Aakriti

Inside the office.

Blaze sat on a sofa and offered the two kids a seat.

Frore stood behind his sofa, as if he was gaurding him.

Blaze was amused and quietly chuckled before using 'Signal Connector'.

[Frore, you can sit down too.]

{...I am alright like this, Blaze.}

[Ok.]

Anashvar should be fourteen years old, about now. He was a bit shorter than Frore and was pale and skinny.

Although he had followed Blaze to have a chat, he hadn't let his gaurd down at all.

Anashvar was very young, still he had experienced a lot of cruel and ugly things.

Duality of human nature is no new thing to him. As such, even though Blaze was behaving gently and kindly; he could not bring himself to have any faith in him.

He was still tightly holding on to his sister's hand and looking at Blaze with wariness.

Aakriti was very pale and weak.She was just 12 years old, but she still had a strength in her gaze as she quietly observed Blaze.

Blaze didn't mind it. He had a good idea of what they had been through.

It's only natural for kids like them to be wary of him.

Anashvar had a rough past just like Frore, and as a result he was similarly quite mature for his age.

He also had a little sister to protect, which didn't help his situation. But, it did make it a little bearable for him to have her by his side.

Unfortunately, Anashvar is unable to protect and stay with her for a long time.

After living on the streets for some time, Aakriti dies of a intestinal disease due to malnourishment.

Anashvar didn't have the money to pay for the surgery of his sister. He begged many guilds to take him in, but no one wanted to take him in without a licence.

He could not find normal jobs either. Due to Empire's Laws on prohibition of child labour, nobody was willing to employ him.

In the end, he could only helplessly watch his sister die in his hands.

Blaze didn't know much about Aakriti, she was only briefly mentioned in TVCWT in a paragraph.

She was more talented than her brother and would have grown up to stronger than her brother, if she hadn't succumbed to her disease.

While dying she had only asked one thing of her brother, 'survive and live a long and happy life'.

Even when Anashvar desparately wanted to give in to dispair and kill himself. He couldn't do it.

He would get reminded of his promise to his sister everytime he would have thoughts of suicide.

He continued to push himself and live through that hell day by day, that seemed to be neverending.

Later on, Anashvar founded the 'Supriye' guild to prevent another tragedy like his from happening.

One of the reasons that 'Supriye' had become a powerful guild and gained popularity was because of Anashvar's policy of taking in low ranking hunters and helping his guild members in tough times.

Blaze had been feeling a bit confused when the quest told him 'to recruit him to his guild', because Anashvar was introduced in the novel as Supriye's guild leader.

However, he had soon remembered the bits and pieces of the past, that Anashvar would mention to Frore in the novel from time to time.

Blaze had lured him out by emphasizing exactly what he needed in front of the reporters.

Of course, he hadn't lied. He meant every word that he had said.

{*Phew* Blaze internally sighed from relief. She is alive, that's good. Thank god, I can still save her.}

Blaze turned his head to make eye contact with Evan.

Evan bowed a little and said, " I will go out and get someone to prepare some snacks. If you need me, please tap the little bell on the table."

One side of Blaze's lips curled up.

{He is a quick - witted guy. Maybe, I should hire him as the guild's permanent manager or a secretary.}

Evan went out just like he said and closed the door behind him.

Blaze turned his head back and gently smiled towards the kids.

He raised both of his hands and reached out to pat the both, who had closed their eyes; on the head.

"Don't be scared, I won't do anything bad to you...

Can you tell me why you both don't have a licence?"

After feeling the warm hand on their heads, they looked up.

"We don't have a gaurdian."

Anashvar replied unhesitantly while not breaking eye-contact with Blaze.

"I understand. So it's the association's rule of 'children under the age of 17 must have a parent/gaurdian's permission to take the licence exam' that is creating the trouble."

Blaze nodded lightly and continued.

"Also, you guys should know this too but, I should still tell you. Becoming a hunter is not a child's play. It's a very dangerous job, it could cost you, your life at a moment's mistake. Do you still want to do it?"

Anashvar and Aakriti nodded simultaneously.

" I see. Is there a reason behind you wanting to become a hunter, even if it means risking your lives?"

Blaze asked seriously.

"...."

Anashvar didn't say anything but he glanced at his little sister.

Judging from Blaze's behaviour up till now, it was unlikely that he had some hidden intentions and was going to trick them. So, Anashvar left the decision to tell him the reason to his sister. She had always been quite lucky in decision making regards and had a good sense of judgement. He will do whatever she chooses.

Aakriti opened her mouth and said after taking a deep breath.

" I have an intestinal disease, the doctor who gives check-ups at the temple said I need to undergo surgery or it will continue to worsen. We cannot afford a healer either."

"Even if I am not a healer, I can use heal though. What do you say? Shall we give it a try later?"

Anashvar still felt wary, but it's not like he had much of a choice. He had to save his sister's life no matter what !

He didn't know why Blaze was being so good to them, but he had no reason to decline Blaze's offer.

They both nodded their head.

"About the licence exam, it's also not an issue. I can just act as your gaurdian."

Anashvar shook his head.

As Blaze became confused, Aakriti opened her mouth to say the reason.

"It won't work, even if you become our gaurdian."

Then the siblings simultaneously blurted out a single sentence.

"Because, we are already dead."