Passing Sentiments(3)

"Time really does fly huh?" I said softly. This place was kinda like my special place. On earth everyone has a place they come to to just think and let loose from reality. This place here, can be considered that.

" I've been learning magic just like you taught me, Oh and my punches are now harder than metal! Like today I beat my 586th Mighty Deer!" I told mom about my daily activities of hunting, practicing magic, and combat training.

" Dad misses you very much, we both do! Dads just a little….." I paused, letting the wind blow softly through my hair. For some reason, I couldn't voice the words I wanted to say. I shook my head and smiled.

"Dad's fine, just a little sad, but don't worry, I'm SUUUUUPER POSITIVE that I can keep our promise and take care of us both" I puffed my chest out confidently, though there was nothing going on down there.

'Hmm, should I steal milk?

" Lately, more monsters have been roaming about. That should be a good sign right? I bet I could catch a big one and WE CAN STRIKE IT BIG, just like you did" I played with the petals at my mothers feet.

"Also, It's almost time for me to enter into my second Morphis!" I cried

" It's been 10 years, and soon when I turn 21 I'll be a full grown adult Saphiras! Oooh, I wonder how I'll look? A giant dragon of jewels? Maybe my eyes will glow gold or something. I wish I could show you when the time comes. I know, you're just watching me from the sky! Though...I wish I could show you face to face"

When mom was alive, she'd always tell me stories about Saphiras. Saphiras had a total of 3 Morphosis or growth phases. The first phase happens when a saphiras is born, it sort of sets the internal foundation of the newborn. Actually, that massive surge of power that erupted from my shock? Yep, that was my 1st morphosis.

Baby Saphiras are like a ball of energy, so upon birth they let loose that energy and stabilize themselves. Afterwards, they are then able to morph into humans. Of course, with a couple added steps but it's simple.

The second growth phase is known as the crystallization period, where our latent abilities finally surface. It's also another growth spurt for us. This is essentially what I'll be doing. I wonder what my ability would be? And the last morphis is when we're much older. I kinda forgot what mom said about it though…..something about pain….hmm well we'll deal with it when the time comes!

[Mono1]: Haaah, how irresponsible.

'Who? Me? Nope can't heeeaaar you~'

Time seemed to pass like the constant wind as I continued to chat with mom. The sun began to set west along the horizon. Pitters of gold illuminated my mothers statue, like glitter. This was my favorite thing to see when coming here.

'Pretty…'

Before long, the sun finally disappeared, only leaving remnants of orange and gold to accent the clouds. Shadows of the trees stretched far, and a cool darkness settled. Ominous sounds of nocturnal creatures stirred in the distance. Night was officially here.

'Oh, I've been here a little long huh...I better head back, Papa might-"

My ears suddenly perked up.

"OI, GIRL WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU!!!" A loud voice echoed in the distance.

" Yep, it's that time already" I said.

I quickly dashed from the area and hopped into the trees. My mind processing something I've forgotten, but I simply let it fade in the back of my head.

" One branch, two branches, Three branch, four…" I played a little game as I did a series of somersaults and twirls nimbly on the thin branches. I stumbled on a couple of the numbers however, it was still exciting!.

With a loud thump(more like a devastating crash that caused a crater) I landed in front of our old wooden shack, where Papa was waiting.

Tucked in the shadows of the trees stood our old shack. The wood had eroded with age, moss crept in the small crevices of the roof and sides. Holes, small and large, gave testament to invading intruders. This place I called my new home years ago looked abandoned, yet, it was alive and solid. Years have come and gone, only to prove it so.

"Have you hunted anything?" My father asked, his eyes cold and distant. I flinched 'oops, I ate the kill due to me almost having cravings' When I hesitated to explain, my fathers eyes burned with rage.

"YOU THINK NOW IS THE TIME TO BE OUT PLAYING GAMES!" he yelled fiercely. I flinched and tried to appease him.

"Ah, no papa I-" "SHUT UP, NO EXCUSES!" I closed my mouth in silence. " WHO DO YOU THINK PAYS FOR ALL YOUR BOOKS HUH? WITHOUT PARTS WE HAVE NO WAY TO MAKE A LIVING, THEN I'LL DIE, ALL BECAUSE OF YOUR SELFISHNESS." My father took a step towards me, his finger pointing at me, trembling. His eyes were wide, bloodshot, never once leaving my own.

"THAT'S WHAT YOU WANT ISN'T IT….FOR ME TO DIE AS WELL, TO KILL ME OFF JUST LIKE YOUR MOTHER!"

After he said that, there was a long silence, my father's expression changed. Rage….Contempt….Resentment…Confusion….and finally normal.

"Haaaah" he gave a long sigh before turning away from me " The hour of the moon is nigh, best be heading in." With that he left, his body disappearing in the shadows and bushes.

I watched my father leave, his once vibrant red hair now was dull and unkempt. His smooth and fair skin now looked haggard, his face lined with numerous scars. Despite only being in his early 30s, he looked pretty old. He was practically a shell of his former self.

My father is a hunter. It's a strict profession of solely hunting monsters and selling them in the Golden Markets or Capital villages. When mom was alive, Papa and her were a team who hunted powerful monsters and would fetch high prices for them. They were a perfect team, with my father playing as the bait and weakening monsters with his arrows and my mother dealing the killing blow.

However, things took a bad turn after mom died. I was too young, never knowing all the things my mother was supposed to teach me, to venture deeper in the Hollow grove. Dad who lacked a magic core was too weak to actually procure high quality goods, in some cases he came home empty handed but wounded. Eventually, I had no choice but to try to fill in the seat my mother left.

At first, things seemed to be looking up. With the limited knowledge of what I knew from mom's teachings, I was able to get decent monster game, and we lasted for a while. But, the monsters started becoming well known, eventually, the markets would no longer take the parts.

Sometimes my dad would go days without eating, turns out humans can't ingest monster meat, it was poisonous. To make matters worse, as I got stronger, monsters...started to avoid us, they became much smarter. It seemed like they sensed something long before we even showed up, I didn't know how or why.

Some became so aggressive and strong, that not even I could handle them.

'YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE A SAPHIRAS!!! ACT LIKE IT'

I remembered the words my father would say each time we came home empty handed. In some cases where the monsters were too strong, and I was bloody and battered, I'd have to tend to my own wounds. During those times without mom, It felt like we couldn't do anything, I was terrified.

Now, I'm no longer terrified, instead I feel nothing.

Kinda weird ya know...

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Name: Erudian Long

Age: 35

Affilation: Hunter

Affinities:None

Magic core:None

Info: Erudian long, is the father of Yuiji and lover of Laira, Yuiji's mother. He hunts monsters and sells certain parts in the Golden markets where they use them for potions and other things.

Weapons choice - Long Bow

Key Fact: Erudian hates insects, screeeches like a little girl upon sight.