For the next week Kanin was not allowed to even leave his room. As it turned out Kanin had not only been given a high potion, something only topped by an elixir, but he had also been healed by Riveria when she was talking with Sadari. With that on top of his already abnormally high healing rate, the 2 months the doctor had suggested his recovery time had drastically reduced to about a little over a week at most.
*Knock* *Knock* Kanin looked up from his book, at the sound of knocking. Putting his bookmark in and closing his book he speaks up," Come in!" Putting his book down and looking up he sees a little golden blob peeking through an opened doorway.
"Hello Aiz how'd your training go today?" Kanin asked in a patient tone. Riveria had taken it upon herself to make sure that Aiz could hold her own, after she had gotten targeted down in the dungeon.
"Tired." she replies and walks to the chair nearest to Kanin and slumped down like a sack of potatoes. Drawing a short laugh out of the older half-spirit.
"I'm going to be released in an hour or two, do you want to go get some Jyaga Maru Kun?" Kanin had never really liked the snack before. But over the past week, Aiz had constantly brought him the stuff, as what he could only assume to be an apology and it had grown on him.
"Hmm" despite the promise of Jyaga Maru Kun, Aiz only hummed slightly in acknowledgment. Earning a raised eyebrow from Kanin.
"They must have worked you to the bone today then. How's your studies going? Riveria isn't treating you too harshly is she?" Kanin asks only to see Aiz shiver when Riveria was mentioned.
"So-so many words… so many rooms in the dungeon… many, many books." Aiz started mumbling to herself. Making Kanin smile wryly and reach over to rub her head affectionately.
Trying to get her mind off the studies Kanin asks Aiz something that he found strange. " Aiz why have you come here everyday?" It's not that Kanin didn't like Aiz's presence, but he found it strange that Aiz seemed to grow attached to him so quickly.
Aiz ducked her head down slightly and a light pink shade could be seen dusting her cheeks. Kanin, seeing the reaction, was a little taken aback, but still waited for an answer.
About a minute goes by with nothing but the ticking of the clock going by. But at least Aiz responded to the question "Mother".
"?" Kanin was very confused at her answer. He looks down at himself and wonders, 'Am I secretly a motherly figure?'
" Mothers are sisters right?" Kanin can see Aiz look up at him a little unsurely.
Kanin had to think for a second before he realized where she was going with this." Oh, because we're related?" he asked, not believing that this was the only reason.
And he was right as Aiz started to fidget." Um… I never had… a… brother"
Kanin eyes widened at the revelation, before grinning teasingly, " Hmm, 'big brother' sounds nice" he "ponderers" with a finger on his chin. He looks back down at the golden girl and smiles," come here 'little sis' I'll comb your hair." he pats the space in between his legs that are under the hospital blanket.
Aiz at his call blushes slightly, but then smiles, "Hmm" and with a nod climbs up on the bed and sits with her back facing Kanin.
Kanin smiles sweetly at the normally expressionless girl. He reaches over to his left side nightstand, Sadari had accidentally left her brush yesterday and he was going to put it to good use.
As Kanin slowly brushed Aiz's long and silky smooth hair, she couldn't help but to think back to when she and her mom used to sit in the meadow by her house and watch her dad train, with his sword.
Her life was perfect, her mother used to read her stories and tales whenever her father wasn't practicing. They lived everyday in peace. But, that damn dragon ruined it all. It killed her father and it took away her mother. But she lived, the powerless weak child had survived.
Was it really ok for her to live freely? For her to be happy? For her to have a brother that cared for her? When both Mother and Father were ripped from her?
Without her realizing it, tears started to trickle down her cheeks. No matter how aloof, brave or mature she acted, Aiz was still a kid. A 7 year old kid. Aiz was brought out of her thoughts when she felt two big ice cold arms wrap around her.
"It's alright Aiz, I'm here, Big brother is here." Kanin softly cooed into her ear, as he felt her start crying in his arms.
Hearing that, Aiz started sobbing even harder, " There, there" Kanin just kept his arms around the trembling child not really knowing what else to do. 'She really is small' he thinks to himself. ' I really wish you could just put your hatred away little Aiz, everyday I can see it. Deep in your eyes I see it, that unquenchable flame of hatred.'.
Kanin kept holding Aiz for the next quarter hour, until she finally stopped. Kanin looked down to find her breathing had slowed and she was laying relaxedly against him. She had cried herself to sleep in his arms. "*Sigh* you troublesome little girl"
Unknown to Kanin but this was the first time sense Aiz had arrived in this time, that she didn't have a nightmare. The Dragon tried to get to her, but every time, gales of freezing air would put out the dragon's fire and walls of ice would block the dragon's rampage. For the first time Aiz didn't have to worry about the dragon reaching her, for now she could train until she was strong enough to kill that evil dragon herself.
Kanin didn't move for the next hour until he heard the door being opened and an elf with a mischievous grin popped through. She opened her mouth to speak, but stopped herself when she saw the golden ball snoozing in partner's embrace. She narrows her eyes and pouts slightly, with jealousy written all over her face.
Kanin looks at her in exasperation and whispers, "She's a kid." Sadari looks up at Kanin and sticks out her tongue. Kanin rolls his eyes, then gently shakes Aiz to wake her up.
"Hmm, ermm" Aiz slowly wakes up to see Sadari looking at her," Riveria?" she asks sleepily.
"No, you homewrecker, now get off!" Sadari stomps her foot staring at the little golden cuddle stealer.
Aiz only tilts her head, but then gets down as requested. Aiz then looks back towards Kanin expectantly, "Jyaga Maru Kun?" Kanin opens his mouth to reply but is brutally cut off.
"Nope! I'm taking him out for lunch, better luck next time." Sadari looks down at Aiz with a triumphant expression.
Aiz turns towards Sadari and frowns slightly, seeing this, Kanin decides to mediate, "Let's walk Aiz home and get some Jyaga Maru Kun on the way, then we can go out to eat, Alright?" Both the girls stare at each other for a moment longer before they both turn away in a huff.
Kanin shakes his head and asks Sadari, " I'm guessing this means I'm released?"
She drops the pout and turns with a nod, "Yup, doctor told me on the way in."
Kanin nods and slides out of the bed. He stands up with a stretch and follows behind as Sadari starts walking out. Aiz following the two with no extra words.
—
After dropping Aiz off at the twilight manor with a serving of Jyaga Maru Kun, Kanin and Sadari are now at a run down looking restaurant, with an equally run down sign out front saying "Old Jin's". They both smile fondly as they step into the restaurant.
Despite the bad outward appearance, the inside wasn't nearly as back. Kanin had asked the owner, Old Jin, one day about why the outside looked so bad and his answer was," Bah, I don't need a fancy, smancy outside! I'm not doing this to earn money. Although leaving the inside dirty would just be rude and disrespectful to not only me, but also those who do come in and taste my food."
Walking up to the front desk, Kanin and Sadari spot two other groups of people in the restaurant. One of the groups is two pairs of elderly couples smiling and chatting about their recently born grandchildren and such.
But the other group was eerily still. There were 3 people at the table and they didn't seem to be moving at all. The 3 didn't really have any discernible features, they all looked just… average. Not one of the three glasses of water had been drunk at all and it doesn't even seem as if they had ordered.
Kanin leans over to Sadari and whispers, " Did you bring an extra knife for me? Something is going to happen." Kanin was referring to the knife that both of them carry in case either one is caught in something when they don't have their weapons. Sadari not only carried a knife, but she also carried a normally incredibly small wand that is perfect for concealed carry.
Hearing this Sadari's smile falls off as she too realized how strange the second group was acting. She then whispers back, " No, but you can use mine. My wand should be fine for now." Kanin then leans in for a kiss, which Sadari happily returns, but Sadari also quickly unsheathes the knife from her left and puts in Kanins hand.
The kiss was just a quick peck, but Sadari had managed to remove the knife from her hidden holder, give it to Kanin then draw her hand back before anyone could notice, truly highlighting just how quick she was.
Kanin smiles down at her as he puts the knife in his waist line and puffs his shirt over top of the exposed handle, making it hidden unless someone really looks for it. After the knife had been exchanged, they then stepped up to the front table, which had a lovely young woman in her early 20's smiling at them.
"Hey you two, we haven't seen you in like two weeks, where you been?" The woman that just talked to them is named Sidney, she is Old Jin's youngest daughter. She and her older sister take turns helping out their father in the restaurant.
Sidney has the perfect "Girl next door" vibe, with shoulder length curly amber hair framing her freckled face and dark blue looks more tired than usual, most likely because she recently had her second child and is busy taking care of the little kid.
"Hehe sorry Sid, this dummy here got hurt down in the dungeon so we couldn't come visit" Sadari elbows Kanin's side with a cheeky smile. To which he only rolls his eyes.
Sidney's eyes shoot to Kanin in worry and ask," Are you alright little Kan? I heard Evilus has been more active on the upper floors recently, did those bastards do something to you!? I'll give 'em a good pounding!"
Kanin smiled at the overly excitable young woman and thought ' Sadri and her are truly two peas of a pod.' he snaps back to it and answers, " Yeah I'm fine Sidney and I don't know if it was Evilus, but it was someone. But that doesn't matter, I'm fine and I'm starving for some good food."
Hearing this, Sidney smiles brightly then asks, " The usual then?" She got two nods in return. She turns her head to shout back to Old Jin in the back, but right then the noon bell rings and with it… All hell breaks loose
— Birds eye view.
All across Orario, Church bells toll as it is now noon. But today the noise doesn't just end with the bell. All across the northern side of Orario, Screams and explosions started to sound as figures mostly draped in black ran around slicing down anyone who got too close to them. Those that didn't hold a sword, held an explosive. They didn't hesitate one second to set the charge off to blow it up, they made sure they were surrounded by people, not even bothering to throw it. Taking themselves along with all the innocent people around them.
The few adventurers among them were overwhelmed by the raw numbers and explosions surging through the streets. The members of Evilus just kept going, whether it be man, woman, child or elderly. All were the same in their eyes. The closest patrols of the bigger familia came rushing over, but it was far too late. The members of Evilus had already started running.
5 minutes… 5 minutes was all it lasted for, but hundreds if not, thousands had died. With thousands more injured. Nobody could respond on time. And with this act of utter brutality, Evilus had clearly stated that they would stop for nothing until Orario was destroyed. Until chaos ruled the world once more!
— Back with Sadari and Kanin
With the tolling of the noon bells, all three members of the second table suddenly stood up and split up. One going towards the table of four and the other two going towards the three at the front table.
Sadari sees this out of the corner of her eye and lightly kicks Kanin's shin trying to warn him. To which he looks at her with a forced smile. Then he starts mouthing, "3,2,1." Kanin pulls out Sadari's knife, while she pulls out her wand. They both turn at the same time to see the two men coming at them also start accelerating at them. Seeing the two approaching figures, the only thing the two could think was, 'Fuck, they're level 2'
With the two figures already halfway to them, Kanin and Sadari both don't hesitate to start chanting. They could care less about destroying the building or harming some passerby. Although they did care for Sidney who was behind them, dying would mean that Sidney would also be cut down right after.
"White Out, Blizzard!"
"strike my enemies down a-"
Kanin immediately compressed the blizzard as much as he could, but his focus was cut as two swords started speeding towards him, he grit his teeth and raised both of his arms, it was all or nothing, he started to try and condense ice on his left arm, like he did to stop him bleeding before. But as he does so, his mind nearly goes blank at the extreme amount of mind power being used.
Coming back to himself. He raised the knife to meet the blade on the right and his now slightly ice coated arm to meet the blade on the left. With each moment more ice condenses on the arm and the colder the surroundings become. Making him ever so slightly stronger every nano-second.
But why would the ones trying to kill him give him time to react? Before Kanin could even raise the knife up fully or condense nearly enough ice, two blades meet his defense at the same time. Immediately his right arm was flung back, while his left arm was sliced vertically along the whole length of the arm leaving a nasty cut running from his wrist to his elbow. The cut even digging a little into the bone in the middle.
Kanin didn't even have time to register the pain, as two more slashes already started coming his way at this moment he realized, these weren't low level twos. No, they were people he couldn't HOPE to contend with at his current strength.
Right before the two strikes could land though, the attackers were forced to retreat as a large greatsword had just cleaved through where they had just stood. Next to the sword was an old man that made the already large sword look even bigger than it already was. He was at best up to Kanin's chest, with curly gray hair and a fairly thin build. one wouldn't expect someone so frail looking to swing around the block of metal that he does.
But despite the looks he is truly powerful, as most lvl 3's are. And without a word, he picks the massive sword back up and swings again, but this time he doesn't stop. Swing after swing each one playing off the last, creating an area of constant and powerful swings that would drag anyone in and tear them to pieces. The gods had named him after this visual. Alias: Whirlwind.
With Old Jin now holding off these two, Kanin turns his head to see Sadari's spell explode on the third attacker blowing a hole in his chest and sending his guts flying, killing him on the spot. Seeing how the spell was barley even stopped by his body and the wall behind was also destroyed he was undoubtedly a level 1 a low one at that, but that doesn't matter as by the time Sadari spell had killed him, he had already managed to claim the lives of the 4 elderly customers in the shop. Each one has cut directly on the neck, as if to send a message. The killer most likely wasn't even thinking of seeing past today. He just wanted carnage.
—
A few minutes later the two fighting Old Jin retreated and with Old Jin having very little Agi, he wasn't able to chase them. Sidney had run into the back as soon as the fighting started, but she had now returned. Seeing Kanins seriously injured arm, she rushed into the back and came out once more with a medium potion.
Kanin sucked in a hiss as the potion mended his flesh back together. He looked up and with gratitude and pain in his voice he squeaked out," Thanks old man you really saved our asses there."
Old Jin's face fell even further when he heard that as he looked over at his daughter. "No kid, you saved my daughter's life, you stalled them long enough for me to beat them back. Without you two, they would've gone straight for Sidney and I would have been powerless to stop it." Hearing this Sidney's face loses the last bit of color it had remaining after seeing the four dead bodies of the other customers.
Old Jin turns to his daughter and smiles wryly before turning back to Sadari and Kanin. "You two should probably go home, I'll clean up here." Old jin sighs then starts walking into the back.
"Wait old man, I still didn't get my food!" Kanin shouts. Old Jin freezes and so does Sidney, while Sadari just facepalms.
"Brat there are four bodies in my shop!" The short man shouts back.
"And? I'm hungry. No one else can cook like you old man." He shoots back indifferently.
Old Jin looks at him for a second before turning back around in a huff and about 15 seconds later they could hear the kitchen equipment being tossed around to start cooking again.
Kanin smiled contentedly then walked over to one of the still intact chairs and table set to sit down. Sadari smiles apologetically towards Sindey then sits down next to Kanin, also waiting for some food. Sidney takes one last look at the 4, well actually 5 bodies if you count the half blown up attacker. With a sigh she also takes a set next to the two.
—
Two members of the Ganesha Familia arrive a while later, to find 3 people sitting in a nearly destroyed restaurant, 4 and a half bodies off to the side, while they chat casually. Occasionally they could hear cursing from the back and clanging of pots and pans.
"Ahem, I am Rafe, from the Ganesha Familia. May I ask what happened here?" He tried to ask as calmly as he could but the sense in front of him was just too strange.
Kanin looked over and answered, " We came here to get food, some weirdos attacked us, killed four of the customers, so the owner took care of 'em" he then went back to talking with Sadari.
"Um, may you please-" he tried to get more information but then the door to the back swung open.
"Oy brat yur food is done! also you're paying double! No, triple for making me cook after that whole fiasco!" Old Jin rounds the corner holding four plates. Noticing the two other people he asks, " What are you two still doing here?"
"I am Rafe, from the Ganesha Familia. And I need to know what happened here." He says a little impatiently.
"Eh, I heard the kid tell you what happened? So if you aren't buying then get out." Old Jin says off handedly and sits down next to the other three, putting a plate in front of everyone. Only Kanin had still wanted food, but he had stress cooked one for the ret including himself
"Sir I need-" The man tried once more but was ruthlessly cut off once more.
"I don't care! I've dealt with enough today so piss off and let us eat and take those damn bodies with you there, stinking the place up!" Old Jin was equally if not more annoyed than Rafe at the whole situation around him.
—
Not being able to get anything more than what Kanin had first said, the two Ganesha members stormed off. Letting the 4 eat in peace. Old Jin, Sadari and Kanin had no problem eating in the destroyed restaurant with the bodies, but Sidney had trouble keeping her calm and eating her food. Old Jin had given her a portion to try to get her mind off the things around her. Sidney tried to go home, but Old Jin forcefully stopped her, not letting her go on the streets by herself right now.
After everyone was done, Kanin stood up and nodded at Old Jin and said, "Thanks for the food, old man. I can't pay right now so I'll bring extra next time."
Old Jin huffed, " You better or I'll come and put your sorry ass right back in the hospital."
Kanin smiled warmly and said, " Sidney, I would ask if you want us to walk you home, but I know the old man would just kick me out if I did ask so see you later.". And that got a grumble from the old man. Sidney smiled strainedly and nodded her head.
Kanin and Sadari both got up and walked out with a wave, with Sadari not speaking much Kanin looked over and asked, "Is something wrong?"
Sadrai looked up with a wry smile and asked, " You've never told me about your magic… And it seems a little more than just magic. Am I right?"
Kanin frowns to himself and then face palms. "I completely forgot to tell you." He laughs at his stupidity then looks at her and smiles. "Sorry bout that, yeah it's a little strange.." he looks around himself and at the basically empty streets due to the attack. "Ok yeah we should be good to talk."
Kanin furrows his brows then says, " It's a little weird to believe, but I was talking with Freyr after we got back from the Lygerfang incident and I got a new skill and magic. They are called, "Child of Winter" and "Blizzard" respectively. And Freyr then told me that apparently my mother was the Great Spirit of Winter. And well I would like to tell you more, but… That's really all I know… Oh and that apparently I had them before, but I had just recently "unlocked" there power"
Sadari doesn't speak for a minute or two as they walk. This makes Kanin slightly uneasy, he knows that Sadari wouldn't reject him. But the very small irrationally part of his brain started to gnaw at the rest, causing Kanin to fidget uncomfortably.
"I KNEW IT!" Sadari suddenly shouts, causing Kanin to look at her strangely. She whips her head towards him with her eyes gleaming and continues in a quieter tone now, " I knew you didn't seem like a human, but a spirit though? Hmm, that's strange, never heard of a spirit having a , that would explain everything weird about you."
Kanin Just stares at her while she goes on, he silently laughs to himself thinking how dumb he was for even thinking Sadari would reject him for that. But he's brought back from his thoughts as Sadari says something he didn't even think about. " So… Why would you need magic from a falna to use magic? I mean can't spirits just use it naturally?"
Kanin deadpans thinking about this but just shakes his head and tries to explain, " From what Freyr said I'm only half spirit, so although I do have some of the powers of a spirit, I am also human. So the benefits are traded off. But I suppose that spirits can't get falnas though, so I guess it's fair?" Kanin shrugs
"Fair?" This time it was Sadari that deadpanned at him, " Kanin you have the literal power of a spirit and you only have to say 3 words to use it. That's not fair at all, nor is your increased recovery speed. Nor is your power boost the colder it gets. NOTHING about you is "fair"." She says with a little agitation in her voice.
Kanin merely shrugged and said, " yeah that may be so, but if people knew what I was, I know of a few gods who wouldn't stop until they've "claimed" me" thinking of what he just said Sadari just pursed her lips as what he said was undoubtedly true.
Sadari thought of Kanin being snatched right from her without her being able to do a thing and got severely angry. Kanin just patted her on the head knowing what she was thinking. " Don't worry nothings gonna happen to me. I'd be more worried about some creep stealing a cute girl like you, hehe."
Sadari plants her palm to her face and groans, "that was so bad…" but then a smile cracks her lips and she leans her shoulder into Kanin. To which he wraps an arm around her waist to pull her closer. They no longer spoke as they slowly strolled back to their home. Not caring for the slight glares they got, due to how light hearted they were even after the recent massacre.
Soon they could see their home. Due to it being a little after noon, the design of the house really showed off with the glistening gold and whites shiny, but not too dazzling. Every part conveying warmth and affection. The front gate was slightly ajar which was strange as Sadari surly closed it on the way out and Freyr was busy doing work.
Right as they were about to enter, someone walked out the front door that wasn't Freyr. It was a god around average height dressed in all black except for a white under shirt. He had chin length messy black hair with silver highlights. He was walking towards the pair with casual confidence and a slight warm smile on his face.
"Oh hello you two, don't mind me, haha. I was just having a talk with Freyr. I hope you children have a great afternoon." As he then walked by Kanin and Sadari, they could tell by the aura that he was a god.
The mysterious God simply walked by and disappeared down the street. Kanin and Sadari looked at each other and shrugged. They could tell the god that had just been here was strange, but they could just ask Freyr about it. They then started walking towards the mansion again.
But as soon as their first step landed, a blinding beam of golden light shot up from their home. And with it they both stumbled and fell as though a mountain had been placed on their shoulders. Or as if all their strength had been ripped away. They both knew then, that… Freyr had been sent back to heaven.