Samuel Alistair POV

The morning dew getting carried along by the cool morning air sent chills throughout my body. The rising sun, dawning over the village gave a penetrating warmth, but there existed another warmth that gave the greatest relief; like ecstasy coursing its way through my veins. Time quickly passed and the warmth became something, it became something physical; with mass as it progressively became heavier and heavier, no longer within me, but pressing down on my body; embracing me entirely.

My eyes slowly opened, but immediately shut from the suns light, when I had a weird sensation; I began to feel that my body was lighter. Like I could walk, right now, and feel nothing underneath my feet.

I, also, began to feel something humid, breathing on my face at the same time. I thought nothing of it at first, but after a little while my face began to perspire from the damp breaths. “Hmm?” I tiredly said, rubbing my eyes. “Gloria, is that you? Could you turn around, your breath is hot.

The damp breaths kept coming as my eyes began to become accustomed to the light, opening entirely to the sight of a grassy floor. Thanks to the grass, I remembered that for the past two weeks I’ve been sleeping outside, but there was one thing that struck me as odd… My feet were not touching the grassy floor; In fact, I was seven, maybe eight feet off the ground.

There was, however, two large feet covered in shaggy brown fur and legs as thick as tree stumps, firmly standing on the ground. My eyes traced from the feet to the legs to the large furry body akin to the width of a kings sized mattress, to the wide arms holding me up, like a toy a child gets, placing it up to the sun for a better look, and now firmly staring; eye to eye, with a largely round face and a perky snout. The pebble sized eyes were black, and, quite frankly, stupid looking.

It’s snout sniffed continuously, elongating with each whiff, before widening its massive jaws, revealing four large canine teeth; two on top; two on the bottom, and smaller teeth sandwiched in between.

I remained expressionless, still unsure of whether or not this was a dream.

As if catching onto my confusion, the thing in front of me roared a thunderous roar. “RAWRRR!”

Spit flung from the hollow depths of its throat, splashing on my face, but immediately was wiped away from the sheer amount of air pressure from its roar. For, perhaps, five seconds the thing remained roaring, and my already mussed head of black hair slicked back into an oddly looking pompadour, greased up by saliva.

“A bear.” I mumbled, disbelieved.

Yes, the thing that held me within its grasp was a bear.

In that moment I began to question a lot of things, answering most of my questions immediately.

For what reason might the bear be holding me?

I don’t know.

Why did the bear feel the need to roar at me; did I somehow provoke the bear?

I guess the bear was pissed off by my confusion.

It happens, I understand.

But how’d the bear enter the village in the first place?

I looked around and saw the forest critters staring at me with fear.

I see. I slept near the forest. It’s a stray bear then.

I rubbed the bears furry cheeks and spoke delicately. “There, there, It’s okay. We’re both lost and confused, aren’t we?”

The bear stared at me puzzled, answering with an even more confused roar. “R-Rawr?”

“Exactly. Rawr, indeed.”

*****

Walking back to the manor, after having disciplined a nine meter tall, stray bear, my hazy, barely-waking-up-mind began to clear, wandering onto my son; my youngest son.

‘Aah, Albus…That damned brat!’

My youngest son, Albus, is not normal. He’s not. He’s not and that’s ok. Or at least it would’ve been, but I’ve come to the recent discovery that my adorable little son is a sadist.

‘What are those people called? A Machiavellian?  I’ve never heard of a more fitting word to describe my son.’

I shouldn’t be talking this way about my son – I’m aware of that, but even though Albus is six years old, still a child, he uses his personality to get what he wants. Whether it be by manipulating the very emotions of others, or perhaps a devious plan set up beforehand as he, the mastermind of it all, watches from behind as everything falls into place.

Still, there does exist the other side of Albus that is the exact opposite, holding… well, it’s not my place to speak on it.

I sighed, opening the front door to the manor.  “God how I curse my genius genes.”

“Good morning, dear.” My wife greeted me from the kitchen, smiling. “How was your sleep?”

Even though she’s the one that made me sleep outside, even though she’s the reason I encountered a bear, it’s like every centimeter of frustration that resides within me dissipates the second I lay my eyes onto the goddess of a woman that is my wife.

“Good morning, my gorgeous wife!” I exclaimed, prancing over to Gloria for my good morning kiss. “I slept good, but not as great because you weren’t there!”

With a kitchen knife in her hand, Gloria pointed the blade at me, as I stopped in my tracks. “Why should I give a kiss to the man that made my child fight for 10 hours straight?” She asked with a frightening smile, sending chills up my spine. The knife in her hand only made her smile more menacing.

‘Tch. I thought she had forgotten. Well, its fine I guess.’

Sitting down at the kitchen table, I began to happily gaze at my wife preparing breakfast. “Hey, are our kids up yet?”

“Tadashi is helping out the villagers in the farm, but Albus is still asleep. Can you do me favor and wake him up for me?” My wife asked, although it was more of an order.

‘Heh, chance!’

Walking stealthily up the wooden stairs, so stealthily that I was practically weightless, I knew, deep down, that Albus would still be able to sense my presence. It’s true that with every chance that arises, I’d oblige to scaring Albus awake – it’s a blessing, really – so it makes sense for him to be aware of my tomfoolery, but that isn’t that case. Ever since I taught Albus how to use mana, he’s been weirdly sensitive to even a smidgen of mana. If I were to walk around as I normally do, not withholding any mana whatsoever, he’d awaken the minute I get onto the second floor.

It’s possible that he’s even more sensitive to mana than myself; so, as a countermeasure, I decided that I should hide my mana entirely.

Stepping closer to Albus’s door, I turned the knob quietly and walked over to his bed. There laid Albus, my sadistic son, sleeping soundly.

I stared for a little while, admiring his perfect state of somnolence.

He laid there, black cover to the base of his slender neck, stopping before reaching his throat. His eyes were closed, facing the white roof.

As weird as it may sound, it was beautiful. By “it”, I mean the way Albus slept.  

It was almost too perfect; the way he laid there. I wasn’t even sure if he was breathing. Even his body didn’t move, muscles, tendons, everything in and out of his body entered a complete state of composure; not twitching, not stretching for a comfortable position, everything remained completely still. Even the room itself remained still, as if separated from time, perhaps frozen entirely, but space remained, giving the room life.

Ironic as it was, Albus was like a corpse; the only thing that exists that can actually enter such a state of tranquility, entirely surrendering their conscious for slumber.

“Mmm.”

I froze, eyeing Albus as he turned to the window now covered by black curtains.

‘I can’t let my chance go to waste.’

I got closer to the bed, leaning over Albus’s body, mouth near his ear. And I yelled as loud as possible – without gaining the attention of Gloria, of course. “BAHHH!”

“AHH WHAT THE FUCK!?” Albus shrieked, covering his ear as he sat up quickly in the corner of his bed.

“Kukuku,” I deviously laughed. “gotchu good, didn’t I?”

“Tch.” Albus sighed, rubbing his ear. “Quiet, you sorry excuse for a father.”

“UGH!” I groaned, attempting to hold my shattered heart in place. “That hurts, my son!”

“Right, I apologize O Great One.” Albus quipped, stepping out of bed. “Anyways, when are we going to the Allen’s manor?”

“Not even a good morning?”

Albus stared at me disdainfully, so much so that his gaze was enough to feel like an arrow was lodged into my very heart.

“A-After breakfast.” I answered, holding back a tear.

Albus walked to his closet, changing out of a dark grey long sleeve, putting on a dark grey tunic and pants. “Let’s go then, father.”

I frowned, following Albus as he treaded down the hallway.

Honestly, it frightened me how soundly Albus slept. It was as though Albus ceased to exist the minute I saw him asleep. Surely Albus lied in the bed; he was there physically. He was alive, breathing and, well, living. But mentally… mentally It felt as though his presence dwindled; flickering on and off, bordering a state of existence and non-existence. It frightened me so much that I thought if any more time were wasted, he’d disappear entirely. He’d be existing as Albus, nonetheless, but without the heart and mind of Albus; he’d no longer be the Albus I knew, only an empty vessel carrying the name and identity of Albus.

‘I’m getting too soft these days, aren’t I? Is this what it means to be a parent?’

We made our way down the stairs. Tadashi was already seated at the table, reading a coverless book whose contents remained a mystery. Seeing as Tadashi had a glint of delight within his eyes, eagerly tracking word for word – seemingly devouring them – it must’ve been a good book.

Noticing Albus and I, Tadashi peeked over the book. “Good morning, Albus, Father.”

“Good morning.” Both Albus and I replied in unison.

We sat at the table, Albus messing with Tadashi as my wife brought each of us plates of breakfast. Eventually Gloria sat with her own plate, and we all indulged in our meals.

It was silent for a few minutes, everyone enjoying their food, but I decided – kind of a haphazard decision – to speak. “Albus, this’ll be your first time in a while leaving the village. I’ve told you before but I’m going to repeat it: under no circumstances are you allowed to leave Tadashi’s or my side.”

“Yes, I’m aware, father.” Said Albus, placing his fork down on his plate. “I just wanna ask this: why is it that you all are so persistent when it comes to me leaving by myself? Like, I understand that you guys are worried about me, but isn’t that a little much? Father, you said it yourself, with the skills I have now I can fight on par with a grade 6 or even grade 5 ranked mage.”

“I know what I told you son, but your safety is of the utmost importance. It’s not only for you either, but you’ll also worry your mother if you’re out there by yourself.”

“Yes, yes I know that already. But even I need some room to breathe here and there. Even the kids in the village get to leave the village by themselves and they’re younger than me. I don’t understand how it’s such a big deal for me to leave. It’s not like our country is at war anymore father. The only dangers that are out there are D or C ranked mana beasts. Even those don’t pose a threat to me.”

“Your existence is more important than that of an ordinary child.” I said flatly.

“What? Has the noble title gotten to your head? I could care less about nobility. All I want is to be able to breathe for crying out loud.”

“That’s enough!” I slammed the table with my hand causing Gloria to flinch. Tadashi stared at me, no longer eating his food. “Listen to my word’s son. When I say you’re more important than an ordinary child, I’m not talking about our noble title. You are far more important than you think; far more important than a damned noble title.”

Albus’s eyes opened widely, shocked by response as he spoke fumingly in a puzzled tone: “What the fuck is wrong you?”

Gloria’s eyes shifted to Albus, but immediately were downcast. She didn’t speak. Tadashi, too, remained silent.

“Tell me why I’m more important than an ordinary child then!” Albus continued. “To me it just seems like you’re too overprotective. If you tell me why, then I can understand!”

“I can’t. I want to, but you’ll have to find out yourself.”

“You can’t?! I have to find out myself?! What the hell is with that?”

“Stop Albus.” Tadashi cut in, looking Albus in the eyes. “Go to your room.”

“Huh? You too older brother…” Albus stared at all of us with a face of disbelief. “Aah, I see, so I’m in the wrong. I’m practically fucking imprisoned here, but I’m in the wrong...” He stood out of his chair and walked to the stairs. Before walking up them, he spoke once more through a breath. “I’m tired, I’m really tired of all of you. To hell with you all.”

            Albus was gone, probably in his room by now. Tadashi, looked at me with anger apparent in his eyes; Gloria’s lips quivered into a frown. I remained staring at the seat Albus was in.

“You went too far, father.” Tadashi said, proceeding upstairs.

I know I did. I’m aware of it.

But I said nothing.

After Tadashi left, leaving only me and Gloria at the table, Gloria began to rub her eyes as to wipe away any tears that were beginning to form. “Albus is right, Sam. I only agreed with what you said because it was matter of importance. But he is just a boy. He deserves some freedom.”

“You don’t think I know that? If you knew what Albus was then you wouldn’t be arguing with me like this.”

“He’s our son! What else could he be!? Tell me, damnit! What else could our son be!?

“If I do, things won’t be the same they once were! Are you fine with that?!” I yelled; Gloria becoming startled. I sighed. “Just trust me, please, that’s all I ask for now.”

“Fine. I trust you. But can you at least fix things with your son? Leaving like this, well, it isn’t the greatest condition to leave in, is it? If you don’t I’ll never forgive you.”

I giggled. “Yes ma’am.” I gave her a kiss on the forehead and walked up the stairs.

But I stopped. The sound of muffled weeping was what stopped me. Even if I attempted to venture any further, my legs wouldn’t move.

Was it out of guilt?

‘I know what I said, and I knew how it would affect Albus,’

Somehow managing to move, but it wasn’t by my physical intention that I moved; I moved subconsciously to see what it was that I had done. Like someone who’s deserted everything, looking back on what they’ve left behind. For they look back not out of happiness, but by unconsciousness, almost as if the inner depths of ones heart is yelling “are you sure!?” before continuing forward, leaving within them certainty but uncertainty; a paradoxical situation that will never be answered.

‘I don’t regret having said it,’

Peaking around the corner, enough to see the hall, but enough to not be seen, was Tadashi embracing Albus, as Albus’s cries were muffled by Tadashi’s shoulders.

‘I don’t regret having said it, but-’

A tear fell from my eyes.

‘It hurts.’