Chapter 3: Prelude for a start
Anos opened his eyes. He was sent flying maybe for the 100th time today. It's been three weeks since he joined Hera's familia. She was a funny goddess, or at least he thought so. She looked with wondering eyes at him when Zeus introduced them, then she started laughing and poked the elder god as he said the kid wanted to join her with a weak and half-hearted voice. While they were heading to "Hesperides's Garden", their Home, she asked countless questions to him about why he chose her and answered them by praising herself more. Anos just smiled calmy and laughed as he said to her new goddess that she was weird. Layla surprisingly made her agree to let Anos come back home for weekends, not that he did since he entered the familia. He's been challenging any member he could find. "Only talk when they talk to you. Other than that, move. Run. Don't think about limits. Have some fun getting beaten down." Arin said before she winked him goodbye. He got his first status update in the morning, so he was even more energetic and excited today.
Anos Valdir
Level: 1
Race: Human
Familia: Hera
Strength: H101
Endurance: H134
Dexterity: I97
Agility: H179
Magic: I85
Skills:
Alf Valdir: unknown (passive at the moment)
Magic:
Vagus Saor: unknown
"Had enough yet?" Lydia asked with a smile as he charged at her again. She was a new level 5 hume bunny. Seeing his relentless and unwavering attempts at nearly all the members, she took an interest at the boy and played with him when she was bored. He never spoke, never stopped, and always charged when they were battling, or while they mopped the floor with him to be exact. His eyes never lost their will even as she rendered him unconscious. Everyone knew the kid who defeated a minotaur without a falna so he was being messed by nearly all, not that he cared, or maybe he enjoyed. After smiling she stopped dodging and threw him to the wall with a round kick. He got up groaning in pain and tried reach for his short sword that flew out of his hand. "Time for lunchhh." Lydia cheerfully declared. Anos smiled faintly and followed her slowly. As they ate their share of food, he turned his head and saw her. Alfia passed through the hall to the kitchen, he followed her with his eyes. "Ooohooh, someone set his eyes on a prey? Don't they realize that it's backwards?" Lydia messed his hair as she teased the boy. Though no one would mess with Alfia directly, teasing the boy who was at the same age as her was funny. İts nothing like that. As he answered trying to hide his embarrassed smile he got up and went back to the garden, to find someone to challenge.
As sun began to set, he finished his routine and took a shower. He headed to the single rooms when he encountered Alfia again. "Hey." She stopped for a moment, then she continued to walk. Anos joined her.
"Alfia."
What?
"Can I ask something?"
You already are.
They were talking like normal people of their age. The first day of his entry to the familia, he went to her room, wanting a few minutes of her time. "I know I am no hero or adventurer. And I just entered the familia. We also don't know each other. It might be natural for you adventurers, but I still need to tell you. I will say it this once. Thank you, for saving me and my sister." He bowed a little with a serious face. She on the other hand was a little irritated as she spoke. "Aren't you the one who defeated it? Besides I heard that old pervert's familia saved you. Why would you come to me?" He shook his head smiling. "They might be the ones who brought us back from the dungeon, but I know it was you who defeated the monsters. Thank you again." As he was leaving, she called out to him. Not knowing how he knew it. "Since it's come to that here, take it." and offered him a minotaur's horn, claiming it to be the drop item of his victory and not even knowing why she took it. His expression changed a little and with a sad smile he told her that he could not take it yet, with a reason he did not share. Alfia looked at his eyes and only said fine as she nonchalantly went back to her room.
Since then, he only talked her two more times excluding now, or tried to. He was sent flying both times. She was a core member, and she was strong. Not listening to anyone and ruling with an iron fist. Normally they wouldnt talk to each other, maybe even more so since they were the same age. But Anos was glad she was honest and didn't care for the rest. He also met Meteria, the weak, fragile little twin of her. The girl who everyone loved. Once he saw her talk with a member of Zeus when she was talking about Meteria, she shined. Her love for her sister was for all to see. Abundant, pure. Anos loved it when he saw her like. He became fast friends with Meteria as well and if he wasn't training or Alfia wasn't in the room, he always spent his time with her. They talked like the outside world didn't matter. As much as he loved to talk about his dreamy adventures that haven't come to pass, or the stories he heard or read, he learned to listen as well. She too was dreaming all the time. Planning what she would do, imagining what she would like to live, wondering what she would see. Meteria was always filled with life even though she was bedridden. İt allowed Anos to be more honest because she didn't care she was sick, he also didn't. They talked about their interesting ideas. Anos was unusually recovering fast from the fatigue while talking to her, and she was having fun too. The end usually came by Alfia's arrival or his return to training. He knew she needed rest as much as possible so having excuses for both made it easier for them to end their conversations.
Now, probably heading to her room, Anos resumed his talk as she still didn't attack.
"How can one get stronger as fast as possible do you think?"
Alfia's expression made it clear that he wasn't supposed to ask it to her. He didn't have any prejudice against anyone, and he was stopping himself to think for others since his kindness usually made him. But he was never inconsiderate. So, when he saw her face, he wished not to ask it, to the incarnation of talent because it seemed so intentional and rude. He clenched his teeth and turned his head as Alfia started to talk with a sad expression on her face. "
Who knows?" She continued a self-mocking smile "I can never know how it would be possible for others, since I already hold the talent of two people in one body."
What do you mean by that? Anos asked already knowing the answer.
"Isn't it obvious after seeing my frail, vulnerable, ordinary, and utterly talentless sister. It is only natural for me to be feared as monster of talent. And the one who is paying for my sins is again my lovely sister."
Anos never saw her like that. He learned after his join that both sisters had an incurable disease, even with a falna. And Alfia became one of the strongest in the world with it while Meteria couldn't even move without help. Without reason he just said what came on his heart
"You really are a loving person, aren't you Alfia?" İn the face of his reply she looked at him as he was smiling while walking, looking down. "Like you love her so much, and purely. Nothing else matters. The world might still be there but you two... A solemn, deep, pure love."
As he realized who he was talking to and what he just said, he changed the subject by being more energetic and livelier. "Not that it matters, my opinion anyway. Where were you going ?" She gave him a look as if to confirm that he really asked it. Anos realized they were only a few steps away from Meteria's room. He chuckled and told her to have fun as he ran after waving at her. Alfia stared at him, and then entered the room.
Before coming to Orario, after his decision to join hera familia. The moment he first heard that voice. A simple idea which became a resolve now turned into will. Anos' heart was burning. He wanted to know; he wanted to see; he wanted to live, and he wanted to realize. Once he reached the garden he looked up to sky with a determined face. He didn't know what was awaiting him in the future, but he was surely going to get stronger to face all challenges that he may encounter as he charged to his goal. How many truths were going to become lies, how many of them will he going to uncover. With countless emotions flowing inside, unknown to him, his skill became active.
