13 Beautiful dream

English is not my first language so you might find some mistakes in the translation of the chapter.

This book has been translated by me by various means to get the best result so you can find some simple or normal redactions.

Enjoy the chapter.

*****

In the middle of nowhere stood a lone tree.

The tree stood atop a small hill overhanging in the middle of a beautiful valley of roses. Each of the roses had a must-have beauty giving a unique look to the empty space of this place.

Under the tree rested a white-haired girl with red eyes as she smiled sadly.

She was sitting on the ground while leaning her back against the tree. In her hands she held a beautiful green colored stone which was protected in her chest showing the affection she had for the small object.

The girl was humming a tune waiting for someone to hear her as she watched the evening light waiting for them to come back for her.

She longed to return the stone she held in her hands; she had cared for it all along while waiting for that special person to return for her after so long waiting.

At that moment, a figure came out of the roses and made its way through them while some of them fell on the sides of the figure, making the beauty of the roses dazzle.

It was a woman who had made her presence felt in that inhospitable place.

The beauty she displayed made the people around her witness a wonderful sight, unfortunately there was no one else in that place to witness such beauty.

The beautiful woman was carefully watching the little girl in the tree. Long ago she had sworn to take care of her and protect her from the world thanks to a promise she made with her sister.

Unfortunately, she failed to protect the child and sealed her own fate.

One day the girl had disappeared without a trace.

The woman searched for the girl in every corner of the world. She faced powerful creatures that crossed her path, showed no mercy to her enemies, destroyed valleys in the battles she had and until the end she had to be stopped from getting lost on her way.

She was never able to find the girl after that day.

The only thing the woman found in that place was the shiny green stone that the girl wanted to return to the woman when she came back for the little girl.

The stone was under the same tree where the girl used to be waiting for the woman's return.

In that place the woman told the little girl great stories, and she always showed a beautiful smile full of innocence and happiness.

The woman has cursed herself ever since.

Ever since she was born, she had done so.

Her sister's last wish had been for her to take care of her children and give them a wonderful life.

The woman did not want to see the children, she always told herself every day, you will only bring evil into their lives and do no good.

The sins that the woman credited herself with were very high and she always said that she was not worthy of being able to take care of them and would only bring misfortune if she ever took care of them.

At some point she asked herself a question.

What if I try it just once?

She put aside every thought of misfortune she used to have and met her sister and her sister's children.

The woman saw her sister again, her beautiful white hair glistened in the light coming through the window, a kind and pure person who always had a smile, she could relax everyone with her presence.

She was loved by all, valued life and was grateful to others. Even while bedridden she was still smiling with happiness to see her sister who came to see her.

Near it was a bed with many cloths surrounding two small figures who were curled up side by side.

A beautiful boy with white hair and red eyes, likewise the girl had white hair and red eyes like her older brother.

They both looked like a cute bunny waiting to be cared for by their mother.

The boy was taken by a very wise old man, and they went to live in a remote village far away from any existing evil in the world. The old man promised to teach the boy and help him grow up to eventually show him the path he should follow.

The little girl was still waiting in her mother's arms for someone to take her away to give her a good life away from the problems her mother was carrying.

The woman moved her hand to caress her sister's daughter.

The little girl just moved her hands from side to side and when she felt the touch of something on her cheek the little girl's small hands grabbed the strange object.

It had been the woman's finger that had touched the girl's cheek.

The girl let out a gentle laugh that was transmitted among all those in that place, pushing away any negative thoughts that might get in the way of the happiness of all those present.

The smile the little girl showed had gladdened the woman's heart. She took the child in her arms and cuddled her close to her while showing a genuine smile.

The girl had been taken by the woman.

The mother's illness had taken its toll all the years she had been resisting it and eventually she closed her eyes as she drifted off into a dream but not before thanking her sister for her help.

She had gone to sleep for eternity.

The girl and the woman went on their way and settled in a village away from the danger zones maintaining a quiet and happy life.

The woman took care of her, fed her, watched her grow up, taught her everything she knew, and was by her side every moment of her life.

Whenever the woman saw the girl's eyes, she could only get angry with the man who joined with her sister. She never accepted him and always looked at him with disdain but when the girl said that her own eyes were beautiful the woman could only accept the facts.

Still, amidst all that had happened she was grateful that she had brought her sister happiness until the last moment.

Her sister was always in her room, she could not do much in the course of her life and every time she spent with someone was enough for her.

She had said that her children were all her happiness and she hoped they would have an amazing life, something she could not have but still enjoyed every moment she could.

When the woman lost the little girl she fell into an abyss of despair, the little girl was the light of her life, the reason why she had smiled again... and now the little girl was gone.

Her sister's will had been taken over by someone else.

The woman promised to put aside her own personal sins and offered the girl everything she had until the end.

She did not mind someone seeing her like that, witnessing her weakness at its worst and hearing the noise she hated so much.

That is why she cried with remorse that time.

Something she promised herself since she joined a Family together with her sister.

And now there was no one who could bring silence at that moment.

When she was born, she thought she had stolen her sister's talent and considered it a sin. For that reason, she hated her own noise, that was the way she referred to her abilities.

The girl's noises brought smiles to the woman and she for the first time loved the noise she heard, even her own.

Unfortunately, the happiness did not last forever.

This place represents the girl's soul, an eternal tranquility where the girl would always wait for the woman's return, on the other side the woman could only see her from afar as the girl grew up in solitude.

The woman could not go for the girl, she had already been reunited with her sister.

The little girl was smiling and remembering the happy moments she spent with her stepmother and was looking forward to meeting her brother.

This dream was only a representation of the girl's soul which was changing to adapt to the new life she was having. To save herself and move on another soul came, both souls joined together to give a new life.

The woman only witnessed the change, she could no longer follow the path of life and pursued her own interests.

The girl was beginning to remember she got up from the ground and began to walk off into the sunset.

Before she left the girl turned her head and gave a smile to the only person who was watching her as she continued on her way. This caused the woman to let out a tear as she smiled in happiness as she watched herself disappear from this place leaving the girl alone again.

The little girl remembered her stepmother's words.

Stories of incredible people defeating powerful enemies even in the most difficult situations.

She looked forward every day to the moment when she and her brother would meet, enjoy joking together, enjoy life and get to know each other better.

And that made her happy even in the darkest moments.

After all she was Riku ....

*****

"!"

Opening my eyes in surprise I can only shudder at the dream I just had.

Sweat was running down my entire body, I did not understand what had happened and I was shaking with fear.

The tears in my eyes came out non-stop, with my hands I tried to stop them without any success. For some strange reason that dream was something more than it seems.

That empty landscape with flowers in my mind and the beautiful woman looking at me in the distance and then I said goodbye to her and walked away from the tree.

A longing inside me surfaced every time I remembered her face, it was not a feeling of falling in love with her, I could define it as a desire to see her again even if it was just one more time.

She took care of me since I was a baby and even after I disappeared, she never abandoned me and always tried to find me.

The beautiful dream I had was not mine, it was Riku's showing me the one wish she had before she disappeared.

Apparently, this body has memories and I needed to find them. With what I just saw it gives me enough information to know my origin but now I need to know what happened to Riku after she was kidnapped.

I will have time to do that.

"Where...?"

My eyes wandered all over the place trying to find something I could identify; the problem was that because of the previous sensation it was quite difficult for me.

I turned my head from side to side until the pain slowly disappeared and I blinked to get my vision used to it.

"Ah"

Eventually I remembered the reason why my body aches and I am lying in a bed.

That night I had been attacked by that cat man in the middle of the night, he tortured me every moment he could and almost strangled me to death.

Thanks to the death of that God at that moment I was able to escape from him and eventually managed to kill him and escape from the place.

After I escaped from the place, I ran without stopping. As I was beginning to see darkness someone saved me, and I cried like I had never cried before.

"..."

The memories were constantly coming back making me shudder with fear but at the same time I was upset that I did not manage to do something at the time.

I was weak at my best.

"Everything is fine, nothing happened"

Talking to myself I was trying to let myself know that that was just an unfortunate encounter and would not happen again.

This world has just shown me the reality that if I am not strong enough, fear will dominate me, and I will feel that horrible sensation every time I am scared.

Memories of my old life are helpful in trying to settle my thoughts and stay calm. Having been an adult helps a lot in calming me down after unfortunate events.

The fear is still present in me but in smaller quantities, I could resist it and adapt to it.

Wiping the tears from my face that had fallen when I woke up, I took a seat on the edge of the bed and tried to figure out what I should do at this point.

I checked my body carefully and observed the bandages I had on my body. My chest was covered in its entirety, my left arm was covered in the same way and my left leg was bandaged in the same way.

I was wearing shorts and an undershirt.

I had only received serious damage in these places and everything else in my body was healed by potions that were provided to me in my opinion.

I did not take a big mental hit because I used to be 21 years old, but the emotions at the time did pose a problem for me.

*Chiiiir*

The door to my room opened calling my attention and making me turn my eyes towards the door, I saw a person at the entrance hesitating to enter.

Syr walked in slowly and I just smiled at her as I waved with my healthy hand causing her eyes to widen in surprise.

Her joy was so high that she ran to me while giving me a tight hug making me shudder from the little pain it caused me.

"Riku, you're awake! I'm glad you're okay!"

"Of course I am, Who do you think I am?"

"Yes, it's true"

She pulled away from me and we both stood in an awkward silence not knowing what to say. I did not want to talk because I wanted to think but I needed to talk to someone to let them know I was okay.

"Then"

"Yes?"

"How are you feeli-?"

"I'm better than ever"

Syr's eyes widened at my outburst, and she gave me a look that showed her bewilderment and concern for me.

I guess telling a person you are fine after almost dying is not a normal thing for someone to hear.

I just laughed at her as she did not know what to do and I could see a slight pout on her face changing the mood of the place to a better one.

"Thanks to the encounter with that man I was able to learn about my past"

"Really?!" Syr exclaimed with joy.

"Yes"

"That's great Riku!"

The joy expressed by Syr was just as high as mine, discovering this body's past was good for me.

I was extremely grateful to have received answers about me. The whole time I was worried that I would run into someone who recognized me and not know what to do.

I always worried if this body had memories or a past which would affect my view of my own life or force me to continue with something I had done before.

But the memory I experienced was better than I expected... I am pretty glad it was just a memory.

"Do you... want to talk about it?"

I see Syr's body start to tense up a little at the question and I can only shrug my shoulders making her even more puzzled.

"Of course, I could use a word with you"

I watch as this lightens the mood and she grabs a chair as she takes a seat near my bed, exactly next to me.

"Do you also wish to hear it Mama Mia?"

"What?"

Syr turned in surprise and saw Mama Mia standing in the doorway staring at me, or more accurately looking at my body for trouble.

She entered the room and closed the door behind her, stood close to me and looked at me critically.

"Are you sure you want to talk about it? Yesterday Anya said you fainted because of the situation you went through"

"Yes... I think it's the best thing to do if I want to put what I experienced behind me and move on"

"Heh, cheeky brat"

Mama Mia just laughed at my 'bravery' making me blush for some strange reason. My childish mind sometimes complicates things for me.

I shook my head denying any thoughts that came to mind and focused on what I needed to do.

"Well... it wasn't a complete memory about me, but I was under a tree on a little hill. Around the hill was a valley of roses and the rest was empty, I was watching the sunset"

"How?" Syr asks me.

"It wasn't a memory; it was more of a... desire"

"Huh?"

"I was alone, I had in my hand a bright green stone and I wanted to give it back to her. In that place she was watching me b-but I could not do anything... I couldn't"

"Are you sure you want to continue?"

My gaze had darkened with sadness and pain at the last thing I had said. Syr had been worried, and Mama Mia tried to find out if she could go on.

Even if I did not live through it, Riku's memories joined me, and I felt everything she had felt that time.

"Yes... I'll keep talking"

"..."

"In that place I was waiting for her, and I was enjoying the view, she was far away from me, as if she was protecting me, but the look on her face was one of regret"

"The woman" I was interrupted by Mia.

"What's wrong Mama Mia?"

"How did she look like?"

I guess curiosity got the better of her, Mama Mia probably knows her.

"She was... beautiful. There is no other word to describe her, she had snow white skin and silver hair. A black dress that came down to her feet and she had a necklace with a green gemstone. She also wore dark semi-transparent gloves"

"!"

When I spoke Mia's gaze became critical. She evaluated every word and I could see one of her eyes narrow but she quickly calmed down.

"But among all that, the look she had ruined everything about her"

"What were they like?"

"Did you say something Syr?" to my surprise it was not Mia who spoke but Syr, she looked very upset for some strange reason.

"What were her eyes like?"

"Hm... they were heterochromatic. Her right eye was green while the left was gray, the look was regretful and sadness was expressed in full"

"Hm"

"You know something Syr?"

If she knows about the person, I saw in that dream Riku's memories could return in full.

I do not know why I wanted them so much if they didn't belong to me, but my being wanted to find them and resolve the doubts I had.

Also my past is involved in something, that woman was not someone normal. The ground showed me my birth and the strength of the woman who had taken care of me.

There were also more people in the dream.

Even another child just like me.

"I'm sorry...I thought it was someone I knew and I was wrong"

I saw Mama Mia and she just shook her head at me, although I saw her give Syr a sidelong glance.

I was saddened, but I did not want to keep myself this way simply by not guessing a memory, I could find more in the future.

"Leaving aside that you might have remembered something there are some people who want to see you"

"What?"

"You there, get the hell out!"

At the entrance to my room were all my female companions from the pub and some of them brought with them some food and drinks.

"Woahh"

"We made you pizza nya!"

"We also brought drinks!"

"And some things to make you better!"

"We all help nya!"

"They were all worried when they saw you, enjoy this moment" I looked at Mama Mia who just gave me a smile and left the room leaving me alone with them.

It's nice to have people who care about me.

*****

The afternoon went smoothly.

My body had been healed with high grade potions and the only thing the others were concerned about was my mental health.

After several questions and a lengthy discussion about my condition, I was declared healthy and allowed to leave my room.

Even though I had left my room I was not allowed to be separated from May in the kitchen and some girls even thought of tying a rope from my and May's wrist.

Others stated that it was too much to do and dismissed the idea.

As compensation I gave some food ideas to May and she was very happy with me.

The one I was a little worried about was Anya who had rescued me.

She saw me at my weakest moment and that let her know that behind all my personality there was nothing to defend me from others.

I had a talk with her to let her know that it was the first time I killed a person and I almost died.

We put the problem aside, but she told me to visit her if I had thoughts about it. Killing someone is easy but the feeling it leaves is hard to overcome.

And now I was with Mama Mia.

"What do you want girl? There are too many things to do, you are already feeling better to be wasting your time"

"Even if it's in private?"

"Hm, I guess you'll talk about that, follow me"

I followed Mia through the pub and we went into a room that was not very furnished compared to the others.

"Speak child, What do you wish to know?"

"You know her, don't you?"

"..."

"My mind always floods with a longing to see her again, but I don't know who she is enough to do that. That memory is frustrating me a bit and I can think you know that from the look you made and the look you gave Syr when I described the woman"

Mama Mia was silent as she folded her arms across her chest and closed her eyes to think. She could feel the atmosphere very tense just by being in front of her.

I had never felt so nervous since I came into this world and I had never tried to face Mia in this way.

"Yes"

The statement she gave made a stir inside me which was worth a look from Mia.

"Could you... tell me?"

"Why should I?"

The look Mama Mia gave me this time was a hard one making me shudder at the gravity of her words.

Still, I did not want to back out now that I was already here, I'm going to use my best cards to try to get that information.

"Because now I am your responsibility"

"Ohh, what does that have to do with that woman?"

"If I go on like this, I won't make any progress in my life and there will come a point when I may break down because I don't know the truth. At that point it will be your fault"

We both looked at each other for a few seconds but I was losing the battle and lowered my gaze to Mia's because I could not resist her.

Whenever I see Mama Mia, I remember that she can do whatever she wants to me for the simple fact that she is stronger than me.

"What I'm about to tell you might affect you, but you are more mature than girls your age" Mama Mia shook her head in denial "Even if I refuse you will insist for a long time, your desire is too great to ignore"

"Are you okay with that?"

I just nodded seriously at Mia's question and she let out an annoyed sigh and then started talking.

"Her name was Alfia, nicknamed Silence. She used to be part of the Hera Family and was a level 7 adventurer"

"!"

My mind consumed every word she said and the surprise that came over me made me stagger to the point where Mama Mia grabbed my arm to keep me from falling.

"Look at you, just knowing that is-"

"Please continue!"

Mia just looked at me surprised by my outburst, I had never interrupted her before, let alone raised my voice.

My gaze met hers again and we began a staring contest which again I was losing.

I came to ask for her help and now I am disrespecting her for no reason. I just looked down again, but I was afraid of getting a scolding from her for not respecting her.

But it never arrived.

"Seven years ago, the Hera Family and the Zeus Family were defeated by the black one-eyed dragon. It was believed that all their members perished, but the survivors left Orario and each went their own way"

I looked up and saw Mia's face searching for more answers.

"..."

"..."

"There's more missing, right?"

"If I tell you the following you might collapse upon learning of the actions, she took some time ago"

"It doesn't matter, I wanted to meet her and I don't care what she did, part of the fault was mine for disappearing and giving her more of a burden than she had"

"*sigh* damn girl"

I do not care what happened to my stepmother.

Riku's name came at that time when I introduced myself to Mia and Syr, now I am looking for answers from the previous Riku.

Now I am Riku and I will do my best to find the person she wants so much. Her wish became mine and I will also be able to know if there is something else behind the story.

I do not know how Riku disappeared, but if her mind created that place it must have been a very cruel moment for her.

Now it is my turn.

She wanted to meet this woman named Alfia, she is her stepmother and now she is my stepmother, not an aunt.

Part of me says it is better to call her stepmother and not aunt or else I'll get a punishment that will make me shudder with fear.

Curious.

"This is information that few people in Orario know so listen carefully"

*Nod*

"She was part of a group called Evilus"

"What?!"

"Keep quiet!"

"S-sorry"

*Sigh*

"Her goal was not the same as theirs. She and her partner joined a god and collaborated with Evilus to bring back the age of heroes and create one that would end the calamity that exists in the world"

"She set herself up as a challenge to the people who stood up against the chaos. She showed her honor as an adventurer and in the end was defeated by the Astraea Family"

"..."

My mind had gone blank.

The likelihood of her not doing that would have been much greater if I still stood by her, but that was not the case.

I was taken away from her. After a while she and another adventurer took the case to Orario in search of someone to save the world.

Even if the chaos itself caused her to lose me she carried on with all the pain she constantly carried without being able to regret it.

She had cried for me and went forward out of a desire to save the world, she sought to bring peace to the only thing she had left.

She was my stepmother.

And I have a brother to meet in the future.

"I want to join a Family"

"What do you say girl?"

My statement made Mama Mia a little angry and she only answered me with an accusatory question.

For my part I just looked at her for a moment and pouted to show her that I was not going to answer her and she had to keep talking to me.

I am a tsundere and it will work for me.

"Your age is too low to start the adventurer's trade"

"I know"

"You'll have a lot of trouble when it comes to fighting monsters"

"I know"

"You will be an easy target for your enemies and make your name known to the world"

"I know woman! That's why I want to join a Family to be strong!"

"Hoo, you have nerve to yell at me and try to force me to accept your proposal"

"You are an idiot not to understand me big woman!"

"What did you just say damn girl?!"

"Ah"

While Mia was angry, she placed her palm on my head and squeezed it a bit showing who should dominate in this situation.

"Eh, s-sorry Mama M-Mia"

"..."

"..."

"Do you want to join a Family?"

"..."

"What did you just say brat?"

"Yes"

"Say it loud so I can hear you!"

"Yes, I want to join a Family and seek the truth of my past!"

"It's okay"

"Wait what?"

There was no lack of bewilderment on my face.

Mama Mia removed her hand from my head and when I saw her, I could see the typical look of a proud mother to her daughter seeing that she accomplished something great on her own.

She was all the time aware of my actions and used them to see if even with the fear she was giving me she wanted to follow through with my desire.

The name Mama fits her very well.

"Joining a Family is not easy"

"Don't worry Mama Mia, there is a Goddess who will gladly accept me into her Family"

"Hm, you're ready now, eh"

"Tehe"

"Are you sure you will be accepted by that Goddess?"

"The look she gave me after the talk with her showed that she wanted to know more about me"

"When will you ask her?"

"Not yet, first I'll wait a week or a little longer to get used to the incident that happened"

"You've changed brat"

"Of course, you have taught me not to let others bully me, I must be brave not to cry all the time"

"Heh, let's get back to work, the food won't make itself"

"Yes, Mama Mia!"

Since I arrived for the first time, I feel that my life has become complete.

Riku's soul joined me and now I am Riku. My goal is to fulfill the will of the lost girl as well as the new will that I will forge in my path.

I took her body and now I will move on in this life that was offered to me.

I am Riku and no one else.

Even if I was someone else in the past in this instant my life has changed and now, I must fulfill the dream I had.

I will find my brother and talk to him about our stepmother Alfia.

Just wait.

I will join you.

I will become stronger.

And in the end...

You will be there when I meet my goal.

*****

The protagonist's body has a past in this world.

He was sent to this world and entered Riku's body and now they both became one, so do not think that she is a weak protagonist.

It is in process.

He does not know what happened to him in his old world, it still won't become clear and his past in his old world will come out slowly if necessary or just put it aside.

There's a little more to go before we get her into a Family so don't worry about her future, I still have to include Ryuu to the bar and the other two girls.

Thank you for reading.