Grown-Up Baby

The bath area of Saliz's hermitage was surprisingly well-kept. A small pool had been dug into the ground, its walls built from dried mud bricks. Surrounding it were lush green plants, their delicate scent reminiscent of lilacs. The air was fresh, carrying a soft, earthy fragrance.

Yusuf led Bastin toward the pool, letting him sit near the edge. The child looked around curiously, his tiny fingers gripping the edge of the pool.

After a moment of silence, Yusuf spoke.

"What's your name?"

The little boy hesitated for a second before answering.

"Bastin. Bastin Terris."

Yusuf smiled. "Oh, so Bastin, how old are you?"

Bastin lifted his tiny hand and showed three fingers.

"Oh, and where are you from?" Yusuf asked, tilting his head.

Bastin's expression became thoughtful. "I don't know. We moved from one place to another."

Yusuf raised an eyebrow. "We?"

"Yup, me and Daddy." Bastin's voice was soft, yet firm.

Yusuf chuckled teasingly. "Maybe your daddy is having fun on the stars."

Bastin's face suddenly darkened. His small hands tightened into fists, and his eyes glistened with unshed tears.

"Why did you all lie?" he murmured, his voice trembling. "Why can't you all just say he's dead? Why do you all lie to me?"

A single tear rolled down his cheek.

Yusuf let out a small sigh as he gently removed Bastin's torn clothes and set them aside.

"Uh, so you knew it..." he muttered.

For a moment, he just looked at Bastin—this tiny, fragile boy who talked like an adult but cried like an infant.

With a faint smile, Yusuf reached out and wiped his tears away.

"Well, one thing to mention," he said lightly. "You talk like adults, but cry like infants."

Bastin sniffled, his small shoulders still shaking.

As Yusuf picked up Bastin's discarded clothes, something caught his eye.

A brooch.

It lay there, nestled within the fabric—its surface smooth and polished, glowing faintly under the soft light of the bath area.

Yusuf's eyes widened in surprise.

"How do you have that?" he asked, pointing at the brooch. "Uncle Saliz and that magic girl also have it!"

Bastin glanced at the brooch and held it close to his chest.

"My daddy gave it to me," he whispered.

The memory of his father's warm smile and protective arms flashed in his mind. His heart ached, and before he could stop himself, he moaned softly in grief.

Yusuf quickly tried to distract him.

"Okay, let's talk about something else." He forced a grin, hoping to lighten the mood. "Well, I want to know what happened before you came with the flood."

Bastin sniffed again and rubbed his eyes. "It's a long story."

"I have time," Yusuf said, sitting beside him.

Bastin hesitated before speaking.

"Daddy was running away from two bad people," he said, his voice quieter now. "I can't remember properly, but… one was throwing sharp shards, and one had hot fire-like power."

Yusuf's breath hitched slightly.

"I don't even know how they were doing that," Bastin continued. "But my daddy could also do magic. He threw mud at them. It wasn't the flood that killed him…"

His voice wavered.

"It was those bad people. They killed him."

Yusuf sat there for a moment, processing the child's words.

"So that's the story…" he thought.

Without another word, Yusuf lifted Bastin into the pool. The water rippled gently as he began rubbing his body thoroughly, washing away the dirt and grime.

Bastin closed his eyes, letting himself relax under Yusuf's careful hands.

Then, softly, he whispered—"I miss Daddy."

Yusuf's chest tightened.

For the first time, he felt a deep pity for Bastin—not just because he had lost his father, but because of how alone he was.

He couldn't imagine losing his own mother like that.

With a soft smile, Yusuf placed a hand on Bastin's head.

"Don't worry," he said gently. "No need to feel sad because from now on, I'm your older brother."

Bastin's eyes widened slightly.

"You can call me Ani."

The child blinked up at him, his face unreadable.

Then—his lips trembled, and tears sparkled in his eyes.

For the first time since his father's death, he felt… safe.

As if someone was there to protect him.

He gave a small nod.

"Ani."

A single word.

But in that word, a bond was formed.

Yusuf grinned. "See? That's better!"

He continued washing Bastin, giving him the final touches of the bath.

Then, he sat back and admired his work.

"All set! See how clean you look now?" Yusuf beamed.

Bastin looked at his reflection in the water, tilting his head.

But then, his expression fell.

"But my clothes?" he asked, looking at the soaked, tattered garments lying beside them.

Yusuf blinked. "Uh…"

Yeah. That was a problem.

After a moment, he sighed and removed his own upper clothing.

Without hesitation, he wrapped it around Bastin's tiny frame.

"There," Yusuf said with a smile. "Now, you won't feel cold."

Bastin clutched the fabric, his small hands curling into the folds of the cloth.

For a brief moment, he felt like he belonged.

Yusuf stood up. "Come on, let's find you some real clothes."

Bastin nodded eagerly and followed him.

But before they left, he made sure to grab his brooch.

As they walked out of the bath area, Yusuf couldn't help but glance at it one last time.

"A brooch… just like Uncle Saliz and that magic girl."

He had never paid much attention to these brooches before.

But something about them… felt important.

As they stepped into the main hall, Xayne and Saliz were already there—waiting.

The door creaked open.

Yusuf stepped inside, holding Bastin's hand.

"Anne! Uncle! Bastin needs clothes!" Yusuf announced loudly.

Xayne turned to them, her eyes softening the moment she saw Bastin.

"Aw, you look cute with your face cleaned," she said warmly.

Bastin blinked, tilting his head slightly at the unfamiliar praise.

Saliz let out a small chuckle, standing up. "Let me see what I can do."

He raised his hand, his emerald-green brooch shimmering faintly.

"Phytus Lifarius."

At once, large leaves sprouted from thin air, vibrant and fresh.

With a casual flick of his finger, Saliz traced an invisible pattern in the air, his movements deliberate, controlled. The leaves shifted, twisted, and wove together, forming the shape of simple clothing.

Bastin watched in awe, his wide eyes glued to the glowing brooch on Saliz's chest.

"Just like my Daddy…" he thought.

The clothing was complete.

"Become cloth," Saliz commanded.

At his words, the leaves solidified, turning into a soft, fabric-like material. He handed them to Bastin.

Bastin hesitated before slipping them on.

"You look nice," Yusuf said, nodding in approval.

Xayne smiled. "As if fascinated by the power of Saliz."

For a brief moment, the room was filled with a quiet sense of peace.

But then—Xayne broke the silence.

She turned toward Yusuf, her expression gentle but firm.

"Well, Yusuf, this child will live with Uncle Saliz. And as it's already too late, Daddy might be waiting for us, so we should leave."

At those words, Bastin's face fell.

Yusuf, too, froze.

His heart sank at the thought of leaving Bastin behind.

"Can't he go with us?" Yusuf asked, his voice hopeful.

Xayne sighed. "Dear, I would have said yes, but the village won't allow a new member to enter."

Yusuf bit his lip, his mind racing.

Then—an idea sparked.

"Then can I live here with Uncle?"

Bastin's eyes widened, his expression shifting from sadness to pure joy.

Xayne was stunned.

Yusuf, a child who never agreed to stay away from his parents, not even for a single night, was now asking to live with a complete stranger.

She looked at him carefully.

She thought about how quickly Yusuf had bonded with Bastin, how he had stepped into the role of an older brother without hesitation.

A soft smile played on her lips.

"Maybe… this is the right choice."

She exhaled and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"I'll leave you here if your uncle agrees."

A chill ran down Saliz's spine.

Forcing a strained smile, he glanced at both boys.

He had no desire to take care of them both. His only goal was to get the Sheem Brooch.

But refusing outright would look suspicious.

So, he forced himself to nod.

"I don't have any issues."

"Yay!" Yusuf cheered, his voice echoing through the hermitage.

"Thank you, Uncle!"

Bastin smiled brightly, his small hands gripping Yusuf's tightly.

For a moment, even Saliz found himself grinning.

But deep inside… his soul was burning with regret.

"Damn it…"

Xayne clapped her hands together. "Okay then, I count on you, Saliz. Take good care of them."

Saliz's forced smile twitched slightly.

"Take care of them? Ha."

But he nodded. "Of course."

Xayne stretched, standing up.

"Then, I'm leaving."

Bastin suddenly stepped forward, his tiny fingers clutching at her sleeve.

"Thank you… for everything."

Xayne blinked.

For a three-year-old, he spoke so maturely—his words carried a weight far beyond his years.

She smiled warmly. "You're a very special boy, Bastin."

With that, she stepped outside.

Outside the Hermitage

Erythros stood waiting.

Her arms were crossed, her crimson eyes staring into the distance, as if deep in thought.

At the sound of footsteps, she glanced at Xayne.

"Sorry for keeping you waiting," Xayne said.

Erythros gave a small nod, but her expression remained tense.

"Not an issue."

Xayne studied her closely.

"You look worried."

Erythros remained silent for a moment. Then, she asked—

"Are you ready to go?"

Xayne nodded. "Yup. Let's go."

She reached out and took Erythros's hand.

But Erythros didn't teleport immediately.

She stood still, waiting.

Xayne frowned. "For whom are you waiting?"

Erythros's gaze flickered toward the hermitage.

"Yusuf."

Xayne chuckled. "He's not going anywhere. He will stay with Saliz and the child."

Erythros stiffened.

Then, in a sudden outburst—

"He's not going? Yes!"

Her face lit up, her entire body visibly relaxing.

Saliz, who had been watching the exchange, rolled his eyes.

"Total drama girl," he thought.

Xayne found it amusing.

"What were you so worried about?" she teased.

Erythros cleared her throat, shaking her head. "Nothing. Let's go—it's getting dark."

Xayne turned toward Yusuf and hugged him tightly.

"Take care, Yusuf."

Xayne smiled at the scene before finally stepping back.

Erythros turned to Bastin one last time.

Her brooch glowed faintly in the twilight.

"I'll keep coming to check on you."

Then—

"Psychos Teleportus."

A burst of red light engulfed them.

Before the eyes of Saliz and the two boys, Xayne and Erythros vanished into thin air.

The moment they disappeared, Saliz let out a long, heavy sigh.

Then, with a wicked grin, he walked toward his sleeping mat and collapsed onto the floor.

His fingers curled into his palm, and his eyes gleamed with anticipation.

"Now… the Sheem Brooch will be mine."

A dark chuckle escaped his lips.

He would commence his plan as soon as both children fell asleep.