"Ton, no need to stand outside the door, come in."

There was no sound for a brief moment, then the door opened. Anton came in hearing what aunt said. There's a cheeky yet awkward smile on his lips.

"You want a hug as well?" Aunt Anna laughed out of her tears. "Come here."

Anton followed without a word and came near the bed. Aunt Anna gave the two of them another hug, though this time not that strong. Crying might have taken most of her strength. She reminisced. "Ahh, time passes so quickly, it's like yesterday you boys were playing around, causing mischief in the towns."

Then came another big sigh. She looked at the picture in her hand, then towards the two of them. They didn't utter a single word as she continued. "I'll not give you my permission to go to that world. But I won't  . . . can't stop you either." She sighed. "I don't know much about that world myself, as I didn't go there myself. All that I know is from your mother and your uncle. I even didn't know how he died or the cause of her disease. It all happened twelve years ago.

"I don't know what they had planned . . ." Aunt Anna breathed a few times. "—where they went, who their enemies were." She didn't know what to say. She shook her head and dropped the topic. "Be careful of powerful men and women, more of the ambitious ones. Be prudent about everything. That world was full of schemes and deceptions. Do not be a pawn of someone else's game."

Both of them nodded in unison.

"Do not make any rash decisions while on the back foot, while you're at disadvantages or don't know the whole truth—your mother's words. Remember that." She rubbed both of their hair, this wasn't easy for her either. She turned towards Anton. "And You—Anton, please think about everything you do, don't make any abrupt decision. I know you're a master of that."

Anton was about to say something, but closed his mouth and nodded.

"You could leave all the difficult thinking to Wrik."

"Don't worry about him aunt, I'll take care of him," Wrik spoke out.

"As if I needed it," Anton said.

"Stop it, boys. You two are in this together." She stopped the two of them before looking at Wrik. "Now you, Wrik. Try not to be too dense, don't be too hard on yourself either. And never think you are alone."

Wrik didn't know what's she talking about but nodded.

"Remember, even in disadvantages you can pull through if you're together." She hugged the two of them with both hands again. "You two are a team. Say it."

"We two are a team." Both of them looked at each other and complied without much thinking. Yes, they were a team all these years.

"Don't worry, aunt. We will bring back Lucas by his ears," Anton said out loud, puffing his chest.

"Yes, aunt."

"Alright, enough of that. Do you know the woman by the name Sophia Syfinn?"

Anton gave a questioning glare at him. Why did Sophia Syfinn come into this?

"So, it looks like the two of you know her," Aunt Anna concluded. "I can guess seeing your eyes."

"Yes, but how do you know her?" Anton asked.

"Well, she came by a few days ago, asking about Wrik," she continued. "I told her you're attending the University of Elania." Then Aunt Anna gave the two of them a pure gaze. "Is she someone to one of you?"

"Ton would answer that," Wrik smirked.

Aunt Anna's attention wavered towards Anton, asking for details.

In response, Anon grinned out. "She may not be now, but that won't be for long," he announced with bind confidence in himself.

Wrik and others talked a little more to find out that his mother was looking at him—she must have woken up from the disturbance they were causing. He looked at her eyes. The yellow hue in her eyes was the only lively thing about her. He grabbed her hand gently and kissed it.

She didn't respond, still looking at him. It's as if she didn't recognise him. She couldn't recognise anyone over the years. Wrik controlled his tears from coming out of his eyes. This was not new to him. He vowed in his heart, looking at her. 'Even if you don't remember me, I'm still your son. I'll find the cure for you. I promise.'

"So, when will you two go back?" Aunt Anna asked out of the blue.

"Well, it's today," Anton answered hesitantly. "Supposedly, we don't have much time in our hands."

Aunt Anna sighed, but nodded.

"We'll catch the train at 3 o'clock,"

After conversing for a little, it's already two at the clock. They had been home for only about two hours and the time of departure came.

Wrik and Anton gave another embrace to their aunt, saying not to worry about them—though it seemed she was already worried before they even left.

"The next time we return, there will be three of us."

She nodded, with tears in her eyes. Wrik did quite decent in controlling his tears, unlike Anton—who cried like a baby over milk.

"Kathrin, now this is where you will stay," Wrik said, lifting his cute kitty. In response, she licked his arms. "Well, Kathrin is an understanding kitty. I'll miss you." He rubbed her with his cheeks. She even licked his cheek, meowing. She had been with him for over three years and became a part of the family.

He called up Anton, who got a little better after all the crying. They were ready to leave when their aunt called.

"Boys, remember something . . . Your mother said this after returning from that world last time." She looked at the two of them. Seeing their nods, she continued. "Beware of TARTARUS."

Tartarus didn't ring any bells in his head, but Wrik nodded, imprinting the words in his mind. He gave a second look to their home before parting ways. They didn't know how many years it would take to return here, but they knew they would definitely return.

_____________________

END OF CHAPTER FIVE: HOME.

NEXT CHAPTER THE DEPARTURE.

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