Happy New Year!As I said, this chapter wasn't planned but turned out to fit in the story quite well (and since I couldn't get it out my mind...here it goes, my "filler") . Hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
PS: Thanks for the reviews!It really gives me motivation!
Camus POV
I woke up in a sudden with the cold Siberian wind whipping my face. "Heavy nap. Mon Dieu, what I was doing…reading?"- I grabbed the heavy Russian book that probably felt on the ground while I was sleeping. War and Peace, again?
I don't really remember however it just feels natural being here. I decided to walk home, maybe Aurora will make my mind less confused. She always had a way to do that. Another stupid pretext just to see her…I don't even know if she is at home.
I heard loud noises before making my way home, excited and full of energy noises
-This is not how you do, don't be a sissy! You must concentrate and focus on you aim, Cèdric!
-Whatever, I don't want to fight anymore, Nina!
Kids, there was just a few of them in Kohoutek but these ones I don't remember, however they seemed strangely familiar.
The boy walked away and the girl quickly did a sweep kick, making him fall on the snow.
-Don't test my patience, Nina!- the boy quickly got up and prepared himself for a revenge while I had an urge to interrupt the fight.
-Enough, you two!- I said, separating them. You're going to hurt each other.
-Papa! You're back!- both of them exclaimed and hugged me.
Excuse-moi? How…?
However while I tried to understand, things in that scenery started to make sense. The girl had medium hair, the same color as mine was. The shy boy also shared the same eye color as mine, however with dark short hair. Twins. About six years, maybe.
I cannot remember when…but I also feel like I know them for a lifetime.
-Papa, are you okay? You look pale!
-Are you upset with us?
I quickly shook my head.- Just a headache, don't worry. Uh, shall we go home?
-Yes, I'm hungry! Can you give me a ride?
-No way, Nina! It's my turn!
I smiled, they were adorable, full of energy. They reminded somehow two young Russians I had to take care of when I was younger.
-Stop fighting you two, there's room for everyone. – I said picking the boy and putting him on my shoulders while I carried the girl with my arms.
Okay, not easy as I thought. I should've stretched.
As I walked, the boy on my shoulders started giggling. Cèdric, right?
-Cèdric, what it is so funny?- I asked.
-Papa, you got some white hair!
For Athena's sake, how much time has passed…. How old I am?
As we arrived, I looked at my own reflection on the window: not old, yet certainly not on my twenties anymore. I look more…mature?
I put them back on the floor and opened the door and instantly they ran into the house. Enfánts…
-Hi mama! Papa is getting old!
Mama…right, as if there was another possibility. Aurora was smiling, she also looked slightly more mature, however stunning as always. Her hair was shorter; she didn't had the white frozen strands that used to frame her face anymore.
I approached her, evolving her face on my hands, before giving her a passionate kiss. I always feel so impulsive whenever I see her. She stood on the tip of her toes, running her hands on my hair. It felt like we haven't seen each other for a life time— but time always drags when we're apart. Nothing could make sense however everything right there felt right.
-Ew, gross!- one of the kids shouted and we broke the kiss into a laugh.
She caressed my face.- The French style of welcome, I like that.
-Mama, will we come back home for Christmas?- Nina asked, enthusiastically.
-I think we will, if your daddy got the tickets, sweetie!- she said, patting her head with messy turquoise hair.- Did you?- she turned to face me
By instinct I searched in my pockets and found it; four trans-Siberian tickets plus plane tickets to Paris, tomorrow. I still didn't remember…
-Oh, good!
-Papa, promise me you will teach me more things in French? I can't talk French with mama…- Nina begged me, pulling the bar of my coat
I couldn't hold back a smile and held her on my arms again.- Oui, ma petite. It's a long way back home, I'll teach you and your frère a few things on the train.
-By the way, Milo called. He asked if he could stay with us in Paris, for Christmas…- Aurora said, giving me a secretive look.
-Uncle Milo is coming? He's so cool!- Cèdric said.- He always take us to the best places
-Dangerous places, Cèdric, Milo loves trouble. I'm not sure if I'll let him in charge of you two again, he took you to a bar!
-And it was fun!
I shrugged. Milo isn't the type who asks; he just shows up when he thinks it's convenient.- Perhaps it isn't just Christmas, probably a mission is involved too.
-Do you know who is cooler than Uncle Milo, Cèdric?- Nina enthusiastically asked- Uncle Hyoga! We haven't seen him in a while…
Hyoga…?
-Yeah, he's always busy, now that he is a gold saint…humph. I bet papa was a better Aquarius saint than he is…
Did I traveled time? And Hyoga was now the Aquarius gold saint?
-Papa, are you okay? –Cèdric came into my direction with worry on his little sharp dark eyes, drawing Aurora's attention as well.- You look pale.
-I'm fine. I'm just tired.
-Alright, kids, go pack your stuff because we're leaving tomorrow, right?- Aurora calmly said, probably just wanting to change the subject. Soon as the children left, she sat by my side.
-Still a tough subject, right? I know it was a hard decision. But you said that if your pupil could beat you then you weren't worthy it….and then those two troublemakers happened and I needed you. To be honest I'm quite glad you're not a saint anymore.- she said, giving me a kiss on the cheek and left..
This is strange….she's probably right but I thought she….never mind. You can be disappointed by people you love, that's nothing extraordinary about it.
It's just…merde What is going on? Would I actually give up everything I put my whole life on?
What is that? Why can't remember anything before?
-Are we there yet, papa ?
I sighed- I'm afraid not, ma petite. Moscow is quite far away, it will take days. Be patient.
Nina sighed and hugged me – Alright…can we practice French now? You promised!
I sighed again…How could I say no?
- Bonsoir Nina, Ça va?
-Trè bien, papa! Et vous?
-Je vous trè bien! Que faites-vous ici?Qui sont-ils?
She hesitated and looked at me- Je...voyage à Moscow avec ma mère et mon frère. Is that correct?
-Oui, your pronunciation is gre-
I felt a sudden energy around us…a dark yet powerful cosmo.
-Papa, are you okay? – Nina asked worried, pulling my hand, and made me come back to my senses.- You're scaring me
-Where is your brother?
-I think he said he was going to the bathroom…
Crap.
-Aurora, wake up!- I poked her shoulders. I hate to wake her up but this might be an emergency.- Take care of Nina, I'll look for Cèdric.
She frowned, reluctantly opening her eyes – Why, what's going on?
She didn't sense it…?
I didn't answer, she'll probably figure it out soon. I rushed to the aisle, asking if anyone has seen a black haired boy with blue eyes around. God, I hope he is okay. I don't have a good feeling about this. Everything is so strange.
There he was, sitting on the corner, crying , next to the restaurant wagon.
I sighed-I looked for you everywhere, what happened?
The floor started to move and I lost my perception of space. Things were mixed, floating and falling around us. Cèdric was being dragged from me by a shadow.
-Papa!- he shouted, desperately
I can't move, I can't move! Am I…frozen?! But there's no ice.
A distant voice echoed on the space. "How does it feel to taste your own venom, Aquarius?"
What...?
"The Ice Wizard, the coldest saint had not only his body trapped but also his heart! Such cheap emotions from someone who once was so rational!"
I knew it. I always knew it. I just didn't want to see it.
-Camus, help me!
-Papa!
Ni..na….Au..ro…ra.- I closed my eyes to ease my own pain.
"What are you going to do? Swear you loyalty to who? Be careful"
Burn, my cosmo. Be the only thing that burn my ice.
I felt my body defrost, but kept my eyes closed.- Whoever you are, I must confess I've never seen such perversity. However you could never trick me on this fantasy forever.
My body now feels like it was set on fire and I don't dare to open my eyes; anything could disturb my focus.
-You lost. I know nothing of this is real. How could I never have memories of such important things or, worse, how could Aurora never feel your cosmos, that's just impossible.
Things just didn't match. No matter what, I wouldn't give up being a gold saint and Aurora would never support such stupidity.
A maniac laugh echoed my mind -I underestimated you, Aquarius. I thought your feelings turned you into a weak man.
-My feelings are none of your business.
Au revoir, Cèdric and Nina. You were the best fantasy I could ever have.
I gathered all the energy that I had and exploded my cosmo, spreading ice spikes everywhere.
…
-Ah!
-Thank God you're awake, I was so worried! How you're feeling?.- A very concerned Aurora was sitting next to me, holding a towel
I was still gasping, confused. It was a dream after all. –Where are we? What happened?
She leaned to wipe my face, dripping sweat. – You had fever, got a little delirious whispering my name and some French names and didn't wake for two days.
I still remembered vividly the voice inside my head and how that fantasy seemed so real. Who could have such power.
I got out of the bed in a hurry and started to pack my things. –Aurora, we must leave. Now.
-Are you delirious again?- she looked at me confused- You're too nervous, calm down.
-It wasn't just a nightmare. It was an attack. A threat… We must come back to Greece soon.
She nodded.- Alright, but do you have any idea who could be behind this?
-Not sure, but is the most powerful cosmo I've ever felt..-I said, looking away. She stared at me, worried and suddenly hugged me from behind. It surprised me a little bit, I was caught out of the guard.
-What?
-You look like you need one right now. But I know you would never ask for one..
I relaxed and smile, probably still looking miserable.
I'm so sorry, Aurora. I lied.
I know who could be the only one powerful enough to attack me no matter the distance.
I know who is behind all the strange things happening lately.
Now the last piece of this puzzle was found.
Saga.