Dante's Future?

When we appeared inside Varia's Formation room, Jora seemed a bit hesitant. "Hehe, there's no need to be shy. I'm sure both of them will be happy about your visit", "... That's not it. I'm here to ask something of your father, but my visit is unannounced. I don't want to disturb them, they must be busy", he replied. "Oh, by all means, disturb them as much as you want. Others bother them all the time, so they should be happy about a friend's visit. You guys are too formal sometimes", I said.

"Hehe, that may be true, but we can't forget what you guys represent either. Like they say, 'If you want something, make the first step', eh?", he replied before heading towards the exit. Though there was no surprise on his face when he saw our Formation room, he became a bit surprised once we left the tunnel.

"This place isn't that small. Do you guys plan to slowly create a new city or something?... Though you were right, Varia is a perfect name for this place", "I don't know about a city, but you are right. This place is starting to look like a small village. Anyway, father should be aware that we are here… He's aware of everything, I sometimes hate this about him… Right, dad?!", I exclaimed towards my parents' house.

Father and mother walked out of the house to meet us outside. "Anna, you promised to return a few times, remember?", my mother complained. "I know, but the project is really difficult. We just finished building it, there's loads of Formations for me to place. This alone will take about two months… Maybe less. I'm not sure yet, since I'd like to weigh my options. Anyway, we have a guest", I replied.

"Indeed we have. What brings you here, Jora? I don't see you leave Arangard often, you should visit other places a bit more. Especially since you guys have access to the fast travel Formation", my father said. "Can't I simply visit an old friend?", he replied a bit annoyed. "Come on, I didn't forget about you. Thanks to Hydra, I've been quite busy… Since you are here, let's go for a walk", father said before they left somewhere.

"You don't seem surprised", I said to my mother. "Why would I be? Jora was a pawn to Royal Lizards, but he broke free from their control. He holds your father in high regards, and could be considered one of the few friends your father had. Actually, a lot of Lizards hold your father in high regards…", "Because of the war, right?", I interrupted before she finished.

"Yes, because of the war. I assume Jora told you a few things, but your father has his ways to surprise even me. Don't look at me like that, explaining his life events would take forever. I didn't marry a simple man, even though he acts like a simpleton. Your father is no idiot, Anna. He's more calculative and cunning than anyone here in the North… Or perhaps the whole continent… Sometimes he simply knows too much, and sometimes he acts like he doesn't know a thing", she replied with a sigh.

There was no doubt about my father's 'mysteriousness' factor. Though that didn't matter much. I was glad to hear stories about him, but that wouldn't change anything. No matter what he did in the past, he was my father. He treated me and my family well, I couldn't hold his past mistakes against him.

My mother sat on the bench outside, and stared at the moon. "You like the moon a lot. I didn't pay much attention in the past, but you always stared at it", I said while joining her. "I'm not sure why my people were so obsessed with it, but it's not a bad thing… Anyway, don't get too comfortable". That last part didn't make sense, until Dante ran outside calling my name.

"Anna! Anna's back!", "Hey little Dante, you can run already? Boy, you grow up so fast", I said while hugging him. He'd usually stick to me like glue, but the late hour made him sleepy. "I'll take him to bed, you enjoy the view", I said to my mother.

"Anna, tell me a story!", Dante exclaimed once we arrived at his room. 'Huh? A story?... I can't tell him about my journey though… Hmmm, actually', I thought. Though my journey was rather bloody, there were good parts too. I decided to tell him some good experiences, but made up some details to make things more interesting. He never asked about a true story.

Once Dante fell asleep, I joined my mother outside once more. "That boy, he's not like you at all. I guess you inherited the wild part from your father, he must've inherited the calm side from me", she said out of nowhere. "Are you picking a fight?", I asked, annoyed. "Hehe, you can have a go, but that's not my meaning. I actually enjoyed teaching you, but Dante… I'm not sure he'd travel the same path as you", she explained.

I asked for more details, since she seemed rather sure. From her explanation, Dante really enjoyed drawing. Of course he was still very little, and his interests could or would change, but my mother somehow knew he wasn't a warrior. "Since he enjoys drawing, why not teach him Formations? For me, the interest in Formations started from a young age. At the same time though, I wanted to be as strong as you. Maybe he could become someone like aunt or Suly? They don't fight at all", I asked,

"Hehe, nah, he's not going to choose Formations. After all, he grew up around them. Instead of showing interest, he simply got used to everything. Besides, one daughter learning those things is enough for me", she replied. "Heeh… If not Formations, then what?", "Art", she replied with a single word. That got me a bit confused, "Are you talking about the Arts, or the art as in painting, sculpting and stuff?".

"Of course the latter, why would he choose something he has no clue about? What was your dream, what did you want to do the most while growing up?", she asked. "... Travel of course. Visit other places, explore the North, the Endrosian Empire… I'll probably pass on the Elysian Empire", "Exactly, and he wants to draw, paint and so on. I don't mind him going that way, even as a painter he can be strong. Basics can be taught to anyone, just like you learned them", she said.

'Yea, that could've been expected from her. She already mentioned teaching him some of the Furian techniques'. I could understand them a little. Being able to defend oneself was and would always be one of the most useful skills in life. 'He could simply call me or father, if someone tried to harm him…'. On a second thought, that wouldn't fly in our family. Both our parents were insanely strong. Dante grew up in an environment full of strong people. My mother or father would make him strong, perhaps without him even realising that.

"There is another piece of news", my mother said out of the blue. "We'll have wolf puppies again", she added. "... See you guys in a few months!", I stood up but my mother's hand already grabbed my shoulder. "Not so fast young lady. You promised to take care of them. Now that you're here, take care of them for a while. There's no rush, you can return after a week.. Or two". "No, no, no. I can't stay for that long. A few days at most, then I'm off", I shook my head.

"Rubbish, they wouldn't say anything even if you took a month off. Hah, you are too gullible my daughter. Charging them nothing for this… Again", "Really? That's what hurts you? Come on, are we that poor? Why not do it for them? Besides, I promised Leran…. Just like I promised Drak… I can see the pattern, but seriously, I'm not going to work like that for free, forever. After all, some of my Formations were sold. I made some money", I replied.

"That's why I'm telling you to take it easy. You don't have to rush, since they don't pay you anyway", "No! Your motives are completely different! Stop foisting stuff on me, deal with such things yourselves… At least sometimes", I protested. "Come now, you promised to take care of them, so at least do that much. We aren't asking you to do anything else… Except playing with your brother. Though he's your family, why wouldn't you play with him?", she tried to use 'reason'.

"I'm staying for a week, not a day longer. I'll happily play with Dante during that time, and even take care of the pack. Then I'm off, alright? I'll be back after the project is done", I stated. "Chet, my daughter is so stingy". '... I'm lacked for words… What the… Ughh'. Instead of arguing back and forth, or even pointing out that obvious misrepresentation of who was the stingy one, I wished her good night before heading to my own house.

"Bam!.. Who's pregnant?", I slammed the doors to my house open. The wolves inside got surprised, and perhaps even scared. "I'm joking guys, I'm not angry at all. Come here you rascals", I added just to calm them down. I didn't intend to take it out on them, they did nothing wrong. The temptation to pull that type of stunt was simply too big.

After petting them for a while, I found the two culprits. "Peaky and Fally… Alright you two, who did this to you?". The two male wolves left the pack and joined their females. "Hahaha, to think Fatty would get a girlfriend. Sneazy too, you are doing well", I said with a laugh. Our wolves were a bit different compared to those wild ones… Or any wolves for that matter.

They were taught, presumptively by my father, to find a life partner. In other words, once the two wolves got together, they stayed together. Other males and females knew that as well, just like any intelligent race… Within reason of course. I had no clue how he taught them that, but he did. Rogue and Ivory were still together, their son Hope was there as well. They acted like a family, no, they were a family.

Hope grew up a lot during the time I was gone. He looked like a normal wolf at that stage, albeit a bit smaller. Though the change from his past self was really amazing. The weak and barely breathing little puppy, transformed into a strong and lively wolf.

"You guys are not that far off… That's why she wanted me to stay two weeks. Too bad, my father will deal with that". After petting and brushing the wolves, I decided to visit Turry. He was really happy to see me back. I didn't take him with me to Arangard, because it was a city. Besides, there'd be nothing for him to do there. The planned visit to the Endrosian Empire was a different story, but that had to wait.

To my surprise, Dawn was still around. "Wow, you really stayed here for a long time. How's life? Made any improvements?", I asked. "Not so bad, your father is really too modest about his skills. Anyway, how about you? How's the project going?", she replied. "We finished everything, that's why I'm here. Now, all that's left to do is Formations. Anyway, tell me more about your training, I'm curious as to what he taught you".

"Hehe, you wanna give it a try? I'm feeling much more confident with my archery skills", she proposed. "Heh, are you really that confident?... Though take a rest first. I don't want you to make excuses when you lose", "Who's acting confident here?... I guess this can wait till tomorrow, I'm a bit tired to be honest. Say, how about cooking something nice for your friend?".

Sometimes, Dawn could be shameless too. 'I can't help but feel that everyone requires something from me all the time…', "Sure, but if you're too fat, your boyfriend might dump you", I said teasingly. "Hahaha, that's rich coming from someone who never had a boyfriend in the first place". She had a point. 'You win this round, but I'll get back at you soon enough, just wait'.