Year: 780
About 6 months after the tournament of power
The sun was not yet up. Slowly, Monster Island was waking up. The sound of the waves was being joined by the first signs of life from daytime animals, led by birds. In the distance, a few more loud cries could be heard, this time from the center of the island, from the monsters that populate it.
17 listened carefully. One of the first lessons he had learned from his contact with animals was the importance of listening to the sounds of nature. Sometimes you don't have to go anywhere to know that something is wrong. "Nature is never silent. Never. ". Very valuable advice given by his wife, and definitely the most useful.
Apparently, nothing to report, the night had been quiet. So he could take some time for himself before making his first round. 17 sat down on the chair he had set up in his camp, which faced the ocean. This was the most peaceful place on the island, and he liked to sit there to drink coffee and think. Having a camp was not really essential for him. The advantage of having infinite energy was that he was never tired, so he didn't need to sleep. He couldn't really do it. Sometimes, he could put himself in a condition close to sleep, but which was rather a kind of "wakefulness", without dreaming.
So he didn't need to rest, but this moment of quietness and calm before starting his day had become a ritual that he had set up when he became a ranger, years ago, in a big park in the northern mountains.
And so he could see the island where his family lives. It wasn't very far. The nature park where he worked was composed of several large islands, each with its own specific fauna. Monster Island was by far the most dangerous, and 17 was responsible for its protection. He was also in charge of coordinating the work of the other rangers who protected the surrounding islands. As for his wife, she was the chief zoologist of the park. Their work together had earned them the right to settle on the smallest of the islands. This way, his family was not too far from him and he could easily see them.
Suddenly, his phone rang. He didn't need to look at it to know who was calling. He picked up the phone, and immediately, before he could say a word, a soft, mischievous voice rang out:
"Good morning ranger! How did you sleep? ".
17 could not help but smile.
- Yes, of course. For hours," he answered.
- Nothing special to report? No galactic tournaments, no universes to save, no dragons?
- No, no.
- Quiet night then…
- Perfectly calm.
- Hahaha well great. Joking aside, I think we'll be there in 2 hours , is that ok for you ?
- Of course.
- So, just to warn you, your elders have decided to ask your permission to go and see the Minotaur.
- It's out of the question.
- Yes, I know. But they've been working all night to prepare an argument for you and try to convince you.
- It's a waste of time.
- I know that too. They even included their little brother in the presentation.
- ... how?
- You'll see. I admit, they really really tried !
- And you're taking the little one along too?
- Yes, I am.
- I still think it's too early for him.
- Yes I know what you think.
- But since my opinion doesn't really count…
- Indeed!
From the very first day, his wife was like that: determined, funny, but also incredibly brash. Without him ever being able to explain why, despite all his power, she had never been afraid of him and had never let herself be impressed. No human had ever dared to speak to him the way she did, and that's what had immediately intrigued him about her. Everything about their story was improbable. He just could have refused to follow her. But she was so sure of herself despite all her weaknesses as a "normal" human.
She had amused him, intrigued him. So he had accompanied her. It was only for a few months, nothing very important.
He could not imagine at the time all that this meeting was going to bring him. He often thought about that, and about what he would have missed if he had made another choice.
- 17 ?
-Yes?
- You don't say anything more, are you okay ?
She didn't give him time to answer (that was usual too):
- I know you're worried, but really, you shouldn't. We're not going to the dangerous parts of the island, so there's no risk from the animals. And as for the poachers, they are stupid, it's true, otherwise they wouldn't keep coming back to the island, but they are just smart enough to not come when we are here. One time was enough for them, they know that you are much less nice when I am here, and even less when the children come.
- It's true.
- So don't worry too much. And it's important that you see the kids. This cruise was a very good thing, seeing their daddy every day made them so happy.
- I know.
- I know you do. And anyway I have to come. Don't forget it's the end of the month and I have to pick up .…
- My monthly report on the state of biodiversity.
- Which is of course ready to be read.
- Absolutely.
It was his meeting with his wife that made 17 an animal protector. She was still a student in zoology, and he... he had just lived several years of wandering and loneliness after his resurrection. Chance had brought them together, and as time went by, they had both learned to work as a team and had made numerous expeditions around the world to study or protect animals.
As for Monster Island, their roles were complementary: his wife was in charge of the follow-up of the animals of the park, in particular the minotaur of course, but not only. She regularly conducted scientific experiments, followed the births and the evolution of the animal populations. 17 looked after the safety of the animals, chased poachers and (most complicated of all) looked after her and accompanied her when she visited.
Since he became the official ranger of Monster Island, his wife visited about every 3 days, and once a week she brought their children to the island. Their two oldest children were now 7 years old and they were familiar with this hostile environment. However, for their third child who had just turned 2, today was going to be a big first. Because of his young age, he had never been to the island before. 17 took advantage of the proximity of their house to visit him very regularly, for a few minutes or a few hours. He could hardly stay away from the island any longer. He had also occasionally taken a few days off, but this required such organization (and the massive deployment of guards and soldiers) that he couldn't do it very easily.
Thinking about the day ahead, 17 laughed. His wife heard him and immediately reacted:
- What? Did I say something funny?
- No, not really.
- Then why are you laughing?
- I'm just thinking about how easy my day is going to be with all four of you at the same time. I wonder which one of you is going to be the first to pull a disaster.
- You know I love your cynicism?
- I know you do.
- That was ironic, honey. Anyway, I hear that you are « the savior of the universe », so you should be able to handle all four of us, right?
- No problem at all.
- There you go, so it's ok. Listen, I'm going to go wake up the kids, and we'll be there when they're ready.
- Alright, sure.
- If you have time to check out the antelope herd first, that would be great. I'm a little concerned about the dominant female's injury.
- Ok.
- Good. See you later. I love you!
- I know you do.
- ...
- ...…
- ... You know that after your cynicism, what I like best is your sense of humor eh!
- I know.
17 hung up.
The sun was now clearly visible and its rays were reflected on the surface of the ocean. It was a beautiful sight, and a beautiful day was ahead.
He felt a sense of fulfillment, like a warm wave in his chest.
17 smiled. He was simply happy.
His eyes wandered to the distant horizon.
"When I think about it, how much you have brought me, if I had refused to follow you that day...Ruri"
