The sweet scent of jasmine and passion flowers filled Cless's senses, his gray eyes peering around the small room where his mother rested. Ami had outdone herself again, he noticed, and he marveled at the colorful assortment nestled on the tables and floors. From the prettiest blues, purples, pinks and yellows, Chester's sister had collected only the best for his bed-ridden mother. It was the thought that count, and his mother surely loved flowers.
He stared absentmindedly at the bouquet gifted to him from a neighbor and placed it in a porcelain vase beside the bed. White orchids. That was mother's favorite flower. The meaning behind it meant love and strength, and she surely needed both if she hoped to fight the sickness which had tormented her for three years.
The physicians still hadn't found a cure and had blamed the foul air, which left his mother stuck inside on most days to recuperate. But Cless saw it had taken a toll on her, depriving her of strength and sleep. Even now, she could barely move, and she collapsed onto the mattress with a pained groan.
"Forgive me, Cless… I'm sorry I can't greet you. The flowers are lovely."
He smiled and sat beside her on the stool and took her hand in his. "Should I call for the physician?"
"No… I feel much better today."
The smile behind her eyes had lost its light long ago, but he knew better than to worry her and instead, smiled in return. Oh, how he missed her once plump and rosy cheeks, and the song in her voice, but it was replaced by an uncomfortable dryness, leaving behind only a taunt complexion that almost rivaled the dead.
He hated thinking about it. What was this ailment that had possessed his mother? How could he ease her pain? "Would you like to step outside for a bit and stretch your legs?"
"Maybe later, Cless… I'm much too tired… Were you going out to hunt again?"
He nodded. "Yes. Chester and I plan to leave soon, but we won't be gone long. We're planning to hunt a huge boar and bring it back. Father even said he'd whip up his famous stew that you like so much. Do you think you can stomach it?"
"It's been ages since we last ate together… I would like that," She said, smiling. "We should invite Chester and Ami."
"I'm sure they'd like that. Ami said she will visit soon. Seems like she's been working on a secret project as of late, but won't tell me what it is. Do you know anything about it?"
A soft chuckle escaped her, followed by a few raspy coughs. "Oh… yes, she's asked for my advice regarding her embroidery. She's… been working late in the evenings on it these past few days. I'm sure she can't wait to show it to everyone."
"I feel like everyone else is in on it except me..."
Another laugh escaped her. "Don't worry, son. Ami has always been a shy child. When she's ready, I'm sure you'll like it. Oh, now that I remember… your nineteenth birthday is tomorrow. Isn't it?"
He'd almost forgotten. "Oh, yeah… I guess it slipped my mind."
"If you don't already have plans… I would like to spend it with you and your father… Maybe we can spend sometime outside, if the weather allows it?"
At this, his eyes widen, and he nodded eagerly. "I would like that! But don't push yourself for our sake. And if you need me to, I can always carry you."
Maria patted his hand softly and nodded. "I know. Thank you for always looking after me, my son. Now go on. Chester is waiting for you."
Realizing his mother was still exhausted, he moved away from the bed and exited the room. After closing the door behind him, he released a sigh. If only there was something he could do to help her, and with her health now, he feared she didn't have long. Cless hated thinking about it. How would he and his father cope?
His footsteps guided him through the corridor and down a flight of wooden stairs. When he reached the bottom, he saw his father standing in the dojo across the room, adorned in white armor and leather. It seemed he was in the middle of a lecture with the other students.
Years ago, his father, Miguel, was once captain of the Order of Knights in Euclid, a city just north of their small village of Toltus. From what he remembered, he joined the elite when he was barely twelve and had struggled to rise into the ranks. Eventually, his name was known throughout the lands, and had it not been for that, he feared what might have become of him and his mother. Back then, they had survived on scraps to get by, and had originally lived in Euclid with their aunt and uncle.
Ten years ago, he retired, and the family moved South to Toltus, a far smaller and less provincial village than that of Euclid. It was a change no one had expected, and while he didn't reveal the true reason behind why he left, one thing was certain. Miguel had wanted to spend time with his family, assuring them that success was not always a means of importance. In the absence of a once fulfilling career, he spent most of his days training youths about the importance of skill and stance, hoping he might pass down the former knowledge that he learned in Euclid.
Still, without his former success, they might not be where they were today. Truthfully, they lived well compared to others. Their house expanded into a second building where his father taught all ages, regardless of their wealth or status, and they even had an upstairs with two guest bedrooms. The village belonged to his father, so this did not surprise others or outsiders.
"Good afternoon, Cless! It's been ages since I last saw you!"
Cless turned at the elderly voice beside him and recognized a familiar face. Master Tristan. The stooped man with a cane greeted him with a jovial smile. As he turned and bowed respectively to his elder, he realized it had been two years since he last visited. He was an old friend of his mother and father. "Hello, Master Tristan. How are you today? I didn't know you were visiting."
"Oh, I'm well and good. Your father was right. You have grown up!" He said, laughing while stroking his white mustached beard. "Last I remember, you were a scrawny thing, but it seems Miguel's training has toughened you up!"
A tinge of red caressed his cheeks, and he laughed along with his senior. "Well, you're not wrong. He's taught me everything he knows. Would you like to sit down for a bit? I can have someone bring you some refreshment."
"Oh, that won't be necessary. I'm only visiting for a spell. I'm actually on my way to visit an old friend of mine just south of here. Were you going somewhere?"
He nodded. "Yes. I'm off to hunt some boars for tonight's supper. We're planning to have a large feast. Master Tristan, you are more than welcome to join us and spend the night. You've traveled all this way."
Again, the older man stroked his beard. "A large feast, eh? That is tempting… How is your mother lately? Last I recall, she wasn't able to get around much."
The mentioning left him stumbling over his words. "Well… to be honest, her illness isn't getting any better. But she plans to join us for supper tonight, and I know she'd be happy to see you after so long."
"I see… Well then, perhaps I will stay for the night… It's a pity those Raeliana Flowers no longer exist… I'm sure those might have cured Maria's sickness…"
"Raeliana flowers? What are those?"
"Oh… they existed long before you and I were born, sonny. Back then, the world flourished in mana, something people no longer believe in…"
Understanding crossed him. "Oh. That's right, father and mother told me magic vanished ages ago. So, the potential cure for mother's illness are these flowers? Were they imbued with magic?"
"That's right, my boy. Now they are extinct. Had magic not disappeared, could you imagine what human technology could have achieved with those flowers? It would be an end to all sicknesses and disease, but people destroyed that dream."
People destroyed it? What was Master Tristan referring to? In all honesty, his mother and father never revealed the true reason behind why it had vanished. Before he could further inquire, his father tapped his shoulder and grinned. "Have you finished already?"
Miguel nodded. "For the moment. I figured I'd let them train while I speak to you about something. But where are my manners? Welcome, Master Tristan. Am I to believe you walked all this way to see us?"
"Indeed. I planned to stay for a bit, but Cless here talked me into staying for dinner. Says he's going to hunt boar. Could it be you're making your infamous stew?"
A laugh escaped him. "Nothing escapes you! And we'd be happy if you joined us. Stay the night as well. I assume you're visiting Morrison?"
"Yes. That's right."
As the two fell into a conversation regarding old friends and acquaintances, Cless noticed a tinge of blue shift outside the window beside him. A smile quirked his lips when he noticed his good friend, Chester, motioning for him to come outside, and excusing himself, he crossed the room and opened the door.
Chester Burklight greeted him outside, adorned in his usual short-sleeved indigo tunic with dark blue trim and beige pants. His mane of light blue hair was swept back in a long ponytail along his back, with his quiver of arrows tied off by a leather strap along his shoulder. In his free hand, he held his long bow while the other was placed on his hip, his gentle smile turned toward him.
"Afternoon, Cless. You kept me waiting for this last hour. Let me guess… you slept in again?"
"Sorry about that, Chester. I overdid it training last night. But I'm ready to head out when you are—"
Before he could finish his sentence, a familiar little girl, dressed in a two-piece dress of white and pink, with violet pigtails, unexpectedly jumped out from behind Chester's shadow. Surprised, he almost staggered back when she held out a bouquet of wildflowers. "Hi, Cless! How are you today? Did I scare you?" She asked, giggling. "Look what I found! I gathered them on the hillside early this morning!"
Cless sweat dropped and bent down to examine the flowers. "They're pretty, Ami. I'm sure mother will love them. Thank you."
"You think so?"
A sigh escaped Chester. "She woke up at the crack of dawn to search for these flowers. If I hadn't found her in time, she would have wandered into the woods…"
"What's with the face?" Ami asked. "I did this for Cless's mother."
"Yeah, but there's no reason to put yourself in danger like that. At least give me a warning before you sneak out of the house. The last thing I want to do is send out a search party."
Ami rolled her eyes. "Geez, you're so overprotective. I'm almost ten years old. I'm practically a woman!"
Cless couldn't help but chuckle at this, and when he caught her by surprise, her cheeks turned red like a cherry tomato. "Well, she's not wrong there, Chester. Soon enough, she'll be searching for a husband," He said, joking. "There will be no one to cook you dinner after."
"Actually, I already found a husband—" Before she could finish that statement, Chester pushed her towards the door of Cless's house, much to her annoyance. "Hey! I'm not done talking to Cless yet!"
"There's no time, Ami. Do you see those clouds in the distance?" He said, pointing towards the North. "If we don't leave soon, we'll get caught in the downpour."
Cless nodded. "I didn't think it would storm today… Do you think we'll have time to catch a few boars?"
"Probably. We'll see you later, Ami. Look after Cless's mom while we're gone."
As Chester urged him forward, he paused and glanced back at his little sister, noticing her smile replaced by a disappointed frown. That's when he noticed something different about her today, and not wanting to see her down, he called out to her. "Ami… Your ribbons are cute today. The color really suits you," He said, smiling as a pretty blush tinged her cheeks.
"R-really? You think so?" She asked, touching the silky material on her pigtail. "I didn't think anyone would notice."
"Come on, Cless!"
If you're reading this story anywhere that's NOT Archive of Our Own or Fanfiction .net under Dreaming Hearts, then whoever is posting my writing is STEALING. If you come across this story elsewhere, please REPORT them. This is a fanfiction that should NOT be profited from!
Known for its sparkling clean water, South forest of Toltus spanned for miles on hilly terrain and was rumored to be the birthplace of all life. At least according to his mother and father, as well as Master Tristan. It was a place he and Chester often frequented as children and now treaded as renowned hunters of their village.
Cless's father had trained them in the arts of swordsmanship and archery, although Chester favored archery and stealth, unlike Cless, who preferred wielding a blade. The two made a great team and often provided the village with more than an adequate share of meat and provisions.
But while they searched the woods for their primary target, hoping to catch a family of boar closeby, his attention shifted towards the approaching storm clouds in the distance. Thunder roared behind those ominous clouds, and Cless urged his stead further down the path. It wasn't long before he saw his companion stalking his first prey just ahead, and not wanting to startle the long-eared creature, he pulled on the reins, gently.
The arrow soared and struck the rabbit through the neck, latching onto a smaller one in front of it, and, with a victory laugh, Chester retrieved his reward. After dislodging the arrow, snapping its length and removing the arrowhead, he tossed the rabbits into a leather satchel tied off onto his saddle and continued forward.
Cless searched his surroundings, but there was still no sign of any boars. Nothing besides a few birds fluttering about above them from tree to tree. It was likely they were further ahead, near the river. But before he motioned his stead further, something strange occurred. He touched his head, his fingers brushing the soft material of his red headband.
There was a ringing noise in the air, and he turned his gray eyes to the trees and to his friend. Something wasn't right, and he lurched forward on his mount as a pained groan escaped him. "What… is this…" He covered his ears, and when he saw his friend run toward him, his vision blurred.
"Hey, what's wrong? Talk to me, Cless!"
It hadn't been a full hour before he lost all control of his senses. One minute he was fine, and the next, the surrounding environment distorted. He no longer saw Chester, but heard an echoing sound in the distance. It sounded like a roar, and he craned his head towards the darkened skies overhead.
"What… is happening? Chester? Chester!"
But his companion was nowhere in sight. Not even his horse. An anxious feeling swelled within him, warning him that something was wrong, and he ran blindly through the woods, hoping to find a means to escape and return to reality. The trees mocked him, their lengthened limbs stretching towards him, and he ducked away, turning in several directions. Was something chasing him?
What was happening?
A light in the distance drew his eye, and he sped toward it, but when he arrived, he saw a light resting beneath the dead tree. Whatever it was, he couldn't make out its shape. Before he could take another step closer, the roaring behind him grew louder, and he turned. In the distance, he saw flames raise into the darkened skies, and his worst fear stilled him in that moment.
Toltus Village was on fire.
"Cless! Snap out of it!"
And just like that, the image of the fire and darkness dissipated and was replaced by a familiar background. He was no longer standing in front of the old tree, but was lying on the ground, half supported by Chester. "What… happened?"
"You tell me! You completely blacked out! Are you all right? Did you hurt your head?"
Did he? Cless wasn't sure. That strange migraine was no longer there, but he recalled those images, brief as they were. "I'm not sure what happened… But I have a bad feeling. Let's head back to the village."
Chester frowned. "Head back? It's only been an hour, Cless. We barely have enough to bring our family… Can you stand?"
As he helped him to his feet, Cless's gaze shifted back to the direction of the village. There were no flames in the distance, and it was still early in the afternoon. Did he imagine all that just now? "Maybe it was nothing…"
"Are you sure you're okay? This isn't like you."
"Yeah. I'm fine… Sorry about that, Chester…" And without a second thought, Cless lifted himself back into the saddle and smiled reassuringly at his friend. "Let's head further towards the river. We might have more luck there."
A short time into the next half hour, the storm was suddenly upon them. It started as a light drizzle, but soon turned into a cold downpour with heavy winds. Most of the wildlife had vanished into the comfort of their burrows, leaving Cless and Chester with a meager few rabbits and squirrels as their prize.
On their trek back to the village, they took shelter inside a cave near the stream. They had hoped the rain would let up enough to allow them some time to continue their hunt, but it was relentless. Only those foolish enough would venture into such a storm, and they weren't about to risk their lives.
"Of all the luck! We were so close!" Chester said, cursing under his breath. "Looks like we might be here a while…"
The storm wasn't enough to deter Cless, but he kept his eyes on the raging winds and lightning overhead. As he did, his thoughts returned to an earlier time when he blacked out. What was that? It was almost as if he had experienced a vision. "What was that? It was so strange…"
"What'd you say?" Chester asked, but before Cless could answer, something suddenly caught his attention, and he soon smirked, lifting himself away from the wall. "Well, look at that! Looks like we'll have our prize after all!"
His gaze shifted to his line of direction, and just outside the cavern, he noticed a family of boar shuffling through the rain away from them. It was as if luck really was on their side, but before he could stop Chester from proceeding any further, his friended charged after them. "Wait a minute, hold up, Chester!"
"There's no way I'm letting them out of my sight!"
That wasn't even an understatement. The moment they left the cavern, Chester and Cless followed them and cut off their path when they arrived at a dead end several minutes later. A mountainous cliff trapped the family of boar and Chester didn't waste a single arrow, either. Within seconds, the beasts had fallen. It seemed a little too good to be true, and if it hadn't been for the rain covering their scent, they might not have caught them so quickly.
"Hell yeah! Now that's what I'm talking about!" Chester said, his voice raised above the wind. "And here I had my doubts!"
"Well done!" Cless said, while moving to heft the boar over his shoulder. As Chester moved to do the same thing, he paused suddenly when he noticed something behind them. It was a little difficult to see through the rain, but it looked like a person. "Hey… there's someone over there!"
Chester turned with a lifted brow. "Huh? Who the hell would be out here?!"
It was clear by their location that they had traveled further than they would have liked, and Cless recognized the frail form of the sacred tree. It'd been a long time since he last saw it. But lying beneath it was something he hadn't envisioned, and he dropped the boar when he realized there was indeed a person. Without a second thought, he ran forward and kneeled beside the fallen woman and quickly examined her for wounds.
"What the hell happened to her?! Is she even alive?" Chester asked.
Judging by her unmoving form and faint pulse, she was still alive, but any longer in this storm, and it might put her life in danger. As carefully and quickly as he could manage, he scooped her into his arms and turned back to Chester. "Let's get her back to the cave! When the storm lets up, we'll head back to the village and have the physician examine her."
