Chapter 2: Parents Memories679Please respect copyright.PENANA5tLesLf23P
679Please respect copyright.PENANAH1Q0BQ3OWq
Hours passed before night came and the pair returned to Alura’s home before it got too late. They bid each other goodnight and that was it as the room fell into a calm silence. Roughly a half-hour later Alura woke and sighed before scooting out of bed to fetch the book they just got. She laid back down after lighting a candle to read the four pages and began to wonder what else might be revealed. It had simply told about a man named Synto Nightrayne who was known as the Lord of Shadows and Flames, his royal status by the wording that was used. It explained he was powerful and how only a fallen angel had tamed his magic which, after reading a few things it explained he had done to others, had frightened the young woman.679Please respect copyright.PENANAGuuHY5NwbJ
679Please respect copyright.PENANAoJweBBuPtw
How in the heck am I related to someone so strong that fell for a fallen angel? She pondered as she closed the book quietly and stared at its blank cover. I can barely even keep a flame summoned for more than a few minutes before it snuffs itself out. Her eyes trailed to her lit candle. The most impressive move I can do with fire is light candles or small flames still. She groaned quietly so not to wake Marenzo in his room while she carefully set the book on the nightstand. “Maybe I can try and make myself get some sleep before the sun rises.” Alura muttered before carefully blowing the candle out, got comfy and went to sleep.679Please respect copyright.PENANA7rUB452fzg
679Please respect copyright.PENANArSunocMCQv
Her dreamless night passed by with an undeterminable amount of time before a scene began to form in the murky darkness of her mind. The scene opened to show her standing with a glowing blue light outlining her body, and giving it a bluish hue which was odd enough until she heard the laughter of a little girl. In turning to look and starting to follow the noise she saw the girl was not her. The girl she saw had cropped brown hair and sparkling blue eyes that looked almost inhuman. Who in the…wait! Is that mother? She thought in shock and her confusion was confirmed in the bright sunlight when she heard another older female voice calling.679Please respect copyright.PENANAj4kQHXZqz0
679Please respect copyright.PENANAoFz3nCxrED
“Sophia~ Time to come inside.” The woman called out from a wooden farmer house. This woman had the same brown hair but with gray mixed in as she smiled when seeing the six year old girl racing towards their home.679Please respect copyright.PENANAMQkS299Tvx
679Please respect copyright.PENANADEf8jy6GxO
“Coming mommy!” the girl called while racing up and Alura in blue hued form followed as she could not stop her curiosity involving this strange dream. Sophia ran up and hugged the woman around the waist before soon smiling up at her. This made her mother chuckle before gently patting the child’s head as they walked inside with her hand gently on Sophia’s back. Alura followed and felt strange as she passed through the door. Now she was starting to question her choice to read those pages of the book that, although never mentioned her mother, might had given her mind an idea for a story. “Mommy, where’s daddy at and when’s he comin’ home?” Sophia questioned adorably as her mother tended the fireplace.679Please respect copyright.PENANAY3Fu5jhlPf
679Please respect copyright.PENANAcnzlPaPLwA
Alura thought this was strange until she looked out and saw the spring weather had somehow become fall with the first snowflakes of winter falling. “Sophia, I’m sorry but we’ve been over this time and time again. You know he was killed by bandits while delivering goods for the crown after arriving in Zento.” Hearing this spoken brought Alura to start blaming what she read and her memories of her own experiences for this dream world.679Please respect copyright.PENANA3Tdrciu6jk
679Please respect copyright.PENANAPOIrh9siXq
“But…but daddy always said he could never die by lowlifes so how are you sure he’s dead. I mean, a body coulda been faked.” The child retorted stubbornly with the optimism only a child could have.679Please respect copyright.PENANAUoEH7gl3bk
679Please respect copyright.PENANA6vzBbn23hh
The woman sighed heavily before looking to Sophia sadly yet sternly. “He is and I’m not lying. You saw him during the funeral and there were detailed reports on it by the royal guards of both Zento and Flora.” Alura felt her heart breaking as she saw her mother starting to tear up while watching the floor. “I’m sorry dear but you cannot turn-back time. Time only flows forwards, not backwards.” She came and hugged Sophia close after kneeling down then started to rub her back comfortingly.679Please respect copyright.PENANAwsNdpiYbxq
679Please respect copyright.PENANABXC0Vn9gzd
Slowly the image started to crack like glass with too much weight on it with the starting point being the center of the beautiful, and sweet scene of mother and daughter. Alura stepped back slowly then quicker as it finally shattered and fell away. She peeked out from behind an arm to see a new scene for this already odd dream. She was now staring at a darker scene of an older woman with longer hair and black angel wings that were dripping with blood. Her blue eyes were like daggers and they were staring at something that Alura couldn’t make out. Who’s…who’s that? She pondered while stepping closer cautiously.679Please respect copyright.PENANAbp2oib7I8k
679Please respect copyright.PENANA27wF3D0bBG
The woman stared at Alura and this caused her to flinch in fright, her eyes snapping closed and when they reopened it was to the sound of morning birds outside the window. “Morning?” she muttered softly in a sleepy tone as her tired eyes brought things into focus. Lazily she looked over the room as she started to force herself to sit up, upon which she held her head and released a breath. “Okay, no more reading that book before bedtime.” Slowly her eyes closed as her head fell backwards so when her gaze opened it stared at the ceiling. “I wonder if Amoxious is dead or if he’s just laying low…I hope it’s the first as compared to the latter.”679Please respect copyright.PENANAUMOfsudll2
679Please respect copyright.PENANAP95GR7vx3y
Soon a knock came before the door opened without verbal permission as Marenzo pokes his head inside. “Morning, sleepyhead,” he greeted with a chipper tone. As he came in more he put a damp towel around his neck. Alura shifted her hands around so one could cover her cheeks while they heated up as she saw how his hair, with water droplets on some strains, made him look radiant to make her heart start to pound. “How’d you sleep last night?” he blinked noticing the change in her position. “Um are you alright?” quickly she nodded to his question before clearing her throat with a forced cough.679Please respect copyright.PENANAIUQpQM8bhl
679Please respect copyright.PENANAaRxfV51era
“Yea um I just had something in my throat.” She lied badly but he didn’t call her on it as she continued. “I slept well, thanks for asking. How did you sleep?” she lowered her hand to give a reassuring smile but her cheeks were still a slight rosy red, which made the wizard smirk with amusement seeing that.679Please respect copyright.PENANA5ZchitHbK1
679Please respect copyright.PENANAM4upF4fNey
“Great as usual.” He grinned and rubbed the side of his head with the towel to dry some drops of water that were annoying his neck. “So, what do ya want for breakfast? I can do eggs, bacon, toast, or I could let you try an idea I had which was bacon flavored French toast.”679Please respect copyright.PENANAxPkCRBbPXW
679Please respect copyright.PENANAZj00fFzoAl
“Uh…” she wasn’t so sure on the last option but decided to leave it up to him. “Anything is fine.”679Please respect copyright.PENANAKWVWRSEDub
679Please respect copyright.PENANAMwIXatlwIT
“Okay, be back in a bit.” He said while turning then looked over his shoulder at her in the doorway briefly. “I just know you’re gonna love the bacon French toast. Nothing is ever worse with bacon.” He then quickly took off for the kitchen to start their meal.679Please respect copyright.PENANAw30mmy6Q11
679Please respect copyright.PENANAsgFTH8EO67
Alura released a breath while lightly hanging her head and gently scratching the side of it with a finger. “What did I just sign up for?” her eyes trailed to the book with that thought and a curious itch began to strike her. If that book updates when I dream or something then…I wonder… she reached out and rested it on her lap after crossing her legs. Taking a breath she flipped it opened to the fifth page and sure enough there was more text but this time it discussed a woman named Sophia Lyru.679Please respect copyright.PENANA9j79gZCSLU
679Please respect copyright.PENANAkDIkZKYZ2M
“…Mother’s maiden name…” she whispered while one hand gently stroked the printed page. She read the four nearly five pages which told about the simple upbringing of Sophia on the floating island of Meldano. It had her being called a Nephilim which was confusing until towards the end it listed Sophia’s father passing away in a raid on his goods that were to be delivered some time before her sixth birthday. He was listed as a traitor to The Great One’s army of Angels. It ended with telling of a dark day being marked as the day the Nephilim stood up against those who tortured her for years based only on what she was.679Please respect copyright.PENANA8qgThiZhrU
679Please respect copyright.PENANAlgROJzG2YE
A few minutes later Alura was roused from the book by the aroma of something sweet yet savory. Alura came downstairs as Marenzo was setting the table with two plates already made up with a couple eggs each and two slices of French toast that had chopped up bacon nicely browned on it. “I was just about to teleport you down here.” He chuckled which caused her to giggle softly.679Please respect copyright.PENANAgndTT5prCQ
679Please respect copyright.PENANAH7iKjljGWK
“I bet you were but I beat you to it. That smells great.” She complimented while making her way to the table and sitting herself at one of the plates.679Please respect copyright.PENANA2HfEcTyWnz
679Please respect copyright.PENANAdCsJCrNlYm
“This was no problem for me to make. Also, please be honest of what you think of the toast?” he questioned as he poured two glasses of milk. “I’d like to know so if it’s good I can call it my signature dish.” She nodded as he brought over and set down the two glasses before taking his own seat. “So mind telling me about your dream and what the book showed you this morning?” he purred gently which caused her to scowl at him for blatantly reading her mind again.679Please respect copyright.PENANA6bmwbNqVB9
679Please respect copyright.PENANAY82iIvIF7v
“Would you stop reading my mind?” she growled lowly as she picked up her silverware and started to eat.679Please respect copyright.PENANAAwnlNAvWXe
679Please respect copyright.PENANAZJtpQYJ8be
“Sorry but I can’t help it since you aren’t really always talkative so I get curious.” He said innocently. She didn’t answer while diverting her glare away from him to focus on her meal. “So, I see the book did fill itself out more after you dreamt of your mother.” He took a bite of his French toast then slipped an egg onto it before taking another bite. “Slowly things will keep appearing inside the book and I’m sure the entire story will be much clearer than it is right now.” He explained before swallowing. “Before you say something to counter me, I’m going to throw out there that you should trust this guy who came from an island whose main residence are users and studiers of magic related things.”679Please respect copyright.PENANA94oCHeFId6
679Please respect copyright.PENANAWPHWkO92oS
Alura snorted before softly nodding as she continued to eat. “You know, this isn’t half bad. It’s kinda interesting to taste cinnamon with bacon.” 679Please respect copyright.PENANAgPqMPToIYS
679Please respect copyright.PENANAoQM8EXslvz
He grinned at this praise. “Thanks! I’m deeming this my signature recipe!” he chuckled happy with himself and his cooking ability. Still, he calmed down as he saw her soft expression but noticed the pain behind her eyes. I can’t help but feel helpless in helping her deal with her memories or being unable to protect her from anything tragic that might be in that book. Marenzo released a quiet breath as to not concern Alura. 679Please respect copyright.PENANAGSP6pc6tWc
679Please respect copyright.PENANACKRRi2VVX1
The pair finished eating, preparing travel supplies and took their leave closer to lunch time. From the air sitting on a soft cloud was Ginsu who watched silently with a sad expression on his face in knowing what she was going to learn in the end. He took a deep breath and opened a mental link with his elder brother. Brother, please, allow me to use a spell to show her exactly what happened with her parents in their past. He pleaded softly with slight pain in his internal voice.679Please respect copyright.PENANAe0BkKrGW9V
679Please respect copyright.PENANA2tUMJpSCiP
Ginsu, we’ve been over this and the answer is still no. Hiatsu responded back with his stern attitude. We are not to rush things and interfere when we are not needed. She must learn of their history on her own by way of that book. He felt a small twitch from under one eye as his younger brother began to complain and try to rationalize his reasoning for wishing to meddle. Would you care to also tell me you desire to protect her mortal life from death once more by ways of the God or Goddess of Life? He questioned sharply while going over some papers in his office. 679Please respect copyright.PENANAKO8HYGSmhO
679Please respect copyright.PENANAWMn1DdFEOG
Ginsu’s shoulders fell as he looked down at his lap of his crossed legs. But…but brother, please, I just want to guide her. I’m sure if I guide her then things will be easier for her to handle when she learns the ordeal her father suffered. He waited for a response before speaking again. I don’t want her having fear of herself when she sees how his bloodline caused his love pain and death in the end. 679Please respect copyright.PENANAAzI80QcNvI
679Please respect copyright.PENANAWWurCsu19j
Hiatsu heaved a heated breath and not only from the fact he was going over a lengthy report of Marizu going on an unplanned, and unordered, killing spree of some leader’s soldiers. Listen to me right now and listen well. If she cannot handle that then we must turn to focus on her brother to defuse Emperor Amoxious’s war attempt to bring the remaining islands not under a dictatorship to run under his hand.679Please respect copyright.PENANA95JAIiKRkB
679Please respect copyright.PENANAZGwcZ8WdOC
I know but, I just- 679Please respect copyright.PENANA4BXIWYZUCT
679Please respect copyright.PENANAkysfmHvJfL
GINSU! The sudden shout cutting him off caused Ginsu to wince as he flinched. I’m letting you watch over her after your detention and punishment for not equipping Marenzo with the proper tools to get himself, and Alura out safely so you wouldn’t need to revive them both. Now, because you had to revive them both, we must ensure neither of them dies before either the final battle or her brother is ready to fight in her place. Hiatsu huffed with irritation and a sharp coldness to his internal voice. Silence filled the space between them with pain stabbing Ginsu’s chest. You are to watch over them and step in when needed to keep them both alive. Nothing else is to be done by you or you will be trying my hand, understand? He questioned strictly.679Please respect copyright.PENANASR86lQeudr
679Please respect copyright.PENANAQoRrnAjEDV
Reluctantly Ginsu released a shaking breath with a slight nod of his fallen head. Understood…brother, I’ll stay out of sight and keep them safe at a distance.679Please respect copyright.PENANAVVr4VngKoz
679Please respect copyright.PENANACGxlmaGzeY
Good. I’m glad you finally understand. With that the God of Fire closed the mental link with his Water God brother. In his office Hiatsu leaned back and rubbed his eyes with one hand which made four golden bracelets clink and jangle slightly. “One down and one to go,” he groaned before summoning an orb like creature made of flames. “Hunt down Marizu and bring him here for me.” The orb flickered and vanished to do as it was ordered. Hiatsu looked back at the paperwork with growing frustration towards his middle brother. “I swear I might need to invest in a shock collar spell for him to keep casualties low when he becomes bored.”679Please respect copyright.PENANAK8PQhu6bUo