I sat in a daze, not wanting to move, not wanting to eat, not wanting to think, not wanting... anything...
I stared at the old photograph as if spellbound. A painting? It didn't matter! Mum... Dad...
I had no one in that world, or rather, I did, but... they left, disappointed in me... I wasn't angry with them, no, I... I just felt nothing, as if they had never existed. I lived alone, did everything myself, made my own decisions, and was responsible for myself.
But...
Here...
Mum... looking at those golden eyes, at her smile, tears well up in my eyes, a lump forms in my throat that I can't swallow...
With trembling hands, I press the photo to my chest... and... a strange warmth begins to fill me from within.
I can feel her... her scent, her soft skin, her tears falling on me as she hands me over to the pleiades, knowing she will never see me again. Her sadness and pain, her heavy breathing... and her... love for me...
Love... what a strange word... how long ago I became disillusioned with that world when I couldn't find it, and how quickly I found it here... maybe... this was my destiny? To be unwanted there... and wanted here? Who knows... certainly not me...
"Mother..." I whispered the word softly, and a flood of pent-up emotions broke through the dam of my patience.
How long had it been since I said it? How long?!
"Mum!!!" I shouted.
Tears began to roll down my cheeks, burning them...
I... cried... why am I crying? These aren't my parents, this is a different world, I don't belong here...
But...
But why does it hurt so much? Why? It hurts so much!!!
"IT HURTS! IT HURTS!" I scream, pressing my hands to my heart, falling to the floor, my eyes closed, continuing to cry, tears streaming down my face like a torrent, destroying all barriers.
I try to calm down, catch my breath... but I can't... I just can't...
Why does it hurt so much? Why?
"Mum... Dad..." I continue to sob, staring at the ceiling. "...I... I miss you... I... love you too..."
Lying there and staring at the ceiling, I felt something...
I am lying on my knees, Narberal is stroking my hair, I turn my head and see Regina's sad smile, she is holding my hand and pressing her cheek against it, I look down and see Delta hugging me, her sad green eyes now closed, pressing herself against me. Looking up, I saw Zeta's warm smile as she hung on the web, looking at me with kindness and sadness. Looking down at my other hand, I saw the sad but happy face of Solushion, who was now hugging my hand and kissing it gently. Looking even lower, I saw the sad but very warm glow of Yuri's glasses, who was now sitting at my feet and quietly, gently stroking me. Not far from everyone, Sebas stood quietly, but with his head bowed in sadness, smiling warmly with a look of complete understanding.
"Trust the Pleiades and Sebas, they are your family now."
"Family..." I repeated the last word.
I always wanted to have a family, always... Is this... is this my chance?
(God? Is this why you sent me here? To give me what I wanted? Yes? And I almost refused, but thank you for not listening to me, I... I'm grateful to you... but you're still a jerk! You could have warned me...) I thought.
[You have received a gift from (unknown)]
[No holy magic will work on you now]
(Thank you... for the chance...) - I smiled.
[You have received a message from (unknown)]
[Be happy]
(I will, I must! I... I will never let my family die again!) - I thought angrily.
"Now..." I said. "You are my family, forever! Narbeal, Vasilisa, Yuri, Regina, Delta, Solushn, Sebas. You are my greatest treasure.
"Sir..." they said.
"And I promise you, I will do everything in my power to protect you!" I gave myself my word.
"Sir, you... you mustn't... it is we who must protect you..."
"I must! It is my duty and my desire. We are family; we must help each other. You protected me; now it is my turn to protect you."
Warm smiles were my answer.
I tried to stand up, but then I saw Yuri's outstretched hand.
"Let me help you, Mr. Arden," said Alpha, tilting her head to one side.
I smiled and silently held out my hand to her, and she pulled me towards her, quickly lifting me up and hugging me, pressing me close to her, and whispered softly:
"I missed you very much, sir." She kissed me gently on the cheek, smiled, and walked back to the others.
"What are your orders, Mr. Arden?" my family asked, bowing.Looking around at them... my heart filled with warmth and determination. I must protect them, at any cost, but how?
What power in this world could give me strength and might? Such that they would fear and respect me, who is capable of being so strong that I would not join any side?
Who is so strong that they don't give a damn about anyone else and are their own master? After all, in this world, everything is already divided, everyone already knows their place...
Although... what? It might work... oh, I'm getting myself into a terrible adventure...
But if it works... I'll gain power that will be able to destroy everything at my command...
"We need... dragons!
***
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