The last day of training, Canis and I fought, Canis reminded me to become a rock, sturdy, unyielding and unbreakable.
But rocks can break, so I told him that, shouldn't I become a tree instead of a rock?
It said, that wasn't the point, the point is, I need to be headstrong, while we were fighting I noticed a significant change in me, not just physically but my powers have grown, not significantly, but I can handle it with ease, activate it without trouble.
The training lasted until afternoon, I managed to beat up Canis Majora, of course, I was sorry after, but it said that I shouldn't be sorry, it was a good training session for what is to come.
Canis also told me something that got me thinking, it said that I should crush the idea and emotion of mercy, but how can I?
Isn't it human nature to have that emotion?
Canis said that I wouldn't need it and I shouldn't use it anymore.
Why would it say this?
Because I already shed blood, unconsciously and consciously.
It is referring to how I crushed the Behemoth, but humans are different, you know? I felt so guilty that I killed those people, but Doctor Edgar is right, if I didn't do that Forsythia would be the one to suffer…
In time, it told me that I will understand, the emotions of having mercy, pity, guilt will eventually disappear, since soon I will shed more blood and in order for Celestia to be safe, I need to have that blood on my hands.
It was cryptic, but I understood what it meant, it means that the Enemy Empire that attacked will come for me, and I won't have any choice but to face them, especially on how the growth of my powers is rapidly increasing.
The enemy is wary of me, that is why it is trying hard to search for me, I don't know why Aster is also being searched along with me, but their main target is me, Canis told me that I should remember that.
Our training finally finished, both of us are battered, Canis and I had scratches and bruises, Canis can just heal itself while Aster applied first aid on me, imagine having powers, but I can't use it on me, and others can't use it on you.
I'm surprised that there's still first aid kits in this world, of course, they can just heal themselves, but Aster explained that not everyone has healing powers, that is why there are still first aid kits around.
But I remembered something, Lucianus said.
"Did you really have the intent of killing me, Canis?"
-No, we cannot kill the Prophecy Holder
"Then what you said that 'with the intent to kill' is?"
-A farce
"..."
-But you were so afraid that you didn't even think of it, that is why I purposely missed my attacks when I was chasing you, or we were training in the first trial of training, I was testing your body.
"Oh…" I feel so stupid
-Humans are fragile after all but you are resilient, that is why I did not hold back anymore.
"Hahaha…"
-This is not the last time that we will meet, but I need to let you know how to summon me.
"Summon?"
-Say these words when you are calling for me: "Howl of the wolf, I summon thee"
"Howl of the wolf…"
-Call upon me whenever you are in a pinch, I will fight beside you.
"O-Okay"
-I will bid you farewell, Princess of the Star.
"Yes! Thank you f-for giving me a c-chance to fight beside y-you, it has been a great h-hounour!"
-I will now lift our connection, Princess of the Star
"U-Understood"
Canis made a long howl, and the magic circle that is following Aster disappeared with a flash.
-I am no longer communicating with the Princess of the Star.
"Why do you need to have a connection to only me?"
-So that enemies do not know of our conversation, and you have privacy in conversing with us.
"I see…"
-Also, I have already told the Princess of the Star, as well as the three siblings to take you to the Capital.
"Wha-"
-Sam and Aden are retired mercenaries, a great reward will be waiting for them if they escort you back to the Sun Empire, they agreed.
"When did you talk to them?"
-Yesterday, Midnight
"What was the need for you to do that?"
-You must not prolong your stay here any longer, enemies are starting to head here, the civilians here will be affected if you do not get moving, I also told this to the siblings.
"...I see"
-Everyone that you encounter is tied to you now Prophecy Holder, everything leads to you.
"..."
-I shall now say my farewell
"Goodbye"
With a very long howl that echoed through the forest Canis disappeared with a gust of wind.
"The training is finally over"
"How are you f-feeling?"
"Besides the sting on the scratches, I'm fine"
"T-That's good"
"By the way, I've been hearing something from Aden and Sam, about girls being kidnapped?"
"Yes, b-but what's strange a-about it is, the girls get taken back home, t-they don't remember w-who kidnapped them, but they really w-were kidnapped, th-"
"Hm?"
"That's why, Aden g-got very worried"
"I see"
"No description of the kidnapper?"
"N-None"
"Let's go back and have lunch already Aster, I'm hungry already"
"O-Okay"
Aster and I both went back to the cottage house, Aden and Ishana gave us food, we sat at the dinner table and Aster and I ate.
"Aden"
"Yes?"
"Thank you for rescuing us, and providing us with clothes and a meal, even though we don't have anything on us to offer"
"It is an honour serving you"
"When we get back we will give you a handsome reward"
"No! It is fine! Crowned Princess!"
"You deserve it," I said with a smile
"...The Holy Beast-"
"Yes, Canis already informed me, thanks again"
Aden smiled and nodded, he then went inside the kitchen to do something, we continued eating in silence.
My thoughts wandered around, when the door to the house opened, Aster and I looked at who it was, and it was Sam, with fowls and a boar, it looked like he had a successful hunt.
"Aden!"
"Welcome back, brother"
"Welcome back, Sam"
"I see you're beaten up"
"Thanks for noticing," I said, shrugging.
"If you're going outside, tell me or Aden, that weird kidnapper is still on the prowl" Sam informs us.
"Aster and I won't go far from here anytime soon"
"Actually, the Holy-"
"Yes, Canis asked you to bring us back to the Capital, it informed me, but is it okay with you guys? You are already retired"
"We retired as mercenaries, because our little sister is always home alone, and we are worried about her whenever we go, do escorts or a job far away from Leviticus" Aden explains.
"We also can't rely on Elsa, that aunt of ours is teaching Ishana strange stuff"
"Aunt Elsa told me that it was necessary for me to know already"
"No, just forget what she told you," Sam says
"I'm curious about what she said to Ishana"
"You don't need to know," Sam added.
Ishana looked at me with a smile, she pressed a finger on her lips and winked at me.
I don't know what that means-
"I-It means she'll t-tell y-you later" Aster whispered.
"Oh...!"
"A day from now, we will take off to take you back to the Capital, ready yourselves since it will be a long journey"
"Why can't you just drop us off at Terra Queendom Palace? And let them handle us for our return to the Capital?"
"Holy Beast Canis Majora, told us that WE should be the one to take you to the Capital, not drop you off on the Terra Queendom doorstep"
"Is it okay with you guys?"
"What do you mean Princess?" Aden questioned
"Haven't we imposed on you, for too long?" I Said
"..." Aster blushed at what I said
"It's not-"
"You aren't imposing, it's fine, both of you are Crowned Princesses, it's only right to treat you like one" Sam added "well not always, since you aren't in your Palace, so I'll just keep calling you, Seraphine and Aster or if I'm in the mood Princess"
Aster's face flushed, it looks like she isn't used to being called by name so much, but she got used to me calling her Aster, that she doesn't mind at all anymore.
"If you have a problem with what I call you, remember you aren't in your Palace's, and you're out in the open, even if you have your titles, it also won't be a hindrance since if people realises you are Princesses, they would oogle you"
"Huh...you have a point Sam," Aden says
"Then should I just call both of you big sister?"
"Yes!" I answered.
"It's fine," Aster nods.
"Is...it okay if I also use your first names?"
"Totally fine!" I happily said.
"I-I am not accustomed t-to being c-called by my f-first name outside F-Family members and S-Seraphine" She blushes harder.
"It's not fine?"
"It's okay!" She immediately responded, "Sir. Sam has a point a-and I a-also should get u-used to it"
"Then start calling me by my name too!"
"I a-already did"
"Not always"
"O-Okay, Se-"
The three of us leaned forward and her face became brighter by the second.
"SERAPHINE!"
"Hahahaha"
She covered her face, embarrassed, I love to tease Aster, she's so cute.
"Since you're done eating you should rest"
"Or we can help you with stuff" I suggested
"No it's fine, especially with you not in the best shape" Sam gestured to the bandages wrapped on my body.
"Alright"
"Ishana will call you when it's time for dinner again"
"I will pass," Aster says. "I-I will go to bed, early"
"I'm going to eat" I informed them.
"...Your appetite" Aden smacks Sam's arm
"Rest well you two!"