08

"Eh, really? You weren't given a name?" The goddess, still taking the form of a fox, perched atop the boy's head, tilted her head in genuine confusion. Her small paws shifted slightly, causing her fur to brush against his hair. "Why is that?"

"Uncle Alcor said it was because my old family only gave names to important people," the boy replied, his voice subdued as he trudged through the heavy gates of the Mon'draigg manor. The vibrant energy that usually filled the air was absent, replaced by a silence that pressed down on him like a weight. The clang of swords and the shouts of soldiers were gone, as were the lively cries of Allie, sounds he had grown to find comforting.

"Ehh, then what do people call you?" the fox asked, her tone softer now, almost hesitant.

"Uhm... Big sis Allie calls me a lot of names, but she says 'lil bro' the most. Uncle Alcor and Grandma Aria just call me 'boy,' though."

"That's... so weird, isn't it?" The fox's voice was laced with concern, her usual playful tone dampened. She shifted her weight slightly, her tails swaying gently as if trying to soothe the boy beneath her.

"Really?" The boy's steps slowed as he glanced up at the fox, his eyes reflecting both curiosity and an ingrained acceptance of his situation.

"Yeah, names are important, you know! How else would you know if someone is talking to you?" The fox's ears twitched, her body leaning forward as if to emphasize her point.

"When they talk while looking at you?" The boy's innocent logic brought a sigh from the fox, her upright demeanor melting as she realized the simplicity of his world.

"Well, technically, but... that's not the point!" The fox huffed, her frustration evident. She settled deeper into his hair, her earlier regal posture giving way to something more akin to a tired older sibling.

"Do you have a name?" the boy asked, his voice cutting through the stillness, accompanied only by the rhythmic crunch of gravel beneath his feet.

"Of course I do, but I'll keep it a secret until you find yours," the fox declared with a nod, a mischievous glint returning to her eyes.

"Is that fair?" The boy's lips twitched into a small smile, sensing the fox's playfulness.

"It is," she replied confidently, her tone leaving no room for argument, though the boy couldn't shake the feeling that the goddess was being more petty than dignified. Just as he opened his mouth to ask more, his attention was drawn to the manor's doors, where a woman stood, her vibrant green hair dulled and dark rings under her eyes betraying her exhaustion.

"My son!" Cynthia's voice cracked as she rushed towards him, her arms enveloping him in a tight embrace that left the boy wide-eyed and stiff. The doors of the manor burst open, and the rest of the family poured out, their faces a mix of relief and anxiety.

"A-Auntie?" The boy's voice was small, almost lost in the folds of her dress as Cynthia's grip tightened, bordering on painful.

"Where have you been!? I was so worried!" Her voice was frantic, her hands roaming over him as if checking for injuries. Tears streaked her cheeks, her breath coming in uneven gasps as she finally allowed herself to believe he was real. The tension in her shoulders eased, her posture collapsing slightly in relief.

"Thank goodness you're safe." Cynthia's smile was warm, gentle, but it faded as quickly as it appeared. Her hands, once tender, suddenly gripped his arms with a cold, unyielding strength. Her eyes, soft a moment ago, sharpened with intensity.

"Now, can you explain where you've been all this time?" Her voice was icy, the warmth from before replaced by a rigid authority that made the air around them heavy. Even Alcor, who stood at a distance, seemed to freeze under the weight of her words.

"A-Auntie… I was, uh… just, uh…" The boy stammered, his mind scrambling for an excuse. But as he looked into her eyes, he realized that there were forces in the world far scarier than any monster he could imagine, and his aunt's fury was one of them.

"Don't go running off on your own! You scared me half to death when Allie said she couldn't find you anywhere! Do you know how worried we all were?" Cynthia's voice rose with each word, but before she could continue, Allie barreled into the boy, knocking him to the ground with a hug.

"I'm sorry, little brother!" Allie's voice was thick with tears as she squeezed him tightly, her embrace nearly crushing. "I shouldn't have left you alone. Don't run away again, okay? Big sis is sorry."

"B-Big sis?" The boy's voice was a mere squeak, overwhelmed by the exaggerated reactions of his family. He had expected them to be angry, but the fear and relief in their eyes left him bewildered. He thought he had only been gone for half a day at most.

"You've been missing for three days," Aria's voice cut through the commotion, her tone flat but laced with an undercurrent of concern. The boy's confusion deepened as he processed her words, his face paling as the truth hit him like a cold wave.

"T-Three days?"

"Whoops, should have told you that," the goddess's voice chimed in his mind, sounding far too casual given the situation. A flicker of irritation sparked within him at the realization that she had conveniently forgotten to mention something so crucial. He tried to calm down Allie, who continued to sob into his shirt, while offering meek apologies to Cynthia, who was still ranting about how worried everyone had been.

Aria, observing the scene, stepped forward. Her gaze was sharp, assessing the boy and the fox atop his head with a discerning eye. "That's enough, you two. The boy is back safe and sound, and that's what matters." Her voice was firm, cutting through the tension. Cynthia and Allie reluctantly nodded, though they refused to release their hold on the boy.

"I am curious where you've been, boy. Come to my study after dinner." Aria's tone left no room for debate, and the boy nodded, the weight of the day settling on his small shoulders.

Trapped in the embrace of his aunt and sister, the boy's gaze wandered to Uncle Alcor, who stood nearby, his eyes filled with a mix of relief and guilt. Jin was there too, his stare piercing, as if trying to discern if something was amiss. The boy felt their concern like a physical weight, pressing down on him.

His thoughts drifted to the vision he had seen—the manor in ruins, the family he had come to love lost. A heavy sense of responsibility settled in his chest, tightening like a vice. He wasn't sure if he could change the future, or if he even should. But as he looked at the faces around him, at the family who cared for him despite his nameless status, he made a silent vow. He would do everything in his power to protect them, to save this place he now called home. No matter what it took.