Episode 7: Choice

Ven continues to sulk while Enishi, Nyx, and Kia watch him silently.

After a moment, Kia approaches him. She bends down to his level and pulls him into a gentle embrace.

“Let it out,” she whispers. “Let it out.”

She slowly pulls away and looks into his eyes. Her soft blue eyes are filled with sincerity, and for the first time since arriving in this strange world, Ven feels that someone truly understands him.

“We’ve all lost people who were important to us,” Kia says softly. “We’ve lost... and then we found something new.” She wipes away the tears from his face. “You will do the same. Things may seem impossible right now, but...” She smiles. “You have us.”

She gently pats his shoulder. “I promise we’ll be here for you. We’re not so bad.”

Ven looks up at her. “I just... need time.”

“That’s okay,” Enishi says reassurringly. “Go back to your room. We’ll be waiting here.”

Kia helps Ven to his feet.

Saying nothing, he walks back to the room, crawls into bed, and cries himself to sleep.

Several hours later...

“Ven.”

Upon hearing that familiar, gentle voice, Ven slowly opens his eyes.

Standing before him is his mother.

“Wake up.”

Ven immediately sits up. “Mom!” He wipes the sleep from his eyes. “I had the strangest dream. I dreamed that you died, and I was transported to another world, and then—”

He stops.

Something is wrong.

His mother looks different.

She is transparent.

“Ahhhhh!” Ven screams. “What the hell are you?!”

SMACK!

Ven grabs his now-burning cheek and stares at her in disbelief. “Ow! What was that for?!”

“Calm down, Ven!” Aurora snaps as she grabs his shoulders. “Listen to me! I don’t have much time!”

“What are you?”

“I’m a spirit.” She shrugs.

“A spirit? So you’re not really here...” Ven's voice cracks as the realization settles in. “So you really are...”

Aurora nods.

Tears begin forming in Ven's eyes. “I’m sorry.” He looks down. “I’m sorry I couldn’t save you.”

“Ven.”

“Ven,” Aurora gently grabs his chin and lifts his face toward hers. “What happened wasn’t your fault.” She smiles softly. “In fact... you saved me in many other ways.”

Ven looks into her eyes and breaks down. “I miss you,” he cries. “I’m so confused.”

“I’m sorry I kept things from you. I wish I could tell you everything, but I don’t have much time.” She looks down at her fading hands. “I was only granted a few minutes to speak with you.”

Aurora looks back at him. “But Ven... you need to trust them.”

Ven's eyes widen. “The three crazy people?”

Yes.” She smiles. “You can trust them. I called for them.”

“Who are they exactly?” Ven asks.

“They are the ones who will guide you on your journey.” She pauses before continuing. “What they told you is true. You were born in this world. I took you to the other world to protect you.”

“Who are they exactly?” Ven asks.

“They are the ones who will guide you on your journey.” Aurora pauses before looking at him seriously. “What they told you is true. You were born in this world. I took you to the other world to protect you.”

“From the Dragtagon Wielder?”

Aurora nods.

Ven looks away, his mind racing as everything begins to fall into place. “So everything they said is true.” He hesitates before asking the question that has been weighing on him since Enishi first revealed the truth. “Then where are my real parents?”

Aurora lowers her gaze. “They’re gone.” A sad smile crosses her face as she looks at him. “But you look so much like her.”

Ven looks back at her, confused. “You knew my mother?”

Aurora nods slowly. “Yes.”

“Who was she? What was her name?”

Aurora looks away. “That... I cannot tell you. Not yet.”

Ven pouts. “That’s not fair.”

“A lot of things aren’t fair, Ven.” Aurora's expression becomes more serious. “Especially what you must do.”

Ven raises an eyebrow. “What am I supposed to do exactly? I can’t fight!” He gestures toward himself in frustration. “I watch anime, read manga, and play video games! I have no power! In case you forgot, I’m the guy who got his ass kicked!”

Aurora presses her lips together, trying not to smile. “Only because I made it that way.”

Ven freezes. “What?”

“When I took you from this world and hid you, I cast a spell on you.” She places a hand over his chest. “It kept your power hidden and prevented you from being detected. But your power was always there.”

“Always?”

“Always. It simply wouldn’t awaken until you returned to your true home.”

Ven stares at her, still trying to process everything. “And if I hadn’t done that, you could have accidentally burned all of Japan and had the government wondering why an alien was living in my house.” Aurora grins. “Although technically... you are.”

Ven stares at her for a moment. “And what are you?”

“I’m a mage.” She shrugs. “A wizard. Like that Gandalf thing or whatever you call him.”

Ven blinks in disbelief before leaning closer. “Seriously? Wait. How old are you really? What kind of spells have you—”

Aurora quickly covers his mouth. “Quiet.”

She sighs and pulls her hand away. “And excuse me, you don’t ask a lady her age. That’s rude.” She clears her throat. “You have many questions, but now is not the time.”

Aurora points toward his ears. “You are a Tenari, Ven. Those ears you’ve hated so much...” She gently touches them. “Those are what make you special.”

Ven reaches up and pulls on one of his ears. “What am I supposed to do now?”

“You train. You learn to control your power. You help them defeat the Wielder. You fulfill your destiny.”

Aurora smiles softly. “Your life is now like those games you love so much.”

Ven looks at her, unsure of how to respond.

Then Aurora's expression suddenly changes. She looks down and notices that her hands are beginning to fade.

“Mom?” Ven's voice becomes panicked as he notices the rest of her body beginning to disappear. “You’re disappearing!”

Aurora smiles sadly. “Ven. Thank you. Thank you for being such a joy in my life.”

She looks at him warmly, her voice becoming softer. “Like your mother before you... it was an honor serving you. I love you.”

And then...

She fades away.

Ven reaches out, but his fingers pass through empty air. He remains frozen for a moment before slowly sitting back down on the bed, clutching the necklace she gave him against his chest. His mind races as he tries to process everything she has told him.

His mother is gone.

His home is gone.

And now he has a destiny he never asked for.

Ven stares down at the necklace.

He has no idea what comes next.

Meanwhile...

Outside the hut, Enishi, Nyx, and Kia wait.

Five hours have passed.

“What happens if the kid tries to run?” Nyx asks, casually chewing on a wooden toothpick.

“You say that like we wouldn’t be able to catch him,” Kia replies. “There’s nowhere for him to go.”

Enishi folds his arms, his expression thoughtful.

“The bigger question is, what happens if he refuses to cooperate?”

“He has to,” Kia replies. “We need him.”

“And if he doesn’t?” Nyx challenges.

Kia shrugs. “We threaten him and force him.”

Enishi and Nyx chuckle but it suddenly stops when they hear the door open.

Ven steps outside.

The three of them turn toward him.

For a moment, no one says a word.

Ven looks at each of them, his expression completely different from before. The fear and confusion are gone, replaced by a quiet determination.

He takes a deep breath.

“Teach me everything.”