4. Comfort and Concern

Now there were three of them, the wind rustled the leaves on the trees, and the sun shone brightly. Akito had taken off his cloak and was lying on the grass, his gaze fixed on the sky, a thoughtful expression on his face. Andy was still swinging her sword, doing much better now, completely focused on every movement. Suddenly, Ray joyfully exclaimed,

"It's biting, it's biting!"

Andy threw her sword to the ground, and Akito got up; both ran over to Ray. He, in turn, was pulling the fishing rod towards himself.

"Something big! It's not giving in..."

After a minute of Ray battling with the fish, he finally pulled it out of the water. Birds chirped somewhere in the forest, and the friends rejoiced.

"I didn't think such monsters lived here..."

"Ray, maybe you're a born fisherman, not an aristocrat? When we go fishing, you always get a bite." Akito's eyes carefully examined the fish as he spoke.

"I second that, it seems you set a new record every time we fish."

Said Andy, picking up the sword that lay on the ground, the corners of her lips showing a slight smile as she swung it.

"You know, the sword isn't as heavy now, and it's easier to control."

"Really?"

Ray asked as he cast his line back into the water. The wind barely ruffled his hair; his smile changed to a serious expression as his eyes focused on the bobber. Akito, in turn, simply shrugged and lay down on the ground again, pondering something he considered important. The whole day passed like this. Ray sat at the table with his family, silent, behaving as manners dictated.

Andy sat with her father and mother; they were having dinner and talking. Sometimes her mother would scold her husband to "eat like a normal person and not a hungry beast," and he, in turn, would only smile.

"Can you believe it, I practiced with the sword today, and I'm actually getting good!"

A joyful and proud smile played on Andy's lips; her parents swallowed a piece of meat with effort and looked at her.

"Is that so? And where did you find a sword?"

"Found it somewhere in your stuff."

Andy giggled, continuing to eat. She kept smiling, and when she finished eating, she got up from the table and said,

"Alright, I'm done. Thanks for dinner, it was delicious."

Her mother, Olivia, sighed and looked at her husband.

"Eric, don't you think she wants to be an adventurer too much? I'd like to talk to you about this."

He shrugged and looked calm and carefree.

"Well, if she wants to be an adventurer, I'm not against it. I used to be one myself; I can teach her a thing or two."

"But I am against it. I don't want her bothering with such nonsense; she can be someone better, but certainly not do this."

Her gaze was strict and directed at Eric; he, in turn, became a little more serious.

"Olivia, seriously? Let her be who she wants. I also care and worry about Andy, but if that's who she wants to be, why not? Or do you want me to tell you why I became an adven..."

"Enough! I don't want to hear that nonsense."

Eric's eyes flashed; he abruptly stood up and approached his wife.

"My parents were the same, and do you know what I did? I ran away from home and became an adventurer. Now I don't talk to them; I'm not even sure they know I'm married and have a child. Do you want Andy to do the same? I know you're worried, especially about the profession she wants to choose, but she also wants to be a knight. To me, that sounds better. Agreed?"

"But what if something happens to her?"

Eric pulls her into a hug trying to comfort her.

"Then she'll solve her problems. I'm sure of it. Our Andy is strong and determined, so please, let her do what she wants."

Olivia finally gave up.

" Fine, let her do what she wants, as long as she doesn't complain later."

The moon was already visible in the sky; everyone seemed to be asleep, and only one young boy sat on the riverbank under the moonlight, his face expressing concern and anxiety. Somewhere in the forest, the hoot of an owl could be heard.

"It's like I'm cursed... This dream is getting to me..."

He muttered, gazing at the water's surface. As he recalled the events from the dream, those emerald, soulless and terrifying eyes, the consequences of his arrival... And the faces of two seemingly important people, but he couldn't remember who they were.

The owl began to hoot louder and flew off somewhere; the boy looked towards the forest and heard only silence in response.

"Why is it easiest for me here of all places... My soul seems to belong to this place..."