A nod from Relon is his answer.
Having a seat over the edge of the lake, both toss their reels into the water.
"And now we wait." Another nod from Relon.
Minutes of silence pass, neither boy making so much as a sound. This is soon interrupted by a noticeable tug on Rean's fishing line.
"Whoa!" He exclaims getting to his feet pulling the rod up and over him. "I got one!"
Looking into the clear water, Relon can make out the fish's silhouette.
It's a big one! Glancing to Rean, he immediately notices the boy sliding closer to the edge while attempting to pull the creature in.
"Watch out!" Out of nowhere, a pair of arms wrap around the Schwarzer's hips pulling him back.
Surprised, Rean looks to see Relon before refocusing to their common goal.
"I'll reel it in! Relon, you with me?"
"Yeah!"
Winding back the line, the fish's silhouette draws close. Suddenly, it's shadow fades into the water.
"Whoa!" Both exclaim beginning to slide forward.
Digging his heal into the ground, Relon fails notice the base of his foot begin to melt the icy ground. One step at a time, Relon pulls Rean away, the silhouette becoming visible once more.
"I see it! Just a little more!"
"Don't let go!"
Another tug pulls them forward nearly knocking them off their feet.
"One more...! Together!" Relon reaches out grabbing the rod's handle. "Let's...!"
"Goooooo!" With one last push, both boys lift the rod up and over falling back onto the snowy floor followed by something else.
Panting, they look to one another before breaking out into fits of laughter.
"We did it!" Rean exclaims, joy in his voice as they look at the large fish flopping about.
"Yeah. We did." Relon quietly responds to then hear footsteps approach.
Looking up, he sees Rean extending a hand. Just looking at it, he eventually reaches out for Rean to help him to his feet.
"That was the first time I've heard you sound like that. I was wondering if you could even sound like that" He jokes for a small shake from Relon to quiet him down.
"I just..." Noticing Relon struggle to find the right words, Rean interrupts him.
"It's alright. You don't have to force yourself." His words surprising the boy.
"... Thanks. Talking to new people... I don't really know what to say. Or how to express it. It's one of the reasons I read."
"So that's it. Just be yourself. We're all friends so you can take it easy around Elize and I. Plus, the townspeople are all really friendly as I'm sure you've seen." Relon nods, both looking to the sound of the flopping fish.
Securing their catch, both breathe a sigh of relief.
"Man, Relon. you really sunk you feet deep to anchor us. I owe you one."
"What do you mean?"
Glancing towards the edge of the lake, he sees a pair of deep footprints as if something hot melted into the snowy ground.
Did I do that? I didn't even realize...
"It was nothing..."
"I wonder what's taking Elise so long."
"Elise? Oh yeah. It has been a while..."
At the mention, more footsteps sound gaining Rean's notice.
"What took you so long, Eli-
"Hm?" Looking curious at Rean, he looks over to the source of the footsteps. "What the...?!"
Before them stands a bulky man and next to him is a monster seeming to resemble a giant snow cat with white fur and two saber teeth. On its back lies Elise tied up.
"Elise! What did you do to her?!"
"Calm down, Rean! Who are you? What do you want with Elise?" Relon demands, his whole attitude doing a 180.
"Who am I? You could say I'm just a wandering hunter. Honestly, it's just luck that I happen to stumble upon you kids. Bad luck for you three that is. As for what I want... Well, you could say I'm low on Mira so yeah. I want Mira. I get my mira, you three get to live."
"You honestly think it'll go your way that easily?" Rean growls.
"Yeah, kid, I do. Not like either of you can stop me." The hunter smirks.
"Mm." Everyone suddenly looks to the cat seeing Elise's body rustle slightly before her eyes open. "Where am I? What happened?" Glancing around, her eyes go wide as she realizes the situation she's in.
"Hey, little girl. Guess I didn't knock you out long enough."
"Rean!" She begins to squirm falling off the cat before making her way to her knees.
"Toro." The man calls with a sigh, the cat pinning Elise to the ground.
"R-Rean...!"
"That's it!" He cries out charging at the cat. "Get off of her!"
"Wait!" Relon shouts running after him.
Before Rean can reach the cat, he notices the hunter get in front of the cat with a hand behind him.
"Out of my way!"
Wait, why is his hand behind him? He doesn't seem to have a weapon on his person... Unless! Snapping his eyes to the tree trunk, he finds the hatchet gone.
"Rean! He has the hatchet!"
"Too late! Game over!" Revealing the weapon, he swings it down.
Time seems to slow as Rean can only watch as he slowly runs into the descending hatchet.
"Watch out!" Suddenly, Relon tackles him to the ground avoiding the lethal slash.
"Rean! Relon!"
On his stomach, Rean opens his eyes seeing he's alright to then look over his shoulder seeing Relon over him.
"You... saved me."
"You... alright... Rean...?" He pants wincing as he falls to his side.
"Relon? What's wrong?!" Rean gets to his knees to see blood splattered on the ground. "Blood? Don't tell me!" He carefully but quickly rotates Relon onto his stomach revealing a slash wound through his winter coat. "No..."
On the staircase gazing at the small town, the sword suddenly stiffens rising into the air.
"Hm?" Yujiro notices out the corner of his eye through the window something to see the sword rising. "What is it...?"
"What is what?" Teo asks to see the sword as well.
Swoosh!
It zooms off in an instant.
"Is that normal?" Lucia asks.
"No, it's not! It's heading for the mountain!"
"It's going in the direction of our cabin!"
"I'm going ahead!" In seconds, Yujiro blitzes to and out the door.
Landing on the ground, he stares at the mountain ahead. Teo running out, armed with his sword as he gives a whistle, a horse coming from behind the manor.
Hang on, kids. We're coming! With a mighty leap, Yujiro takes off towards the gate as Teo rides close behind.
"Relon!" Elise calls out, tears quickly building up.
"Shut it, brat!" He shouts hitting the back of her head with the hachet's handle.
"Ah!"
"Elise...? Elise...!"
"Broth...er..." She calls before losing consciousness.
"Well glad she's quiet. Twerp was annoying as hell."
"Tora, go have your snacks. One kid is good enough."
"Meorrrr."
Slowly approaching, Rean stands to his feet shaking.
"Awww, what's wrong kid? Scared to die? Upset that I hit the girl? Oh, don't worry. You won't have to for long."
Taking another step, the large cat stops to raise its head in the direction of the path the three had come from.
"Why are you looking that way...? Tora, jump back!" The hunter shouts, the cat quickly obeying before-
Swoosh!
It narrowly avoids a fast object that crashes into the frozen waterfall.
"The hell?! Was that a sword?" Looking to the weapon imbedded, fire erupts blowing up the ice wall. Over the lake, chunks of ice big and small showers the ground. One landing and hit the man's hand, he in turn recoiling by tossing the hatchet high into the air.
"Ack, damn!" The hunter retreats along with the cat looking at the falling chaos.
"Shit, that hurt! Can't even see anything."
Moments pass before the shower stops. Walking back out, he stops with wide eyes. Standing on the other end of the enforcement are all three kids. Elise in Rean's arms and Relon still on his stomach.
"No way. They're alive." He mutters before breaking into laughter as he comes back to the clearing. "You should have ran when you had the chance!" Suddenly he stops as he sees Rean turn his back to the hunter as he lays Elise down.
Turning back to face the hunter, his face is overshadowed by his hair as he raises a hand to the sky.
Opening her heavy eyes, Elise comes to reaching out a hand.
"R-Rean..."
"What is he...? The hatchet!" He looks up seeing said weapon he'd previously tossed up comes hurling down.
Just as he calls it, the weapon comes down right into Rean's grasp.
"Tch. You really think you can take me and my hunting cat on, kid?" He cracks his knuckles throwing his arms out revealing twin assassin blades.
At his words, the sword embedded frees itself zooming to Relon.
"What the? Is that sword alive?!"
As it approaches, it rotates itself so that it handle is under Relon's hand. In a split second, Relon's hand firmly grips the weapon, fire sprouting from his back for it to slowly die down. Slowly, Relon's body begins to move. Placing his arms on the ground, he slowly gets on all fours before up to a knee.
"No way. How the hell are you alive?! I slashed you damn back!"
In the silence that follows, only the long exhale of a single hot breath comes to everyone's ears as Relon stands to his feet. Slowly he walks forward swaying from side-to-side.
"You're going to pay...!" Relon's sudden demonic voice cuts through the fearful unease of both the hunter and its pet as he grips his head.
"For what you did to her...!" Rean adds clutching his chest, a dark aura enveloping Rean and a red aura enveloping Relon.
"The hell is with these kids?" The hunter readies himself.
"HAAAAAAAAAAA!" Both roar, their resonating auras flaring as they hunch over.
With a burst, the auras veiling the boys simmers. Raising back up, they set their eyes on the hunter. Anger in their eyes, fear in the hunter's at their transformation.
Rean with white hair and pure red eyes and Relon sprouting red markings all over his body as his eyes dilate to slits. His sword once again catching on fire.
"Just what the hell are you brats?! No matter, you're still just kids!" He shouts gaining courage and the large cat is the first to act charging towards the two. "Tora, wait!" The hunter calls but it's too late.
The cat running ahead of the hunter lunges forth as in the blink of an eye, Relon steps in front rearing back his flame sword before unleashing a flame-like crescent directly at the cat slicing its body in two. Out of the air, the two parts of the large cat land with a heavy thud. The heat from the body parts quickly mixing with the blood on the snowy ground before vanishing into nothingness.
"TORAAAAA! You bastards! That. Was. My. FRIEEEEND!" Enraged, he charges.
Giving a glance to the man, both boy's eyes shift from the where the cat once laid to the man eerily stopping him in his tracks. With one step, they both disappear stopping the man in his tracks. Looking around frantically, he hears the pattering of footsteps all around. And then... nothing. He feels a presence behind him. Slowly turning his head, he turns fully in an instant stabbing at nothing. His heart sinks as he hears footsteps behind him. Shaking uncontrollably, he turns once more to meet the enraged duo walking mere feet towards him, their weapons at the ready.
"St-Stay back!" They proceed forward as he backs. "I said stay back!" Reaching into his pocket, he undoes a pin on a spherical object. "You bastards! Blow in hell!" He throws it.
Both red eyes shift from the man to what he threw. Relon is the one to act rushing forward slashing the air. His fire attack making contact with the object resulting in a large explosion. Smoke obscuring both sides' vision.
Did that get them?
To answer the hunter's question, out of the smoke rushes Rean.
"Tch! You're dead!" The hunter raises his blades strike for Rean to jump towards him.
Switching to the defensive, all the hunter can do is block, hoping his blades would protect him to no avail. In a single motion, Rean breaks through the blades landing only to raise up the hatchet. The hunter too taken aback by everything happening, can only watch as the Rean slices diagonally down his chest. The hunter's blood splattering among the ice rubble.
"Ack! How... could I lose... to mere children...?" Coughing blood after blood, the man holds his wound before soon falling over succumbing to his wounds.
"Hey kid!"
"Elise! Rean!"
From the direction of the path lands Yujiro and right on his tail out the pathway is Baron Schwarzer on his horse.
Before they say anything else, they see both boys. Their appearances still altered eyeing the adults. That eerie silence returning once more as their eyes and appearances shock both men.
"What on earth?" Teo questions noticing the dead corpse at Rean's feet. "Rean! What happened?! Where's Elise?"
Unresponsive, the white-haired boy continues to stare.
"Teo. Over there." Looking over, they see Elise laying against a tree seeming to be out of it.
"Elise!" Teo shouts, the girl coming to her thoughts frantically looking around finding the two men.
"Father...? Father!" She cries running to him, the two embracing. "I'm relieved you're alright but what happened?!"
"Most likely some hunter came and they duked it out." Yujiro answers gaining their attention as he takes a few whiffs. "He had a cat. And judging from those ash marks near the kid, it was a big cat. Right?" Yujiro asks, his eyes still on the two armed boys.
"... Y-Yes."
"That still doesn't explain why they look that way. Elise, what happened?"
"I don't know. I was hurt and Relon was slashed in the back. Before I knew it, I saw both transform and... and..." Tears come with more trembling.
"Slashed in the back?" Yujiro repeats glancing to his kid before walking in that direction. "Oi, you okay?" He stops a few feet before Relon.
Glancing over the boy, he takes in his slitted eyes, red markings, and flame sword. What he also takes note of is his trembling form.
"Oi, kid. It's over now." He reassures getting to eye level as he attempts to place a hand on the boy's shoulder only to pull away from the hot touch. "Ouch! Damn, you're burning up!" His words seeming to snap the boy as he shivers taking a step back.
"M-Mister...?" His eyes taking in the red markings along his skin and his sword but what makes them widen... is his own voice. "Why do I...?" Quickly, memories from the event floods his mind as Relon begins to panic.
The image of the cat being burned in half plays on repeat as Relon grips his head.
"Stop it! Get out of my head! I don't want to see it anymore!" He shouts, anger in his voice.
"Oi, Relon!" Glancing at his markings, Yujiro takes notice of their red glow as well as the flames on the sword becoming larger.
Is the sword doing this?
Wasting no time, he easily knocks away the boy's grip on his sword watching as it flies to the ground. Its flames extinguishing. Looking back, Yujiro sees the markings disappear as too does Relon's eyes return to normal.
Panting heavily, tears build up as Relon slumps to his hands and knees.
"Relon!" He calls holding the shacking boy.
"Mister..." He mutters. "I'm... sorry..." Are his final words before losing consciousness.
"Easy kid. It's okay now." He looks over seeing Teo holding Rean and Elise, Rean also having returned to normal.
After returning to Ymir, both boys ended up unconscious for five days. One thing that caught all of the adults by surprise was a strange red marking like that of a ring encompassing half of Relon's body. Investigating led to no conclusions so the adults simply left it be.
On the sixth day, both had awoken. Obviously, everyone was relieved when they had awakened but out of everyone, only Relon and Rean failed to show the same joy. Though Yujiro Namikaze along with Elise and Teo Schwarzer shared the same feeling as the boys.
They could only think to what had happened as one question would haunt them for years to come.
What was that?