§ Tied To The Present §

"What's this, don't tell me I hit the nail on the head." I couldn't help but tease the already shy Emma.

"You little brat. How dare you try to make me out to be a bad person like--" Emma pounced on me.

Before she touched me, the creaked open and my mother walked in with a tray with medicine. Emma froze in place and switched her expression in an instant.

"Come now little brother. You should make sure to tuck yourself in very well. We can't have children falling sick so easy." She mocked me with words.

Being called a child. Yeah, I know I am. But that blade is always so sharp when ever it strikes me. And it she knew that well enough.

"Kid..." Emma whispered in my ear as she stood up.

Honestly I felt that one. I guess I started a battle I couldn't win this onw time. Damn it all.

My mother came over. She put the medicine beside me and put some pillows on my back. That way I drank my medicine.

Damn sickness I say. One has to drink this crazy bitter trap. Oh well, what do I have to lose? My pride was shredded long ago. Without protest, I had myself some medicine.

"Done so soon? That's really good. Here, have some sweets to clear that up." My mother put some sweets on my pillow and tucked me in.

"I'll go and get lunch ready now. Be sure to get some rest okay darling. I'll come back and check on you later. Emma Dear, please look after him for me will you?" She said to her with a bright smile

"When is father going to come back?" I asked her. And yes... in that voice. I won't say which voice.

"You miss him already? Me too darling. If I'm right, he should be back by this evening or after lunch at the earliest. He finally managed to get you the bracelet. I won't spoil too much on the details." She said happily as she took her tray and walked out the room.

"You will be fine right? We can't really ignore your carelessness you know." Emma said as she sat down on the chair by the window.

"I know, and I'm sorry about that. With that aside, can I ask something?" I said to her.

Emma turned to me as the atmosphere became more serious. She didn't say a word but she was attentive to me.

"Do you see uhmmm... vestiges in you core? When your core awakened or any time after that? A vestige or anything like that?" I asked her in the best was I could explain.

Emma was silent for a moment but after some minutes she slowly shook her head.

"No, I don't recall anything like that. And I don't really think that's something most people experience. Why? Did something like that happen to you?" She asked focusing her gaze on me.

"I don't know. Maybe it was a dream or me just restraining myself. I think I saw a vestige or manifestation of my older self. Everything was so vivid I couldn't call it a dream. That's why I thought it might have been something about my core. I guess I was wrong." I said with a deep breath.

"There is a chance it was your core. But there is no way to know for sure. That's something you'll have to find on your own." Emma said and sat back in her seat.

"I guess so." I muttered to myself.

I tried to feel my power and it was still there. But I couldn't control it. It was like looking at it through an unbreakable class.

"I guess it was real." I muttered again and closed my eyes for some rest.

One thing was for sure, my power was still there. But the chances of it killing me were now reduced if not nonexistent. Either way, at least father was safe. I would feel so guilty if anything happened to him because of me.

I fell into a deep slumber with my mind at some peace.

... ... ... ...

After some hours I felt someone shake me. I was pulled out of my sleep by a little shaking. Before my eyes was my father.

His face shone so bright with happiness. I guess he was pleased to see me still well.

"Hey there Tiger. Wanna give me a hug?" He spread his arms welcoming me.

I didn't waste time jumping into his embrace. And yeah, his sweaty and manly smell filled and invaded my senses. But somehow, it was comforting.

I guess deep down, I was still a child. Something I didn't realise.

"Did you miss me?" He said as he held me at arm's length for a proper look. I nodded with a smile.

"I'm happy to hear that. Which is why I got you a something nice." He said and took out a box from behind him.

"You got me more sweets?" I asked with almost twinkling eyes. Yeah I know what it was, but come on. I should act my age once in a while.

As I said this, my father froze for a moment and his face twitched a few times.

"Nope. But let's not dwell on that. How about something you'll have for some time. See, a bracelet with an emerald and two rubies." He opened the box with a smile.

I turned and picked up two sweets which I gave my father. I then stretched out my hand so he could put the bracelet on me.

"Now I gave my a gift too." I said as I smiled like a child I "supposedly" was. I could see Emma roll her eyes at this behaviour. I suppose it's to be expected.

"Hahahaha... that's my champ right there. Lemme help you with this then." My old man took the bracelet and put it on.

He sent his magic into the emerald and it took a size that fit my wrist perfectly.