Well, What Now?

An old man with a jovial expression on his face is in a rocking chair with a feeling of comfort surrounding him.

"Well, I'll tell you kids straight- I hate answering questions, and we don't have much time anyway, but I'll do my best. Ask away!"

Simon's growling stops, as he turns to stare at Annie.

Exchanging glances with Simon, she steps forward and begins to speak.

"My brother Liam, is he alive? Is he safe? Where is he now?" All these come out in succession.

"Yes, yes, and not telling. Next question? Come on, we're running short on time!"

With an initially relieved face that quickly turned sour at the last answer, she turns to Simon and motions him to ask his share of questions. He quickly steps forward.

The old man smiles. "You know, I always loved dogs. I'll spend more time on your answers, as a favor!"

Simon frowns. (Is this old man just trying to piss me off?)

"Ahem. How did you know I was coming? And why can't I remember anything? And I had a weird dream earlier... do you know what it meant? And most importantly... why the hell do I look like this?"

Simon spread his arms wide, motioning toward his animalistic body.

"I knew because we of the Elders are all connected; what they see, we all see. I'm not going to tell you the details on that, because it's unimportant. But anomalies can be spotted easily... and whether or not you are a threat has yet to be assessed. That old gal in the capital has faith in you for whatever reason, so you have been left breathing- be thankful that I don't get rid of an abomination of a mut like you."

At this point, the facade of a kindly grandfather seems to have been shed; seems like he is an elder who disagrees with Simon living.

(Screw this shady old man... So I guess he lied about liking dogs? I have a bad feeling he might just wipe me out if I say anything though. But why?)

That's right, Simon was fearful. His primal instincts heightened even further with his bestial body and mindset could tell that the old man was unfathomably powerful. And even more so, hostile to him.

(He must be higher then a 5*... Maybe even a 7*, like I read in that book... He could eliminate me with a stray wave of the hand in that case.)

"As for you not remembering anything... that should pass within 10 years, though likely even earlier if you encounter things to jog your memory. Don't ask about the details; It's not like they matter anyway."

(I. Hate. This. Old. Man.)

"And as for your... disturbing appearance, that's the consequence of a ritual from a group that has been eliminated more then 100 years ago. Though that might not seem like much coming from a man like myself who has lived for over 600 years, I'll tell you outright that they were terrifying. I'm not going to say anymore other then that their work on bodily experimentation and... fascination so to speak with the depths of nature... was offensive to every intelligent race with something resembling a conscience."

(... That book I remember seeing, with those monsters in it back on earth... Was it the studies of that group? How did it get on earth? And how did I get the opportunity to see it?) Simon couldn't help but wonder about his past, and his relation to the group that made the body he inhabits.

"Ahem, since I answered your questions... You'll need to do something for me. Make your way to the capital; it will be a long journey, but trust me when I say it'll be worth it. Young girl, I must state again the powerful destiny you have; your prodigious talent within your generation is second only to your younger brother. You must compete with other young scions in the future to ascend to the top; you will surpass my level at a much younger age then mine. Oh, and take along the dog I guess; currently, he is as strong as you despite being only around a 2*. Beasts with their instincts always did have an advantage in direct combat."

And with a hearty laugh he begins to fade into sand, and the room around him seems to collapse.

"Oh, and I suggest you leave before this place collapses around you; the door behind you will lead you right outside. If you die here, the old gal and the rest of those crotchety old folks will talk my ears off if they see me again!"

And soon after he said this, he disperses completely.

Annie and Simon nod at each other, and reach for the door- their ticket out of there.

************

They open the door and can't help but be surprised yet again.

They look around and see themselves at the foot of a mountain; the same mountain that Simon fell from to begin with, yet this time in the cover of night.

Looking at each other, Annie lights a flame with mana on the tip of her finger, and speaks first.

"You know, you don't have to go to the capital with me. As far as I can guess, the timing makes me think they want me to enroll in the school there. I'm not one for school since I'm mainly self taught except for Joel's guidance-"

She stops there with a glum look on her face.

"I'll go with you. As of right now, you're the only one I know; and it seems like the same with you. And it seems like you forgot that I need to go there as well."

"Well... I don't want to treat you like a guard dog..."

"I don't want you to either. That's why we will watch each others backs. Neither of us are invincible, and who says the road to the capital will be safe or easy? You snipe, and I maul; we'll make a good team."

Annie has a faint look of surprise on her face, before smiling appreciatively.

"Thank you Simon. You really are like a dependable little brother."

"Better then a dog."

"Oh, that too."

"Oi."

And as she laughs, a curtain closes over that portion of her life, and her sad memories and jumbled thoughts are locked away; until she accomplishes her goals with the strange man mixed with beast before her...

"...Hey, Annie."

"Hm? What is it?"

"Ah, nevermind. I just remembered what I forgot in the place I woke up in. Probably wasn't that important. Now, lets get going. You know where the main road is?"

"Eh, we'll find out."

"Not a reassuring thing to hear from a self proclaimed prodigy hunter."

************

A silent dark stone room can be seen. Next to an indentation in the floor of the ancient chamber is an empty stone chest.

In the vaguely human shaped indentation, a black liquid can be seen filling it up, ever so slowly...