A New World

The rain was pouring outside the cave, accompanied by the sound of thunder. The heavy rain poured down at the edges of the cave's opening, falling on the black striped grey hair of Lowell.

Lowell was soaking wet but didn't seem to care as he sat there, hugging his knees bent to his chest.

'How pathetic of me. Master tried his best in encouraging me. This is the most he has ever spoken to me, yet here I am sulking.'

It wasn't that Lowell was rebelling or being angry with his master; he just wanted a bit of solace. The once bright stars and moon shining above in the sky were now covered by dark grey clouds and thunder.

It made Lowell's vision blurry. He didn't know if it was the rain or tears, but Lowell felt a knot in his throat.

He wasn't sad nor angry, he just felt empty. To suddenly leave the place that had always been his and his master's home felt surreal.

He didn't know what to feel as this place held every single memory he had ever had with his master. Every single happy and sad memory.

To now just leave it felt strange; there was no other place he felt as comfortable and at home other than here, but he was going to do it, for his master's sake. He knew his master only wanted the best for him, and yet here he was, sulking pathetically.

Gabriel saw Lowell outside the cave, looking up at the sky and getting all soaked. He couldn't help but smile, knowing that the child was sulking.

The child was often a crybaby but he never had sudden tantrums. He knew Lowell didn't want him to see him like this.

But this was all for their sake. If Gabriel wanted to get answers and go home, he must try to become as strong as possible.

Gabriel knew that those entities were not as simple as they looked; they were in a league of their own. So if he were to go home and leave this child, he must at the very least ensure that Lowell could protect himself before he goes.

The first step was to get out of this place and start exploring the dungeons around the world. He needed to know about this world and find Deimos.

"Achoo!" Lowell's sudden sneeze brought Gabriel back from his daze.

Gabriel looked at Lowell's small figure. He looked so small under the rain, but he was still a child, no matter how much Gabriel looked at him.

"Lowell," Gabriel called, disrupting Lowell's thoughts.

"Come here," Gabriel pointed to the piece of cloth that was his bed.

As Lowell went inside, fearing his master's scolding for being foolish, he saw his master only handing him some garments to put on. "Hurry, go change, I do not want you all wet near me."

"Yes, master." Lowell immediately received the clothes. Of course, his master would think he was foolish.

As Gabriel saw Lowell hurriedly leave, he couldn't help but think, 'He is such a hardworking child, maybe I should spoil him a bit.'

Lowell came back with dry clothes on. He then went to his bed beside his master with his head bowed down out of shame. "Goodnight, master."

"Lowell, come here," he heard his master calling, pointing in front of him. "But master, your bed will get wet," Lowell said hesitantly.

But Gabriel wasn't going to let him off easily. "I said get here."

Hearing his master's serious tone, Lowell immediately went to him. "Kneel down with your back facing me," he heard his master say once more.

This statement made Lowell's heart jump in fright. 'Was his master finally done with his antics and going to punish him?'

Lowell knelt in front of his master and closed his eyes, awaiting the beating. It was his fault for testing his master's patience and being foolish.

But the awaited beating never arrived. Instead, he felt his master drying his hair with a piece of cloth. Getting flustered, Lowell was about to tell his master he could do it himself.

But Gabriel prevented him from moving any further. "No, stay still. If you move again, I will seriously hit you this time."

Lowell sat obediently to his master's words. "Okay, master."

Gabriel carefully ran his fingers through Lowell's damp hair, lifting and separating the strands so they would dry evenly.

Lowell leaned back a little, enjoying the soothing warmth and the comforting presence of his master.

Gabriel did this until Lowell's hair was dry. "Okay, you are ready for bed now."

"Thank you, master." Lowell felt this sensation was strange, as it was usually he who did this for his sick master.

As he was about to leave, he suddenly felt something grab his wrist and hold him back. 

Surprised, Lowell called, "Master?"

The crackling fire in the cave had begun to die down, casting a gentle, flickering light across the rough stone walls.

Gabriel was already lying on his side, waiting for Lowell. He held out his arms, inviting him to join him.

"Master, can I sleep with you?" he asked unsurely, but Gabriel nodded.

Lowell didn't hesitate; he crawled under the covers and nestled into Gabriel's embrace, feeling the immediate comfort and safety that only his master's presence could provide.

"Come here," Gabriel whispered, pulling Lowell close. Lowell rested his head against Gabriel's chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his master's heartbeat.

"It's been a long day," Lowell said softly, his voice filled with a mix of exhaustion and contentment.

"Yes, it has," Gabriel replied, his voice a soothing murmur. "But you can rest now."

Lowell sighed deeply, the weight of the day's events slowly melting away. Gabriel's arms wrapped around him protectively, and Lowell felt the warmth of his master's body seeping into his own.

"Thank you, master," Lowell whispered. "For everything."

The two of them lay there, tucked into each other's arms, as the last embers of the fire glowed softly in the darkness. The cave, once filled with the sounds of their chatter, now settled into a peaceful silence.

Lowell's eyelids grew heavy, and he felt himself drifting off to sleep. The steady rise and fall of Gabriel's chest was like a lullaby, and soon, both of them were wrapped in the serene embrace of sleep, their bond unbreakable and their hearts at ease.