Redundancy: Chapter 2 - Towards Sylphy
A subtle smile had graced Julian's lips, though it disappeared as swiftly as the winds that howled from the east and thundered toward the west. Despite this fleeting expression, Nanahoshi couldn't help but feel a twinge of worry about how he would react.
She had never seen him smile other than the times when he found his mother. What was this smile for? Was it actually a smile or a frown? She stood conflicted, her brain a murky pool of conflicted mawkishness, wallowing in bathos.
"Thanks."
That was the only word that slipped from his lips, hanging in the air like a fragile petal carried by a gentle breeze. Nanahoshi's eyes widened, her gaze locking onto his inscrutable features, which revealed nothing of his emotions.
Yet, the utterance he had made felt like a truth etched into the very fabric of their shared existence. In her time by his side, she had become attuned to the nuances of his sincerity, like deciphering the tender intricacies of a beloved sonnet.
In the midst of this revelation, Julian's mind resembled an empty canvas, devoid of any thoughts or considerations. It was as if he hadn't devoted a single moment to grasp the notion that he, much like his brother whom he had lightly teased just moments before, was about to embark on the journey of parenthood.
The weight of this profound realization had yet to settle upon him, leaving his consciousness in a state of serene suspension.
He gradually leaned in, allowing her inflated stomach to make contact with him, his hold becoming more relaxed, his hands seeming to liquefy as they softly caressed her, avoiding any undue pressure.
Releasing a long, slow breath, he nestled his face against her shoulder, tenderly cupping the back of her head with his hand. He traced his fingers through her hair, exhaling slowly in rhythm with each delicate stroke.
Caught completely off guard by this surge of emotion, Nanahoshi's eyes stung like a thousand fireflies in the night sky, their gentle but persistent glow painting a luminous trail through her tears.
Her vision blurred, transforming the world around her into a hazy watercolor painting, where the lines between reality and dreams blended into a soft, ethereal blur. Tears, like the sweetest nectar from the petals of an overflowing bouquet, cascaded down her cheeks, each drop carrying the weight of her fears and sheer happiness.
Her hands, like vines seeking the sun's embrace, clung to his shirt with a fierce determination. Unyielding. Persistent. Like a leech, she stuck to him, not wanting to let go.
Her cry echoed, a raw and unfiltered melody that harmonized with the distant thunder, resonating with the tumultuous storm outside.
It was a crescendo of emotion, like a symphony of vulnerability and longing.
She desperately kept changing her grips, sometimes pulling on his back or sometimes just desperately clutching on the hair on the back of his head.
"Hm. Shush." Julian kept a straight face as he consoled her, "It's over. I am not going anywhere, anymore."
As if she didn't want that, she started crying even more after hearing this.
'Looks like I can never understand women.'
"Stop crying." Julian sighed.
Her sniffing died out as she too noticed everyone rushing outside.
Wiping her tears with his shirt she fiddled her head sideways, trying to look normal. Before they arrived, she smiled and looked up to him, "You should've made me stop crying. You know, like before."
"Later." Julian replied with a straight face.
*thwack*
"No, thanks, mister. Keep it in your pants." She huffed, looking the other way, leaving Julian to rub his arm in pain.
"You almost break it."
"As if I am going to believe that."
"Julian!"
Both of their gazed went up as in a blur, Julian caught Zenith who had huge bags under her eyes, her usually youthful face looking much older. "Thanks to the Milis, you are fine. All of us were so worried. Where's Rudy? Is he ok?"
"Rudeus is alive. And he's completely fine as well. Calm yourself, mom." Julian pressed her shoulders, calming her.
"Oh, Thank God..." As if a sudden fury overtook her, she looked up at him, "Julian Greyrat, bend down."
"Uh...." Reluctantly, he lowered his head since he was too tall for her.
Without wasting a second, she grabbed his ear and twisted it, "What were you two doing all these months, huh?! Don't tell me you were fighting!"
"Uh, mom, I can explain. You see...."
"You can't coax me with your words, boy. Now you're telling me everything from start to end. Come inside."
"Bu--"
"No buts. If you don't want to be humiliated in front of your wives, you better obey to me."
'Wives? Hmmmmm. I must be hearing things. Did someone slap me on my ears?'
"Mom, Sylphy is about to give birth."
As Julian muttered those words, Zenith stopped tugging at his ear. "Is that true?"
"Yes. I couldn't be there with him because of Pa--dad and others. Me and Rudeus made up but I can't be so sure about Eris and Sara. There is Lilia too."
"Hmmm. Well, I think I can interrogate you later. Let's go their right now." Zenith decided.
"Hm, yeah. You can go and change. Bring a change of clothes as well."
"I know. Stay here."
"Sure."
Zenith bolted away, walking up the stairs.
Once again, only Julian and Nanahoshi were left. He kept his gaze on the stairs, waiting for Zenith to come back. Nanahoshi inched closer, her shoulder touching with Julian.
"I wanted to tell you something."
"Hm?"
"Close your eyes and come a bit lower. Lend me your ear."
"Okay, but why should I close my eyes?"
"You know how when you cover up one sense, other is enhanced. It's so you can hear me properly."
"My ears work just fine. Just say what is it."
"No, no. It's a secret. Just bend a little and close your eyes."
"No."
"Please, please, pretty please!?"
Sighing heavily, he resigned himself to whatever prank she was planning.
He inclined his head and obediently shut his eyes. Nanahoshi, with her mischievous charm, fluttered her hand before him to ensure his sightless compliance. Delicately, she cradled his face in her gentle palms, leaving the softest of kisses upon his lips, a token of her affection.
Then, in a delightful whimsy, she whisked away, crossing the boundary into their cherished abode with a single, purposeful stride. She vanished behind the sheltering curve of their home's walls, her giggle like a joyous serenade.
"Geez, brother, you are so gullible."
"No, no, Norn. He isn't gullible. He definitely planned it all out."
"Hm, yes, Aisha, you are right. Looks like our other brother's personality is brushing on brother Julian as well."
"Well... Rudeus isn't that bad himself. He's just..."
The two sisters---Aisha who had a cheerful look on her face after seeing his brother kiss and Norn who had a repulsed look talked to each other, a little too loud.
"I can hear you both."
"Eek...!"
"Shh...!"
"Hello, dearest brother, wait, is your hair golden again?" Norn asked, trying to reach up and grab at the towel still draped on his head.
"Yeah." Julian bent down and opened his arms. The two sisters looked at each other before jumping into his arms, tightly hugging him.
"You two are going to take an entrance exam tomorrow, in the Sharia School of Magic." Julian whispered as the complexion of both of them paled.
"Eheh, b-brother, you just came back. You shouldn't be thinking about such thi--"
"No. Go inside. You have one night. Both of you are taking the exam tomorrow."
"But brother! I don't want to study!" Aisha argued, throwing her hands in the air.
"Hmm. No. Go inside and start studying."
"Ughh..."
"Geez..."
They groaned but knew they can't argue with him. He was just going to to repeat the same words over and over again like a robot.
"Aisha. Norn."
"Yes?"
"Get ready for now. Rudeus' wife is giving birth. Wear something good. You are going with mom." Julian told them as he used the towel to dry his hair and used warm wind to soak his clothes.
"I don't wanna." Norn huffed, inflating her cheeks as she pouted and looked the other way, her arms crossed.
"There are a few things he has to explain. You need to hear to that. After that you can continue to decide which kind of relationship you want to have with him."
"I don't want to hear anything."
"Norn." Julian placed his hand on her head, "Give him one chance. He is your brother. Also, most of the reason why you hate him is my fault. So go there and listen to what he has to say."
"Hmmm. Fine." She turned around and started stomping on the way back to her room.
However, Aisha stayed behind. She was eying Julian, as if asking she too had the permission to go there.
"You have to go too. It's been a long time since you met Lilia." Julian spoke as the colour in Aisha's eyes returned.
However, she stopped and looked up at him. "But don't you hate mother?"
Julian looked at her with a surprised look. "Hm. No. I don't. That is why you need to go there and listen to Rudeus. Things will make sense once you do. Also, I've never hated Lilia. Or rather I can't hate." He paused, letting the words sink in.
To Aisha they were grateful words. However, to Julian, it seemed like an objective. Nothing really initiated the particular feeling of "hate" towards anyone inside him.
"Her part in raising me was just as much as Zenith, if not more. And she is Paul's second wife. That makes her my half-mother as well." He spoke without a break.
A bittersweet smile appeared on her face as she looked down. "Thank you, brother."
"Hm. Go get ready now."
Instead of replying, she just smiled and turned around.
Seeing that everyone went inside as quickly as they had come, Julian sat on one of the chairs under the shelter and rested his head against the soft support. He closed his eyes, finally feeling at peace.
"How long are you two going to spy on me?" Julian mumbled; his eyes still closed.
"Welcome back, master."
"Welcome back."
Eva appeared from behind the pillar. Instead of her usual maid dress, she was wearing a rather casual dress, which seemed more like night pajamas rather than something one would wear in daytime.
Meanwhile, as if the chair that Julian was sitting on was extending, Adam appeared from it, his presence almost suppressed. Although Julian could still clearly sense him. Since there was a mana overload induced in everything due to waves of unstable mana coursing everywhere, it was quite easy to hide one's presence using those ripples as barricades.
"Hm. Thanks." Julian replied as he opened his eyes.
Adam and Eva bent their back, giving a deep bow.
"You're taller, Adam." Julian looked at him as he still had his head casted downwards, his hair now longer and curlier.
"Yes."
"Ah, yeah." Julian blinked a few times before removing his teal sword from the strap and thrusted it towards him, "Take it back."
Without saying anything, he raised his head and took a step forward, his back still bent. "Thanks."
"Hm." Julian hummed, straightening his back as he looked at Eva who was still bowing, her long silver hair cascading down until it touched the wet floor below. "Straighten up, you two."
Abiding by him, they both straightened their backs.
"How are you, Eva?"
"Much better now. Everyone was worried sick when you disappeared." She replied, but the way she fidgeted with her fingers betrayed her inner turmoil.
"Something wrong?"
"Ah...nothing is wrong. There is something I was curious about." She confessed.
"And what is that?"
"Lord Orsted said something about my race not being entirely terminated. Although I couldn't understand what he meant by it at that time, I think he might be referring to my demon side." She spoke, her ruby eyes sparkling. "I was curious if you knew something about it."
Julian pointed at Adam. "Hm, yeah. Although the numbers have almost dwindled into nonexistence, there are selected colonies. The demon race that both of you are part of was called Xyldorin. Distant relatives of Superds. Almost the same physiology except the jewel in head. That should explain Adam's robust body and talent given he is a pure blooded Xyldorin. Your high affinity with fire magic is also a proof of that."
Eva's eyes widened. Adam just stared blankly at the floor, towards Julian's boots. As if he didn't care to hear about his family. Or the race in general.
"Orsted did tell me about a few colonies. They were eradicated quite some time before. Before the Laplace War. However, the eradication was an exaggeration. Reason for that was because they couldn't be completely removed due to their extraordinary talents. If you want, I can take you there. You don't owe us anything anymore. If you want, you can go back and be with your own kind." Julian folded his hands, looking at her nonchalantly.
She regarded the decision for a moment. Julian looked at Adam, as if asking him the same question.
"No." Adam struck his chest with his fist and lowered his head. "Allow me to serve you."
"Hm. You don't stutter anymore. Good." Julian nodded contently and then looked at Eva.
"I think I will stay here. I have made way too many memories here to move somewhere else." Eva replied, her tone suddenly casual and a wide smile on her face. Julian watched her smile, totally still.
"Good." Julian commented, looking down.
"We are ready~" Aisha's voice ringed as she came out, Norn following closely behind. Julian's senses sharpened for a brief moment before relaxing. Before his sisters stepped outside, Adam had disappeared, replaced by an arid leaf.
"Ah, it took longer than I had expected." Zenith arrived right behind them, sorting out her hair as she tied them behind in a bun.
"Ugh... my clothes got tighter..." Nanahoshi followed closely behind.
Julian stood up and stood in front of her. "Where are you going?"
"What do you mean by that?" She asked with a deadpan look.
"You can't go."
"But whyyyyyyy...."
"Come on, Julian, she would be alright. A bit exercise won't hurt the baby. Don't worry too much, haha." Zenith slapped his back, clearly amused.
"Hm. If you say so. But she doesn't know anyone there."
"Oh? Yeah, you just came back so you won't know." Zenith sighed.
"Hm?"
"Well, when you and Rudeus first disappeared, Orsted came and casted some kind of barrier over our house. However, after 3 days it vanished. Paul..." Zenith paused, looking up at Julian, confirming any change in expression. However, Julian listened with a straight face, no agitation visible. "....Paul came looking for us. He was worried to see such a huge barrier around the house. After that, we visited Rudeus' home since Lilia was too ashamed to face your or come into your house and Paul...well, never mind him. Looks like he went senile before his forties."
"Hmm. It's fine. He will understand as well. While I couldn't care less about his attitude towards me, however, you are a difference case. Even if your body does belong to him as his wife, taking advantage of it in that time is not---"
"We will talk about it later, ok? Don't be too harsh on your father. And your brother as well. You know how they both are."
"Hm. Yes. Perverted."
"Exactly. Thank God you turned out just fine. Although, I would've wished for you to adhere to Milis Faith."
"I am not?"
"This is not the teaching of Milis!" She spoke as she felt offended.
"Uhhhhh....what did I do? I don't even have one wife technicall---"
"Hey, hey, brother. How do I look?" Norn asked, interrupting the conversation.
She was wearing a mustard coloured dress with white wide white collars and blue grey embroidery over it. The chest area of her dress had white frillings on each side, extending in a single line downside. It was a bit warm dress with the sleeves extending down as they narrowed down towards her wrists.
She had cut her hair with them just being above her shoulders as they curled inwards.
"Me too!" Aisha joined in as well.
She was wearing almost the same dress as Norn, just green in colour. She smiled as she stood in front of him.
"Although these clothes that Shizuka gave us are a little weird. But they sure are comfortable."
"Thanks." Nanahoshi replied.
She was wearing a rather simple dress. A black high-neck sweater and a white top. Her appearance was a bit mature, refined than before. Her eyelashes had grown,
"Well, let's go, everyone!"
Saying that, they started to leave.
However, just as Nanahoshi passed by Julian, he secretly---in a way that Zenith doesn't notice---pulled her before mumbling something in her ear. Her eyes widened but she soon smiled.
"I will keep that in mind. Also, Roxy is inside. Try opening up to her a little. Get a little cosy."
"Cosy?"
"Yep. We talked it out between us."
"Talked what exactly?" Julian slanted his head to the side.
"Ugh, don't ask so many questions. You are all wet. Change your clothes too. I filled the bath with some hot water while I was changing. A change of clothes is also there on the bed." She patted his chest with her fist before turning around and slowly started leaving.
Julian sighed out loud. However, the peace he felt as no worry weighed down on his mind filled him with a sense of fulfillment.
Looking from the corner of his eye, he looked at a particular point in sky. "Or maybe not."