I woke up from the ground as I had done for the past week, without me knowing how much time had passed. I only ended up sleeping 3 times during the events, since I did not get tired much. I stretched a bit while sitting myself up, slowly getting back up. I turned to look at Regal. He was looking out of one of the windows with his fists clenched. As usual, I tried to walk towards him to no avail. Even if I had done it once, I could not move myself inside of the room again. Instead, I shouted at him

-Hey, is something wrong?-

-The week is over.-

-What do you mean?- I said this with a confused tone as I continued to stretch on spot

-I only agreed to one week, since I knew that you hated this type of things. You should get a transmission from Martel after I’m gone- He turned around with a smile as a bright light started to cover him -It was fun kiddo… take care- And, as he said that, the light completely engulfed him, making him disappear.

I tilted my head, being confused about the situation as I tried to walk around. I was still unable to walk around.

I continued to walk aimlessly for at least half an hour before my head slowly started to ring, with a voice in my head saying in a high pitched tone

LINK HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED

After that, one of the walls slowly started to move to the side, opening up to allow someone to go through… Martel came through it

-Well, it was annoying to wait, but the week finally came through. Welcome to the team- Her voice still sounded way older than what her body portrayed, so it still weirded me out. She then slowly start to walk towards me.

-Well, I didn’t even know how much time had passed. So could you please explain why I wasn’t alerted of how much time had passed?-

-Oh, what do you mean? I don’t think that’s important-

-Well, it is when the person you kidnapped has a caring family-

-… wait, did you just say family? But, the data showed that you didn’t have one at the moment-

-HOW THE HELL AM I NOT GOING TO HAVE A FAMILY?! I’M NOT EVEN OLD ENOUGH TO LIVE ON MY OWN!- I said this as my buster appeared on my hand, pointing it towards her

-Wow, wow, wow, calm down little guy. There’s no reason to be angry, I can simply take you back there to talk-

I threw my buster towards her, grabbing her shirt with it and getting her stuck on the wall -Oh yeah, as if a TALK would explain everything-

-Okay, what do you want?- She said this with an unscathed tone as she was trembling softly

-I want to recover that week-

-I can’t do that. What if something attacks while you’re there-

-Well, you’ll just figure something out, won’t you, my cunning leader?- I said this with a cocky smile, as if I was looking down at her

She pouted angrily as she tried to calm down -Well, I guess I can allow you to see them-

-And I want to stay with them for that week-

-But!-

-No fucking buts. It’s either that or I just end you right now-

-But, the training room…-

-Oh, I know the training room won’t allow you to die. So I’ll just kill you over and over again until you agree- I wasn’t messing around. I wanted to recover what I lost.

-UGH, fine… but, if you don’t return, I will end you-

-Fine, it’s not like I’m not coming back… now, could you please teleport me there?-

-What? But why?-

-I don’t know yet how to move in here-

-ARE YOU SHITTING ME?! YOU THREATENED ME LIKE THAT WITHOUT EVEN KNOWING HOW TO MOVE IN HERE!?-

-It’s called playing with one’s mind. You should learn it sweetie-

-Don’t call me sweetie- She said this with an annoyed tone as she clapped her hands.

Right after that, a sudden light appeared on my face. I wasn’t in that room anymore. I was looking towards a forest… that forest. I turned around to see my home, right there… I was back.

I slowly started walking towards the door to my house. It had been a week since I had seen it. It felt surreal in a way, finally being back home... But I knew it wasn't gonna be forever. I had to make this quick.

I was about to open the door to the house when I heard a bag plop down behind me. I began to turn around before I was attacked by a hug… it was mom.

-Um, hi mo-

-Don’t you even dare to speak! Do you know how much we’ve been worried about you?! You didn’t answer any calls, none of your friends had seen you anywhere… it seemed as if you had disappeared completely!-

-Mom, it’s-

-NO! IT’S NOT FINE!- She said this as she squeezed me a bit harder-You better have a great explanation for this or I will kill you!-

She never lies when she says that. I already died once to her. But, I was not planning on lying about the situation…

-I will explain it… but I need both you and dad so that there’s no problem understanding it-

-Well, you’re in luck, because he is in there- As she said this, she lifted me off the ground and entered the house by carrying me by the neck of my shirt.

As we entered, I saw my father in the kitchen, who turned around to see us both, with the frying pan he was holding falling down to the ground, spilling all the oil it had on the floor… Good think we had no pets… He then quickly ran towards us to slap me quickly.

-Hey! What was that for?- I said this in confusion to then be hugged by him, tears flowing down his cheeks

-Don’t you ever DARE to disappear like that again. You had us worried sick- He said this in a really sad tone as he held me tighter in his arms

-Well, at least I did come back… but… I might have a lead-

After I said that, my mother let go of my neck and my dad let go of the hug, allowing me to fall to the floor facefirst. After a few seconds, they noticed that I was on the floor, to which they proceeded to lift me up and place me on the couch. They then both brought each one chair and sat down in front of me.

My mom spoke up first, she was always the bravest of the two when talking to me and my brother

-Okay, as much as I want to slap you for disappearing like him without any notice, you probably want to tell us about what happened… talk, we’ll know if you’re lying or not, remember-

I was glad that they wanted to hear me, but, they seemed really serious about it. I started telling them about what happened, The bracelet, which I even showed to them, I told them about the trial, the training, to which my dad snickered, followed by my mom hitting him in the arm. After I told the, what happened before I went home (To be told in a side story), my dad leaned back, sighing a bit…

-So, you got trained by someone?- He said this in a joking tone, to which I pouted angrily. I never wanted to train with him, everything I learned was self thought.

-Could you please let that go? It’s not even funny dad-

-But, did they seriously tell you that they knew where he was? Could you really find him?- My mom said this in a tone of surprise.

-They were talking with a serious tone. I think I could find him… But, I don’t know his state, they knew who he was, but they didn’t tell me where or what he was doing…- I said this, turning my head down as I tried to do a cheerful tone on my voice…

-Hey, calm down. If they’re being honest, then I’m sure you’ll find him- My dad said this as he placed his arm on my shoulder, in an attempt to calm me down.

I smiled a bit as I kept my head down -I had our boss agree with me letting me stay one week at home before I had to go live there… I know I shouldn’t have to ask, but, can you forgive me enough to let me stay?-

After my mom heard this, she hugged me tightly, with tears flowing down from her eyes, her ethereal form showing a bit -Of course my son. You will always be welcome back home- She said this while crying as she held me in her arms

I hugged her back tightly, to then be joined by my father… I missed them… even if I hadn’t noticed that a week had passed, I did miss them much… and, for their sake, and to finally have our family back, I will get my brother back from wherever he is.

END OF CHAPTER 4