29 In the other realm 1

Linden, Fahren

Drowning out the noise from the other students in the vicinity, the girl focused on the circular target. Her hand holding the bow was slightly unsteady.

"Focus, Aria." Kanna advised, while trying to adjust the other girl's arm.

Aria calmed herself before trying once again. As she stabilized her form, she let the shaft go. The arrow flew straight to the target, and finally hit right at the center.

"Wow! You said that it was the first time you played archery. I am quite impressed." Kanna applauded.

"Beginner's luck." Aria replied with downcast eyes. She then quietly loaded another arrow and tried to aim at the target.

She let go of the arrow and again… another bullseye…

However, this time, Kanna did not focus on Aria's archery skill. Kanna's brown eyes had zoomed in on her friend's pale face. Her brows creased with worry. Aria looked more forlorn than usual.

After her twin brother's untimely death, Aria seemed to have suffered from depression. Kanna was afraid that Aria might turn into a shut in like Aris used to.

When the Hausen couple died, Aris turned into a recluse to cope with the loss. Aria was forced to become the responsible one, despite being younger than her brother.

However, this time, she lost her twin and Kanna was worried that Aria would do the same as her brother and become a shut in.

It was a good thing that Anika returned home for a while. The twin's older sister had taken a break from her job and organized everything.

Unfortunately, after the funeral, Anika was called back on the job and had to leave her youngest sibling alone.

Kanna recalled how the older girl asked her parents to be Aria's temporary guardian. Her parents had agreed but the Aria refused to live with them.

Kanna understood that someone had to stay in the Hausen household, so they agreed upon the arrangement that she will check on her best friend from time to time.

"Kanna, please take care of her. I wanted to stay but my superiors already called for me." Anika said while carrying her luggage to the car. Anika looked really conflicted.

"I will take care of her. I promise." The other girl vowed. She had to reassure the older sibling that Aria will be in good hands.

Relieved, Anika hugged her before turning to her younger sibling. "I am sorry, I have to go. Please keep yourself, safe always. I will find time to go back here so that I can check on you, okay?"

Aria just simply nodded. She did not even shed tears as her older sister bid farewell. She seemed more like an emotionless doll.

Kanna was a bit worried since the other girl had to live alone. So, she had tried her best to be by her side and keep her preoccupied.

But it was not only her promise with Anika that she was taking care of Aria. Kanna had felt guilty since she was also indirectly, the reason why Aris died. Hence, Kanna had been keeping an eye on the other girl.

Aria still attended classes like she used to. She was also active in her club activities.

But Kanna knew that the other girl seemed like she was forcing herself. It was like she was dead inside while pretending to be alright.

Today's archery lesson is Kanna's latest attempt in helping the other girl fight depression. Since the other members of the archery club are not here. They got the area to themselves. Kanna had been teaching her best friend how to use a recurve bow.

She was quite surprised that Aria was not only good with hand to hand combat and swordsmanship. Aria was very much a marksman. She hit the bullseye several times.

"Can we go now?" Aria asked which made Kanna snapped out of her reverie.

Instead of answering, Kanna asked. "Should I accompany you to your house?"

"Don't be silly. I know my way home. Besides, I will be dropping by…somewhere." With a smile that did not reach her eyes, Aria replied.

"Are you going to visit him? It had been 40 days." Kanna could not help but feel a bit anxious for some reasons. Call it intuition, but she had a feeling that something might happen.

"Yes. I will be visiting them." Aria muttered while stuffing her things in her duffel bag.

Then Kanna remembered something. "Before, I forget." Kanna opened her locker. She then took a sword encased in a wooden scabbard.

Carefully, she handed it to the other girl. "Grandfather, asked me to return this. He had already finished maintaining and sharpening this one."

Aria unsheathed the katana. The blade reflected her reddish-brown eyes like mirror.

"Please thank grandpa Kevin for me. He did a really great job with this one. I cannot maintain father's collection on my own." She put the sword back in its scabbard.

Kanna nodded. She knew that the girl will not be able to handle things alone. The Hausens had a collection of ancient weaponry.

Aside from the ones displayed in their dojo, Hausen house almost served like a museum in their fair town.

The Hausen siblings had to take care of the weapons that had been handed down from their ancestors.

After wrapping the sword with a cloth, the girls took their bikes and navigated their way through the town.

They stopped by a flower shop before they pedaled their way to their destination.

The crushing of the waves and the salty air from the beach accompanied them as their bike sped towards the cliff where the town's graveyard was located.

Rows of tombstones greeted them as they made their way through. They stopped at the Hausen's family mausoleum, which now shelter three of Aria's immediate family.

After offering the flowers and paying respects, Kanna awkwardly tried to leave. She knew that Aria wanted some time alone.

"It is getting a bit late…." Kanna started while watching the setting sun, which had been reflected in the water.

"You can go ahead. Your house is a bit far than mine. I will stay here for a few more minutes." Aria quietly incised.

"Call me if you need help." Kanna hugged her friend.

She did not want to leave her but she was aware that Aria will not show her emotions unless she left her alone.

"I will be fine. I will just drop by the graveyard for a bit." Aria smiled with reassurance, so Kanna had to get up and leave.

As Kanna's figure disappeared from view, Aria finally allowed her tears to fall.

Aria grieved. "This is unfair! Why do you have to die in my stead?"

"I have lost someone dear again... and I wasn't able to do anything..."she sniffled.

It took a few minutes before she calmed down. By now, the sun had sunk at the horizon and the skies began to darken.

Ominous wind blew which made the girl's hair stood. "What is up with this?" she muttered as goosebumps appeared on her skin.

Suddenly, there was a surge of energy in the air and light illuminated the secluded area just a distance from the graveyard.

Aria did not feel any fear. Instead, curiosity seemed to have taken over. So, quietly, she made her way towards the area at the back of the graveyard.

It was an old site overgrown with trees and bushes. The old tombs were already forgotten with time.

But her attention did not linger on the place, instead her eyes widened after seeing several figures emerged.

"No way..." her eyes widened. "How is it possible for that to exist here?" she muttered before she doubled over due to the pain that assaulted her.