A delicate balance 1.21 - ING. VERSIÓN

Viggo, his brothers and Aina walked forward along the main avenue. Orario was lived, with children playing on the sidewalks, adventurers advancing towards the city center and the commercial shops open on the sides of the street. The floats and carts advanced along the street, but always being careful with the careless and powerful adventurers. Those who advanced wherever they wanted.

-Everything remains the same- Viggo said with relief.

-Of course, silly- Flora said to her right -you only left for a year, it would be difficult and terrible for things to change too much in such a short time. Although of course, it would be good if some things changed-

-The gods will not leave their position of power so easily- Tatsumi said on the left -but as Flora says, it would be good if some things changed-

-The three of you, stop talking about terrible things- said Aina who was ahead of them, turned her neck to the side and looked at them in disregard -even someone like yours father respects the balance of power in the city-

-Sorry- the three of them said in unison and smiled. Aina denied and kept advancing ahead of them.

-Were you in the guild?- asked Viggo.

-Yes, we went to the dungeon early and came back early to sell our stones- Flora replied.

-I didn't know they had started going to the dungeon-

-Yes, at first we went with someone, but now we go alone. You would have seen how upset Dad was the first time we went to the dungeon. I swear to you, I almost died of shame-

-Yes- Tatsumi said frowning.

Viggo looked down with a small conformist smile. If he hadn't been so dumb, he would have gone with his brothers to the dungeon, they would be adventurous and have fun together. They grew up together at all times, but it was their own attitude that led them away. However, before Viggo could continue to feel self-pity, he received a fist of love in his head, courtesy of Flora.

-Stop thinking nonsense- Flora said as a scolding.

-Do you read the mind?- asked Viggo angrily, blowing the back of his neck.

-I don't need to read the mind of the Great Viggo, I know you like the back of my hand-

-Stop calling me that, I was... naïve-

-None of that, I'll remind you for the rest of our lives. If I don't bother you enough, I've stopped being your big sister-

Viggo frowned and muted –you're not even the oldest-

-Did you say anything?- asked Flora, raising her voice.

-No, nothing- replied Viggo and let out a sigh.

Once they arrived at the guild, Aina told them that she had to keep working and that they could go to the house without her. So the trio kept advancing through the city.

-Did those armors make them mom?- asked Viggo, paying attention to how Flora and Tatsumi dressed. Both wore a breastplate made of leather and a sword at the waist. They saw themselves as beginner adventurers, but with resources.

-No, dad made them- Flora said -but Mom and Aunt Mikoto took credit-

-Must be good for business-

-Yes, it was good for business-

Flora led the group of three along the street, taking Viggo and Tatsumi to see all kinds of shops. Flora was a girl to look at and try on clothes. On the other hand, Viggo and Tatsumi could only wait for their "older" sister.

Once Flora got bored of looking, they kept moving through the streets and she stopped at a local with a large glass window and wide wooden frame. It entered a white tiled floor and two pieces of furniture with large stained glass windows showing cubes with a creamy mix frozen inside. The creamy mix had all sorts of colors and looked appetizing, especially with the strong sun high in the sky.

Flora looked at Viggo, examined him from head to toe, and frowned -as always, the Great Viggo is useless- said -don't worry, your older sister will pay for you," he said.

-Huh?- said Viggo without understanding too much.

Flora ignored Viggo and entered the premises.

Tatsumi approached Viggo and said -just eat, Flora invites-

-Flora was capricious since she was a child- said Viggo.

-Throughout the year, we went to the dungeon and were training. Little by little she began to take the leadership and since it does not bother me, I let it be. It was good, it gave her a lot of confidence and maturity, but sometimes it's a bit heavy. Be patient-

-Man, you are too patient. I wish you were more like your sister-

-Tsubaki?- muttered Tatsumi, then looked at Viggo and said half-jokingly -it seems that the girls in our family have a strong personality-

-And that you say it...-

-What are the two of them talking about?!- Flora asked, bringing three cones with a ball of ice cream at the tip.

-Nothing, nothing- Viggo and Tatsumi said at the same time. They looked into each other's eyes and started laughing.

-Mmm, pair of fools if they keep laughing, I don't give them ice cream-

Viggo and Tatsumi covered their mouths and controlled their laughter. Then they each received an ice cream and continued to advance, reaching the street that was the limit of the blacksmith district, five blocks from their house.

While they were eating ice cream, Viggo asked -How is dad?-

-Just as annoying as ever- Flora said with some annoyance -all the time he wants to go and watch as we do in the dungeon-

-He just wants to see that we're doing it right- Tatsumi said -besides, it's just you who gets angry. I would like him to teach me many things, oto-sama is a master of the sword-

-And many other things- Viggo added.

-No way, it would be like being a baby again and being taken care of- Flora said definitively.

-Whatever, I'm going to ask him to go with me. I want to learn how to use the katana-

-Mmmm, that's cheating. If you become strong, so do I-

-Flora- Viggo said in a reconciling tone -stop wanting to pretend you're an adult. You have ten like the two of us-

-I'm not an adult, but I'm not a baby either!-

Tatsumi approached Viggo and whispered in him ear –she wants to look older so that Achilles will praise her-

-So precocious-

-That same thing, so precocious-

-Shut up, a couple of idiots, or I'll punish you- Flora said, her cheeks red and frowning.

Viggo smiled at the look of her so embarrassed and changed the conversation –talking about the trio of idiots– said –How are they?-

-Weeds never die- said Tatsumi -Jason is still just as loud, Odysseus just as boring, and Achilles just as friendly-

-Achilles is the best- Flora said as if it were the most logical thing to do.

Viggo and Tatsumi looked at each other and made a mocking smile –precocious brat, precocious brat– they began to chant.

-I'm not precocious- said Flora red from neck to ear

However, despite all his excuses, Viggo and Tatsumi kept singing her "precocious brat, precocious brat" all the way. Of course, the fists of love fell on both heads.

However, as they approached the house, Viggo became calmer and quieter. Once they reached the fence of the house, Viggo was frozen. He looked at the entrance grille made of molded bars and painted a pristine white. Behind the gate was a small corridor 1.5 meters wide and a staircase of five steps that came in front of the door of the house. On the right side of the fence was the large garden. Elevated to one meter from the floor of the street, flat surface and full of islands with flowers. In the background was the thick foliage of the apple tree. Her mother had told Viggo that this was her and his father's tree. It was the testimony of love that indicated that no matter how long it was waited, love will come one day.

Then Viggo felt someone take his right hand and another touch his left hand, where he carried his axe. He looked at Flora, and then looked at Tatsumi. They smiled and brought him closer to the fence. Flora took out the key, put it in the lock and opened it emitting a slight squeak.

-Must tell Dad to oil the hinges- Flora said.

However, Viggo was gone in his thoughts and I don't even hear her. He wondered how his father would receive him, what his words would be. He barely felt the advance and the closing of the fence behind him. He didn't even know how he climbed the steps or entered the house and advanced to the kitchen.

-Viggo- said Mikoto and Isabel, both with a happy smile at the look of him. They were going to approach, but when they saw him with a lost look, they stopped.

-Mom, auntie, leave him- Flora said -he got that silly when got to the door. Okay, do I think? It's just that he's afraid of how to face Dad-

Isabel let out a sigh and nodded. She walked to the door that led to the courtyard and opened it – he is in the courtyard, playing with Maria under the apple tree-

-Okay- Flora said, and carry Viggo by the arm, it seemed that his whole body was stiffened.

-Tatsumi- said Mikoto - take care of your onii-sama at all times-

-Yes, oka-sama-

That way, Flora and Tatsumi took Viggo to the yard next to the house. They advanced along the cobblestone roads through the flower islands bordered by red bricks. At the bottom of the garden was an apple tree and under its shade, there was a large pasture where they had put a white table and chairs of the same color. In the background and looking towards the street, a tall elf was sitting and pulled out white hair. His ears propped out 20 centimeters from his hair, thin in appearance and pointed finish. On the other side, near the table was a tender five-year-old girl crouching and cutting flowers that grew along with the undergrowth. Her soft golden hair carried her up to her shoulders, with some curls that graced her tender figure. She was wearing a honey-colored dress, with fringes on the edges and sleeves.

The girl named Maria heard the footsteps and looked up. His face lit up with a big smile and she ran to catch up with Viggo. Once she arrived in front of Viggo, she threw himself straight ahead and surrounded him with her arms around his waist, in a hug.

Viggo looked down and saw the tender Maria. Then he remembered how he spoke to his father the time he wanted to give him the sword. His eyes filled with tears, and he put his right hand to his face to cover his eyes.

Maria was surprised by Viggo's reaction, she looked at Flora and Tatsumi to be told if she had done anything wrong. They shook their heads. Flora took her by the hand and pushed her away from Viggo, who was crying with her head down and her eyes covered.

Viggo could only blame himself for being someone insincere. Since he hated to admit that his friend had overcome him, he wanted to show that he didn't care. That he was above all circumstances and didn't need anyone. He could be strong on his own and didn't need the hurt or help of others. However, remembering, he felt terrible every time he pushed his family away and said hurtful things to them.

Viggo heard footsteps across the cobblestone path and the next instant he felt a big hug.

-I thought the great Viggo never cried- said Kain (the tall elf) half-jokingly.

Viggo let go of the axe in his left hand and only stretched out his arms to hug him with all his might. At that moment he broke down and cried like never in life.