Chapter 2: Curious Akirion
Akirion ran back to the house with a scared look on his face, surprised by what he had seen. He hurried inside, trembling, but tried to hide his fear with a fake smile. His father noticed that he looked disturbed and thought about asking…
"Akie, are you okay?" Eriolth asked gently.
Akirion forced a smile. "Of course, Dad. I'm just… I'm feeling thirsty, that's all." He quickly drank some water.
Dinner was finished quietly, and soon everyone was getting ready for bed. Akirion helped his mother clear the table before heading to his room, leaving his parents sitting at the table.
"Good night," he said softly.
"Good night," Eriolth replied.
"Good night, son," Mirabel added.
Eriolth watched him go, a little worried.
"Is he really sleeping now?" Eriolth asked as he was surprised.
"Maybe he's tired." Mirabel cleared the tension in Eriolth's head.
Akirion went to bed and lay there staring at the ceiling.
"What was that?" he wondered. So scary. 'Was it a good idea not to tell Mom and Dad?' He exhaled slowly with his eyes gentle closed. 'They probably wouldn't believe me anyway. The real question is… what was that?'
Meanwhile, Eriolth and Mirabel took a moment to talk quietly.
"There are crazy rumors about demon monsters lately," Eriolth said softly. "I wonder if they're real."
"Oh, that? Yeah, maybe," Mirabel replied. "But I think it's just some wild stories."
Eriolth nodded. "Yeah, probably. Still, what if… I just don't want anything to happen to our only son."
Mirabel looked at him with a soft gentle look. "He has a bright future ahead. I just hope he changes his mind about wanting to be a knight. That's the most dangerous job out there."
Eriolth sighed. "It is risky. The good part is, he doesn't know I was once a one."
"Shh," Mirabel whispered, "what if he overhears you?"
"Oh, right. Anyway, let's go to bed."
They both decided to sleep, unaware of what the next day would bring.
---Meanwhile——
Later, Haruto and Mika were in a hidden place.
"How's the investigation going? Any leads?" Haruto asked.
Mika shook her head. "Sorry, sir. We're doing our best to track them, but no clues yet."
"It's okay. Keep searching. Their lives are our top priority. We need to protect them at all costs."
"Yes, sir,"
Haruto added, "And one more thing—report everything useful, and don't start a search without telling me first, understood?"
"Yes, sir," Mika answered.
Meanwhile, back at the house, Mirabel and Eriolth laying on their bed.
"This monster stuff is really messing with my peace of mind," Eriolth said quietly. "I don't know what's happening to me."
"Just try to clear your mind a little," Mirabel suggested.
"I'm trying. And I had this crazy nightmare—darkness lurking around, screams, burning houses, and a black cloud with two red eyes," Eriolth said, his voice trembling.
"Oh, God, really? I should tell you about mine," Mirabel said.
"Huh? Yours?"
"Yes. It's about Akirion. In my dream, in his fifteens."
Eriolth burst out laughing. "Haha… that's funny."
"Why are you laughing?" Mirabel asked.
"Sorry, sorry. Dreaming of Akirion at fifteen sounds funny. He's only five. Not fifteen. Is that even possible?"
"Not again," Mirabel sighed. "Stop making fun of me. Anyway, listen. I saw that kid carrying a sword—looking terrible, with dirty clothes, like he have been fighting for a while. I didn't see with what, but I remember the dark sky—no moon, no stars."
"Wow. I hope that's not my Akie," Eriolth said.
"Me too," Mirabel agreed.
Eriolth yawned. "I'm sleepy. Good night."
"Good night," Mirabel replied.
They both fell into a deep sleep, unaware of what the next day would bring.
---
In the morning, everyone woke up and started their chores. Mirabel did the housework, and Eriolth went outside to deal with the garden and firewood. But where was the curious little boy?
Akirion yawned and stretched. "Ahh… it's morning already," he said. Flashbacks of the dark cloud with red eyes flooded his mind. 'Was I dreaming? Should I tell Dad? No, they'll say I'm seeing things at a young age.' He decided to go outside.
As he stepped out, he saw a scabbard lying on his parents' bed.
"Whoa, is that a scabbard?" he wondered. "It looks like it fits a big sword." He reached out and touched it. "Wait, why is it—?" His eyes caught something shiny—silver metal. "Whoa, a sword! So cool." He reached out and touched the big sword. 'So heavy.' Then he looked at the door, holding the sword.
"Mom?"
Mirabel looked disturbed. "Akie, what are you doing here? That sword—" she quickly shut her mouth.
"Whose sword is this?" Akirion asked.
"Ah, no one really," she said hurriedly.
"What do you mean, Mom? It's in your room."
"Uh, it's for decoration. Yes, decoration for the house. Now come on."
Akirion didn't believe her but put down the sword and followed her.
Later, he saw his father outside chopping firewood.
"Hey, Dad."
Eriolth looked up and smiled. "Oh, my hero! How are you, my boy?"
"I'm good. Just a lot of questions," Akirion said.
"Huh?"
"One question, actually," Akirion added.
Eriolth chuckled. "Hmm, I wonder what that is."
"I saw a sword in your room," Akirion said, making Eriolth gasp. "Whose sword is that?"
He paused, lost in thought. "…"
"Dad?"
'…Uh, wait. Where did I put that sword after I cleaned it?' Eriolth mumbled, scratching his head.
"Dad?" Akirion pinched his father.
"Ouch! Why did you do that?"
"Because you turned into a sticker after I asked a question."
Eriolth laughed. "Question? What question?"
"Stop joking, Dad. I want to know whose sword it is."
Eriolth rubbed his chin. "Hmm…"
"Could you please pick up that log for me?" he asked suddenly.
Akirion thought. 'Just like Mom—dodging the question.' He went to pick up the log.
"Why did Mom react the same way you did?" he asked.
"Huh? What do you mean?" Eriolth asked.
"I asked about the sword, and you won't tell me."
Eriolth looked at him. "Sorry, what did your mother say?"
"She said it's for decoration."
"Exactly," Eriolth said with a smile. "We wanted something classic, so we bought that sword."
Akirion nodded. "I see."
"Good. Let's go inside."
Akirion nodded back.
The afternoon flew by quickly, and night fell. The sky was full of stars shining brightly with the cool night sounds.
After dinner, Akirion went to sleep, and his parents sat at the table for a while.
"How long are you going to hide your real self from him?" Mirabel asked.
Eriolth sighed. "I think he's old enough now. I can't believe he saw that sword today."
"Don't hide things from my curious Akirion," Mirabel said. "He's a good detective. If you don't tell him, he'll find out the truth himself."
Eriolth nodded. "It's better to tell him, tomorrow. That'll be the day."