Grief

The rays of the morning sun poured into the dimly lit room straight on Zosia's face as she slowly peeled her eyes open "you're awake" Athena smiled warmly as she wiped Zosia's feet "yea" Zosia's voice was hoarse due to sleep and Athena chuckled "mommy" Liliana rushed into the medicine office giggling loudly as her two older brothers chased after her "it's still too early to be running" Athena scolded the two older boys lance and Liam while cradling the youngest Liliana who couldn't stop giggling "mom, she's so troublesome" Lance sighed and Liam giggled seeing his older brother so distressed

"Do you need anything….. you can ask me" Athena turned to Zosia ignoring her sons "a bath" Zosia replied and Athena chuckled "I just cleaned you up, there's no need for that" Athena stood with Liliana in her arms "I feel hot" Zosia replied honestly staring at Athena earnestly "alright" Athena chuckled at her big red eyes then she walked out to prepare the bath water.

Zosia didn't linger, she slowly got off bed slowly, grabbing the bath supplies she made towards the bathhouse behind Athena

There was three courtyards and one bath house shared by everyone, the giggling children voice surprisingly calmed her raging heart as she watched Athena fetched clear water pouring it all into the large wooden basin then she poured in steaming hot water before checking the temperature

"It's ready" she smiled to Zosia making sure the temperature was right before pulling her kids out of the bath house "thank you" Zosia said briefly before walking into the bath house

She took off her clothes piece by piece, though it wasn't the clothes she wore in battle it still had traces of blood from her injuries now staring at her bare skin which bore scars of all sizes from battle. A sigh escaped her lips as she ran her hands through her head full of thick black waist length hair before pouring the warm water over her skin to rinse off first before applying the bath gel on her skin

At first it stung due to the fresh injuries still she gritted her teeth and endured the searing pain as she washed up quickly.

Now clean she glanced at her back which was covered in a large tattoo of a dragon, a serpent and a tiger. It was a captivating and terrifying tattoo, a perfect work of art

With one swift movement she was soon neatly dressed in a long black robe which clung to her body, highlighting her developing and perky breasts.Now clean she breathed a sigh of relief as she slowly walked out

"I'll wash the clothes" Athena took the bloody clothes from her to wash at the back to this Zosia only raised a brow. Finding a spot to sit under the shade of a tree

She watched Athena skillfully wash the clothes while munching on an energy bar, the children still played around the yard giggling loudly, which added a hint of warmth to the atmosphere. Zosia's guarded stance relaxed slightly under the warm influence of the children

Athena was quick with her hands and soon she was down washing the clothes, hung them and proceeded into the house as she began to turn the fire skillfully, a basket of freshly picked wild vegetables say by the side which she used in making soup for the family to drink for breakfast "do you want some?" Athena asked however seeing the thick black paste, Zosia took several steps back shaking her head in disapproval. The unsightly color made her shiver "I already ate an energy bar" she replied and Athena nodded "expensive stuff"Winnie snorted as she walked into the kitchen with her one year old scarlet behind her and a baby in her arms "sister…. There's soup to drink" Athena said to Winnie who rolled her eyes in disdain "we'll drink porridge" Winnie eyed Athena pulled her child along as she walked to the other side of the kitchen preparing ingredients to cook. Athena served soup for each of her kids and pulled them out to eat in the yard

Watching the three children drink the soup happily, she sighed though the meal was not appealing to her but to them it was the most delicious thing in the world. She grabbed a few pieces of flat bread from her special pocket which she handed to the children and then Athena, two pieces each

"Sister….. this…. You should keep the delicious stuff to nourish your health you are not strong enough yet" Athena declined but Zosia didn't touch the things, her eyes shifted to the greenery ahead "mom, it's so delicious… thank you big sister" the three children smiled as they happily ate their soup and flatbread which made eating the soup more manageable "thank you sister in law" Athena smiled warmly with mist in her eyes, her heart ached for her children watching them eat so happily now, brought her a hint of satisfaction

The family hardly came by, vials were a necessity, with vials one didn't need to rely on food to be full and healthy, however this vials were only subjected to the rich, wealthy and nobles. Common people like them could only rely on vegetables and herbs which were highly toxic and harmful to the body "it's nothing" Zosia lowered her eyes in deep thought, her sharp ears noting the children every actions and movement as they ate

An harmonious and warm breakfast it was, their giggles was music to the ears, their laughter unguarded and tinged with childhood innocence. She closed her eyes allowing the children's banter drown her ears, with the oldest amongst the kids being only about six years old

Zosia's fists clenched unknowingly, at five years old she was already fighting battles, undergoing gruesome train since the day she had turned three. At four she had her fist kill with no hint of child like innocence but indifference, something a four year old shouldn't have.

She had cried and begged, gagging at her own saliva and breathe however Oona wasn't done yet, she was turned into a weapon of death from that day

No time to grief or lament, even when she couldn't eat red meat for years she was forced to kill.

However at this moment she felt oddly calm and peaceful "husband" Athena's smiled seeing Lester walk over with the kill already cared for, a large monster the size of a baby bull "dada!" The children hurdles around him giggling happily. The warmth of the moment burned her eyes leaving her almost breathless

"You three do havw a lot of energy today" he chuckled as he carried each child twirling and tickling them, Their laughter filled the yard, the joy in their voices were unmasked and full of warmth the love of a family

Athena with a smile on her face cleared the table as she proceeded to the kitchen, where she served her husband his breakfast. A bowl of soup and a flatbread, after playing with the kids Lester sat and begun to eat

Zosia with her eyes closed felt every movement with accurate precision. Oona had blindfolded her and thrown her into hordes of monstrous beasts more times than she could remember, hence her senses were strong else she would have died a long time ago