Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

".....mother?" I let out.

She took my hand in hers, and I felt a throbbing pain come from my elbow. "Please, I beg of you." She cried as she held my hand to her chest stretching my arm out, hurting me even more.

"Why?" I asked.

"Just die! Please!" She yelled, and I felt the pain leave my arm.

The reason the pain was gone was that my elbow had fully snapped off, and all of my muscles from that arm had got shredded off beforehand. But what I was focused on was my mother's face. She was grinning happily at me, at my pain and suffering. My own blood soon flowed into the vision of my only eye left which was the nearest to the ground.

Why? Why did I do wrong? I thought I was finally going to stop being alone all the time. I had my first hug it felt so warm but I just feel cold now.

Earlier this day, I was the happiest I have ever been. "Die! Die!" I yelled as I spammed the buttons on my console and I won the fight making me cheer. "I did it! I kicked you to..."

I went silent as I looked down at my bed, I poked my useless legs and sighed. My legs used to move when I was a baby, but now, I can't move them at all.

I never knew what it was like to walk. I have always been here at the hospital since my family can't support me at home, so I'm looked after here.

I'm the oldest child, and I have never met my younger siblings because I have always been stuck here. I have seen pictures of them, but I bet they haven't seen any of me.

I met my father once...never again. I see my mother quite often, but she seems indifferent to me, but that's better than hate.

Anyway, I have my games, so I'm fine, for now. I don't know anything else other than this.

My door opened, and I saw my mother standing there, I was shocked to see her. "Mother?"

"I'm here to visit." She informed me and I was a little nervous as she sat down next to my bed. "What is that?"

I looked down at my console. "Oh, it's a fighting game, the nurses said this was donated here and I have been playing it for ages! Fighting games are amazing! They go wham! Bam- sorry, that was a bit much." I apologised hoping she doesn't hate me.

She smiled a little making me grin brightly that I finally made her smile. "How old are you now?" She asked me.

"Oh, I'm 18." I answered.

"I see." She looked surprised. "You're very small."

Yeah, the nurses love to say how I have the height of a 12-year-old, that's because I haven't been able to even go out. I could use a wheelchair, but even my bones are too weak and can break easily from falls so they don't want to take the chance.

"Would you like to go outside?" She grinned.

"No way! Really?! Like France! That's where I shot someone's head off!" I exclaimed. "I mean in my game."

She slowly got up and picked me up shocking me. "Don't you want to put me in a wheelchair?" I asked her.

"You weigh nothing." She responded immediately with a sharp tone, but it didn't seem to be aimed at me.

I hugged her, and it felt so warm making me cry a little, I have never had any contact like this before, it's so nice.

I relaxed into her hold, and I kept silent to not irritate her since I didn't want this to end. I was in awe at all of the new sights even seeing the entrance of the hospital was new for me.

I did notice that some people were giving us dirty looks, but they were actually aimed at my mother.

We finally went outside and it was so. "Green!" I exclaimed surprising her.

"Just green?" She mumbled.

"There are other colours, but I have really never seen so many of them!" I grinned. "Since the last time I had gone out was when I broke my arm...I wanted to touch the ant and then probably murdered it with my body."

I felt her shake but that was it, I pointed out more new things as we went along so I was speaking non-stop until we stopped at a cross-section and I saw some school kids. I was jealous seeing them living a life I have seen in games I have played.

They looked at me, so I tried my best to wave rightly, I got weird looks so I know I did it brilliantly.

"I'm sorry for everything." Mother apologised to me.

"You're here for me now. I can't be happier." I reassured her and hugged her tightly.

"Really? Have you never been happy?" She mumbled and sounded upset, so I pulled back to reassure her, but then I felt us lose all contact.

It was cold and I was falling.

I looked to the side to see blurry lights then the next thing everything went black and I felt a pain that I had never felt before. I wanted to cry out or scream, to move, to get away from the pain but I couldn't, I was useless like I have always been.

My mother was on her knees begging me to die. I don't understand why but it seems all I have been was a burden, something to throw away. It felt so cold and my eyes slowly closed, but I couldn't accept any of this, the pain was too much. I was screaming in my mind since I couldn't even scream out loud anymore.

The pain cut out but then I felt like I couldn't breathe again even though that should have been the end of my pain. The pain was only getting worse and worse. The agony I felt from being thrown away and now this, I just want it to end already.

My vision was blurry, and I could hear everything around me, but it was getting quieter.

Everything I was feeling from a large pressure on my entire chest to my hearing completely disappearing made no sense to me.

It seems people were panicking around me and there was an even more powerful pressure on my chest until I was able to breathe again.

I was gasping for air, and I was finally able to cry, I couldn't hear myself but I knew I must be screaming.

Once I was able to see a little I calmed down to just sniffling. I saw I was surrounded by strangers who were smiling like my mother had making my fear grow.

I felt tired, and I still couldn't hear anything, the people around me were all moving their mouths but there was still nothing and I got even more scared. 'Mo-! Anyone! Please help!' I yelled in my mind.

I started to cry again making the smiles of the people drop. 'Huh? Who now?! My sister is loud enough, she's even louder than I have ever heard mum sound at night.' I heard a male voice in my mind confusing me.

I was snifflings as I looked for the voice, I saw in a mirror I'm a baby and there was a baby that seems to be a year older than me in the man's arms. 'Wait, why did she look at me? I'm not into sibling dating games.' He frowned and his lips didn't move, but I'm sure it's him the voice I'm hearing in my mind.

'Those actually exist? You actually tried one?' I asked in my mind feeling safer hearing of something familiar.

He paused then went back falling out of the man's arms and off the bed. I think the adults started to scream, but I still couldn't hear them making me cry again.

'I'm not dead!' He yelled in his mind.

'Not the problem.' I responded back.

'Oi!' He yelled in his mind and I laughed a little out loud I think.

That night he explained to me that these are our parents and they seemed relieved I was laughing now, but I was shivering whenever I was held and that was most of the time.

We both somehow talked to each other in our minds like we could hear each other's thoughts, but he said no one else can do this.

We were put in cribs in the same room as our parents and we talked to each other and found out how we were connected in our past life. We never talked to each other. I never saw him, but he told me he tried to save me when my mother threw me in front of a truck, and we both died.

Rudeus did his best to comfort me, and our parents were concerned that I only ever cried and didn't like them touching me.

A lot of time passed, and I was jealous of seeing Rudeus walking around, but I had one thing to grin about. I always laughed whenever I moved my own legs, it was a new and wonderful feeling.

I was stuck in my crib, I was crying to try and get mum to take me out since it only reminds me of my bed back at the hospital. I don't want to be alone again.

'CERES, ARE YOU OKAY?!' I heard Rudeus's voice in my mind.

We can somehow hear each other's thoughts, but we can't control it. 'I want to be in a tree!' I whined.

'Huh?' He let out.

'I'm dying.' I replied and soon after my door slammed open making me grin.

He saw me and then started to yell about hotdogs, I'm not good at reading lips.

Rudeus explained to me that I nearly died at birth. My breathing was cut off for quite a while, and the maid Lilia had to use CPR to bring me back. We guessed it must have been what made me deaf, but I don't think our parents have realised that yet.

They did call for the doctor of the village right after my birth, but he couldn't tell much if that will affect my development at all. For now, it seems I was lucky that it only affected my hearing, but he couldn't tell that I was deaf either since I was staring at him the entire time.

'Dying?' Rudeus asked me while frowning.

'Of boredom.' I laughed.

He grinned a little. 'Let me get you out.' He stared at my crib. 'How do I do that?'

'Just punch it.' I told him.

'I can't, I'm not a fighting character.' He sighed.

'Oh...that's disappointing.' I fell onto my back.

'What do you mean by that? Fighting characters are boring, dating sims are beautiful.' He informed me.

'No, they are amazing! They can kick and use their legs! They look so awesome moving around like dad!' I explained, and he was surprised by my excitement.

'Well fighting characters can also use magic and I found some magic books.' Rudeus started to explain.

I punched the crib scaring him, but it did nothing. I then looked up at the top of it and decided that I will try by myself for once.

'Hey, do-!' He went to yell in his mind.

I raised my voice I think, he did stop speaking in his mind. I pulled myself up so I was sitting now, but I know I won't be going any further at this age so I gave up and fell onto my back ready to go back to sleep.

I then felt the crib shake and looked to see Rudeus climbing up, so I sat up to watch him and he was sitting on the top bar and then grinned down at me.

'What are you doing? Do you like falling to?' I asked.

He gave a confused look. 'I'm your older brother, rely on me.' He held out his hand to me. 'Let's get out together.'

I felt warm from his words making me cry a little since being a baby I can't hold it in. 'Can I really? You won't...hurt me, right?' I trembled.

'What! Never! I'm nothing like your past mother!' He reassured me. 'I want to get you out but with no truck involved, I have had enough of those.'

I was able to sit up using the crib to help me, and he leaned more over then I was able to take his hand in mine that was tiny. 'Let's go then!' I grinned.

He smirked then tried to lift me out and failed badly, he fell in with me in the end and we both got stuck making me laugh.

Zenith discovered us and was confused, but found it cute while Lilia seemed to be praying to god for some reason seeing Rudeus near me.

She does that whenever he is near me and it looks like we are just staring at each other when we talk to each other in our minds so she's very concerned about us two.

'I'm not going to do anything to my sister. I'm not that sick of a man, she's just someone I want to protect.' Rudeus sighed.

The next day, Rudeus threw a bunch of toys and boxes into my crib, so I can climb out, he then had pillows all over the floor. 'Land on your feet, not your head.' He instructed me.

'But I don't want to lose my legs again, I will be useless again.' I complained.

He just pulled my foot, and I landed on my back. 'That wasn't an option.' He informed me.

'Well, I decided it is.' I retorted as he helped me roll onto my front, I was then off crawling making him run after me. 'I can finally move on my own! My legs work!'

He grinned at me when he caught up to me, he took me into a room with a chest. 'This is where I found the books.' Rudeus tried opening it but he was struggling. He then got inside through the little gap he can lift it up to and I was very concerned.

'Did he just die?' I panicked. 'IS IT A MIMIC CHEST?!'

'NO! I'M A GENIUS!!' Rudeus slammed the lid open from the inside and smirked as I clapped. He then got a book out, and it fell on top of him as he fell out. 'I'M DYING!'

I used my weight to push the book off him. 'Thanks.' He sighed in relief and then opened the book on the floor. 'I'm surprised there are only five books, I had thousands of them, what about you?'

'THOUSANDS?!' I freaked out making him laugh. I couldn't hear it, but his body shook repeatedly so he must be laughing or dying. 'I was given one every now and then, one was called fifty shades of red.'

'.....Weren't you like 12?' He asked me.

'No, 18, but I was five when I read it. I don't know exactly what it is, but I know what those sounds are that you talk about and that our parents are very horny.' I grinned proudly.

He patted my head, and I stared at the book. 'What- actually, is that even a language?' I asked.

'I can't read it either, they speak a different language in this world.' He informed me and I was surprised since I didn't know that.

We both took the next year to learn how to read. The doctor gave me another check-up, and we found out I can hear slightly, but it was awful. It's like some sounds are easier to hear for me and I just gave up when Rudeus informed me that the doctor said they didn't have anything to even help me with my hearing in this world.

Rudeus tried to teach me how to speak but I think that failed because he looked ready to die whenever I spoke. I was too loud and what came out of my mouth weren't even words in the end from either language I have learned.

I cried about being useless at it, but Rudeus always reassured me that since I can't hear myself there was nothing I can do, I was amazing enough already.

His encouragement helped me alot, and I started to smile more.

Our parents had caught on that I'm deaf before I got my checkup, and they were crying buckets about it when they found I actually am deaf.

Rudeus later explained to me that Zenith apologised to me for making me deaf, but it wasn't her fault. I have a new life that she has given me, that was a miracle and I HAVE LEGS THAT MOVE! AMAZING! So I'm not that useless this time.

'I can walk now, I would take that over hearing any day. I don't have to hear all those people pitying me anymore.' I was holding onto the door frame to get myself steady on my feet.

'You need to learn to walk first.' Rudeus informed me.

'I know!' I yelled in my mind and then tried speaking, but his face gave me confirmation that I failed like a boss.

I let go of the doorframe and started to take my first few steps.

Rudeus was nervous watching me just waiting for when he needed to run to me.

I took my first step making me squeal from excitement. I then took another step, and the next one was my final one since gravity wanted me back.

Rudeus caught me. 'Well done.' He praised me while I was crying and smiling.

'I always wanted to do that!' I exclaimed in my mind while shaking with joy.

'Fall?' He asked me.

'Walk then fall.' I laughed. 'I always used to just fall!'

He then poked my back, so I turned my head back to see Zenith and Paul in the doorway crying. They then hugged us tightly making me cry more and that made Paul cry more.

I finally have a caring family, being reincarnated is awesome.

Some time passed, and I was able to walk quite well, but I can't run yet. I have hit many walls trying to run, so Rudeus was making sure I was staying still by getting me to read the magic manual with him.

'I have seen some of this stuff in my old life, like-' Rudeus started to explain to me.

'THERE WAS MAGIC IN OUR LAST WORLD!!' I stared at him with my jaw wide open.

'...N- yes.' He answered making me roll around the floor excitedly. 'Now, listen, there are two ways to activate magic, incantations and magic circles, but incantations dominate the mainstream right now, there's a lot of background in this book.'

'But I'm more concerned that, according to this, your magic power is basically set in stone at birth, I doubt our genes aren't going to put in much work.' Rudeus pouted.

'Let's give it a go.' I suggested. 'I want to try a wind one.'

'Then I will try water...wait, don't you have to read it out loud?' He asked me.

'NOT FAIR!!' I yelled in my mind and whined.

He was panicking meaning I was being to loud. 'I'm doing cheat codes.' I decided.

I saw him laugh, and he started to say something as he held out his hand in front of his body. I then saw water start to appear in front of his hand making him freak out, it then drop onto the floor.

I went crawling over to a blanket and pulled on it. Rudeus put me on the blanket and pulled it over with me on it and we rubbed it onto the floor to get rid of the water.

'Shouldn't it go flying?' He asked me after we had finished cleaning up.

'Don't you need to mess up? You told me messing up is fine, you will get there eventually, like when I tried walking down the stairs yesterday?' I asked.

'...YOU FELL DOWN THE STAIRS!!' He shook me by my shoulders.

I just turned away and started to try out the wind spell called Wind Blast. I said the incantations out loud and Rudeus cringed making me glare at him, but I was just mad at myself.

This time I said the words in my mind, and it seemed like nothing was happened making me pout.

You're creating some wind, but it isn't really moving.' Rudeus put his hand near mine feeling the wind I'm making. 'Just take your own advice. You can mess up.'

I flinched because I felt piercing pain in my ears. "Ugh..." I let out and heard myself.

"She better not call herself useless again." I heard him speak but it wasn't inside my head, it was a distance away.

I looked at where it came from and saw my brother. "Tak?" I asked.

"Huh? Did you hear me?" He pointed at himself.

"Uh!" I exclaimed. "Hik! I da!"

"Amazing! You can learn to talk to!" He hugged me and I was shocked then hugged him back.

"You can let go." He informed me after a minute.

'I can decide how long the hugs go on for from what you said.' I said in my mind. "Sa no!" I laughed as tears came up from the relief of being able to hear again.

He sighed, but let me hug him for as long as I wanted to, he just read the book in the meantime. "How did the magic help you? You used wind magic."

'I know I'm special!' I informed him.

"Yeah." He responded, but his voice sounded more silent so I used more of the wind magic making his voice to loud and I could tell what my wind magic was doing.

'The wind takes the vibrations to my ears.' I explained to him as I whined from the volume of some of the noises. 'That cockroach there needs to be quiet.'

"WHERE?!" He squeaked and picked me up then ran.

As he ran, I couldn't hear anything anymore since my wind magic was back in the room making me pout, but I was relieved that there is some way for me to hear now.

Chapter Text

We tried out doing magic some more and we found out that the wind magic carries vibrations to my ears, but it's limited to how much I can make of it. If I can maintain it, I will be able to hear things around me all day long only thing is that people just have to be close to me and stay in the same area my wind magic is in.

"Ceres, this time focus, it's like practising combos in fighter games." Rudeus informed me.

"Fonus!" I exclaimed as I sat on the floor.

I have been getting a little better at speaking, but even when I say a word right it's very muffled or I slur the words, but at least people will be able to understand me somewhat.

"Concentrate, picture it over and over in your head then actually do it." Rudeus instructed me and I did it.

I made so much wind it smashed against the wall in front of me sending me back to the wall behind me. Rudeus landed on his back on the floor, he was making water magic at the window and he then got covered in water.

He seemed to try again. "Is this all my mp?" His arm fell shocking me and I started to cry loudly.

"Ma!" I yelled and she came running.

Zenith was concerned when she found us and checked on me first, but I pointed at Rudeus.

"Don't worry, he's just sleeping." She reassured me as she got Lilia to come in and clean up the water, she then panicked. "I mean." Zenith tried to sign to me what she said.

"Ai har." I let out, she was a little confused.

I pointed at my ear to do the sign for hear to show I heard her speak. Zenith had started to teach me sign language when she first figured out I was practically deaf.

The sign language they use is different from our last world, but it's similar in that you do use just both or one of your hands for the signs.

Her eyes widened then she immediately started to cry concerning me, I did my best to calm her down. "I'm so glad, you can hear." She hugged me tightly. "I hope you will be able to hear many things. I always wanted you to hear me say this, I love you."

I started to cry with her making Lilia laugh. "I'm glad Ceres is more like how a child should be compared to her brother." Lilia gave him a creeped-out stare as he was sleeping on a blanket.

"What happened to Rudeus?" Zenith asked me.

"Wee." I tried to say wet.

"I see." She hummed.

"Na wee!" I gave up on trying to speak.

"Your wee?" She asked me.

"Noa." I shook my head frantically, and I accidentally used a very deep tone.

When Rudeus woke up, he was silently crying in Zenith's arm while I was in her other arm. 'Damn it, I'm too old to look like I wet myself! Damn it! Damn it!' I heard him think and I patted his back.

'Can you take the blame?' He asked me.

"Nok." I rejected.

"That's yes in Japanese, thank you." He hugged me, and I tried to yell at him that it wasn't making Lilia and Zenith laugh as I messed up every word.

After that, we kept a bucket in the room, and the window open so I could use my wind magic without making the room a deadly bouncy castle that I heard are awesome.

We kept practising and slowly our mp seemed to have gone up after a whole year.

Rudeus learned sign language with me since I'm still deaf most of the time. I will practice even after I can manage to maintain wind magic constantly around me and that will take a long time to figure out. The wind outside just kidnaps my magic all the time, so I need some other way to communicate with others still.

'Man, this is hard.' I heard Rudeus think as I was showing him some signs, I then stopped unsure if he wants to continue. 'It will be a good skill to have!' He panicked.

I grinned at him and Zenith looking between us while smiling. She has noticed we communicate in some way, she just calls it sibling love.

I call it telepathy. As we learned sign language, I was reading the book Zenith brought to learn it from. I noticed the other two were talking to Paul, but they didn't seem to happy concerning me so I made some wind magic to hear.

"And now she magically goes deaf again? She's faking it, isn't she?" Paul laughed.

I didn't want to hear anymore. "I sori." I apologised and he paused seeing my expression.

Zenith and Rudeus then punched Paul in the gut, and he was dying on the floor. "Ignore him. He's what you call stupid." Rudeus informed me as he held me by my shoulders.

"Hey! I thought she just wanted my attention!" Paul yelled.

"Ban bat I caot ear?" I asked and groaned at my pronunciation.

"No, it's not bad that you can't hear! We are glad you can! He's just jealous you're so close to Rudeus, he wanted you to be a daddy's girl." Zenith grinned as Paul was blushing from embarrassment.

I hopped down from my seat and went and hugged him. "Louve boo." I grinned at him and he hugged me tightly.

"To cute!" He exclaimed.

I did use my wind magic more when I was around him to find he gave me compliments all the time even if I can't hear them and that really warmed my heart.

One night, I was with Rudeus on his bed reading the magic book. I used wind magic then I heard something I didn't want to. "Dear I can't anymore!" I started to wave away the wind trying to make myself deaf again.

'Our magic growing is a mystery along with our parent's sexual drive. They do it every night.' Rudeus informed me.

'Let me be ignorant.' I demanded.

'Okay, anyway, there's supposed to be a cap on magic power even if you work at it, but then it could increase as we grow up or maybe using magic at an early age dramatically increases our maximum.' Rudeus thought and I looked off to the side when I felt a heavy vibration to see he must have rolled off his bed smashing onto the floor.

The next day, we were practising and he was smirking, his face looked so weird. 'I shouldn't discount the possibility that we are unique!' I heard him think.

Yeah, unique once again, I'm disabled once again.

'Whoops, that's no good, cool it.' Rudeus calmed himself down.

'You're back!' I celebrated.

"Hey, I'm not turning into a villain." He sighed. "Anyway, for now, we should just train as much as we can while we are still growing, but how do I make these fly? Why did you go flying that time?"

'I just thought of a really powerful fart.' I explained. "So yoo."

"I'm going with that you meant yo instead of you." He stood next to me as we both used the window to try and learn how to make the magic fly.

I did it making me fly back again. "How?!" Rudeus yelled.

'I've been practising on moving the wind magic.' I explained as he helped me up. 'I want to hear everything without wanting to kill my ears after. I want peace, not murder.'

"You can do it." He reassured me. "Now, it's my go!"

"Targ!" I pointed at Paul's head.

"Got it!" Rudeus aimed his hand at Paul who was training while a bunch of women were making sounds I can't hear.

A water ball actually hit him, and I pulled Rudeus back with me before Paul looked over. I landed on my back while he landed on his butt and he repeated the spell and it went into the bucket making him cheer. "I finally cracked how this incantation works!"

"Woho!" I exclaimed.

I watched as he shaped his hand into a gun and started to shoot smaller balls of water. I put my hands below me on the ground and made wind from both making me fly across the room.

I hit into the blankets and cheered. "I flaw!" I exclaimed.

"I get it this spell goes create, set size, set firing speed, activate." Rudeus informed me. "What about you?"

"Fart power!" I explained.

"Seriously? Those are the first words you say correctly." He sighed while I laughed.

We carried on until we perfected the spells. I found out I can control the movement of my wind magic even after I made it, so I can keep it around us for longer like I had been wanting to do. I have to be gentle and slow with it and normal wind just makes it fly off, so I will still be deaf outside.

Having so much wind around me made my hearing perfect, so I was able to speak words with no mistakes just still a little slurred, but if I just focus and go slowly I can say them all perfectly, but I don't have time for that.

"We got more magic power now, so it's time we tried intermediate magic, it could help you hear even further." Rudeus excitedly went over to the book and picked it up.

I stood up and pulled on his arm, so I can get a look to. He lifted some of the pages on the side of the book where my spell is, so he could still see his and I can read mine. "Let's do it together!" He grinned.

I nodded, and I practised the spell name a couple of times then I said the incarnation all in my head while he said it all out loud. "Supple spirit of water and princess of streams that flow through the earth, sweep away all things with your hidden inner might."

"Splash flow, Strong wind." We both said them at the same time.

I noticed fog coming up around us and then a crazy amount of water appeared. My wind added to it making it go flying outside with the front wall.

I couldn't hear anything meaning all my wind is gone, and I held onto Rudeus tightly who was in shock.

We both fell to our knees, and I was staring out of our new big window then I felt a poke making me flinch and I looked to see Zenith. "You okay?" She signed to me.

I gave her a shaky thumbs up, and I glared at my hand for betraying me.

She patted my head and Rudeus's, she then noticed the book and picked it up while grinning scaring me a little.

She seemed to be asking us something since she looks to be expecting an answer. 'Scary, what's that look? Maybe kids who use magic are dangerous and get sent off to an inquisition.' I heard Rudeus think.

'I don't want to be sent away again!' I yelled and held onto him tightly while hiding behind him.

'You won't burn her or me! And no truck either!' Rudeus covered me.

I just hid my face until I heard him talk to me. 'We are fine, I suggest you make some wind magic.' He reassured me.

I slowly looked up to see his smile, and I used my wind magic to hear mum screaming making me think it was sex time again, but no it was about us. "Our boy and girl are geniuses!" She exclaimed.

"Hang on, this is an intermediate spell." Paul spoke up as he was looking at the book.

I saw Lilia cleaning...half of the room is dead, so I don't think that will help much. "Let's hire a magic tutor right now!" Zenith shook Paul.

"Wait, but we haven't taught them how to re-" He tried to retort.

"I'm sure they will grow up to be amazing mages!" Zenith squealed.

"..I...love...you." I hugged her waist and Zenith squealed as she allowed me the time to say that perfectly. "Mabic, I wab ta learn!" I rushed the last part because of my excitement.

"She wants to learn! Ceres is getting better at talking to!" Zenith lifted me up by my waist and then hugged me making me a little cautious, but I relaxed into the hug and it felt nice.

When I get excited my words get much more slurred, but I nailed the first sentence.

"Wait a minute! We promised that if it were a boy, he would be a swordsman and she's my little girl! She's deaf!" Paul retorted.

"But they both can do intermediate magic at their age! And she has her brother!" Zenith argued.

"A promise is a promise." He crossed his arms.

"Magic!" I yelled. "Wanl!....plwese."

"See she wants to learn, and you break your promises all the time!" Zenith reminded him.

"This has nothing to do with me?" Paul retorted.

"Mazic." I grinned.

"Why not teach him magic in the morning and swordsmanship in the afternoon?" Lilia asked. "And Ceres seems happy enough with just magic, it could help her be more independent."

"It's not good to fight in front of the baby, dear?" Zenith spoke sweetly as I was trapped between her's and Paul's hug confusing me.

'Is this a normal people thing?' I asked Rudeus since they made up way to quickly there.

'No.' He answered.

We both sighed. "Hey, they did that weird communication thing again!" Paul yelled.

"It's like they are connected." Zenith grinned and we both were a little surprised. That would make sense since we both died in the same incident and can talk to each other like this.

Very soon after, our magic tutor was coming to meet us, it was surprising how quick they were. I was running around the garden, but mostly rolling like a Pokemon as Rudeus was by the door.

'You don't like the outside, do you?' I asked him and he flinched.

'I did shut myself in.' He explained.

'I've never been out of our house. I love it, so you will be fine if you're with me, I can fart us out of anywhere!' I punched the air.

'Thanks, but stop calling your magic farts.' He sighed as I laughed.

I then felt a tap on my shoulder making me freak out and roll away since I felt no vibrations from whatever that was.

Rudeus stopped me from hitting the house, and I turned to see a blue-haired lady. 'ITS A HOT GIRL, NOT AN OLD DUDE!!' Rudeus's mind yelled.

'She looks 10.' I stared at him.

Rudeus called for our parents and they were surprised to see her too, Paul picked up Rudeus while Zenith picked me up.

The lady looked at me curiously as I made some wind magic so I could hear her. "My name is Roxy Migurdia, pleased to meet you." She greeted us.

"Ceres!" I exclaimed, and she gave me a confused look since I slurred my name, I practised for a whole goddamn hour.

'Her bush probably hasn't grown in yet.' Rudeus commented.

"Push?" I asked, and he shushed me confusing the others.

'I will give you some of my beautiful knowledge she has the traits, loli, scornful gaze, unsociable, they all equal perfection.' He taught me.

"Lolly? Lady taste good?" I asked.

'Yes, I want to marry her.' He informed me.

"You're the, um...home tutor?" Paul asked.

"You're awfully, well..." Zenith added.

"She's tiny!" Rudeus exclaimed.

"You're a fine one to talk!" Roxy huffed.

'Maybe she's sensitive about it? I didn't mean her chest, though.' He thought.

"Blue." I added. "Candy."

'She is.' Rudeus confirmed.

"I like you." Roxy admitted while smiling at me.

"Why smile?" I leaned away a little scared and Rudeus reached over and patted my head reassuring me she means no harm.

"So, where are the students I will be teaching?" Roxy asked.

"They are right here!" Zenith held me up and poked Rudeus's cheek.

She sighed. "You do see them sometimes. Idiot parents who think their kid has talent just because they're an early bloomer." Roxy started to rub our railing.

'We can hear you, Roxy!' Rudeus yelled in his mind.

"Excuse me?" Zenith asked with a scary smile making me freeze. "Not you, my dear."

"Sorry! I mean I doubt that these children could comprehend the theory of magic." Roxy explained.

"Don't worry, our little Rudy and Ceres are amazing!" Zenith declared making her sigh again.

"I understand, I will do what I can." Roxy nodded, and she started to go towards the front garden.

"Are we doing this outside?" Rudeus asked worriedly.

She said something, but she was to far away for me to hear. Zenith put me down, and Paul then put down Rudeus. "Hand." I demanded and Rudeus was confused.

I took his hand in mine. "I'm with you." I reassured him and pulled him along.

Chapter Text

We followed after Roxy who stopped by our stable with our horse in it. We had some chairs to sit on, and I used my wind magic so I could hear her, but she kept pacing back and forth so she got quieter and louder for me each time annoying me.

She taught us what kinds of magic there is and each of their ranks, Rudeus couldn't sit still. 'Poo?' I asked in my mind.

'What made you think that?!' He stared at me horrified.

'You did that when we were babies when you needed to go a poo.' I explained.

"Are you two paying attention?" Roxy asked us, and it was loud making me flinch.

"Left." I demanded and she moved left.

"Skirt up." Rudeus added, and Roxy gave him a shocked look.

"Sorry panicked." He lied.

"Anyway, I will start by demonstrating an incantation so repeat after me." Roxy held out her staff.

"Do you need the incantation?" Rudeus asked her as I stuck out my tongue while trying to push my wind magic more her way since she got quieter again.

"Of course you do." She sighed.

'We are special.' We both thought.

She said the usual incantation Rudeus uses and made a water ball killing Zenith's favourite tree with it. "NA! IT LOBS ITS PINE!!" The dying tree made my words die, I ran over to it.

"Did she mean spine?" Roxy asked, but she soon went quiet since my wind magic got blown away from her. I was doing my best to drag the tree to its base and Roxy then started to help me.

It looked like she was using another incantation when we got it back over. I was sitting on the tree as it went back...I was sitting on it, and now I'm falling off it towards the ground.

Roxy jumped and caught me then landed on her back on the ground.

I went rolling away after confusing her. She was trying to talk to me, but I was panicking and then just kind of had fun with rolling. 'Did your brain get stuck?' Rudeus stopped me from rolling.

'No, I didn't get stuck like the A button does.' I informed.

"That is annoying." He spoke up when he took me to where I pointed out some of my wind magic got blown to.

"Excuse me?" Roxy came over and I turned to her, she then sighed in relief. "You ignored me that entire time."

'She's pouting.' Rudeus was in awe.

"Me...deaf." I explained slowly so I could say the words right and I don't really want pity.

"...HUH?!" She exclaimed. "But you can hear me now!"

"You saw, I use magic. It's wind. It helps me hear." I informed her.

"You did use magic, but you didn't use an incantation." She said confused.

'Ceres, the magic manual said nothing about incantation-less spells, so it might be taboo.' Rudeus informed me and I started to sweat. 'GO DEAF QUICK!'

'I CAN'T DO IT THAT QUICK!' I freaked out in my mind.

"Would you do the wind spell for me?" Roxy asked me.

"Death again." I mumbled.

"Death?" She asked.

"No deaf, wah..." I was shaking making her laugh nervously.

"How about your brother goes first?" Roxy suggested after I had a breakdown or really a shakedown.

Rudeus stood in front of me like a barrier and I was very thankful. He held out his hand ready to do the water ball spell. "Let the great protection of water...HOOO!" He let out when some wind went by making Roxy's skirt go up.

The water ball then went and murdered Zenith's tree for a second time.

I looked at the tree and then at him and I was surprised to see him bowing to me. "Thank you! Wind goddess!" He exclaimed.

"NOB ME!" I yelled. "Not! Not!"

"What are you two doing?" Roxy asked us. "You cut the incantation short."

"Nho ma!" I yelled and went behind Rudeus as I was panicking even more so now I am speaking gibberish.

"I did." Rudeus admitted.

"Do you two always abridge it like that?" She asked us.

"We usually just skip it." Rudeus informed her nervously.

"Completely?!" She yelled.

"No! Hospatal!" I begged not wanting to go.

"I won't take you there." Roxy looked very tired. "So you both usually omit the incantation. I see, you're both worth training."

Rudeus smirked as I was sighing in relief. I then saw them both get scared, and Zenith walking over to the tree showing she was the reason.

I waved to her making her frown immediately disappear and she signed the words I love you making me grin.

"I screwed up right away, I guess I will be fired tomorrow." Roxy was rubbing the ground. I guess she likes rubbing things.

"Fired? Hired." I corrected her. "You're awenomm!"

'Now, what would a dating sim protagonist do in this situation?' Rudeus asked.

'Flirt?' I guessed.

"Yes!" He yelled then put his hand on her shoulder. "You didn't screw up, miss. You gained experience." He smirked weirdly.

"I suppose so, thank you." Roxy stood up and smiled at us.

She then flicked both of our foreheads. "Fly?" I asked.

Roxy then fell into a bowing position when Zenith came over. "Let's go inside, let's start by introducing ourselves, okay?" Zenith asked.

I breathed in heavily confusing them all. "I like vibting caroters!....Ah...." I groaned knowing I botched that. "Do you use wagons?" I slowly asked what I had been really wanting to know. "Ugh, weapons?!"

"Fighting characters." Rudeus translated part of it.

Roxy patted my head. "I only use magic." She explained making me pout in disappointment. "Anyway, I'm grateful, but I have nothing to offer you in return."

I started to pull her arm, but I was failing. "See even my daughter can tell you're being silly, let's go." Zenith pulled helped me pull her along, and we went inside.

"Rude!" I yelled.

"Coming!" He ran after us.

Paul was already drunk when we got in to have Roxy's welcome party.

I was happily eating everything Zenith wanted me to try, and that was everything. I have never been given so much of anything before and she was happy every time I ate something so I might die of food, can you?

'It's like a dream.' I looked to Rudeus who had his eyes closed as he started a monologue in his head.

'A dream I'm having as I die from that crash. No, even if it is, I don't care. In this world, I bet even I could make it. If I live and try as hard as everyone else, get back up when I fail and keep facing forward, then maybe I can do it. Maybe even a jobless, reclusive bum like me can get a do-over at life.' He was smiling to himself.

'I'm a disabled, forced shut-in kid who had no hope.' I thought making him look at me. 'So I'm with ya there. I'm sure we both can make it even with me being deaf and you with your so-called pervert curse!'

He messed up my hair making me whine. "I'm glad you died." He admitted. "Wait, no!"

I laughed. "Hanks for knot saving ma!"

The others were looking at us confused. "Looks like they have been playing pretend" Zenith laughed.

All the food was amazing that night. I was sleeping peacefully every day now except for one night.

"WHAT?!" I yelled when Rudeus slapped my back after he was dreaming and rolling around our bedroom for some reason.

'You're alive?' He looked shocked and pale, he had been sleeping until a moment ago.

'I am, it's sad we have run out of MP.' I complained since I'm deaf once again right now, but we have an adorable army of figures made with our stone spells.

'Yours are so much more detailed than mine.' He complained.

'Well, I learned to control my wind more.' I explained.

'Roxy said that shouldn't be possible, being able to control the magic after the spell is finished.' He hummed.

'It's constant?' I shrugged. 'With the wind magic, I can listen to what I want as I mean no hanky panky in my eardrums.'

'They are really going for it. We will definitely get more siblings, did you have any?' He asked me.

'Yeah, but I never met them.' I answered and he was surprised.

'They never visited?' He smacked his stone figure into mine, and we started to pretend they were fighting. I was the more enthusiastic one while he was smiling at me.

'Yeah, I don't even know if they knew I existed, I was the oldest so it's nice having an older brother this time.' I grinned.

'I was sick of my younger brothers, so it's nice to have a sister.' He admitted making me grin. 'Now, why don't we ask our parents why they are naked?'

'You ruined it.' I informed him, and he then left the room and came back in right after. 'Roxy is a growing girl.' He informed me.

'Growing?' I asked.

'...carrots.' He looked away nervously.

I picked up one of my stone figures making him scream I think. He must have been louder than Zenith since everyone came running most were weirdly sweaty.

"Why tee sweet?" I asked, but I couldn't hear their answers so I looked to Rudeus who was dying from laughter.

'HE CALLED IT A ROD OF STEEL!' He was rolling around everywhere.

In our classes, we learned all types of magic, and it was quite fun. We got to intermediate magic quickly for some reason and we started to do night classes.

We were both staring at Roxy intently as she explained the history of magic. My attention was on her face, and Rudeus's was where he told me the bush should be.

"Magic has its history to?" Rudeus hummed.

"It does." Roxy slammed his head with the book confusing me.

'I guess it's no use pretending to be a kid. It's a tough life.' He sighed.

I patted his back and he patted my head. "Still, I'm surprised, this world has spirits and demons in it, too, huh?" He mumbled.

"Kinda boring." I hummed.

"What will make it less boring?" Rudeus asked me.

"Sword." I answered.

"I'm a demon." Roxy informed us.

I nodded while Rudeus looked excited. "Didn't you both notice how surprised Paul and Zenith were to see me?" She asked us.

"Because you're so tiny, right, miss?" Rudeus spoke up.

"I am not tiny!" She retorted. "They were surprised by my hair colour like Ceres."

"I like blue." I explained.

"Oh." She blushed.

'Hey!' Rudeus yelled at me in his mind. 'How did you learn to flirt?'

'You mean talk?' I asked.

'I see, I need to watch who you talk to.' He narrowed his eyes at the wall.

"So I can't talk to walls like you do?" I asked, and I smirked at my amazing talking skills. I had filled the room to the brim with wind magic, so my hearing was normal like it was in my last life.

"Don't ask that in real life!" He yelled making me laugh.

Roxy laughed getting a little used to us having our own conversations. We haven't told anyone how we do it since we think it's best to keep our past lives a secret for now.

"Anyway, haven't you two ever heard of a terrifying race of demons called the Superd?" Roxy asked us.

"No, are they scary?" Rudeus mumbled.

"Are they super?" I held up my hand like how she taught me to do when asking questions.

She laughed. "They are scary and super. Four or five centuries ago, there was a big war between humans and demons called the Laplace war. In that war, the Superd went on a rampage. They slaughtered friend and foe alike without regard for women or children."

"That earned them the hatred of every race. After the war ended, I was told they were driven from the Demon Continent." She explained. "That shows how dangerous they are."

"Yea, but people exaggerate things bike..." I had to take a moment "Like, when I smash into a tree stop exagger..ateing your reactions." I sighed.

"You were bleeding a river." Rudeus reminded me.

"Yeah, that's normal." I responded and their eyes widened. "Is it not?"

"Ceres." Rudeus put his hands on my shoulders. "Fighting games aren't real."

"....Liar!" I yelled.

"They aren't!" He retorted.

"I'm deaf! Deaf to lies!" I yelled as I covered my ears and he started to say it in his head. "Panties!"

My yell made him think of Roxy for some reason, so I got left alone making me sigh in relief. "And next, you will say Santa doesn't exist." I sighed and they both froze. "Hmm?"

"NOTHING!" They both yelled confusing me.

Roxy asked me before who Santa is when I shouted Santa has a large sack. I told her about Christmas that I have only ever seen in games or heard people celebrating in the hospital.

"May I ask something?" Roxy spoke up.

"Not about my own panties. Rude said to never answer those questions." I warned her.

She laughed nervously. "Are you cursed?"

"Cursed?" I said confused and Rudeus was interested to.

"Sorry! Please ignore that!" Roxy apologised.

"No, it's fine. Why do you think I'm cursed?" I asked with a gentle smile showing I'm not mad.

"You're deaf, that is a normal thing, but yours seems to be connected with your magic and your father seems to think you're faking it." She explained.

"Yeah, I told him my magic helps me...but he just thinks I'm joking! I'm young...so I get why, but when I'm older I'm sure he will beliweve me, I have fath in him!" I exclaimed.

She was surprised and Rudeus ruffled my hair. "I'm glad you're getting your faith back in people." He grinned.

'I was only hurt by one person, you told me to think logically first, so in this world, I'm sure I can trust my family more than anyone else!' I grinned. "I don't really mind other people...I don't like the pity or smug looks...that's why I didn't want to speak about it to you, Roxy."

Roxy put her hand on my shoulder. "I don't pity you. I look up to you!"

"You're looking down on me right now." I retorted.

"I mean." She got flustered. "Not actually looking, I admire your bravery. You go running without even thinking that you're leaving your little circle of safety into what is just a void to you."

"I am scared." I admitted. "But he's here."

Rudeus patted my head again. "Now, pay attention. I need you two to never go near anyone with emerald green hair and what looks like a red gem on their forehead!" Roxy demanded.

"What would happen if we do?" Rudeus asked.

"Pancakes?" I asked.

"Your family will become pancakes." Roxy answered.

I took a second and then started to cry making them freak out. "Dona wanna thoa panmakes!" I completely lost focus on my pronunciation.

"We won't become pancakes." Rudeus reassured me.

"Don't worry, just don't go near them" Roxy tried to calm me down.

"Make them bald." I decided on my plan making them both pause. "....That work? The green hair would be gone. Does the bush need to go to?"

"Bush?!" Roxy blushed, and Rudeus slowly turned away from us.

"She doesn't know what that is!" Rudeus exclaimed.

"You like them!" I pointed out the window making Roxy sigh in relief.

'I do like them.' Rudeus thought then remembered I can hear his thoughts and he just went quiet again.

Roxy calmed herself down and then sat on her bed making Rudeus smirk. It was the end of the lesson and Rudeus kept complimenting Roxy. I started to move my wind magic out since the night before I heard strange things in this room.

It seems I can hear from distances with my wind magic if I leave some in the area. Rudeus was jealous when he found out.

It has been an entire year since Roxy arrived and it's been fun combining magic. I've been able to constantly put out my wind magic around me so when I'm outside it lasts for much longer now since it all used to go with the actual wind, but I have better control of it.

But that's only for light windy days, it still gets kidnapped by more powerful winds.

I will challenge them to a fight one day.

I'm just learning magic, so when its sword training I usually watched until I thought I should give it a go.

Paul was saying something as I was waving the sword around excitedly. 'Ceres, he says he won't go easy on you.' Rudeus informed me.

"God anime power!" I exclaimed confusing Paul while Rudeus fell over laughing.

I went and tried to hit Paul, but he easily hit me on the arm making me drop the sword. "Ah..." I stared at my sword.

'Ceres!' I heard Rudeus yell in his mind, but I felt something overwhelm all of my senses making me cry out loud.

I fell to my knees and looked at my arm to see it was broken. "Ma!" I yelled. Paul's eyes widened once he noticed what happened.

Zenith came running out of the house with Lilia not far behind her. Zenith was crying with me as I clung onto her skirt and she healed my arm, but they seemed to still be talking about it.

'They are arguing, that hit did look weak so it shouldn't have broken your arm.' Rudeus was next to me to scared to poke my arm that was now fully healed.

Lilia was watching us instead of intervening with Paul's and Zenith's argument like she usually does. Roxy was beside her probably feeling like she shouldn't intervene.

'My bones break easily.' I sniffed.

Rudeus paused. 'You broke something before?!' He checked me over.

'Not in this world, I had very weak bones and muscles in my past life. That's why I couldn't use a wheelchair without help.' I explained.

'You are cursed with it again?' Rudeus tightened his grip on the grass below us.

'I'm stronger in this life! I know I'm much stronger!' I reassured him and patted his head. 'Don't suffer.'

Rudeus looked at me and then down at the floor. He was just quiet, and I was shaking knowing that I have made him suffer. Lilia got a blanket and wrapped it around me.

Zenith picked me up soon after and they decided to take me to the doctor of the village to have him give me a check-up since this isn't something magic can help with.

I waved to Rudeus as he was nervously standing at the entrance to our house with Lilia and Roxy who looked scared for me.

Chapter Text

Zenith was holding me tightly, and Paul looked disgruntled as they silently walked together to the doctor's house.

I waved to the people in the village as we passed them and when we arrived at the doctors, the doctor was a little unnerved by Zenith's and Paul's demeanour.

He took us in very quickly after I saw Paul talk with him only a little and Zenith was rubbing my arm that broke earlier.

I was a little uncomfortable in the doctor's room since it only reminds me of where I practically lived for 18 years. I used my wind magic as I was nibbling on some food Zenith got for me to make me more comfortable.

"Be good for the doctor." Zenith asked of me and I nodded.

I have been surrounded by doctors my whole life I know most mean well. He did some tests that were similar to my previous world then some that were completely different and some of them were just plain stupid.

Both Zenith and Paul looked terrified and I smiled every time they looked at me. It helped Zenith a little, but Paul just looked more miserable and I was shaking every time concerning them even more.

The doctor was confused by my shaking until he asked if I'm scared and I nodded shocking the other two. "I mean not!" I yelled seeing them frown and I felt ready to cry.

The doctor laughed and patted my head then asked them to step out since he needs me to keep still.

He also checked my hearing and was impressed by how much progress I have made with speaking making me grin from the praise and then shake as well concerning him once again.

He says the shaking might be because I'm not used to getting compliments and my mind doesn't know how to handle them, so I get scared and just shake instead of responding.

He invited them back in when he was finished and he wasn't happy with the results.

"So what's wrong with her?" Paul asked.

"No more sword training, she has weak bones." He informed them and they were a little shocked. "A strike from you could break many bones easily. You were lucky it was just the one this time."

"Really? But we are really healthy." Paul retorted with a weak smile.

"What is it exactly? Was it caused by her birth?" Zenith asked while shaking a little like I do.

"Her birth probably doesn't have anything to do with her bones." He spoke honestly. "She was just born weaker, and you said she had a difficult time eating when she was first born, right?"

Zenith nodded. "That might have taken a part in it, and the birth didn't help since it was quite traumatic for the body and her hearing also shows the birth had an imp..." The doctor stopped speaking seeing how ashamed they looked then he gave me a look of sympathy.

"But I'm alive." I added, and the doctor grinned at me.

"You're." He patted my head.

"Then I'm fine!" I grinned since at least it was a little better than my last life.

My bones really aren't that weak this time since I have fallen quite a few times before and hit things. My muscles are fine to while in my last life even moving was hard, but in this world, I can run all I want.

The other two looked at me shocked. "I don't really like using a sword anyway, I want to watch and use magic." I reassured them.

"I do have to say its a miracle you found a way to hear, it seems your magic is able to amplify the sound around you." The doctor grinned. "But make sure you have your ears healed once in a while in case the sound starts to damage the little hearing you have left."

I nodded at his advice. I was happy to have something to make sure I never lose my hearing fully.

"You are lucky, your bones are only a little weaker, so you can move around without too much worry, but rigorous or sudden actions can cause a bone of yours to break." He informed me.

"Lucky?" Paul hissed. "She's just weak! Everything! Her hearing! Her bones! Anything makes her cry!" His every word made me flinch.

Zenith put her hand on his back, and he looked at me then frowned and turned and went to leave.

I panicked and used my wind magic to launch myself forward, and I grabbed onto his arm. "Eh?" Paul let out.

"Plwese don't!" I begged as I held onto him and they were all shocked at the desperation in my voice. "Don't abaunen me! Hate me, dunt lave me!"

"Hate? Leave?" Zenith slowly came over to me since the others were left speechless. She was keeping her distance as she bent down to my height. "I will never! You're my daughter!

"Mummy!" I cried, and I reached out towards her and she took my hand like I always wanted my other mother to do.

"We won't, I promise you." She hugged me tightly. "It's my fault you are deaf and now even your bones can break so easily. I'm the one who caused you so much pain. I want you to live freely and have a chance just like everyone else and I believe you still can, I will make sure of it."

Zenith's words really touched me, and I hugged her back fully believing her now. All she has ever given me was love. She loves me more than anything and even tries her best to help me like teaching me sign language so we can always talk to each other.

"I'm sou luckey." I cried. "I have yoo."

"I'm the lucky one." Zenith retorted and tightened her grip on me reassuring me, even more, she will always be here for me.

She blames herself not me for my condition, but I don't want her to blame herself.

We went home and Zenith carried me while Paul was still quiet and lagging behind us as we walked. Lilia was cleaning when we got back, but I could see she was doing a bad job because she was focusing on us.

Zenith put me down more carefully than ever before then I pulled on her dress and pointed at Lilia.

She was confused then noticed Lilia's concerned look and patted my head and went over to tell her the results. 'So...' Rudeus was in front of me with a neutral look on his face.

'Muscles are good, but my bones are nearly the same as my last life.' I informed Rudeus. 'I was weak since I never moved. My bones were brittle then to since I heard I wasn't fed well at the beginning of my life, either. I think that's what they said made it worse, but-'

Rudeus punched a wall. 'DON'T HURT IT!' I panicked. 'Are you okay?!'

Rudeus started to yell and I used my wind magic to hear his voice. "THAT'S UNFAIR! SO UNFAIR!" Rudeus cried and hugged me. "You deserve so much better than that!"

'I did get better.' I informed him, and he shook me by my shoulders making the others freak out.

"STOP TAKING A LITTLE KINDNESS AS A MIRACLE! You should be given a good life! Not this!" Rudeus yelled. 'This is our second chance, but this world just piles this all on top of you. How is that fair?!'

"Life isn't." I reminded him. 'Like video games, the main character always needs to grow and get stronger! So I will do that! My name goes with the goddess of harvest who is great at growing!'

Rudeus then smacked his cheeks making tears come up in my eyes. "Wait, I didn't mean for that!" Rudeus panicked.

Rudeus had a small grin on his face then smirked. "Okay, it's decided. I'm getting stronger, so I can protect you." He decided.

'What? Why?' I asked and he sighed.

"You're my little sister! Dad isn't any good, so I will protect you!" Rudeus declared, and we found it strange that Paul didn't complain and he wasn't anywhere around. 'He looked like a dead man when he came back.'

"Ded dad!" I exclaimed and ran outside to go find him.

I did eventually find him by just emitting wind magic constantly. He looked like he had been training and he looked confused seeing me running his way.

He flinched when I clung to his legs. "Yoo not ded!" I yelled.

"Um...I'm not dead?" He said confused and I grinned.

He laughed then slowly picked me up and I hugged him and he froze then I heard him sniff. "Beer!" I exclaimed as I smacked his face to wipe at his tears.

"Yeah, just don't tell anyone." Paul begged of me and I continued hugging him and he cried and I cried with him since I can't help it.

We walked back home slowly, but it felt really nice and peaceful. 'Is this what it's like to have a caring dad? I'm keeping him.' I grinned.

I heard Rudeus was panicking from what wind magic was left at home and we were quite close home. "It's fine." Zenith reassured Rudeus and he seemed confused.

"Ham!" I waved at them when I could see them. "Knome!...give up."

"You can say that part!" Paul laughed. "We are home!"

"That!" I grinned.

"Welcome home you two." Zenith grinned with what seemed to be a knowing smile.

The next day, when we were doing magic training I noticed Roxy was scared to even touch me. Whenever I fall now, everyone has a heart attack, but I just make sure to land at the right angle and if I can, I use my wind magic to lighten my fall.

I normally cry after since I made everyone suffer since they all think I broke something, but sometimes their thoughts are right.

I was watching Rudeus fail, and Paul do the most impossible training for a four-year-old. Seriously, Rudeus isn't going to learn if you just keep hitting him and he isn't the type to use a sword, cool people are the type who do.

I noticed the reason why Rudeus is scared of the outside, it isn't because everything is more beautiful than him, it's children.

We were watching some kids playing around chasing each other. They waved at us and I waved back then I saw Rudeus had ducked down behind the wall, so I did to. 'Who is the seeker?' I asked making him stop shaking. 'We can hide as long as you want.'

"Thanks." He mumbled after I had made some wind magic for just behind the wall so I could hear him and it doesn't get kidnapped.

'Their smiles were creepy, though.' I added.

He nodded agreeing with me, I guess we both are traumatised by smiles.

"What are you two doing?" Roxy asked us making me flinch.

I moved closer to the horse barn and made some more wind magic so I could hear myself clearly. "Thinking of our trauma." I answered, and she came over to us confused as I was smirking victoriously because I talked clearly.

"Playing pretend." Rudeus laughed nervously.

"You two play pretend, but of dying and traumatised people?" She said confused then shrugged. "Children these days."

"My hometown was in a place not even a blade of grass would grow, so I can't really describe how this scenery makes me feel." Roxy had a sad smile on her face as she looked out at the vast number of fields that seemed to blend in with the mountains in the far back.

"I really am enjoying myself, miss!" Rudeus exclaimed.

"Learning magic is fun!" I added. "And runeing!"

"You also fall." They reminded me.

"It has to end one way." I shrugged.

"Look over there." Roxy pointed ahead of us. "You can see mountains in the distance."

"The Red Dragon Mountains, right?" Rudeus spoke up.

"That's right, you're studying hard." Roxy grinned. "Did you know, Ceres?"

I just pretended I was deaf again and Rudeus then signed right in front of my face annoying me. "I'm blind pow." I decided.

"You can't decide on that one." He sighed.

Roxy laughed. "Far to the north of here, beyond those mountains, is a country called Ranoa."

"What's it like?" Rudeus asked.

"Any consoles?" I added making Rudeus's eyes shine.

Roxy looked confused. "I have never heard of those." She admitted making us both whine. "In winter, it's very cold and covered in deep snow. The snow piles up this high!" She reached up above her head making my jaw fall.

"I need!" I exclaimed. 'I always wanted to touch snow, but I could never reach it or get outside. I tried breaking the window open a couple of times.' I rubbed my nose.

"Did you use your nose?" Rudeus asked me concerned.

"How did you know?!" I exclaimed making Roxy laugh even though she didn't hear me since I only spoke to Rudeus in my mind.

"Ranoa University of Magic is the best school of magic in the world. It offers advanced, up-to-date lectures." She informed us.

"School? I want." I grinned, but Rudeus' mind was very different from mine right now.

'School. Not my favourite word.' He admitted in his mind.

"At magic university, social status and pride don't matter. It takes in students of all races and diligently pursues magical research." Roxy bent down in front of us and put her hands on our shoulders. "If you want to keep walking the path of magic, Rudy, Ceres. I recommend you both go to Ranoa."

"I'd have to leave the house before I could...nothing." Rudeus sighed as Roxy seemed confused by his words. "I don't need to go to that place. You're the only master I need, Miss Roxy!"

'Are you trapped?' I asked him in my mind shocking him. 'Your fear is holding you back, right? My disability held me back, but all I need was someone to help me. I hated it. I don't like being a burden, but I now know you sometimes need it to grow. I want to help you, so will you let me?'

"I-" Rudeus went to say.

"You two never call me master again. You both will surpass me. You wouldn't want to call someone weaker than you master." Roxy gave us a sad smile.

"I can ball you whatever I want!" I exclaimed. "If that's allnay wik you?" My face scrunched up at how many mistakes there were as the wind decided to get stronger.

Roxy laughed and ruffled my hair. "It's okay with me, but you both will understand sooner or later."

'Didn't you use to be an adult? What does that mean?' I asked him in my mind.

'I have no clue.' Rudeus answered.

A couple of months later, it was my 4th birthday. This country has no custom of celebrating birthdays every year, but they do throw a big party for every 5th birthday.

I thought it would be a normal day like the rest of my birthdays, but I found everyone outside the house just sitting there.

"What happened?" I asked as I made some wind magic.

"Ceres, thank god! Please go inside before Rudeus burns down the house!" Lilia asked of me.

"Go on, Ceres." Zenith grinned happily as she pushed me towards the house. It was a little suspicious and Paul was trying to get in through a window then got hit by a blast of wind and got stuck in a tree.

"Again!" I heard him yell faintly since he was so far away.

I went over to the front door, and it felt kind of ominous like the hospital was at nighttime.

I slowly opened the front door to see Rudeus with something all over him as he was laughing maniacally until I used fire magic to illuminate him.

"Oh-" He paused. "Happy birthday!"

I was shocked to see a horribly made cake that looks like it was thrown onto the table and on every other surface of the house. I then laughed seeing he was covered in icing and alot of flour, he was confused and then got concerned. "Why are you crying?!"

"Thanks! This is my first cake!" I exclaimed remembering back to my birthdays in my past life. I would be lucky to get a little cupcake, but the nurses just brought it from somewhere while this cake was made for me personally.

"Come on, blow out the candles!" Rudeus tried to pick up the cake and tore it in half making me die from laughter at his frown.

He grinned at me. "Thank you for being born, Ceres!" He exclaimed surprising me and I was a crying mess again.

"I haven't brought you any suffering, right?" I asked and he nodded. "So you don't want to kill me?"

"Never!" He ran over and hugged me. "Forget her! You didn't make her suffer. She did that to you! You were only eighteen and stupid, you still kind of are."

"Thanks!" I grinned. "I'm the happiest I have been!"

I blew out my candle hoping I can stay here forever. We tried our best to cut slices of cake from the heap of sponges and icing on the table.

The others then came in to see us eating and were confused. "This is why you kept kicking me out of the house!" Paul yelled.

"Launched not kicked." Rudeus retorted.

"But kicking would be cooler." I mumbled.

"What's with the cake?" Zenith laughed as she tried to clean me up.

"Birthday cake!" I exclaimed.

"Birthday cake?" Zenith laughed.

"Wait, you don't know it?!" Rudeus yelled betrayed.

"It doesn't exist here, it's so good." I whined as I ate more and Paul tried to stop me since he said he saw the cake move on its own.

After all that, Lilia was cleaning up the place as we were having a cake coma on the couch. "Hey, Ceres." Rudeus spoke up.

"Ah." I nodded.

"You can speak, use yes." He ordered.

"No." I responded making Zenith and Lilia laugh.

"I promise you that I have never suffered because of you." He informed me and the others were confused. "I have only just found you annoying sometimes, and I don't feel pity for you. I just find you really stupid instead in those moments."

"Hey! That's not how you talk-" Paul started to yell.

"That's the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me!" I exclaimed surprising them. "It feels warm." I started to get sleepy.

"Good night, my dear daughter." Zenith put a blanket over us and then kissed our foreheads.

"Have a good sleep." Paul ruffled my hair, and Lilia put a pillow under my head as she gave me a gentle smile.

That was the best sleep and birthday ever.

Chapter Text

A couple of weeks after my birthday, it was Rudeus's birthday and we were going all out for it. I was making the cake this time as all the boys were forced to keep out of the kitchen. I pinned them to the ceiling using wind magic a couple of times.

Paul cried proud of me while Rudeus was annoyed.

We soon finished up and set the whole table. I put Rudeus's cake in front of him as we all sang happy birthday to him.

The cake was decent enough. "Thank you very much!" Rudeus exclaimed. "The cake is good!"

"Yes!" I celebrated and punched the table then went down in pain concerning them.

"She's just like her father." Zenith laughed as she held my hands in her and healed them.

"I'm proud." Paul cried while Rudeus sighed.

We all sat around the table. "Happy birthday!" We all yelled again.

"Thank you very much." He grinned. Paul danced for us with his sword, not that one. Rudeus says there's another one he has, but didn't explain further when he saw I was confused.

Paul then tried to eat his sword making me fall out of my seat.

"Is he dad?!" I yelled.

"Dead?" Rudeus asked.

"He is!" I was on the edge of tears and Paul then picked me up making me sigh in relief as the others laughed.

We all happily ate our food, and I gave Rudeus his present it was a flower crown. I put it on his head proudly. 'You never go out, so I'm bringing the outside to you. I hope it helps!' I grinned.

He gave me a sweet smile and hugged me. "Nothing can beat that present." He informed me.

I smirked as Paul looked ready to challenge my present. "This is for you." Paul gave him a sword.

Rudeus looks like he was about to sink with it, so I helped him hold it up and I was in shock at the weight. "Thank you very much, father." Rudeus grinned nervously.

"Ahem. Well, you may still be too young for that sword, but a man has to carry a sword inside his heart." Paul explained.

"He's not stabbing his body self!" I yelled not getting my words outright.

Paul then explained it in depth to me and I was starting to fall asleep since he was complaining about magic and I didn't ask for his opinion. "Dear, you are making our daughter fall asleep." Zenith chopped his head.

She then held out a book to Rudeus and he dropped that sword quickly.

"I know how you like books." Zenith explained as he opened it.

"Thank you very much, mother! This is what I wanted!" Rudeus was genuinely happy this time.

"Oh, what a good boy you are!" Zenith hugged him.

After she stopped hugging him and then me, which took an hour, it was Roxy's turn. "I actually have one for you both." Roxy held out two sticks to us with a colourful stone on the end.

Mine was blue while Rudeus's was red.

"That's a magic stone. It acts to amplify magic power, so it should be useful." Roxy explained.

"It's really pretty!" Rudeus exclaimed.

"Do I smack?" I asked.

"No, you point." Roxy instructed me. "Students who master beginner magic are customarily given wands, but you two can already use it, so it slipped my mind. My apologies."

'Hopefully your panti-' Rudeus cut off his thinking when I looked at him.

"Hanks!" I exclaimed.

"Thanks!" Rudeus added. "We will take good care of them, master!"

I nodded frantically, but she looked a little sad. "You both have learned four types of advanced attack magic at such a young age. Feel free to act a little more conceited." Roxy grinned.

"No, it's because you taught us well, master." Rudeus retorted.

"Need to learn more! I want to be the reason suffering ends for others, not art it!" I explained.

'Start.' Rudeus spoke in his mind.

"Start!" I corrected myself making them all laugh.

"There's very little I can teach you both." Roxy admitted shocking us. "I will be holding both of your graduation exams tomorrow."

"Graduation?" Rudeus asked.

"I will finally graduate something!" I exclaimed. "I'm gonna beat it...how do you graduate?"

"I will explain tomorrow." Roxy grinned.

"Now, let's continue!" Paul lifted me up onto his shoulders and held onto my legs as he danced around.

Later on in the night, I found Rudeus staring out of the window. 'As soon as I look outside, I remember that day. I remember it like it was yesterday.' I got concerned seeing his shoulders drop. 'In my old life, I always fantasised while agonising in my room. If I suddenly awakened to amazing powers, or if a hot girl suddenly moved in with me. I'm sure I could try hard.'

'One of those dreams came true, but my feet won't move. That despair is waiting for me outside. I'm too scared to take a step forward. I promised myself I would get serious, but my body refuses to keep up. I might cry.' I panicked hearing all of that then came up with a brilliant plan.

'Do you want me to push you out the window?' I popped up next to him making him flinch.

He said something, but I couldn't hear him since my wind magic was with everyone else. I think this shouldn't be heard by others, so I pointed at my head and he then asked me in his mind. 'Why?'

'So you can go outside, your body can't move so I will move it! People did it for me in the past!' I grinned.

He patted my head with a gentle smile on his face. 'One day.' He then walked off.

'What?! Today then!' I retorted, and he didn't even look at me. 'Oi! Pussy!' I chased after him.

'How do you know that word?!' He yelled. I pointed at him and he looked very nervous.

The next day, we were in our garden with our giant ass horse.

I was trying to fight the wind because it was so strong my wind magic was just being blown away in a second.

Roxy then tried talking to me, but it kept cutting out. "Save my pee?" I asked making her panic.

'Save your mp.' Rudeus informed me in his mind, and I saw he was hiding behind Zenith who is closest to the house.

'NOOOOO!' Rudeus's mind yelled as Paul went to poke him, so I went over to pat his head.

"Thank you." Zenith signed to me as Rudeus seemed to calm down a little then she signed to me as she explained to Roxy that he doesn't like the outside.

"Not monsters, outside scary." I explained, but couldn't hear myself I saw all their heads tilt to the side. I actually said. "Not mobsters, outside beary."

Paul then tried to pick up Rudy, and he ran behind me. The horse seemed to be making a sound by how it was moving and I signed to it.

'The horse can't talk.' Rudeus informed me in his mind.

"Ehh!" I exclaimed shocked.

He laughed at me then Paul picked me up and put me up on the horse. Roxy put Rudeus on behind me then got on behind him.

We started to move, and Rudeus started to fidget showing he was scared. It was the gate that scared him, so I just made random sounds to the rhythm of a song that played in the background of one of my fighting games to distract him.

'What are you doing?' He asked me.

'Well, look at that we left home.' I grinned back at him, and he looked around shocked.

I was excited as people looked at us. They seemed to be farming and I shouted greetings to them, they looked confused then waved back while smiling.

'You shouted help, not hello.' Rudeus informed me.

'Oops.' I laughed.

I waved to everyone as we went on and I instantly fell in love with the village. Everyone is so nice and Rudeus finally relaxed. 'What was I afraid of? Who is going to make fun of me in a peaceful village like this?' I heard him think.

'No one!' I answered.

We then got out to an open field, and I slid off the horse then I heard a scream. 'You can scream in your mind?' I asked Rudeus.

'WHY DID YOU FALL?!' He shook me by my shoulders when he got down.

'I slid, not fall.' I smirked proudly that I'm finally correcting him for once.

He sighed and then we got ready for Roxy to demonstrate Rudeus's spell. She had given me some paper that has written on it what I need to do for my spell.

Roxy walked off into the field we are standing in and I went to follow, but Rudeus pulled me back. 'Stay here, it's dangerous. Especially that you can't hear.' Rudeus warned me and I still went forward one step since I wanted to walk and he held my hand.

Roxy held up her staff and started a spell. The wind picked up as the clouds darkened, and Roxy waved around her staff making rain come down on us and it was a whole shower.

The wind made us go flying and I hit in to our horse and held onto its leg.

I started to let out my own wind magic around me to protect myself as I kept my eyes closed then the rain stopped. "CERES!!" I heard faint yells since my wind magic was scattered around everywhere. They both ran over to see that I'm fine, but the horse was on its side confusing me.

"Healing magic, master!" Rudeus yelled.

Roxy healed the horse while Rudeus checked on me. "Did you feel a sting?" He asked me.

"I felt a horse leg. I smaoused into it." I explained and he sighed in relief. I made more wind magic since their voices were cutting out for me.

"Did you make a shield of wind magic?" Roxy asked me.

"I just imagined a hug." I explained.

"Well done." She patted my head. "Now, may I ask you two to keep this between us?"

"Don't worry, I won't say a word." Rudeus reassured her.

"Is it bad?" I asked.

"You nearly died." Rudeus explained.

"But I have done that befo- NEVER!!" I yelled.

Roxy laughed. "Now, you try it! I will protect Caravaggio and Ceres!"

Rudeus started to walk out to where Roxy was before and Roxy used an earth spell to make a dome around us. She left two little holes for us to watch through. 'This is the final exam.' I heard Rudeus think he sounds disappointed. 'That means this is the end of our home tutoring.'

I saw his mouth moving meaning he was starting the spell, and he waved around his wand. 'Roxy would say I can't impose on you when I have nothing left to teach and just leave the house tomorrow. That makes today our last day.'

I pouted at Roxy who was confused.

Roxy got the dome to fall apart after the spell was finished and I saw the whole area was soaked meaning Rudeus's spell was much more powerful than Roxy's.

I then saw Roxy was trying to sign to me. I let out wing magic since I need to ask what the hell she is saying. "Tuna..goes...great with...feet?" I had a disgusted look on my face, and she started to rub a puddle with her finger.

'Your go.' Rudeus informed me.

I nodded and went into the middle of the field as they hid in the stone dome. I made wind magic, so I could hear myself and focus on saying the words of the incantation rightly and I stopped midway from hearing everything around me.

It was all new to me. I could hear all kinds of bugs and people from the village talking. It was like I was listening in on the entire world. My wind magic built up more and more making a huge tornado around me, but the sound was building up to and it was getting too much for me.

I could hear much further and there were many voices in my ears overwhelming me, so I covered my ears. "Too much!" I yelled wanting it to stop. I didn't have control anymore scaring me, I'm just the same as before nothing has changed. "Please, just stop!"

I heard my voice echo as well making me go quiet, it only made it scarier since I can't even call for help. "Ceres! Sis!" I heard Rudeus yell and he came running in and hugged me. 'Just hold out, I'm here.' He reassured me in his mind.

I hugged him back instead of covering my ears. It was comforting knowing I'm not alone this time, it was not the same as before. I can have as many hugs as I want!

I giggled happily to myself at finally not being useless for once. I can hear, and I can walk just like anyone else, even if it's just for one moment.

The spell soon stopped, but the wind was all around us still. I tried controlling it, and I only could move certain parts of it, but I was able to lift a dead tree a little leaving Roxy amazed.

"I could move a whole mountain!" I exclaimed.

"You can't even move a rock with your actual hands." Rudeus stared at me and I slapped him with four leaves in the face with my wind making us both laugh.

"Are you okay?" Roxy asked me.

"Scary, butt Rudeus came to help me." I grinned.

"Wrong but." Rudeus patted my head.

We then sat on the dead tree, and I loved being able to hear everything out here for once like my hearing is normal. "I didn't tell you two to make such huge attacks." Roxy sighed.

"The paper said big wind, so I made big wind." I retorted.

"Did I overdo it?" Rudeus asked.

"It's a shame. Now there really is nothing more I can teach you two." Roxy informed us.

"I want to go deaf again." I sighed.

"Then I will say this now. Congratulations, Rudeus, you're a sacred level water mage and Ceres, you're a sacred level wind mage." Roxy grinned.

We went back, and Zenith and Paul were begging her not to leave because of recipes? I used my wind magic again, so I could hear more. "I plan to travel the world and hone my magical abilities over again." Roxy explained.

"Sorry, it looks like our children made you lose your confidence." Paul apologised.

'Isn't that an insult?' I asked Rudeus.

'Yes.' He answered immediately.

"Rudy, Ceres, this is the best I could." Roxy bent down in front of us. "But it seems I lack the ability to guide you both."

"Nah!" I exclaimed.

"You taught us all sorts of things, master." Rudeus added.

"Rocks...Why are you abandoning us?" I pouted at her. I was ready to cry any second now making them all panic.

"I'm not! We will see each other again." Roxy reassured me.

"Really?" I excitedly asked her.

"Yeah." She nodded.

"Then okay, I will wait! No dying or seeing trucks!" I exclaimed.

"Trucks?" She asked while Rudeus shivered.

"Oh, yeah." Roxy gave us both a necklace. "These are charms from my hometown." She informed us. "I didn't have time to prepare a graduation party, so this will have to do."

"I love graduateing!" I yelled.

"We will treasure it." Rudeus promised her.

"That would make me happy." Roxy grinned and then stood up. "It's time to go, goodbye."

Our parents were sobbing, and I pulled Rudeus with me to chase after her a little as she was nearly out of our sight. "Master!" Rudeus yelled.

I put my hands beside his mouth confusing him. "Voice, loud, boom." I explained.

"Thank you very much!" He yelled and my wind magic made it echo all around us so she definitely heard.

'She gave us a lot of knowledge, experience, and technique and she even brought me outside healing that trauma for me and most importantly helping you hear the world.' Rudeus grinned. 'I'm going to respect that little girl.'

I thought he would, but the next day I got poked on the shoulder and saw Rudeus on the floor bowing while Lilia held out some panties to me and signed to me asking if they are mine.

I shook my head since you can see they are to big for me, but to small for Zenith or Lilia. 'SORRY!' Rudeus's mind yelled, and I think those panties were Roxy's.

'Did you want to try wearing some?' I asked.

'On my face, yes.' He answered.

"Oh, should I try that? Is it in fashion?' I ran off, and Rudeus decked me for some reason.

The next day in the morning, he prayed to the panties. 'Why do you do that with the panties?' I asked him.

He flinched. 'Ceres, I have something to tell you...' He paused for the dramatic effect that wasn't there. 'This a holy relic, I pray to it so all our family can stay safe.'

I joined him in praying and he told me to keep it a secret since the prayer won't work if others know.

We are going out today since I have wanted to explore for so long and he finally wants to get out there and live his life.

'Bunny! Or cat?!' I yelled in my mind while staring at my shoes.

'Bunny.' Rudeus tied them for me.

I then ran out and saw Paul tap Zenith's ass. "Game?" I asked.

Zenith shook her head frantically. "Can we play outside?" Rudeus and I walked over to them and Rudeus signed so I can see what they are talking about.

Paul nodded and Zenith seemed happy. "You were worried I was sickly?" Rudeus asked them.

"You never cried." Zenith signed what Paul said because he sucked at learning it.

"I'm growing into a sturdy, charming son." Rudeus bragged.

"He protects the family by hailing pan-" Rudeus covered my mouth and then dragged me away from them a little.

'Did I say a word wrong?' I asked with disappointment.

'That isn't the reason, hailing is kind of the same as praying.' He panicked. 'You nearly told them about the holy relic.'

'Oh! Sorry!' I panicked.

He patted my head and Paul then started a lecture. I could tell him from his posture and the bored-to-death looks Zenith and Rudeus have on their faces.

"Be nice to people, use your strength to protect the weak." Rudeus told me the important parts. "That's what father wants us to do."

"Peasy!" I yelled.

I then ran off making Rudeus chase after me, it was fun to just run. 'People are waving!' Rudeus yelled in his mind.

I jumped onto the side of the bridge and waved at a mother and her daughter washing some clothes in the river.

Rudeus then pulled me down, and he was shaking as he carried me away from the bridge. 'Stop being reckless.' He asked of me.

'I'm an adventurer, not reckless.' I grinned.

'You're stupid.' He informed me making me slap his head lightly and we both laughed.

Chapter Text

We both went further into the forest to find a giant tree with leaves that are coloured scarlet. There were many rocks under it covered in moss, so I kept slipping since I just wanted to look up at the tree. Rudeus had to hold my arm to make sure I don't fall, but we both fell together since the tree is just to pretty to not look up at.

We carried on finding many different kinds of flowers then I decided I liked a tree, so we sat underneath it. We read a book on the different kinds of plants around us.

I made wind magic that won't go flying because of the tree and it was mainly around the book and Rudeus.

Rudeus showed me the plants, and I would go running to find them. He got me to try to say their names. "You are joking, right?" I asked seeing the name of one.

"Come on, try it." He sighed.

"Shrooms." I grinned.

"No, it's Aleurodiscus wakefieldiae." Rudeus said it flawlessly.

"Yeah, those words scare me." I hummed since I don't like big stupid words like that, they aren't useful and mess me up. "Anyway, can I eat it and grow bigger?"

"This world isn't Mario." He sighed as I took the mushroom from him.

He was looking at the book and then smacked the mushroom out of my hand as I tried to eat it. "Don't! These mushrooms can have bacteria that when digested cause hearing loss." He scolded me.

"I'm deaf." I reminded him.

"...oh, yeah." He mumbled, and I went to try to eat it again, but he kept stopping me making me whine.

He dragged me along and then made me hit a tree annoying. 'I'm the deaf one. I should be the one making myself hit into things, not you.' I complained.

'Someone is getting hit.' He informed me.

I saw the concerned look on his face, and I looked to see three boys from our village throwing mud at someone already covered in mud.

'This is bullying.' Rudeus groaned.

'It is? I don't like it.' I was ready to run out there.

One of the kids then picked up a rock, so Rudeus started to run in while I made wind magic in front of me and had it make a small tornado in front of my face.

Rudeus hit one kid with a water ball. I then screamed into the tornado, and they all fell to the ground including Rudeus. "I will eat all of you!" I yelled as I kept back in the woods.

The kids cried and ran for it. 'Rude? You okay?' I asked nervously. Rudeus jumped up and gave me a thumbs up making me grin.

"Did that nerk?" I jogged over to the victim, and Rudeus did to.

'It did work! And amazing, he's shockingly handsome.' Rudeus commented in his mind. 'I bet he'd make a shotacon lady's heart skip a beat.'

'Shota?' I asked. 'Am I one?'

Rudeus screamed, but I couldn't hear him since my wind magic is gone. I helped the girl up, and I motioned her to lean her head forward. 'I guess he mostly does what people tell him to. I bet he'd make a shotacon dude's heartthrob.' Rudeus thought.

'There are different kinds! Like other races?!' I excitedly asked him.

Rudeus got nervous and made a water ball and the girl hugged me. I hugged her back, and Rudeus used the water on her head while I add some fire at the sides to make the water warm.

She then shook her hair, and I used wind magic on her hair while Rudeus was freaking out for some reason. 'GREEN HAIR! RED GEM!'

"Pancakes!" I rolled away. I was on the edge of tears, but I didn't see a red gem on her forehead when she looked at me concerned. "You bate pancakes, good." I sighed in relief.

"No, I like pancakes." She informed me.

I was freaking out again, and Rudeus stopped me. 'He's not a dangerous Superd! Pancakes don't matter in it, either.' He patted my head.

"But mum told me food is the most important thing." I retorted as I emitted more wind magic. "So I don't beed to eat?"

"No, you need to eat." He sighed and I was confused. "Food is important."

"You're going back on your words." I complained.

"We are talking about pancakes and Superds still, right?" He said confused.

"Were we?" I asked and we had no clue what we were really talking about anymore.

Rudeus sighed as the girl laughed. Rudeus then started to lecture her on fighting back against those bullies while I was checking out her ears.

"You don't mind how I look?" She looked at me since I was so close.

"Her ears wiggled!" I squealed, and she grinned at me nervously. "Demons bar great!"

"I asked my dad, he says I'm not one." She informed us. "My dad is just half-elf."

'I KNEW IT!' Rudeus's mind yelled way to happily.

"But my hair colour is different from my dad's and my mum's." She started to cry and I cried with her.

I breathed in and let out a lot of wind magic to make sure I can hear myself well. "It's not a bad thing!" I reassured her. "I'm deaf!...but no one else bis! We are special, unlike Rude!"

I hugged her as she cried and Rudeus explained how I can hear. 'It sounds like his family situation is complicated. Still, he gets muds thrown at him for just his hair colour? Just the idea almost makes me piss myself.' Rudeus shivered.

I rolled away from him with the girl. "I won't actually!" Rudeus yelled and I discovered a hill...then a river.

We got back onto land, and Rudeus was scolding me as he got me dry. I just made myself deaf, and he scolded me in his mind making me whine.

Rudeus then got me to put up my hands telling me to make wind magic again and I saw she was trying to talk to me.

"Why did you help me?" She asked us.

"Weak!" I pointed at her.

"Yeah, our dad asked us to make friends with the weak." Rudeus added.

"But they might leave you out." She said concerned.

"Good! Why would I want to know that?" I asked. "Men in this world are ugh so far."

"Hey." Rudeus spoke up.

"You're a boo." I informed him. I meant boy.

"Anyway, you should play with us. We are friends now." Rudeus grinned at her and she was surprised. "Are you busy with chores or something?"

"No!" She shook her head.

'Lucky. With his looks, girls will be all over him someday.' Rudeus thought then looked at me. '...No boyfriends.'

"Okay." I nodded as I played with her ears. "Your name? That's Rude. I'm Ceral."

Rudeus laughed. "I'm Rudeus and she's Ceres."

"Sylph-" She answered.

"That's a nice name. Like a wind spirit!" Rudeus exclaimed.

She grinned happily from the compliment, and we explored some more. She chased after me every time I ran so she ran the whole time.

I then saw Rudeus ask her something, and he signed to me he was asking her what should we play. She then shook her head making me pout and whine.

She was panicking. 'He does want to play it's just that he has never done it before. I feel sorry for him. He has never had any friends.' Rudeus pouted.

'Do we have any?' I asked in my mind, and he looked ready to cry. 'I didn't have any in my past life either.'

Sylph then started to make some motions. "Fight?" I held up my fist.

She frantically shook her head, so I made wind magic. "That!" She exclaimed. "Teach me how to do that!"

"Mazic." I nodded. "Rude, teach her the word spells."

"Incantations." He corrected me.

"Bad word, diffic-" I was struggling to say difficult annoying me.

"Are you interested?" Rudeus asked and she silently nodded.

"We can be teachers!" I excitedly exclaimed.

"Then let's practice." Rudeus added and Sylph grinned. Her ears wiggled making me deck her into a hug, she's too cute.

Rudeus immediately separated us and chanted in his head no boyfriend for some reason. I don't think that's a spell.

We taught her a little, and Sylph was looking at me with an expression I'm not familiar with so I got a little scared. "Amazing! You're amazing!" She exclaimed.

I just laughed not knowing how to react and Sylph got concerned when I started to shake like I was in the middle of an earthquake.

"Don't worry, she's happy." Rudeus explained.

"Then why does she do that to my ears?" Sylph asked as I was playing with them again.

"Cute!" I explained.

"She gets excited over anything, but she really means it when she reacts like that. She's a bit naive, but she's very honest." Rudeus explained as he patted my head proud of me.

I was just grinning with my hands on my waist. I always get really happy when I get compliments. I was shaking a lot since I'm not used to them.

"Still getting used to them?" Rudeus asked me.

I nodded making him laugh. When I was a baby, whenever I got complimented or informed by Rudeus that I was I would cry since I felt so happy and since I was a baby, it was hard for me to try and control myself.

We walked Sylph back home then made our way back to our own. 'We did a good thing.' I grinned brightly as we made our way back. 'Its so cold!'

'Sorry, we were out so late.' Rudeus apologised to me as I looked up at the stars.

'Thanks.' I grinned. 'I always wanted to feel the nighttime cold! It's much different than when it's cold inside!'

Rudeus took a moment and then stopped walking. 'It is actually different. That night was the last time I ever felt this, and it was the first time for Ceres.'

'...mum was warm...then the pain...' I kept quiet, and he ruffled my hair making me smile at him.

"Faf!" I yelled to Paul when we got back. I wanted to tell him about what we did, so I could get a compliment or food, I would like both really.

He looked at me with narrowed eyes catching me off guard, and I got nervous. He was saying something, but I didn't want to use my wind magic.

Rudeus stood in front of me as I held onto the sleeve of his shirt. 'He's mad. It's probably because of me so don't worry.' He reassured me with a smile. 'Is it about Roxy's pan- I mean holy relic?'

Paul stood up and came closer to us, and he said something. 'Wait, what?' Rudeus asked in his mind.

'Oh, I see. Must be the brat who was bullying Sylph.' Rudeus smirked.

'Oh, we did good!' I thought and made some wind magic so I could explain.

"NO! YOU CAN'T USE YOUR FAKE DEAFNESS TO GET OUT OF THIS!" Paul yelled at me, and the sudden sound scared me.

"She isn't-!" Rudeus went to say.

"No excuses! When you do something bad, you say, sorry!" Paul retorted.

"No." I said quietly.

"What?" Paul asked.

"NO!!" I yelled as I looked at him with tears in my eyes and he paused. "I believe brother. We did nothing wrong."

Rudeus patted my head and looked at Paul. "What's with that look?" Paul asked.

'He really won't listen to our side after that lie. I could just apologise for now, but he just shouted at his crying daughter. I don't think that would be best for Paul or Ceres.' Rudeus was just staring at him.

"Because you will yell not to make excuses if I do." Rudeus answered.

"What?!" Paul yelled.

"Unfair!" I added.

"She is right. Shout and make your kids apologise before they say anything? I wish I could deal with things as quickly as adults." Rudeus huffed.

"Rudy!" Paul raised his hand, and I jumped in the way.

I got hit to the ground, and I was just in shock. "Mot-" I stopped remembering back to when I died. 'I can't shout for my mother or my father. Who can I shout for?'

"You only have one big brother." Rudeus knelt down beside me with his hand on my shoulder, and he smiled at me.

"Rudy, help." I clung to him as I cried.

"Father, until now, we have done our best to be good children." Rudeus stood up and helped me up.

"That's beside the point." Paul crossed his arms.

"No, it isn't. We have worked hard to earn your trust, and you shattered yours with Ceres." Rudeus informed him and his fists clenched seeing Paul still looking away from us. "You may not know, but Ceres blames herself whenever something bad happens. She's brave for speaking up and not blaming herself for once, so don't you dare try to crush her progress!" Rudeus yelled surprising us.

'I got over my trauma of going outside with her help. I need to be the one to support her since she has a bad father once again.' Rudeus sighed.

"But little Somal was definitely hurt-!" Paul retorted.

"Yeah, so?! He's a...dick!" I yelled surprising them.

"Hang on, what happened?" Paul asked.

"Didn't you say no excuses?" Rudeus asked making him flinch. "Don't worry, father. Next time we see three kids ganging up to bully one helpless kid, we will ignore it! In fact, we will join them letting everyone know that's the Greyrat family way!"

"I can leave when I get older, right?" I asked.

"Yeah, together!" Rudeus exclaimed. "You can choose who your family is."

Paul was shaking scaring me. 'He knows he has done bad.' Rudeus reassured me. 'Paul, you should give it up. I didn't spend 20 years weaselling my way out of unwinnable arguments for nothing.'

I was trying to imagine what twenty years would be like.

"Sorry, I was wrong, tell me." Paul apologised.

Rudeus explained everything and then turned to me. "You okay?"

"Twenty? So many Zeniths that would be." I mumbled.

Rudeus laughed loudly and then pulled me with him inside. I used my wind magic immediately wanting to hear mother's voice. "Welcome back! Have you been crying?!" Zenith asked me.

I hugged her. "I choose you!" I exclaimed. "And Rude!"

"Rudy." Lilia corrected me then patted my head and I grabbed her hand choosing her to be my family as well. "Fam!" I yelled making Rudeus laugh.

Chapter Text

After that, I made sure to keep my distance from Paul seeing he is capable of using violence against his own children. He just reminds me of my old mother to much, and Rudeus told me I can choose my family, so I'm choosing food as my father, it's just to good.

But I still did watch him when he trains since there is no one else to watch. He has been training a lot more lately after he saw me watching once.

Summer came rolling in and we made a fun hobby of smashing those bullies in the face with water and wind as I mean farting on them a whole lot.

The mother of one of the kids comes over alot to yell and the kid always stands near me. I would just use my wind magic to keep him away like a barrier, so I learned how to use my wind magic as a barrier.

I was watching Rudeus swinging a sword while complaining about how the mother is horn?

"Horn?" I asked him when he fell from exhaustion.

"..." He didn't seem to know what to say. "Our parents are very horn."

I was trying to think of what it meant. "You made the word!" He yelled at me.

"I slur everything." I retorted and I still do sadly.

"Sorry, did you wait long?" Sylph turned up.

"Nope, just got here!" Rudeus exclaimed.

"An owler." I answered.

"Hour?" She asked me.

"...yeah." I mumbled seeing I murdered that word.

Sylph's mana has grown just like ours and I finally learned how to do ice magic and so did Sylph. "Next!" We both yelled at Rudeus, and he showed us the magic book.

"How do you make the warm breeze?" She asked me.

"Oh, fire and fart." I used both and Rudeus sighed.

I made a warm breeze. "Why don't you say the words out loud?" Sylph asked me.

"Dif- hard." I changed to an easier word.

"Oh, incantation-less casting? We both can use it, but it might be hard for you." Rudeus informed her.

"Teach me to do it." Sylph demanded.

"Imagine ball." I explained and Rudeus laughed. "Wrong ball?"

"No right ball. Do not think of the one I'm thinking of." He demanded. I stared at him and he got nervous. 'Don't think of your balls!' He yelled in his mind.

"Your balls?" I asked and he screamed.

"Stay innocent!" He stood up and squeezed my cheeks making me whine. "So Sylph, you know when you say a spell, you feel mana gathering in your fingertips?"

"Yeah!" Sylph nodded.

"Remember the spell without saying it and squeeze it out your fingertips." Rudeus explained.

'That's what mother told you to do after you wet yourself.' I added and Rudeus stared at me. "You know, for how to go to the toibot alone." I explained some more and he screamed.

"Toibot?" Sylph asked.

"Nothing!" Rudeus yelled not wanting me to say toilet for some reason. 'Seriously it's embarrassing!'

'I never got to go a toilet alone in my past life, is it really that embarrassing?' I asked.

'...I forget about that...' Rudeus groaned.

'Oh, you forget about my legs? Thanks! You just remembered me, not that part of me!' I grinned.

"I think you would be the only person who would be happy hearing that." Rudeus patted my head.

Sylph tried to do a spell without saying the words, but she was just squirming about. 'Its hard to teach something you do by feeling.' Rudeus thought.

"Imagine...nation!" I added.

Rudeus laughed. 'Incantation-less spells might be special. Actually, I hope it is. We got reincarnated in another world. Is a convenient skill or two too much to ask for?'

"I did it! Rudy! Ceres!" Sylph cheered and Rudeus' dream was crushed, but her pure joy made us both smile.

She started to run so I went after her and we ran through the fields happily. It was so much fun, I was laughing the entire way without a care in the world.

I then tripped, and they both landed next to me on their backs making me laugh. 'Man, he's really gorgeous.' Rudeus pouted. 'Even as a man, I can feel that. Damn, I'm so jealous. Now I think of it, the old me had a childhood friend who was a girl. I heard she got married a while ago. What a wasted opportunity. Current me can-Ceres stop reading my mind.'

'Can't, you should stop thinking.' I responded and he sighed.

It started to rain and I enjoyed it while they both were dragging me back home for some reason. "Back dome!" I exclaimed as I went inside then I got attacked by a towel.

Lilia dried me off with the towel while the other two went upstairs. I was sitting by the fireplace as Lilia made me a hot drink.

I could hear Rudeus thinking. 'Does it really look that weird? What gives?! It's not fair if I'm the only one naked.' I was confused by that.

"Baked?" I mumbled.

Lilia gave me my drink and then signed to me that she hasn't baked anything today, but if I have anything I want to eat to tell her.

"Food!" I exclaimed making her laugh.

'The thing I witnessed was not the short sword I have grown used to. Of course, it wasn't a dark blade covered in sinister designs either, a hole.' I heard Rudeus think, and everyone was running for some reason.

All of them went upstairs while I saw Sylph crying as she came down the stairs confusing me, I ran over and hugged her.

I used my wind magic to hear her, but she was still just crying. I got her to come with me over to the fire, and I threw my blanket over her so we could share. "Um, how I do this?...it's all okay, fight games ex- wait, they don't anynore!" I sniffed upset my true love is gone.

Sylph hugged me and I hugged her back making Zenith and Lilia laugh.

Once she calmed down Rudeus came down the stairs and he looked nervous. "I miss somethink?" I asked.

"I'm sorry, Sylphiette! You have short hair, so I thought you were a boy this whole time!" Rudeus exclaimed, and she started to cry again.

"But she's got chubby cheeks so fem man." I added. "You're stulid."

"Says the one who can't say it." Rudeus mumbled and Sylph cried even louder.

'I can't hear over the cries.' I explained to Rudeus.

After that, Sylph didn't come by anymore, and Rudeus got really into fighting Paul. I love sword fighting, but it just looks sad so I went to get Sylph. She panicked when she saw me and motioned at my ears.

"I ran, so very death!" I nodded. "Now yuu with ma!"

She was covering her ears as I held out my hand to her and she looked nervous but took my hand. I took her home with me and once we got back I abandoned her by the gate. I used my wind magic to launch myself over the fence, and I landed in a bush.

I used more of my wind magic but sent it her way to hear Rudeus and her talking. "I never thought he would have a wing sister." Paul mumbled as he was next to me holding flowers above his head making me flinch since he was so quiet.

"Alone hurts." I explained. "So kidnap."

He took a second to think and then we both got weirded out by Rudeus. "Y-you're cute, Sylphie, so maybe you should grow your hair." He was staggering closer to her and she was moving away.

"Huh? I don't want to." Sylph retorted.

Rudeus looked at us with a scared face. "Hobest!" I yelled. "Nest! Santa and nest!"

"Honest?" Paul mumbled.

"Ya." I nodded.

Sylph took his hands into her own. "Sorry, but I don't hate you or anything, Rudy. So just act normal, like Ceres said be honest, be you."

'A cute, young girl my age, I don't know the right way to get along with her. I am a man, so I'd like to build a good relationship for the future. I don't want to lose it.' Rudeus thought.

"Wait, can we lose ours?!" I was on the edge of tears and Paul got confused since I just went off for no reason to him again.

"No, that lasts forever. Even if I left the family, I wouldn't leave you." Rudeus reassured me.

"Good! Sylph stays to!" I ran and hugged them both and Paul seemed to be wondering what kind of advice he gave his son.

In the winter, Zenith was trying to tell me something. I had used my wind three times now and I'm not getting it. "Big what?!" I yelled impatiently.

"Come on, the first part is si, what's the rest?" She asked me with a kind smile.

"Sin!" I yelled.

Zenith laughed nervously while even the rest were confused except for Lilia who seemed weirdly nervous. "What are you to Rudeus?" Lilia asked me.

"Little sister." I answered then I took a moment. "I'm getting a sistar!?" I exclaimed. "New! Mine?!"

"How do you know its a girl?" Zenith asked me.

"Has to be! More cuteness!" I celebrated as I hugged her.

"Congratulations, mother!" Rudeus added.

"Thank you, Rudy." She grinned and Paul hugged her. "Dear!"

I had my head against her stomach. "Sis, talk to me!"

"She can't." Paul laughed.

"But Rude could." I retorted.

'I think we should just keep that between us still.' Rudeus told me in his mind making me whine.

Later that night, we got some more shocking news. "My humble apologies. I am pregnant." Lilia bowed to us while we were all seated together for dinner.

"Really?! A new friend!" I exclaimed, but everyone was silent confusing me.

'Who is the father? No one can ask that, but you Ceres. It's Paul.' Rudeus explained confusing me.

"Sorry! It's probably mine!" Paul bowed his head.

'Pathetic. No, as an honest man, maybe I should compliment him. Maybe he couldn't bring himself to lie because he's always lecturing us. I don't hate that side of him.' I was looking at Rudeus as he was speaking in his mind.

Zenith got up and had lost her pretty smile I love. She then slapped Paul scaring me and she then started to yell. I cried not understanding what was happening.

Rudeus took my hand and led me away to another part of the room and explained to me what Paul did is cheating, so he betrayed Zenith.

It was in the middle of winter, so I wasn't allowed to go outside to escape this atmosphere.

Paul was put in a separate room, but we could still see him from the dining room and Rudeus was looking at his pathetic form.

Zenith sat at the table with me in her lap. I'm hugging her seeing she looks hurt, and Lilia sat across from her. Zenith smiled down at me and ruffled my hair. I kept making more wind magic to hear, but I could only hear the fire and candles in the room.

Finally, Zenith spoke up. "So, what will you do?"

"After assisting you with childbirth, my lady, I plan to take my leave." Lilia answered.

"And the child?" Zenith asked.

"I hope to raise it in my hometown." She mumbled.

"That's a month's ride south, isn't it? You will be worn out from childbirth. The long journey will be too much for you." Zenith informed her.

"Possibly, but I have nowhere else to turn." Lilia explained.

"Um, Zenith, isn't that-" Paul tried to speak up.

"You be quiet!" Zenith screamed making me flinch.

'A whole month. A newborn child and its mother travelling alone. I doubt they would make it in one piece.' I heard Rudeus think. 'Zenith is right. If Lilia collapses, the baby will die with her. And even if Lilia is strong enough, what about the child?'

"Wait? She die? Don't go! Tay!" I exclaimed. "Death harts! You're kind!"

Zenith just stroked my back. 'I don't want her to die, either.' Rudeus informed me in his mind. 'She's taken such good care of us...and she knows about the holy relic to.'

'Then let's save her!' I demanded and Lilia smiled at me when I looked at her.

'Yeah, we are the only ones who can save her.' Rudeus started to make his way over to us.

"Mother, I'm going to have two little brothers or sisters at once. So why is everyone so gloomy?" Rudeus came over and patted my head.

"Because your father and Lilia did something bad." Zenith explained.

"Throw that out!" I pointed at Paul. "I want Lil..and my lital istar!" I added as I panicked since I feel like I don't have time to focus on my speech.

"Huh?!" Paul yelled.

"Can Lilia say no to father?" Rudeus asked.

"What do you mean?" Zenith turned to Rudeus.

"Father isn't nice!" I explained.

"He has a hold over Lilia." Rudeus lied surprising everyone. "The other night, when I passed Lilia's room on my way to the bathroom, father was saying, spread your legs if you don't want it to get out."

"He's also really horn!" I added.

"Rudy! Ceres! What-" Paul tried to yell.

"You be quiet!" Zenith demanded. "Lilia, is that true?"

"No, absolutely not." Lilia shook her head.

"Oh, I see. You can't openly admit it, of course." Zenith nodded and Paul looked betrayed.

'He dug his own grave this time. He hit Ceres, so he will just have to take this one.' Rudeus ignored his suffering. "Mother, I don't think Lilia did anything wrong and even Ceres says it's father's fault."

I nodded. "I want more family..." I took a moment to practice my words like I usually do so I can talk clearly. I want these words to be heard clearly. They need to be heard to save my family. "I can choose my family...I already decided, Lilia is a part of it, so don't make her go."

"I suppose so." Zenith mumbled, and we decided to dig in even more so she can't reject.

My adorable eyes helped. "It's not right for Lilia to suffer for something Father did wrong." Rudeus told her.

"I don't want her to die...they could be like me...I would have died if it wasn't for Lilia." I reminded her of how I nearly suffocated at birth, and that threw her over the edge. I felt guilty, but I don't want others to die. It's my duty to protect my little sister.

"Alright fine, I can't beat you two." Zenith stood up and took me with her making me laugh happily, and she patted Rudeus's hair.

'You didn't make it easy, Mama.' Rudeus said affectionately in his mind.

"Lilia, stay here with us. Your family now! We won't let you go off on your own, and Ceres will chase after you." Zenith informed her and I laughed since she knows me so well.

Zenith put me down as she went to murder dad without me seeing and Lilia started to cry. "Tears bad." I patted her leg and then put my head on her stomach. "Hello! Grow strang please!"

'You did good Ceres, you helped save them both.' Rudeus patted my head and I was laughing and then shaking.

Lilia hugged me thinking I was panicking. No, it was just my usual compliment freak out.

The next day, Paul was taking his anger out on Rudeus during training. I was watching it from the window because I'm not allowed outside since I was in the snow for a couple of seconds and somehow time went quickly. I was informed I slept for five hours out there.

I got covered in all of our blankets, and they all hugged me to make sure I don't die making me feel really loved. It's a very precious memory of mine now.

I noticed Lilia was behind me watching them fight. She seemed to be saying something, so I used my wind magic. "I'm glad you can't hear me right now." She mumbled.

'DON'T SHOW YOUR UNDEAFNESS!' I demanded of myself.

"I was saved by you two. The pregnancy is my fault. It was me who seduced Paul." Lilia admitted. "Hearing them moaning every single night gives even a maid pent-up urges. I'm honestly amazed I held out this long. I deserve to be punished for giving into desire and betraying Zenith."

'Nah, I blame Paul.' I retorted in my mind.

"But you two forgave me. You two somehow understood what happened and guided the conversation smoothly to a compromise." She informed me and I was confused. Did we do that? I just kind of nearly cried and brought up some trauma.

"I avoided Master Rudeus until now. That smile scared me, and he always stared at my chest. While you Ceres. You were scared of everything and always cried when I smiled or carried you. But that day you cried for me and my future child, afraid of what might happen to us. You both saved our lives. I will spend my life repaying you two." Lilia decided. "If the child I'm carrying is born and grows up safely, I hope it can help be your ears."

Paul then knocked out Rudeus with his sword making me scream and Zenith was on her way to murder.

Time past and I was beyond happy. "Sis!" I exclaimed while playing with my little sisters. They are the cutest things in existence.

"Norn, Aisha, daddy is here!" Paul was with me entertaining them. He made an ugly face and Norn cried so did Aisha, so I started to cry to and Paul panicked.

'There they go again.' Rudeus thought. 'My little sisters are such crybabies.'

I hugged them both and they started to calm down then tried to pat my head to calm me down. "Look Ceres is such a good sister." Zenith grinned.

"We had it too easy with Young Master Rudeus and then it was way to hard with Lady Ceres." Lilia added.

"Dear, would you go draw some water?" Zenith asked of Paul as she took Norn and Lilia took Aisha off me.

I was still a little teary, so I went to Rudues and he patted my head. "Hey, Ceres, Sylphie. I have decided I want to be a cool big brother who is looked up to." He mumbled.

"Just stay as you." I demanded. "But take a bathy."

He smacked my head making me whine.

Chapter Text

Lilia was much more comfortable with talking to Rudeus now, so when he was with me Lilia would now gladly tell us stories of her past and they are horrifying.

Rudeus was covering my ears after the latest one.

"He deflowered you without conbent?!" I yelled. I was having a hard time speaking since my wind magic was being blown around by the actual wind. "What does defloor mean?"

"Flower." Rudeus corrected me as he helped put away the clothing I was drying with my wind magic.

"Rudy! It's time for practice!" Paul called out to him.

"You stole Lilia's flowers! Thick!" I pointed at him. "Wait, feet? Theip?"

I was trying my best. "Thief?" Lilia spoke up and I nodded frantically.

I watched as they practised and Paul seemed to be cocky as usual, so I just let myself go deaf so I don't hear him. 'Paul is scum. I don't know about you Ceres, but I respect this man.' Rudeus informed me in his mind. 'His strength is amazing. He's advanced in all three sword god styles.'

'Yeah, but he calls magic useless. I can see the benefits of both. He's a one-trick bitch.' I retorted.

Rudeus seemed to yell then got hit on the head by Paul's sword. He turned to me and signed the word bitch and yelled in his head. 'No swearing!"

"Egh." I made some sounds to show that I saw and heard him, but I don't care.

Paul then seemed to be giving Rudeus a talk, men talk about weird things. 'School.' Rudeus thought.

"Schall!" I exclaimed then used my wind magic to hear again. "What about it?!"

"Ceres, I said that a minute ago. Now your hearing is delayed." Paul sighed. "Anyway, you both don't need it. Let's resume practice."

"I want!" I exclaimed.

"Forget it. It's full of spoiled rich kids. Kids like you two would get bullied for sure." Paul retorted and Rudeus looked upset, so I kicked Paul.

"I can bit!" I informed Paul and he seemed a little concerned. 'He made Rude suffer. He can suffer a little.'

"Please tell me you mean hit." Rudeus mumbled nervously then sighed in relief when I nodded.

Paul then whispered to him about school girls and I just ignored them as I thought about something I don't have yet.

"I wonder what it is like to have a boy friend." I mumbled and they both looked terrified.

"Can't I have a friend that's a boy? Who has a sword?" I asked. 'A boy friend who can fight sounds amazing. What if they can use both magic and a sword?!'

"No, that's fine, but you need to introduce them to me first." Paul informed.

"No." I rejected making him complain. Sylph then appeared and I ran over to her. "Can you meet my friends in the future?"

"Oh, sure." She nodded with a smile on her face.

"What about me?" Rudeus mumbled.

I will always be with you, so I don't need to." I reassured him and he grinned brightly.

We went off to the field together and practised our wind magic while Rudeus was sitting underneath a tree. "You can really control your wind magic, Ceres. It's amazing." Sylph grinned.

"I have brilliant control over my farts." I grinned and heard Rudeus groan making me laugh.

We both then sat underneath the tree Rudeus is under. Rudeus was trying to eat grass, so I pulled it away from him. "You've been acting weird again lately, Rudy." Sylph commented.

"Yeah, you part cow?" I asked.

"No." He sighed. "Everyone says we have both been weird since we were born."

"You seem kind of down." Sylph explained.

"I have been stuck lately. I'm not making progress with swords or magic, and even Ceres has been getting a little impatient." Rudeus hummed.

"I want to do things, but no one lets me." I complained.

"Meeting a dragon isn't a good idea." He informed me.

"I know! It's a brilliant ibear!" I grinned.

"Anyway, you two are amazing!" Sylph reassured us.

"Maybe for our age." Rudeus sighed.

"Are you two going to leave?" Sylph asked and I could recognise the fear in her voice since I have had it many times, so I was immediately patting her head.

"Maybe. There might not be much we can do in this village." Rudeus's words made Sylph deck us both.

"Sylphiette?" Rudeus asked nervously.

"No, don't! Don't go anywhere!" She begged as she cried.

We both hugged her. "Nowhere." I reassured her.

"We won't leave." Rudeus added. 'Why would I go away and leave a girl like her behind? To improve my magic? What do I need to do more of that for? I'd rather spend my time peacefully with Sylphie in this village.'

I'm happy as I am right now, but one day I do want to adventure out. I can do that in this life, so I will take that blessing and go running out there one day.

That night my sleep was interrupted by Rudeus' thoughts, and I looked to see him rubbing his face into his pillow. 'Did you learn that from Roxy?' I asked making him panic and fall out of his bed.

I saw our door open, and Paul was laughing for some reason. Rudeus then tried to close the door on him and I helped not knowing why he wanted to.

Rudeus then stopped and pulled me away from the door. I used my wind magic to hear while I stared at Paul with narrowed eyes making him laugh nervously. "You have a letter." He held it out to us.

Rudeus snatched it, and I sat on his bed with him to read it. "Dear Ceres and Rudeus. How have you two been? It's been two years since we parted ways. How time flies. I am currently staying in the Shirone Kingdom. I have been hired as the seventh prince's tutor." Rudeus mumbled in awe.

"His highbess is like you, Rude." I read some more of it. "Pervert?"

"That's not the only reason!" Rudeus yelled. "It says he learns magic quickly and he's clever...then he spies on her as she changes and steals her panties! Like I do."

He said that way to proudly. "Paul is here, I tried to lessen your shame." I explained as he saw Paul grinning at him.

He just went back to the letter. "Oh yes. I finally succeeded in mastering King Class water magic. I thought I'd reached my limit, but I just needed to try harder. I suppose you two have mastered emperor-class magic by now. I'm excited and scared to see you two again. The excited part is for Ceres." Rudeus pouted while I grinned.

"I doubt I need to worry, but if you're both struggling with magic, please seek admission to Ranoa Magic University, which I told you two about. Goodbye. I will write to you two again. Roxy." Rudeus finished it.

"Wow, Roxy finally made it to Water King Class, I'm impressed." Paul commented.

"Is it that impressive?" Rudeus asked.

"SHE'S A KING!" I exclaimed. "Mazing!"

"You could count all the King Class mages in the world on one hand, I'll bet." Paul explained. "By the way...you stole Roxy's panties?"

'Crap!' Rudeus's mind yelled.

"Why is it bad?" I asked, and they were both very quiet.

"Well-" Paul went to say, but I decided I didn't want to hear it now, so I used my wind to attack Paul with our pillows to get him out and he couldn't fight back. After that, I was having fun launching our pillows everywhere. I was sitting on one in the middle of the air when I noticed Rudeus looked depressed.

'This brought home just how pathetic my situation is. Damn it, I don't want to disappoint Roxy.' Rudeus complained in his mind.

I jumped off the pillow landing on the bed scaring him. "Schall!" I grinned.

"It wouldn't be a bad idea." He mumbled.

The next day at dinner, I had Norn in my lap as I ate and she was fast asleep. "Father, may I make an unreasonable request?" Rudeus asked.

"No." He answered then he immediately got kicked by both of his wives.

"I want to ask bo." I added.

"Ask for anything." Zenith reassured us. "Your father will manage it somehow."

"This is a test of your dignity and resourcefulness, My Lord." Lilia added.

"Rudy even put a disclaimer on it." Paul retorted. "It's-" He got kicked again.

"Mag school!" I exclaimed.

"We want to enrol in Ranoa Magic University since we haven't been making any progress lately. But when Sylphie caught wind of that, she cried that she didn't want us to go." Rudeus explained.

"You little charmer. I wonder who you get that from." Paul laughed.

"Good jeans, mum." I patted Zenith's arm.

"Genes." Rudeus corrected me.

"That's what I said." I said confused.

"Anyway, I was hoping we could enrol all together, but her family isn't as well off as ours. I was hoping you could pay tuition for all three of us." Rudeus explained. "Please."

"Pleaze." I bowed my head with Rudeus.

"You want to go to Ranoa together? No." Paul rejected.

"Can we request of mother?" I asked. "Why does that need to be in charge?"

"Hey listen, first." Paul retorted.

"I want to be deaf aben." I sighed.

"There are several reasons. First, Rudeus, you're learning the sword, and as your teacher, I can't let you go now." Paul explained. "Also, you're both smart in magic terms but still young. I can't neglect my parental responsibilities. Then there is the money. Just you two would be one thing, but we can't pay for Sylphie, too."

"Then can I make another request?" Rudeus asked. "Please find me a job, as well paid as possible."

"Me two!" I held up my hand.

"A job? What for?" Paul asked.

"By the time you decide, we're ready to leave home. We will earn Sylphie's tuition ourselves." Rudeus informed him.

"That won't be the best thing for Sylphie." Paul retorted.

"You can't bercide that." I informed him.

"Ceres, I won't ever let you work until you fix this." Paul pointed at his ears making everyone freak out at him and he looked terrified.

Zenith was the worst. "I can't fix bat." I informed Paul.

He looked at me unconvinced like I was somehow speaking nonsense. "Then tell me this honestly. Are you pretending to be deaf?" Paul asked me.

"P-!" Zenith went to yell.

"No! I said before that I use wind magic to hear, so most of the time I'm deaf." I explained, and I did my best to focus on pronouncing each word right, but he still looked unconvinced.

"Magic can't do that." He sighed annoying me.

"You don't use it! How wood you bow?! Do you bate me?!" I freaked out messing up more of my speech making me want to cry. Why can't I just speak normally? I have practised for so long.

"Stop messing up your words to. You're five now." Paul rolled his eyes.

"I-" I looked down and felt tears coming up. I really do try, it's just hard to hear my own voice sometimes so I mess up. "I'm tri-"

I felt my tears fall and I saw Norn wake up. She hugged me while I heard Zenith slap Paul making me shake a little from the guilt of causing that.

"You're doing amazing." Rudeus patted my head. "Stay as you are."

Rudeus told me the same words I told him, and I nodded. "I will work!" I yelled. "I was given another hance...I want to live as I want! I did what others said and...I won't anymore...I will choose how I die two."

The others all looked confused. "No dying." Rudeus pulled my cheeks harshly.

"Wait...I need to..." I got confused by his words. 'I don't want to listen but, I got it!'

"Shush!" I demanded of Rudeus when he went to say something.

He sighed then grinned. "Well, I know you don't want to die soon." He mumbled.

"Fine. I will see what I can do." Paul sighed.

"Thank you!" Rudeus exclaimed while I kept quiet.

After that Zenith and Lilia talked to me more trying to figure out what I was really talking about when I said I would choose how I would die. I just stayed around Norn and Aisha, since they wouldn't want to talk about it around them.

"What do you want to do?" Lilia asked me. "In the future."

"I don't know...I just want to be a good sistar!" I held Aisha in my arms, and she giggled happily making me laugh. "I can do it this time, so I will do my best for you too!"

Aisha grabbed my hair and gently pulled it leaving me in awe making them laugh.

One day I was outside with Norn in my lap as I was cheering Rudeus on in his training. A carriage pulled up outside our house, so I used my wind magic as someone walked out. "Hey, long time no see, Ghislaine." Paul greeted the women who got out.

'Ears!' My mind yelled.

'Boobs!' Rudeus' mind exclaimed.

Chapter Text

'A beast person!' Rudeus celebrated.

I went over with Norn in my arms to stare at her closer and we were both watching her tail swish back and forth. "Ghislaine!" Zenith came running. "It's been ages. Have you been well?"

"Yeah. So are these two little ones your kids?" Ghislaine looked at Norn and me.

"Yes." Zenith patted my back.

"Ceres! Older sister of Norn." I held Norn up. "Cute, right?"

"Loud kid." She patted my head then Norn's. "Its nice to see your kids took after you, not Paul."

"Ha!" Paul laughed. "Since you're here, I guess that means everything is good to go?"

"Yeah." Ghislaine responded.

"Take care of our Rudeus and Ceres." Zenith asked of her confusing me.

"Young Master Rudeus. Young Lady Ceres. We will miss you." Lilia informed us.

"Eh?" I let out, and Zenith took Norn off me, so I grabbed onto Rudeus's arm.

"We will be looking forward to your return." Zenith kissed our foreheads.

"What are-" Rudeus went to ask.

"If I told you two to stay away from Sylphie. How would you feel?" Paul asked us.

"I wouldn't want to obviously." Rudeus answered.

"Yeah, I bike her." I added. Paul then threw Rudeus scaring me a little. I got used to their training sessions so I only flinched a little, but it was still unexpected.

Rudeus used magic as he fought Paul, but I couldn't hear much since they were so far away. Paul was about to hit him, so I was staring at his sword a little scared then it got blown out of his hand by my wind magic. "What did I..." I mumbled.

The sword was still flying, it might become a satellite with how far it was going up into the sky.

Rudeus fainted and I was being shaken. I looked to Zenith to see her mouth moving, but I can't hear her meaning I used all of my wind magic in that one move.

I made some more to hear her. "Was that you?" Zenith asked me.

"I'm still death." I informed her.

"That was amazing! The control!" She exclaimed. "Go train! And come back even stronger!"

Paul had knocked out Rudeus during the meantime and just threw him into the carriage. I was still very confused, and he then came up to me. "You're leaving. I will throw you in there to." Paul informed me, and I got scared making everyone step forward towards me as I shook.

"What did you do to your kid?" Ghislaine patted my head. "He won't throw you. He's horrible with words."

"I'm beaning sent..." I gulped hard. I'm not weak like before, but I don't want to attack anyone to live. What if I had hit one of them instead of the sword just now? That could have killed them.

"Ceres! You aren't being sent away, you're getting a job." Paul informed me making me calm down. "Go live your life. This is what you want, right?" Paul asked me. "You can come back whenever."

'They aren't getting rid of me!' I grinned and nodded happily. "I will! Thank you!"

"I just want you to stay safe. I will be worried sick." Paul frowned. "Once you come back, I expect many hugs!"

"Here is the first!" I hugged him, and I looked up to see he was crying a little surprising me. It shows he really loves me. He only hurt me because he was worried and tried to keep me safe. "Get batter at talking while we are gone." I ordered.

Paul laughed. "Shouldn't I stay as I am?" He asked me.

"Er." I let out making him squeeze my cheeks. "I'm plad you're my dad." I grinned gently.

He hugged me tightly nearly suffocating me. "How is my daughter so cute?!" He exclaimed.

Zenith helped me escape and Ghislaine picked me up to take me into the carriage. "Grow up bell! Norn! Aisha! Paw! Paul" I corrected myself making him laugh.

The others waved to me happily and then we set off in the carriage for who knows where, but it was really exhilarating to be getting out of the village we lived in for our entire lives.

I will miss everyone though, and I won't get to see my sisters grow.

I was sitting on my seat with Rudeus' head in my lap as I was checking how bad the hit was. Ghislaine was sitting on the other side of the carriage.

I then got poked by her foot making me flinch and she was moving her mouth, so I used my wind magic. "Sorry." I grinned.

"So?" She stared at me.

"I'm Ceres Greyrat. This is my bro, Rudeus Greyrat!" I explained.

"You're loud." Ghislaine mumbled.

"Sorry, I can't oear myself bell." I explained as I was trying to use the wind magic to help me, but since my focus was on my wind magic my words just sounded like jibberish.

"So you really are deaf and use wind magic to help yourself hear?" She asked me. I nodded slowly nervous about her reaction since I don't know how people outside of the village and home would react.

"That's quite amazing kid. You definitely took after Zenith." Ghislaine grinned and I smiled.

Rudeus soon woke up then his mind was screaming. 'BOOBS! HUGE!'

'Are they your favourite body part?' I asked in my mind.

"No, I'm proud of my swo-" He paused and then looked at me. "Why are you here?!"

"Truck." I answered.

Rudeus laughed nervously when he looked at Ghislaine. "Hello. My name is Rudeus Greyrat." He informed her.

"You're awfully polite for Paul's son. I was expecting a cocky daughter as well." Ghislaine admitted. "I'm Ghislaine. Starting tomorrow, we will all work together."

"It will be my pleasure." Rudeus looked confused.

"Read this!" Ghislaine threw us a letter that bounced between our heads making us whine. "I can't read it."

"My balkimg is horricale so have fun Rude." I patted his back.

"Yeah, you aren't doing well with talking right now." He mumbled.

Rudeus opened the letter. "To my son Rudeus and daughter Ceres. I'm sure you both have no idea what's going on. I'd tell you to ask that musclebound strong woman, but she's got muscle for brains, so you won't get a decent explanation from her. Also, I'm better at the sword than her Ceres."

"What was that?!" Ghislaine exclaimed and stomped her foot against the carriage floor.

Rudeus looked at me expecting I would be terrified. "You use a sword?!" I exclaimed.

Ghislaine forgot about her rage. "Yes." She nodded confused by my sparkling eyes.

"She loves people who fight with weapons, not magic." Rudeus explained.

"It repinds me of good mimes." I informed her.

"What did Paul do around you to get you scared of being thrown, but love fighting?" Ghislaine mumbled.

"Be himself?" I guessed.

"I see." She nodded.

"Basically, I got you two a job. You both will tutor a nine-year-old girl lady in Roa." Rudeus read the letter. 'A job! The one I asked him for! But why did he knock me out?' He asked in his mind then looked at me. "DID HE HIT YOU AGAIN?!"

"Nope, threat." I explained.

Rudeus was ready to murder, so I tried to read the rest of it. "The woman with youb is her famile's bodybard?" I tried.

Rudeus patted my head praising me for at least trying. "And sword instructor. I hear she wants you two to teach her in exchange for training you Rudeus and letting Ceres play with her ears."

"Yes!" I celebrated.

'Lucky.' Rudeus sulked in his mind.

"Don't laugh at her for asking that because she's got muscles for brains." Rudeus mumbled and Ghislaine started to draw her sword making me grin and Rudeus scream.

"I can't wait to watch you!" I exclaimed, and she started to calm down.

Rudeus read the rest saying how great she is. "I have never beaten her even once, except in bed." He groaned.

"You two fought in bed? Like bus?" I pointed at Rudeus and me.

"NO!" Rudeus yelled. "That's a pillow fight! Very different!"

'Some things are better left unwritten, stupid dad!' Rudeus cursed him out in his mind and Ghislaine was still calm. 'He really is a hit with the ladies.'

"He did hit me." I added making him laugh nervously.

"For the next five years, until you two turn 12 and 11. You two will teach reading, writing, arithmetic and magic there. During that time, I forbid you both from returning, but Ceres can send letters. That's because I sensed you were beginning to depend on Sylphiette, Rudeus. On your sixth birthday Ceres. You looked lost like you were somewhere else. I was expecting you to disappear at any moment."

On that day all I could think about was if I would actually be able to live past 18 years old in this life. I wanted to leave home to go see the world. I was getting impatient since I didn't know how long I had, you can die any day as I did.

I just want to be able to go around and see everything as I imagined doing so for as long as I can remember in my last life. Since my trauma has been at least a little resolved and I have a real family this time, one that I can return to. I felt ready to go accomplish that wish of mine.

"I can't wait to see what you two will become. Your wise, awe-inspiring father, Paul." Rudeus sighed.

"We have another father?" I asked making Ghislaine laugh. Rudeus was staring at her chest during it all.

"P.s. The young lady is fair game, but hands off the strong women. She's mine and Ceres will not be allowed a boy friend." Rudeus read the last of the letter.

"I see. Send that letter to Zenith." Ghislaine demanded, and Rudeus handed it to me.

"Pill do." I nodded.

We were looking out the windows of the carriage together, and I was excited. 'This is for the best. Sylphie might be left on her own, but she will never grow if she doesn't solve her problems for herself. I can't let myself depend on her either.' Rudeus was thinking to himself.

"Should I do the same?" I asked.

"No, you need people, not for the hearing part, but for the I will walk off a cliff because why not part." He informed me. "I have no regrets about leaving..."

"Holy relic?" I asked and he started to cry and I patted his head.

We went to quite a fancy house in a huge city and there were many beast people as maids. I was trying to ask them if I can touch their ears. 'Ghislaine is one, too. Maybe they are not that rare in this world.' Rudeus thought as he got poured some drink.

I was poked at some point by some brown-haired guy. "Hi." I waved at him and he cringed. I think I might have yelled that.

'You did.' Rudeus informed me what I was guessing was right.

I used my wind magic. "Sorry." I laughed shocking him.

"Your speech is slurred." He mumbled.

"Pleased to meet you, I'm Rudeus Greyrat." He bowed getting the attention off me.

"A nobleman says hello by drawing back his left foot, making a circle with his right hand and bowing slightly." He informed us so Rudeus did just that. "Not bad. Now a lady says hello by holding out her skirt, one leg behind the other and bowing."

I pulled my skirt out to the sides and then squatted. "I'm Ceres Greyrat." I grinned.

He laughed. "Not bad either. Now sit down both of you." He sat down first, and I sat next to Rudeus. "I am Philip Boreas Greyrat, the mayor of this city."

"He's the Bourbon mayo?" I asked Rudeus not hearing that right.

He had to hold in his laughter but was dying on the inside. 'MAYO?! MAYOR MAYO!'

"I suppose I'm Paul's cousin." Philip explained to us why we have the same last name.

'Huh? That means...what, exactly?' Rudeus asked in his mind.

"More famile?!" I exclaimed.

"Yes." Philip nodded. "And? How much do you know?"

"Educate noble girl, nine." I listed off the things I remember.

"Yeah, we will educate a young lady for five years." Rudeus added. "And you will help pay for our enrollments in Magic University."

"That's all?" Philip asked shocked.

We both nodded. "Good grief. I see he hasn't changed. You girl, are you deaf?" He asked me and I nodded. "He sent his deaf daughter here. Oh well. I will introduce you both to my daughter, then we will talk."

Philip took us to her room, and we were walking for a good ten minutes. 'How do you have this big of a house?!' I yelled in my mind making Rudeus laugh.

Rudeus was signing to me everything Philip was saying and Rudeus was talking to me in his mind, so I don't get mixed up with who is saying what.

Philip was saying we are quite amazing and that Rudeus can't seduce and fu- he stopped midway signing for some reason. Rudeus then started up again saying the girl we are teaching only likes a few people, so Philip doesn't expect much from us both but because Paul asked he gave it ago.

"So tame her." I nodded.

They all looked at me. "Wha?" I asked, but of course, I'm deaf so I didn't hear their answers, but they didn't open their mouths either confusing me.

Philip patted my head, and Rudeus slapped his hand and signed while yelling. "She can tame anyone! She's amazing!" I grabbed his hands while looking up at the ceiling embarrassed.

Rudeus led me along by my hand and then Philip opened a door to show a maid putting accessories on a girl with red hair. 'Intense!' Rudeus' mind yelled.

'Skarlet!' I yelled in my mind.

'From that Mortal game?' Rudeus looked at me and I nodded frantically.

Rudeus and I went forward, and I used my wind magic so I can hear. "Pleased to meet you, I'm Rudeus Greyrat." He bowed as Philip had taught him to.

"I'm Ceres Greyrat." I bowed as well then couldn't get back up from my squat, so I just sat on the floor making her give me a stare.

"What?! These two are younger than me!" She complained, and her voice was the loudest thing I have ever heard.

"I don't believe our age is relevant." Rudeus retorted.

"What? Are you disagreeing with me?" She asked us.

"Yes." I nodded.

"And you can't do all the things we-" Rudeus got slapped shocking me.

My mouth was gaping open as I looked between them. "What nerve! Who do you think I am?!" She yelled.

'Ceres, don't cry. I'm fine.' Rudeus reassured me in my mind.

'That's not the problem. She's Skarlet and you're my brother. Whose side should I be on?' I was having a crisis.

'Cry!' He demanded.

Chapter Text

"Well!" The girl yelled at us after she had just smacked Rudeus. How do you respond to slaps? Give them a slap? But that would make them suffer.

"Why did you hit me?" Rudeus questioned her as he held his cheek.

"You're younger and talk back!" She explained.

"You like belling." I hummed, I meant yelling leave me alone.

Rudeus then slapped her back shocking everyone else. "Now, do you understand-" He's getting his face beat into the floor now.

She is the word violent.

"You will regret hitting me!" She yelled, and I pushed her off Rudeus as she only got a second punch in.

Rudeus got up and pulled me with him as he ran. I was able to hear very little of what the girl was yelling. "Mash?" I mumbled. "I like mash."

'Shush!' Rudeus yelled in his mind as we hid under a table. 'That's no young lady! She's the protagonist of a delinquent manga!'

'She's cool.' I hummed and grinned.

He looked at me horrified. 'No boyfriend or girlfriend or anything.' He demanded of me.

She appeared making Rudeus scream so loud I could actually hear him. He went running alone and she looked at me and I waved.

She tossed her hair confusing me as she walked off. 'Is she trying to be cool? She is.' I admired her as she seems to have quite a strong personality wise unlike me.

At some point, I found her complaining to Philip then she glared at me when I walked inside.

I used my wind magic since I wanted to talk to her. "I heard you can use a sword." I grinned at her.

She just flicked my forehead. "Why do you care? Are you here to look down on me to?"

"Nope. I'm looking up, but I'm trying...my best to talk and bear." I explained and she looked confused. "I'm still messing up."

"What do you mean? It's not hard to talk." She sighed. "Everyone can do it."

"I'm deaf." I explained and she froze.

"Then, how can you hear me?" She smirked thinking I'm lying.

I closed my eyes and did my best to control my wind magic around us making things move a little up. I opened my eyes to see everyone looking around amazed at how everything in the room was slightly floating. "My wind magic carries sound to me since I have very little hearing. I can still hear, but only a very tiny bit. It's kind of hard to control."

She looked to be in awe, and I tried my best to let things down, but I heard some smash and I just pretended to be deaf again.

"She's hired, he isn't." She walked off, and I think I did well.

I went with Philip to find a traumatised Rudeus. "Rude! Rude! I named the Skarlet!" I informed him.

"I know you nicknamed her." He sighed.

"Bamed!..." I just pulled his ear to make him look at me, and I signed to him the word tame.

"....Woah, well done! We did it!" Rudeus exclaimed.

"Actually..." Philip grinned. "Only Ceres is hired."

"Hawah! No." I rejected and invented a new word. "Both, package." I put my hands on my hips.

Rudeus laughed. 'Are you sure?' He asked me in his mind. 'I will hold-'

I covered his mouth. 'I will find a way to cover your mouth brain.' I informed him in my mind, and he nodded seeing I'm not going to back down.

"So what will you both do now? Give up?" Philip smirked.

"No, if we just slink back home Paul is sure to laugh at me and keep Ceres home this time." Rudeus answered.

"Oh, well said." Philip clapped. "All the other teachers admitted defeat at this point, but do you have a plan?"

"Let me think." Rudeus mumbled. 'I could probably beat her up with magic.'

'VIOLENCE ISN'T THE ANSWER!!' I exclaimed in my mind.

"Weren't fighting games your life?' He asked me.

'Yeah, but that wasn't just violence, it was awesome!' I grinned and he looked confused. "Anyway, you would die."

Rudeus sighed knowing he would. 'If I'm not careful, she might pay me back tenfold. I can't cast healing magic if I can't speak.' He hugged his face for some reason, so I added my hands to help him and he smiled at me.

"She fixes things with her fists like your face, so let's stop her and put her in a problem she can't fix." I suggested.

"That's amaz- did you just insult me?!" Rudeus yelled.

"Did I?" I asked as Phillip was the only one who laughed while Ghislaine gave me a confused look showing she doesn't understand either.

"You said she fixed my face." Rudeus pouted making me think I hurt him meaning I caused him suffering.

"But-die ham!" I had to take a moment as they were all a little nervous at my outburst. 'Didn't the truck fix us by hitting us? I mean I can walk now. You're not fat, and you said you really hated it, but you miss your sw-'

Rudeus stood up surprising me and he celebrated that he had cut me off. "So that's your logic. You didn't make me suffer. You helped me by giving me such a great idea. You're the best little sister." Rudeus patted my head reassuring me and I was grinning at the compliment then I shook.

"Anyway, it does sound like a smart way to trick Eris into wanting to study since she will learn that she needs magic at points." Rudeus informed Phillip.

"Oh? Tell me the details. I will do all that I can to help." Phillip spoke up.

"Yah! So we need a coffin!" I exclaimed and Rudeus looked scared. "Have you never played Castlevania? They can make people float! Or do the vampires just float on their own?"

"Yeah, float...clowns don't exist in this world, right?" Rudeus shivered and then screamed when Phillip nodded.

After he had his freak out Rudeus came up with the plan with Phillip while I just let myself become deaf. I slowly made my way over to a window to stare out of it to see the mountains are much bigger here.

I really want to travel out there.

'Come on Ceres, we are going to go to bed.' Rudeus called out to me in his mind. I looked back at him shocking the others since he probably didn't say a word and just looked at me.

I was rolling all across my bed then smacked into the floor and I just carried on. 'I hope the plan works. I'm sick of getting beaten up like in my old life, we have to succeed.' I heard Rudeus think.

"Coffin." I mumbled as I popped up by his bed making him fall off. I then got pulled under the bed, and he started to tickle me making me laugh.

'No coffins. They will only be used for when we are dead, now go to bed.' He demanded so I went to fall asleep. He tried dragging me to my bed but failed making me laugh.

When I did wake up it was dark all around me making me freeze in fear. Has my sight been taken to? I sat up and whacked my head against something making me cry out in pain.

I then saw some light making my eyes squint. 'Ceres!' I heard Rudeus' voice, and I opened my eyes to see him looking down at me.

I sat up to see we are just in a dark place making me grin in relief. 'Good to see you're fine, but the place they put us in is kind of...' Rudues burned the ropes around my wrists setting me free.

I used my wind magic, and that let me find out we are in a well-sealed room, so my wind was only moving around the room slowly. "I'm a coffin!" I exclaimed.

"In." He corrected me.

Just let me be excited.

"Now, we can use our magic and knowledge to escape and return home. That will show her how important education is." Rudeus laughed like a weirdo.

I got out by rolling out confusing him, but it was fun.

You can't do everything in a boring way.

I then knocked on the last coffin politely as Zenith taught me to do. I tried to lift it but failed, so I used wind magic making it slam against the ceiling and then the floor.

Rudeus looked scared while I was standing still hoping the blame goes onto the real wind, not mine.

"What's going on?!" Eris yelled, I forget about her.

"It appears we've been kidnapped and locked up." Rudeus grinned. "If only you could use magic. You could burn through the ropes easily."

"Don't talk nonsense!" Eris got up and smacked against the side of the coffin when she tried to run out of it then yelled at the door like it was causing her suffering. "Ghislaine! Ghislaine, where are you?!"

She smacked the door with her nose. "See it works." I pointed out to Rudeus.

"She is knocking, not trying to shatter it like you tried to do with a window." Rudeus held up his hands. "Do the same as me."

I did. "Pipe down, brat!" Someone kicked the door in and their anger seemed real to me.

'She will never guess it's all an act now!' Rudeus celebrated in his mind.

"That hurt! I will clobber you!" Eris threatened.

"What'd you say?" He started to walk towards her.

She started to back up. "You stink! Stay away from me! Who do-!" Eris let out a scream of pain when he kicked her into a wall.

Eris got free from her restraints and attacked him, but he grabbed her hair and threw her to the ground making me flinch. "You need to learn your place!" He repeatedly stomped on her head.

"Stap!" I ran over and covered her. He stomped on my head and then froze from the shock of me taking the kick for Eris.

"You damn!" He yelled, and I did my best to have my wind surround us to protect us as I hugged Eris tightly.

'Ceres, you can stop, he left.' I looked to Rudeus to see just him, so I let my wind magic disperse around us.

"You will pay for this." Eris groaned. We saw blood coming out from her head and mouth making us both shiver.

Rudeus was gentle as he touched her back, but she whined and he shushed her. He used a healing spell on her, but I can tell it won't fully heal her.

She struggled to get up. "Heal me all the way." She rasped out.

"You'd just shout again if I did." Rudeus retorted. "Cast the spell yourself."

"I can't. I don't know how." Eris explained.

"You could do it if you'd studied." Rudeus smirked then patted my head seeing my frown.

I felt guilty since we only caused her suffering by doing this plan, but there is no use crying about it. It was the only thing I could do in my past life, but this time I can save her and help her.

I punched a wall out of conviction then went down in pain. 'Well, you seem okay, but you just did that.' Rudeus mumbled worriedly in his head, but I gave him a thumbs up and glared at my shaking thumb.

'Says the forty-year-old who pissed himself.' I retorted.

'YOU KNOW I DIDN'T!!' He yelled in his mind making me laugh and then sigh.

'I hoped they were just good actors, but it doesn't sound like it. This isn't our plan being acted out. We have been kidnapped.' Rudeus explained as I helped Eris lean up against a wall.

"HU-!" He covered my mouth.

'Now, should we blast them with magic? Or make a run for it?' Rudeus stared at a door the man left through.

'Risky.' I retorted. 'Can't we escape from in here? I can use my wind magic to search for cracks, not ass ones.'

'BRILLANT!' Rudeus patted my head and I grinned. 'I don't want to teach the young lady that violence is the answer. She will never stop punching me then.'

The best spot I found was the window so I used Rudeus as a ladder to get up onto the window sill. I had my wind magic go around in circles on my palms. I then put them to the walls of the window shaving down the stone then I moved the metal bars that got loose when the stone was shaved down enough.

Rudeus held out his arms, so I handed it to him, and he tilted back from the weight, so I had my wind magic smack his back.

It landed on him as he fell a little slower, but that stopped it from making a loud sound.

"He's dying, good." Eris grinned while I rolled off the window sill. I landed on my head, and I pulled the metal bars off Rudeus.

Rudeus thanked me then helped me back up onto the window sill and I helped him up. "Well, I don't want my sister or me to die, so we are leaving, bye." Rudeus tried to pull me through the open window.

"Nah!" I retorted.

"Help me!" Eris yelled.

"I told you to pipe down!" The door got kicked, and Rudeus blocked it with spears of rock while I held it shut with my wind magic. "Hey, it won't open!"

"Bye." Rudeus rolled out.

"Excuse!" I exclaimed offended that he nearly just dipped out.

They repeatedly kicked the door making the rock start to fall. The door started to crack so they will be able to push past my wind magic. "Don't leave me behind!" Eris shouted.

"Just beat them with violence. It's your speciality." Rudeus informed her.

"Yeah, vomit up a sword like Father and fight!" I cheered.

"There's only blood!" She yelled hurting my ears.

"Can you promise not to be violent for me or shout for Ceres?" Rudeus asked as the rock started to crumble.

"H-help me." Eris started to panic.

"It's on a timer like a game, promise." I demanded.

"Yes!" She yelled, so I used my wind magic to send her my way. I grabbed her hand, and I just fell back out of the window since I'm not strong enough to pull her up.

Rudeus screamed as I fell. "Are you dumb?!" Rudeus yelled.

"Stop yebling!" I shouted annoyed slurring my words like always.

We all ran together and hid in an alleyway where Rudeus got me to heal Eris, so I could practice saying the incantations some more. I can't do them without speaking either, but speaking isn't really my thing so I don't like healing spells.

Eris started doing some weird stretches and I copied her then fell over. "Okay! We should be fine!" Eris yelled annoying us both but I was stuck in a pretzel so I had a bigger problem.

"You promised not to shout, remember?" Rudeus complained.

"Why should I have to keep a promise to you two?!" She exclaimed.

'Little brat!' Rudeus yelled in his mind.

'Greedy even more than me, respect.' I hummed in awe. 'She's just like a fighting character, ruthless.'

"Don't admire her." Rudeus pulled me away from her after helping me out. "This is goodbye."

Eris turned her head away from us and then looked nervous. She must have heard something I'm not able to.

I stopped making wind magic since we will be travelling and Rudeus informed me in his mind that she is just being a brat who will cling to us the entire way.

"Hug?" I held out my arms to her.

Eris started to scream I think, so I looked at Rudeus. 'Ceres don't hug anyone who is ungrateful to you.' Rudeus shook his head at her.

Rudeus took my hand and led me in case we need to run since I won't know until I get hit.

"Nea!" I pointed at a sign making the other two look over to see we are in a town near Roa.

'Nice one Ceres, looks like we can get home tonight.' Rudeus grinned.

Eris then grabbed my head and looked annoyed. 'She's asking why you aren't answering her question. She asked how you can read if you're deaf.' Rudeus looked done since she already had the answer to the first question.

"I leoned..." I looked to Rudeus not hearing myself, and he just gave me a thumbs up. He had a talk with Eris and she looked shocked then a little ashamed.

Chapter Text

We hid in some hay and buckets then we got on a carriage back to Roa using the money Eris had for some reason. I don't know why they didn't take it off her.

Looting is one of the most important things to do.

We were both looking around as we rode the carriage. Eris was alert while I loved seeing 'Wheat! Mountains! And a ladybug kissed my nose, that's peak happiness!'

Rudeus grinned at my excitement and it also helped him relax.

I then felt the wind rush past me and I saw it was caused by some men that rode past us on horses. "Speed!" I yelled.

Eris and Rudeus covered my mouth confusing me. We were dropped off at the entrance of the town, and I bowed to the horses since they did all the work. 'I want to be one, the way they run so fast.' I was staring at them in awe, so Rudeus pulled me away.

I was yawning as we were going back. 'They are both yawning meaning they are relaxed. There were mistakes, but this is mostly according to plan.' Rudeus thought. 'She respects me a little now...I hope.'

'You wish.' I corrected him, and he just stared at me making me laugh.

We then saw someone from the manor, and I ran over with Rudeus since they must have sent out a search party for us, but then I felt the wind behind me move and I turned to see Eris was grabbed by some man.

I chased after them and started to let out wind magic. Rudeus came to my side and slammed his hand against the floor making spears of rock go after them until they got in front and made a giant wall blocking the way.

I had my wind magic start to surround them, so I could snatch Eris back by throwing her into the air when it was safe to.

"You two could have gone home if you stayed put!" One drew a sword while the other had Eris on his shoulder.

"Let me-!" Eris covered her mouth and looked at us like she was scared we would abandon her if she yelled.

I would never do that. 'Delay!' I yelled in my mind.

Rudeus nodded. "Please return the girl." He made a small fireball in his hand.

"I can't do that." A voice spoke up behind us, and it was a person who worked at the manor. "There's somewhere I need little Lady Eris to go for me."

"Looks like you are better at magic than I thought. Join us. We will give you a cut so you can support your deaf sister." The guy with the sword informed us.

"How much would that be, exactly?" Rudeus asked as I finally have my wind magic all in place without letting them detect its presence.

'Finished.' I informed Rudeus.

"How does 100 Asura gold pieces sound?" The man suggested.

"Would that pay for three enrolments in Magic University?" Rudeus stared him down.

"Oh, it could pay for ten and still have some leftover." He smirked.

"That's a tempting offer." Rudeus grinned. I heard a little cry from Eris, but I smiled at her to reassure her that we won't be abandoning her.

"That little girl has given me a hell of a time, if you become her tutor, she will do the same to you." The man informed us.

"Even at your age, you must know the value of money." Another spoke up. "If you do, then raise your hand real slow."

"She caused you suffering?...so you want to do the same back?" I asked shocking him. "She yelled at you, and you want to ruin her life!" I glared at him, and he took a step back and then laughed.

"What can a deaf girl d-" He went to yell.

I moved out my arm making the wind magic throw him to the side at a wall and then up into the air. "I cause suffering, so I choose to prevent as much as I can. Also, you don't use a sword, so you're lame."

Rudeus laughed. "That's my sister!" He sent his fireball into the air making it go off like a firework leaving me in awe at how pretty it is, I never got to see them so close before. "Money can't buy dere!"

"Dairy?" I asked him.

'Whoops, I said that out loud.' Rudeus frowned then we both ran forward towards Eris and those men.

Rudeus sent a stone shard at one, and they sliced it in half before but this time it crumbled and turned into a dust cloud when they hit it, I had my wind smash it in their faces.

Rudeus hit the one holding Eris in the dick with a rock he had come up from the ground and I had my wind magic throw Eris up into the air.

Rudeus kept the one with the sword off us, but he dodged our combined attack this time so we both used wind magic to shoot us away into the air.

I grabbed a hold of Eris, and Rudeus trapped the swordmen's foot into the ground and then sent three fireballs at him. "Not so fast!" The swordsman threw his sword at us.

'Ceres! Paul told me the North god style has sword-throwing techniques!' Rudeus informed me, so I threw Eris to him making his eyes widen.

I did my best to have my wind magic gather in front of me making it denser to try and stop the sword, but it only slowed it down as it got close to my face.

"CERES!" Rudeus screamed.

I could hear something running along the roof above us and from the sound, I could tell who it was so I stopped my wind and got grabbed in time.

I felt the normal wind rush past me and I opened my eyes to see it was Ghislaine who was holding me. Rudeus asked me to memorise the sound of her bouncing boobs in his mind making me sigh.

Ghislaine drew her sword and before I could even blink she attacked them making me go forward with her attack. I felt my wind magic gather the sound from all around me and it hurt so much hearing it all at once, I felt my breathing stop.

I was put down and then shaken by my shoulders, but I didn't open my eyes until I felt the pain disappear and I was exhausted.

I saw Rudeus in front of me he looks like he was about to cry.

He hugged me tightly. 'Did you get hurt?!' He exclaimed in his mind.

I used my wind magic. "Wind, attack, owie." I explained making him calm down.

I then felt something wet and looked down to see red under me and next to us was a headless body making me cry out, I have never seen anything like this before.

I quickly backed away in panic. Rudeus hugged me again to comfort me, but I was shivering that warm feeling I got from the blood stuck to me.

"Ceres?" Eris let out seeing me freaking out still.

As we went back, we were both quiet while holding hands.

It seemed that Eris tried to talk to me, but I didn't use any more of my wind magic since we are just walking and it would just exhaust my mana.

It was morning by the time we got back, and I felt a pat on my head and looked at Ghislaine who was smiling at me.

Eris fell to her knees in relief that we made it back, and I used my wind magic when Philip rushed out. "Eris! You're back awfully late!" He then noticed her state. "What happened?"

Ghislaine threw him the man I knocked. "Lord Philip, its not what it looks like! It was the deaf girl! She's faking it! She just wants money!"

"Noa!" I yelled.

"So that's it." Philip mumbled scaring me. "Send him away! Ceres you're fine."

He smiled at me and I felt confused. 'Didn't I cause her more suffering than him?' I asked myself.

"No!" Rudeus pulled my hand making me look to him. "You did amazing."

I still didn't feel any better and Eris started to stand up so I stood behind Rudeus. "The promise was until we got home, so I can talk now, right?!" Eris yelled.

"Oh, yes, it's fine now." Rudeus nodded.

'I failed, huh? Well, that makes sense. I got caught up in my plan and ended up putting Ceres in danger and needing Ghislaine to save us.' Rudeus looked back at me and I smiled at him. 'If we died again, what will happen?'

I walked forward and bowed. "This is-" I trembled. "My fault, I didn't want you to suffer Eris, I'm sorry I caused that."

Rudeus took my hand again, and we started to leave. "Wait!" Eris shouted. "I will give you both special permission to call me Eris! Ceres protected me! Those people took advantage of you and the plan! It's their fault so no crying! It's annoying!"

"Do you mean...its okay?" Rudeus asked. "We can work here?"

She huffed and I grinned. "Thank you, Skarlet!"

"Yes, thank you Lady Eris." Rudeus exclaimed.

"Skarlet? It's just Eris, why would you even call me that? Are you making fun of my hair?" Eris hissed.

"Skarlet is an amazing fighter! She's someone that helped me forget my reality." I explained with a sad smile.

"Then its fine, I'm your new Skarlet, I'm even better than her." Eris turned away from us and started to walk into her home.

We followed after her. 'I wonder if I earned affection points for that last choice or does she plan to get her revenge once we are officially her tutor?' Rudeus wondered. 'Well either way, for now, we should celebrate landing our first job.'

I giggled happily as I pulled him with me and I then took Eris' hand shocking her. Philip expected her to hit me, but she just allowed me to pull her along.

The next day, I took something I found pretty and Rudeus was trying to snatch it back from me, but I was using my wind magic to keep him away. "I know you can hear me! Give me back the knight!" Rudeus yelled at me.

Rudeus and Philip were playing that boring game called chess that was downloaded on my console, but I never played a second of it since it had the colours of the hospital so it must be boring and boring.

"You two did yourselves proud yesterday." Philip spoke up.

"I'm sorry what happened was my fault." Rudeus retorted and I paused. "I MEAN WE ARE NOT IN THE WRONG, AND HORSES ARE AMAZING!"

"They are." I nodded as I held up the knight. "Can we start the stabby stuff?"

"Training is later, I didn't know you wanted to use a sword." Rudeus mumbled worried that I would break something again.

"No, I want to watch you fail and get flexed on by amazing combos." I hummed "Ghislman...Ghis, don't murder my ears please, with light?"

"I am very sorry that happened." Ghislaine apologised to me.

"No, it was my farts, my fault!" I panicked.

She patted my head since she learned it calms me down from Rudeus. "Greyrats can be used for both political and psychically reasons, see?" I heard Philip say.

"Physibal sounds fun, Pill." I commented.

"No!" Rudeus yelled then stared at me. "Horn."

"Oh, horn is bad now? It made Aisha and Norn." I tilted my head to the side confused, and Ghislaine did to since she had no idea what this conversation is about.

"It's good for that...wait, where's my name?" Rudeus asked me. "You're getting to casual at insult-"

"You don't know I find you precious? I fought...I didn't need to say." I asked and he paused and then hugged me.

"You fought someone?" Ghislaine asked me making me frown since I meant thought.

Someone came in. "Hilda!" Philip called out to her.

"Good morning, dear." She greeted him.

"This is Paul's son and daughter. I have hired them as Eris's new tutors." Philip introduced us and we both stood up and then bowed.

"Its a pleasure to meet you, I am Rudeus Greyrat." Rudeus spoke first.

"Nice to meet-" I went to say.

"Why are your words so slow and slurred?" Hilda asked me making me pause. She was glaring so I just went down like I usually do after bowing.

"Not nice to meet you." I looked away from here.

Rudeus smacked my head lightly while the Hilda just walked away. 'She doesn't like either of us, why?' He asked me in his mind.

Before I could tell him about my guess being the secret ability I discovered ducks have the door got smashed in. "Is Paul's son and daughter here?!" Some man yelled.

"Please to meet you, I am Rudeus Greyrat." Rudeus bowed again.

"I just want stabby time." I laid my head on the table.

"You're polite for Paul's boy I see the other one took after him!" The old man yelled.

"Skarlet got the yelling from you." I hummed.

He grinned at me. "You may both stay in this manor!" He walked off.

"My Ceres, this is a new attitude." Philip spoke up.

"Skarlet said to be stern! I'm more comfortable with my power, but no stabby time." I pouted.

"It has been a couple of days since you watched me train." Rudeus mumbled. "I guess it's your addiction or is she...interested in sex?!"

He started to move away from me. 'Don't know how you got there and I'm to young for that right now.' I reminded him in my mind.

"You know what that is!?" He yelled shocked.

"I was eight....ing." I reminded him.

"....I can't believe that." He admitted making me pout. "I know you aren't lying, but you were so tiny."

"Master Rudeus and Lady Ceres, that is the current Lord of Fittoa." The head servant spoke up. "Lord Sauros Boreas Greyeat."

"Sauce?" I asked getting none of that.

"My father." Philip added.

"I hear you two saved Eris!" Sauros yelled from across the room.

"Ghis!" I yelled since we were told to say it was her. "I was clapping a bee!"

"Climbing a tree?" Rudeus asked me thinking I got my words wrong.

"No, I was clapping a bee!" I yelled.

"Are you trying to lie to me, girl?!" Sauros shouted.

"Yeah." I answered while Rudeus was pulling me towards the door.

"No, sir! Lord Philip told us to." Rudeus explained.

"PHILIP!!" He screeched.

"Yes, Father." Philip went over and bowed then got sent to the other side of the room.

"Ingrate! Is that any way to treat your daughter's saviours?!" Sauros exclaimed, and Philip went back into his bow like he was from the Sims.

'I think we might actually be in the Sims. Everyone talks a weird language, randomly exercises, and has kids with everyone!' I was having a crisis in my mind and Rudeus joined in.

'WE ARE IN THE SIMS!! I CAN CREATE MY OWN WAIFU!!' He celebrated.

Chapter Text

"Father, they both have Greyrat blood, rather than a mere show of gratitude, I hope to thank them warmly, as family." Philip explained.

"As long as you have a plan!" The sauce man seemed to be satisfied.

'So he won't apologise for the punch? Come to think of it, Eris never apologised to me, not that I really mind.' Rudeus thought.

"Masoch-" I was trying to say the words I saw in a book.

"No." Rudeus sternly told me.

"Rudeus! Ceres! I have a request!" Sauros yelled.

"Sure!" I went over.

"She means yes sir!" Rudeus ran over.

"Teach Eris magic!" He yelled. "She says she can't get the spells you cast out of her head! And was amazed by Ceres' farts! And the determination Ceres had when she threw her and used when Ceres farts like a fart ma-"

"Please stop." Rudeus bowed and begged making me laugh.

"I can't teach her how to control them." I informed him.

"Why?!" Sauros yelled making me whine.

"Practiced since I was little to help me hear." I pointed at my ears. "Rude can't do it."

"Eris did mention..." Sauros weirdly went quiet. "Are...you...deaf?" He asked me slowly and quietly. How the hell is that supposed to help me understand him? Do it at the normal speed. I'm used to that.

"Yes." I answered.

"She told me screaming can hurt you." Sauros hummed.

The man picked me up and put me out the window on the side of the building making Rudeus scream while I was in awe seeing the area even better now. The window closed then the building shook for some reason.

The window then opened again and I was pulled back in and hugged by Rudeus when I was put on the floor.

Eris was nearby posing weirdly. "Please..." She started to say.

"Is that any way to ask for something?!" Sauros spoke up.

Eris grabbed her hair and made them into pinky-tails confusing me. "Please teach Eris magic, meow." Eris laughed.

"The ears where?" I was searching her head as her father and grandad were praising her for her cute ears.

"The masters are fond of beast people." The head servant informed us. "That pose is an imitation of drooping ears."

"I don't need reading, writing or math, meow! Just magic, meow!" Eris yelled.

"No, meow!" I retorted.

"This isn't any way to ask for something!" Rudeus freaked out and then turned to me. "And don't you start!"

Every day, when we got up the family would eat together while Ghislaine and I drooled over it, I saw Eris motioning me to come over so I did.

She held out some bread to me and I just bit into it making her laugh.

Rudeus was the main teacher for our lessons since my speaking was just a whole other problem, but I did all the demonstrations for magic since I had the best control.

"What should I do?!" Eris yelled.

"Fire." I answered.

"But we could all die." Rudeus retorted.

"But the moves she could do...death is worth it." I put my hand on his arm.

"No, it isn't!" Rudeus yelled.

"Fire sward!" I explained and he squeezed my cheeks.

Eris got really excited when she was able to make a fireball for the first time and showed it off to us.

I usually watched as they did training with swords. I never joined since I would just end up with a broke arm again. "Come on, join us!" Eris wouldn't stop pleading with me.

It's nice she wants me to join, but I'm not stupid, I know I have a limit.

I shook my head again then she threw a sword at me and I caught it in time, she then came at me and I froze.

"STOP!" Rudeus was right in front of me as he made a blast of wind sending her flying back and she hit a fence.

"What happened?!" Ghislaine came running hearing Eris hit the fence.

"Rudeus just sent me flying even though I was trying to practice with Ceres!" Eris complained.

She looked at us and I nodded as I was trembling. "Ceres has a weak body, right?" Ghislaine asked showing Paul must have told her about my brittle bones.

"Yeah." Rudeus confirmed and Eris was confused.

"Get stronger then!" Eris freaked out.

"Eris you were born strong, Ceres was born weak and it's her bones that are weak. She's also seven, maybe when she's older, but not now it will only cause her damage if she tried." Ghislaine explained.

"You're that weak?" Eris asked me with a nervous tone as she got up.

"Our father hit her arm lightly once before when training her, it broke her arm, your attack would have done much more." Rudeus explained as he was checking me over but I'm fine.

"I will fight you in the future." I grinned and she nodded as she was weirdly silent.

I soon started to look at the town again, and I just couldn't help it. I might have disappeared a couple of times and then arrive back a day or two later concerning them since I was covered in leaves and scratches, but I was always smiling brightly.

I was teaching Ghislaine maths today. "So what would eight loaves of bread plus five meats make?" I asked since she likes food.

"Thirteen!" She exclaimed. "I see, I kind of get it now."

"Look, look Rudeus! Ceres!" Eris yelled. We saw we are going to lose another part of the manor again. "I will make huge fireworks as you do! And control fire to my own will!"

"What are you doing?!" Rudeus freaked out.

"Burning the house." I mumbled as I threw a glass bottle at it they just stared at me once it shattered. "Shouldn't it get bigger?"

"That's a molotov and never use one!" Rudeus picked me up and held me up high, so I had better range of the fire to put it out with water magic.

"I wish you were that enthu-" Rudeus paused when Eris ran out of the room again.

We went looking for her, and I was just running around the house really. 'We have been teaching her for a month and she still runs, punches, and punches and runs from me.' Rudeus thought.

His mind went silent then I soon found him crouched down in a barn. 'She's still an AA.' I heard him think.

"The battery? She has more power than that." I retorted as I used my wind magic to hear him.

"She could become an e-" Rudeus looked back at me. "STAY TINY!"

"No! I will be Z!" I yelled. "Does that power of battery exbist?"

"Oh, battery?...." Rudeus mumbled then slowly looked away from me. "My lady, please wake up, it's time for your fun lesson."

I looked to see Eris sleeping and he got a weird face again then he got punched by her. She then gave him a combo attack sending him flying and I was amazed. "THAT SO BOOL!!" I exclaimed and looked to Eris.

She was smirking happily. "I can teach you! Let's fight later!"

"No, did you forget?" Rudeus came over to us and she went to punch him again but I stood in the way.

"I'm not fit for a sword." I explained again. "Body brittle."

"What does that word mean?" Eris asked us.

"Ceres, hit, dead." Rudeus explained then shivered remembering the time I broke my arm because I picked up a chair...I get I was four but come on body.

Paul was crying his eyes out, and Zenith healed me.

"I don't mind the pain. I'm used to i-" I went to say but got chopped on the head.

"As your brother, I will protect you!" Rudeus declared. "So just do what you want."

"I WILL HELP TO!!" Eris yelled making me hug her.

"Can you be ma family?" I asked while looking up at her and she blushed.

'YES!!! YES!!! YES!!!' Rudeus' mind yelled.

"Jojo!" I turned to him.

'You know it?" Rudeus asked me surprised.

"Yeh! Punch! Dio! Wryy! The game." I explained.

Eris was lost while Rudeus was as excited as me about it, but when we went back Rudeus was crying confusing me. I felt bad, so I tried patting his head like he does for me, he then turned to me. 'Crying can be useful so cry with me.' Rudeus demanded.

I was already crying since it was kind of contagious to me like when you yawn. Ghislaine got even more unsettled since I was also crying with him now.

Rudeus then made a plan with Ghislaine, and we had a writing class next. I do practice a bit since my writing isn't perfect, so I want to be able to have a way to communicate if my hearing stops completely since most people don't know sign language.

I felt the table get smashed next to me, and I saw Eris wasn't happy so I started to cry again since I found the people in this room hate when I do that. Ghislaine took the hint as Rudeus winked badly as well.

I stopped and used some of my wind magic, and Eris was rubbing my head. "I used to think that a sword was all I needed." Ghislaine spoke up. "My party, The Fangs of the Black Wolf had six members."

"Two swordsmen, a fighter, and a thief, plus one mage and one cleric. I let the others handle getting and handing out supplies." She explained.

"Adventurers!" Eris and I stood up together and then looked at each other excitedly.

'They are both hooked!' Rudeus' mind yelled then I saw a sweet smile on his face. 'I'm glad she isn't feeling homesick.'

"Mother and fater in that party, right?" I asked.

'Was that a mistake?' Rudeus wondered.

'It wasn't.' I confirmed making him laugh.

"Yeah, it was seven years ago now." Ghislaine informed us.

"So, Ghislaine, have you ever been in trouble because you couldn't do math?" Rudeus asked.

"Yeah, loads of it. After Paul and Zenith had got married, I travelled alone, but I couldn't calculate money. I went ten days without food or drink, I thought I would die." She explained. "I couldn't bear it and ate monster shit, but it gave me the runs. While I endured nausea, stomachache and diarrhoea, monsters swarmed me."

"You fart them away?!" I asked.

"No shit them away." She answered. "That's why I want to learn math, I'm counting on you both."

"Rudeus hurry! Ceres help me!" Eris exclaimed and I did help her.

After that, they were doing sword training while I was in the kitchen with the beast people watching them cook. I was given a basket of food making me grin and I picked it up and then ran outside with it, but first bowed to them. "Sank you!" I blurted out. "I mean thank!"

"Have a good trip." They all grinned as I saw their talks wagging behind them meaning they are happy. It was very easy to talk to the beast people since their tails always reassured me that they are actually happy to see me.

I went outside struggling with the basket a little since it was huge. I saw them all training amazing me so much that I just completely forget I existed once again.

I then got poked and saw Ghislaine looking nervous as she did her best to sign to me and I was ready to cry to see she learned for me. "I'm not kissing a lobster, but thank." I grinned at her as I wiped a little of my tears as I made some wind magic.

"Are you leaving?" Eris asked me. "But don't you want to watch?"

"I do, but..." I paused.

"You can be greedy Ceres, I told you to do what you want to do." Rudeus reassured me then got whacked by Eris.

"I taught her that, not you!" She yelled.

"You taught her to be rude!" Rudeus retorted.

"I want to be rude!" I exclaimed surprising them. "I want to be like my brother." I grinned.

Rudeus cried and hugged me tightly then stood tall. "There are some rules, be careful and no talking to strangers!"

"Yes!" I nodded and he patted my head.

"And come home before dark." He told me, and I paused for a moment.

"I will be going!" I exclaimed happy to say that for once.

I ran to the middle of the area. Eris was watching me with sparkling eyes like I do when I watch her fight. I used my wind magic on myself to launch myself up into the air.

Once I felt my wind magic stop I looked to see myself far above the city once again. It felt amazing as I fell back down towards the earth with the wind rushing past me. I've been launching myself everywhere since I want to go explore and I blamed it on random tornados.

Rudeus scolded me but could see how much I enjoyed it, so he let me continue but once I learned how to use it safely...I landed in a tree...then hit one of its branches...then I met the ground again...I am very safe.

Once I got up, I was in awe. I saw I had landed in a field full of flowers in front of many mountains that are covered in snow. I used my wind magic as I ran around exploring, I heard the sounds of bugs and birds from the flower side while the sound of melting snow from the other.

I set up my little picnic and started to eat until I heard footsteps from very high up on the snow mountain, they said no one lives there.

I looked up at it, but I saw no one there. "A snowman?!" I got excited, and my voice was accidentally carried by my wind magic.

"Who is this? I don't recognise this voice." I heard a deep voice making me nervous, but I also got excited.

"Who is this?" The voice asked again as I was debating if I should answer or not.

I didn't know me answering him would change my entire life. "Petal." I was staring at a flower remembering the stranger danger rules I was given.

"I see...I'm Snowman." He informed me and I laughed.

"Was what I said funny?" I heard him mumble.

"No, people hate nicknames from ma." I explained.

"Your speech is slurred and slow, you make mistakes to." He hummed.

"Your voice sounds like a frog." I insulted him first as Eris told me to, but I felt horrible "Sorry...I like frogs."

"Then I thank you. It's been a long time since I have received a compliment...or it might be my first." He responded. "Now what is the cause of our ability to communicate?" He asked me. "I do not remember this magic."

"Big words." I said in awe.

"A big word?" He asked me.

"No, I'm the cause. Well, my wind magic, brings sound to me. I wanted to hear everything around here, so fart." I explained. "Also, in the city, my eardrums die."

That all took so much effort to say, but I did speak it all correctly. "Your speech." He spoke up again making me groan. "You put in a lot of effort."

"Oh?! Hanks!!" I exclaimed without thinking then whined. I heard him make a sound like a laugh? I was shaking from the compliment to.

I kept speaking with the person whenever I came here to explore, but really I just come here to talk to him and they also sounded closer each time. "I'm going to the city soon!" I informed him.

"You're already there." He reminded me.

"Yeah, but I haven't explored." I explained.

"I see, then do tell me all about it when you come back." He told me.

"Yeah! I wish I could take pictures for you!" I grinned.

"Pictures?" He asked.

"Oh, yeah...hmm." I let out.

"Do you find my voice scary?" He changed the subject and his tone sounded serious.

"Nope!" I exclaimed.

"It's decided then." He mumbled.

"Decided?" I asked.

"Do you like surprises?" He questioned me.

"None violent ones." I answered.

"We will see..." He responded.

"Oh, you sound like a cool villain." I said in awe. "Can you use a sword?"

"Yes." He answered and I squealed.

I asked him many questions that would have been unintelligible for anyone even Rudeus, but somehow he was able to make out what I asked. He just took some time to think about what the words actually were, he was quite patient with me making me grin.

Chapter Text

The day came when we went into the centre of the city. "Hurry!" Eris yelled and pulled on Rudeus's arm while I was running in the front.

I got grabbed making me whine loudly while shaking my arms. "You both need to be careful." Rudeus sighed as he held me up a little. "You both can get abducted, you are especially easy Ceres."

"I can fact!" I exclaimed.

"Yeah, she knows things!" Eris agreed while I actually meant to say fart, but I am smart at combo moves, try me.

"You need to test out if you can handle the sound here, if not I will hold your hand so I don't lose you Ceres." Rudeus explained and I nodded.

"That aside, your dresses." Rudeus hummed as he put me down.

Eris huffed and turned to him. 'They do say fine feathers make a fine bird.' Rudeus thought.

"He thinks you're fine." I informed her.

"No, it looks lovely on you, my lady." Rudeus grinned she still slapped him and then walked off.

"What's her problem?" Rudeus sighed. "Well, Ceres...you look great."

"Thanks!" I spun happily. I was wearing an old dress of Eris's. It's mostly black with a little white thing in the back that looks like a very short cape to me so I have found my fighter outfit.

Rudeus patted my head then took my hand and we saw Eris run into town. I was in awe seeing it all properly for the first time and I started to go up and down on my toes making Rudeus laugh.

I tried out my wind magic but. "Too much." I groaned and had my wind magic go up to the sky to escape all of the sounds then it was silent except for the sound of birds up above so I was fine.

I guess I am still useless. Rudeus pulled my cheek, and Ghislaine pulled the other on his instructions I think. 'You have me here. I'm never leaving you so don't worry about it.' He reassured me.

'I can make us travel quick!' I added.

'I like the ground.' He admitted making me pout.

Eris was running everywhere and Rudeus allowed me to if I stayed near them. Rudeus was rubbing his cheek against a wall weirding the other two out. Eris poked me on the shoulder and then pointed to him to try to ask me what the hell he is doing.

"Horn?" I mumbled.

'I am not!' Rudeus turned to me.

'But you said you're excited in your mind.' I retorted.

Rudeus pulled me along, and we went to a market and Rudeus made sure I didn't bump into anyone.

Rudeus was telling me to write things down on a pad he was holding, I was writing the prices I see so I didn't even need to talk to him.

Then he pulled me to some stall with a suspicious guy and they seemed to be talking. He showed us a box, and it looked like a potion and to me, it looked pretty so I grabbed it.

I was focused on it then looked to the man and tried to read his lips, I got the words slip and spread open. 'So you fall and do the splits, yep, I'm a genius.' I nodded to myself.

Rudeus shook me. 'ITS AN APHRODISIAC!!'

He for some reason cried when I went to write it so I let him write it instead. Eris then jumped him to see our notes.

They seemed to be arguing. 'What a little tyrant.' Rudeus thought. 'Ceres, I'm just explaining that we are researching market prices as you do for MMOs.'

"Ha?" I let out surprised. 'I thought you just stabbed things in those games.'

'You do, that's a part of it to.' He explained to me.

'Best part, don't need numbers. I want death.' I looked around the market, and he quickly grabbed my hand.

I then saw Eris and Ghislaine trying to count on their fingers. Eris then showed me six fingers, and I nodded while Rudeus sighed.

Rudeus then crossed his arms, so I did to making Eris pout. He grinned when Ghislaine said something so I did to.

'You have no clue, right?' Rudeus asked me.

'None, I trust you.' I explained making him pat my head.

We went to a bookstore next. I used my wind magic as soon as I went in since there was no one here other than the cashier.

"A bonible book." I read the name of one as Ghislaine was lifting me up to read it.

"Botanical dictionary." Rudeus nodded as he wrote it down.

'I think one gold piece is around 100,000 yen.' Rudeus thought.

"THAT'S ALOT!" I exclaimed.

"What are you looking at?!" A wild Eris appeared.

"Books." I answered. "Horn ones."

"They aren't!" Rudeus yelled.

"Eh? Then why are we here? You said horn is life." I said confused.

He laughed nervously. "I could buy you both one if you like!" Eris informed us.

"That's easy to say, but do you actually have money?" Rudeus asked.

"Grandfather will pay for me!" She smirked happily, but it only made me frown. I made people pay for me my whole life in my previous one and they only suffered by doing that.

"No spending money on me!" I yelled. "Earn your own!"

'Good scolding my dear sister.' Rudeus thought. 'We can't let her act spoiled. I really want that horn book, but I will resist the temp- Ceres, stop reading my mind.'

"Ipoibble." I informed him then grimaced at how badly I murdered that word. "And no Eris, you're not being a Skarlet."

"Why?!" Eris yelled.

"Because it's not your money to spend." Rudeus explained.

"What do you mean?!" She kept raising her voice, and I rubbed at my ears.

"Do you know how much Ceres, and I get paid every month?" He asked her as I was playing with Ghislaine's ears since she held me up higher to keep me away from Eris' voice.

"Light." Ghislaine hummed as she moved me up and down.

"Paul said your jugs were heavy, what are ugs?" I asked her.

"Jugs?" She mumbled confused as Rudeus shivered.

'She does have heavy ones.' Rudeus thought as Eris was still thinking.

"Five gold pieces?" Eris guessed.

"Two silver pieces each." Rudeus informed her.

"THAT'S TOO LITTLE!" Eris screeched.

I whined as the wind brought it all to me making her panic while Ghislaine held me closer to her chest to cover my ears. I was near her jugs I think since Rudeus was screaming it in his mind. "What about Ghislaine?"

"I get two gold pieces." She answered.

"See?!" Eris yelled.

"What? Is she a genius or am I?" I said confused since I don't know which of us should be the confused one.

"You're. Ghislaine has the rank of Sword King and she doubles as your bodyguard, it's natural she's paid more than us." Rudeus explained.

"What would I get paid, then?" Eris asked.

"No more than one silver piece at the very most. We appreciate the sentiment, but you should wait until you have your own money to buy people gifts." Rudeus answered.

"Alright, fine." She went weirdly quiet.

'She's unusually quiet if only she's always acted like this, that was probably Eris's attempt at gratitude.' Rudeus thought.

"You learned." I patted her head and she grinned. "Really thanks, I never get giffys."

"You messed up." Rudeus informed me, and I let out a little yell surprising him. "Calm."

"I'm sorry, I'm not berfect." I pouted, and he could tell I was getting impatient with myself.

"Do you want to practice speaking in our classes?" Rudeus asked me.

"Yeah! I can help." Eris grinned. "Also, I had an idea for sword training. We can use your wind magic to help us learn!"

"......no." I rejected and they were both confused since I normally go with the idea, but I'm afraid of the consequences.

I do want to speak properly, but I feel horrible every time I mess up and they make a big deal about it when I do and even if they don't they always tell me I made a mistake and that's an hourly thing.

And my wind magic, I don't like using it on people. I heard I hurt that guy really badly last time, and I remember how I sent that sword flying.

'If I did that to Rudeus.' I thought, and I felt tears come up from just imagining it.

"DON'T CRY!!" Rudeus panicked and Ghislaine put me down so he could hug me.

Eris was just running around me confused. I don't have any control over myself, so I shouldn't do anything involving those two things and other people.

Ghislaine then cut down a bookshelf leaving me in awe while the other two looked shocked. "Ghislaine!" Rudeus yelled.

"She's smiling now." She pointed at me.

"Let's run!" Eris grabbed my hand and I grinned as we ran for it, it was fun.

We were walking back home in a street that has very few people, so I can have my wind magic out and then. "WHOA!" Rudeus and I yelled seeing a floating island.

"DO TOU SETTB TGAT!?" I yelled, and no one had any clue as to what I said neither did I.

"Never seen that before?" Ghislaine asked us.

"You know what that is Raide- I mean, Ghislaine?" Rudeus asked.

"You don't?" She mumbled.

"Floating dirt." I guessed.

"Psychically, yes." Ghislaine nodded. "That's the Flying Fortress of Perugius, the Armoured Dragon King."

"DRAKEON?!" My mouth fell open.

"Perugius?" Rudeus asked as he tried to calm me down, but I was freaking out.

'Dragons! They exist! I NEED TO RIDE ONE!' I grinned.

"Perugius is one of the three heroes who beat the Demon God Laplace!" Eris explained proudly.

"Laplace?" Rudeus tilted his head again, and I pushed it back up before he fell.

"The book." I informed him. "Bad, wipe, humans."

"He wanted to wipe our asses?" Rudeus cringed and I sighed.

"Laplace was a super evil guy who tried to wipe out humans." Eris explained to me.

"That." I pointed at her. "The book."

"Oh yeah, it was in a book at home, I thought it was a fairy tale." Rudeus hummed.

"No, it's an awesome tale." I informed him and he nodded.

"You know a lot my lady." Rudeus commented, and Eris smirked from the praise.

"This is the 414 year of the Armoured Dragon Calendar. The calendar was named in honour of Perugius defeating Laplace." Ghislaine explained.

"You have got alot to learn Rudeus, Ce-!" Eris cut herself off scared her words will hurt me, but I was just in awe hearing about dragons.

'Maybe I will meet them one day. I hope we can be friends.' I grinned.

After that day, I went to the flower field many times but even then I just didn't feel like using my wind magic making me groan. The snow had settled really well today, and it was pretty but even that didn't cheer me up.

I sat down in the same spot again to try and build up my courage to use my wind magic, but I found the ground felt different.

I looked down to see I'm on someone's back. "Oh..." I rolled off then I saw their head buried in the snow, so I dug all the snow away, but they didn't move so I tried to roll them over but they were huge.

I whined then I started to panic since they could suffocate like that and lose their hearing like I did or even die.

I used my wind magic to push them over, and they were now staring at me. "You alive?" I asked as I poked his face.

"So you can still use your wind magic." He commented as he sat up. The snow slowly fell down the back of his coat, and he didn't flinch making me clap in awe.

"You didn't talk to me." He informed me as he looked at me and he was towering over me with his height. "Did I scare you?"

I realised who he was from his voice. I felt so bad I looked down and started to shiver. I had just been ignoring him. I caused suffering once again.

I heard him sigh and then stand up. "I'm sori." I apologised, and I heard him stop walking. "My fault..."

"I don't scare you?" He asked again. I saw him turn to me and from his expression he looked like he wanted to murder me, but the words didn't match.

"No, I thought I hurt you." I explained, and his eyes widened showing a little more of a different expression from his neutral murder one.

He came over and looked down right at me. I started laughing since his expression was so serious. "What are you doing?" I grinned.

He then sat down next to me and rested his chin in his hand and looked slightly up. I guess that's his thinking pose. "I can't understand why. This has never happened before." He admitted.

"Why snow is white?" I asked.

"That to, but more importantly you sounded happy. You used your wind power with confidence, but now there is very little around us and you only used it since I was face down in the snow." He explained.

"I-" I got nervous and looked down.

I then felt him pat my head since I told him before my brother does it to calm me down making me look up at him. "Explain." He demanded and I groaned. "You don't want help?" I was shocked he wanted to help me since we don't know each other well.

"I can trouble you?" I asked and he nodded.

After I spoke just one word, it was like the rest just rushed out on its own. He just sat there as I cried and rambled about how I felt about not being able to speak properly, and all the problems it has caused for me and others. "If I was just barn...with hearing I wouldn't have caused my famile sufferning." I explained. "And my solution, it hurt others...Again, I shountdnt been barn."

I was hysterical, so my speech was a mess like I was. "You help others without needing to speak." He reassured me as he put his hand on my head again and the warmth felt comforting.

"...with my power?..but I hart others still-if I stop. If I'm alive or stay, it will contine, death was the only way...but I don't want to die or be alone!" I yelled, and he was surprised by my words. "I hate this! I just want to disappear!"

"What do you like?" He suddenly asked me making me pause for a second.

"...hugs." I answered. He had to think about what one is like he never had one before and he hugged me making me cry even more.

"Are there other kinds of hugs?" He asked me.

"Warm ones are good." I explained.

"Lava?" Orsted looked around making me laugh.

"Why did you laugh again?" He seemed to be smiling a little as I looked up at him, but I'm sure that's just me.

"Funny this time." I explained.

"Sweet." He patted my head making me grin then shake and he was confused.

"Mr Snowman is quite nice." I added.

"It's Orsted." He informed me.

"Oh, I'm Ceres!" I exclaimed. "Good to meet you Or...Ted!"

"Weird to meet you." He told me making me laugh again.

"I see, so you're scared of using your wind magic since you nearly murdered someone." Orsted hummed while I was ready to cry again and he noticed. "You didn't nearly murder them?"

"No." I turned away from him.

"Then just practice." He informed me as he turned me back around.

"People are always around, I need an actual person to...I couldn't do that to someone." I explained.

Orsted got up and then walked out onto the snowy field, he turned and looked back at me. "Hit me." He demanded.

I tilted my head confused, and he did the same thing. "Masochist?" I asked.

"What is that?" Orsted asked me.

"Rudy told me its someone who likes pain." I explained.

"Then no, but I'm very durable." Orsted informed me. I looked unconvinced, so he went over to the mountain. I thought he was going to leave making me frown. I heard a smash, and I saw he had punched the mountain making alot of it crack and boulders came down onto him.

I used my wind magic to stop as many as I could, but one slipped through the others and was heading towards his head. "No!" I yelled.

I was surprised to see the boulder did break when it hit him, but he's just fine, I think.

He started to walk back over as I made the others fall into safer places. I went running over to him because I saw blood on him. He was confused to see me panicking, and I was trying to say a healing spell, but the panic messed up my words each time I tried.

He put his hand on my head, and I was in awe at the slight smile on his face as he wiped my tears. "You're worried over a little blood?" Orsted asked me.

"You took a house to the face!" I yelled.

"House?" Orsted asked me.

"Flintstones." I answered and he was still confused. "Now, sit!"

He actually did, and I did my best to say all the words to the healing spell as I put my hand on his head. It took a while, but he was patient and I celebrated when I finally did it.

Orsted got up. "We will work on your speech for now."

"Pow?!" I asked excitedly.

"We will just talk, about anything, how the sky is blue, about your brother, my scales you can't stop staring at me." He informed me.

"They are actual scales." I said in awe. "But what do you get in exchange?"

"Conversations, company." Orsted answered.

"Eh?" I let out then I was reminded of how I had desperately wanted that once. "I'm glad I can be the one to talk to you."

Orsted patted my head, and we did talk for a very long time. It was quite late when I was going to head back. "Same time we will meet here." Orsted informed me.

"Yeah! Thank...you." I mumbled to get it outright.

"Thank you." He nodded to me and I grinned.

I used my wind magic to send myself up into the air. I looked down to see him a little shocked by what I did, I then waved to him and he waved back.

I got back to see most lights are still on surprising me. 'Shouldn't everyone be asleep?' I thought in my mind.

'CERES!' I heard Rudeus yell in his mind making me flinch.

'I'm deaf again.' I informed him.

'We are talking with our thoughts.' He reminded. 'That's not important! Why have you been?!'

'With a friend...a good friend...' I answered.

I then felt myself get grabbed and it was Ghislaine who was hugging me tightly to herself. I used my wind magic to hear, and she moved me back and checked me over. "Did you get kidnapped again?"

"No." I answered. "I saw Ted."

Eris and Rudeus came running and Rudeus hugged me while crying surprising us. 'You weren't answering! No matter how much I yelled out for you!' He informed me in his mind meaning there must be a limited range to our connection.

"Sorri." I hugged him back. "I won't die, even if I disappear, I won't die, just find me."

"You better not!" He yelled and I laughed.

"I deserve an apology to." Eris added, and she looked ready to cry.

"Sorry." I laughed nervously. "I made you worry?"

"Of course, I worry over my little sister!" She yelled.

"Sis?" I asked and Eris got embarrassed then huffed and turned to the side.

"Well, you may be an older sister, but you need one to so I will be it, okay?" Eris made it sound like I was troubling her. She then glanced at me and was a little surprised to see I'm smiling. I have been able to tell she acts like this when she gets nervous and then she gets violent when things get too much for her like how I shake when I get a compliment.

"Thank you! Sister!" I grinned.

"You better be grateful!" Eris smirked.

After that, they always scolded me to come back before it gets dark, but I would lose track of time when I talk with Orsted because I find his distant nature interesting. It reminded me of my last mother in a way, but this time it felt warm and he seems lonely like I was, so I want to be his friend.

Chapter Text

I went to see Orsted more, and we would just talk letting me practice my pronunciation and then use my wind magic on him. I made him fly and dive into the snow many times, it was funny since he just stayed down in the snow.

The first time made me cry since I thought he died, but he just told me he doesn't move for a reason I might know in the future, I'm sure he's just lazy.

The others were surprised at my change they all could see I was talking more confidently, and my pronunciation of words wasn't perfect, but I was getting better.

"I did it!" Eris showed us her handwriting.

"Ceres seems happy now." I read a part at the bottom. She then started to rub it out making me laugh. "I bam!"

"So that friend really is helping you out?" Rudeus asked me with a suspicious tone. 'If someone is trying to get my sister, I will send them into space!'

"That means death! No bad broger!" I panicked.

"Not actually, I just want to talk to them." Rudeus patted my head and grinned.

"No." I answered and they were all shocked. "He said meet alone."

"HE!?" Rudeus exclaimed. "I need to meet him as the older one."

"Perverted one, no." I put my hand on his shoulder. "Sylphy will."

Rudeus sighed. "I have gifts!" Eris yelled making us both flinch and she slammed down two things on the table.

"You got Rude a gift?" I looked at it.

"You to." She informed me.

I froze and then started to shake. "WHAT DID I DO?!" Eris yelled as Rudeus was trying to steady me.

"A gift not from family..." I mumbled.

"Oh, that's it?" Eris asked me. "I'm your cousin."

"......I forget." I hummed.

'I purposefully forget.' Rudeus thought in his mind.

"Now open them!" Eris yelled.

"Okay." Rudeus went first then started to scream making Ghislaine cover my ears. "MY LADY, WHY DO YOU HAVE THIS?!"

"You looked like you really wanted it!" She explained.

"Thanks to you both Lady Eris gets an allowance now." Ghislaine added.

"I even calculated the change right!" Eris bragged, and Rudeus quickly swiped the bottle.

'I CAN SLIP IN WITH THIS!' Rudeus's mind yelled. "Thank you! I'm glad your studies are paying off."

"It makes you slippy?" I asked confused.

"Bad Ceres!" He yelled and I panicked so Eris decked him.

"You're fine." Ghislaine reassured me.

They had Rudeus pinned to a wall and started to tickle him for some reason. 'Ceres save me!' Rudeus begged so I went to my gift and opened it.

"Ear plugs?" I held them up.

They all paused. 'She got a deaf person earplugs?' Rudeus thought.

"Thanks!" I exclaimed.

Eris looked very happy, and she came over to ruffle my hair, she has never done that before. "But why?" I asked.

"..." She was having a hard time thinking of a reason. "You helped me!"

"You give a gift to someone who helps you." I mumbled and thought of Orsted. "His likes?....I don't know."

"HOW DO YOU NOT KNOW?!" Rudeus yelled. "You have talked for hours."

"No, I talked for hours mostly." I explained. "I should go see him!"

Rudeus went to grab me, but I jumped out of a window making him groan while Eris grinned. I easily used my wind magic to propel myself up into the air.

I was surprised to actually find Orsted there and he was drawing in the snow. "Nabed man?" I asked and he hummed.

"What does a dragon look like?" I asked.

He started to draw the dragon eating the naked man for some reason and then grinned, I found it weirdly cute.

"You have an agenda." Orsted hummed as he watched me admire the masterpiece.

"What are things you like?" I asked, and he was doing his thinking pose.

"Our conversations." He answered.

"Really? Don't you speak with other peoaple?" I asked and he was silent. "I mean people."

"Well done." Orsted praised me and I shook a little, so he covered me with a blanket I left here once before.

'How is it not wet?' I thought since I left it in the snow.

"I don't speak with other people because..." He seemed cautious for a second. "I have a curse of being feared and hated by all living creatures."

I tilted my head confused. "Curse? I did die once, am I living?" I mumbled.

Orsted looked at me with narrowed eyes it looks like he was suspicious of me, but I learned he was just very confused most of the time. "Please keep it a secret, I will tell you it one day, but I'm not ready yet." I held up a finger in front of my mouth, and he nodded.

"Then when you do, I will tell you something of equal value to me." He informed me.

I smiled at him. "Also I'm not afraid, I know what host-ialite?...rage is, and you've shown none of that threw, I mean through, your actions just your expression." I explained then sighed when I finally got past all of those mistakes.

"My expressions?" Orsted asked me.

"Stiff, murderous but cute." I explained.

"What is murderous and cute?" He mumbled to try and compare.

"DRAGONS!" I yelled as I pointed at his drawing and he was a little surprised by my excitement.

"I am from the dragon tribe." Orsted informed me and I froze. He patted my head to reset me, and it worked.

I immediately took his hand to see his nails are a little sharp and then I stared at the scales on his face. "Where are the bings?" I asked as I went around to poke at his back.

"Bings?" He asked me.

I went in front and held out my arms stretching out my blanket. "Whoosh." I explained.

"Wings." Orsted nodded. "I won't show you."

"Eh!" I exclaimed. "Rude."

"I'm not your brother." He informed me.

"Mean." I corrected myself and he just grinned.

"I mean I don't have them." He explained.

"Oh...then you are like me!" I exclaimed.

I went back to get proper clothes to wear, and I brought a couple of other things with me and he was confused to see me with them. "Have you ever built a snowmon? Man!" I corrected myself.

My eyes were sparkling at him. I have never built one since I wasn't allowed outside long enough or they thought I would break a bone.

"No, would you lik-" Orsted cut himself off. "You seem desperate."

"It's a dream." I explained.

We still talked as we got to work and I taught him what we need to do. "Do you not want to learn swordsmanship?" Orsted asked me as I was rolling a huge snowball for our snowman head. "You skip sword training to come here. It will benefit you more."

"I don't like broken bomes." I admitted and the snowman head started to fall back and was also going to murder me. "My creation is going to end me, I see."

It got picked up before it could kill me and Orsted was holding it in one hand then slammed it onto the snowman making me squeal excited at our masterpiece.

Orsted lifted me up to put the carrot on it and all the pebbles for eyes and he seemed curious. "Are your bones weak?" Orsted asked me as he stared at my wrist.

"Yeah, I was born weak. The doctor said it might have to do with me suffofating at birth and I was born with it to." I explained as I finished off the snowman and he put me back down.

"It is frowning." He commented.

"Yeah, it's you." I grinned, and he tilted his head to the side and stared at it harder.

"It is cute." Orsted nodded. "And you said I am, it is me."

"Why did you want to do this with me?" Orsted asked me as we sat down.

"Because tall and strong." I explained.

"You used me to make this." He nodded. "Why do you even want to speak? Why do you want to control your magic? Those people must have been in the way, right?" He asked me a few sudden questions seems it's been on his mind.

I moved making him put his guard up and I punched his arm. He was just confused while I grinned.

"Mean, aren't you? I don't want to kill. It only brings suffering and doing it so easily makes life feel boring and ordinary to me, but it's special." I explained.

"You know you need to think a little before you speak..." I mumbled.

"Why?" Orsted turned to me.

"Words can hurt people to." I explained. "You're to direct."

"Do teach me." He asked me.

"Yeah! So have you ever heard of the word thank you?" I asked.

Orsted nodded. "When did you last use it other than for me?" I mumbled.

He started to think and think. "I don't know." He admitted.

I laughed at his monotone voice and soon I had to go back.

"Stay warm." Orsted scolded me as he wrapped the scarf around me that I brought for the snowman.

"Why?" I whined as he covered my pout with the scarf making me laugh.

"I have been told of and seen how weak children can be." He explained. "And you are double that."

"You are like triple everything." I added.

"What parts?" He asked me.

"You might know in the future." I grinned and he smiled at me since he gives me the same answers quite a lot. "Bai!"

"Bai." He waved to me as I flew off back home.

"I'm back!" I exclaimed as I landed in the snow face first.

I happily lifted my face up and then stood up. "Welcome home!" Rudeus waved to me and Eris was running my way while Ghislaine walked over.

"How was it?" Eris asked me. "Did you need to insult him?"

"No, I tried once before, but I like frogs." I explained.

'Note to self he looks like a frog.' Rudeus thought.

'No, he talks like one.' I informed Rudeus.

'Then what does he look like?' Rudeus asked me as he got closer and I just smiled making him sigh.

"You two are doing that weird thing again!" Eris pointed out. "What are you doing?"

"Talking." I answered.

"Well talk another way! I want to hear!" Eris yelled.

Rudeus and I then started to use sign language, and she looked confused. "Sign lang-wich?" I mumbled.

"You talk this way?" Eris asked.

"It's called sign language, I only know a couple of words since I asked Rudeus to teach me so I could talk to Ceres some more." Ghislaine added.

"I want to learn!" She yelled.

"It's hard." Rudeus informed her.

"It's easy!" She made some motions. "How was that?"

"I don't love ducks that much, you have a lot of love for them." I mumbled.

'I wanna be that duck.' Rudeus thought and Eris was panicking.

I was teaching Eris and Ghislaine how to cast magic. I had complete control over the lesson since I can speak much better now and I noticed Eris' mother watching us.

"Mother! Watch me do magic!" Eris exclaimed and her mother smiled. "It's amazing!"

"That's a bit frightening, don't do anything too dangerous." Hilda warned her.

She looked at us and then narrowed her eyes and looked away, Rudeus and I looked to Ghislaine. "Did I cause suffering?" I was shaking, and she was panicking a little as she patted my head.

Later that night, I was with Rudeus practising our stone magic. "Could I give him one of these?" I mumbled thinking of Orsted.

"NOT THIS ONE!" Rudeus yelled.

'I know you said Roxy is your waifu.' I nodded. 'What is that again?'

"Umm... food?" Rudeus was having a mental breakdown.

"It's done!" Rudeus yelled. "How about you Ceres?!"

"Here." I gave him the last part of the Roxy figure we are making. He only allowed me to do certain parts like the cloak and staff since he said he had a way better idea of how her body looked.

He put then together then he looked at the panties for some reason like they were an important part of it even though you can't see them unless you hold her figurine at certain angles.

"O goddess." Rudeus hummed.

"O dragon." I added, and he gave me a look. "They are cool like Roxy."

We then heard a knock at the door, and I used my wind magic to open it. Some lady was there a little surprised we aren't near the door.

"No, I don't want to be kidbapped." I rejected before she asks or tries.

She was concerned and then bowed to us. "Mister Rudeus and Miss Ceres, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. My name is Edna Rayrune. I'm here to consult with you two."

"On?" I asked. 'PLEASE SAY FIGHTING GAMES!'

'We can later.' Rudeus ruffled my hair making me grin. "Come on in." He invited her in.

She sat at Rudeus's little table, and I was trying my best to pour us drinks as she explained she needed Eris to have more class time.

"But she goes hulk." I informed her.

"In half a year, Lady Eris will be ten years old. A great party will be held to mark the occasion, and nobles from near and far will be invited." Edna explained, and I still didn't get it. "The main event of that party will be a dance performed by Lady Eris."

"DANCE?!" I exclaimed excitedly.

'THE SKIRT FLYING! THE GLIMPSE OF-!' Rudeus looked at me.

"Of?" I asked.

"Stay clueless." He demanded.

"I will just ask Ted." I decided as I sipped my drink.

"Yeah, your teddy bear." Rudeus grinned happily thinking it was an actual teddy bear that I was talking about.

"A noble must be a good dancer." Edna explained. "Lady Eris is learning but at this rate, she won't master basic courtesy, let alone dancing."

Rudeus laughed. "I bet!"

"You will what?" She asked.

"Bet, so you want time for tap tap instead of whack whack?" I asked.

Edna paused. "....yes."

"If that's what you need, then feel free." Rudeus grinned.

"You don't mind?" She asked surprised.

"Dance me to." I added wanting to learn and Rudeus was surprised by my sparkling eyes. "I want to learn and help Eris. She gave me earplugs!"

"I want Eris to have good memories of her birthday." Rudeus spoke up.

"Then I will agree to that. Miss Ceres, I will inform you later on of when the classes are." Edna grinned then she took her leave.

I celebrated and so did Rudeus but for different reasons. 'Free time!' Rudeus exclaimed in his mind.

"Dance!" I jumped around happily.

"You want to learn how to dance?" Rudeus asked me as he patted my head.

"Yeah! I can move now! Someone downbloaded the game just dance for me once and I couldn't play it." I frowned as I remembered.

'I'M GONNA KILL THEM!' His mind yelled making me panic.

"They made you suffer, Ceres." Rudeus explained why.

"But death?" I asked. "Too much!"

"For family, it isn't." He informed me with a serious tone. "More than anyone I want you safe."

That shocked me but made me smile. "I want to keep you safe to brother." I hugged him.

"Then we will protect each other." Rudeus promised me. "Oh, have you written to home yet?"

I paused. "NO!" I yelled shocked and he laughed as I ran off to go write a letter back home.

I wrote to everyone in one letter, and I wrote all of their names while saying hi to each one individually, it took up the whole first page but who cares.

'I have been doing well! My speech has improved because of my new friend! Rude keeps getting angry about my friend for some reason. I also made a snowman, it was so much fun! Norn, Aisha, let's make one together when I get back! I also got kidnapped, it was fun!'

I wrote about the people we have met here and how I'm a great teacher. I informed them that Rude was doing well and so was I so there was nothing to worry about.

"That should stop any suffering from worry." I grinned.

The next day, I gave it to one of the maids to have it delivered for me. "Tanks!" I exclaimed and their tail wagged at such a high speed I was mesmerised.

"Oh, little Ceres." Philip grinned at me and I saw Rudeus was with him. "Do you like beast people to?"

"No, love." I grinned.

'You both have very different kinds of love for them.' Rudeus thought.

'There are different kinds?' I asked in my mind.

'His is horn.' Rudeus informed me in his mind as Philip started to walk again and we both followed him.

He led us to a library and Rudeus explained to me that he wanted to learn the Beast God language. "Can you teach me?" I asked him.

"Won't that be too much on top with the dancing lessons?" Rudeus asked me.

"I want." I explained simply and he nodded.

"I'm making you rest if it gets too much." Rudeus warned me.

"Like I had to do for you when you smacked your head on the floor over Roxy's pan-" Rudeus covered my mouth meaning yes I think.

"Writing from other continents is over here." Philip ignored our conversation as he showed us what books we need and they were on a huge shelf that was so high up.

I just had my wind magic go behind the books and shoot them out making Philip's expression drop like Rudeus did as he jumped after the books.

Rudeus was scared for some reason, but Philip was still smiling so I'm sure we are fine.

"Beast God is a wonderful language." Philip informed us as we looked in a book that looks like science to me, it looks like something...that exists. "After all, you can use it to hire beast people as servants!"

"I want to talk to Ghis." I explained my reason.

"That is attractive." Rudeus was grinning weirdly again.

Chapter Text

I smacked on the door instead of knocking since it takes less time and I just want to go inside. I opened it myself and Edna grinned at me, she seemed a little anxious.

"Why are you here?" Eris asked me when I came in but got very close to me like she wants me to save her.

"I want to dance!" I explained.

"Why?!" Eris yelled and shook me by my shoulders. She then checked me for wounds. "There's no way you're okay!"

"Miss Ceres, I'm happy you can join us." Edna greeted me.

I did my amazing bow, and she laughed as I sat on the floor since I couldn't get back up after the squat. "Now let's start." She gave Eris a concerned look.

We started, and Edna taught me the first couple of moves. I saw Eris do the same as me, but I was just a little better than her and she must have been practising for much longer.

We kept trying for Eris to perfect the first part since she needs to get that down before we can move on. "Break? Or Eris is going to break." I whispered to Edna and Eris broke.

"ENOUGH!" Eris smashed through the door.

We went after her, but she was gone. Rudeus came out of his room concerned since he heard it all go down. "I'm terribly sorry you had to see that." Edna apologised to him.

"He likes her every sight." I informed her.

"I do." Rudeus admitted. "Now, what's wrong?"

"Eris, dance, hate." I simplified it.

"She can't seem to get the knack for it." Edna added.

"You have my sympathy." Rudeus mumbled.

"At this rate, Lady Eris will embarrass herself terribly." Edna sighed.

"K.o. everyone else." I gave our solution making Rudeus laugh while Edna was confused.

"To be made a laughing stock on her tenth birthday...don't you think it's just too awful?" Edna looked to Rudeus and he sighed knowing what she was trying to do.

"Do you want me to do so-" Rudeus went to ask.

"Would you convince Lady Eris to come back?" Edna begged him and held his hands, and he looked done confusing me.

'Don't you like women?' I asked in my mind.

Rudeus shivered. 'She's old.'

'So is Roxy.' I retorted.

"Loli." He grinned.

"So you want to lick her still?" I tilted my head and Edna looked ready to stop us from going after Eris.

Rudeus just pushed me along before I could say anymore. "You learning to speak might be a mistake." He mumbled.

I looked at him annoyed surprising him. "Do you want me to speak like this or lakis bis?" I allowed my words to freely slur.

"I like the first." He laughed nervously. "Sorry Ceres, and thank you for learning."

We found Eris on some hay next to the stables. I was sitting on the wall next to it while Rudeus climbed the hay to reach her. "Are you having trouble danc-" Rudeus went to ask and she kicked him off.

Rudeus screamed, and I used wind magic to lighten his fall. He gave me a weak thumbs up since there wasn't a lot of wind magic down there to help him. "Will you go back to practice?" Rudeus asked after a minute.

"I don't need dancing." Eris retorted. "I will skip the party."

"Main boss, so no." I pointed at her. 'You can't do an RPG game without an amazing boss!'

'THAT'S RIGHT!' Rudeus yelled in his mind. 'Wait, we are getting off track.'

'No, we are on the good track.' I retorted.

"Why do I have to do things I'm not good at?" Eris complained.

"Speaking is hard." I spoke up. "But I need it...then walking." I swung my legs. "I couldn't...but I tried! Every day! I broke some things, but I was happy I tried!"

'Ceres that is amazing, but you're stupid.' Rudeus informed me.

'I didn't have anything else to do might as well break some bones trying.' I shrugged and he looked at me concerned.

"Get down from there." Rudeus ordered since I was high up on the brick wall. I pushed myself off making him scream and I used wind magic to help myself land. Rudeus caught me and then smashed into the floor making me laugh.

Rudeus sighed. 'I know how she feels, that's how I ran away in my old life, but I know she will regret it someday. I'm sure she would say if only I'd tried harder back then.'

"You wouldn't get it, Rudeus, you can do everything." Eris tried to push him away verbally.

"Bad!" I yelled since I did it once and my mother, the only person who visited stopped for a couple of months. I regretted it so much I tried to distract myself with games, but the loneliness would always creep up on me.

"Yeah, Ceres is right, don't push me away. There are plenty of things I can't do." Rudeus somehow got what I meant making me grin.

"Really?" Eris asked.

"Really, for example, I started learning foreign languages recently, but I can't make heads or tails of them." Rudeus sighed.

"I made a heart with the pages!" I exclaimed.

Rudeus paused. "YOU RIPPED OUT PAGES OF THE BOOK?!"

"......no." I looked away. 'I wanted to make something for my friend as a gift, but I thought it wasn't a great gift.'

"You tried to give him a heart?" Rudeus looked ready to cry. "Give him a middle finger instead."

"I don't know how to make those." I mumbled. "But I can learn."

"See Eris even Ceres keeps trying and I will keep studying to." Rudeus pointed out.

"Why?" Eris asked.

"That's a hard question to answer." Rudeus hummed.

"Because I want to!" I exclaimed. "Another chance at life! I will do everything!"

Rudeus laughed at how motivated I was. "I guess my reason is because the worse I am at something, the better I feel when I work at it and learn how to do it. Will you give dance practice another try? I will help you."

"Me to!" I added. "I will be the stick or the hole!"

Rudeus looked at me confused. 'Man and woman.' I explained in my mind, and he burst out with laughter then whined when Eris punched his head.

"Er." I let out as she walked off.

"What are you doing?! Hurry and keep up!" Eris yelled then tried to sign, she's had two lessons of it so far.

"Chicken muffins? They sound amazing." I said in awe.

"No." Rudeus gagged as we went back together.

Those two were dancing together as I clapped the rhythm with Edna, it ended great. Rudeus was crying from pain, I was crying because he was and because of Edna's suffering. Eris was panicking over me even though she caused all the suffering by smashing Rudeus' skull against a wall.

I went back and forth between learning other languages and dancing along with Rudeus. He taught me the language since I didn't have time to read the book Roxy sent us and it helped him learn to.

It was kind of boring to learn and a little easy for us since we learned sign language before. Ghislaine helped us a lot, and it was fun being able to talk to her in her language.

I practised dancing with Eris since I wanted to learn the male and female roles. I don't know why there is one for each gender and even Edna warned me that it wasn't a good idea, but I do what I want.

I fell in love with dancing. "You really do love dancing." Rudeus laughed as I had still been doing it into the night. I was supposed to learn some more of the Beast God language with him, but I was just having so much fun moving around.

I was given a separate bedroom from him a while ago when I felt confident to stay in my room on my own. "It's just fun!" I exclaimed. "How could you not do this all day?!"

The next day when we were practising, the teacher was surprised. "Miss Ceres, you have mastered it already." She laughed. "You are a real prodigy."

"I just couldn't stop." I explained.

"Why do you like it?" Eris asked me.

"I can use my legs!" I explained confusing them, but Rudeus had a sad smile on his face. "It's a dream of mine to just move around!" I then noticed the time.

"Got to go meet Ted!" I ran off towards the window and jumped out making Edna scream.

I was with Orsted telling him all about what I'm learning and he seemed happy hearing my excitement. "Also, I have a gift!" I exclaimed.

He actually looked surprised. "Do you know sign lang..uwich?" I asked and he shook his head. "I mean language." He shook his head again.

"I want to teach you, but also give you our own special sign as a gift!" I explained.

Orsted nodded. "May I decide the movement?" He asked me.

"Yeah, but I get to decide the meaning." I grinned and he accepted. "It will mean hello and goodbye."

I watched as he put both of his hands over his heart and actually smiled, it would look terrifying to others, but I couldn't help but find it cute. It seemed like a natural thing for him to do like he has done it before many times.

I did the same thing back and he nodded showing I got it right.

"Thank you for such a gift." Orsted patted my head.

"You're welcome!" I grinned. "Now, do you know how to dance?"

"I don't know." He shook his head making me gasp dramatically, and I started to choke on the air so he patted my back.

"Want to try?" I asked and he nodded.

I held out my hand and Orsted took it. "A spin." I told him, and he looked at my hand then slowly moved it around my head and I followed.

"That is a spin, right?" He asked me after he had done the most awkward spin in the entire history of the world.

"Yeah! Do you want to do one?!" I asked and he nodded.

I just went around him making him move around and I struggled a little since he didn't follow with me to well and he huffed amused when I was struggling.

"So you like dancing?" Orsted asked me when I got him to do an entire spin that took about twenty seconds to do.

"Yes!" I exclaimed immediately.

I taught him some more and he was stiff as hell and he was worse than Eris, but he doesn't throw me so he's better than her in some ways.

It was soon time for me to leave, and I put my hands over my heart and grinned as big as I could. Orsted did the same and gave me a gentle murderous smile.

"Ceres, in two days' time meet with me." Orsted had asked me before I took off. "I need to go somewhere first."

"Oh...okay!" I nodded as he was looking up at the mountain. "Your home up there?"

"I don't have one." He informed me and I was shocked.

"People can become homes! This can be one!" I explained, and he seemed to like the sound of that then silently walked off.

Once I got back, I was stopped by one of the maids. "You have some mail." She informed me as she gave me a box that took me down making her panic.

I just used wind magic to make it float and I took the letter that was placed on top of it. "From home!" I exclaimed, and I saw the box was from. "Roxie! Thanks!"

She grinned at me, and I ran off having the box float after me as I smashed into Rudeus' room. "Boxie!" I exclaimed mixing up Box and Roxy.

"Box from Roxy!" Rudeus yelled, and he looked desperate for something good.

"Yeah!" I had it land on his bed, and he opened it up.

I was kneeling on the bed looking inside of the box and Rudeus got out a letter. "Dear Rudeus and Ceres. I received your letter, are you eight and seven already? I'm sure you two must have grown." Rudeus read it.

"My turn!" I exclaimed. "You're tutoring the lord of Feetoa?"

"Fittoa." Rudeus corrected me.

"What? It's the same sound as feet." I sighed "Feetoa's daughter now? I can't contain my surprise, and you got to know the Sword King Gh- Ghis...um, why is that next part there?"

"Oh, what's become of the little Rudeus who used to spy on me in the ba-NOTHING!" Rudeus screamed making me whine, he then patted my head as an apology.

"What's become of the cute Ceres...please don't become like Rudeus." I read it. "But I want to be cool."

Rudeus grinned. "She just means a different part of you to stay as you're."

"You two seem so distant now." He carried on reading. "I still have my hands full with this prince, now for the issue at hand you both want to learn the Demon God language. I'm impressed Ceres, that you can speak so well now and even wants to learn more languages, you're very brave."

"I sent you both a textbook I made to help you learn the Demon God language. It took a long time to make, so I hope you both take good care of it." Rudeus mumbled. 'I WILL! LIKE YOUR PANTIES!'

"They are at home." I reminded him and he cried.

"By the way, his highness recently bought a statuette that looks like me." I read. "Oh, the statue we sold...Wait, the robe is removable? But it shows-"

I looked at Rudeus since he ripped that part of the letter confusing me and he was sweating. "You want to make origami to?" I asked and he laughed nervously.

"I may suffer a fatal curse in the near future. I'm uneasy, if it seems safe, I shall write again, Roxy." I read the last of it. "Did we cause her suffering?"

"No!" Rudeus immediately yelled. 'I didn't think our Roxy figure would find its way to her. The prince of Shirone has a good eye.'

I opened the book inside the box. "I can read two words." I hummed scared of the book a little.

"Let's work hard! Roxy made it for us! If I see her again, I will lick her feet!" Rudeus cheered.

"Yeah! For the first part." I mumbled the last part. "So is that where you want to lick her?"

"One part..." He whispered, but I can hear everything in this room.

I started to head back to my room. "Hey, don't you want to start now?" Rudeus asked me.

"No, I need to read the letter from famile, and you can't read it!" I informed him and he pouted. "But Paul didn't say I couldn't tell you everything in it."

"Thanks!" Rudeus exclaimed and I grinned.

I ran straight to my room and jumped on my bed and went straight to reading it.

'YOU GOT KIDNAPPED?!' That was the first line and made up half of a page then there was a line that went off the page and the handwriting changed right after. Zenith must have pulled Paul away from it.

'I trust you when you say you are okay and I'm glad you made a friend and even worked on your speech, I'm so proud.' I felt really warm and happy, reading that and it made some tears come up.

"I miss Mum." I mumbled.

I read the next part to see it was Lilia who wrote it. 'I am teaching Aisha well. She is very excited to meet you and when we read your letter she was very excited and in awe that you remembered her.' I grinned brightly that Aisha loves me and I couldn't stop myself from swaying side to side. I actually have a proper little sister this time.

'Norn had an unsure reaction since she doesn't remember you well, but I'm sure she's excited to meet you. She's just a little jealous of how happy Zenith was when we got your letter. Zenith was screaming the house down making us all panic.' I laughed since I can imagine her doing that. 'I hope you and Young Master Rudeus are doing well.'

The next part had horrible handwriting at the beginning, but then changed to a neat one like someone took over and as I read it I found it was from Norn and Aisha.

'I don't really know what to write. I don't even remember you, but I was told you look like Mum and cry a lot, so I guess you really are my sister. I'm doing well, and I hope you are too.' That was Norn's part.

Then the next part felt like it had a ton of energy and love to it. 'BIG SISTER!' I grinned at the name.

"I hope we get to meet soon! I heard so much about you from !um, she told how you were weak but you became strong and even saved me and Mum! Thank you! Let's dance together one day! I will do my best to be a good little sister! Even better than Norn!' I was surprised by the last part and pouted since I was hoping they would have a good relationship.

I'm sure Zenith and Lilia will help them and kick Paul when he says something stupid.

I read a very elegantly written part, and it was from Sylph. 'I'm so proud of you two and I really miss you two! When you're done let's cast magic together again and I heard you love dancing. Aisha has been trying to learn, so she could join you in it and I have been joining her, but we aren't very good so teach us how to when you get back! Also say hi to Rudy for me, please.'

I'm glad to see she isn't affected by us leaving and isn't suffering because of us.

I read the final part from Paul. 'I have to go last, but I'm glad to hear you have worked hard on your speaking. I'm surprised you like dancing but don't break anything, and you have a friend Rudeus hates...it's a boy, isn't it? I need to meet them.'

"No." I mumbled.

'You just said, no, didn't you?' I laughed after I read that. 'Just stay safe both of you.'

That was the last of it, and I fell onto my back on the bed. "I have a great family." I squealed happily and that night I had a very peaceful sleep.

Chapter Text

It was soon the day I promised to meet Orsted and it was the day before the dance, so I was watching Rudeus and Eris practice one last time.

Eris was stiff, but she did all the movements right and was in rhythm.

"A-at this rate, you may just manage to make it through tomorrow." Edna grinned.

"Really?!" Eris exclaimed happily.

"Yes, show the results of your practice with Mister Rudeus, and you will be fine." She reassured her.

"Everything is going to burn." I hummed concerning Edna. "Maybe that is the best solution."

"Ceres stop with the arson." Rudeus chopped my head lightly with his hand. "But she is right, I won't be Eris's partner tomorrow, will that be alright?"

Edna went pale meaning no. "In any case, remember what we did today and do your best." She laughed nervously, and I could see tears coming up so I hugged her waist.

She gave me a thankful hug and that night I went out to go see Orsted. "Don't be out too late." Rudeus warned me as he caught me about to jump out of my window.

"Wow, so deaf right now." I mumbled as I jumped out.

'Be back soon.' He told me in his mind, and I looked back to see him grinning at me.

"Okay." I mumbled with a pout on my face.

I found Orsted waiting there, and it seems he has been there for a while since there were a bunch of petals piled on his head and shoulders.

I landed behind him and used my wind magic to push the petals off.

"Did I surprise you?" I asked as he seemed more stiff than usual.

He turned to me but had his hands behind his back. I went to look and he turned away making me laugh since I kept trying and he was spinning in the end.

"Now that's a proper spin." I grinned, and he was surprised that I actually got him to do a good one. "You can distract people to do them."

"I see." Orsted nodded then I motioned at his back since I was getting impatient I was so curious to know what he is hiding from me.

"A gift." Orsted informed me, and I tilted my head confused when he just stood there. "Close your eyes."

I nodded and closed them. I heard an amused sound from him. He told me before that he is surprised I trust him so much.

I could hear him move and even track what he was doing, he simply bent down to my height and held out something in front of me. "Open your eyes." He demanded, and I saw a pretty blue flower.

It was like nothing I have ever seen before, and the colour was similar to one I have seen many times. It was just like my mum's eye colour, so it's my eye colour to, is that why he chose it?

"Do you like it?" Orsted asked me and my eyes were sparkling as I was left speechless.

"Yes!" I yelled and he looked like he relaxed.

I went to take it, but he held it up making me whine, so I tried to use my wind magic. "Dispel" Orsted mumbled and my wind magic disappeared.

"HUH?!" I exclaimed, and I kept trying to make wind magic and he got rid of it all making me frown.

In the end, I was sitting away from him with my arms crossed while pouting and all my wind magic is gone because of him.

I felt him pick me up, and I was confused as I looked up at him. He placed me on my feet in front of him, and he still had the same expression, so I looked away. I felt him push my hair behind my ear and then put the flower in my hair.

My pout was starting to break, he then poked me and I looked to see him use sign language to ask me. 'You like?'

I grinned brightly and used my wind magic. "I do!" I informed him. "No whooshing my magic!"

"Dispel." Orsted corrected me.

"Dispel?" I asked.

"It's a spell where I can stop any magic spell from casting." He explained.

"...mean." I mumbled.

"You can do the same to me. I will teach you." He spoke up immediately.

"Yeah!" I yelled happily. "And thank you! Ted!"

It was annoying that he wasn't smiling and I remembered something from my past world and grinned. "You know you can't feel your tongue when you smile?" I asked him.

He was confused and then smiled. "Ha! There go!" I clapped. "I rarely see your smile or it disappears to soon, I hope I can give you more reasons to smile."

"You have given me many." Orsted reassured me. "You were my first reason to..."

"Mine was violence." I informed him, and he was interested to hear.

I explained to him about fighting games excitedly and he was surprised and a little confused since I have never explained about my past world, but you don't need that to understand how wonderful games are.

Orsted intently listened to me even if he didn't understand what I was talking about, but he did ask questions to help him get a better understanding. "So combo moves do more damage?" He hummed.

"Yeah! But then there's the spiclo moick-" I took a moment since the excitement made me lose all control.

"Special moves?" Orsted mumbled, and I was astonished that he got what I said, I said spicy for some reason.

"Yeah!" I nodded.

"Please do tell me more." Orsted asked me.

I definitely didn't stay out so late the sun was starting to come up as we were both sitting in the field of flowers. Orsted at some point let me borrow his coat since the night was cold.

Well, he forced me to wear it since I sneezed once and I got whacked in the face with it.

"Already morwing?" I rubbed at my eyes and yawned.

"Yes, it is." Orsted said with slight surprise. "I actually don't remember how long we have talked."

"Oh, that means you had a good time. It's fun and annoying." I added.

"Time for you to go." Orsted patted my head. "Thank you for letting me experience this, everytime you visit me you gift me with something new."

"Oh, I already gave you gifts?" I mumbled.

"I will give you many more." He reassured me.

"Can't wait!" I exclaimed, and I went to give him back his coat but he shook his head.

"Keep it for now, return it to me next time." Orsted demanded.

I nodded. "Fluffy!" I grinned feeling the fur of the collar as I made sure it stayed around me. I put my hands over my heart and grinned as much as I could.

He did the same back and I went back using my wind magic.

When I got back, I smashed every pot in the kitchen trying to find a cup. My wind magic finally made one float so I made it follow after me and I dropped everything else probably waking everyone up, oops.

I poured some water into the cup first and then I went to my room and put it on the window sill with the flower inside of it so it will survive for later on. "I wish I could persev...rve you and treasure you forever." I mumbled. "Well, I will use you as much as I can."

I went to bed right after. "No dying!" I ordered before I went to sleep as Rudeus does to me every now and then.

I didn't get many hours of sleep since I was out so late. I got changed into a royal blue dress that was in the same colour as Rudeus's shirt along with royal blue shoes with the blue flower in my hair that Orsted gave me.

"You look amazing my lady." Rudeus bowed to me as I met him by his room.

"Hanks, my bro?" I asked and he loudly laughed making me panic.

"No, that was perfect." Rudeus reassured me then held out his hand to me. "Ready to go?"

"Yep!" I took his hand, and I pulled along surprising him.

He noticed I did look a little tired and gave me a disappointed look. "Look, I have friends, unlike you." I explained.

"I have friends!" Rudeus exclaimed.

"Yeah the same ones as me, but now I have one more than you." I retorted and he sighed.

I was surprised by the number of people when we entered the main room then I saw some people playing music. "Snake!" I yelled looking for one, but I only found weird stares aimed at me.

"Those aren't snake charmers." Rudeus laughed.

"Eh...lame." I mumbled disappointedly and went over to the food with him.

Rudeus got the food for me since my height was still a little short for some of the tables. 'I could just make their legs shorter if mine can't grow.' I thought and Rudeus looked at me a little scared.

"The bables." I explained.

He sighed in relief. "I thought Eris's violence was rubbing off on you." He explained, and one of the servants was walking by. "Excuse me, is there any rice?"

She looked confused. "No of course not, sorry." Rudeus laughed.

"Rice was boring, meat." I held up the chicken stick.

"Eat well and grow." Rudeus patted my head. "Wait a minute...you lived on hospital food your whole life?!" Rudeus exclaimed and I nodded he then cried for me.

"Should I have eaten nothing?!" I shook scared I hurt him.

"No, these tears are for your suffering, eat!" He gave me more food. I ran for it in the end since he was too much.

As I went around, I was making sure my wind magic was dispersed and had it go up a little so the people weren't so loud for me.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome!" Sauros yelled making the music cut off and everyone looked over. "Today, my granddaughter Eris is ten years old! I have prepared delicacies from every corner of the Asura Kingdom! Enjoy yourselves thoroughly!"

Everyone clapped so I did the same with two chicken sticks making Rudeus laugh and he copied me making me grin.

'Good she doesn't feel left out or comfortable.' I heard Rudeus think.

I saw Eris was wearing a white dress, and many people greeted her. She was doing well bowing, I learned how to do it properly, but I like my way better.

'Can she stand it? She won't punch them, will she?' Rudeus asked me in his mind.

'Only if they are an ass.' I responded and we both stopped eating.

'Someone is getting punched.' We both thought together.

"Mister Rudeus, Miss Ceres." Edna greeted us.

"Oh, Miss Edna, nice to see you." Rudeus bowed to her. I went to do my usual bow, but he hooked his arm around mine and fought to keep me up.

He won somehow. 'YES, I DID IT! I CAN LIFT HER!' Rudues celebrated in his mind.

I put down my chicken sticks and I then placed my hands on his sides then lifted him up with my wind magic making him laugh nervously as I grinned.

I put him down. "Do you think Lady Eris will be alright?" Edna asked us.

"I hope the party ends without incident." Rudeus sighed.

"But I fell earlier." I reminded him.

"WHEN?!" He checked me.

"Now, let's begin today's main event!" Sauros yelled getting everyone's attention again. "If you want my favour, take my granddaughter's hand!"

I looked to Rudeus. "I can't, I wish, but I can't." He looked ready to cry, so I patted his head.

Some boy stepped forward and he held out his hand to her. "May I have this dance?" He looked very smug.

"Yes." Eris put her hand in his.

The music started and the start of the dance seemed alright. They were both in time with each other, but then Eris started to go a little faster and I could hear the quiet whispers of the boy asking her to slow down.

She then bumped her knee against his and they both fell.

"What's wrong, Eris? Stand up!" Sauros ordered. "Don't tell me you can't dance!"

I loudly groaned seeing he was causing her more suffering and the boy whined loudly like he somehow got hurt. "I can give him real pain." I mumbled.

"That causes suffering, Ceres." Rudeus panicked as he picked me up by putting his arms under mine.

"But he made Eris suffer." I retorted.

I then started to hear everyone calling her stupid and that it was pathetic she can't do a simple dance, it was just annoying me. I know what its like having others whisper about me. That was my whole past life but seeing others go through it is unacceptable.

I felt my wind move about from my feelings, but I also saw it move Eris's hair making me grin. "You look evil." Rudeus commented.

"Yeah regenge." I explained, and he laughed at my mistake. 'Ask her to a dance, remember how you used my wind power as a test for evading, well let's do that for dancing.' I explained in my mind.

"GENIUS!" Rudeus yelled making people look over.

He laughed nervously then went over to Eris. "May I have this dance?" Rudeus asked her.

I heard everyone start to ask who he is, and Philip wasn't happy, but he can shush I want to make Eris happy.

"Let's dance as we practised for now." Rudeus told her, so I decided to just start getting my wind magic in place.

"I know that." Eris groaned.

"Let's begin." Rudeus breathed in and Eris breathed in too much taking some of my wind magic with her and I was shocked that can happen.

'Could I blow her up from the inside?' I thought and Rudeus looked at me scared mid-dance and Eris nearly fell but he caught her.

"Eris, don't tell me you're nervous?" Rudeus asked her.

'OF COURSE!' My mind yelled. 'Eris gets very nervous a lot.'

Rudeus looked at me shocked. 'Man, you really don't understand girls, just like Paul.' I sighed.

"Grandfather and father are watching." Eris explained why she was nervous.

They started to dance again but no, it was bad. "Eris, close your eyes. Ceres start when she does." Rudeus ordered.

"Huh?" Eris looked at me.

"She will cast a charm to make you a good dancer." Rudeus explained as he spun her around.

"Magic can do that?" She asked.

"It's not a spell but a charm, you have to evade Ceres's wind magic." Rudeus explained.

"Wait, Rudeus." She tried to retort.

I whispered into my hand and carefully used my wind magic to send it over to her ear, and I heard my words reach her. "Trust me."

Eris was shocked when she looked at me but nodded and closed her eyes.

I used my wind magic to make her spin in different ways and to signal her when she should move her legs and arms and it was going perfectly. "You're doing good Eris." Rudeus praised her and she was shocked when she opened her eyes.

'Ceres, your ability is really amazing.' Rudeus informed me.

I laughed a little weirdly from the compliment confusing people around me and Edna patted my head thinking I'm just nervous since I was also trembling.

It was sweet watching them dance, and they were smiling happily while everyone else was shocked that they were doing so well.

When they finished there was no noise.

I started to clap and then everyone joined in. "Years!" I yelled out in excitement I meant cheers, but good enough.

Rudeus and Eris ran over to cover my ears making me laugh a little since most people were only just starting to clap. "That's a Greyrat for you!" Sauros came over and lifted up Eris and Rudeus on one arm while he put me on his shoulders first.

I held my hands over my ears as I grinned at the other two. "High view!" I exclaimed.

Chapter Text

Once everyone settled down, I went off to go eating some of the cake and I was loving it. "Mister Rudeus, Miss Ceres, what in the world?" Edna asked us.

"Many silent...farts." I whispered and she looked concerned.

"We learned to deal with feints in sword training, and to evade magic from Ceres, so Ceres used her wind magic to help Eris delay her timing since her steps were to quick." Rudeus explained.

"That's amazing!" Edna exclaimed.

"See?! Rudeus and Ceres are amazing!" Eris suddenly appeared making me choke.

She helped me out and then pulled me by my hand. "Dance with me next!"

"Its usually the opposite sex you dance with." Rudeus spoke up unsure if we should.

"I know fe-man and man roles, let's go!" I pulled Eris with me, and people were surprised to see us dance together, but we were amazing so they stayed quiet.

It was so much fun to do something I love with someone I care about, after the dance I saw a new hand offered to me confusing me. "Lady Ceres, may I have this dance?" A boy asked me nervously.

"Yah!" I nodded.

'CERES JUST SEDUCED ALL OF THE BOYS!' Rudeus yelled in his mind.

I took a moment to see that I was being watched by many people, especially the boys near my age.

I carried on without a care as Rudeus was sulking that I'm making this world into a reverse harem or something.

After a couple of dances, I went back to the others to find some girls around Rudeus. "How old are you? What do you like?" They asked many questions and Rudeus was overwhelmed.

"Rudeus, Ceres." Philip called out to us.

"No dance." I rejected making him laugh.

"I'd rather you two didn't stand out too much. Still, this is a special day, so I will allow it. If you take one to bed. Use protection." He warned us.

"Against what?" I asked as Rudeus was laughing then he got hit by Eris and dragged away, I followed after.

Eris was standing with her arms crossed, and Rudeus was fixing his clothes then sighed. "So Ceres, do you like tall guys?" Rudeus tried to tease me then got nervous as I actually thought about it.

I don't care about it romantically or think I need protection from it boys. "...I like ones with fluffy coats! Also, they have to be socially...awkward!" I grinned.

"THAT WAS WAY TO SPECIFIC!!" Rudeus yelled. "WHO DID YOU MEET?!"

"WHO?!" Eris added.

"Oh, Or-" I went to say but something appeared.

"May I have a dance, my lady?" I turned to see the same boy who messed with Eris earlier and he glanced at her and then laughed.

'DO YOU WANNA GET PUNCHED?!' Rudeus yelled in his mind. I could tell from Eris's breathing she got nervous again.

I slapped my hand onto his shocking him, and he looked at me. "Well?" I grinned.

He smirked and then led me to the middle of the room. Rudeus was planning to murder him in his mind and instructing me on how to deck him.

He was alright at dancing and it was really boring." Am I good?" He asked me.

"Orsted is better." I sighed and he looked annoyed.

I pretended to go down and made a sound of pain and everyone looked over. "Ory." I let out.

"Hey, why did you fall?" He asked me confused.

"Foot, leg." I pointed at his foot then my leg and people started to whisper about how he must have done it on purpose to Eris earlier since I haven't made a mistake at all when dancing this entire time.

"Ceres!" Rudeus came running over concerned and was checking me over, but then he was confused and I smirked.

"Regenege." I explained and he was shocked then laughed.

"I never knew my sister could be evil." Rudeus ruffled my hair.

"No, good, I did good." I retorted and he nodded.

As the party went on, I noticed someone staring at my flower. I was ready to push them away with wind magic since this was a gift, so I won't let it be ruined or taken away from me.

"Wait, that's the flower you find on the top of the mountains!" They exclaimed surprised.

"Oh? That's why he needed time." I hummed.

"Him?" Rudeus asked me as everyone was in awe at the flower.

"It's a gift." I explained with a smile.

"We can't win." I heard a bunch of the boys mumble weirding me out.

"It's impossible to obtain that flower. There are many monstrous creatures in the way and it rarely blooms to." Someone explained why it was so amazing.

"Ceres, who did you get to know?" Rudeus asked me.

"...some guy." I answered and he stared me down and I laughed.

Once it turned to night and it was time for people to retire to their rooms we were in Rudeus's room. "Here." Rudeus held out the wands we made to Ghislaine and Eris.

"What are those?" Eris asked.

"Wand." I explained. "Not Rude's...I think."

"Do you know what that means?" Rudeus asked me terrified and I was cornered.

"No." I answered and he hugged me.

"Good sister." He patted my head. "Anyway according to my master, magic teachers give their students wands, its a little late but please take them."

"Please!" I added.

"Huh?! I'd rather have one of those!" Eris ran over to the stone figures making me pout, I thought she would like this gift.

"I accept it gracefully, Master Rudeus, Master Ceres." Ghislaine accepted hers making me grin brightly.

"Hank you!" I exclaimed and she grinned at me.

"So, you'd rather have one of those, Eris?" Rudeus asked her and was making some weird motion, so I looked at him and he stopped.

"I want a wand too!" Eris grabbed hers and then got down into a bow like Ghislaine. "Thank you very much."

"Good use it well." Rudeus nodded.

Eris and Ghislaine looked at each other and we were confused. "What?" Ghislaine asked.

"I think she expects a present." Rudeus explained.

"Hmm." Ghislaine took off one of her rings. "This ring is a talisman passed down by my people. It's said that evil wolves won't attack you at night when you wear it."

"I-I can have it?" Eris asked unsurely.

"Yeah, it was just a superstition, anyway." Ghislaine reassured her and Eris admired it as she wore it.

"I will treasure it!" She exclaimed.

'She looks happier than she did for my present.' Rudeus thought and pouted then looked to me to see I'm smiling.

"It is something precious to Laine." I explained.

"Oh, Ghislaine, how do you know it was a superstition?" Rudeus asked her.

"Oh, I had trouble sleeping one night. Paul invited me to go for a swim, and-" She started to explain.

"Actually, never mind." Rudues spoke up.

"Paul is a wolf? He drools like one." I spoke up.

"No, he fuc-" Ghislaine went to say, but Rudeus screamed in mind and in the real world making me whine loudly from the sound.

Eris punched him for me.

I woke up in my bed, and Ghislaine was on the floor for some reason. I then went to my window to check on the flower in its cup to see it was starting to die making me pout, but then a new sight caught my eye.

"FINAL BOSS!" I yelled and Ghislaine got up and then sliced my bed in half.

I used my wind magic and heard how she was confused as to why I was yelling. "Huh?" She let out.

"Ball! With rings! It's got to be from Sonic!" I yelled.

Ghislaine looked out the window with me to see some black ball up in the sky with rings around it. She had no clue what it was, we found out no one did.

Some people found it sinister while others thought of it to be something sent from god.

"Is there a God?" I mumbled as I was sitting with Orsted making flower crowns.

"Do you think so?" Orsted asked me very intensely. It seems he will take my answer very seriously.

He takes everything seriously, especially when I say ow or sneeze since he thinks I'm weak like an ant.

"Maybe? I am here after all, but they might be bad...but, they also could be good...is there just one? Can you even get a being who isn't greedy?" I asked him.

"You aren't." Orsted pointed out then accidentally ripped his flower crown. He just stared at it, and I could tell he was devastated, so I gave him mine to finish while I started another one.

"I am greed." I informed him as I held up my arms to remind him of his coat I still have on me. I brought his coat back, but I'm still wearing it since I don't want to give it back yet, it's so soft and fluffy. "You aren't greedy."

"I am. I will do anything to make sure I accomplish my mission." He explained with a serious expression confusing me. He never did explain the rest. He just put the finished flower crown on my head.

I put mine on his head by climbing his back, and it was tiny making me pout, he needs a smaller head.

Orsted took it off making me frown even more until he put it around his wrist like a bracelet making me grin. "I never thought twisting flowers would be fun." Orsted hummed.

"Same!" I added excitedly.

I did it to flowers I got in my hospital room before but then I got scolded for it so I never did it again. Now I can go and get my own flowers and just go deaf whenever someone complains.

A lot of time has passed since the party. Rudeus and I have learned three new languages and Orsted can do sign language quite well. Orsted helped me perfect my speech some more and it was soon going to be my ninth birthday. "Next year will be the big one." I hummed.

"You have grown so much." Rudeus grinned as he was using a pencil to mark my height on his doorway. I stepped forward then turned back and looked at it.

"I grew!" I cheered. "But Ted is so far away."

"I will be taller than him!" Rudeus declared. I just stared at him making him lose his resolve.

"Yeah no, he dragon." I informed him.

"What?" Rudeus asked me then sighed since I kept quiet. I did it at first since Orsted asked me to keep him a secret from everyone, but now I just want him to be just my friend for now. "Well anyway, what do you want for your birthday?"

"......You ask people that?" I asked.

Rudeus froze. 'They never asked, no one ever asked her? Did they even remember when her birthday was?' Rudeus got angrier slowly confusing me.

"Sorry?" I spoke up.

Rudeus looked at me shocked. "You're fine! You're brilliant! If you ever want something, ask me."

"Okay." I nodded and it was silent. "I'm happy as I am."

Rudeus sighed then grinned, I sneezed loudly making me fall from the force of it. "Are my sneezes magic?" I mumbled shocked.

"ARGH!" Rudeus attacked me with a tissue.

"It's just snot." I pointed out.

"You're not gross like I once was." He explained.

"Like you are now." I corrected him, and he then squeezed my nose with the tissue making me whine.

Eris came running to attack making Rudeus scream and I laughed.

At times, Orsted would disappear for a little while saying he needed to do something and when he comes back he never speaks about what he did. Orsted only asks me how I have been and if I have seen any naked men for some reason.

"This must be working then." Orsted held my hand confusing me, but I could see how much bigger he was than me.

"Dragon." I giggled happily.

This time Orsted was explaining to me how my hearing could be caused by a curse, but then it could be a blessing because it works with my wind magic, so I'm a blessed child, unlike him.

"No, you are blessed." I retorted.

"I am cursed, I have three curses." He reminded me.

I grinned confusing him. "Isn't walking a blessing?" I asked.

"A blessing?" Orsted mumbled confused as to what my logic is.

"To walk, to see everything. That's normal for us, but it isn't normal for some people. What about you? What do you find is a blessing?" I explained.

"Family." He informed me.

"Having a family is nice." I agreed. "It's the best blessing having someone."

"I don't have one." Orsted admitted.

"Do you want to know a secret?" I grinned.

Orsted seemed a little suspicious then nodded and I went over and whispered to him. "You can choose your family." I moved back to see his eyes widen just slightly. "So you just need to talk to people...oh yeah, your curse."

"I will be the first then you can connect with people through me!" I grinned.

He didn't seem to understand why I would want to do that. "Thank you." Orsted nodded. "But you shouldn't do that, they will only have a bad reaction."

"Then they can go deal with it." I decided.

"It will cause suffering." He informed me.

"I know, but you're suffering." I poked his face and he paused. "I guess me works for now, let's gather leaves to jump into."

Orsted followed after me without any question since he said he liked the ideas I have, they are worthless with productivity but they are fun.

I sneezed during it and he copied me since I told him to copy me and I just laughed.

When I went to go back, Orsted let me keep his coat and I didn't ask why because I wanted to keep it! "What are you wearing?" Rudeus asked me when I got back.

"Amazingness!" I exclaimed.

"Is that even a word?" He asked me.

"I don't know." I shrugged.

When it was my birthday, I was upset since I was ill with a fever. "Why did it just suddenly come up?" Eris complained as she was patting my hair while frowning.

I was in my bed covered in blankets. "She had been sneezing the last few days, and it seemed she had chills to." Rudeus explained.

"BUT THAT'S WHEN YOU ARE COLD!" We yelled.

"I'm hot!" I whined then I felt all my energy leave me. "I want to have a birthday! I don't want to be confined to my bed again!"

I sniffed as I felt ready to cry and that took a lot of energy out of me. Eris was shocked at how emotional I was getting. "Well, you were alone during those times before, but we won't leave your side today." Rudeus reassured me.

"...now, I need to go get some me-" He went to say and I glared at him. "Eris, can you call Ghislaine?"

Rudeus put his hands over my ears, and she screamed for Ghislaine making her smash through a window confusing us. "Ghislaine, get everything ready." Eris ordered. "We are doing it in here."

"Are you sure?" She asked as she patted my head seeing I'm very unwell.

"It would be a waste if we don't!" Eris yelled.

"Isn't she nine?" Ghislaine asked.

"Yeah so?" Eris asked. "Every birthday of Ceres's is important!"

I grinned at her as she then clapped confusing me. Literally, a huge ass cake that went to the ceiling was put in my room, and I was in awe. "There are also about 200 chicken sticks! But I said that we needed 500!" Eris huffed at the servants who looked very sorry that they couldn't complete her outrageous order.

'Are you serious? Who would- she likes it.' Rudeus laughed as he saw how happy I was.

I loved it, but Eris thought it wasn't enough and that I need some form of entertainment like music. But she knows I love something much more than just simple music.

"Rudeus fight me!" Eris yelled and he looked terrified.

'It's for my sister!' Rudeus readied himself. They actually did have a duel, but Rudeus has like 0.1 hp since one hit from Eris took him down.

I couldn't help but laugh, and that day was really one of the best birthdays I have ever had.

Even every servant came in at some point to wish me a happy birthday or to wish me well since it was obvious I'm not well.

I fell asleep at some point probably from exhaustion, but I woke up to the sound of something hitting my only unbroken window. I slowly sat up to see Rudeus on my bed still and Eris was hanging off from the bed making me grin at how loved I was.

I carefully got up as I saw a stone hit my window again then a bird was pecking at it wanting to get inside.

Chapter Text

The bird at my window was terrified from the sound and look of it. I went to my window and was shocked to see Orsted out there, but now it makes sense as to why the bird is terrified.

I pushed the window open, and the bird hid in my hair confusing me. "I'm gonna go out there." I warned it and it still stayed so I rolled out of the window.

Orsted went to catch me, so I didn't use my wind magic and he easily caught me. "You are alive." He hummed as he repositioned me and saw the bird hiding in my hair.

He went stiff when he felt my forehead. "Yeah, I'm a radiator." I sighed.

"Radiator?" He asked me.

"Lava machine." I explained.

Orsted looked slightly worried making me panic. "You can turn it off." I told him.

"Where's the button?" He lifted me up higher, and I laughed.

"Already pressed it, you need to wait." I grinned.

"I see. I came into town since you didn't come to visit, I now have my answer for why you didn't show up." Orsted gently held me in his arm.

"Didn't you say you would just wait for me before?" I mumbled confused and a little sleepy, he was really warm.

"I can't since it is for your birthday." Orsted informed me and my eyes widened.

"A gift?" I asked a little worried.

Orsted nodded. "I took notice that you were sad over the blue flower dying that I gave you, then the cherry blossom tree I gave you on your eighth birthday." He mumbled unsure as to why I didn't really like it altogether.

He literally pulled a cherry blossom tree out of the ground or someone's garden and brought it to me. I saw the drag trail go on for a while.

I had said about how I always wanted to see one up close since there were many at the hospital, but I could only glance at them from the window.

I got really hyped one day when a petal flew into my room and landed on my hair. I definitely didn't scream in joy scaring everyone in the hospital.

I really did love the gift, but I felt sorry for the tree, so in the end we planted it in the field we always meet at, but it seemed to have died causing me to lose my smile making him panic a little.

I could tell because of the small twitch of his hand. I have been able to read him as time went on.

Orsted put his hand out in front of me and I saw in the middle of it a bracelet that looked to be made of scales leaving me in awe. They were all white and when the light shone on them it gave off a light with all the colours of the rainbow.

"This looks..." I was in awe.

"I can take it ba-" Orsted went to grab it, but I turned away with it once I grabbed it confusing him.

"You gave it! It's mine!" I yelled.

"It is." He nodded.

I turned back then hugged him around his neck and he was shocked. "Thank yo-" I let out as I fell asleep from sheer exhaustion.

Orsted gently moved me and tried to take the bracelet, but I had a tight grip on it. "I could break her if I use force." He admitted so he let go and then looked up at my room.

He knew it would be a bad idea to go inside, but the thought of me staying outside for the night was not one he was going to allow.

Orsted easily got into the room through the window I used. He ignored those two and didn't even glance at them as he placed me down in my bed. He made sure I was covered as I snuggled more into my bed and held onto the bracelet still.

He looked down at me as the door to the room was flung open. Ghislaine was on full alert and didn't shout or anything to wake us up in case he kills us. She felt that he was here to bring disaster to everyone while really he just wanted to give me a bracelet.

Orsted glanced at her. "A beast woman, your instincts must have told you I'm here, you are brave for opening that door." Orsted admitted.

"Why are you here?" She hissed as he turned from her to look down at the bed.

Orsted was used to everyone being aggressive toward him, but this time he felt happy about it. He knew there were people around me who want to protect me.

He left through the window and took off so quickly that Ghislaine wouldn't be able to track him down, not like she wanted to.

She didn't speak of that incident, but we noticed the next few days she seemed quite protective of us all. She just seemed to have been rattled by something and that's shocking since to us she is the strongest person we know.

When I was well enough to take part in the lessons again Rudeus quickly noticed my new bracelet. "What is that?" He asked me.

"Oh, this?" I held up my hand with the bracelet on it, and Rudeus found it cool.

"Are those actual scales?" Rudeus asked me.

"No blue!" I answered, and he laughed seeing I have no clue, but was just happy to have received it.

"I don't like it." Eris groaned, and she seemed to be glaring at it.

"Why?" I asked disappointed.

"I don't know, the feeling I get..." Eris mumbled. "You shouldn't wear."

"I'm wearing it forever." I decided.

"HUH?! WHY?!" She complained.

I took out the earplugs she gave me, and she was shocked. "I have and use them." I informed her. "I treasure them since they are from you, so I will do the same with this, it's from someone precious."

"Well, of course, you treasure something I give you." Eris mumbled then turned away. I could see in the reflection of a window a huge grin on her face making me smile, but I do wonder why she got such a bad feeling from the bracelet.

I just shrugged it off since this is from someone really precious to me.

Even Ghislaine stared it down, but my pout made her stop.

I was upset when I saw Orsted again since he actually expected me to never wear it. "You gave me it!" I yelled. "I'm wearing it! Even if you tell me not to!" I declared.

Orsted stared at me like I'm very confusing and he has mentioned many times before that my behaviour around him is weird. He's weird himself, he acts like I'm supposed to attack him any second whenever we meet up, so I hug him more now.

"Expect love from me! Only that!" I ordered and he slowly nodded making me grin.

When it was Rudeus's birthday I went running around the house to find him since I just finished the present I have been preparing for him. He was peeking into some room, but that's just a common hobby of his now.

"Happy birthday Rude!" I exclaimed as I held out a new figurine to him. He flinched for some reason then we heard some smashing in the kitchen he was looking into.

Rudeus sighed then took the stone tablet the figures are on and he was in awe. "It's...everyone." He mumbled.

It was a big figurine of all the people we love and care about. "No, it's your motivation." I informed him.

'But panties are.' Rudeus's mind said, and I motioned him to move it. 'I CAN DESIGN ROXY'S PANTIES! MY SISTER KNOWS ME WELL...Wait, my nine-year-old sister, made this design on purpose for me?'

'You like panties for some reason.' I explained confused as to why he does.

"My sister, thank you!" Rudeus exclaimed. "But where are we?"

"Oh, here." I opened my hands to have our figurines float up using my wind magic. "I made them separate, so we can put them together when we meet up if we ever do go different ways."

Rudeus looked at me upset. "Your mind keeps talking about Hankypanky." I explained. "I don't want horn near me and you have people you want to...live with."

"I see." Rudeus grinned as he took the version of me and I took his one.

We put them together to show them hugging each other 'This is the sweetest thing anyone has done for me...Man, I really should have paid attention to my siblings. They kicked me out that night. I ruined that connection while Ceres desperately wanted one, but couldn't get it.' I heard him think.

'If we traded lives in that world it would have been better for the both of us.' He sighed.

I smacked his head surprising him. "You were still lonely in yours. I don't want it. You would have suffered in my life, so no I will keep all that trauma, thank you." I explained and he laughed making me laugh.

We then heard talking from the kitchen and I also listened in with Rudeus.

"I'm sure they suffer for being from a branch house." I heard the maid say confusing me.

'I suffered?! WHEN?!' I was having a mental breakdown. Rudeus was patting my head making sure I don't go over the edge and cry.

'She's like a kettle.' Rudeus thought. 'I wonder if they are talking behind our backs. I'm confident the maids will have more work once I'm done sobbing into my pillow.'

'Petty.' I commented.

'I am.' He agreed.

"We have to get it ready for Rudeus's tenth birthday and Ceres had her ninth recently, but I wasn't able to give her the gift then!" Eris cheered surprising us. "If only they had been born into a different family."

That part made us both froze and a memory came up that I never knew how to confront.

Rudeus could tell and got me out of there. He held my hand as he took me to another part of the building, but we ended up outside in the rain. "Did I make Eris suffer because I was born?" I asked Rudeus.

"No, not at all!" He reassured me.

"But she said...I'm happy, I was born this time." I admitted and he was surprised. "Even in my last life I was glad I was born since I got to experience such fun games, but even now people are asking why I was born into this family?"

"WHO?!" Rudeus yelled with anger and I was the one surprised this time. 'Sorry that anger wasn't directed at you, but the ass who asked that...who was it?'

He made fire magic and it got extinguished by the rain immediately making him look devastated and I laughed.

"Well, it was my father." I mumbled.

"You met him once, right?" He asked me.

"Yeah, it was raining like this. I thought it was her who was going to visit me that day then a man who looked very similar to me walked in and I went to greet him..." I sighed and remembered back to the only thing he ever said to me.

"Why were you born into our family?" The person who was called my father asked me and I couldn't answer him.

The look he was giving me made it seem like I had ruined everything just by existing making my want to not cause suffering even bigger, he just left disappointed and hurt in the end.

'What was I supposed to say? Was dying the thing he wanted me to do like what mother wanted?' I asked Rudeus in my mind.

"Him dying would be the better one." Rudeus mumbled making me panic. "Anyway, Eris feels like you're suffering because of what family you were born into."

"Really?" I asked hopeful.

"Yeah, we don't have a good reputation." He sighed. "So don't worry about it."

"Will do thanks!" I grinned. We both went into the other building and once we went past a maid she threw towels on our heads trying to get us dry.

Rudeus was loving it for some reason while I just wanted to be left alone, I then noticed four flags on the wall high up. 'What are those?' I asked Rudeus in my mind since half of my face was being smothered with a towel still.

'I think I know what you're talking about'. Rudeus thought and I saw they were attacking his face with the towel to. 'Apparently, the Boreas family can't be too public about us. Paul's full name is Paul Notos Greyrat. The Notos are one of the four main Greyrat families. Their head is Paul's brother.'

"Fam-!" I got cut off by the towel.

'No, he's scummier than Paul, don't go near him!' Rudeus warned me.

'Worse? You can get worse than that?' I asked shocked.

'Yes anyway, they want to replace him and as members of the Notos bloodline being under Boreas protection could invite unwelcome misunderstandings, so we both can't have big parties like Eris did for her tenth birthday, they must feel bad about it.' Rudeus explained to me.

We were finally able to escape the towels and went to play what Rudeus called badminton. He taught me it one day, and I'm bad at it, I wish that was a pun, but no it wasn't it's just the truth.

I whacked the ball against the wall, and Rudeus gently hit it back and it went flying past me. "Na!" I exclaimed annoyed then used my wind magic on it.

Rudeus had to go quickly to hit it back in time. "That is unfair Ceres! You need to use your natural ability!" He yelled.

"This is natural." I retorted.

He was left exhausted and I laughed. 'It looks like they are planning a private tenth birthday party for me.' Rudeus informed me in his mind as I sat next to him. 'It's not really a tear-jerker.'

'Why are you trying to make everyone cry? Don't be a villain.' I demanded.

'But they are cool.' Rudeus retorted.

'They are.' I hummed excitedly.

We were walking around where there were no walls, but a fence so we could look out onto the town. I can send my wind magic out so I could hear the rain, it was peaceful and nice as I closed my eyes.

I leaned on the fence and hummed happily, and Rudeus joined me. "We've been in this world for almost ten years now." He mumbled.

"Nine." I retorted.

"Yes, little Ceres you can still count." Rudeus patted my head and then laughed.

"I want to live for 2000 years!" I declared and he was confused. "I want to see everything still, beyond the mountains! Sea! Sky! That's why I learned all those languages."

"That's quite the dream." Ghislaine spoke up and grinned at us nervously when we turned to her.

It was an awful smile even I could tell she had something planned and it was me.

I looked to Rudeus and he looked to me, but we decided to act ignorant of it all. It was funny as she desperately tried to keep us in Rudeus's room, each time we tried to leave she would freak out.

When there was a knock at the door she sighed in relief.

Chapter Text

Rudeus opened it to find a maid who told us we were being summoned for something. The maid took us to the same room we had the birthday party in for Eris and we found everyone there from the mansion. "Rudeus! Happy tenth birthday!" They all exclaimed.

"And Ceres happy ninth birthday!" Eris added.

"What?" Rudeus acted dumb. 'Ceres, you do the same.'

'I see cake for 100 people, aka for one Ceres.' I hummed.

"Rudeus, happy birthday!" Eris came up to him and held out a bouquet of pink flowers.

"Oh yeah, I'm ten years old today." Rudeus accepted them then started to cry and I freaked out.

'THIS IS FAKE!' Rudeus's mind yelled.

"Yeah, but you cry I...cry." I had tears running down my face, crying is contagious to me like laughing.

"Sorry, it's just that, this is new to me." Rudeus cried. "Since we got here, I was worried we might not be welcomed...I never thought you'd throw a party for me.."

"To arms!" Sauros raised his cane. "It's war with the Notos! I will Murder Pilemon and put Ceres in charge!"

'Eh? Why her?' Rudeus asked in his mind confused.

"Father! Restrain yourself!" Philip tackled Sauros and it only made me cry even more.

"Remove him. He's making Ceres cry!" Eris yelled, and he got dragged out by a servant.

Rudeus was patting my head. 'Was my acting too good?' Rudeus asked me.

"No just stop crying." I demanded.

"Forget about grandfather, I've got a surprise for you two today!" Eris exclaimed.

"What is it?" Rudeus asked as he showed he had no more tears, so I automatically stopped impressing him.

'Wow, your body really just cries when others do?' Rudeus thought.

'I always did it when Norn and Aisha cried. My eyes were so swollen from crying so much.' I hummed. 'I miss them.'

"Take a guess!" Eris yelled loudly showing she had yelled that many times, but we were having our own conversation.

"Norn? Aisha?" I mumbled.

"Are Father and the others coming?!" Rudeus asked excitedly.

"Huh? Um well, we did invite your family but monsters have been acting up and they couldn't make it." Eris explained nervously.

"I see, that's a shame." Rudeus mumbled. 'Are you okay?' He asked me in his mind.

"I'm used to it, but are you okay, Rude?" I asked him.

"Used to it?" Eris mumbled. "Uh, Rudeus, Ceres, you see...."

'HUH? OH NO! WE MADE EVERYONE TO DEPRESSED!' Rudeus's mind freaked out and I looked around and felt awful. I just made them suffer when they were trying to do a good thing.

"I'm so-" I went to apologise, Hilda then hugged Rudeus and me.

"You're both my children now!" She declared.

'Huh? I thought she hated me.' Rudeus thought.

"I will adopt you two." Hilda decided. "No! Marry Eris!"

"MOTHER?!" Eris screeched, and I whined a little from the pain of her scream.

"Is my Rudeus not good enough for you, Eris?!" Hilda exclaimed.

"Rudeus is only ten!" Eris retorted.

"Age has nothing to do with it, you need to be more feminine and-" She started to scold her then got dragged out. "Unhand me. I must save those children!"

"So what is it?" Rudeus asked since this trope was getting annoying. I stared at Philip wondering if he would do the same thing and he immediately shook his head.

"Right." Eris mumbled then coughed to compose herself and she snapped her fingers leaving me in awe.

I tried it out myself but failed and Rudeus noticed and then started to teach me. "Oh!" I exclaimed when I did it.

"Good job." Rudeus patted my head.

"Here." We saw Alphonse holding two things out to us. Rudeus was given a huge staff while I was given a ball. I was handed it. "HEAVY BOLL!" I exclaimed in surprise making some laugh as I had to use both my arms to hold it.

"For your sakes, Master Rudeus, Lady Ceres. We gathered the finest materials from around the world and had these fashioned by the Asura Kingdom's foremost staff maker." Alphonse explained as we unwrapped them. "Their names are Aqua Heartia and Blanc Blizzard."

Rudeus had a staff with dark wood as the base with a giant aqua crystal with a silver halo around it.

Mine was a white crystal with a black centre, and it was surrounded by a halo of silver that was very thick I could just wrap my hand around it. "Use your wind magic on it." Eris grinned.

I did, and it took in my magic and started to float in mid-air. I moved away from it, and it followed after me, I ran around and it chased me. "I love this!" I exclaimed. "A chasing ball like Indiana Bones!"

"Jones." Rudeus corrected me.

"It's a staff." Alphonse informed me.

"HUH?!" I let out surprising them.

"You just thought it was a ball?" Eris asked me and I nodded making some laugh.

'These definitely cost a fortune, even if their names are kind of lame.' Rudeus thought.

"Take it! You're both great mages, so it's weird that you two don't have a staff!" Eris grinned.

"Thank you so much. It's such a valuable gift." Rudeus grinned.

"The price doesn't matter! Now, let the party begin!" Eris exclaimed.

It was an amazing party and it was nice that I could actually celebrate mine properly since I was stuck in bed all day on my actual birthday.

Once it was late, Ghislaine was carrying Eris to bed and she let me kiss Eris's forehead to wish her good dreams and really to show my appreciation for her.

"Is he being weird?" I asked Rudues when I saw he was sitting with Philip.

"Strangely no." Rudeus shook his head and Philip laughed.

"Eris had two brothers, one older and one younger." Philip informed us. "My brother in the capital took them right after birth."

"EH?!" I yelled as I held onto Rudeus.

"He's fine." Philip reassured me. "It happened because I lost a succession dispute. All men of Boreas blood are raised in the head of the family's household. That's our tradition."

"That sounds stupid." I added. "Just break it."

"Hilda wanted to since it's only natural to feel that after her children were taken from her." Philip nodded. "She only hated Rudeus, not you."

'Of course, she did.' Rudeus sighed.

"Her own sons can't be here, so why is someone else walking around like he owns the place? Don't think badly of her." Philip asked us.

"I don't intend to." Rudeus reassured him.

"Yeah, she is Eris's mum. I can't hate her." I added.

"What about me?" Philip pointed at himself.

"You look nothing alike, and you make her do weird things." I explained. Rudeus laughed nervously since I was just kind of insulting our employer.

"Well? Would you really marry Eris and take over the Boreas family? And Ceres you were very popular at the party and I saw what you did. You would do well in the social world." Philip informed us.

"What do you expect from a ten-year-old?" Rudeus laughed.

"That's Rude's choice. I will reject now and in the future, I know that." I stated shocking Rudeus. "I want to travel, but have a home to return to so make a big one Rude and have about 500 children!"

Philip laughed while Rudeus actually liked the sound of that.

"All you need to do is sit still, and I will handle the coup." Philip informed us. "If you want. I will leave Eris in your bed with her hands tied to-"

"No suffering." I glared at him. "She isn't just some possession!"

'Take over the Boreas family? Wait, hang on. This is no joke. I want no part of power struggles. And Ceres can't get involved with this kind of world.' Rudeus groaned. "Let's leave it as idle chitchat over wine."

"Is that so? What a shame." Philip hummed.

"What a shame your existence is, she needs a new father." I walked off.

"We will be off to bed." Rudeus spoke up and followed me. 'If I took Philip's deal, I could have made my own harem of personal maids!'

I looked back to see him smacking his head against a wall. 'What a wasted opportunity!' He cried in his mind.

"Cry all you want this time." I glared him down.

"Oh?" Rudeus looked at me and was kind of scared. "Are you mad?"

"Are you dumb?" I asked. "Sorry!'

"No, you are good." He laughed as he patted my head. "You did good back there, how he was talking about Eris is wrong, but that's how their world works."

"Really? It shouldn't exist then." I mumbled. "Can I break it? It would end a lot of suffering."

"That's not your job just live freely." Rudeus patted my head.

I went to my own room, and I think I heard some things confusing me then there was a thud that was so strong I could feel it from my bed.

I looked out my door to see red hair go around the corner down the hall. I went the other way to find the door to Rudeus's room slightly open.

"Brother." I opened the door fully to see Rudeus on his knees bowing and he was wearing only boxers. "Paul did say you would become more like him when he got older."

Paul did this a lot whenever Zenith got mad at him. I don't really get the mostly naked part of it, but it's men so who knows?

Rudeus just looked at me like he was traumatised and I just left as Rudeus yelled for me to come back. "Paul did that most of the time to." I hummed as I went to find Orsted since beforehand I was getting ready to go out.

When I was finally ready, I heard Rudues seemed happy in his mind. 'I will become so tough no sexy event can faze me!' His mind yelled.

"Now that's a goal he can't reach." I laughed. "Me being able to walk again in my previous life was more likely."

I jumped out of my window and flew to the usual spot. It was easy to see since there were a bunch of fireflies, that lit up the area, but strangely he wasn't there.

He is always super early.

I found out a while ago that he arrives eight hours earlier than we usually promise to meet so this is very weird.

I waited and there was nothing making me pout, but I was used to this kind of thing in my past life. "I hope he's okay." I have faith that there must be an important reason as to why.

A strange feeling got to me and I looked to what caused it. I was staring right at the weird ball in the sky.

It didn't feel right, but I don't know why.

I headed back home so I could at least get some sleep then tomorrow I will come back here and wait for him since he does that for me.

I was restless that night and I was up super early the next day.

"We are going out to test Rudeus's staff!" Eris yelled to me when I went outside the normal way since a maid saw me near my window and cried so I didn't go that way. "Come with us!"

"I promised to see Ted." I informed her and she pouted.

"Go on, you will see my incredible magic later." Rudeus grinned and when I went past him I got an awful feeling again and I could see Rudeus seemed nervous to.

"You have the figure, right?" I asked him.

"Yeah!" He nodded holding up the figure of me.

"I got you!" I giggled as I held up his. "Stay safe!"

"Of course, we will! You are the one we need to worry about!" Eris huffed as I laughed then I took off.

I was much faster than last time and I grinned so brightly when I arrived.

"Ted!" I exclaimed seeing him, but I saw his expression was a little stiff then it relaxed when he saw me. "You okay?" I asked when I landed on some flowers making me whine since I didn't want to murder them.

"You need to get away from here. There's some kind of mana gathering here." He informed me in a serious tone.

We heard a loud sound, and I looked to the sky to see whirlpools of yellow making me freak out since Rudeus was out there with Eris and Ghislaine. "Brother!" I screamed as I ran towards it without thinking.

A light then engulfed the entire town making me cry and freeze, but I didn't have any time to take in what happened since the light came my way. "Ceres!" I looked back to see Orsted reaching out to me then the light covered my vision.

Chapter Text

I woke up somewhere completely white confusing me. I tried to stand, but my legs wouldn't move. I couldn't feel my legs, and I looked down to see my body was the one from my past life and I felt terrified.

I was about to break down crying, did I go back? Why? Is Orsted, Rudeus and Eris okay? What about Norn, Aisha, Paul, Zenith and Lilia?

"I have people I care about this time, please don't." I begged. I don't who I was begging, but I was desperate to just go back and be with them.

I had my head hit the floor as my body had slumped over.

"Hey, nice to meet you." Someone greeted me cheerfully and it felt chilling since you wouldn't greet anyone with that kind of tone when they are crying.

I looked up to see a man, but he was mostly white just like the area. There were bits of grey on him to show the form of a human man. He creeped me out a little since there were no eyes just a big smile. "Ceres."

"Rude! Stranger banger!" I yelled.

"Woah, calm down!" He exclaimed and seemed shocked that I was freaking out. "I'm a god, the Man-God."

"RUDE! THERE'S A NARCISSIST THAT ISN'T YOU NEXT TO ME!" I shouted and he sighed as he started to walk around me. "I have been watching you. You're leading quite an interesting life, aren't you? You and your brother."

"Stalker." I glared at him.

"Sure! I watch over you." Man God explained. "I figured you'd need some help. I think you got caught in the mana explosion with your brother."

"Do you know if he's alive?!" I questioned him.

"He is." He reassured me. "I'm on your side."

I was relieved, but those words after unnerved me, he's really trying to make me trust him. "My side? Then why am I in this body again?" I asked him.

"Hmmm." He let out. "Well, let me give you some-."

"I don't want candy! Only from Candy Cadet!" I declared.

"Advice." Man God corrected me.

"No." I rejected still. "You're creepy."

"Okay, well to answer your question earlier. This isn't your body. It's only your mental form." He informed me.

"Then you're in my mind...you didn't even knock or send word." I complained.

"So you aren't rightfully mad, to begin with." Man God laughed. "Well, I'm not in your mind, let's say a dream."

It's definitely not a dream, a nightmare? Yes.

"What a shock! Your mental and physical selves are so similar, they both have something wrong with them!" He exclaimed.

"And you got a lot of things wrong with you. What do you want?" I asked. "I want to see Ted again."

"Ted?" Man God asked and he was actually cautious confusing me, he then smiled to hide his reaction and it was just weird. "Well anyway, if you are wondering. No, I didn't reincarnate you into this world. The wicked Dragon God is better at that sort of thing."

"Wicked?" I asked.

"Yeah, they are really bad! So will you hear me out?" He asked me.

"Nope." I answered.

"Why not?!" Man God yelled.

"Why should I?" I retorted. "Stranger banger."

"I gave you my name." He reminded me.

"That isn't your real name!" I yelled and he flinched a little. "It's a title, did you not even get given one? Are you lonely?"

"I am." Man God nodded. "So just trust me, no one else does."

"No." I retorted and everything started to distort. "Eh?"

"How is?" Man God looked around speechless. "Our connection is weakening again, I will send your bro-"

Man God got cut off and everything went black for me. I slowly woke to feel some kind of weird texture around me. My eyes widened when I felt a familiar pain and I tried to sit up, but I screamed out in pain and went onto my side.

I felt something had a grip on my wrist. No, it was eating my flesh making me cry in fear, but I immediately let out as much wind magic as I could making the thing scream.

It sounded like no animal I had ever heard before.

"Wh-" I started to cough since my mouth was so dry. My coughs made my body shake hurting me even more, but I know where the pain is now. It's a familiar one, one of my legs and arms are broken each.

I felt myself get tugged by something with a lot of strength making my body get dragged across some surface I had never felt before. I was doing my best to use my wind magic, and I could hear eating, flesh ripping, a monster.

I moved my wind magic into a spear and had it strike where my wind had pinpointed that creature beforehand when I released it all in one big burst.

I heard very little of its cry of pain showing I used almost all of my wind magic. It took me a couple of minutes to open my eyes again as I was lying on the ground motionless. I felt weak, my mouth was the dryest it had ever been and it felt overwhelming hot, the ground was also grainy confusing me.

I opened my eyes to see I'm on what people call sand. "Sea?" I let out then slowly sat up and did my best to lift my arm broken arm making myself whine. I saw my wrist was missing flesh making me cry in fear.

The monster was a little away from me dead, it was nothing like any creature I had ever seen before, did I get teleported? I noticed I am in a desert, and there's none anywhere near Roa.

I was alone. "Te-" I cried out in pain.

I tried to heal myself, but the words kept getting interrupted or I couldn't say them rightly, I couldn't focus with all this pain and I felt dizzy.

I couldn't stop crying either, but I was able to cast myself some water and desperately drank it.

After that, I felt hopeless. "Rudy! Hel-" I yelled, but felt more pain making me go quiet.

I fainted at some point, and when I got up again it was night, it felt so cold making me shiver.

The whole area was pitch black and the creature started to smell rancid. I held onto my bracelet the best I could. "I'm glad you...didn't break." I mumbled since it was on my wrist that was being eaten.

The bracelet had a lot of my blood on it, and I was shocked my hand stayed on since it was mostly broken like the rest of the arm and so much flesh was taken from it.

I took it off and hugged it to my chest the best I could and fell asleep once again. I had suffered for three days like that, and my stomach was starting to hurt from the need for food, but the monsters I had killed that came to eat me rot to quickly.

I can't keep a fire up either so it was no use.

I constantly made wind magic and sent it out to all areas around to find someone, but it was just empty, until on the fourth day I heard a voice. It was one I didn't recognise, but it gave me adrenaline just to hear something that was human.

It was the Demon God language, but I couldn't speak well so I yelled out for help in their language.

"A child?!" I heard the male voice again giving me relief that it wasn't another hallucination.

"Ceres?!" I heard Rudeus's voice making me cry.

"Rude!" I cried in relief and grinned brightly.

Eris kept repeatedly shouting my name to then I heard her get hit. "Stop it! You aren't helping! Ceres, keep speaking, we will follow your voice and you follow ours!" Rudeus called out to me, and I was surprised that he hit her.

"I can't move." I informed him and it was silent then I heard them running my way.

"Keep talking! No dying!" Rudeus demanded making me laugh a little.

"Okay, do-" I whined from the pain. "Any cake?"

"That's what you're asking for." Rudeus sighed then I heard something else making me pause so I could focus on it.

"Ceres!" Rudeus yelled since I wasn't speaking.

"Something is near." I explained as I used the adrenaline I still had to get myself to sit up even if my bones twisted more out of place.

It was much closer now, and I was staring at the monster. It was a giant lizard that was running towards me, I started to shake out of fear and pain.

"Ceres!" Rudeus screamed. I could tell he wasn't far off, he was up on a hill so he could see me but also the monster, they won't make it to me in time.

I lifted my hand up and concentrated on the monster like Orsted told me. I can't show fear and I can't hesitate if I want to live. "DIE!" I yelled as I made my wind magic into a blade that I imagined to be just like Ghislaine's and I cut it in half.

Its body was sliding right after so it was going to slam into me and cause a good amount of damage to me. I had used all my wind magic to slice it in half, so I had no time to defend myself.

I closed my eyes but felt nothing, so I let out wind magic first to hear someone with heavy breathing in front of me.

I opened my eyes to see a man with green hair and a red gem making me cry confusing him. "I dant wanna kill aben!" I cried loudly.

"You won't." He bent down in front of me and patted my head reassuring me and I was confused.

"Ceres!" Rudeus surprised me since he was so close and hugged me tightly. "I found you! I found you..."

He was shaking, so I hugged him with my good arm. "You did, thank you." I rested my body against his and once he moved away he looked ready to cry seeing the state my body was in even the green-haired man looked shocked.

"I'm sorry, I caused you suf-" I went to apologise, but Eris hit my head making me whine.

"Eris!" Rudeus yelled at her.

"How dumb can you be?! You are covered in blood! I was so scared!" Eris hugged me. "I'm sorry, if I was more powerful you wouldn't have suffered!"

She cried into my shoulder as Rudeus used healing to heal all of my wounds. I sighed in relief feeling all the pain was gone now, but now I felt exhausted.

I started to get up since I wanted to walk again after so long, but Rudeus stopped me and was trying to keep me steady. The green-haired man picked me up and had me lean onto his chest. "Do you like pancakes?" I asked him cautiously.

He was confused as I started to shake then he was panicking and he stopped at some point and then answered. "No."

"Good." I mumbled as I let myself succumb to sleep, I felt him pat my head unsurely.

I woke up to find myself wrapped up in some blanket and I sat up while rubbing my eyes.

There was a light from a campfire in front of me. "A campfire!" I shouted in awe since I always wanted to have one.

"Morning Ceres." Rudeus grinned at me.

"Its dark." Eris informed him.

I looked around to see the green-haired man far off from the fire. I used my wind magic to hear then spoke up. "Good morning." I grinned and his eyes widened since I spoke Demon God language. "I'm Ceres Greyrat, thank you for helping me."

"Where's Ghis?" I asked in our normal language, and I saw Eris flinch.

"Those two fell out of the sky and we then found you after travelling for a couple of days." The man informed me making me frown. "You're another strange child like your brother, I am Ruijerd Superdia."

"Super diamond? Are you a shiny?!" I asked confusing him.

"He isn't from Pokemon." Rudeus laughed and sat next to me. He had some food making my eyes stare at it. He moved it all around, and I followed it like a dog does. "Seems you are hungry."

"Four days without food." I was reaching for it then he stuffed it in my mouth immediately.

"EAT!" Rudeus yelled. I gladly did and cried from the relief of finally having something to eat.

"Have mine to!" Eris slammed her food into my hand. I broke it in half and gave her one half back, I can tell we can't get much food from this area since even they only had a little themselves.

She tried to make me eat it and I was groaning at her. "I'm not making your stomach suffer," I informed her.

Rudeus started to explain to me everything. They had been hit by the mana explosion as well and were holding onto each other during it. "My friend tried to reach for me, but..." I frowned.

"We will find him!" Eris exclaimed.

"He's fine." I reassured her. "He's strong!"

Rudeus felt my forehead and was surprised. "You're so warm." He gasped. "I thought your cheeks looked to red."

"Another femer?" I whined.

Ruijerd came over and checked me. The coldness of his hand surprised me, and I grabbed it. "Sor-" He went to apologise.

"Sit by the fire!" I yelled startling him. "You're freezing!"

"But-" He went to retort.

"Sit." I demanded and he did. "Good."

"She's brave." Eris mumbled then smirked proud of me.

I was then drawing in the sand confusing them. "There's no sand near home." I spoke up in an excited tone.

"Yeah, we aren't anywhere near there." Rudeus frowned. "We are in Biegoya, in the northeast of the Demon Continent."

I accidentally ruined my drawing making me whine. "So...dragon?" I suggested making Rudeus laugh then sigh.

"You still want to ride one?" Rudeus asked me.

"I want to kill one!" Eris exclaimed making me pout. "Beat one in a fight."

"I like that!" I nodded making her grin.

"Also here." Rudeus put my staff in front of me making me sigh in relief that I didn't lose it.

As we travelled, Ruijerd held me in his arm since my fever only got worse from that night on and he nearly attacked my staff since it was following us. "Its Ceres magic." Rudeus explained. "But Ceres, you are making a lot of wind magic, aren't you? Its windy just rest and rely on us."

"Okay." I nodded as I had my staff come to me.

I held it as I stopped my wind magic and all of it got taken away by the actual wind making me glare at it, so I was looking everywhere making Rudeus laugh while Eris copied me thinking it was some kind of spell.

Most of the time it was silent for me as we walked, but Rudeus would talk with me through our minds and sign language sometimes.

Ruijerd seemed confused as to why we did this but also found it interesting.

'Before I woke up, I had talked to someone called Man God.' Rudeus informed me.

"Stalbar!" I exclaimed surprising the other two and Rudeus calmed them down since they thought I was either dying or found some kind of monster. 'I met him to, but he was weird then for some reason it was like something cut us off from each other at the end.'

Rudeus looked to be thinking, and I heard it all. 'He isn't a female who wants to date you so much she dragged you into this world.' I informed him.

'Thank you for putting my ego in place.' He thanked me. 'He told me I would meet Ruijerd who would take us home and he said you were okay, but...'

'Yeah, I was a chew toy.' I added. 'He said you were fine, but you were crying like a baby so you weren't.'

'I was crying like a grown man.' He informed me.

'......sure' I answered making him pout and I laughed.

Chapter Text

At one point, Ruijerd sensed there were some monsters, so he put me in the shadow of some rocks and pulled up some bush from the ground and put it over me to hide me making me laugh.

The other two stayed with me, but then Eris got Rudeus to go check out what Ruijerd was doing while I napped. Ruijerd came running confusing me, he sighed in relief when I looked at him after he threw the bush off me.

I used my wind magic to hear since it seems he was angry at the other two. "Ceres is strong." Rudeus reassured him as Ruijerd picked me up carefully and I naturally leaned into him.

"She's much weaker than you two physically, but, yes, she is strong." Ruijerd hummed as I put my head on his shoulder then shook a little scaring him.

"Don't worry, it's her normal compliment freak out, how can you tell she's strong?" Rudeus asked.

"Her body is weak, but that magic she used was amazing. She cut the lizard cleanly in half like she was using a sword." Ruijerd explained making me shake some more and he shook as well to reassure me making me grin.

"I just imagine how Ghis attacks." I explained leaving Eris in awe.

"Copy me next!" Eris exclaimed and I nodded.

"Anyway, I told you all not to move since Ceres hasn't been able to concentrate because of her fever. Those monsters could have drawn me away to attack her." Ruijerd explained making them both go pale.

'With love? Like Zenith's love attacks?' I asked in my mind.

'No those don't include screaming.' Rudeus shivered.

'Paul's do.' I reminded him and we both groaned remembering the times he thought he was sneakily hinting that he was gonna have fun with Zenith that night like they are somehow quiet when they do it.

"How did you see those monsters? I couldn't see them." I asked Ruijerd.

"I can see them with the eye on my forehead." Ruijerd explained. "I wished many times that I didn't have it."

"That's handy!" Eris exclaimed.

"Isn't it eyey not handy?" I asked and Rudeus laughed meaning I said something wrong, but I spoke all my words right this time.

"I will take it! Tear it off!" Eris held out her hand expecting him to give her his eye.

'I hope she's joking.' Rudeus thought.

"Having things torn off from you like flesh really hurts." I informed her.

"I will protect you this time!" Eris declared.

"Me to!" Rudeus added.

"Children shouldn't worry about that, just stay safe with your big brother." Ruijerd was looking at Eris.

"Big brother?!" Eris smacked his hand that went for a head pat. "I'm the older sister here!"

"Is that so? Sorry," Ruijerd apologised.

I used wind magic to put Ruijerd's hand on my head. He patted my head with a small smile on his face. 'Looks like Ceres found a new dad.' Rudeus thought.

'He's way better than Paul already.' I responded making him laugh. 'But I do miss Paul, Zenith and everyone back at home.'

'They are fine we will see them soon.' Rudeus reassured me.

"And chicken stick." I drooled and Rudeus did to.

"There it is." Ruijerd spoke up, and we looked to see a village. The houses looked to be made of turtle shells.

We went down the hill to the village to see. "Its a Roxy!" I exclaimed making Rudeus laugh.

Ruijerd asked them to stay back as he took me with him to talk to the male Roxy. Ruijerd explained in Demon God-language about our situation so I understood it all.

"They look suspicious! I can't let them into the village!" The male Roxy rejected and was glaring at me scaring me a little.

"You would abandon children?" Ruijerd hissed and pulled me closer protectively. "Rowin, they were caught in a disaster and blown all the way here."

"No." Rowin held his resolve.

"Rowin, she has a fever." Ruijerd was getting more aggressive scaring the guy.

I smacked Ruijerd's forehead surprising them. "Sorry, but can we talk to your high guy?" I asked. Rowin tilted his head confused and was a little surprised I could speak their language. "Leader!"

Rowin stared at me and then looked at my wrist. "That on your wrist, take it off." He demanded.

"Huh? NO!" I yelled seeing it was my bracelet. "Its a gift! Call leader!...Please."

Rowin nodded as Ruijerd didn't stop glaring at him then walked back to the others when he agreed. "He will be calling the chief. He will let you in once we talk." He explained then we just stood there and so did Rowin.

"Um..." Rudeus spoke up.

'Maybe staring contests are greetings here.' I guessed as I stared Rowin down and I won the contest quickly.

"Telepathy." Ruijerd explained.

"HOW BID YOU OWN WE WERE?!" I exclaimed thinking he knew we use something like telepathy.

"Calm." Ruijerd patted my head and I felt his hand was freezing cold showing how hot my body is. "The Migurd tribe can talk even at a distance."

"Cheif, please." We heard Rowin speak up.

"Those children?" The chief aimed a smile at us.

"Hello, I am Rudeus Greyrat." He introduced himself.

"Hi! I'm Ceres Grayrat!" I grinned then sighed feeling tired.

"You two are certainly polite." The chief said surprised.

'I'm so glad that we learned to speak Demon God!' Rudeus yelled in his mind.

"I am Rokkus, the chief." He introduced himself in our language making Rudeus groan in his mind. "Where did you two get those necklaces?"

"Candy lady!" I exclaimed. "Also small and she has a bush?" I looked at Rudeus who was sweating.

"Our master gave them to us." Rudeus explained and the chief looked even more intrigued.

"Roxy!" I exclaimed then felt my breathing get a little heavy, I was tiring myself out.

"Roxy?!" Rowin exclaimed, and I hugged Ruijerd even more who patted my head.

"Problem?" I asked.

"Roxy is my daughter's name!" Rowin yelled.

"Ah, he messed up...he must mean sis." I hummed.

'NO, HE SAID DAUGHTER!' Rudeus yelled in his mind. 'This is Roxy's hometown?!'

"The heat must have done my ears in." I decided. Ruijerd immediately got concerned and then got angry at Rowin like it was somehow his fault.

They let us into the village, and Rudeus was counting all the Roxys and started to sway from side to side.

'Do you want their underwear to?' I asked in my mind.

"No, only my goddess'!" Rudeus yelled.

Rowin looked at him suspiciously. "Roxy, my daughter, hasn't been in touch since she left over 20 years ago." He informed us.

"HA?!" I let out. "You 100?"

"How long do the Migurd live for?" Rudeus asked.

"We live to about 200 if nothing goes wrong." Rowin hummed. "This year, she is 44, I think."

"I hope I can get there." I added.

"Stay small for as long as you can." Ruijerd smiled at me.

"NO!" I yelled scaring him. 'I was small in my past life. I don't want to be that small again this time.'

"So you have to eat well and that means your vegetables to." Rudeus tried to seem like a good older brother probably to leave a good impression on Rowin.

"You're the one who doesn't eat them." I reminded him.

"Well, they are gross." He mumbled.

"Try hospital food." I retorted.

Ruijerd and Rowin were looking at us confused. "Ah, I feel faint." I mumbled, and it made Ruijerd concerned once again.

"Roxy really is safe, isn't she?" Rowin questioned us worried.

"Yeah!" I nodded. "She is strong."

Rowin grinned at me. "She should be in Shrinone kingdom." Rudeus added.

"She well?" Rowin asked.

"Yes, I think so." Rudeus nodded.

"Good, as long as she's well, thank goodness." Rowin turned away with a hurt expression.

"You're subbering!" I pointed at Rowin panicky.

"Not because of you." Rudeus reassured me.

"But still!" I yelled.

'Sometimes its best to leave some things alone we might make it worse.' Rudeus informed me and I frowned but nodded.

We went to the Chief's house and explained everything. It soon turned night, and Ruijerd had me in his lap with a warm blanket around me. Ruijerd had a bowl in his hands, and I was terrified of the contents and kept my mouth shut.

"You need to eat." Ruijerd informed me.

'Starving for longer is fine with me.' I thought as I turned my head away.

Rudeus looked over to me then came over and tickled me. I started to laugh and looked at him betrayed as Ruijerd took the opportunity to feed me and I was crying from the taste.

"RUDE! YOU'RE RUDE! BEAN! ASSHOLE!" I cried loudly.

"Sorry, Ceres, but you need to eat." Rudeus put his hand on my shoulder, and I blew him into a pile of hay with my wind magic.

I was pouting as Ruijerd patted my head.

"Thank you for the meal." Rudeus mumbled as he sat next to Eris. "Ceres, what do you say?"

"You're no better than a hospital." I informed him, and he fell over from the pain of my words since I hate hospitals the most. The guilt started to eat at me making me groan concerning Ruijerd and the chief. "You're okay, but Ted is my favourite."

Rudeus grinned brightly at me. 'My sister is to kind.' He thought.

Eris' head then fell onto Rudeus' lap and he was giggling weirdly. "You seem close." The chief commented.

"People usually say creepy instead of close." I added.

"Now, how do you intend to get home? Especially with your sister in such a state?" The chief asked.

"Fly." I answered.

"No." Rudeus retorted making me whine.

"I will go with them." Ruijerd spoke up. "I won't leave them alone."

"And what do you plan to do while with them?" The chief questioned him. It seems like he didn't like the idea of that.

"There's nothing to plan. I will protect them all and see them home." Ruijerd explained.

"But you can't enter cities." The chief retorted.

"There are cities?!" I exclaimed.

"He can't enter them?!" Rudeus yelled.

"I will help them if anything happens." Ruijerd answered as he stared down at me while I looked up at him. "Even if I must kill everyone else there." Ruijerd responded way to causally.

"NO!" I yelled surprising him and pushed myself away from his chest concerning him. I was breathing heavily, but I need to say this. "I won't forgive you."

"Ceres." Rudeus mumbled.

"Even if someone is a problem, to kill them." I started to cry. "That's not right."

Ruijerd pulled me back to his chest and put a wet cloth on my forehead. "As usual, you're blind when it comes to children, but it seems this one might have more damage done to her if you don't act right." The chief warned him. "Hasn't it been about ten years since you saved that one?"

"But will you be able to accomplish your goal with that forceful approach?" The chief asked.

"Umm, what is his goal?" Rudeus asked.

"Ruijerd aims to dispel the Superd tribe's poor reputation." He explained.

'That...seems impossible, even Roxy warned us so the fear of the Superd is probably deeply rooted in this world.' Rudeus thought.

'I will yell at you, as well.' I warned him in my mind and Rudeus laughed.

"Why? Tell." I demanded of Ruijerd. "Please."

"The Superd tribe attacked everyone in the war, even family." Rudeus mumbled.

'Rumours!' I yelled in my mind scaring him. 'The same happened with that fighting game, there was rumoured to be a dragon you can fight, but, NOOO! IT WAS ALL LIES!'

Rudeus laughed confusing them. 'Everything is always based on games for you.' He thought. 'But that isn't a bad thing, you're right, they are rumours in a way.'

"Did you really kill family?" I asked Ruijerd with a serious expression. I shivered a little, but I believe he isn't like my mother. There's no way he is like her since he saved me.

"It is not true!" Ruijerd yelled and there goes my eardrums.

"Laclass beam?" I asked as I rubbed at my ears.

He patted my head gently as an apology. "It was Laplace's scheme." Ruijerd repeated the last part.

"Close enough." I mumbled. 'I also made a cool weapon name.'

'Cool?' Rudeus asked, and I slowly turned to him and he laughed nervously at my stare.

Ruijerd then explained to us how Laplace gave the Superd race spears even though they already had ones that came from their own body.

"That sounds so cool!" My jaw was wide open in awe and Ruijerd grinned for the first time in a while.

"Some of us refused to abandon our spears and use new ones." Ruijerd explained.

The whole reason the Superd race fought for Laplace was to win rights for the demon races and they did win but with a great cost. The spears they eventually accepted from Laplace made them change, before they knew it they began to attack any around them, friend or foe, there was no difference to them.

"We killed our parents, our wives, our siblings, and even our own children." Ruijerd shivered with rage then he looked to his spear. "This spear is the soul of my son, who gave his life to save me from the curse. The infamy of the Superd is our punishment for carelessly trusting Laplace and accepting his cursed spears."

"Stupid!" I yelled surprising him. "A cursed spear! That is an awful weapon! Laglass can go suck it for creating such a thing!"

Rudeus laughed at my speech and I glared at him.

"Thank you, Ceres." Ruijerd stroked my hair. "That is all why as the leader of the warriors, I must clear our name."

"I will fart on Laplace for you." I informed him. 'Laplace is the one like her. I know there is a big difference in how much damage they dealt, but they both caused innocent people pain...and suffering and death.' I stared up at Ruijerd. My pain could not compare to his. "He even made you feel a loneliness more overwhelming than my own was."

They all let me take my time to say that clearly. 'Has he been alone this whole time? Was he full of regret? Was he miserable?' Rudeus asked in his mind. 'Regret, huh?'

'He's sad like us.' I added in my mind.

Rudeus laughed and then nodded. "I understand, if human children like us help you, it might make a difference. I will help you, I promise, I will do what I can."

Ruijerd was shocked. "Me two!" I exclaimed shocking him. "Is the curse still there? My friend has the same thing."

"Eh?" Rudeus let out.

"What about you?" The chief asked me.

"Did I do something wrong?" I asked. "Did I make you suffer?"

He panicked seeing I was freaking out. "No, no." He reassured me. "Its just you are polite, but you sometimes ignore me."

"You ignore me sometimes as well." Ruijurd explained.

I pointed at my ears. "Deaf." I explained, and he got fully concerned and started to shake making me panic and Rudeus laughed.

"She is deaf, but her wind magic lets her hear. That's how she was able to hear us from so far before." Rudeus explained.

"That's quite amazing, you're blessed." The chief praised me.

"I made it a blessing." I retorted. "It caused suffering with my family, but now it stopped...I think."

"It has." Rudeus reassured me with a bright smile. "Also Ruijerd, Ceres loves head pats." Rudeus explained and Rujerd went stiff.

"Give me them all please." I asked him and he patted my head. 'It reminds me of Mum. I hope she isn't freaking out.'

'She knows you're strong, so she won't worry.' Rudeus reassured me as my head started to drop.

"Good, I want to see her soon..." I dozed off.

Chapter Text

They let us stay for a couple of days, so I could fully recover and I was pouting when we had to leave. "Going already?" Rowin asked us.

"No!" I yelled.

"We need to." Rudeus informed me as Ruijerd patted my head. He was still carrying me in his arms. I asked him why he picked me up this morning since I have a full health bar now and he didn't answer.

"And who is this?" Rudeus motioned towards the lady next to Rowin.

"Old Roxy." I guessed making Rudeus laugh nervously.

"Actually yes, in a way, this is my wife." Rowin grinned.

'Ha!' I yelled in my head because I was right making Rudeus laugh.

"My name is Rokai." She informed us.

"Master's mother, you're so young." Rudeus commented.

"Oh, no, I'm 102 this year." Rokari blushed.

"That's...an age." I hummed.

"Yeah..." Eris mumbled wondering if she even got any of that right since this is all jibberish to her.

"If you see Roxy, tell her to visit once in a while." Rowin asked us.

"I can fart her here!" I exclaimed.

"No!" Rudeus scolded me and I whined. "May I call you father-in-law?" Rudeus asked him.

Rokari blushed and gasped. "No!" Rowin grinned.

'If you like Roxys, then do you want his panties to?' I asked in my mind.

Rudeus froze. 'I am so glad you asked that in your mind and no, I would puke and he wouldn't have any.'

"No undies?" I asked, and they all looked at me as I was looking at Rudeus.

"She means un dies." Rudeus laughed loudly. "No one can come back to life once they die, Ceres."

"Didn't I?" I asked.

"...Kind of." He mumbled, and Ruijerd was so concerned so was Eris.

"Use this if you like." Rowin handed a sword to me that I was in awe of. Rudeus started to have flashbacks, so I gave it to Eris then Rokari gave me a small pouch. "These are thanks for letting us know Roxy is safe."

"Hanks!" I grinned.

"Thank you very much!" Rudeus added then Eris stepped forward and did a polite bow.

"Thank you for your kindness!" Eris exclaimed.

"You're welcome!" They both grinned.

Eris looked at me and I gave her a thumbs up making her celebrate and then cough since she breathed in dust, I waved to them as we left.

I then checked out what was in the pouch "Charbowl?" I mumbled as my wind magic was just getting pushed around like crazy once again so my pronunciation will suck.

"It isn't charcoal it's bones." Ruijerd informed me making me freak out. I threw the bones but then caught them using my wind magic and had them go back into the pouch making me sigh in relief.

Eris then threw her sword making Rudeus scream and I laughed as Ruijerd panicked.

"Come on, Ceres!" Eris exclaimed as she had her back to mine.

We had been travelling for a little while and Ruijerd and Eris had been mainly taking care of the monsters, but I wanted to help to. I want to be able to do this with my own power, or what would be the point of all of my training?

Ruijerd and Rudeus were watching us nervously as monsters that had a similar form to wolves, but with way too many eyes in the face that glowed the colours red and purple attacked us.

Their most notable features are their many teeth and speed, but I really think it's the gross eyes and creepy ass blood.

"This sword is amazing!" Eris yelled as she sliced them up and she was moving like she was dancing.

I copied her sword movements with my wind magic cutting through some of them. I felt bad at first, but then I saw one go for Rudeus, so I used my wind magic to launch Eris towards it and she sliced it up.

'You know you can leave some of them to me, right?' Rudeus told me in his mind since I was to busy to hear since I was having fun with my tornado collecting all of the bodies.

Eris was shaking while covered in their blue blood, so I hit her with a water ball. 'Oh sorry, I made her wet, I know you wanted to do that.' I looked to Rudeus.

'WHEN DID YOU HEAR THAT?!' Rudeus freaked out in his mind. I just pointed at him and he went running, but I was still pointing at him so I went running after him.

Ruijerd had stopped us before we ran off a cliff.

That night, we camped out behind two giant pillars of stone so I was able to use my wind magic without it being blown away. We were eating the monsters we killed, and Rudeus had something that was moving.

"It's alive." I pointed out.

Ruijerd picked one up and just ate it like its a normal snack shocking me and Rudeus was shaking then bit it. 'I want to eat beef.' Rudeus groaned. 'I want rice and beef.'

I gagged. 'Mushy rice.'

'I will feed you good rice one day.' Rudeus patted my head and I grinned.

"Who cooked these?" I held up the meat and gave Rudeus some making him hug me.

"I did," Ruijerd answered.

I walked over to him. "You're Dad now." I put my hand on Ruijerd's shoulder and he then looked hurt making me think he was in pain. "Rude! He's buffering!"

"He's not suffering, it seems your words hit his heart," Rudeus reassured me.

"THAT MEANS HE IS DYING!" I yelled.

"I'm okay." Ruijerd stroked my hair and got me to sit down.

That night, I fell into a food coma, and I woke up in Ruijerd's arms. I felt a lot of wind and looked to see we were up on a cliff and in front of us were many jagged cliffs.

'Beyond those cliffs is the city of Rikarisu.' Rudeus informed me, and I started to shake with excitement.

Ruijerd shook with me as a way to reassure me making me laugh.

We went to find the entrance to the city, and we were hiding behind some jagged rocks as we looked at the entrance. 'Demons!' Rudeus's mind yelled.

There were many different kinds of demons. It seems some are trying to get into the city, but the other demons in armour are stopping them.

Since we were in an enclosed space, I made wind magic and sent it their way. "We got a report that Dead End's been sighted, know anything?" A demon pig asked one of the demons trying to get in.

"Dead End?" I mumbled.

"WEIRD PEOPLE!" Eris finally saw the demons.

"The demons here look nothing like the Migurd or Superd," Rudues commented.

"Animals," I added. "Animal crossing tribe!"

Rudeus patted my head as he laughed. "They could be," Ruijerd added making me shake in excitement.

"I want Diana! Shino! But no Peggy." I groaned. "She never left and I combo her head with that net."

Eris and Ruijerd looked at me confused. "You just had to ignore them," Rudeus explained to me. "Anyway, who is Dead End?" Rudeus asked Ruijerd. "Ceres heard them say they are looking for them."

"Me." Ruijerd answered.

"But you're Rui." I retorted.

"Excuse me?" Rudeus asked him bewildered and even Eris was confused.

"I believe I'm called that in some places," Ruijerd explained.

'So, Ruijerd equals 'If you meet him, you die'?' Rudeus thought.

"But we aren't dead? Are we?" I asked him.

"WHAT SHOULD WE DO?!" Eris yelled. My eardrums died since her voice echoed and the wind magic sent it all into my ears and she was holding Rudeus by his hair for some reason.

"Don't worry, I can leap over those cliffs," Ruijerd reassured us as he rubbed my ears.

"I will fly with you." I followed after him and Rudeus decked me.

"Hang on! The whole city will panic, and a Ceres pancake doesn't sound great!" Rudeus yelled and kept me down.

"What should we do, then?!" Eris yelled.

"All fly!" I declared.

"No, we would say goodbye to life!" Rudeus retorted then he poked a rock and grinned. "I've got it!"

"I have a rock collection to," I informed him.

They all looked confused so I got up and showed them the rocks I had collected they were all kind of shapes and colours. "This one looks expensive." Rudeus picked one up.

"Yeah, they look like quartz! From Minecraft!" I grinned.

"Actually some of them might sell well," Ruijerd commented.

Rudeus smirked and his eyes shined with money. "No, I'm keeping them! They are mine like the balls! The dragon one?" I exclaimed

"You want dragon balls?" Eris asked me.

"Yes, I can wish for things." I nodded.

"Okay, I will get them for you! I'm chopping off their balls!" Eris declared making me grin at her.

'This is kind of a cute bonding moment, but it's scary how easily Eris would chop off someone's balls for her.' Rudeus thought.

"Can you do it with other balls?" I asked Rudeus. 'Ruijerd's name has Rui in it, and dragon is ryu in Japanese.' I explained in my mind.

"No!" Rudeus yelled confusing us.

"Eh." I let out in annoyance and picked up rocks then I touched a blue one.

"That's what I was going to talk about." Rudeus grinned as I saw the blue rock had stained my hand.

"Rui die!" I yelled and held up my hand to him.

"Why?" He asked me.

"Not that die!" I shook and was ready to cry, so he patted my head.

"She means your hair," Rudeus explained. Ruijerd bent down and we massaged it into his hair, it was fun.

"Like finger painting." I grinned.

'I rather finger paint something else.' Rudeus thought. I looked at him for what it was, and he looked away from me.

"Finger what?" I asked and he sighed.

Rudeus and I used our jackets to cover our staffs, so no one would try to steal them even though that's impossible with mine.

Afterwards, we headed towards the gate, but first Ruijerd warned me that I shouldn't talk much since if people find out I'm deaf it could put me in alot of danger.

"Hi there! We came from Migurd Village!" Rudeus exclaimed in Demon God language as we headed through the gate.

"Okay. Go ahead." A lizard demon nodded to us.

"Ai." I hummed then I ran ahead of the group making them panic.

We went through a very narrow gate and at the end was a large city that looked to be made of sand. It was all surrounded by cliffs with markings on them that looked to be drawings.

"This is another world," I mumbled and I cried concerning the others.

"Why?!" Rudeus rubbed my eyes.

"Bitty!" I exclaimed.

"Pretty." Rudeus translated for me to the other two and Ruijerd took my hand.

We walked through the town seeing people of all different races. 'DINO! DINODOG! IT'S SO CUTE!' I was pointing at them in amazement.

'It is, but where are the Elves or Incubuses?' Rudeus looked upset.

'You want a bus?' I looked at him confused. 'I always wanted to ride one.'

'You are surrounded by sweaty people in those.' Rudeus informed me.

I saw in the market places they were selling food that Rudeus and Ruijerd ate, they were all bugs or scorpions. 'Can you get part of their power if you eat one?' I went to touch one.

Rudeus pulled my hand away. 'You can't!' He yelled in his mind to not draw attention and since I'm deaf.

'So I'm not Kirby.' I pouted then I felt myself get picked up and it was Ruijerd.

He was talking to me. 'No, I'm not humpy, but Dad said Mum is once.' I thought.

'He means hungry.' Rudeus was laughing when I looked at him.

I shook my head at Ruijerd, and he nodded then we went to a store with clothes and Eris and I found cloaks we really liked. Eris posed with her, it was white with cat ears on it and Rudeus clapped.

I held up my arms while in mine and saw Eris was saying something. "I know cute." I nodded making her look to Rudeus for help and he signed to me this time about how he agreed with her.

He asked me if I was boiling in it and I shook my head.

Eris pulled on the cloak and pointed at the black fluffy on the inside while the outside was all white with some pockets.

Rudeus signed that I should choose something else, but I frantically shook my head. 'Its like Ted! And I can do this.' I put my hands together and made wind and ice magic making it very cold inside my cloak. 'You can sell my rocks if needed.'

'You really want it, huh?' Rudeus sighed when I looked at him with shining eyes. 'I can't upset my sister, keep your rocks, they are yours.' Rudeus patted my head making me hug him.

Ruijerd took my hand again once we bought them. We got closer to the middle of the town, and I was jumping down the steps. 'We are going to head to the Adventurers guild.' Rudeus informed me. I jumped down way to many steps making Ruijerd pull me up and let me land on one of the steps safely.

I looked up after seeing the other two looked ready to have a heart attack. "Add vent eers us?" I asked with a whisper as I was brimming with excitement, so I used words and sounds that sounded like the one I should have said since I knew I would butcher that word without being able to hear myself properly.

'Yeah adventurers, that's how we will earn money from now on.' Rudeus explained as he told Eris at the same time and we both celebrated happily. 'And Ceres, I can tell you want to use your powers so this will let you freely use them.'

'You're great!' I grinned making him grin.

He then yelled something and punched the air. Eris copied him, so I did the same thing and they started to run off.

I pulled on Ruijerd's hand since he wasn't speeding up, but I saw he didn't look well so I let go of his hand making him immediately look at me. I held up my arms, and he picked me up and I whispered to him. "Are you okay?"

I put my wind magic into my hands and held it to his mouth. "I'm fine." He reassured me.

"Eh." I let out unconvinced and he patted my hand as we carried on walking.

The adventurers guild was great...there was alot of violence making me cling to Ruijerd more and he patted my head. And how Eris and Rudeus entered didn't make me feel any better. They both kicked in the door and seemed to have shouted their arrival.

Everyone inside stared at us and I was staring at Rudeus, he was wearing an eye patch with his hair spiked up. He looked like an awful fighting character and was acting it, I actually wanted to die again when I used my wind magic to hear.

He had to speak Demon God land, so they could all understand. "Are you lot really adventurers? Y'all look like a sorry bunch to me!" Rudeus smirked and I groaned making Ruijerd pat my head.

"Are you ill?" He asked me.

"From lameness." I answered concerning him. "Just Rude being stupid."

"Who the hell are you?" Someone questioned Rudeus.

"Please go deaf, please go deaf," I repeated, and Ruijerd covered my ears for me making me hug him.

"The great Dead End Ruijerd!" Rudeus exclaimed.

"Rui, sorry." I apologized to him because Rudeus was just embarrassing him. It was silent, so I thought I finally had gone deaf again but no, I'm not so lucky. "What are you so quiet for?! You gonna-!" Rudeus went to yell.

Rudeus paused and touched his head after I had sent the cloth the bartender was using to wash the cups to his head. Hopefully, it fixed his weird ass spiky hair. Zenith always flattened it back down when he did that. I once spiked my hair up like he did and she didn't have the heart to stop us because we were happily laughing together at how stupid we looked.

Everyone started to laugh. "The Superd have green hair." A frog demon laughed.

I saw Eris look annoyed and Rudeus gave us a thumbs up, so I used my magic to hit his face with the cloth again. 'Ceres, I did good, stop it.' Rudeus sighed.

'Bad.' I retorted confusing him.

Chapter Text

We went to a lady with three of something Rudeus liked. "Are you sure you want your party to be called Dead End?" She asked us.

'Rude stop staring below the eyes.' I demanded.

"Yes, please." Rudeus giggled. 'I'm not staring, I'm studying.'

'Then I will to.' I went to do the same thing, but he was jumping at me confusing the other two.

"Hear that? Dead End's a newbie!" Someone laughed.

"Everyone starts at F rank." She informed us. "Remember, you can only accept jobs up to one rank above your own."

'F-rank! We are the fun rank!' I smirked.

'More like fuc-' Rudues just paused. 'Yeah, fun.'

I felt Ruijerd shake, so I patted his head. He seems to be getting angry or uncomfortable, but the other two can't tell. "Now, I'm an adventurer, too, right?!" Eris exclaimed.

I held out my hand and she high-fived me then pulled Rudeus with her. "Hurry! Let's look at the board!" She yelled making me whine a little from the sound.

"Lady..." I spoke up and she looked at me. "My bro liked your...curve."

"Oh, I could tell." She giggled as she smiled at me. "I like your cloak."

"Good, right?!" I exclaimed proudly.

The lady and Ruijerd found me adorable.

Ruijerd took me over to the job board and Eris was staring at it. "I can't read it!" She declared confidently.

"No, dragon." I informed her and she whined as I was pouting.

'I'd like to get right to making money, but...' Rudeus stared at the jobs. "Slaying jobs start at C rank. We can't take them right now. That's a shame."

"Oh, w-hore?' I mumbled.

Rudues looked at me scared as I was trying to figure out what was huffing at us. "Hey there, Dead End." They spoke up and took the C rank Job off Rudeus. "Ain't the rank on this a wee bit high for you?"

'OH HORSE!' Rudeus's mind yelled making me point at him showing that's what I meant.

"I already know that!" Rudeus yelled at the horse.

"Hey now, don't be mad." He put his arm around Rudeus's shoulder. "I just wanna give you some advice. Here, how about this one? Finding a lost cat. Your bro is Dead End the Superd, right?" He looked at Ruijerd and me.

"I bet he can find a lost kitty in no time with his third eye." The horse guy made everyone laugh with that somehow.

"Shove it! Let's get going, bro!" Rudeus sighed.

"Finally." I sighed as I closed my eyes and rested my head on Ruijerd's shoulder.

"Below." I whispered to Ruijerd when I felt some of my wind magic move below us, I could kind of tell it was a leg, maybe. "Three balls?"

"A frog's foot." Ruijerd informed me as he stared at the frog guy. I turned to the frog guy, and he seemed happy to look at me. I waved making my bracelet jangle and for some reason, his eyes widened and he moved his foot away.

"See you later, newbies!" They called out to us as we left.

I sighed as we walked along and I could see Eris was complaining to Rudeus. She probably couldn't tell we got made fun of or she would have tried to attack them.

"Dragon!" I recognised the word when she said it and she clapped for me.

'Someday, we will let's celebrate for now.' Rudeus told us.

"Eh?" I let out.

I felt vibrations from Ruijerd's chest meaning he was talking. 'We introduced Ruijerd as Dead End and no one was afraid, they laughed.' Rudeus grinned at me then got scared when I glared at him. 'If we keep doing good things then The Superd will be looked more favourable upon.'

"Eh." I let out again confused as to how that will work, but if he says so. 'If it will work and Ruijerd agrees, it's fine to me.' I reassured him in my mind.

Rudeus grinned brightly at me. "Hm." I looked back when I saw the light on me was blue. I was amazed to see blue light coming from everywhere.

Eris was jumping about amazed by the sight like I was and Ruijerd let me down since there were way fewer people and I ran around with Eris.

It was all so blue like we were in the sea.

"Smurf!" I held up my hands.

'You are.' Rudeus laughed.

We went to an inn, and I was able to let out my wind magic. I was looking out the window at the blue light outside. I didn't want to leave the blue yet, but Rudeus forced me to go inside.

Rudeus was booking us in, and Eris and Ruijerd were waiting. "Hey, you are a new adventurer, right?" I looked back to see three people. The one who was speaking had awesome red skin with white hair and two little red horns.

The one behind him was like a bird I saw once in my past life. It flew into my room one day and then left, but I was amazed by it for days on end hoping it would visit again, sadly it didn't.

The last one had four arms. "Machoke! Machamp!" I corrected myself and Ruijerd came over to me.

"Choke?" He asked me worriedly.

"Cool guy." I explained, and he patted my head seeing I was happy.

"How about you eat with us?" The red-horned guy asked Eris who huffed and then looked away. "Don't ignore me!" He grabbed Eris's shoulder.

"Don't touch me!" Eris whacked his arm away, and it made the button keeping her cloak together in the front break off. "Look what you did!"

She one punched them making me clap since she's cool when she fights. "Huh? What?" The red-horned guy mumbled as he landed on the floor.

"This is the first...piece of clothing...Rudeus ever brought me! Ceres liked it!" Eris stomped on him every couple of words.

"Stop suffbeimg!" I grabbed Eris's arm since it was just bullying now.

"Heel!" Rudeus demanded.

We had Ruijerd make sure she kept away while we healed the people and explained that she doesn't understand Demon God language.

"Sorry." The red-horned guy apologised to us. "I didn't know. Still, I'm amazed you two can use healing magic."

"Breeze." I informed him.

"It is a breeze." Rudeus added.

"You should all join our party." He suggested. "You must be nervous on your own."

"Thank you!" I exclaimed.

"I'm sorry, but we are a party of three." Rudeus explained.

"So that guy really is with you?" He asked us as he looked at Ruijerd.

"Yeah, Super Rui!" I nodded.

"His name is Ruijerd." Rudeus informed them.

"Ruijerd? What's your party name?" He asked us.

"Dead End." Rudeus smirked and spoke with a dramatic raspy voice.

I faked puked making Rudeus pout at me. "You sure about that name?" All three of them asked him since they could tell I was not okay with it.

"We have his permission." Rudeus explained.

"You didn't ask." I retorted.

"Anyway, why does it matter?" Rudeus moved the conversation on. "That's how it is, so we can't join you."

"Really? Too bad." He sighed. "I hope you don't regret it. We are gonna be huge."

"Awesome!" I exclaimed.

"Bachiro!" The one with four arms posed.

"Gablin!" The bird one sang.

"Kurt!" The red-horned guy pointed at the ceiling. "Together, we are the Tokurabu Toughs!" They exclaimed.

I clapped and jumped about. "Cool! Very coolie!"

'They are cool?' Rudeus asked me in his mind.

'Slick back weirdo isn't.' I pointed at him and he laughed nervously.

We got to our room, and Eris was suffering, so I was crying as I hugged her. 'I don't know why she's sad, though.'

"It's the cloak." Rudeus informed me.

"Oh, I can mend it." I spoke up as I took it off her to see what I needed to do.

"Really?!" Eris exclaimed.

"Mum taught me!" I grinned and she hugged me.

"Also Rude." I looked at him. "In the guild was bad."

"It wasn't-" Rudeus went to retort.

"He suffered! That was bad!" I yelled and he looked a little surprised. "Rui was uncomfortable."

"You were?" Rudeus asked him.

"I'm fine." He shook his head and my mouth was wide open in shock since he lied.

'What we need most is money now.' Rudeus thought as he fell back onto his bed. 'The inn costs five stone pieces a night each.'

"Here." I put five rocks on his bed making him laugh then he rolled over and ruffled my hair.

'I spent my past life as a bum. I never expected to worry about money.' He sighed.

'I did.' I responded surprising him. 'To get cool weapons in games! I couldn't ever buy them! Then the expenses to keep me in the hospital...'

"I will worry, you don't need to." Rudeus reassured me and I nodded. "Just enjoy exploring the world."

I nodded slowly and stitched up Eris's cloak amazing her. She gave me so many compliments I was shaking for a good couple of minutes.

We all went to bed since we will have a long day tomorrow. "Ew." I immediately let out as I saw Man God again. "What now?" I asked while on my back.

"Well, you found your brother, ri-" He paused when I went for his ankles and he jumped away in time.

"I tried, but next time." I grinned while he seemed confused. "You let me get eaten like a nut, they only wanted just a part of me." I complained.

"You got over your fear of killing because of me." He explained.

"So you put me in danger on purpose? That's wrong! You made me suffer! Awful! I don't like you!" I yelled and he looked speechless. "He wouldn't do that to me."

"He?" Man God asked.

"Someone way better than you." I rolled away from him since I was in my old body.

"Okay, I have more adiv-" He went to say.

"Rude! Wake me up!" I yelled.

"Hey, don't you want to help your brother?" Man God asked me knowing he has my attention now. "Why won't you have some faith in me?"

"Dumb god." I commented. "You look creepy and you are naked...like that drawing..."

"Drawing?" He asked.

"Yeah, it was pretty." I hummed making him grin. "Only because he drew it, but if it's of you then it's ugly."

"More importantly, my next tip is to help your brother. Accept that job to find a lost kitten, do that and your worries will be at an end." Man God explained.

"No one will suffer?" I asked and he paused.

"Well, let's say-" I groaned as he went to speak.

"Go aw-!" I felt some weird power from my wrist.

"It's cutting off aga-" Man God disappeared like last time.

"CAT!" I yelled as I sat up in bed and went to roll off of it. "No-"

Rudeus grabbed my foot before I could get fully out of bed and I slammed my head against the floor making me whine. Ruijerd was very much awake now.

"I'm so sorry!" Rudeus pulled me back up and was checking my head as I tried to hold my tears in.

Ruijerd took over checking me since he was much calmer and he was able to tell if any real damage had been done. He shook his head at us. "Little Ceres is fine, just a little bruise." He reassured us.

"Little?" Rudeus mumbled as Eris started to stomp on the floor since it hurt me.

"That's what you called her earlier." Ruijerd explained.

"I'm not that little." I mumbled.

"You're my little sister and Rudeus's to, so you are very little!" Eris exclaimed.

"I'm a big sistar!" I stated proudly. "Of two little bagels! Angels..."

Rudeus couldn't help but laugh making me glare at him. I eventually used my wind magic to hit him with a pillow and it started a war.

I won easily, and Ruijerd was just standing there as he got hit by pillows and he was smiling afterwards. I noticed he was by the door when we were sleeping, so I pulled my quilt and pillow with me and threw the quilt over him and me as I sat in his lap confusing him.

"I will be door guard as well." I informed him with a determined look, and he smiled and patted my head.

The next day, I was looking for the kitten. "Kit!" I yelled everywhere.

'Kat!' Rudeus yelled in his mind confusing me.

'What's a kit kat?' I asked him, and he looked ready to cry for me.

'My sister never knew the deliciousness of a Kit Kat such a cruel wo-' He was being all dramatic.

"Rude wants to eat the cat..." I informed the other two, and they just stared at him.

Ruijerd was leading the way in the end, and I was holding onto Eris's cloak as we walked. We passed a frog guy who looked ready to eat us.

"Legs, no!" I yelled at him since maybe they eat human legs in this world and Rudeus pulled me along.

Ruijerd was then bent over staring at a spot on the floor. "Oh, pretty rock!" I cheered. Ruijerd handed it to me as they seemed to be talking, but even out here, my magic would get blown around.

Actually, maybe I can find the cat that way.

I released some of my wind magic. "There was a struggle here." Ruijerd pointed out.

"I don't see anything." Rudeus admitted.

'Aren't you struggling with things?' I asked in my mind making him laugh nervously.

'What are you doing? Praying?' Rudeus asked me in his mind since I had my eyes closed to concentrate on my hearing.

'Feeling.' I answered and it was silent.

"Is she one of those meditating girls?" He asked himself.

"No." I answered making him freak out since he thought I was still deaf at the moment.

I finally found something with my wind magic. I heard groaning and it sounded like it came from a cave. I tried my best to map out where that was then I opened my eyes and grinned. "Horn place!" I ran.

"No!" Rudeus ran after me.

"Oh, horn hole." I commented when I saw it was a cave entrance.

"This is the right way, well done Little Ceres." Ruijerd praised me and I shook happily.

"Ugh! This place stinks like animals!" Eris exclaimed. "How can you handle this, Ceres?"

"Lived in the same room as Rude, farts smell like the sewers." I explained as I went in first making them panic.

Ruijerd lifted me up by my cloak to stop me. "How many people?" Rudeus asked him.

"No people, but many living creatures." Ruijerd answered.

"Even butter!" I exclaimed.

"It is, but we better be careful." Rudeus warned me.

I nodded, and I made some fire that I held in my palm as I looked around and it was so cool being inside a cave. "Dungeon!" I cheered and it echoed hurting my ears a little since my wind magic picked it all up.

'Should I make a dungeon in this life?' Rudeus hummed happily to himself.

Ruijerd picked me up as I looked dizzy. I held onto him as I reached out my hand with fire magic in the centre of it.

"It's here." Ruijerd informed us and saw what looked to be a black panther behind bars.

"Why is it here?" I mumbled concerned seeing it was scared of us. "Walking!"

"Someone is coming." Eris hissed and placed her hand on the hilt of her sword.

I pointed out a spot for Ruijerd to hide since my wind magic gave me a good idea of the shape of the cave and it's a good hiding spot. 'Rude, pull her!' I demanded.

He looked at me seeing where Ruijerd was going, so he pulled Eris with him.

Chapter Text

"I'm sick of working in this pit every day, Ain't you?" A red insect man mumbled as he came into our view. "Think of an easier way to make a living."

"Fine, I will think of something." One of the two people behind him hissed, they seemed to be a lizard.

The insect man put up a lantern on a hook that was attached to the bars the panther was behind and then he kicked the bars when the panther hissed. "Shut up!" He yelled at it. "Don't get too cocky unless you wanna die!"

The other two seemed scared of the panther and Rudeus then used water magic to make the floor into mud making them sink. I put my hand against the walls next to us and blocked off their exit and the path farther into the cave with earth magic.

It also helped me be able to hear perfectly, so I will be able to speak well. Ruijerd put me down as Eris and he went in and smacked them against a wall.

Rudeus pointed his staff at them as I held out my hand and we used stone magic to cover their wrists pinning them against the wall.

"The hell is going on?!" The insect man yelled.

Rudeus sighed in relief. "Thank god, they are so weak."

"We fought kind of like a team just now, huh?!" Eris grinned.

"It was so cool!" I squealed not being able to hold in my excitement anymore.

Ruijerd smiled at us. "Who the hell are you?!" The insect man yelled. "I will kill you!"

"What are you doing? The panther is pretty, why?" I asked. "I collect stones, but it isn't against their will, the panther is suffering."

"I have some questions to-" Rudeus got up close and the insect man kicked him.

Rudeus went flying back and rolled then smashed into a wall. "Rude!" I yelled as I went over and spoke the words of a healing magic spell.

'Damn it, that hurt.' Rudeus groaned as his eyes spun like those flies that always got stuck in my room at the hospital. 'He really is stupid. Does he know what could happen if he makes us angry?'

"Very dumb." I added.

"I'm alright, Ceres." Rudeus patted my head. "Thanks for healing me."

I then felt something hit my back, and I looked to see something shocking. I screamed seeing it was the insect man's head and his blood covered half of my face.

Rudeus pulled me closer to calm me down, and we saw it was Ruijerd who did it and the insect man's companions were screaming in fear.

Eris was unaffected by it, but she came over to help me up. I have killed before, but it was creatures that didn't talk like us, someone I could never make a connection with or scream in fear as I could.

"Why did you kill him?" Rudeus couldn't take his eyes off the head.

"Because he hurt a child." Ruijerd answered.

"...But killing? No!" I yelled as I cried.

"Why not? He was evil, he caused suffering." Ruijerd retorted.

"You didn't let him explain!" I exclaimed as Rudeus was left speechless.

"There's a reason you shouldn't kill people." Rudeus explained.

"What?" Ruijerd let out.

"If you kill people, it will make the Superd's reputation even worse." Rudeus informed him.

"Even if they are evil?" Ruijerd asked.

"There's no solid evil!" I yelled.

"It only matters who killed them, not who was killed." Rudeus added.

"I don't understand." Ruijerd admitted shocking Rudeus.

"Then leave the other two at least." I went over to him.

"You're causing Rudeus trouble! You even made Ceres suffer!" Eris scolded him.

"How? I know I did the right thing." Ruijerd retorted.

"That attitude is why people don't like you." Eris hissed and he flinched.

"Anyway, please don't kill anymore." Rudeus asked him. "At all. Not if you value the Superd's reputation. I don't want to be afraid of you, Ruijerd."

Ruijerd seemed unsure, and I reached up and took his hand in mine. "Everyone has reasons so don't be impulsive." I asked him, and he tightened his hold on my hand.

"Did you say Superd?" The Lizard man asked. "Are you a real Superd?!"

"What if he is?" Rudeus stood up.

"Please don't kill us!" He begged.

"We won't, but why are the animals like this?" I asked him. "They are suffering."

"We kidnapped them!" He yelled and my ears hurt a little making Ruijerd put his spear to their throat.

"No! Whole! They need to be whole! No maths! One third! Half whatever!" I exclaimed.

"And then what?" Rudeus asked them.

"When someone posts a lost pet job, we pretend to find it for the reward!" The other one that looks like a mosquito explained.

"I see." Rudeus nodded.

"Villains, I knew it." Ruijerd stepped towards them.

"Argh!" I held onto his Ruijerd's arm and lifted my legs to try and stop him, but it did nothing, Rudeus stood in the way. "Reason! They have one!"

'What should we do?' Rudeus thought.

"Let them go! Stop doing this and you will live!" I explained.

"No." Rudeus retorted confusing me. "You were making money on lost pet jobs. So, you are adventurers?"

"That's right!" The lizard man confirmed.

"What's your party rank?" Rudeus asked them.

"D, why?" He mumbled.

"Can you go up in rank?" Rudeus threw them another question.

"Why do you want t-" The lizard man went to ask.

"Answer the question!" Rudeus yelled.

"Rude, this is getting cruel." I mumbled.

"We can!" The lizard man yelled. "We stayed at D rank on purpose so we can take lost pet jobs!"

"I thought so." Rudeus sighed. "Alright, then. Team up with us and we will spare your lives."

"No!" I yelled.

"Ceres, we need mon-" Rudeus went to explain.

"And use them like slaves! Threaten them to work for us and then we cause more suffering by taking people's pets!" I explained.

"I agree we can't work with these villains." Ruijerd added with an aggressive tone.

"I have a good idea." Rudeus explained. "Ruijerd, could you keep quiet? You too, Ceres."

"What?" We both let out.

"As I said we are low on money if we work with them, we can earn money efficiently while also improving the Superd's reputation." Rudeus explained.

"Don't be absurd!" Ruijerd launched his spear forward making it stab into the wall next to the Lizard man's head scaring me. "I refuse to depend on villains such as these!"

"Let him go!" Eris punched Ruijerd. "What's your problem?!"

"I don't like villains." Ruijerd explained.

"Why do you complain all the time?!" She yelled. "He's doing it for us! What's so bad about kidnapping a few animals, anyway?!"

"It isn't right!" I added shocking her. "I feel bad for them! I don't want to cause more suffering just so I can live...I don't wanna do it again."

"They also kicked a child." Ruijerd added.

"I kick people, too!" Eris yelled. "Ceres, you can't please everyone!"

"Evil is evil." Ruijerd wouldn't back down.

"Didn't you do bad things a long time ago?!" Eris screeched. "Ceres said people have reasons to do things! She and Rudeus are amazing! Leave it to him and everything will work out! If you are going to complain then leave!" She kept punching him so I pushed her away with my wind magic shocking her that I used it on her.

I was barely holding in my tears. "I wanna go home! But I don't want to hurt anyone again I could die!" I cried confusing them while Rudeus hugged me.

"Eris, please don't say anymore." Rudeus pleaded as he rubbed my back.

"I'm a Superd warrior, I never go back on my resolutions. I will see you three home no matter what." Ruijerd informed us.

"Right." Rudeus nodded.

'That man god had to have bad means.' I explained in my mind. 'This isn't right, and I don't trust him.'

'Then trust me.' Rudeus asked me and I nodded.

I stayed with Ruijerd, and I didn't stop hugging him, so I could comfort him. I was doing it as we walked, so he picked me up in the end. He used a finger to write the words thank you on my back.

They did have the cat, and we got the reward for the job. I was using my wind magic to get the details of what will be happening next.

"Our day's earnings!" Eris cheered.

We heard the doors open to the guild and those two walked out and they looked scared making me feel guilty. "I raised our party rank to C as you said." The lizard man informed Rudeus.

"Then take a B-rank slaying job tomorrow. We will take an F-rank job." Rudeus ordered as he started to walk off.

"What are you planning?" The mosquito girl asked us.

"Don't tell me we are going to trade jobs?" The Lizardman mumbled suspiciously.

"Any problem?" Rudeus asked without even turning to them.

"No!" They both yelled.

"When you finish a job, spread the name Dead End." Rudeus demanded.

"Spread it?" One asked.

"Like legs." I kicked mine about.

'Ceres...WHEN?!' Rudeus looked terrified.

'To do the splits.' I stared at him and he went red.

"Everyone already knows the name Dead End." The lizard man mumbled.

"Make it sound good, say how well-behaved we are." Rudeus explained. "I don't care if it's true, just advertise. You know what happens if you double-cross us, right?"

"Rude!" I scolded him.

"What's this?" The horseman walked out of the guild. "It's Dead End! What are you doing with P Hunter?"

"Nokopara!" The Lizardman exclaimed.

"What happened to Lohman? Wasn't he with you?" Nokopara asked him.

"Lohman...is dead." He admitted solemnly.

"I see. Sorry to hear that." He hummed showing he didn't care, and he started to head our way. "And he was the strongest of you. By the way, what were you all talking about?"

Rudeus flinched and they all kept quiet while I hid my head in Ruijerd's neck.

"Oh, I get it. Acting big for the newbies!" Nokopara laughed.

"Something like that." The lizard man played along with it.

'I hate all of this, if he finds out we will need to leave...we won't kill him, right?' I asked in my mind, and Rudeus didn't answer making me whine and shake.

"You're even making the girl cry." Nokopara laughed. "Well, best of luck to y'all!"

As time went by, we did the C-rank jobs of slaying and it was nice to be able to use my magic, but the guilt I felt was consuming. We can't do this forever, right? I hope it ends soon. I want to move on. We need to get home, and we need to reassure our family of their worries about us.

Eris and Rudeus acted like normal and I kept with Ruijerd. Rudeus worried about me being more quiet, but he heard my worries in my head.

All I can do is trust he made the right choices.

'Our job is to investigate a mysterious monster in the Petrified Forest.' Rudeus informed me in his mind since we were out in the open and my wind magic is gone like the wind.

'Petra forest?! She's there!' I exclaimed in my mind.

'Oh god, you watched that?!' Rudeus looked at me horrified.

'I was 18.' I reminded him.

'Were you?' Rudeus ran after I had sent some wind magic after him.

"OLD HAG! ME!" I exclaimed confusing the other two.

Eris was waving at me, so I waved back at her happily. We arrived to see the forest is very dead. "Halloweenie!" I pointed at Rudeus confusing the other two.

'How was Halloween for you?' Rudeus asked me as we entered.

'Didn't know of it at first, so I thought people were actually turning into monsters one night.' I explained as Ruijerd let me down.

'That must have been sca-' He went to pat my head.

'It was beyond epic!' I grinned, and he laughed nervously while patting my head.

'Of course, it was to you. Well, did you like it when we celebrated it once?' He asked me as I took down a tree with wind magic to collect a cute stick from the top and he was just shocked.

I couldn't reach it annoying me, so I went to attack it again. "Let me." Ruijerd spoke up and my wind magic didn't get blown away yet since in the woods there was a much smaller breeze than in the plain lands.

Ruijerd snapped it off and gave me it making me hug his leg and he patted my head. "Thank!" I ran off closer to Rudeus and pointed it at him. "Levibosa!"

Rudeus was confused and then laughed. "So you liked magic in the last world that much?" He asked me and his voice was much quieter than Ruijerd's.

"Yes!" I yelled so he could hear me even though I was the only one having hearing problems. 'And yes I liked it when we celebrated until we fell down the stairs because the sheets were too big on us, Mum cried.'

'She looks back on it happily.' Rudeus reassured me and I nodded.

I carried on taking the lead. "Dancing skeles!" I exclaimed as I was looking around for them.

'That's what you are looking for? They aren't real...actually, can skeletons move in this world?' Rudeus shivered.

'I will make them!' I grinned. 'Then dance.'

'Weird dream but sure, if it makes you happy.' I saw Rudeus laugh nervously as we went deeper and it got foggier to.

I was running around a tree since it was a way to summon a dragon boss in a game.

Eris grabbed my hood and pulled me back then pointed out some people I recognised along with a new race I hadn't seen.

I sent my wind magic over to listen in to their conversation, they seem to be arguing about a job.

Rudeus and I went over. "Hi, hi!" I waved at them. "Big..." I stared at the pig guy.

"Nooo." Rudeus started to shake me.

"But the axe..." I mumbled and he paused.

"You scare me to much." He sighed.

"You anboying me." I retorted.

"I am a man!" He exclaimed deciding to ignore that I actually called him annoying.

"Pipsqueak, can you shut up!?" The pig guy yelled making Rudeus flinch while I was ready to shut the pig up. "I told you to back off, brats." He reminded the group that invited us to their party before.

"You back off!" Kurt retorted.

"What are you doing here?" The pig guy asked us while ignoring Kurt.

'He's the guy from...' Rudeus thought. I looked to Rudeus then moved my hand to tell him to carry on. 'You lost all patience.'

"With you," I explained.

"We came to investigate a mysterious monster on a job from the Guild," Rudeus explained, and Eris was kicking a rock since she couldn't understand anything and was getting bored.

"You, too, huh?" The pig guy asked.

"We are here on a similar job," Kurt added.

"Oh, a triple!" I cheered as I released more wind magic since the rest was moving away, but I was also starting to hear things in the forest from my previous wind magic putting me on alert. "That was like a snake..."

"A triple booking? Damn, those screw-ups at the Guild." The pig hissed. "Anyway! I won't let you brats run off with our prize! Especially this thing! Seriously get your words right! And you are slurring like a drunk head!"

I was just annoyed, and I heard a loud snap and we saw Ruijerd take down a tree with his foot, but he didn't do anything else. "Very sorry, you look like that." I grinned at the pig then ran off while he yelled and Eris cheered me on as I went over to her.

'That was a good comeback, seems Eris did influence her well in some way.' Rudeus thought proudly of me making me shake.

Eris hugged me thinking I was cold. "Go home and get to bed!" The pig demanded.

"Who'd want your help-" That's when my wind magic got to far for me to hear them anymore and both groups had moved away from it to.

'Rudy, there's something.' I informed him as we all went over to him and he looked at me curiously. 'I played a game with huge snakes before and this sound I hear is exactly like one of the sound effects.'

'Games can't compare to real-life Ceres, just calm down.' Rudeus patted my head and I pouted.

Ruijerd bent down and motioned me to talk. "Snake, big in there!" I pointed ahead, and Eris was running for it, she does love murdering big things.

Ruijerd got my attention by tapping me. He motioned at me then at his feet. I think it meant to stay near and I nodded making him grin.

We followed after Eris, but then noticed Ruijerd was standing still making me panic since he said to stay near.

Rudeus signed to me that Ruijerd was concerned over the nice three that ran off, but Rudeus thinks if we work together too much they will figure out Ruijerd is a Superd.

'Their lives are worth more. They are good people.' I retorted as I used wind magic since it seemed Ruijerd was getting frustrated again.

"Would you have us let them die?!" Ruijerd yelled.

"Stalking!" I went first after the nice people.

"But I wanna fight something strong!" Eris yelled. "Come on!"

Chapter Text

We followed them and found out they were really dumb. 'I'm deaf right now and even I can tell there's monsters above them.' I was staring at a giant spider somehow walking on branches. 'We need a giant slipper.'

The spider then jumped down in front of them and they all freaked out so I went to help. 'Not yet!' Rudeus yelled in his mind.

"Huh?!" I stopped and turned to him. "Death!"

Ruijerd seemed to be telling him about the same concerns I have just way better than me. 'Things aren't desperate yet!' Rudeus explained.

"Bul-Snake!" I heard the snake was coming the way the nice people were walking. They didn't have an escape route since the spider was behind them so I ran towards them.

'Ceres, we really should make them as grateful as we can! That will do more to do-' Rudeus started to explain and I couldn't even understand him anymore.

"ARE YOU PAUL?!" I yelled at him over my shoulder, and he froze. "Worse!"

I wasn't able to make it in time and the bird guy got sliced right in the stomach by the snake and then went flying into the tree next to me breaking his body even more.

I heard the shattering sound of his bones even the littlest of cracks. Blood rained down on me as his body slammed onto the floor next to me with no movement making me freeze and then fall onto my butt.

I got picked up and saw it was Ruijerd.

I focused again since more people could die including my friends, so I used my wind magic to get out of Ruijerd's hold and launch myself into the air.

I saw the two last two nice people and sent them back Rudeus's way, so he could protect them and the spider looked up at me.

When I noticed I shivered a little, but Ruijerd stabbed it through pinning it to a tree.

It got free easily and Eris was running through trees making it chase her, so she was keeping it busy.

I launched some wind magic at the floor below her making her fly up.

"Woah! Ceres so cool!" Eris yelled as she was right above the snake. "Watch this!"

She went down much quicker than I have ever seen her go and the snake was sliced in two leaving me in awe.

"Lansing!" I started to panic, but Ruijerd carefully caught me. "Safe!"

He let me down when I patted his arm frantically. "Rude." I went over to him and took his hand in mine since I could see he was really regretting his choice.

"Why did you stop me?" Ruijerd spoke up. "I could have saved him."

Eris went to speak up, but I motioned her not to as I made more wind magic in case Ruijerd tried to grab Rudeus. "I thought it would work out better for us," Rudeus admitted.

Ruijerd started to come closer, and I put my hand up as a warning. "There, talk!" I exclaimed, and he didn't stop walking.

I was afraid to even use my power intentionally to hurt him, but he reached out for Rudeus. "AWAY!" I yelled as I sent him back with my wind magic.

He landed far back from us and I was on the edge of tears. "Rude, talk! Someone died because of this! Because of us!" I screamed.

"Rudeus was the one who let the child die! Not you, Ceres!" Ruijerd retorted. "You killed a child! Rudeus!"

"I'm thinking as hard as I can, so..." Rudeus tried to find an excuse.

"Hey! Don't fight each other!" Kurt yelled. "It's our fault that our buddy died."

"Children can't be blamed, this is our problem." Ruijerd retorted.

"You can't save everyone!" I shouted as my tears finally fell down my face.

"We are not kids! We are adventurers!" Kurt stood between Ruijerd and me.

"Your comrade is dead." Ruijerd hissed.

"I can see that!" Kurt exclaimed. "But we knew we could die! All adventurers do! I'm grateful to you for saving us, but it's our problem. I couldn't tell how hard the job was...its my fault..."

Kurt started to cry, and I went and hugged him. "Sorry." I apologized. "I'm sorry."

"It isn't-!" Kurt went to yell.

"I know! But you still lost someone! I know it hurts...having people die, and you can't help them." I hissed as I remembered the times I used to share a room in the hospital.

There were always people who were either older or even younger than me. For each one of them, I never knew when they would die, but that it would eventually happen and there was nothing I could do to help them.

I couldn't escape that until I had a mental breakdown over it. The workers checked and found out I had seen so many deaths over the years and mentally it ruined me even more.

I felt horrible since I sometimes was jealous of those people. I wanted my pain to end, but they all didn't want to die.

I felt a hand on my head and saw Ruijerd. He picked me up and held me against his chest while he put down his spear to hold my head to his chest comforting me and making me cry even more.

"Your name was Kurt, right?" Ruijerd asked him. "I'm sorry I treated you like a child, you are a full-fledged warrior."

"Sorey, I attacked." I hiccuped with each word.

"You protected your brother. I mean no harm to him, but you did well." Ruijerd praised me. "Be proud."

"I could do something for once." I grinned.

After all that, I felt drained and I was using water magic to drink since I think I cried all my water out. "Refilling..." I mumbled. "Like a car?"

"Kind of," Rudeus answered as he was sitting with his back to mine, he didn't want to face the others or just couldn't.

"Refill your happibus next." I hugged him around his neck, he shook a little then hugged my arms.

"Do I deserve to be ha-" I tackled him making him yell and the others looked over.

"Stupid!" I yelled. 'I know you did your best! I know your best cannot be good enough sometimes! Mine never was! So let's keep going, and I know we will make something good! Like cake.'

Rudeus laughed and then patted my head.

We made our way back to the entrance of the forest. Kurt was shaking me for some reason then I saw Rudeus speak up with a sad smile and Kurt seemed horrified.

'I told him you're deaf.' Rudeus informed me.

Kurt took my hands in his confusing me and was repeating something. I read it out until I got it making me pause midway through. "You are...stronger than m-" I felt like crying again. "Just refualed."

Kurt seemed to laugh then patted my head and they both waved to us as we watched them walk away with their dead friend on their backs.

It was quiet as we walked back into the forest, I even used wind magic but no one was talking. 'And I never thought I would miss Rude's panty thoughts.' I was very shocked with myself.

Then I heard a clashing sound and looked ahead of us making them all follow my lead and I went ahead first.

I used more wind magic and I started to hear it faintly and also loudly. "Ahead! 50 trees?" I titled my head to the side.

Ruijerd picked me up as they ran as well. We arrived at an area flattened by something big that had been moving about violently, there were many trails of blood making Rudeus wince.

They seemed to hear something I couldn't, and I looked up to see way above my wind magic was a red snake with many eyes and a blue belly. It seemed to be holding the pig guy from earlier in its jaw.

"A redhood cobra. I never expected to find one in this forest." Ruijerd commented.

"Hood? Down there?" I looked.

"Where are you looking to?!" Rudeus yelled.

"The end! Tail!" I answered.

"Well, our mysterious monster is looking at us to," Rudeus mumbled.

"That monster is powerful I doubt they stood a chance," Ruijerd commented as I heard the pig guy groan in pain.

"He will die!" I yelled.

"What should we do?!" Eris groaned.

"Can we win?" Rudeus asked Ruijerd.

"Definitely," Ruijerd answered.

"Then kill it!" I exclaimed. "Pig, you actually look cool, sorry!"

Rudeus laughed. "Let's save him this time!" He grinned and sent a fireball at it first, but it went down dodging the attack.

Ruijerd put me down and then went in next to take advantage of the snake as it was low to the ground. He jumped up making it open its mouth and go up towards him.

"Close your mouth while you get a beating!" I ordered as I used wind magic to shut its mouth. Ruijerd used his spear to cut from the corner of its mouth down the body.

Eris went next, and I was surprised she couldn't cut through its scales. It whipped its tail at her, and I tried to push it back, but my wind magic was nothing compared to its strength showing Ruijerd didn't even try earlier when I pushed him away.

Eris landed safely and Rudeus sent in another attack to get it away from her. It missed the snake, and it came for us next.

Ruijerd was in front of us in a flash, and he stopped it with one hand leaving me in awe. "Super Rui," I mumbled while on my butt since I fell over from the wind they both made when they collided.

"Eris! Ceres!" Ruijerd yelled.

I used my wind magic to send me up into the sky, and Eris was coming down from the sky on the snake. I was able to see her well from where I was and focused my wind magic to push down on her sword helping her cut through the snake.

"Now!" Ruijerd yelled. Rudeus shot through the snake with a fireball taking out a good part of its neck.

As I went down, I made my wind magic take the form of a tornado on its head like a drill to make sure we killed it.

It dug in quite deep, and I even think I got to the brain.

I landed on the back of the head I didn't attack and then it slowly fell down and I was waiting for it to get back up since I didn't want to get my hopes up.

Eris came running and picked me up and was swinging me around everywhere meaning we won making me cheer. I couldn't hear anymore meaning all the wind magic I had around was used to attack it.

After she had calmed down, I went to check, but as expected we were to late to save the pig guy.

'His injuries did look too severe, if he was in our previous world maybe he could have been saved.' I sighed and we were all quiet as we made our way back to town.

I noticed them all stop walking at some point. I looked up to see the horseman had been waiting for us, and I didn't like his attitude.

I stood behind Ruijerd, and he laid a hand on my head to reassure me.

I let out some wind magic as we continued walking so we got closer to them all. "Hey now, what's the rush?" Nokopara asked us.

"Is it any of your business?" Rudeus asked.

"You wanna see Jalil and Vizquel that badly?" He asked us. Rudeus very obviously flinched.

I heard something and I went to check the alleyway Nokopara was next to.

Ruijerd was a little panicked seeing me run off like that.

I looked down the alleyway to see them both terrified hugging each other. "Clever trick you pulled, trading jobs." Nokopara laughed. "If I let the Guild know what you have done, you will lose your licenses."

"But why?!" I yelled at him. "What do you want?!"

"I want money." He put a hand on my shoulder. His hand and grip showed how much stronger and larger he was compared to me.

'Ceres, don't anger him, we will have to go along with him.' Rudeus explained and I hissed.

"Bring me half of what you make every month," Nokopara ordered.

'Bastard.' Rudeus groaned.

'Why has everything I have done since I got to this city gone wrong?' Rudeus thought making me look at him concerned as Nokopara was rambling off to the other two. 'Should we pay him now, then look for a chance to escape? No, bad idea. Even if we make it to the next city, we won't be able to earn a living if they revoke our licenses.'

'Could we put all the blame on Jalil and Vizquel and play dumb? No Ceres would cry, just thinking about it is a pain.' Rudeus sighed.

I felt awful seeing how much suffering Rudeus was going through, I never realised it was this much.

"Oh, what's this?" Nokopara laughed as he looked down at me.

Eris and Ruijerd were shocked to see me glaring at him so harshly. "What is wrong with you?! You hurt so many! What do you get out of it?!" I screamed at him.

"Ceres, it will be fine," Rudeus reassured me. 'I'm going to take you two home, even if it means betraying Ruijerd and making you hate me.'

"Don't-" I went to stop him since I saw his staff start to glow under the cloth covering it.

I felt someone grab my wrist and pull using what was probably a little strength making my wrist break. I screamed and struggled against Nokopara, and I started to cry.

"Did me just grabbing your wrist really break it? So wea-" He was cut off as we heard something smash against the ground.

Nokopara started to back away forgetting my wrist was still in his hand. I saw Ruijerd had poured water over his head making all of the blue moss come out, and he wiped off the rest.

"De-dea!" Nakaporo fell bringing me to the floor. "Dead end!"

Everyone in the area started to run. "Rui, no!" I yelled seeing the same expression he had was the same one when he killed that guy.

"Please just stop!" I begged. "I wanna go home! What are we doing here?! I want to see Mum again! I want to hug Norn and Aisha! Not kill anymore! No more please!"

"Ceres." Rudeus and Eris mumbled.

Ruijerd walked forward quickly. "Let her go." He demanded. Nokopara then noticed he was still holding me and only made his grip stronger when he got scared. He immediately threw my wrist away, and I cradled it to my chest.

Rudeus went to heal me as Eris was trying to wipe my tears, but they wouldn't stop, I was so scared of everything.

Ruijerd picked Nokopara up by his neck. "Don't kill him!" Rudeus and I pleaded.

"I'm sorry, I had no clue you were the real deal." Nokopara gurgled out as he held onto Ruijerd's wrist. "Please, I have got kids."

"And you broke her wrist!" Ruijerd screamed then he felt the wind I was sending his way not to attack or hurt him just to remind him of my pleas. "We are leaving this city, so forget about us. But if we get to the next city and find our licenses have been revoked..."

Ruijerd cut him across the cheek with his spear making Nokopara cry. "Don't think you can escape me," Ruijerd warned him.

He let him go, and Nokopara fell over showing he lost consciousness from fear or relief, maybe both.

"Rui, thanks." I grinned at him as my wrist had been fully healed by Rudeus.

"Dead End!" The guards were making their way to us and Ruijerd jumped away.

"Ruijerd!" Rudeus shouted.

"Is this what Ted goes through? This is why he never goes into the city." I mumbled remembering how he would smile a little hearing me talk about how lively it is in the city and that smile showed a lot to me even if it meant very little to him. "Rude, I will go after Rui!"

"Okay, keep in touch." He tapped his head and I nodded as I launched myself into the sky.

Chapter Text

I sent out my wind magic everywhere I desperately didn't want to lose him. I know he won't abandon us, but I'm just scared.

He had taken off very quickly and gotten really far from the city, but I found him.

"Bound!" I yelled as I wrapped my arms around Ruijerd's neck as I slammed against his body and he seemed a little shocked. "Got ya!"

"I'm sorry." He apologised to me.

I let go and then landed on my feet using my wing magic to make sure I didn't break another bone.

"No wrong..." I reassured him that he didn't do any wrong and he seemed confused. "You don't talk to people."

He seemed a little shocked. "Speak up when you are upset. Eris and Rude taught me that so I will teach you the same thing." I informed him. "No stabby, talk."

"You want me to speak up when I'm upset not stab people?" He asked me.

I nodded. "Suffering alone is bad! I hate it so do it with me!" I exclaimed.

"Bind!" I yelled at the wind since it kept taking my wind magic away from me since we are in a really barren area so there isn't anything to give us cover from it.

"Thank you." Ruijerd patted my head, and I soon heard the yells of Rudeus and Eris.

"Rui beer!" I yelled then paused. "Here!"

"I'm sorry." Ruijerd apologised again when Rudeus arrived making me glare at him.

"I should be the one apologising," Rudeus admitted. "I was focused on making money efficiently and improving your reputation if we got a chance. And because of my childish schemes..."

"No, I'm sure you are doing all you can." Ruijerd retorted. "I'm to blame."

"Yea- NO!" I yelled annoyed. "Then my fault to, I only understood Rui's pain, not yours Rude, I'm sorry."

"I understood earlier when you were ready to kill him. I sensed your resolve." Ruijerd admitted and put a hand on Rudeus's shoulder. "You were just desperate to protect something."

Ruijerd grinned. "You both were, that's why Litte Ceres yelled like that. She wants to get you home safe and to take some of the burden off of you."

"Really?" Rudues looked at me.

"Duh! Your suffering is my suffering! You cry and I'm a river!" I declared and he laughed.

"Having something to protect makes you a warrior," Ruijerd informed us. "I'm sorry."

"Warrior? Me?" I pointed at myself and he nodded. "Awesume!"

"What does it mean to be a warrior to you, Ruijerd?" Rudeus asked him.

"Being a warrior is my pride. Warriors protect children and treasure their comrades." Ruijerd informed us. "I am a warrior."

"A super one!" I added making him grin.

"Even if you can't restore my good name, I will protect you." He reassured us. "So don't worry about the Superd, just focus on what you want to protect."

"Pride..." Rudeus mumbled. "I will, thank you."

"Better." I grinned.

"But I will restore your reputation, no matter what." Rudeus grinned.

"Ah!" I yelled.

"You never learn, do I seem so untrustworthy to you?" Ruijerd asked us.

"You're a friend. I want to help, but no death or drying." I added.

"Drying?" Rudeus asked me.

"My past time," I explained, and he nodded seeing it was crying.

"Ceres is right, you are our friend so we trust you and I also want to repay you to," Rudeus explained.

"You are certainly stubborn." Ruijerd sighed.

"Stupid, per-" Rudeus covered my mouth before I started listing off his so-called flaws, but it made Rudeus who he is so I won't ever want him to change.

"Not as stubborn as you are, actually Ceres might take the cake." Rudeus laughed nervously.

"Cake, I do like taking!" I grinned making them laugh.

"Well then." Ruijerd held out a hand to us. I grabbed it with both of mine while Rudeus did it normally, Eris then slapped her hand on ours.

'I'm no warrior. Nothing that impressive. To be honest I don't really understand what Ruijerd means by pride.' Rudeus thought.

'I got no clue!' I added making him laugh.

'Ruijerd's approval made me really happy, though.' Rudeus explained to me.

'Dad! He's like one!' I informed him. 'He doesn't mind my hearing issues, he even asked me to teach him a little sign language. He calls me strong even though my wrist can break from one pull, he shows me I can do something for once! That's what you and Eris do! Mum to, so he's precious.'

Rudeus hugged me for some reason. "You're too sweet sometimes!" He yelled.

"Kirby! Cake! I am!" I excitedly exclaimed confusing the other two.

"No, you can't become cake. You are fragile like one, and the sweetness is something no one is ever trying or I'm blowing them up." Rudeus announced that so happily with a smile on his face.

"Yeah, I will slice them into pieces!" Eris exclaimed.

I looked to Ruijerd for help. "They have to get through me." He informed me.

"I just won't talk about them..." I hummed.

"No! You aren't leaving me, so you can't!" Rudeus smirked making me whine, but I then grinned.

"I like the sound of that promise," I admitted.

When it got closer to morning Rudeus had me help him gather some sticks and he was confused when I went running.

I saw something shiny and round. "Egg!" I ran to see if it was actually an egg then it turned to me. "Rui egg! DRAGON EGG! DR EGG!" I was freaking out.

"What?" Rudeus came after me and then dropped all of his wood. "What happened to your head?"

I helped him pick up the wood by using my wind magic to hold it in the air as I just couldn't take my eyes off Ruijerd's head. "I shaved it off," Ruijerd answered. "What happened back there taught me how much my hair frightens people."

"You look good like that!" Eris exclaimed.

'Seriously?' Rudues asked in his mind.

"Dr Egg!" I nodded.

"What about Ted becoming bald?" Rudeus asked me.

"..." I just laughed at the image. "Bald dragon!"

"Oh, I know!" Rudeus ran over to his bag, and I followed then looked over his shoulder. "Found it!"

He held up a headband, and it was like a ninja one. "Rui please." I pleaded and he was surprised then wrapped it around his forehead.

"We can hide your third eye with that too," Rudeus explained and I loved it.

"We all match!" Eris exclaimed as she had one on her head. Rudeus had one around his wrist, and I had mine hanging half out of one of the pockets on my cloak.

"Yeah." He nodded.

"Like friendship stuff!" I exclaimed making them laugh.

We took off for the next city and Rudeus came up to me and matched his pace with mine confusing me a little.

I went a little faster making him go faster. "Copy brat!" I pointed at him.

"It's cat." He corrected me.

"No, you're a brat, not cat." I retorted.

He sighed. "Hey, remember you said you broke bones in your past life when you tried walking...you were in alot of pain when your wrist broke..." Rudeus mumbled.

I went to run, but he stopped me by grabbing my wrist and he flinched when he noticed what he did, but I was fine. "You hurt yourself alot..." He let out confused as to why I did that.

"I thought maybe I could walk...I have seen other people train and get better...while I still laid in that bed, I just wanted to walk even once." I explained slowly. "I didn't care for the pain...I will still do that even in this world with this brittle body."

"...Then I guess I just have to look after you and be there to heal you when you can't." Rudeus grinned and I nodded.

'Until now, I have been desperate to figure out everything on my own. I think that's why I failed this time.' Rudeus admitted in his mind. "We will run into all sorts of problems down the road. But when that happens, I'd like us to talk it over and decide what to do so that we won't fight even if we disagree."

"That sounds good." Ruijerd agreed.

"Let's go!" Eris exclaimed.

"You finally aren't dumb." I grinned. "You are being Rude, not Paul!"

Rudeus laughed that I was using Paul's name as an insult. "Alright then, I'd like to begin the first Dead End strategy meeting. Our goal is the Asura Kingdom!"

Eris was running into the sea. I was in awe seeing it in real life for the first time, Eris was splashing water everywhere. "Rudeus, Cer-" Eris paused making them all look at me.

I was crying shocking them, but Rudeus since I had been talking nonstop in my mind about what the sea must feel like. "Rude, I'm here," I mumbled.

"You are." Rudeus patted my back, and Eris was waving to me.

"Come on join me! Ceres!" Eris demanded.

I took off my shoes and ran over to the sea then ran away when the water came near me making Rudeus laugh and Eris pulled me in right after.

"Ice!" I yelled.

"Huh?" Eris let out then took off her shoes. "Ice!"

"You two have never seen the sea before." Rudeus grinned at our enjoyment.

"I want to swim in it!" Eris yelled.

"You don't have a bathing suit, how would you..." Rudeus got cut off by her throwing her cloak at him.

"What's that? I don't need one!" Eris stated.

'Does that mean...she's going to swim naked?' Rudeus asked in his mind. 'Eris is 13 now, and she's been growing up nicely lately.'

"Grape!" I exclaimed.

'Yes ripe like one, my sister knows me well.' Rudeus hummed and then looked at me. 'Why did you say grape?'

"Fun word!" I grinned.

"I wouldn't advise it," Ruijerd added. "This sea is teeming with monsters."

'Wouldn't she just like it more?' I tilted my head to the side. Rudeus pointed behind me as the last of wind magic had been blown away and I saw Eris running into the sea.

"Feel sea whole." I hummed trying to figure out how I should go into the sea. Meanwhile, Rudeus and Eris seemed to be whining for different reasons and I then faceplanted into the sea.

'Ceres, you can drown!' Rudeus yelled in his as he pulled me up.

"Salt!" I exclaimed and spat it out. "Bit! It bit me!"

Ruijerd was panicking. 'You mean bitter?' Rudeus patted my back and I nodded.

We took a boat to the next city that is on the edge of the sea with its own huge port and many ships. 'Pirates!' I was shaking with excitement, and I couldn't sit still so I was running around the boat.

It was a small boat.

I nearly fell off ten times, thank god I have wind magic and Ruijerd.

He was holding me in his lap for the rest of the trip.

I had my hand out in the water and it pushed through the water as the boat moved. It was a feeling I've always wanted to experience. 'But who would have wanted to take a disabled girl to the sea just so she could feel the sea.' I thought.

'Me!' Rudeus's mind exclaimed.

'Weren't you a dick?' I asked.

'...I mean, yeah.' He nodded.

"They are doing it again!" Eris yelled seeing us look at each other.

"It's impressive," Ruijerd admitted. He notices it the most because he makes sure to keep an eye on me.

We went through a tunnel under a bridge to see the city that looked to be slowly growing up a giant mountain, and it was like nothing I had ever seen before.

I even saw a guy with webbed feet and fingers and he could play the guitar! There was even a CAT!

I used my wind magic and danced to the music happily getting some attention. Rudeus had to pull me and Eris away in the end since Eris joined in with me.

Ruijerd was a little upset he stopped my fun, but we needed to move on.

They had a whole market all across the city selling all kinds of things. 'Don't you want that slip-in thing!?' I looked at Rudeus, and he walked into a tree concerning me.

'No, I'm good. I'm sure I can perform brilliantly without it!' He thought as he smirked.

'Perform?' He got anxious when I thought of what it meant. 'It helps dancing then! I want one!'

'No!' He yelled in his mind and real life confusing the other two and I whined at him.

Eris, of course, stopped us when we found some good-looking food. 'Whole fish! I want it! It's like RPG food!' I was drooling while looking at it, so we got some in the end. I was sharing mine with Ruijerd since he does the same with me.

They took turns holding my hand after we had eaten, so I would stay next to them and not run off to do a dance battle. I wanna do one so badly!

We finally made it to the port, and I was pulling Eris along as we tried to beat a ship in a race then we nearly fell into the sea when we got to the end of the port, but I used my wind magic to push us back.

We were both laughing happily as Rudeus and Ruijerd looked terrified at what we did.

We finally got to what we came here for.

"Hey, you guys are Dead End, right?" The man we were talking to asked us.

"Yah!" I answered.

"I have been hearing alot about you lately, and I think you just broke my hearing..." He mumbled.

"Sorry!" I apologized, and I think I broke it again making me want to cry.

Ruijerd patted my head. "So Mad Dog Eris, Guard Dog Ruijerd, Fart Dog Ceres." He mumbled, and I grinned purely from the nickname.

'Wow they got nicknames, but Ceres...' Rudeus looked at me to see I'm proud of it. "It isn't good!" Rudeus yelled.

"Best name!" I retorted.

"And you're, um..." The man stared at Rudeus and then looked off to be thinking.

'What's mine? It'd better not be horndog or something!' Rudeus had high hopes.

'Paul is a horndog. You are a hornpuppy.' I added.

'That's worse.' Rudeus laughed nervously.

"I remember Ruijerd! Kennel Master Rudjerd!" He exclaimed and Rudeus let out a huh at the same time as me. "So, anyway, you want passage from the Demon Continent to the Millis Continent?"

I was busy listening to Rudeus's screams in his mind. 'A year! I travelled for a year! It's so disheartening that he knows everyone's names but mine...' He sighed.

"Bro don't sulfur." I hugged him.

"I'm not suffering." He reassured me then paused at what he just heard. "TWO THOUSAND GREEN ORE COINS?!" Rudeus heard the price for Ruijerd, and his mouth was right by my ear.

I was done for and Ruijerd picked me up before I fell over.

"Sorry! Sorry!" Rudeus was yelling.

"Bush!" I yelled, and he went quiet seeing I meant shush but of course, I messed up since I rushed saying that.

"H-" Rudeus covered Eris's mouth and pulled her away before she finished me off.

We went to a cafe later that day for dinner and ordered food. Eris was mad that we had small fish this time while other people were eating fat ones.

'Rude, she might have liked the old you.' I informed him, and he flicked my forehead confusing me.

'Oh, you actually meant that nicely...' Rudeus hummed. "Ah! Don't try to eat with the bones still inside!"

Ruijerd removed the bones from the fish for me like a professional. I clapped as I do every time because it's so cool to watch and he seems to get even just a tiny bit smug from my praise. I have been able to tell from the little twitch his mouth has every time.

"We are meeting today to discuss money," Rudeus informed us. "Ruijerd's passage by ship costs 2,000 green ore coins, it's an astronomical sum."

"Because he's super!" I added.

"It would take an eternity to raise, even working S-ranked jobs," Rudeus explained.

"That's a problem." Eris coughed then paused. "We are not going to leave him behind are-"

"Huh?! Not an option!" I exclaimed.

"I agree it isn't," Rudeus added.

I grinned at him brightly. "What will we do, then?" Eris asked and Rudeus was quiet.

"Hard." I hummed.

"Yeah, I haven't been able to come up with a solution yet," Rudeus admitted.

"Could you run across the ocean, Ruijerd?" Eris asked him.

"Fart over!" I added.

"...could work," Ruijerd mumbled.

'YOU BETTER MEAN HER MAGIC! NOT YOUR ASS!' Rudeus yelled in his mind. "Ceres magic could run out and it's a long trip and I mean long."

I saw Rudeus look at his staff making me stare at his head like he's stupid because he is. I know he's thinking of selling it. I can hear.

"Rudeus, I'm sorry. This is my fault." Ruijerd apologised.

"No, you can't take the blame. You were born that way and I like how you are a super!" I retorted making him grin. 'I learn that all from Rude!'

Rudeus looked so proud of me and himself making me shake.

"I will try to think of something, too!" Eris added.

"Good idea. Let's take some time to scout out our options!" Rudeus exclaimed with newfound enthusiasm.

"Thank you." Ruijerd bowed his head, and I did the same thing but slammed my head onto the table.

"Ah! You put too much energy into every mannerism." Rudeus sighed. I lifted my head, and he put his hand on my forehead and spoke a healing magic spell just in case I broke something.

My face was scrunched up since that did hurt. Eris patted my forehead then put some fish on it making Rudeus stare at her confused while I laughed.

Chapter Text

That night, we slept in a cheap stable and used some cloth as a blanket then slept on top of hay while Ruijerd was happy to sleep against cold walls still.

My cloak was perfect since it was all fur inside so it kept me warm.

'How am I going to get us out of this one?' I heard Rudeus think from behind me.

'Me to!' I turned over to him, and he freaked out a little. 'I will help as well.'

'Sorry, I won't forget you are here to help.' He nodded and I grinned.

We both fell asleep, and I woke up soon after, but not in the real world. "Ugh." I let out.

"Still don't like me?" Man God asked me.

"You appear when we are down on our luck," I explained shocking him a little. I know people with power, who are naked and have an annoying voice and are called gods are super annoying! Most of the games I played taught me that.

"It's been a year..." He spoke up.

"To soon." I hummed.

"My advice got you two into real hot water last time." Man God laughed annoying me.

"You killed people!" I yelled.

"Me? That was the Superdia and you let many others die." He retorted.

"But you know the future." I reminded him and he was just quiet.

"Look if your brother and you just turned those crooks into the guards, you could have bonded with Ruijerd over it. But your brother decided to recruit them." Man God smirked. "I never saw that coming! I had so much fun watching it play out!"

"You enjoy suffering?" I asked, and he froze from my look. "I wanna leave!"

"You can't." He informed me. "Thanks to me you all made it-"

"I WANNA LEAVE!" I yelled again desperately wanting to be away from this disgusting thing.

I felt everything distort and then something on my wrist. I focused on it, and it helped me feel my real wrist along with my mana.

"Come on, don't be so upset." Man God whined as he fell over onto his back and it started to distort even more making him get serious. "Huh? What did-" I felt a serve burning at my wrist and I woke up.

I rolled over while holding my wrist, I had used fire magic to burn myself until I woke up. I really was desperate to get out of that dream. I hated being in that body, and Man God is scary, he has very obvious bad intentions.

I took my time to catch my breath then released wind magic and quietly spoke the words of the healing spell and the burn disappeared.

I was afraid to go back to sleep, but I didn't eventually. When I woke up, I sighed in relief that I didn't see that ugly thing again.

Rudeus sat up and we both looked at each other. "Ugh." We let out at the same time knowing we both saw that idiot.

We left Ruijerd and Eris to train while Rudeus explained to me that Man-God told us to buy food and walk through an alleyway.

'...and you are just gonna trust that?' I asked him in my mind as I was eating some of the food.

'Didn't he tell you all this?' Rudeus looked at me.

'No, I left.' I explained.

'Teach me!' He looked very impressed.

I held out my hand confusing him then I used fire magic and motioned it at myself and he seemed to have screamed. 'DON'T DO THAT AGAIN!' Rudeus had dropped his food and was checking me all over.

'But I didn't want to talk to him, I felt like if I heard his words it would make me think differently.' I explained.

'As usual, I'm not sure what that self-proclaimed God is after. Apparently, we entertained him by overthinking things last time.' Rudeus sighed as he looked at his dead food.

'You are the one who overthinks, I overreact so not me.' I retorted.

'Well this time, we are going to do exactly what he said.' Rudeus saved what little food he could and put it on my pile.

"Eh?!" I let out annoyed and he patted my head.

'Don't worry if we do exactly what he wants then he won't have any fun with it.' Rudeus started to probably laugh evilly. I laughed with him making him stare at me since my laugh must be weird.

'Yeah, but isn't this exactly what he wants?' I asked him as we passed a lady with blue hair.

'DAMN! HOLY RELIC!' Rudeus spun around and then sighed in disappointment. 'I wonder what Roxy is doing now.'

Rudeus then stopped and did his usual grin for when he was staring at his holy relic or when Mum and Dad were having so-called fun.

"What is the-" I went to use my wind magic, but he just dragged me along until we found someone covered in flies and a cloak sitting against a wall in an alleyway.

They were shaking their arms everywhere, and Rudeus sneered at the sight of them. I used my wind magic to hear them. "Please give me some food! Hey! Where are you going?!" She yelled at the guy who passed by. "It's been 300 years since my resurrection. To think that I would perish in a place like this."

"Foo!" I ran over as she was going to fall. "Eat!"

She changed her direction and fell right into the food. I was happy to see her get her energy back as she scoffed it down while Rudeus was disgusted.

"Scrumptious!" She screeched as I fell onto my ass from my wind magic collecting it all and screaming it down my ears. Rudeus made sure I didn't hit my head against anything.

The girl then flipped over me out of her cloak. "Oh!" I let out at how cool that was.

"You two have my thanks. This will sustain me for another year." She was crouched down on the floor.

"Bubblegum!" I pointed at her hair. "Princess!"

"I am!" She exclaimed.

'No!' Rudeus's mind yelled.

"Now state your names!" She swung her arm out to the side repeatedly.

"Rudeus Greyrat and my sister Ceres Greyrat." Rudeus introduced us with no enthusiasm.

"I see! I am Kishirika Kishirisu!" She exclaimed. "They call me the Great Emperor of the Demon World! That's me!"

"Your name is a riddle," I mumbled as I clapped at her cool name. "Rika then!"

'I wanna go home.' Rudeus thought assuming this was all for nothing, but she isn't starving anymore so I'm happy. 'Poor kid, she must not have any friends if she's playing Demon Emperor alone.'

'Like me!' I grinned at him. 'And you.'

He ruffled my hair roughly then patted the dirt off his clothes. 'Alright, I will play along.' He then bowed. "I beg your Majesty's pardon!"

"Oh!" Rika let out. "OH! Splendid! That's the reaction I have been waiting for!" She then looked at me.

"Cool." I pointed at her and she grinned.

"The youths these days don't know their manners." Rika laughed.

"I do!" I held up my hand proudly then did my squat bow and ended up sitting on the floor.

"We were ignorant of your Majesty's resurrection." Rudeus was being dramatic. "I beg your pardon for our impertinence."

"Yeah, that word," I added.

"All is forgiven!" Rika nodded. "Oh?"

Her eyes then spun like those machines in casinos leaving me in awe as I stood up to get a better look. "Jackpot?!" I exclaimed as her eye iris bounced around and Rudeus looked disgusted. "Uhiha?"

'Uchiha.' Rudeus corrected me in his mind as he pulled me back a little.

"Whoa! What are you two?! How disgusting!" She exclaimed.

"I'm sorry! You buffer?!" I freaked out since I didn't know how we made her suffer.

"I have never seen anything like this before." She laughed and then looked around herself. "What's all this wind magic? It's controlled!" She seemed to watch some go by her ears and she then looked straight at me. "You make it non-stop!"

"Deaf, helps hear me," I explained and she was in awe and then laughed.

'A strange little girl dressed like a succubus just called me disgusting.' Rudeus looked done.

"You gave me a good laugh." She reassured us and I sighed in relief. "Now, I owe you two my life. So, I shall grant you one wish!"

"Eye!" I exclaimed. "I want!"

'SHE WANTS HER EYE?!' Rudeus stared at me shocked.

'Like the Uchiha, they have many eyes! And they can trade them!' I retorted in my mind.

"Brilliant choice!" Rika exclaimed and I grinned.

"...Okay, I'd like fabulous wealth," Rudeus added.

"Fool! Can you see I'm penniless?" Rika asked.

"Okay, then I'd like half the world." Rudeus was just testing what he could get now.

"HALF THE WORLD?!' She yelled. "I'm sorry, I have never conquered the world."

"The princess?" I added since that was the usual award in games. "Sad prize."

"Good prize!" Rudeus retorted. "Yeah, then your body will do."

"Labour?" I mumbled.

Rika looked at me and so did he, they both seemed to agree on something. "I already have a fiance this incarnation." She informed us making Rudeus sigh.

"Conbats." I clapped.

"Thanks!" She hummed.

"So, money, the world and your body are all out, what can you give me?" Rudeus sighed as he fell to his knees in despair.

"Fool!" Rika went backwards and didn't fall. I tried doing the same thing then fell onto my back.

'You good?!' Rudeus's mind yelled.

'Mazing.' I nodded.

"Your sister has it all right! She asked for an eye! And that's what I gift people!" Rika exclaimed.

"Do demon eyes sell for alot of money?" Rudeus asked her.

"THEY DO NOT!" She yelled like that really offended her. I patted her back and she patted my head. "Now don't even think of selling them!"

"Can I have the green?" I asked. "It looks like Laine's!"

"Face." Rika demanded.

"Shoulders, knees and hoes?" I asked.

Rudeus's head flinched towards me. "Toes?" He asked and I nodded then I got attacked by Rika.

"ARGH!!!" I screamed as I felt something going on with my right eye and I could barely see Rika's arm in my face.

"Sorry kid, but you need to stay calm." She pushed me down to the floor and finished it off.

I was rolling all across the floor from the intense pain then I heard Rudeus scream next. I got up to try and help him, but then I saw something in front of me.

I tried to touch it, and it moved away then I controlled my wind magic to see I was actually able to see my mana along with others in the area.

"I can control it really well," I mumbled as it all went around nicely. I was ready to cry since learning to control it so well was such a hard task I knew I could never master it, but being able to see it now completely changed that.

Rudeus tried to wipe my tears, but he missed confusing him. My tears fell when I saw he had a black eye, but his eye also had a ring of gold in it with some red circles on his iris.

"There we go! I commend you two for your gift of food!" Rika slapped her belly. "If you two are ever in need again, don't hesitate to call on me!"

"Thanks for the sight!" I exclaimed.

She nodded then actually jumped away while laughing then coughing until she fell. "She obay!?" I panicked.

'Ceres, let's worry about ourselves.' Rudeus mumbled in his mind. 'She literally stuck her whole arm in your eye socket.'

"...I'm stretchy like Luffy then!" I exclaimed.

"No!" He yelled.

I had to help Rudeus walk as he explained to me in his mind that he has some new foresight ability, so he can see things move before they do. I explained about mine and how now I can see mana and my own, I can control it much easier since seeing it lets me know how much there actually is.

I had my hand over his eye while using ice magic and he gave me a grateful pat on the shoulder since one of his arms was over my shoulder.

"How am I supposed to deal with this thing out of the blue?" Rudeus sighed.

"Me," I answered and he grinned.

"Wait, you are using your magic now?" He asked me since I wasn't before because in this town it just goes flying.

"The wind isn't making it fly around as much, and we are still in alleys," I explained as we were walking through a marketplace that was covered with all kinds of fabric to protect people from the heat.

Someone bumped into me making me nearly knock over Rudeus. "Brother is suffering!" I complained and saw the guy was much taller than me with a scar over his eye and a stupid look on his face.

"Huh? Don't you know how to walk straight, asshole?" He questioned.

"I know how to go deaf, hopefully, it will happen quickly." I hummed.

"Oh, really? How-" Rudeus used wind magic to launch him forward. Rudeus pulled me back as a pot crashed onto the floor right where we were leaving me in shock.

"I'm so sorry! Are you alright?!" A lady from above yelled showing it was her who dropped it.

"Everyone is fine!" I reassured her.

"You b-" The man went to yell then saw why Rudeus did that and we walked past him.

On our way back we ran into the others. "Ceres!" Eris yelled while Ruijerd looked frightened seeing us.

"Panda." I grinned as I pointed at myself.

"What's that?" Eris asked me and I was devastated.

"There are none of those in this world?" I felt ready to cry, and Eris hugged me then Ruijerd patted my head. "I wanted to see one."

Eris was screaming when she saw Rudeus.

I did my best to move my magic away from her, but I wasn't fast enough so I went down after she started screaming causing her to scream even more.

Once Ruijerd shut her up and we went inside Rudeus was patting my eye with a cloth soaked in water as he had explained to Ruijerd what happened to us.

"The Great Emperor of the Demon World? I had no idea she'd resurrected." Ruijerd admitted as he was rubbing at my ears since they were hurt badly from all of the screaming.

"Sister? Crazy hair." I explained my reason as to why I thought she might be his sister, I got weird looks from all of them.

"She isn't, I have never met her before," Ruijerd answered. "Kishirika Kishirisu."

"Yeah, Rika." I nodded.

"They say she conceals 12 demon eyes within her body and can see through anything." He explained, and Eris and I were in awe.

"I can see mana with mine!" I exclaimed and Eris looked amazed by me making me smirk. "It helps me with my control."

"So cool!" Eris squealed.

"What was she doing in the city?" Rudeus asked Ruijerd.

"Who can say?" He shrugged. "How should I know how a Demon Emperor's mind works?"

"I suppose you are right." Rudeus laughed nervously. "I'm sorry, I will stay in my room until I get used to this eye. What about you, Ceres?"

"Practice," I answered as I pointed outside.

"I can help!" Eris added.

I was a little unsure since I don't like using my power on people, but I think I should really get used to it so I accepted.

We did it by the sea, and Eris for some reason has absolute trust in me to use my powers on her without hurting her.

I launched Eris up into the air making me panic, so I sent her towards the sea next. She landed in it and then came to the surface while cheering I think.

"Is she happy or drowning?" I asked Ruijerd since she was out of my range of hearing.

"Happy drowning?" He asked me, and I rushed into the water after her.

She was actually fine she was just celebrating so much that she looked to be drowning.

Chapter Text

A week later, I had much better control and got used to using my eye constantly so I always know where my wind magic is. It was also cool seeing the mana all around the city. It was a natural part of the world and it is always there even though we never see it.

Rudeus was going up against Eris to test out his eye. He doesn't walk into doors anymore, and I laughed at him every time he did since he always did it to me when I messed up my words, but I always felt guilty and helped him out right after.

Rudeus's eye is like mine where we need to focus on our mana to activate it. The more mana he uses, the further he can see in the future and for me it gives me more control and lets me see mana that's further away from me.

I already had an impressive distance where I could see it up to so I thought it wasn't needed.

"Let's see if your new demon eye will help you beat me!" Eris exclaimed. I'm nervous since she was desperate to get a demon eye as well, but she couldn't find Rika so if she loses it will hurt her alot.

I felt something on my head and looked to see Ruijerd patting my head he could tell I was worried. "They will be fine." He reassured me. "Sometimes things you don't like need to happen."

"Eh." I let out a little annoyed.

Eris started to run towards Rudeus. 'Slash from the right!' Rudeus's mind yelled and she did exactly that and he dodged it perfectly.

She tried again, but Rudeus was able to hit the hilt of her sword making her drop it and she fell to her knees confusing me.

'Here it comes!' Rudeus thought. 'She will pretend to be beaten and throw sand in my eyes!'

She did exactly that, and he blocked the sand with his arm and ran towards her.

'Headbutt?' I asked in my mind.

'Yep!' Rudeus answered as she went to headbutt his chest, but he jumped over her like leapfrog. Eris landed on the ground so he took the chance to sit on top of her and pin her down.

"That's enough," Ruijerd spoke up.

Rudeus grinned and stood up. "Yes!" He exclaimed so happily making me smile, but I could tell Eris was really hurt.

"Rudeus, I lost completely." Eris put on a fake smile and held out her hand to him.

"Eris." He grinned then took her hand and she tried to punch him, but he took her hand he had a hold of and put it behind her back then wrapped his other arm around her neck.

"Stop!" I exclaimed as I saw Eris was ready to cry and Rudeus immediately let go when he heard my cry.

"I'm going home!" Eris ran off.

"You fought well." Ruijerd informed him. "I knew a Superd warrior with a demon eye, but he died before he mastered it. Learning to control it in one week is exceptional, well done you two."

'Ceres, why aren't you happy? Do you know why Eris was upset?' Rudeus asked me in his mind.

'She's hurt.' I explained in my mind as well since the wind was annoying here. 'Think of me and my legs. I tried to walk, but all my effort was useless. She wants to protect us so if you can beat her so easily even after she had put in so much work, how do you think she feels?'

Rudeus gasped then frowned and I patted his back. "Hood job! Really cool to watch!" I praised him since he still deserved it for his efforts.

I ran after Eris and I heard Rudeus challenge Ruijerd to a fight, he might die.

I slammed the door open to our room and Eris stared at me. "Eris, strong," I informed her as I filled the entire room with wind magic.

"How?!" She hissed.

I showed her my wrist then I broke something with my wind magic making her flinch.

"Strong, you can endure! Magic is my only weapon, so I find you amazing!" I admitted and she then hugged me.

"I want to catch up to you two," Eris admitted.

"Different growth..." I informed her. "The longer something takes can make things more beautiful or strong! Like Jump King! So angry, but good!"

"You really are wise." She grinned.

'I learned everything from games.' I admitted in my mind as I laughed nervously.

Those two came back soon after and as expected Rudeus got beaten badly. "Rude stupid," I stated, and he patted my head and smiled.

That night, I was pissed off.

Of course, I could hear Rudeus's thoughts, but I could also tell he was going to do something stupid just by that stupid expression on his face I saw as he wished me goodnight.

"Why is he self-sacrificing?" I hissed. "And without telling me at least."

I pretended to be asleep as he had a whole monologue since he talked to Eris about how they both felt. I felt a little sad since she still didn't want to get left behind by us, but magic and sword fighting is very different.

Magic you see improvement instantly while swordsmanship feels like it takes more effort, that's why I feel she is stronger than me.

Rudeus was annoyed that he was focusing on powering himself up. 'I need to take Eris and Ceres home. I can never forget that time she broke down and admitted she missed our family, our safe home...did she ever have a safe place? That hospital might seem safe, but what it could have done to her mentally that we both don't know about yet...I need to get them home.'

Rudeus got up and got changed, but he also couldn't detect my mana and as soon as he left I got up. I wrapped my cloak around myself since it was my blanket and followed him outside.

I followed him as I saw him make his way towards the market place I was instantly pissed. 'This is for the best. I'm sure Ceres gonna scre-' Rudeus went to think.

"Stupid!" I yelled making Rudeus flinch. "Of course, I will scream at you!"

"It's late. Where are you going?" Ruijerd questioned him as he walked around the building we were sleeping in.

Rudeus gave us a nervous smile. "Oh, just visiting a brothel." He lied.

"You said you have Eris, so no broth." I retorted.

"Do you need your staff to bed-" Ruijerd stared at me. "You know what I mean."

"Um...I'm going to try-" Rudeus stared at me.

"What?" I asked confused as to why they kept cutting themselves off like that.

"Are you going to sell it?" Ruijerd asked Rudeus.

"Well..." Rudeus let out.

"Then sell mine!" I exclaimed, and Ruijerd shook his head at me.

"No!" Rudeus exclaimed. "You need that to help you hear!"

"Big hearing aid can die." I shrugged.

"Those staffs mean alot to you both, don't they?" Ruijerd asked us as he looked at the necklace Rudeus gave him and then at my bracelet. "Just like these."

"It's a gift." I nodded.

"Eris gave us these staffs, they were made just for us." Rudeus nodded.

"Would you sell this necklace in the same circumstances?" Ruijerd asked him.

"If necessary." Rudeus nodded.

"Have I..." Ruijerd looked angry confusing us. "Have I still not earned your trust?"

"I do trust you!" Rudeus exclaimed.

"Me two!" I held up my hand.

"I'd like to think that, in the year since I met you, I have learned something about how the world works now," Ruijerd admitted. "I have learned how much the Superd are hated, and that we are charged an impossible sum in fees as a result."

I sensed someone with my wind magic, and I focused on gathering my wind magic slowly making it build up, so I could restrict the person.

They seem to be listening in, and I don't like the feel of them. They also heard that Ruijerd is a Superd and that could spell trouble again.

"But despite that, you are trying to cross the sea with me. That's why I wanted to work through this problem with you. So, why?! What are you trying to do everything yourself?!" Ruijerd exclaimed.

"I don't have a choice. It's been a week, and we haven't found any leads." Rudeus smiled nervously. I pinned that guy to a wall and restricted all of his movements. "The only options I can think of are selling my staff or stowing away. But you see stowing away and smuggling as evil, right? Ceres wouldn't like it either."

"Even if it works, there's no point if it hurts you two," Rudeus explained. "I will sell-"

"Noooo!" I yelled. "Rui, can we? I know it feels bad, but this will hurt Rudy and Eris more than anything!"

"Yeah, I'm okay with it." Ruijerd patted my head. "This problem is my fault as well. My pride won't allow you to solve it by selling your staff! And Ceres is right about how much this would hurt Eris and you would be in much more pain to."

"So we suffer, but we will go home!" I exclaimed.

"So, look for your smugglers, Rudeus," Ruijerd demanded. "I will follow you, that's the end of the discussion."

"Speaking to each other from the heart is hard work, isn't it?" Ruijerd smirked.

"When no one listens to you..." I pouted and Rudeus laughed nervously.

"Who is there?!" Ruijerd yelled when the man I had pinned moved a little.

"Oh, him?" I let confusing them. I slammed the man to the floor using the wind magic I used to restrain him with.

They both looked at me, and Rudeus was shocked while Ruijerd patted my head. I smirked and put my hands on my waist since I did a good job.

"I did good!" I exclaimed.

"Ceres! He suffered!" Rudeus pointed out.

"He's the man who pushed you and also heard Ruijerd is a Superd." I retorted, and Rudeus looked down at him and did recognise him.

It was to dark for me to actually recognise the guy. I only tied him up since if it got out that we wanted to do something bad like smuggling we would suffer, so they can suffer for a quick second.

Rudeus said some people like being tied up and the guy didn't resist much, so he must like it.

I let the guy speak. "I don't know how you are doing this, but can you let me go?" He asked.

"No." I rejected.

"I'm not here to fight. I have been looking for you to two-" I closed his mouth back up with my wind magic.

"Ceres, let's listen to him," Rudeus asked of me.

"Oh yeah, he can't do our thing," I mumbled and let him talk again.

"Well, I wanted to say thanks." He sighed. "You helped me the other day."

"Oh, the guy from the other day," Rudeus mumbled. "Don't you have a twin?"

"Rudy that was your eye." I reminded him, and he let out an oh sound.

'I should have that done when Eris was around, seeing two of her.' Rudeus grinned at his imagination that I'm glad I can't see.

"Name is Gallus Cleaner," Gallus informed us while stroking his tiny beard after I had left him go since Ruijerd had him in range now. "Nice to meetcha kids."

"Shady, so much shade," I mumbled kind of impressed that someone can look even more dodgy than Man-God.

Rudeus got a deal for us in place.

I felt sorry for Ruijerd as they had to tie him up and put a sack over his head while they took him on a small boat to the much bigger one to be smuggled on.

"Fish stink." I sniffed the air as I stared at the shady guy.

"He is fishy, but we agreed to liberate certain smuggled goods once we reach Zant Port." Rudeus reminded me. "Are you okay with this still?"

"Have to." I nodded. "But we are alive, so I'm o-DIND!"

Eris looked at me confused, the wind had taken my wind magic away again that I wasn't controlling at the moment. The wind is usually calm then decides to kidnap all my magic, it's so rude like Rude.

'Stop using it for now.' Rudeus patted my head.

The next day, we got on a ship normally, and I was loving it. My wind magic was useless again, but the speed we were going at was amazing.

Eris was leaning off the ship making Rudeus pull her back. 'Where is Ce- GET DOWN FROM THERE!' Rudeus noticed I was up on the mast of the ship at the very top.

I was standing on it like I had great balance, but I was having my wind magic circle around me making a mini tornado to keep me floating up there.

'Pirates! Kraken! Giant squids! Treasure!' I spun around in excitement as I cheered those winds in my mind.

'I rather be washed up with my love interest and start our life together!' Rudeus retorted and that sounds lame. 'We would connect eyes, our pass-!'

Eris puked up concerning me and I launched a bucket over to them that Rudeus caught and he handed it to her.

I went down to check on her, but she was puking for ten minutes horrifying and amazing me.

I was shaking and crying since I think she was also crying during it. 'She's fine.' Rudeus reassured me as we got her to lie down and he used healing magic on her.

Eris said something and I watched her lips. "DIE!" I panicked.

'Why were you able to lip-read that word?' Rudeus sighed then panicked as I was crying even more. 'She won't! She's dramatic like you!'

"Drama queen!" I nodded. Eris hugged me as I used healing magic on her this time to practice saying the words myself without hearing, but I still suck.

'You slur like a drunk pirate.' Rudeus informed me. I grinned brightly from the compliment then shook making Eris start to heave and we both screamed.

She didn't puke up on us or for the rest of the trip. We soon arrived, and I used wind magic to carry Eris while I sat on top of my staff and floated along it amazed the people around us.

It's covered up with a cloth, so people don't see it's shiny and expensive since if they did they would turn into Rudeus with something girls have. I can't remember what he said it was since he was rambling so quickly about stealing something from Roxy ages ago.

I used wind magic as we were staying in some run-down home with other people who didn't look well off. "I'm never getting on a ship again." Eris hissed, and I patted her head to comfort her.

"We will have to take another one from the Millis Continent to the Central Continent," Rudeus informed her.

"Will you keep casting healing on me the whole time again when we do?" She asked him.

"Alright, I will." Rudeus nodded as I went outside because I saw something shiny.

"New stone!" I exclaimed as I found one that looked really shiny compared to the others I had seen. "You have sharper edges and a deep yellow colour! Like his eyes!"

'I wish you wouldn't say things that get my hopes up so much.' Rudeus sighed in his mind as he came out of the house.

'You met Ted?' I asked and he looked at me confused.

'No, Eris said something, but I do need to meet him.' He grinned.

"Nah!" I ran off annoying him and he went running past me while screaming for some reason.

I apologised to the people he ran past since it looked like his running and screaming made them suffer from the expression on their faces. They apologised right back to me about him being my brother confusing me.

'CAN YOU STOP?!' Rudeus yelled in his mind confusing me even more as he looked really sad.

"Good bro." I patted his arm and he hugged me.

Chapter Text

We went to go pick up Ruijerd and the place we went to was a small hut in the outskirts of the city.

I looked back at the view of the city to see it wasn't as grand as the other ones we have been, even the people here look miserable. 'So even other places in the world can be quite miserable, and they even have smuggies here.' I thought.

My foot hit something, and I looked down to see Rudeus laughing hysterically. 'Smuggies!' He cried from how much he was laughing and I cried with him. 'That's too good! Sorry!' He got up and wiped my tears.

'Horn dog.' I glared at him and used that nickname since he hated it. '...Sorry.'

Rudeus patted my head then took my hand and we carried on walking and arrived at the hut.

Rudeus knocked, and it was answered by a shady smug man. He let us in and then opened up a trapdoor that was in the middle of the room.

We were both a little unnerved by how dark it was down there. The man silently led the way with a candle in hand, and I held onto my staff so he wouldn't get suspicious of it and so I could make sure it helped me produce more wind magic.

I filled the entire place with wind magic and it went quite far.

'There are many people here, talking about pain and ass and then hemorrhoid slimes.' I informed Rudeus in my mind. He was confused until we went by someone who laughed about offing someone who was a pain in the ass by using hemorrhoid slimes. 'Off?'

'I don't think that's the concerning part.' Rudeus looked unsure when I looked at him. 'Offed means to kill.' He explained, and I froze for a second but kept walking when the man leading the way looked back at us.

'They are bad people.' I groaned then I brightened up seeing a huge white dog, but it's locked away in a prison with a magic circle under it and two men were outside guarding it.

"Hey, what are you staring at?!" One of them yelled.

"Not you obviously," I answered and Rudeus pulled me along.

"Sorry about my sister!" Rudeus apologised.

"People said they felt sorry for me for having a brother like you." I reminded him. "But that's stupid, so they should shush their bush."

'Nice try rhyming.' Rudeus praised me in his mind, and I smirked.

He took my hand in his when I froze and he was a little confused, but I could hear far ahead of us.

A girl was crying hysterically, and I could hear some breathing stiffen meaning it was Ruijerd, he could hear the crying to.

I tried to rush forward, but Rudeus didn't let me.

We carried on and soon heard the crying more loudly then I got grabbed by my cloak making me pause as the screaming was right by my ear. I turned to see a little girl my age with cat ears.

Her eyes were begging me to save her then she got stabbed in the back by a man behind her making my blood go cold and the girl let go of me.

I let go of Rudeus and grabbed onto her hand, but she wasn't making any more sound.

Rudeus snatched my hand away and pulled me along before I did something stupid. 'Rudy, I can't handle this.' I admitted as my grip on his hand tightened and I was crying so much. I tried to keep my sounds in, but my tears were flowing non-stop.

'I didn't think it would be like this...' I admitted.

"Here he is." The man stopped in front of the last prison cell, I felt so much better seeing Ruijerd.

"Great job, Ruijerd. I will get you free in no time." Rudeus reassured him.

"Rudeus, Ceres, listen to me." Ruijerd whispered as we were close enough to hear him. "There are captive beast children here, five of them. There were six, but one child was killed for crying too loudly."

"My wind magic is everywhere," I informed them. "I will knock out all the guards. I just need to see them."

"No kill them all." Ruijerd retorted sending a shiver down my spine. "They murder children."

"I can't do that," I admitted and Rudeus was the same.

"What are you doing?! Take him and get out already." The guy who led us here complained.

'What should I do? I'd prefer to settle this peacefully.' Rudeus admitted, and we looked at each other and knew that wasn't an option. 'I can't make Ruijerd do this if word gets out, it will hurt the Superd's reputation again.'

'No, he's killing to save children...I know it's bad to kill, but they did the same thing to a defenceless girl.' I felt so much anger bubbling up inside of me.

Over time my fear and sadness for things like this has lessened, but it was only replaced with anger. 'That girl was the exact same as me, even if she was from another race. They won't live if we don't help them like you tried to do for me in our past life.' I explained.

Rudeus' eyes widened as the man yelled at us to hurry up again.

"Rudeus, Ceres," Ruijerd spoke up. "Relax, you two don't need to get your hands dirty."

"No, I will do it." Rudeus retorted and I smacked his head.

"You would suffer," I informed him. "Rui has done this before. You are my brother."

Rudeus seemed a little surprised that I won't let him do it and Ruijerd broke out of his restraints. "Ceres, I agree that family is most precious." Ruijerd smiled at me and patted my head. "Now, how many are there?"

"Twelve," I answered. "The one who killed the girl was chubby with a scar across his face. You can't mistake him."

Ruijerd walked out of the prison cell and the guy was just kind of laughing. "Don't tell me you are a real Superd?" He backed up and then got Ruijerd's spear to the neck.

I looked away as did Rudeus when we heard him get killed.

I pointed out the way for Ruijerd to go and make all the men follow him, so we could go get the children out of here safely while he took care of them.

We went to the children's cell to see them all alone huddled together over their friend's dead body. "We are here to help you," Rudeus informed them as they flinched when they looked at us.

He went in first and one of them started to hiss at him and he was unsure of what to do while I had an idea.

"You all look adorable!" I exclaimed. "I mean here to save bu!" I went down onto my knees and confused Rudeus. "How do cat sh-" I paused and rolled onto my back like a cat that wants belly rubs. "No harm!"

Rudeus was confused, but they weren't hostile anymore and he put down his staff. "It really is alright now, we are here to save you." He reassured them.

"May I see your friend?" I asked as I sat up.

They moved and I checked the girl, but she was most definitely dead so I put the cloth from her body over her entire body. "Sorry." I apologised as some tears fell. "Again?"

"Smells nice." One of the cats hugged me, and I cried even more, so they hugged me tighter.

'She is a pure soul.' Rudeus thought. 'Then there's me.'

We healed the girls, and Rudeus was laughing maniacally in his mind while he did it.

They all got scared when they heard someone coming closer. "It's Rui, a friend," I reassured them. "The bad ones are dead."

"Are you su-" Rudeus went to ask.

"I heard everything, their last words, cries for help," I explained and he froze. "Let's leave. Rui is here."

"I'm done," Ruijerd informed us as he got into view.

"We just finished healing them all, although we can't help the child who died," Rudeus explained. Ruijerd came into the cell and the children hissed at him but paused when he bent down in front of their dead friend.

"I'm sorry I couldn't save you." Ruijerd apologised.

"Beast people?" I touched the ears of one. "Like Ghis."

"Those fiends kidnapped these children and...despicable." Ruijerd hissed.

"Can you understand me?" Rudeus asked them in Beast God language, and they were in awe.

"I forget to speak that language!" I yelled in Beast God language shocking them. "Sorry, you must have been so confused! I scared you all!"

"You didn't." One patted my head and the rest joined in making me grin.

"Follow us. We will take you as far as the nearest city." Rudeus informed them and they grinned.

I held the hands of two of them as we walked them out. They were amazed by my staff floating around us, and I explained to them before we went out about my hearing and how I would be deaf out there.

They loved my ears for some reason afterwards even though they have way better ears than me.

Rudeus was leading the group while I was in the middle being surrounded by the beast children like I'm supposed to be protected. 'She's living the dream many want.' Rudeus was jealous of me.

Ruijerd was in the back carrying the body of the girl who died.

Rudeus then froze for some reason and turned around. 'SHE SCREAMED MEOW!' He looked at one of the girls shocked.

She seemed to be panicking concerning me. 'MEOW! SHE MEOWED!' Rudeus yelled in his mind so he wasn't helping me to understand the situation.

"Prob what?!" I yelled as the other beast children started to murmur then one yelled at Ruijerd.

I looked at their ears for a second then paused. "THE DOG!" I exclaimed. All of the beast children pointed to me showing they were talking about the dog.

'Rude, dog.' I looked at him and he laughed. 'The dog, the dog.'

I jumped every time I said that in my mind and he laughed as he saw how desperate I was to go help it.

"We will go back for it." He told the girls and signed to me. They started to copy him since they didn't know what sign language was.

Ruijerd patted my head making me look at him. He moved the body closer to his own body, so he was able to sign the word careful making me grin.

"Will do!" I nodded and went back with Rudeus.

The wind magic I still had there sent me the sounds of the dog whining making me run in and Rudeus chased after me.

"Fluffy!" I smashed into the cell door.

"Ceres!" Rudeus pulled me back up and healed me.

I think something did break on impact, but I don't know what. I'm not gonna try and find out since I would start to feel the pain and that would only worry Rudeus more.

"I know you broke something that's the expression you always make when you have a secret." Rudeus sighed.

"I have an expression for that?!" I panicked.

I broke the door down with my wind magic and ran in and got knocked to the ground by something invisible. "I think I like the floor..."

"A barrier, huh?" Rudeus helped me up. "That's not too surprising."

We looked around the area to see some weird pattern of what should be lights on the ceiling, but they have crystals in them so we destroyed one each with wind and water magic.

The magic circle disappeared and the dog looked happy.

"Huh, that was pretty easy," Rudeus commented as I copied the dog and stretched as it did.

"Morn!" I exclaimed to the dog when it looked at me then I was taken down by it and I would happily let a bone break at this moment. 'Kill me even! Death by Fluff!'

"No!" Rudeus yelled.

"Join us! One of us!" I pulled his foot making him fall and the dog went after him next. "Yeah go my fur ball! Use...death licks!"

"Stop, doggy. I have got a wife and a husband-" Rudeus laughed as it licked his face.

"YOU DO?!" I freaked out and teared up making him panic and the dog whined. "You didn't tell me."

"I don't!" He yelled. "Now help me give this good boy belly rubs!"

I helped him until I heard someone running down the hallway, so quickly so I ran over to attack them first.

I went out to see the man stomping down the hall and he looked serious. "Who?" I asked the man then I noticed his ears. "Are you re-!"

He opened his mouth and some sound came out. I heard it all at once for a second, it was so much more louder and powerful than anything I had heard before like it had mana in it.

I cried out and collapsed.

I couldn't move or think all I saw was Rudeus reaching out for me while yelling I think.

I blacked out from the pain it caused me.

And once I was awake I was being tortured by Rudeus.

'Hello there. I'm Rudeus, a former jobless bum. I'm here today in the free apartment everyone's talking about. There are zero deposits or fees.' Rudeus thought for the 500th time, so he doesn't go insane but if he says it again I will go insane.

I was admiring the area once again. I woke up here in a little prison within a huge jungle and there were many beast people around. They live in houses up in the trees, it's like a tree house city exciting me.

Whenever I looked down below, they would glare at me, but now they wave at me and I quite liked it.

I don't know what my crime is, but Rudeus said his crime was stroking the dog too much.

When I first woke up, I was kind of scared, but Rudeus reassured me he was nearby using our weird telepathy thing. So I calmed down and actually got really excited since I had never been in a jungle before.

I noticed a beast girl was trying to reach for some fruit again, and I used my wind magic to help cut it down. Since I got bored, I made use of their laundry they hung to dry to work on my control of wind magic.

It helped me with distance and how powerful I can make the wind by controlling it.

I was used to being on my own and looking at people from my window at the hospital, but here everyone is so happy and even smiles at me, it's so nice.

'Ceres, I'm still naked.' Rudeus complained in his mind.

'Weird, they gave me clothes a couple of days ago and let me choose what I wanted.' I hummed.

'Why do they like you?' He complained. 'You do smile at everyone. You're nice, and you are never rude then I was told I have a lewd face and I get punched for- I get it now.'

'Because I'm not Rude?' I asked if that was what he meant.

Rudeus was silent. 'Why am I not getting an apology?' He asked me.

'Because you are Rude, my brother.' I answered. He let out an oh sound in his mind since he understood I didn't actually call him rude but by his nickname.

'Anyway, how is your hearing?' He asked me.

'You have asked like fifty times now...I'm fine, but I still flinch whenever they are close and open their mouths.' I informed him.

I flinch because when I first woke up here I thought that I went fully deaf from the sound attack that knocked me out. I just needed to heal my ears, but it was so scary.

I just cover my ears with my hands whenever they come to near now.

I think they know I'm deaf to, or maybe they think I don't like their voices. I hope it's not the last one, or I will need to apologise to alot of people.

They make weird motions at me like right now, someone has brought me my food again. "Thanks," I told them in Beast God language.

They flinched and then grinned at me as I ate my food in the farthest part of the prison.

Chapter Text

It took some more days before Rudeus went mad again thinking Eris and Ruijerd abandoned us.

'How could you think that?!' I complained in my mind. 'We are very far away from the last place, my magic hasn't found an end to the jungle yet.' I informed Rudeus.

It has gone quite far out, even Orsted told me he was quite far away the first time we talked so my magic has a good distance range for hearing, but not for controlling.

'HUMAN!' Rudeus yelled one day making me fall out of my bed and I whined. 'Wait, I might have scared...'

'You did.' I informed him.

'Sorry.' He apologised.

'So who is with you?' I asked. 'A weird guy? So another you.'

'Yes, I am the weird free guy. I am greeting him with everything on show.' He answered confusing me a little. 'He's in awe!'

'Of?' I asked.

'Nothing.' Rudeus answered.

"Eh?" I let out confused.

'I'm gonna bully him.' Rudeus informed me.

"Huh! Bad Rude!" I yelled making everyone look at me. "No bully! Friend!"

'Heard you, so you're over there.' Rudeus hummed.

'Yeah, your three trees down the direction of where the sun rises from.' I informed him.

'...My sister is smart.' He thought and I shook shaking the prison with me. 'I won't bully the guy. He was cheating at a game of dice and got thrown in here, not naked.'

'Did you want him to be naked?' I asked.

I saw everyone down below start to send angry looks towards the direction Rudeus was in. 'Woah, they might think of you as a Goddess. They just got angry that I yelled in your direction.' He informed me.

'But how does that equal to Goddess?' I asked.

'Because this is how I would react for my Goddess.' He stated proudly. 'Also, the guy told me people are saying I attacked the sacred beast as I mean the dog. They thought you were my accomplice, and they still do, but they are talking about how you potentially might have tried to stop me. They will let you go soon.'

'If that does happen, I will try to explain to them the situation...how do I make you not sound horn? They don't seem to like horn people like you.' I asked.

'No clue!' He answered. 'Also, my new friend is called Geese.'

"DUCK!" I yelled from my prison.

'WHO IS SHOWING YOU THAT?!' Rudeus freaked out.

'...Duck?' I asked in my mind.

'You screamed something else that I have proudly on show.' He informed me.

'Oh, so it's close to duck.' I thought as he started to plead with me to not think about that anymore.

That night, I was relaxing in my bed until I heard something from the wind magic I used earlier. "Fire!" I exclaimed when I recognised the sound of burning.

I yelled to the lady who was guarding my prison cell that there was a fire. She looked unsure until some people came running along reporting to her about the fire spreading and they all left together.

'Rude, fire! There's a fire!' I informed him in my mind. I looked down below to see a raging fire that was quickly spreading lighting up the whole jungle.

'OH, SH- I MEAN SHOOT!' Rudeus was panicking about not swearing for some reason. I lived in a hospital I heard it all the time there.

I then heard the sound of metal clashing. 'They are being attacked!' I told him as I used my wind magic on the lock of my prison door. I pushed the door open and ran out and found all my stuff nearby.

I put on all of my normal clothes along with the cloak I so dearly missed. I had my staff floating around me as I ran across the bridge that connected to the rest of the town.

'Where are you?!' Rudeus yelled to me in his mind in a frenzy.

'I escaped! I'm guessing you did to! I'm gonna help fight!' I informed him.

'But why?! We need to escape.' He retorted.

'They aren't fighters! They were living their life happily! I watched! I can't let such a happy thing die just because of some greedy people!' I explained as I jumped off the bridge down below.

I used my wind magic to make me float a little so there was no impact on my body when I landed. I used the wind magic that helped me land to hit the ground around me sending the wind out and making people go flying.

There were humans with swords to the beast people's necks, but not anymore after my attack.

"Go that way!" I pointed out where the fire hadn't reached and wouldn't be able to reach since I wouldn't allow it.

The beast people looked unsure then went that way after I made a wall of stone on either side of them to keep the humans away who went to grab them again.

They ran down there, and my feet got stuck in mud quite soon after confusing me. "Sorry, Ceres!" Rudeus yelled.

"Oh, so you're his sister!" A man exclaimed, and I went to attack him and he went to scream.

"Ceres, he's my friend!" Rudeus informed me.

"Oh, the duck! Dick! That's what I yelled instead of duck!" I exclaimed and the guy was confused as he was on his ass.

"Dammit!" Rudeus screeched that I figured it out.

I shivered as I helped since all of this was absolutely frightening to me. But to them, I'm like how Ruijerd was for me so I need to help them since there is no one else who can.

"Can you make cold air?!" Rudeus pointed up at the sky.

"Who do you think I am?!" I pouted.

"My skilled little sister!" Rudeus bragged. "That's why I asking you to do."

"Okay!" I shook as I held up my hands to the sky. I used my eye to help me see and gather up all the wind magic I had made so far wowing Geese and even Rudeus.

He used the water in the air, and I used the wind to make a powerful storm that sent down heavy rain that put out the fires.

The sound of the fire was gone, but all I could hear now was crying and screaming. "They have mages kill them!" Some people yelled, and one came for me with a machete as a weapon.

"I won't let ya lay a finger on the boss! Or his sis!" Geese drew his sword.

'Not good, should I retreat?' Rudeus thought as we saw four people running our way, but I heard the sound of something falling from a tree.

It was the beastman who knocked us out.

"I don't know who you are, but thank you!" He exclaimed in Beast God language.

"Ran like Naruto!" I exclaimed as I was bewildered at the guy.

"He did." Rudeus groaned.

"You!" The beastman yelled when he recognised us. "We will talk later!"

"Yes, sensei!" I exclaimed confusing him.

I was just scared that he would use that voice attack again and he's really cool too.

I was amazed as he took down the men easily without even needing a sword. He stole one of their swords and took down the last person. "Now I can smell again, you are no match for me!" He exclaimed and then saw me clapping while I was in awe.

'He's cool!' Rudeus thought and I nodded frantically at him.

"I will take our children back, will you help me?" The beast man asked us.

"Yes!" I exclaimed. "I know what's it like to be taken from your home!"

"Yes, sir!" Rudeus added.

"They are that way!" I pointed out as the beast-man was sniffing the air. He paused and then looked in the direction I pointed in.

"You are right." He nodded and we went with him.

"They have about twenty!" I tried my best to listen in, but it was hard with all of the crying.

Rudeus healed my ears on the way just in case they might be damaged.

He then slammed his hand to the ground making it turn into mud in front of us as we came across the enemy and their carts they were loading the children onto.

The carts were stuck in the mud now, so they were made useless.

I held out my hand and my wind magic came from my staff and knocked off all the humans who were on the cart.

I then launched myself over and landed on it.

I went to heal the children since some might not be in the condition to run. The humans got back up to attack me, but the beast man killed them all before they could reach me. "Are you safe?" He asked of one of the children.

"Yeah, thank you." She cried and I wiped her tears as she held onto my cloak.

"I'm glad you are all safe!" Rudeus exclaimed when he caught up to us.

"They took the village children!" The beast-man yelled.

"Behind!" I pointed out behind Rudeus and Geese.

"Give it a rest," Gallus asked of us as we all turned to him with our guard up.

"So, it's you. I thought so." Rudeus groaned.

"What are you doing on their side, Kennel Master?" He asked. "I know your sister is too naive. The red-haired brat and the fake Superd did such a good job distracting the beast warriors."

"I thought they were taking too long." Rudeus sighed. "So, something really did go wrong."

"Did you use us?" I asked.

Gallus clapped. "But I say it's more of a deal, we brought you all across the sea."

"But you didn't speak of this." I retorted. "I would have rejected."

"I know, but I didn't expect you all to be able to set those children free." Gallus showed us he had a hostage and put a sword to her neck. "You were a decoy to draw the Doldias' attention."

"I suppose so." Rudeus fidgeted nervously. "Well, I did think that there had to be more to it."

"Come on, Kennel Master, join us." Gallus offered. "You want your sister to live, right? And beast brats fetch a hefty price."

I heard the sound of breathing behind the tree that was to Gallus's back.

I was gathering my wind magic as I generated more, but he was still to far away for my control to be perfect and I didn't want to risk that girl's life. "Some nobles with weird tastes buy 'em up," Gallus informed me making me lose my focus.

'It couldn't be... could it?' Rudeus thought and I gasped shocked by that.

'That's how Philip got them!' I exclaimed in my mind.

"No, thank you," Rudeus answered.

"Is Dead End trying to play the hero?" Gallus asked. I heard more breathing from another tree. The Beast men were very calm but were waiting for an opportunity to attack him.

"I'd like it to look that way," Rudeus smirked.

"Well, that's the wrong choice!" Gallus held up his sword.

I went to use my wind magic to blow his sword out of his hand, but I got pushed back by the Beast man with us who rushed in to go save the girl.

Gallus threw the girl to him, and he caught her while the other two beast men who were hiding ran in. I couldn't help them as they got slashed up by Gallus.

Gallus went for the girl next and the beast man threw her and got cut deep in his chest and rolled on the floor in pain.

I caught the girl with some of my wind magic and moved her my way until. "Ah!" I yelled as I felt a pain in my shoulder and I looked back to see an arrow in it.

"I know your powers, little girl." Gallus laughed as my wind magic spread out everywhere from my panic and he grabbed the girl by her hair. "You said you needed to focus, but you can't focus when you're in pain so your wind magic is useless against me."

Rudeus was next to me as he was looking at my back scared seeing the arrow in it and he was hesitant to pull it out. 'Don't, it will hurt me more.' I shook my head at him, and he nodded.

He ruffled my hair as I was trembling.

"This guy is bad news!" Geese yelled. "That's North God Style!"

"You know your stuff, monkey man." Gallus praised him. "I'm a North Saint, Gallus the cleaner..."

"Of toilets?" I asked confused by the name.

He just stared at me and then sighed. "Now come at me, Kennel Master! Or did that give you cold feet? Are you so spineless that you'd let me go?"

Gallus slowly came towards the cart we were on and I was focusing on my wind magic again then I heard an arrow. I expected they would shoot another at me. I had two walls of wind magic run in together catching the arrow and crushing it amazing Rudeus.

"...Dog is coming," I whispered to Rudeus.

We both waited for it to come closer as Gallus was laughing that we were doing nothing.

Geese looked nervous and I felt horrible as the girl cried in pain with every step Gallus took towards us.

The dog finally jumped out and attacked Gallus from behind. He turned but the dog bit into his arm. "Why?!" He yelled.

Rudeus sent a ball of wind at Gallus making him go flying and let go of the little girl.

Geese caught her and Rudeus and I jumped off the cart and went towards Gallus, so he wouldn't go near the children and gain another hostage.

The dog came over to us and I tried to hug it, but my arm wouldn't let me do that. "Ceres you will tear your muscle!" Rudeus yelled.

"But it needs hugs! I want the hugs!" I whined.

He patted my head seeing I'm beyond overwhelmed right now and I just wanted any type of comfort. I'm doing my best not to break down crying, but this is so scary.

"Asshole! You just crossed a line!" Gallus yelled.

"You kidnapped children!" I shouted as Geese came over to us.

'There's no backing down now.' Rudeus held a hand over his heart and even I could hear his heartbeat and it was fast like mine. 'I need to see this through! Ceres needs that arrow out, I need to do everything carefully!'

Chapter Text

"Gallus, I'm sorry." Rudeus pointed his staff at him. "But I can't let Dead End be a villain."

"You're a real pain in the ass." He groaned then ran towards us.

The dog barked and went after him. I used my demon eye to check all my mana and found little bits left I couldn't find by feeling alone and gathered it all together.

Rudeus attacked first sending in small attacks to knock him back or stop his advance towards us. Gallus dodged the dog and made his way towards us. I sent wind at the floor below us as I grabbed Rudeus' arm and we went far back.

'I can see him! We can win!' Rudeus reassured me.

'I can attack from any direction!' I informed him.

We both made rocks come up from the ground to protect us and make him lose sight of us.

I went high above using wind magic leaving Rudeus down below. Gallus didn't notice where I was then I heard a scream.

I saw Rudeus had a dagger in his leg, and Gallus went for Rudeus while he was distracted. "Ha take-!" Gallus yelled.

"You dare!" I screamed as I went down using my wind magic again to launch me. I made fire come from my hand as I grabbed onto his face then released a ton of fire making him scream.

The dog bit onto his sword as he swung it at me to keep me safe.

I fell towards the ground then launched myself and moved back using wind magic so I was not in his range. I saw Gallus breathing heavily and his face was badly burnt.

"Get out of my way!" Gallus got out another sword and sliced at the dog that let go of the other sword just in time to dodge, and I was near to the ground.

I could have protected myself from my fall, but I saw a chance for another attack. I launched Gallus up into the air in time for Geese to throw dirt in his face and he took longer to land than us.

When he did land Rudeus had already made a giant spell of fire as a huge explosion. I covered my ears, but a lot of the sound still reached me.

I was whining from the pain and my back felt even worse since how I landed made the arrow go deeper in and snap some of it off.

'I'm so sorry!' Rudeus's hands were on my head as he did his best to heal me. 'I did that spell without thinking I should have used earth magic!'

I grabbed onto his hand. "Fine," I reassured him with a bad smile as I struggled to roll over and then sit up.

Rudeus hugged my head as my ears felt perfectly fine but my back felt like it was on fire. I felt exhausted and he looked it to. That was the most frightening thing we have probably ever done.

Rudeus's chest was moving a lot from how frantic his breathing was.

I closed my eyes then they went wide open when with the last of my wind magic I heard someone. I opened my eyes and then looked over his shoulder to see Gallus behind Rudeus who looked confused as to why I moved so quickly.

Gallus swung down his sword at us and I pulled Rudeus's head to my chest and out of pure instinct. I launched all my wind magic at him as a drawing of a circle. He slammed into a tree and as he fell I saw his limbs had nearly been cut off from his body.

He was still alive, but there was so much blood.

I was in shock, and I felt Rudeus go limp and I saw he had fainted. I let out more wind magic to make sure we don't get snuck up on again.

I was on high alert so frightened that we could get attacked again.

I looked back at Gallus not knowing what suffering I could have really caused or if I caused any at all. 'Rui made it a big deal with killing others...I didn't but...I might have taken away his ability to walk...to even live.' I thought. 'He attacked Rudeus. I feel like this is the right thing to do, he hurt me and those children.'

'I'm so horrible...Rui might even hate me...' I thought.

"Hey, you-" Geese paused as I broke down crying. "Why are you crying?!"

"I wanna go home!" I wailed loudly. "I miss Rui! It was hard being on my own again! Eris! Zenith! Paul!...Ted?" I sniffed wanting to be far away from here, to go home or talk with Ted since he would listen to me and know what to do.

The dog started to lick my face so I hugged it the best I could, so I could have some kind of comfort. "Thank you." The beast-man bowed to me with his head to the ground. "You both saved the children."

He looked up at me, and that's when I saw his chest was soaked with blood scaring me and I reached towards him to heal him. "Tupid!" I yelled.

He was confused as I was rambling, but I did eventually get it and healed him. He was in pure shock seeing that was my intention.

I was still hugging Rudeus afterwards, and I was using my wind magic to check for any more enemies. The beastmen didn't know how to approach me since when any did I would flinch and look at them terrified.

I heard someone coming close this time, and I looked then felt a hand on my head making me flinch badly, and I looked up at the same Beast man who had a sweet smile on his face. "It's over." He reassured me.

"It is?" I asked.

"Yeah, you can rest." He informed me, and I felt all my energy leave me and I fainted.

When I woke up, I saw there were many people around me. "Rui!" I rolled to him, so I fell off the bed, and he picked me up and I hugged him happily.

I used my wind magic to hear Eris whining. "Why did she go to you first?!" I looked back to see her pouting.

"Eriiis!" I cried as I reached out to her.

She hugged me. "Missed!" I exclaimed.

"I missed you too!" She grinned. "Why are you crying so much?!"

"It wat cary!" I freaked out and Ruijerd patted my head seeing I couldn't even form words.

"Ceres!" Rudeus got up and fell out of his bed.

"Here." I waved to him and he sighed in relief.

He then got up, and I went over to him and he held his arms open making more of my tears fall. "We haven't been able to hug for a while." Rudeus grinned knowing that's exactly what I wanted and I hugged him tightly and then sighed in relief.

"I heard all about what you two did! You both took down a North Saint!" Eris exclaimed. "The monkey-faced guy was over the moon about it!"

"I might have killed him..." I mumbled.

"You did?" Rudeus asked me.

I turned away from him not wanting to see his reaction since I did such a horrible thing.

"I..." Ruijerd patted my head as I was still lost as to how to feel about this, he bent down in front of me. "You did well, I heard you didn't hesitate to help even after they put you in prison here. You saved Rudeus and everyone here, you did amazing."

I hugged his leg and he patted my head.

"Thanks, Ceres! I wouldn't be alive if you weren't there!" Rudeus added and I was shaking.

"He lived, he won't lose any of his limbs either." Someone spoke up and I sighed in relief.

"I'm sorry!" I looked to see the same beast man who was bleeding profusely before apologising along with a beast woman. "I had no idea that you had rescued the children for us!" They then rolled onto their backs. "I, Gyes, am prepared to accept any punishment."

"Do with us as you will!" The other one added.

"Okay." I went over shocking the others. I patted the woman's head confusing her then smacked the guy on the head confusing everyone even more. "You bleed badly! Heal then apologise!"

"Sorry!" He exclaimed making Rudeus laugh.

"Sir Rudeus, Miss Ceres, as chieftain of the Dedoldia, I, too wish to reiterate my gratitude." The chief informed us. "Thank you."

We were both shocked and then laughed nervously together.

"More importantly, it took you a long time to get here." Rudeus turned to Eris and Ruijerd. "Did something go wrong? I was worried about you."

"It did! Listen, it was awful!" Eris happily yelled while I was ready to cry again confusing the beast people and Eris hugged me. "It was good awful!"

"Oh, good?" I was confused now.

'It's good.' Rudeus reassured me in his mind and my tears disappeared.

Eris explained and Rudeus translated her rambling to me and I gave a thumbs up when they were done. "Well done! Eris!" I exclaimed, and she grinned proudly at the praise.

Eris introduced me to the children she protected and there were two who stuck around Eris. They were both rubbing at my ears gently, they have way better ears than me, though.

Gyes then got our attention and smiled generously. "I actually tried talking to you before, when you were in the prison." He admitted.

"Oh, I'm deaf," I explained and all the beast people yelled, they have weird reactions to me.

The two children who were with us before explained how it works for me and they were all impressed, but then Gyes got nervous again. "My howling, did it hurt?" He pointed at his ear.

"Howling?" Rudeus and I asked.

"It's this!" One of the children went to do it, but even Ruijerd went to cover their mouth surprising us since it was a child.

"It's when you add mana to your voice and yell. It paralyses your target's body, but it seems much more effective on you." Gyes explained.

"Oh, that! It didn't hurt at all!" I crossed my arms.

"It did!" Rudeus retorted. "You need to admit things like this Ceres. Your hearing is important to you! Please, don't do it around her!" Rudeus exclaimed knowing exactly what it was now.

Rudeus was frightened when we first woke up here because he said it looked like I had just dropped dead right in front of him. We both cried that night and did our best to comfort each other even though we were a part.

"She hears sounds as if they were practically right next to her," Rudeus explained to make sure no one gets too loud.

"Sorry!" Gyes went onto his back again, and I patted his head this time.

"It's hard to believe we are in a village of beast people. This will make a great story to tell the Boreas family." Rudeus informed Eris.

"It will! I will brag to Grandfather when we get back!" Eris exclaimed.

"We can brag all about it to Dad!" I added and Rudeus smirked.

'He will have to bow to me to have me tell him where the village is!' Rudeus laughed evilly as he informed me of his master plan in his mind. Eris found it cute while everyone else was confused except for Ruijerd who was used to it.

"I want to meet your family," Eris admitted.

"My sistars are amazing! Mum is sweet and Dad..." I just grinned making Rudeus laugh. "But Lilia is huge!"

"YES!" Rudeus yelled confusing me.

"With her kindness." I finished.

'OH, THAT'S WHAT SHE MEANT!' Rudeus's mind yelled and I looked at him as he was red in the face.

We spent our time happily in the jungle and I was being followed by Gyes one day. It was raining heavily meaning my wind magic was being shoved all around so most conversations were being cut off for me, so I just gave up.

"I'm fine alone!" I exclaimed wanting to be independent for once. I was away from Rudeus for a good while, and I need to get used to it if I want to travel in the future.

Gyes patted my head but still followed me.

I went to an open area confusing him then I was happily dancing about in the rain. We never got this heavy of rain before and I saw a movie of people doing it and it seemed fun.

After finally trying it. 'I love it!' I grinned brightly as I yelled that in my mind.

I tried out some of the dances I learned from the different towns we went to.

At some point, Gyes dropped a box in front of me, and it fell apart to show Rudeus and I was confused. 'Watching people is a fine hobby, right, Ceres?' Rudeus asked in his mind as he slowly moved towards me it seemed Gyes was scaring him.

'Sure? Were you watching me?' I asked.

'No!' He shook his head frantically confusing me even more.

'He watched people in a bad way?' I wondered.

'No, it was so goo-' Rudeus when he looked at Gyes again.

He seemed to apologise to Gyes for some reason, but he was fine after that.

It was also because of the heavy rain that we had to stay here in the village. It was fine since this was a friendly and safe place, unlike the demon continent.

I tried testing out my wind magic more in the rain to make sure if I ever need to use it I will be fine.

I was amazed that I was able to float quite easily with it and I looked to see Ruijerd with wide eyes along with some other beast man. I went back down slowly to reassure Ruijerd that I still had control since my wind magic was underneath me it couldn't be broken up by the rain.

I only did this because I wanted to see up close one of the birds that come flying through here and one actually came up to me. I held out my hand and it landed on my finger:

I froze, but I was screaming on the inside.

'YOU GOOD?!' Rudeus yelled in his mind.

'BIRD HAND!' I explained.

'She saw a hot bird's hand?' Rudeus mumbled.

'No cold, it's very wet.' I informed him.

'Even better!' His mind yelled then he saw me and facepalmed. 'It's Ceres. She likes actual birds, not the other one. I need more self-control with my mind.'

The bird flew off making me whine, but I was happy to see it flying so freely like I can do. "I was always jealous of them, but now I can admire their beauty to." I grinned.

I went back down to the safety of the ground. Rudeus and I went inside to try making stone figures of Ruijerd but Rudeus kept failing badly. "How about you Ceres?" Rudeus asked me, and I crushed the head of mine since it was practically perfect.

"Bad!" I laughed as I showed him it.

He could tell...he could so tell what I did, and he patted my head as I was crying. "I feel like I just hurt Rui," I admitted, and he patted my head more in a panic.

After that, we went out to see Eris still training and showing off her skills to the beast children.

We called them in for dinner and there was a whole other feast for me. I was a little confused and not sure why I was being favoured. 'Won't the other feel bad?' I asked in my mind as I shook ready to cry.

"No, it's for you." Rudeus patted my head. 'They want to apologize so eat happily and don't cry.' He explained in his mind.

'But I will cry from how much love they gave me.' I couldn't hold it in, and everyone panicked.

"Thank you." I cried out.

"She cries for everything," Rudeus explained as I started to eat. It tasted a little salty because of my tears, but the food was so good.

Eris wiped my tears for me. "You're making a mess to." She laughed.

"I am one." I nodded and Rudeus laughed.

Chapter Text

After dinner, Rudeus was just yelling numbers at the dog making me push him over since it seemed like he was bullying him.

"What are you doing?" I asked him.

"Training him," Rudeus explained.

"By yelling? Look at Erbis." I pointed at Eris, and the dog tilted his head at my mistake and I frowned while Rudeus laughed a little. 'Seriously a dog realised my mistake...' I mumbled in my mind, so I don't make another mistake.

Rudeus laughed nervously and then was shocked to see Eris was teaching Tona and Tersena how to speak our language. 'Eris of all people is teaching a language! She does her teacher proud!' Rudeus cried in his mind and the dog was confused as I was ready to cry again.

"Tona, it's time for your bedtime," Gyes informed her. "Lady Eris, thank you for being a friend to my daughter. Is she troubling you?"

"Not at all! Tona's a good girl!" Eris exclaimed.

"I'm certain that ring is a mark of the Doldia tribe, where did you get it?" He asked her.

"Ghis!" I exclaimed.

"Yeah, Ghislaine gave it to me on my tenth birthday!" Eris bragged.

"Ghislaine?" Gyes whispered.

I immediately noticed the change of atmosphere while Eris didn't. "That's right! Ghislaine's part of the Doldia tribe, too, right?!" Eris looked at us.

"It completely slipped my mind," Rudeus mumbled. "Do you know anything about her? She's about this tall and looks just like you."

"Am I deaf?" I asked after a while.

"No sadly," Rudeus answered confirming its awkward silence.

"Ah, awkward...She didn't speak of family." I added. "Not good?"

"So, she's still alive. I figured she was dead in a ditch somewhere." Gyes groaned. It sounds like he wished for her to be dead for a second hurting me that someone so nice could hate Ghislaine like that.

"Wait a moment, did something really happen between you and her?" Rudeus asked.

"She abandoned the Doldia's duty to guard the forest and the Sacred Beast." He explained. "She fled and...she is a disgrace to our people."

Gyes pulled Tona with him. "We are leaving," Gyes spoke up in Beast God language, so she could understand.

"Dad! Ow! That hurts, meow!" Tona yelled.

"Eris!" Rudeus shouted when she ran after him, and I followed.

The rain didn't help, but I tried my best to send wind magic their way to hear them. "Who- thin- you!" Eris yelled. I saw she was out of breath, and I put my hand on her arm.

Eris looked at me and then grinned. "Ghislai-aster! I re-than anyone!" I got none of that, but Eris was crying, so I hugged her as she kept yelling.

I think she was praising Ghislaine. She does love her more than anyone and must be worried that she could be dead so him saying hopefully she's dead somewhere must have hurt her a lot.

Gyes seemed to be saying something to. Rudeus came over and seemed to be trying to get Eris to back down. 'She's upset, he looks down on Ghislaine.' Rudeus explained to me in his mind.

Eris pulled me in closer and hugged Rudeus to.

I just watched them both as they talked and I think I got it. "Ghis lovely!" I exclaimed and Eris nodded. "But Ghis isn't the same Ghis for all, but she doesn't deserve death! No one does!"

'Yeah, they must remember her very differently from us.' Rudeus agreed with me in his mind.

After that, we finally went back inside and Eris was on her back staring at the ring she was given by Ghislaine. "She's alive," I reassured her. "She's strong like Ted! I know she lived!"

"Yeah!" She nodded.

"How can you hate someone so much you just want them to di-" I started to break down confusing Eris. "Ah...I tried."

"Ceres!" Rudeus came running before she could act and hugged me. "Hey, it's alright! I'm sure he doesn't hate her that much, and no one deserves that kind of fate! You know you are allowed to be angry because of it."

"Am I really?" I asked as I hugged him. I hated that some of my memories from past life had to come up, they still hurt me just as much as ever. "I'm weak and useless as ev-"

"Ah!" Rudeus yelled scaring me. "Ceres, you are supposed to be the smart one! I'm dumb!"

"What? You are smarter." I said confused as he was pulling my cheeks.

"No, you're smarter and stronger than me, so if you insult yourself then you insult me." He informed me and I was shocked.

"Sorry!" I exclaimed.

"Then don't put yourself down again." He grinned.

"This logic is hard," I mumbled and Eris laughed.

The next day, I found out Gyes is Ghislaine's brother making me even angrier at him. Tona started to learn swordsmanship from Eris, so it was like she was learning from her aunt.

We were watching Eris and Tona practice their swordsmanship, Tona was learning fast.

We sat under some wooden roof, so I could have my wind magic hide under it. I was able to hear the rain and it was so soothing.

I could also hear Rudeus. He really likes Eris's muscles.

I was brushing the fur of the dog to pass the time. "My daughter always refused to learn swordsmanship no matter how often I told her to." Gyes appeared.

"People find motivation from love," I explained shocking them both.

"Wow, so wise!" Rudeus exclaimed. "See you are smart. You seem more grown up lately."

"Games!" I exclaimed what taught me that stuff. "It's my passion! Then dancing! Walking! Travelling!"

Rudeus laughed. "You like walking?" Gyes asked me.

"Yeah, think a little. If you can't do that, you will miss the entire world. Some people want to leave more than anything...I did leave just not in the way I wanted." I explained. His eyes widened a little as Rudeus patted my head concerned I was getting depressed again.

"Happy Ceres!" I reassured him. "Horn Rude!"

"Ceres, that isn't a good thing!" Rudeus panicked and looked at Gyes scared, but he wasn't paying attention to us anymore.

"But it's you, my brother, so it's good." I retorted. Rudeus just smiled at me as I fell into the fluffiness of the dog and I felt sleepy already.

"Is it...true that Ghislaine is Eris's master?" Gyes asked us.

"It is, Eris loves Sword King Ghislaine." Rudeus confirmed.

"Ghislaine is a Sword King?" He was stunned.

"She's beautiful to! Nice! She even knows magic!" I bragged.

"She's our student," Rudeus added.

"Ghislaine magic? That's a good joke!" Gyes laughed, and I glared at him shocking Rudeus.

"She's your sister! Don't look down on her!" I exclaimed.

Gyes was stunned once again as I was mad. The dog rolled over a little, so it was covering me even more and I forgot my anger because of the fluffiness making Rudeus laugh.

"She's learned reading writing and arithmetic as well," Rudeus informed him.

"Airhy what?" I asked.

"Maths." He explained.

"Ah, that creature...hypo thing." I groaned since Rudeus showed me some more of the deeper parts of maths and its hell, there are letters in maths, why?

"She has..." Gyes mumbled.

"People change," Rudeus informed him.

We saw Tona go flying, so I just pushed her back with wind magic and she was fine. "Wind Fairy!" Tona waved to me and I waved back. "Thank you!"

"Gyes, I like the girls in your family," I admitted. "The men...ugh."

"You have only seen me." He mumbled then understood what I meant while Rudeus was impressed that I kind of insulted him and didn't take it back immediately.

Later on, when it was their break, I brought their food over to them. "Wind Fairy Ceres!" Eris exclaimed. "I heard its your nickname here."

"Yeah, I think Fart Fairy is better, though." I nodded.

'It isn't.' Rudeus informed me in his mind then sighed.

'There's a bug talking in my h-' I couldn't try and insult him. "I'm sorry!"

Rudeus laughed. 'It's sweet that she can't even call me a bug without crying.' Rudeus thought.

The beast people call me the Wind Fairy because they found out it was my wind magic that was helping them with the chores they hate. They were all really grateful even though I did because I was just bored.

I got so much fruit given to me as thanks, I like chores now.

"Wind Fairy! How about we fig-" Tona went to suggest.

"No!" Eris screamed and stood in front of me shocking us. "Ceres is we-she is really strong! But she should only fight when needed since she gets hurt easily! I'm gonna fight for her even more now!"

"Eris," I whined as I tried to hug her and she hugged me.

"There, there...you got badly hurt from that fight...even I can tell you have gotten quieter. I like you being loud so don't worry. I will help you!" Eris reassured me and she was laughing as I cried since that was so sweet.

"Rainy season is nearly done," Tersena spoke up.

"Then we can go to the next town! Maybe, I will find new monsters there!" Eris looked at me as we were both excited.

"Dragon!" We cheered.

"Eris, stay here forever, meow." Tona hugged Eris.

"I can't. I have a home I have to get back to." Eris spoke to her gently. She has been very motherly to Tona and the other children here.

Rudeus told me she only half acts like that with me since Eris sees me as someone stronger than her still. I asked her about it myself and she confirmed making me shake for a good ten minutes.

It felt really nice to be acknowledged by someone like her. I'm still shaking even now since she had called me strong once again.

"Once the Rainy season ends, we have to leave," I spoke in Beast God language for Eris.

Tona stared at me and started to cry making me panic. I went to wipe her tears, but she whacked my hand away making something crack and I cried out.

Eris lunged for Tona and I was on my knees while clutching my wrist. I never realised the amount of power beast people had. Ghislaine must have been really gentle with me.

They started to fight and before I knew it the others came running to break it up. "Stop, Tona!" Gyes pulled her away.

"Eris!" Rudeus pulled her back as well.

"It's Tona's fault! She hurt Ceres and Eris got mad!" Tersena explained as she rubbed my back.

Rudeus let go of Eris since she didn't want to actually fight then looked to me and saw my hand wasn't right.

"She broke your hand!" Rudeus yelled shocking the beast people.

He started to heal it, and I sighed in relief from the pain finally going, this place is not a good one for me. "I tried wiping her tears then she hit my hand. Tona is sad we are leaving like Sylph was when we were going to leave home." I explained that she didn't attack me it was out just out of instinct her movement.

One of the beast people reached out to me, but Rudeus pulled me back shocking them and me.

I looked at him confused to see a terrified expression on his face then he looked surprised himself.

"Please just don't touch my sister. She was born with a weak body, and beast people have stronger everything...she's been hurt too much lately...it's my fault too." Rudeus held onto my tightly and he looked ashamed of himself.

I smacked his cheek lightly shocking him. "Not your fault...Mr. Clean." I retorted.

He was stiff then started to laugh and couldn't hold it in making me pout. "It wasn't your speech...okay, it kinda was." He admitted.

"Eh?!" I exclaimed annoyed.

"I'm glad you even retaliated against me a little, but don't start beating me up," Rudeus asked me.

"Never!" I exclaimed and he sighed in relief.

We separated since Tona was still quite upset. Later on, I went to check on her to find Gyes talking about Ghislaine. "She had none of the makings of a great swordswoman. She wouldn't learn to speak properly, let alone train. She was a ruffian. She was like a monster. I was relieved when a wandering swordsman took her away from the village...maybe it was really my duty to do something to help her."

"Duh!" I yelled scaring him. "Look after the sibs!"

"Are you okay to be near us?" Gyes asked me.

"Yah! I wouldn't be here without Rude, and he wouldn't be here without me...if you can be there, then do it! I couldn't in the last one..." I admitted.

'I wonder if all my younger siblings were okay, that woman could have done something to them too.' I thought scaring myself.

"Fart Fairy!" Tona yelled and I grinned brightly. "Sorry!"

"It's fine!" I grinned. "It was an accident. Everyone makes mistakes."

I patted her head then made my way back to the room we were staying in. Rudeus came flying out the door and then nearly fell off the tree house.

"Wha!" I yelled and blasted him back into the room with wind magic then poked my head in.

"What were you doing?!" Rudeus yelled at me.

"What were you doing?!" I retorted.

"...No leaving my side," Rudeus demanded.

I nodded seeing he was just worried. "Eris, we are going to leave this village tomorrow," Rudeus informed her. "Ceres stop trying to catch a bird."

"But I want one..." I whined as I was trying to lead Rudeus outside. 'Tona followed me as I planned.' I explained in my mind.

'You are really to kind.' Rudeus thought as he shook his head.

"You are doing the weird communication thing again!" Eris yelled, and we both looked at her.

"A walk! Dogo!" I exclaimed and Rudeus nodded.

I jumped onto the dog then Rudeus got him to come with us and I waved to Tona and Tersena as we passed them.

I then saw something amazing, and I rolled off of the dog then continued rolling concerning Rudeus and I purposely slammed my head against the tree. 'WHY?! IT ISN'T A WINDOW!' Rudeus screamed in his mind and healed my forehead as I held up my hands.

Three frogs dropped into my hands and they were stacked on top of each other. "Cute!" I yelled and showed him this was what I hurt myself for.

"They are cute." Rudeus grinned then the dog whined.

"You are cute as well!" I reassured him.

I put the frogs down and then hugged the dog. He pushed his weight onto me taking me to the floor and finally, I would die from fluff.

"Ceres!" Rudeus yelled then I reached out my hand from underneath and gave him a thumbs up making him laugh. "Oh, Gyes."

"Did Tona come this way?" He asked.

"She is apologising to Eris." Rudeus grinned and Gyes sighed in relief.

"You know it's a sibling's job to help them," Rudeus informed him.

"Your sister said the same thing." He admitted.

"My sister you see her as someone strong, right?" Rudeus asked him.

"Yes." Gyes nodded. "She saved us and even helped us when she was imprisoned!"

"Ceres wasn't always strong, she suffocated at birth and her heart stopped. She was able to live, but she had a weak body and most of her hearing was far too damaged. Maybe if she had healed right after back then it would have been fine." Rudeus mumbled.

"She was a deaf girl who could die in seconds, her arm even broke in sword training. She's a huge crybaby, cries with and for others like if she dropped some food someone made her." Rudeus explained and I whined a little since yeah that is all true.

"She's so strong, she kept going and found a way to hear, to fight, to live, to dream and even helped me so much...more than anyone ever has. I couldn't save her twice, and someone else had to the second time, but I will make sure she lives as she wants and that no one disrespects her." Rudeus stated surprising me.

Eris and Rudeus seemed to have gotten more protective of me like Ruijerd is.

'A parent is supposed to protect their kid and so do the siblings.' Rudeus thought.

"So they are my family." I grinned brightly. "I really like my family!"

"Where?!" Gyes yelled then he saw my hand and screamed.

Many thought the dog was trying to kill me. "No, I was letting him kill me!" I explained when I was free.

"HAH?!" Rudeus shook me by my shoulders confusing me then Eris and Ruijerd started to lecture me.

Chapter Text

Early in the morning the next day, we were saying our goodbyes. "Thanks to your help, Sir Ruijerd, we had not a single causality this rainy season." The chief informed Ruijerd then they shook hands. "Thank you, tell me more of your stories of old times one day."

"I will." Ruijerd nodded.

'Huh? When did those two get so buddy-buddy?' Rudeus thought.

"He made a friend on his own!" I was so proud of him.

"You sound like a mother." Rudeus laughed.

"Miss Ceres and Sir Rudeus. Thank you both for saving the children." The chief looked at us. "We can't do much to show our gratitude, but you are both always welcome in our village."

"I will come back one day!" I exclaimed. "Rui! I missed you!"

He picked me up and grinned at me. I haven't seen him much since as the chief said he was protecting the village. I started to cry because Eris, Tona and Tersena were when they were saying goodbye.

"Lady Eris." Gyes went over to her. "Would you spar with me before you go?"

"REALLY?!" I exclaimed confusing them as I had shining eyes.

"She likes swords." Rudeus pointed at me. "That's why she watched Tona and Eris train every time."

"Then I will gladly put on a show for her, Lady Eris. Would you show me the swordsmanship that Ghislaine taught you?" Gyes drew his sword.

"Yeah shove it into him how awesome you both are!" I exclaimed.

"Yeah!" Eris agreed.

Everyone watched on as they stood away from each other and I was so excited since I got an ever greater view than normal because I was being held by Ruijerd.

"Go!" I exclaimed.

They both ran at each other with just one attack there was a huge clashing sound of their swords hitting each other making me squeal.

"Oh, Jeez!" Eris yelled confusing Rudeus since the fight didn't carry on.

"Thank you, that was a splendid demonstration." Gyes grinned.

"You are not bad either," Eris informed him.

'Huh? What? It's over already?' Rudeus asked in his mind.

'That communicated their strength! How can you not tell?!' I freaked out on him in my mind.

'...Paul never told me of this.' Rudeus thought.

'No, you just didn't get to that level. Paul just wanted to beat you up I'm sure of it.' I retorted in my mind and Rudeus laughed nervously.

"Visit us again. You will always be welcome. Tell her the same thing." Gyes held out his hand to Eris.

I flew over and then hugged his neck scaring him. "Good boy!" I exclaimed and ruffled his hair.

He seemed ready to cry shocking the others. "Lucky!" Some exclaimed since they wanted me to pet them to.

"...I am the only one who doesn't get it." Rudeus nodded.

We went on our way in a cart that was being pulled by a horse. We waved to them as they said goodbye to us. Since we were moving I couldn't be bothered with producing my wind magic then some random guy tried to jump onto the cart and I blasted him away.

'BLASTING OFF AGAIN!' I laughed as I thought of that quote I yelled a lot.

"That was so cool!" Eris yelled.

I heard her faintly from the leftover wind magic I made for that attack.

'She got lost in the Pokemon reference.' Rudeus thought as the guy was still flying, so I moved my wing magic after him then shot him back down to the cart and he slammed his face into it.

"I thought you were still behind bars," Rudeus commented after I had made some more wind magic.

"Oh, I made a break for it." He grinned. "Let me hitch a ride with you. The more the merrier, right?"

"Yeah!" I nodded.

"You are going to Millis, too?" Eris asked.

"You got it! So let me tag along with you for a while, boss, little lady, big man, goddess." The grinned.

"Goddess?" Rudeus looked to Eris.

"Not her." Geese pointed at me.

"Eh?! Rudeus you female?" I asked.

"No, I do mean you. I ain't seen magic like yours before!" Geese grinned.

"Weird duck." I let out then saw something amazing. "Vulp-!"

"No! That's a normal fox!" Rudeus pulled me back on making me whine.

We slowed down a little whenever we talked so my wind magic could follow us without having to give it enough speed that end up pushing the others over. "What a strange road," Rudeus commented.

"You know how we are heading to the Holy Country of Millis?" Geese asked.

"...Movement," I answered.

"I mean, yeah!" He laughed. "Legend has it that its founder Saint Millis, cleaved this road out of the mountains and forests with a single sword stroke! Wham!" He made a motion of swinging a sword.

"Ho!" I exclaimed. "That big! I want to seal!"

"You want to see?" He asked me.

"No, I want a seal," I answered while looking away since I was kind of lying since I did mess up that word, but a pet seal would be cool.

"That's amazing! I want to learn to do that, too!" Eris exclaimed.

'Could that story be any less believable?' Rudeus thought.

"Eh..." I let out.

"It's real!" Rudeus yelled making me grin confusing Geese as to why he suddenly yelled that.

We then went past some stone thing with what seemed to have words carved into it. "What's that?" Rudeus asked.

"Oh, that's a monument to the Seven Great Powers," Geese explained.

"Seven dragons!" I freaked out.

"Only one is, they are supposed to be the seven strongest fighters in the world. The current order..." Geese mumbled. "Starting from number one, Technique God, Dragon God, Battle God, Demon God, Death God, Sword God, North God."

"Dragon! Wait...isn't he wicked? He's gotta be awesome then!" I giggled happily.

"Wicked means evil," Rudeus mumbled.

"No cool wicked!" I shook my head.

"Cool wicked!" Eris added making me grin that I was right.

"That takes me back," Ruijerd spoke up. "When I was young, I trained hoping to be one of the Seven Great Powers someday."

"Dad God!" I yelled as I went to the front of the cart and leaned over to see a smile come onto his face. "Dad!" He patted my head when I said it again.

"Wow! So not even you stand a chance against them, Ruijerd?!" Eris asked.

"I don't know, but my name isn't on that monument so I'd guess not." He shook his head.

They were confused when some dirt came up and I used my wind magic to carve into it Dad God Ruijerd. "Is that allowed?" Rudeus asked.

"Yes!" I exclaimed.

"Yeah, anything Ceres does is right!" Eris added. "If they are that tough, I want to meet them!"

"Dragon God!" I squealed. "Does he have pet dragons or is he a dragon?!"

"I hate to break it to you both but no one knows if the top four are alive or dead," Geese smirked. "I have been adventuring for a while now, but I have never seen a Great Power!"

"But you are weak and annoying to the beast pope." I retorted as we had sped up a little, so my wind magic did fall behind making it harder to pronounce my words rightly at the end.

"Pope?" He asked me.

"She said people! Get it right!" Eris yelled at him.

"But she said it-" He went quiet when Ruijerd glanced back at him. "Well, that old thing is just a tall tale."

'Well, I bet the point is to live quietly so dangerous people won't bother us.' Rudeus thought.

'Peace or dragon friend?' I was having a tough time.

Rudeus was terrified at what kind of things I would do in the future...I'm sure it's nothing too crazy.

Once we got out of the forest, we were walking. "Such a huge crack!" I pointed out to the others as I ran ahead.

I went through the path in the middle of a mountain, and it looked so smooth. 'Someone did cut it.' I was in awe as I thought that.

We made it through the huge path down the middle of the mountain and there were so many fields and in the far back were huge mountains. "Rude huge mountains! White! They are cloud mountains!" I pointed out.

"No, it's snow." Rudeus signed to me and I was in awe then frowned concerning him.

'Why did that upset you? I thought you liked snow.' Rudeus stood next to me as he thought that.

'Ted...he was...I met him in front of mountains like that.' I explained in my mind.

'I'm sure you will see him again.' Rudeus reassured me in his mind then patted my head and I nodded.

"I can give him flowers this time!" I declared.

We walked along until we soon found a lake. I ran straight in making Rudeus sigh and he had to dry my shoes and socks since I didn't care to.

Then I just went right back in making him sigh at me.

We carried on, and it was just fun running the entire way. They were surprised at how much energy I had and the speed I went at. 'She looks like she has not a care in the wo-HAH!' Rudeus launched some wind magic in front of me pushing me back before I fell off the cliff.

I giggled as I got up and ran down the safe way. 'BE IN SHOCK!' Rudeus demanded in his mind since I was so far away.

'You do that for me! And it's only fall damage!' I informed him in my mind, and he chased after me so Ruijerd sped up with the others.

'Stop running!' Rudeus begged.

I did only because I saw a beautiful sight and I let out some wind magic. "Millis!" I pointed out.

"Oh! I can see it now!" Geese exclaimed. "That's the capital of the Holy Country Millis, Millishion! Well then, this is where I say goodbye."

"Huh? In a place like this? Stay with us until we ge-" Rudeus went to suggest.

"Don't let it get to you boss, I will see you again." Geese grinned. "Bye, little godd-she's gone."

"Ceres!" Rudeus yelled then sighed.

"Geese! Next time I see you, teach me to cook!" Eris ordered.

"You never quit. Why do you want to learn so badly?" Geese asked her.

"Well..." She got all shy.

'What's this, Eris? What are you trying to say?' Rudeus thought.

'Is that a dragon?!' I got so excited I shouted that in my mind.

"Ceres!" Rudeus was now running after me properly. "Are you alive?!"

"Yeah, it's a dragon rock!" I exclaimed as I showed him the newest one to my collection and he sighed in relief then fell onto his ass.

The others caught up to us and I showed them it. "It's pretty!" Eris exclaimed as happy as me while the other two seemed tired.

We made our way into the city, and it was so bright and colourful. It really felt like a place that was very put together, but the people who were called Nobles seemed kind of scary and there is a religion here that kind of confuses me.

Some of the things I heard about it were just weird, the rules were weird.

"Rude you can only have one wife!" I freaked out.

"...HOW MANY DO YOU WANT?!" He yelled at me.

"Aren't you going to treat them like Pokemon, you know...catch them all?" I asked.

"Multiple wives." Rudeus was in awe. "Ceres your ideas are beautiful!"

"Thanks!" I laughed then trembled as we got called back to the cart and Ruijerd steered it for us again.

We explored the area a little until it got late so we had to go find an inn.

"Okay, I hereby begin this Team Dead End strategy meeting." Rudeus held up his hand as we were all gathered in the room. "Everyone clap."

"Eh!" I freaked out since the clapping sounded weird when it all came to my ears. "Skin slapping is creepy."

'...Now, I'm jealous of her power.' Rudeus groaned in his mind. 'I could hear every...'

He stared at me cautiously as I shut the window so my window magic wouldn't move out. "Now, it's been a year and a half since we were teleported to the Demon Continent, but we have finally made it back to human territory." He informed us.

"So no dragons and cool beasts." I pouted. "But home!"

"Yep! Home! We will keep straight on to Asura! That is what I would like to say, but I'd prefer to stay here for a while and earn money." Rudeus admitted.

"Why?! Ceres is pouting!" Eris pointed out.

"I have heard that jobs in Millis pay well. It will be more efficient to earn all our funds here. Besides, we don't know how much the next boat will cost." Rudeus explained.

"What? Do we have to take another boat?" Eris whined.

"Besides, I have come up with a good plan, so I'd like to work on improving the Superd's reputation at the same time." Rudeus grinned. "I will need your help with that Ceres."

"Oh, this." I held out my hand and then made Ruijerd's statue that we both designed together. "It's like a figurine! Everyone should have one!"

"After we help someone, we will reveal Ruijerd's identity to them." Rudeus grinned. "Then we will give them one of these as a charm. You know, 'if you have this even a Superd will relax in no time! In a few minutes, they will be like a soul brother you have known for a century!'" Rudeus put on a weird voice for that last part.

"...Sounds like a scam," I mumbled. "It's just rock."

"You have been making these?" Ruijerd asked.

"Yeah!" I paused and then teared up confusing them. "I had to crush them to keep it a surprise...sorry!"

Ruijerd grinned and patted my head. "Thank you." He mumbled and I hugged him. "...My daughter."

I started to cry since I never thought anyone would ever want me to be their daughter and he panicked seeing my tears. "Dad!" I hugged him tightly. "You are the best I ever had! I will always choose you!...My starter sucks."

Rudeus laughed knowing I meant Paul.

"I know! Let's make tomorrow a day off!" Rudeus grinned. "I'd like to mass produce this Ruijerd figure."

"And letter!" I exclaimed, and he nodded while smiling at me since I suggested it when we were imprisoned since he told me the next place we were going to is a human city. I want to tell everyone that we are okay and will be back soon.

"A letter?" Eris asked.

"Family! Sistars! They must have grown!" I whined.

'Things have been so hectic that I forget, but my family must be worried. I'm glad Ceres reminded me.' Rudeus thought as I was excitedly talking to Eris about what I should write.

I can brag about so many things. "What will you two do?" Rudeus asked.

"I'm going to go goblin slaying!" Eris smirked. "I heard they show up around here."

"Goblin slaying?" Rudeus mumbled and I was confused since there was a girlish screaming coming from his mind. "What did you see?!" He turned to me concerned.

"I heard things...were those horn thi-" I went to ask.

"No, I thought of Norn! She cried a lot!" Rudeus laughed nervously and I nodded.

"Rudeus it's fine, let her give it a try," Ruijerd added.

"Yeah, do whatever you want!" I added and Eris grinned at me.

"I can handle goblins on my own!" Eris smirked.

'Those just sound like famous last words.' Rudeus thought worriedly. "Well, in that case, let's each take some free time tomorrow."

"Rock hunting! Dancing! Fam!" I exclaimed.

'I'm counting on you to keep Eris safe, Ruijerd.' Rudeus winked a ton at him like he had something in his eye.

The next day, I just asked Ruijerd to follow her, and he nodded. "I guess I should have done it that way," Rudeus mumbled after they had left. "And here's the money for the stationary...will you be alright alone?"

"Yeah!" I exclaimed. "Adventure! I can hear the music from here!"

Rudeus grinned and ruffled my hair. "Have fun."

"Don't be to horn!" I warned him as I ran off.

It was like they were having a festival in this city. People were dancing about, so I joined in until I remembered that I should really buy the things we needed.

Many people clapped for me once I was finished. I was trembling as I laughed nervously at the praise they also gave me.

Chapter Text

I made it to the marketplace to buy stationary, so we could write a letter to the others at home. The merchant was surprised when they heard me talk since even with my wind magic it will always be obvious that I'm mostly deaf since I can't get rid of how slur my words.

I have improved a lot, so it can be hard to tell sometimes.

They actually seemed quite sweet and put in a little effort to make sure they heard me right.

It was very sweet of them.

I paid for some paper and a couple of other things. I looked in the bag on my way back to make sure I had everything before I got to far. My wind magic was too far for me to hear around me.

I felt someone small run past me since they hit into my cloak. "Rude," I mumbled. "Could be him...Dragon rubber!"

I held it up proudly as I walked then put it away and kept an eye on my surroundings since it would hurt a lot using my wind magic around here with this many people. This is one of the loudest cities I have been in, the market people are constantly yelling for people to come over and see their stuff, it's so annoying.

I yelled at them back the first time as I held my hands over my ears while crying from the pain.

Eris tried to murder them, but Rudeus stopped her while Ruijerd was comforting me.

I felt a tug on my arm making me stop and freeze for a second, it reminded me of when my wrist broke. I was a little nervous, but I looked to see a little girl crying and everyone was looking at us as she clung to my arm desperately.

I used magic to hear her and bent down a little since she wasn't to far from my height. "Mum?" She asked me as more tears fell from her face.

".......how do you have a kid again?" I asked her.

"Kid, she's not your mum." Someone spoke up seeing I'm not of age and the little girl slowly let go of me, but it seemed she didn't want to.

"I could be." I pouted and they were confused, I only said that because they said I couldn't. "Anyway, let's go find your mum."

I held out my hand to her, and she was hesitant but took it.

She was quiet as we walked and I kept my wind magic just around us as I headed to quieter areas. "So what does your mum look like?" I asked her and she pointed at me.

"Exactly like me?" I asked and her head tilted at my speech since my slurring was much more obvious this time. "Then how about your name?"

"Norn Greyrat." She answered.

I froze and then picked her up by her waist scaring her. "Found you! Norn!" I grinned brightly as I held her high up. "I'm your huge sistar, Ceres!"

I rubbed my cheek against hers then when I pulled away she was looking at me in awe. "It's you?" Norn let out.

"Yep!" I exclaimed. "Man, you grew so much, and I wasn't around to see! So unfair!"

I didn't know what to say when the excitement washed away. I was confused as to why she was even here, to begin with, and alone at that. "You are far from home, why are you here?...Did the mana explosion get you to?" I asked her in a panicked tone.

She slowly nodded, and I got why she looked ready to cry. "Mum isn't with you?" I asked. I felt my heart break when she nodded, a lot of tears fell from my face concerning her. "Anyone with you?"

"Dad." She answered and I felt a little better, but that must mean Aisha and Lilia aren't near either. They can't fight while Zenith and Sylph can.

"How is he?" I asked as I put her down.

"He smells bad and drinks alot, he never smiles, he's not doing well," Norn admitted.

"Must have been scary for him to." I sighed knowing he was in a far worse state than me. "But it will be fine in the end! We will find everyone else like we did here! You know Mum is really strong!"

"Really?" Norn asked me showing he really hasn't told her much about Zenith.

"Yeah, she always healed me when I got hurt, put Paul in his place easily." I grinned. "She had so much love, it was like Paul didn't even need to be there. Well, he isn't great at love either...nah, just horn."

"Horn?" She asked.

"Yep! He was good at making more siblings for me! So where is it that you two are staying?" I asked her. She led the way as she explained a bit about what they have been doing for the last year and a half.

Paul had made a huge team to look for everyone who had been teleported, and some met very bad ends. Many of them got into bad situations like being a slave while some were okay with that life.

"I guess we got lucky compared to some," I mumbled.

She took me to a pub, and I opened the door and we both paused when we looked inside to see everyone watching Rudeus beating Paul violently. "I GET IT THAT YOU HATE ME, BUT NOT ONE QUESTION ABOUT CERES?!" Rudeus screamed in his face. 'Why is he looking at me like that?!' He hissed in his mind.

"What?! You weren't with h-" Paul went to retort.

"I WASN'T!!" Rudeus yelled and Paul paused. "I COULDN'T FIND HER!"

"What happened to her? Did you let her die?" Paul asked him.

"Stop it!" Norn screamed as she pushed Rudeus off Paul. "That's enough!" She cried.

"Norn?" Rudeus asked. "Do you remember me? I'm your-"

"Don't bully my dad!" Norn demanded as she cried.

'Bullying? I'm bullying him?' Rudeus thought. He looked exhausted, and he saw everyone glaring at him scaring him.

'No, you weren't. From what you said he must have said some awful things to you, you never get violent.' I retorted in my mind to get his attention on me. 'Norn only has dad right now she would want to defend him.'

Rudeus looked at me with a hopeful look and I gave him a smile and held out my hand. "Come here," I demanded, and he came over to me.

"I'm alive, Dad," I informed Paul as he sat up and saw me, but all he did was glare at me and I was confused.

Rudeus looked ready to punch him again, but Norn was in the way.

"Oh, so she is fine. And you can speak perfectly now?" Paul laughed as I just stared at him and he glared at me even harsher. "How about you? Did you not read my message or are you now blind as well?"

"What are you talking about?" I asked calmly to give him a chance to explain. "I heard from Norn that Mum, Aisha and Lilia are missing."

Rudeus was shocked by the news while Paul just looked angry. "YOU TWO WEREN'T THE ONLY ONES CAUGHT IN THE BLAST! YOU DIDN'T REALISE THAT?! ARE YOU STUPID?!" He screamed at us.

"I don't see the problem," I admitted.

"Of course, you don't." He laughed. "You were always the problem."

His words hurt me a lot making tears come up in my eyes and he seemed to flinch a little but didn't stop. "You must have troubled Rudeus a lot, but as always you were taken care of. Everything is fine to so if your family went missing you wouldn't care." Paul laughed.

A table next to him floated up a little shocking many then it shattered since it slammed against the ceiling.

I thought that would calm me down, but I'm actually livid.

"I was teleported near the same area as Rudeus, but out in a desert with a mo- I was a little hurt, so I couldn't move," I explained and Paul's eyes widened.

"Well, you can use healing magic." He mumbled.

"I have to say the spell, have you ever seen me use it?" I asked, and my tears didn't fall but my voice rose. "You're right I have many problems like speaking, oh wait, you think I'm faking. Yeah, I faked it so I COULD BE ON THE FLOOR CRAWLING FOR HELP FOR THREE WHOLE DAYS FIGHTING OFF MONSTERS WITH JUST WIND MAGIC ALL ALONE!!"

"Ceres?" Rudeus grabbed my arm as I stepped forward screaming at Paul.

"So am I lying?" I used my wind magic to make everything in the room float and then swirl together above us shocking everyone in the room. "I use wind magic to hear. It's been in here the entire time!" I yelled. "I HAVE SAID SO SINCE THE BEGINNING! WHY DON'T YOU BELIEVE ME?!"

"Ceres?" Paul mumbled shocked at seeing me in such a state.

I haven't ever felt like this before or have let my anger out much since I don't want others to suffer, but I have never done anything to hurt him.

'He's being so unfair!' I yelled in my mind.

"I know you must have gone through alot of pain like us, but you don't even smile seeing me?" My tears finally fell.

I was disappointed once again that I had been rejected love by one of my parents again, Zenith, Aisha and Lilia are still missing to. "I just wanted a Dad who cares even a little...but this time again...again and again, I'm sick of it."

I was sobbing now. "Ceres, I'm still here, you aren't alone again." Rudeus came up to me and tried to calm me down. "Let's just go, I'm sure Ruijerd will be happy to hear you call him dad again."

I laughed at the memory and took Rudeus's hand then looked back. "Norn none of that was at you. I'm sorry you grew up without mum, I will help find her I promise."

"Worry about yourself." Rudeus chopped my head and tried to pull me out as I felt him tremble.

"Wait...one last thing." I let out remembering a stupid problem of Paul's. "Paul, did you blame everything on Rudeus saying he did a bad job?"

"I..." He let out.

"DID YOU?!" I yelled and he nodded.

"Monster." I hissed as I glared at him.

He's treating Rudeus like my mother did to me and Paul looked broken by my words. "You always do and say the worst things to us. You have no idea how hard it was for him, he was amazing! He protected us all and never got angry at me or even slapped me like you did!" I screamed at him.

"You really do like to force your feelings on others! Your anger and your urges!" I yelled making him flinch.

I heard people whispering around us about how he had suffered. I made all the furniture drop scaring them, but no one got hurt.

"I don't care if you all know his suffering! You don't know ours! He just spoke to his children like it's our fault! Like we caused the suffering!" I choked up. "I never had and never will!"

Paul looked scared. "You disgust me you're just like her." I hissed and Rudeus was shocked.

I pulled Rudeus with me and walked out.

I led the way back to the inn and he let me drag him along. I could hear his thoughts telling me that Paul explained how even the entire village we grew up in was caught up in the mana explosion to.

Some of the people who got teleported were turned into slaves, so they even had to kidnap them to get them back. 'Paul thought I realised this was happening and would something, but I was just adventuring without a care in the world...' Rudeus thought.

'You didn't know.' I retorted. 'Don't let that thing hurt you. He doesn't deserve your tears. They did to you what you fear most that's unforgivable...'

Rudeus seemed surprised since I looked back to see his mouth open a little. He told me how his previous life went so I was able to figure out what situations would be hard for him. Being blamed for everything and then having many people talk badly about you is like the bullying he went through.

He needs someone who hasn't experienced it, so I'm here.

Once we were back in the inn Rudeus was just standing there so I took his coat off for him. "Okay, we will talk again tomorrow." Rudeus was still processing what was happening, and I just didn't want to think about it. "I mean, it's not like this is our first fight. We can talk it out. I will get Paul to calm down, then we can plan our next moves."

"Yeah, the first step is to see Paul...See Paul?" He asked himself.

I pushed him towards the window since I could tell what was going to happen and he puked up and I rubbed his back. 'How did you know?' Rudeus asked me in his mind while he was trying to catch his breath.

"I puked up sometimes when I was told my mum was going to visit. I didn't really get why I would, but I always thought about how I couldn't leave or stop the visit." I mumbled.

Rudeus then looked at me for the first time in a while and saw I had been crying this entire time, so he hugged me.

Sadly my mind started to think about what happened and before I knew it, it was dark and the door to our room swung open. "I'm back, Rudeus! Ceres! I slayed go-" Eris paused when she saw our states.

"Who was it?! Who did this to you two?!" She yelled as she rushed over.

"Its nothing." Rudeus lied.

"It can't be nothing!" Eris retorted.

"What happened?" Ruijerd asked making me sniff as I was about to cry again, I had just stopped myself.

"Our father is in this town," Rudeus explained.

"Did he say something you two didn't like?" Ruijerd closed the door behind him.

"Well, he blamed us for everything..." I felt like breaking down again even though I just stopped. "Damn it, stop crying!" I pulled at my own hair.

"Ceres!" Eris stopped me. "Why?! You haven't seen each other in so long!"

"I didn't do anything! I don't get it! What have I done?!" I screamed and cried as I fell to my knees. "I wanna go home, but I don't have one anymore! Where do I go? I don't want to be trapped! I don't want that!"

"You won't be!" Rudeus hugged me seeing everything was just hitting me at once.

"I'm gonna murder him!" Eris went to run out.

"Stay out of family squabbles." Ruijerd stopped her.

"Rudeus has been working so hard! Ceres has been doing her best to keep us happy! Now they are miserable! Their father should be ashamed!" Eris screamed.

"If he's miserable, then you should comfort him." Ruijerd informed her.

Ruijerd comforted me by picking me up and taking me to one of the beds. He patted my head, and I cried myself to sleep in my bed and when I woke up I saw he hadn't left my side and Rudeus was smiling at me.

Eris was fast asleep while still holding onto Rudeus's shirt.

He was somehow able to escape from her grip of course with the help of Ruijerd. I sat up on my bed and Rudeus sat next to me.

'The last world really got to you.' Rudeus thought as he hugged me. 'You have been blamed for a lot of things even if no one said it, you blamed yourself. You have constantly done that even in this world, but you started to grow and let yourself act freely, it was so nice.'

"Paul made it all come crashing down, please don't revert," Rudeus begged me. "Don't blame yourself! Blame me even!"

"No! You did everything you could! You did so well for us!" I retorted. "I don't wanna be here..."

Rudeus tightened his hold on me. "How about we go outside?" He asked me and I nodded.

Ruijerd let us go, but he stopped me for a second to put my cloak on me and I grinned at him.

He patted my head and let us go. Rudeus took me by my hand and feeling the breeze from the wind and the coldness of the night instantly made me feel better.

Chapter Text

We went out to a woody kind of area, and I was sitting down on the edge of land that leads to a river below us.

"You do have a lot of tears." Rudeus laughed as he sat next to me.

"I'm so confused," I admitted and Rudeus nodded showing he was listening. "I thought maybe understanding people would help me. I can see when I did something wrong and apologise or fix it! But nothing is ever good enough for him! He confuses me!"

"Ceres, Paul's stupid," Rudeus informed me.

"That!" I exclaimed. "He's really stupid! Dumb! Idiot! I hate it!"

Rudeus laughed. "So that means he can't understand a smart girl like you and he has outbursts that confuse people..."

"Oh...like me?" I asked.

He nodded actually a little shocked himself, we always thought I took more from Zenith.

"Well, you looked like mum when you were angry earlier," Rudeus admitted.

"I was scary?" I asked.

"No...a little." He nervously laughed. "But you looked strong, really strong. You knew exactly what you wanted to say and how you were being treated unfairly. I'm so proud of you for fighting back against someone's words when you would have always accepted everything as being your fault before."

"So he's just stupid and then his outbursts make him even stupider...lame ass man, he must suffer a lot," I mumbled.

"You already sympathise with him." Rudeus laughed. "...I don't know how I can face him, it was my fau-"

Rudeus ended up in the water because of a small gust of wind definitely not made by me.

"Why?!" He yelled as he looked up at me.

"I see you inherited the stupid," I mumbled. "If it isn't my fault, it isn't yours either."

I held out my hand to him, and he took it and I helped him back up. "I wanna punch Paul," I admitted.

"He's that bad he made you violent." Rudeus hummed a little scared. I had dried him off before we both went back and when we arrived at the inn we saw Eris and Ruijerd waiting for us.

"Did you kill him?!" Eris yelled.

"No!" I exclaimed. "I wanna punch...but I will never do that! I will never become her!"

They were confused by my yells, but they saw I was smiling again so they were happy for me.

The next morning, we were eating our breakfast in the inn. "Bread doesn't taste as nice," I mumbled confused as I ate it then I heard someone come into the inn.

"Welcome." The bartender greeted him.

"Oh, I'm not-" The voice made me drop my food. Eris noticed the flinch from Rudeus making her move quickly.

"Nah! Nah" I exclaimed wanting her to stop.

"Who are you?!" Eris was right in front of Paul with her arms crossed showing how angry she was.

"Paul Greyrat, his and her-" Paul cut himself off when I hid behind Eris since I ran after her. "Their father."

"I know that!" Eris yelled.

"What? Are you both hiding behind a woman now?" Paul asked.

"Leave." I hissed.

"Oh, I'm just joking Ce-" Paul went to say.

"Just leave! GO AWAY!" I screamed shocking him. "Just abandon me already. I can try to move on again."

'Ceres?' Rudeus thought.

'I can't face him. I want to run.' I admitted in my mind.

"You have got some nerve, coming here after what you did to them!" Eris lunged for Paul and Ruijerd picked her up. "Ruijerd!"

Ruijerd patted my head and pushed me to go back to where Rudeus was. "Just listen if you really don't like it come outside to me." He gave me an escape, so I don't feel trapped.

I nodded with a thankful smile and went and sat next to Rudeus.

"Let them be alone together," Ruijerd demanded of Eris who was still struggling.

"No father would do that! Everyone wants a Ceres!" Eris yelled making me laugh.

"That's just how fathers are." Ruijerd went to walk out. "You may have your grievances, but those only matter while your son and daughter are alive. I will tell you your daughter was on the edge of-"

"Ruijerd!" I yelled and he went quiet then left.

"You heard?" Paul asked quietly.

"Magic is everywhere, I can hear everything even whispers," I explained. "But sadly not minds."

Rudeus looked at me and I didn't get why. 'Really? You can't read minds?' He asked me in his mind.

I giggled. 'That's just us.'

Paul sat across from us and just seeing his face made me terrified, so I went under the table shocking them both but I stayed in the room still.

I don't want to run yet, I still have some hope for this old man and Eris might go on a murdering spree if I go out there.

"That's the guy you told me about yesterday? Ceres, you call him Dad?" Paul asked us.

"Yeah...Rui is cool and nice." I explained.

"He's Ruijerd of the Superd." Rudeus added.

"Well, if you like him Ceres he must be a nice guy," Paul mumbled.

"He doesn't frighten you?" Rudeus asked.

"Dr Egg! He's cool!" I exclaimed.

"Yeah, he looks cool." Paul laughed. "And he saved you two."

"So, what did you come here for?" Rudeus asked.

"Well, um...I wanted to apologise." Paul admitted.

I thought that would make me feel better but it doesn't. "You're just going to do this again," I mumbled.

"You don't need to apol-" Rudues went quiet when I grabbed his foot. "Ceres, please listen."

I nodded. "To be frank. this has been like a game to me until now. So, it's only natural you would be angry at me, even Ceres got angry sometimes." Rudeus spoke like an idiot. "I should apologise for having fun at a time like this."

"No, I can't believe that. You have been doing your best too, right? Both of you." Paul asked.

"Oh, no, not at all." Rudeus retorted. "I had it easy."

I popped out from under the table. "Life and death so often! Easy?!" I yelled. "Kidnapped! Man stupid! Horse stupid! Everything was stupid! You're being stupid! It was hard!"

Rudeus smiled at me as I sat next to him but with my back to Paul. "Paul is somehow right for once...That letter...what did you write?" I asked. "I want to find Mum and everyone else."

"Forgot me, search the north of the Central Continent," Paul answered.

"I see." Rudeus let out and I heard the bartender sigh as it was silent.

"So what are you two going to do now?" Paul asked us.

"For the moment, we are going to escort Eris to Fittoa," Rudeus answered.

"There's nothing the-" Paul went to say.

"I wanna go home," I spoke up. "I wanted to this entire time."

"I hate to say it, but even the Boreas family is probably..." Paul informed us.

"We will still go home," Rudeus added.

"But..." Paul cut himself off.

"I wanna find Mum, Aisha and Lilia," I mumbled. "And Ted."

"Yeah him?!" Rudeus exclaimed. "I didn't even realise he would be caught in it! You were near him at the time."

"I see." Paul let out and Rudeus went to stand up then I was given a drink confusing me.

"On the house." The bartender informed me. "You seem like the one who still has some power left, look at your Dad or you will regret it."

He walked off, and I looked at Paul's face finally and saw he looked like he was about to cry, he regretted it all.

Paul and Rudeus were up when they heard me sob I was crying like I was yesterday. "Did I say something wrong?!" Paul panicked.

"It was too much for you, wasn't it?!" Rudeus groaned.

"I feel bad! I'm glad you are suffering!" I cried confusing them. "Sorry! You are upset because you hurt us! Finally, one of them doesn't want to hurt me! I'm so happy! You regret it!"

"What do you mean?" Paul asked me as Rudeus hugged me.

"Congrats Ceres, you got what you always wanted." Rudeus rubbed my back as I was just crying from sheer happiness. "You wanted your Dad to validate the pain he caused you."

I nodded my head as I didn't trust my voice anymore.

"But do you really regret?" Rudeus asked nervously. "The face you are making."

'I have seen that face before, a long time ago. I know it was...right after I stopped going out.' Rudeus thought of his last friend he got angry at that because he said Rudeus had it nice where he could play games all day while Rudeus really wanted to go back to school.

Rudeus let out all his anger on him, he thought it was unfair how he could be so carefree, so upbeat, so insensitive.

'A build-up? It went out onto him as I did with Dad.' I thought.

'Yours was more retaliation, but yeah we all did it.' Rudeus nodded and I hugged him.

'It must have hurt you the most after, I'm sorry you were so alone.' I apologised to him in my mind, and he hugged me back.

'He never visited again so I couldn't apologise and I didn't either, but Paul came to see us. He even apologised, we should take the hand he stretched out to us.' Rudeus informed me in his mind.

He smiled at me and I grinned brightly.

"Dad stand!" I demanded.

"What?" He asked confused as Rudeus and I went over a plan in our head and I really wanted to do it.

"Overwrite!" I grinned.

"With the way things are, we have to be grown-ups about this." Rudeus grinned.

Paul was still confused. 'I'm pretty sure Paul is 30 this year. Still younger than I was when I died.' Rudeus thought.

"Thirty, so old." I was in awe of the age since I never got out of my teen years really. I was eighteen when I died, but I was practically twelve to everyone who saw me. "I wanna get really old! A thousand!"

"I don't think that's possible." Paul laughed nervously.

"I'm sure you can find a way. You did it with your hearing." Rudeus grinned and Paul looked shocked as I smiled even more.

"Yeah, you are quite amazing and learn things quickly. I'm sure you can find a way even before I die, so how about sharing your secret with me then?" Paul asked me nervously, and the effort touched my heart.

I cried and shook concerning him. "This is how she reacts to compliments minus the crying," Rudeus explained since Paul probably never noticed.

"So that's why she trembled so much." He mumbled.

'Paul and you are amazing Ceres.' Rudeus admitted in his mind making me keep shaking. 'I just focused on blaming others while you two changed or never did.'

"Dad, let's pretend yesterday never happened," Rudeus suggested. "We never had a fight, Ceres never yelled. We are a father, son and daughter who just reunited right here, right now. Let's leave it at that!"

"I planned a hug ages ago! I was gonna hug him when I saw him again! We need to overwrite!!" I added as I was pushing Paul's back confusing him and Rudeus got up from the table.

I just made him float in the end shocking him then I put him down in front of Rudeus and he stood up.

"Now spread your arms," Rudeus demanded.

"Like this?" Paul asked.

"No, that fits Ceres and a half! Bigger!" I demanded beyond excited and he did it. "Kneel!"

He looked kind of concerned. "Please..." I mumbled. He went down on his knees, and we both nodded at each other then ran and jumped into his arms.

"Father! How I have missed you!" Rudeus exclaimed.

"I'm glad to see you again!" I added.

"Ru...Ceres? Rudy?" Paul still had his arms out.

"Don't you have something to say to your long-lost son and daughter?" Rudeus asked him.

"I've...missed you both too." He hugged us. " I have missed you both Rudy! Ceres!"

He cried making me cry. "All this time, I was so scared I couldn't find anyone. I thought you both might have died. I saw your...I'm sorry! Rudy! Ceres!"

His crying made me feel happy, but I was crying with him as he sobbed. "I'm the one who is sorry." Rudeus apologised.

"I'm glad you're my Dad," I admitted, and his crying got even louder.

I gave the bartender a big thank you making him pat my head. We then took Paul to our room, so we could talk properly.

"Yeah, beast people! They were so soft!" I exclaimed. "I also made a friend. He's amazing!"

"I heard...this Ted...who is he?" Paul asked Rudeus.

"I don't know, either." He shrugged. "I don't think even the name she calls him by is the right one."

"How did-I mean nothing." I looked away.

Paul looked astonished. "You keep secrets now." He mumbled shocked.

"I kept one for Rudeus since we were little," I explained.

"I already know about the underwear." He reminded me making Rudeus hang his head.

'This is our secret.' I talked to Rudeus in my mind and he was shocked then grinned.

"You will introduce him to me one day, right?" Paul grinned at me nervously.

"...You would scream," I informed him and they got very concerned.

Thankfully, we moved from the topic because the door to the room opened. "Argh!" I yelled as I saw Eris's eye. "Did you meet Rika?!"

"No." She huffed and tried to stay angry, but she hugged me and smiled happily. "You are smiling again."

"I am!" I nodded.

"It wasn't easy to stop her," Ruijerd explained the black eye Eris has.

"What are you doing with him?!" Eris hugged me protectively as she glared at Paul.

"We made up," Rudeus answered nervously.

"Why?! I saw how miserable you two were yesterday!" Eris carried me in her arm like a bag of flour as she stomped over to Rudeus.

"Being angry forever isn't worth it," I added. "Mum would be sad."

"Eris, I'm sorry about yesterday, but Father and I are both human." Rudeus grinned. "We make mistakes while Ceres doesn't."

"I'm what then?" I asked.

"A Ceres!" Eris exclaimed. "Kind! And someone who needs a new father!"

Paul laughed nervously. "I have made trouble for you. I'm sorry." Paul bowed to her and Ruijerd.

"No. If you were able to make up, it was worth it." Ruijerd grinned.

Eris just huffed, but that was a pretty good response coming from her.

I healed up Eris, so her eye doesn't hurt anymore. "Now, I know it's sudden, but this is our second strategy meeting in Millishion," Rudeus spoke up.

"We just had one the day before yesterday," Eris mumbled.

"The situation has changed," Rudeus stated. "Father gave me travelling money and a letter of introduction. Crossing from the Millis Continent to the Central Continent should be no trouble with this...however."

"Eris." I took her hands in mine. "The mana explosion, it teleported everyone even the entire city."

"I see." She let out as her hands gripped mine.

"Both Lord Phillip and Lord Sauros are still missing," Rudeus stated.

"Oh, well." Eris let out.

"Even Ghislaine's whereabouts are unknown." Rudeus piled it all on. "It's possible-"

Eris stood up and I was shocked she wasn't yelling or crying. "Listen, I was already prepared that much!" She exclaimed.

"But still..." I let out, and a tear from my face fell for her. "Come here."

She hugged and hissed as she cried and the others smiled seeing she wasn't holding it all in now. "Well then, I'd like to leave this city tomorrow. Do either of you object?" Rudeus asked.

"I don't mind!" Eris exclaimed.

"Are you sure? If you leave, you may never see him again." Ruijerd asked, and they all looked at me concerned I might cry.

"That can't die." I pointed at Paul and he laughed nervously unsure if he should feel insulted or not. "And Mum! And another star! Then second mum!"

"Yeah, we have family who we will never see again if we don't search for them now." Rudeus grinned. "I'd like to make them my priority."

It's nice that we all had our new aims in place, and they were ones I couldn't wait to complete.

Chapter Text

That night went quickly and since we were going to leave the next day, I had one last chance to join in on the traditional festivities in this town.

That morning I was out first thing to and they love their dancing here. It was a blast joining them and I spun and then stopped when I saw Paul and Norn watching me with some people behind them.

"Oh!" I ran over to them. "Hello!"

I then used wind magic since I broke some eardrums. "Sorry excitement and my volume goes up." I grinned as I patted Norn's ears.

"You really can dance," Paul commented as I ended up picking Norn up since she's so cute.

"Yeah, I learned dances from all over the demon continent. Every town we go to I try to see if I can join in on the festivities!" I grinned. "The energy! And just dancing feels amazing!"

"You just go in, and I don't even need to talk or hear them since they just naturally let me join in and I learn from them. People quite enjoy when you love something they hold as a tradition." I explained to him why I loved it even more as I walked with them.

"You looked like you were enjoying yourself." A friend of Paul's spoke up. She had very little on, but she didn't seem comfortable with it while the other person was scared by my stare a little.

Paul did say everyone who he works with had their lives ruined by the mana explosion.

"I don't know what it is, but you two are doing well to live." I grinned at them they were shocked and looked at Paul and he shook his head. "I know nothing, but I just see you are doing something for each other? It's a little hard to explain."

Paul ruffled my hair. "You really don't act your age." He laughed.

"I've been told I'm a hundred and two at the same time," I informed him and he laughed. "But really it's eighteen and eleven."

"Eleven? Your eleven?" Paul asked me and I glared at him. "I do remember! I'm just surprised you grew up so quick and so strong, but still an eleven-year-old on their own-" Paul coughed while trying to be a dad making me grin.

"Ruijerd is following us," I informed him and I pointed him out. Paul was shocked to see he was following us. "There is always someone watching me."

"It's time to go back and get ready," Ruijerd informed me.

"Okay! Can I fly back?!" I asked with shining eyes once I put Norn down. The others were confused and he nodded.

"See ya!" I launched myself up and they were all shocked to see me high up in the air.

"When did she start doing that?!" Paul freaked out.

"She can fly...dad you made her sound really weak," Norn mumbled.

"...I was wrong, I never understood her," Paul admitted with a lot of guilt.

"She knows you don't," Ruijerd spoke up shocking him. "There are more things you should know, but just know that your daughter is still very weak her bones break easily, but she's worked on her powers and words to save people, she's even helped me."

"...Thank you." Paul bowed his head to him. "Please, watch over her when you can."

We met up for one last time before we left and I was watching the cool waterfall nearby. I felt a tug on my cloak, and I turned to see Norn, so I made some wind magic.

I saw Rudeus smirking while Paul looked ashamed.

"See, she is deaf. We all yelled at the top of our lungs." Rudeus informed him.

"Huh?" I asked.

"Norn was shocked to hear that you are deaf," Rudeus explained. "And I thought I would prove it for Paul once again."

"I'm sorry." Paul apologised. "I also went at you for your hearing. I just didn't want to be part of the reason you lost something so precious..."

I was amazed that was his reason and I then grinned. "It's hard being deaf, isn't it?...I wanted you to have a fun and easy life. You must be scared." Paul groaned.

"I'm not," I informed him and he was shocked. "Because Rudeus, Ruijerd and Eris are here," I explained. "Same as when I was younger. I know the people around me would protect me like you did."

He looked ready to cry again.

Norn pulled on my cloak again and I looked at her to see a cute pout aimed at me. "To cute!" I exclaimed as I hugged her. "I'm so glad I found you again! I wanna take you with us!"

Norn seemed a little awkward but that's fine, she doesn't know me well.

I went to move away, but she held onto my cloak. "I don't want you to go. You're like mum, looks and kindness." She admitted quietly so the others didn't hear and I ruffled her hair.

"I'm the only one who took after her eyes. Hey, if I ever find Mum, I promise I will bring her to you, not him, you. You don't know her like the rest of us do, you must be desperate to see her and so lonely." I hummed.

Norn started to cry and I hugged her. "Sis is here, so don't worry. I already decided before you were born that you would be my family." I picked her up.

The others were surprised and even Paul mentioned that she never cries, so Norn has my old problem of holding things in. Emotion can destroy you as it did to Rudeus and I in our past lives.

"Norn is amazing," I spoke up proud of her. She has been through so much but even pushed Rudeus to save Paul even though she had no clue who he was.

"How?" Paul asked and I put Norn down then went over and kicked him.

He screamed as I kept kicking him it wasn't hard and I had no strength either so he was fine, Norn started to run our way. "She's adorable! Do you see her cuteness?! And she was born, that's enough to make Norn amazing to me." I yelled.

They were confused. "Really?" Rudeus laughed as Paul seemed scared of me still.

"Well, I failed birth." I reminded him, and he couldn't help but laugh. "I'm glad I'm the only one who did."

"Failed birth?" Norn asked me.

"When Ceres was born her heart stopped." Paul tried to explain softly, but Norn went pale and Eris looked shocked as well since we never did explain to the others what caused my hearing to go.

Ruijerd was much more stiff than usual showing even he was a little shocked by the information.

"Yeah, I suffocated probably resulting in my deafness and my weak body, but I was saved by Lilia! I'm alive and now I got to meet you." I pulled her cheeks to make her smile. "I won't be dying again, so you will see me around."

"You love me a lot...thank you, big sis!" Norn exclaimed the loudest she could and she was embarrassed while I died at that moment.

"Don't actually fall!" Rudeus caught me.

"She called me big sis!" I cried and he sighed as Eris patted my head.

As they were chatting about what we will be doing next and how we should keep in touch. My mind wandered to Orsted. He must be alright, but where is he? With how we were teleporting, he should have been near me like Rudeus was, but he wasn't.

I had a hand over my heart. "You okay?" Rudeus asked me.

"I miss him still." I pouted and Paul broke.

"WHO?!" He demanded to know. "IS IT THE FRIEND?! IS HE MORE THAN A FRIEND?!"

"Not telling!" I grinned.

"You mean the guy you met before the mana explosion?" Rudeus asked me nervously. 'She's been thinking about him a lot lately...he could be dead...' Rudeus wondered.

It seems Paul was thinking the same thing since he looked nervous. "He's alive," I stated shocking them with my confidence. "He's the most powerful person. He's the most kind. He's the most everything!"

"No, my daughter!" Paul cried.

"...He is dramatic like me," I mumbled, and Lilia laughed at my words.

"Why do you like him so much?" Rudeus asked me.

"He helped me with my speech and many other things! Every little stupid thing I wanted to try he took so seriously and did them with me." I grinned. "I want to show him how well I speak now."

"Why didn't you follow her?" Paul asked Rudeus.

"Ceres launches herself with wind magic, it takes so much control and I can't do it." Rudeus shook his head. "I have tried, but I trusted she made friends with someone really nice!"

"That launch thing?" Paul asked me referring to earlier.

"It's fun! I get around that way! I plan to travel like that one day!" I explained.

Norn was interested to hear to so I explained some more that I just want to see everything I can while I still can.

Ruijerd was talking to Paul confusing me until I heard what he spoke about. "Rui!" I loudly yelled surprising many while Paul looked at me and he was very pale.

"Don't." I pointed my finger at him.

"But you really...you were all alone when you teleported," Paul mumbled.

"Yeah, and kind of being eaten alive..." I sighed making him flinch. "Forget it. It's in the past to me and even if I get hurt I he-"

Paul bent down and put his hands on my shoulder, and he looked to be in pain. "What did I do?!" I freaked out.

"Never brush off any of your pain...it will make me sad." He informed me. "...Did it hurt?"

"It was really scary...but I lived!" I grinned. "So stop drowning yourself in the stupid stuff! I'm gonna go see the world!" I exclaimed." I will look for everyone at the same time."

"That's my daughter." He ruffled my hair, and I giggled happily from that then cried a little since I was so happy.

"Alright, you take care of yourself Father." Rudeus nodded to him.

"Same to you." He nodded.

We gave them all a statue of Ruijerd, and I conjured up two of Mum for Paul and Norn and they were amazed by the detail. It even made Norn cry and she hugged me while thanking me for such a gift.

We took off on our horses I was riding in front of Rudeus. My wind magic was left behind, and I found it strange that Geese suddenly appeared when we left. It seems he knows Paul pretty well and even said he will help with the search making me grin.

On our peaceful journey, we had a bunch of people challenge Ruijerd to a duel. He enjoyed the duels and I loved seeing him kick ass! He's so cool with his spear!

Our journey went smoothly until both Eris and Rudeus were puking since we were on a ship going back to our homeland. I was healing both of them as we went then I looked at Ruijerd who was looking at me to make sure I don't fall off the ship or try to fly off somewhere.

The weather was terrible, so I gave up on my wind magic.

'How are you alright, Ceres?' Rudeus asked me in his mind.

'...You guys are the weird ones.' I informed him in my mind and shrugged. He laughed nervously and then gagged. 'I'm glad Rui was able to come with us!'

'Yeah, Paul can come in handy sometimes.' Rudeus thought. Ruijerd gave him a disappointing look since he probably said that for him to hear too. 'Also...the land across this sea is a major rice producer!'

'Oh, good for you!' I grinned as I ran across the deck. I fell over since it was wet making them panic, but I just stood back up.

I watched a barrel roll by and I copied it until I saw Eris puking again and she gave me a thankful nod when I started to heal her. 'We can finally return to the Central Continent. Roxy is in the Shirone Kingdom, just the other side of the King Dragon Realm.' Rudeus thought then turned to me and laughed seeing I was in absolute awe.

'A dragon realm?!' I screeched in my mind.

'Yep, we are he-' Rudeus started to puke again, so I healed him next and focused on getting the words right for the spell.

I went to sleep when those two finally did, so I didn't need to heal them anymore.

"UUHHHH!" I let out seeing I'm back in Man God's place.

"Is that any way to say he-" Man God went to say.

"UHHHHHH!" I drowned him out with my voice.

"It's been a year, why the-" He paused when I glared at him.

"You're a monster! The cat mission! So many died!" I yelled. "You just sit here and do nothing! You're not a God, but a bitch!"

"Wow, I really made you angry, but remember the last one was the demon eye. You have that thanks to me." Man God grinned.

"Yeah, so? I thought about the other things you did, you must do this with other people too." I accused him, and he flinched showing it was true. What's his aim? Is it just because we are from another world?

"Are you sure you want to blame me for everything?" Man God asked me.

"Yes," I answered surprising him. "You are just shady, the word! I don't want to hear anymore! Rude! Ted!"

"Ted? That name again, who is that?" He asked me.

"Eh? Haven't you been watching us?" I retorted, and I didn't like the atmosphere change when I asked that.

Everything started to break again meaning something must be getting in the way of our connection and thank you for that! I could feel the cause this time, once I woke up I looked at my bracelet. "Ted?" I mumbled.

I sat up to see a disturbing waterfall. "Spaghetti?" I asked as I patted Rudeus's back.

He was puking over the side of the ship, and I let out my wind magic since it was very calm weather now that the storm had passed.

"Not spaghetti, I think it was bread," Rudeus answered and I was very unconvinced.

"Looked more like your intestines," I mumbled.

'You two okay?" Ruijerd asked us.

"Just some lingering seasickness from earlier," Rudeus answered.

'Man Twat.' I spoke up in my mind and Rudeus nodded. 'His face makes me want to puke too. He's just naked.'

"...He is!" Rudeus exclaimed concerning Ruijerd. 'Wait, did he help us get these demon eyes, so he could show me that?' Rudeus wondered.

I shook Rudeus, and he explained to me in his mind how he had seen Aisha getting grabbed by some men. Man God warned him that he can't tell her his name, so we can save her and Lilia.

"Boat faazzter!" I yelled ready to make it go faster myself and Rudeus decked me.

"Calm! We can't just run in!" He yelled.

"But cute star!" I whined. "And grabbed?! I will grab their neck!"

Ruijerd came over to help calm me down and I did eventually. The ship did travel faster surprising some and Rudeus would look at me and I would look away.

He let me do it since there was really no harm in getting there early.

Chapter Text

After the trip on the large ship, we had a man taking us down a river in what I think was called a gondola in our other life, it was what they had in Italy.

"We are riding one! I fought on one and killed a huge lizard that has bat arms!" I exclaimed remembering that weird but fun game.

"What one was that?" Rudeus laughed.

They gave us some snacks for the ride and Rudeus and I were quietly staring at one that looked to be made of rice.

I tried it myself. "It's not mushy." I pulled on Rudeus's sleeve, and he nodded slowly.

"I've never had it before, but this rice stuff isn't bad!" Eris yelled. "Rudeus! It's tasty!"

"Thank you very much," Rudeus mumbled as he took a small bite and even Eris noticed how quiet we were as we ate them.

We finally took a ride on a cart into the main city, and it was huge. There were giant walls all around, and I was humming the Attack on Titan opening.

"No." Rudeus shivered. "I bet you liked Levi."

"No, potato girl!" I grinned and he laughed.

"So this is the capital of the Shirone Kingdom!" Eris yelled.

"Roxy! Roxy!" I exclaimed. "I wanna see her! I grew, and you said you wanted her to see a certain growth of yours?"

"Well, yeah..." Rudeus laughed nervously. 'I'm sure it's Roxy the Man God told me to write to. We can save Lilia and Aisha that way, but if they really are here wouldn't Roxy have found them ages ago?'

"I hate men." I let out confusing Ruijerd.

"What about God?" Rudeus asked me.

"There is a Dragon God, so I guess I can't hate men," I whined and he laughed as he patted my head.

"Your master lives here, doesn't she?" Eris asked as I waved at the elephants that walked by us. "What's wrong?"

"You see, according to information I have received, members of my family are imprisoned somewhere in this kingdom," Rudeus explained.

"Really?" Eris asked.

"Oh, your mother?" Ruijerd hummed as he watched me to make sure I didn't go running off since my sprouts of energy while travelling was making sense now.

"No, Lilia and Aisha. Our former maid and my little sister." Rudeus answered.

"Second Mum! And star!" I corrected him. He patted my head as I was frantically looking around scaring some.

"Sister? But she was in Millishion. She seemed full of herself." Eris talked about Norn.

"She should be! She's cute!" I grinned. "There are two stars!"

"Yeah, I have three sisters. Ceres is the oldest with Norn just behind her and Aisha is the youngest. Her mother is our maid." Rudeus explained.

"Not like that's important," I added. I never really got why some people in the village I had talked to before I left talked about Aisha as someone who comes second in the family.

Eris let out a humming sound for some reason.

"If you two would be willing to help us gather information," Rudeus asked them.

"If it's about your family, I guess I have to." Eris sighed.

"Yes." Ruijerd simply agreed to help us.

"Thank you very much." Rudeus grinned.

"AISHA!" I yelled loudly, and Rudeus decked me to shut me up.

"We need to be quiet." He scolded me.

'You got to see her I didn't!' I whined in my mind at how unfair this is then out loud. "Rude! You are rude!"

He patted my head as I pouted just wanting to see them safe and healthy already.

We booked into an inn, and Rudeus was writing the letter to Roxy. 'Thank god, they didn't ask where I got that info.' Rudeus sighed in relief as he through that.

"Just say it was me," I added, and he actually found that to be a good idea since I could have just accidentally heard it somewhere with my wind magic.

'Until we find out what that pale jerk is thinking, I have got a feeling we should be careful who we tell about him.' Rudeus advised me in his mind. "So don't talk about him anymore, actually it probably won't matter soon since he seems to spend more time on me, a God favours me."

"That naked thing stalks you! I'm lucky!" I celebrated and he laughed.

"Yeah, even if he is called a God, he's unsettling." Rudeus groaned.

We went out to give the letter to the mail place here. 'That should do it. This letter will be out of nowhere.' Rudeus thought as he came back outside and saw I had my eyes closed while I seemed focused. "Trying to find her?"

I opened my eyes and pouted. "Where is she?!" I exclaimed as my wind magic was everywhere, but I wouldn't know what her voice sounded like since she was so young the last time I saw her. "Pink ball! Of cuteness! Where are you?!"

I sighed when I got nothing and he patted my head.

I just kept an ear out for any screaming or sounds of confrontation since Rudeus said she looked to be crying and was grabbed by some guards in what he was shown.

'We have to wait.' Rudeus stated in his mind as he started to walk along, and I followed.

We kept talking to each other this way since it was easier for me and it's just us right now. 'If we believe the Man God, we should search this huge city for the place he showed me in my dream. Actually, why didn't he show you it?' Rudeus hummed.

'It got interrupted the last few times, something is protecting me from him.' I informed him. 'It has to be the Dragon God!'

'The Dragon God?' Rudeus gave me a look, and I glared at him.

'Dragons are cool! So the God has to be.' I explained. 'But you said the guards were arresting Aisha? Is cuteness illegal here?'

'No.' Rudeus laughed. 'The Man God made it sound like she was being held in the palace.'

'So they are trying to take her back?' I asked. 'Roxy did say the prince was like you, but worse...IF HE EVEN TOUCHES MY STAR!'

Rudeus got scared and grabbed me stopping me from flying or running to the palace. "Need to save!" I exclaimed.

'Your energy yes!' Rudeus exclaimed in his mind to make sure I heard him. He was confused when I stopped fighting against him.

'We have a stalker other than Man Twat?' I hummed in my mind to not let the person who was near us know.

'Huh?' Rudeus put me down and we walked along then agreed to go through an alleyway together.

'They are still following, they seem small.' I reported, and we kept talking in our minds since it's best we don't let them know we are catching onto them.

'Ruijerd?' Rudeus thought and I gave him a look making him look away from me. 'Okay, I get it. It can't be him and it can't be Eris either, she's taller than you and she wouldn't sneak around, so who is it? Does someone in Shirone have a grudge against us?'

Rudeus took my hand and ran around a corner then made a wall of earth come up behind us and sighed in relief.

He turned and then paused. 'Huh? Isn't this?' Rudeus pointed at the buildings near us.

"Huh?! What?! No stop!" I heard a girl yell, and I smacked the wall. Rudeus immediately put it down for us to see a little Aisha struggling against a guard while another was just standing there. "Give me back my letter!"

She was crying hysterically. "Sorry, we are just doing our jobs." One apologised to her and they got nervous when they noticed us.

"Let her go!" I exclaimed.

"It's not what you think!" One retorted. "Listen, believe it not, we are soldiers from the palace garrison."

"So it doesn't give you the right to make my si- her cry!" I yelled as I used wind magic to push them away from her. I went over to her and held her hands. "Why are they after you?"

"Please save me! I need my letter back!" She pointed to it, so I used wind magic to fly it over to me. Rudeus made the ground underneath the guards' feet turn into mud, so they sunk down.

They were finally able to tell who we were from our magic. One blew a whistle making me whine and hold my ears since the sound went out far and wide then it all came back to my ears.

Rudeus pulled me closer, and I focused back on my wind magic when I heard running coming our way.

'How many?' Rudeus asked as I had my wind magic close in since I had it all spread out to hear everything across the city.

"Too many...so fly!" I picked up Aisha confusing her.

"Hold on tight!" Rudeus instructed her as I launched us up into the air making her cry hurting my ears again.

Rudeus was spinning confusing me, and he looked terrified. I used my wing magic to stop him and move us to where we were staying.

I softened our landings, and we landed on the roof of the place.

"Never again." Rudeus made out with the ground since he missed it.

"...Aisha!" I grinned and she was shocked then grinned back at me.

"That was so cool!" She exclaimed and I squealed that she was so excited by something I did.

'I didn't scare her!' I celebrated in my mind then I took her with me inside making Rudeus chase after us.

Rudeus had to convince and plead with me to make me put her down. I was annoyed with him, but I did it still.

"My name is Aisha Greyrat!" She exclaimed and I was pouting.

'Stop that, Ceres.' Rudeus sighed as he warned me his my mind. 'She will find you weird.'

'I can't hug her because you are perverted.' I complained in my mind, and he gasped. 'That must be why you can't tell her your name.'

"No..." Rudeus mumbled, and we both looked at her.

Aisha was smiling at us making me hold a hand over my heart since she's so cute. "You have my sincere gratitude for rescuing me from that predicament!" Aisha bowed to us.

"She's smart, smart words." I pointed at her and Rudeus laughed.

'Now, I'm pretty sure she's six years old now. She sure does know her manners and even I don't use those words.' Rudeus thought.

"Because you are rude." I grinned at him and he was unsure if I actually meant the word or his name.

"Excuse me! Would you two please tell me your names?" Aisha asked us.

"Ce-" I went to answer and Rudeus covered my mouth and I whined. 'Fake name!' He demanded in his mind as he stared me down.

"Um, Air...ess?" I let out. "Airess bat."

Rudeus turned away while holding in his laughter making me glare at him. "How about you brother?" I grinned.

"My name is Shadow Moon Knight!" He exclaimed and posed.

"Oh...cool!" I exclaimed.

"Yeah, so cool!" Aisha added. "I hate to be presumptuous when you both have just rescued me, but may I make a request?"

"Anything," I reassured her making Rudeus shake his head at me while smiling.

'She really adores them...Wait, why don't I get this attitude?' Rudeus was on the edge of a mental breakdown with just one thought.

"Brother." I put my hand on his shoulder, and he looked depressed. 'You helped me and I helped you. We have a connection we won't ever have with anyone else.' I explained in my mind.

Rudeus hugged me confusing me, but I happily accepted it.

"You two are very close." Aisha grinned. "I'm jealous, I have an older sister I haven't met."

"Real?!" I squeaked hearing she was talking about me, and I got embarrassed and sighed. "What is your request?"

"My mother is imprisoned inside the palace! I want to send my father a letter to inform him!" Aisha exclaimed.

'Let's break in! Like spies!' I yelled in my mind then looked at Rudeus, and he shook his head making me whine. 'But Lilia!'

'We need to take our time, even Aisha will tell you the same thing. She's grown into a clever girl.' Rudeus patted my head as I just dropped onto my bed.

"Didn't your mother teach you that you need money to send a letter?" Rudeus asked her.

"She taught me that if a little girl begs sweetly to send her father a letter, other people will take care of the rest!" Aisha explained.

"Really?" I asked and she nodded.

'Dear me, Lilia. How mischievous you are.' Rudeus thought.

"I have been trying to contact my father, but the people in the castle won't let me." Aisha looked upset so I patted her head making her grin at me brightly.

"Do you have, um, anyone else you can count on? You said you have a sister, do you have any other siblings? Like a brother?" Rudeus asked.

'Captain obvious, can't we just tell her our names?' I asked in my mind, and he sighed.

"I do have a brother, but I can't count on him," Aisha informed us.

'Why not?! Didn't I just rescue you in style?!' Rudeus yelled in his mind.

"Me style!" I pointed at myself. "You made a wall. I fart."

"I guess it was your style..." Rudeus mumbled then laughed at how serious I was saying that I fart. "May I ask why not?"

"Of course, you may! There was a box in our house that my mother treasured. She said not to touch it or look inside so I asked her why not. She told me that it held something that meant a lot to my brother!" Aisha exclaimed.

'The sacred relic!' We both yelled in our minds. I was laughing as Rudeus was spiralling down into a depression.

"So did you sneak a pic?" I whispered to Aisha.

"Yes! I found panties!" Aisha declared. I was on the floor dying trying to keep my laughter in. "At age four or five, my brother was devoted to a pair of women's underwear! And quite a small pair, too! By my calculations, they belonged to a girl of about 14."

'She studied them like you did.' I informed Rudeus.

'Calculations? Is she maybe a little too smart for her age?' Rudeus asked me in his mind.

"No perfect." I put my hand on Aisha's head she looked confused then grinned brightly at me.

"Did my poor older sister not know?" Aisha hummed. "Mother said she loved brother a lot and was always beside him."

"That could be a misunderstanding, couldn't it?" Rudeus asked.

"No, I surreptitiously got my mother to verify it. My brother spied on that lady in the bath and on my father and his wife in bed." Aisha explained.

I slowly turned to Rudeus, and he looked frightened. "I wanna be deaf again." I shivered. 'I'm not asking, you are not answering, got it?' I stated in my mind.

'Let me exp-' Rudeus tried to explain in his mind. I crossed my arms making an x, and he went quiet. 'So much with keeping my innocent image up.'

'You failed that many years ago.' I informed him and he got even sadder. "How about your sis?"

"I want to warn you some more." Aisha took my hands in hers. "You are really nice, please if you ever meet him run. It seems my mother is trying to hide it, but I'm certain of it. My older brother is undeniably a pervert!" She yelled.

Rudeus had stopped working and eventually gave in to the reality that we both know he's a pervert.

"I see, your brother is a pervert." Rudeus let out. "That must be rough."

'I never saw this coming. Damn it, I see now. That's why I couldn't tell her my name.' Rudeus groaned as he sulked in his mind.

"That reminds me! What's your real name, Mr Knight? I know Airess's." Aisha asked.

"That's a secret." Rudeus grinned. "People know me as the Kennel Master of Dead End."

"You are called Kennel Master? There must be a story behind that." She mumbled. "It sounds cool!"

Aisha was just staring at him with admiration and he got more and more nervous. 'Ceres help!' He screamed in his mind. 'The guilt!'

"Aisha!" I exclaimed and lifted her up into my arms. "Let's save your mother!"

"Isn't that awfully sudden?" She asked me.

"Something bad could happen if you are away for so long," I explained. "And I know what it's like to wait for someone to come back it's lonely, and a Mum's love is the biggest kind of love! My Mum must be worried too..." I mumbled.

Aisha hugged me tightly concerning me. "Thanks, sis." She whispered, and I squealed and hugged her.

"Smart girl." I giggled while Rudeus was confused and he would only suffer if I explained, so I guess this will just be our secret for now. "She agreed to it!"

"Good, leave this to us! I will show you what the Kennel Master is made of!" Rudeus declared.

"Now, let's feed you." I decided confusing Rudeus. "Her tummy is rumbling."

Chapter Text

I did the things I always wanted to do for my siblings in my past life and now this life.

Aisha was kind of resistant at first, I just pouted and she accepted my affection and in the end, I'm sure she really loved it.

She couldn't stop smiling even now as I was telling her a story to put her to sleep. I told her of when we fought in the forest and met all the Beast people.

"Rude leave," I demanded confusing him, but he got up and left the room making me grin.

"Maybe as soon as you wake up Lilia will be here." I grinned and she looked really happy. "You have been through a lot but you did all of this alone, well done."

She hugged my waist and then grinned. "You are amazing, you speak so well even though you're deaf." Aisha grinned.

I trembled from the praise and ruffled her hair. "I already love you so much!" I exclaimed, and she rested her head on my lap.

Aisha was fast asleep when Eris and Ruijerd came back with Rudeus. "She's asleep?" Rudeus asked me.

"Yeah, that was why you needed to leave," I explained to him.

"Why I needed to leave? She doesn't know I'm her brother." Rudeus retorted.

"You tried to defend your actions of...the holy relic over and over again. She had a stressful time. She needs to sleep, she is only six and you are loud." I explained.

Ruijerd patted my head making me grin. "You are a good older sister." He informed me.

"Whatever they didn't have because of the mana explosion! I will give them it all!" I grinned and was shaking from the compliment. "And even more!"

Rudeus explained the situation and lied about why they had to call him Kennel Master instead of Rudeus. He wants to show Aisha his good side to correct her bad view of him.

"I think you are plenty good just the way you are," Eris admitted.

"Eris," Rudeus whined then got the creepy smile again.

"Why do you make gross faces whenever I compliment you?! Just tremble cutely like Ceres, she looks like a scared little squirrel." Eris pointed at me.

"I do?" I asked and they all nodded making me giggle. "Fart squirrel."

"Still, if that's how things are, let's charge right in!" Eris declared.

"I haven't assaulted a castle in ages," Ruijerd added.

"What? Hang on." Rudeus hissed.

"What?" Eris grumbled.

"Well, let's wait to hear from my master, okay?" Rudeus asked and looked to me for help.

"But Lilia...I want her hugs." I complained. "We can hug the guards' necks really hard."

"When did you get so violent?" Rudeus shivered.

"Family," I explained since it's to save Lilia, if some people get hurt well that's their problem for being in the way. "They can suffer a little, Lilia must have suffered a lot."

"Does her suffering mean more to you?" Ruijerd asked me.

"Yeah! She doesn't deserve it..." I nodded. "Like Aisha."

'What a bunch of hotheads.' Rudeus thought.

'Perv.' I retorted in my mind and grinned when he tried to defend himself.

It's the only nickname he reacts to like this and it's funny.

I was the first up the next morning, and I had slept between Eris and Aisha. "Don't eat." I pulled Aisha's hair out of Eris's mouth as they were both still fast asleep.

Rudeus got up and then seemed to hear something. 'Someone is at the door! A woman!' He explained in his mind since I only just woke up. I'm completely deaf because my wind magic is all gone.

"That's why you're excited." I let out my wind magic, and he pouted at me.

We went to the front door that's just a cloth hanging from the top and we moved it slightly.

"Would you two be Lord Rudeus? And Lady Ceres?" She asked us as I was below Rudeus's head peeking through.

"Ah." I let out as a lazy confirmation.

"I am a member of the seventh prince's Shirone's royal guard." She informed us.

'Oh, the poor thing.' I thought as I hummed, and Rudeus looked down at me confused. 'Roxy wrote to us that the prince liked grabbing or groping? She definitely didn't like it. She put a couple of curse words after then there was also blood on the letter.'

Rudeus shivered. 'Wait, if she didn't attack me? Did she like me somewhat?' Rudeus thought.

'How are the aliens up there?' I asked, and he flicked my forehead making me whine.

'Thanks, I almost got too confident again.' Rudeus grinned and the lady was very confused.

"Are you two communicating?" She asked us. "Oh excuse me, I forget to say my name. My name is Ginger York."

"A pleasure to make your acquaintance." Rudeus nodded.

"May I ask that you two accompany me to the royal palace?" Ginger asked us and was very loud making us shush her.

"Sorry, Lady Roxy has summoned you two." She informed us.

"Roxy!" I exclaimed.

Rudeus facepalmed meaning I was too loud, but I was already running to get my stuff then stumped my toe against the wall making me whine.

"Ceres, are you okay?!" Eris yelled ready to kill when I whined.

"Out to see-" I sniffed from the pain. "Boxy..Rocky...I give up."

Rudeus healed my toe as I was sulking that I messed up so many of my words at once. I especially said a person's name wrong and they mean a lot to me.

"Right now?" Eris asked.

"I haven't seen my master in a long time," Rudeus explained.

"Look after the little star, please," I asked Eris as I ruffled Aisha's hair.

"Of course. You'd both better introduce me to your master, okay?" She asked us.

"Of course, you will have time once this is over." Rudeus nodded.

"Will you two be alright alone?" Ruijerd spoke up.

"Strong! Fly like....fly!" I exclaimed making Rudeus laugh.

"Yeah, we will be fine. I would like you to stay here since Ceres will worry about Aisha non-stop if not." Rudeus explained and I nodded. "If only you raised our sisters they would be so spoiled, so I have to be the strict older brother, my life is so hard."

"You mean the hated older brother?" I asked, and he looked ready to cry. "I don't hate you! Norn just needs time! While Aisha hasn't met you properly! It will be fine!"

Rudeus nodded. "And stop yelling." He demanded.

"I am?!" I said surprised.

He pointed at Aisha, and I just waved him off. 'There's wind around her ears. I know she's a little of a light sleeper since she would get a little startled by my voice when she was falling asleep last night as I told her the story.' I explained. 'I made sure no sound went into her ears, but the best I can do so far is lessen the sound so she still hears some of it.'

"...What?!" He screamed and I glared at him. "That's genius!"

I trembled and giggled happily as we walked. "Does it work for you?" Rudeus asked me.

"No, I still hear it all," I explained and he groaned. "So yeah, if it's near an explosion, I would take all the damage."

"Don't use it," Rudeus demanded.

We followed Ginger to the huge castle. 'Palace! Could there be a really ugly person inside?!' I was in awe.

'Ugly person?' Rudeus asked me.

'Persona.' I explained as he let out a sound I think. 'Shadows! I want a motorcycle and a talking cat!'

As we got to the gate Rudeus started to tell me what Ginger was telling us. 'Lady Roxy informed me that you two are geniuses.' Rudeus smirked. 'And that we are.'

'Lady Roxy often boasted about us, they should call her goddess.' Rudeus thought and I wanted to not be deaf anymore, he isn't a good translator.

I noticed Ginger didn't seem too happy as we walked along. If she talked to Roxy and got along with her, she would be walking faster. "Are you okay?" I asked her and she looked at me shocked.

'Ceres, what do you mean?' Rudeus asked me.

'She looks sad, and where's Roxy? I'm looking for her mana.' I tried to look for it with my eye. 'There are some with high mana, but is that her?'

Ginger walked on ahead suddenly and Rudeus motioned me to come along, but even he seemed put off now.

I decided to put out my wind magic into the entire palace. It would take a long time to do that, so I pushed it towards the place we were heading to.

We made it to a door at the end of a hallway, and we found the guards from yesterday guarding it making me go on alert.

"Pardon me. May I take your staffs and bags?" Ginger asked us and Rudeus went to, but I pulled on his arm confusing him.

'Trap card! We will activate it!' I warned him in my mind.

'But for Lilia, Ceres.' Rudeus retorted in his mind. I groaned a little scared of what would happen and he patted my head making me look at him. 'I'm your older brother. I will protect you.'

"Together!" I exclaimed and took his hand.

"Yeah together." He nodded as we handed them over and my wind magic had gone through the gaps of the door, but it was hard to get even a little in since there were no cracks inside that room or around all the sides of the door.

The guards were very nervous, and Ginger took our stuff and I could easily have my staff come to me if needed.

'I should focus on Roxy for now. I mean, I haven't seen her in seven years.' Rudeus thought.

"That long!" I yelled scaring the others.

"Lord Rudeus...Lady Ceres." Ginger spoke up. "Never mind, it's nothing. This is Ginger! I have brought Lord Rudeus and Lady Ceres!"

"Enter." A voice demanded from inside.

'A man's voice?' Rudeus thought.

"Men?" I groaned making Rudeus laugh a little then we went in together and we saw four guards along with him. "Fat prince! The owner of the Palace!"

"Fat?!" He screamed at me.

'Is this him? Is this walking barrel Roxy's-' Rudeus glared at him as he thought that then I heard someone groaning. I saw Lilia off to the side tied up with a gag in her mouth.

"Lilia?!" I screamed and her eyes widened as I ran over to her so I let Rudeus's hand go.

"Drop him!" The prince ordered. I turned to see the rug we were standing on was pulled from underneath Rudeus by a guard and Rudeus fell down into the hole beneath.

"Ru-!" I went to go back.

'Don't come down here! I'm trapped! It's the trap card down here!' Rudeus informed me in his mind. 'I can't use my magic!'

"What are you going to do?" The prince smirked at me.

"So you were her student as well? You look useless." I admitted. "I can't see much mana coming from you."

"Guards!" He screamed and they drew their weapons and I made it seem like I was backing up in fear.

"You know, I think I do something better than you!" I smirked.

"And what's that?!" He laughed.

"Fart!" I grinned and launched my wind magic right at him making him scream then it all got redirected to a window before it hit him. During the chaos, I grabbed Lilia and used my wind magic to help me take her with me through the broken window that my wind magic hit.

I used the rest of my wind magic underneath us launching us to the very top of the palace. I did my best to soften her landing while I kind of smashed into the ground. "Lurked!" I yelled in victory since my plan worked flawlessly.

I focused on my wind magic to hear what was going on down there to hear that stupid prince still talking. He had trapped Rudeus with a trap he was going to use on Roxy, but she left before he could.

His name is Pax.

Rudeus and he were literally trying to measure each other up and see if they were the lover of Roxy.

'Oh thank god! It sounds like I haven't been cuckolded by this creep!' Rudeus celebrated in his mind.

'What?' I asked in my mind.

'FORGET THAT!' He demanded.

Pax decided he was going to use Rudeus as bait for Roxy, so he could have her as a sex slave..."Is he that bad at just being a decent human? I guess I'm bad with people, but I wouldn't want to force anything on them..." I mumbled.

It was disgusting hearing him say he wanted to force himself on her in front of Rudeus and then lop off his head to make her sad.

'I met Aisha just like in the Man-God's vision. I used a fake name, and I sent a letter to Roxy. Hang on, did he pull a fast one on me? Is Ceres okay?!' Rudeus panicked in his mind.

'Fine! I even got Lilia out of th-she's still tied up!' I helped Lilia out of her restraints. "Sor-!" Lilia hugged me tightly before I could fully apologise.

"Lady Ceres." She mumbled and I could tell how upset she was and how relieved she was too.

"It's been a while." I teared up. "Aisha is safe!"

Lilia looked so relieved to hear that and patted my head making me grin. She explained to me what happened to her and Aisha. They both ended up here together since they were holding onto each other like Eris and Rudeus during the Mana explosion.

They had landed in a lake, so they were lucky, but once they made it to Shirone Kingdom she asked for a meeting with Roxy and Pax trapped them here to be hostages to lure Roxy back.

"Fat thing! Like Big Mama!" I yelled confusing her then she grinned.

"You can insult now?" Lilia asked me.

"Because he made you suffer!" I explained. "Ah, let me tell you our side!"

Lilia knew straight away that I played down what happened to me, but she didn't point it out or ask anything. She was concerned to hear how far we were teleported away but was so glad to hear Paul and Norn were safe.

"It's just Mum and Sylphie now," I mumbled. "Rude is already monologging...that sounds right, but wasn't right."

Rudeus did the same monologue as when he was naked. "Is he naked?" I mumbled and Lilia looked confused.

'Ruijerd, Eris! Ceres! Hurry up and rescue me already! Please!' Rudeus begged in his mind.

'You have been there for a second...I will call for them then bring you a Prince so you can live happily ever after!' I reassured him.

"NOO!" I whined as his scream filled my ears and Lilia was concerned.

'Why?! I want you alive!' I complained in my mind, so he could hear me over his own screaming.

'Oh, that's what you meant, sorry.' He apologised as Lilia rubbed my ears and I grinned at her.

I took Lilia with me as we got far away from the palace by flying. She was amazed I could do this and with such control.

I landed us safely on the ground and even got some cloak for Lilia to wear so she wouldn't be seen. I gave her the location of where we were staying so she could go tell the others what happened. "Can you tell them for me?" I asked Lilia.

"Yes, but aren't you coming with me?" Lilia asked.

"I don't know when Pax might do something and if I'm away...I can also hear Rudeus still with my wind magic...I want to be near in case, I don't want to lose him." I admitted and she patted my head. "Also, I heard of an interesting Prince while we made our way down, I think I can help without much violence!"

"You have grown very well, I'm sure Lady Zenith would be proud," Lilia admitted making me cry and tremble. "Stay safe."

She hugged me and I hugged her tightly back then she was off to go inform the other two what happened.

I made my way back into the palace and I just smashed a window so I could get in. I was going to run off, so they wouldn't be able to trap me in here, but I got confused seeing something from a very long time ago.

"The Roxy figure?" I held it up.

"Unhand that!" Someone yelled.

"My bro made it! No!" I retorted.

"Your brother?!" He stared me down.

"Yeah, he wants it back..." I just made another one and handed it to him.

He was on his knees crying at how magnificent it was and he was even calling me magnificent making me tremble. "Do you know where the strang...damn, the strong prince is?" I asked him.

"They aren't the same!" He exclaimed as he looked between the figures.

"Yes, they are!" I retorted. "Want to compare?!"

"Yes!" He nodded.

"Now look, they are the exact same even with the sense of movement it conveys with her robe! She has one foot forward and her staff thrust ahead, vividly capturing this one moment!" I exclaimed. "These are exceptional figurines since they are in a beautiful fighting stance! So never say I made a bad one!"

"...You truly are talented...but!" He hissed. "You don't see this! Pull these pieces off."

"They come off? Bro didn't tell me that." I mumbled as I took off the hat and found it cute.

"All of them." He motioned me to carry on.

"What else is..." I pulled on the cloak next and the entirety of the clothes from the back came off revealing her panties creeping me out. The front came off as well to show her trying to cover her boobs and the guy just smirked like he showed me a dragon.

"Disgusting," I stated.

"HUH?! No! You don't see it! It comes away in two pieces to reveal an innocent girl in her underwear!" He yelled.

"I see that!" I groaned.

"But! You must think how did her arm move-" He went to say.

"Yeah, the figure has three different arms." I nodded and he hummed happily that I saw that. "So do you know the violent Prince?"

"That would be me. I am Zanoba Shirone, third prince of Shirone." He informed me.

"Want to meet the creator? I'm sure he can show you even more of it." I grinned and he nodded. "Cool, he's the hostage of Fatty."

"I see." Zanoba sighed.

"I'm sorry, that's your brother." I apologised to him.

"Thank you." He grinned at me and he took me to where Rudeus was being held.

'Rude! I brought a perv just like you!' I grinned as I yelled that in my mind then ran down the stairs to see him.

"WHAT?! I'M THE ONLY ONE YOU CAN KNOW!" Rudeus retorted, and I showed him the Roxy figure and he was now crying. "I missed that!"

"Yeah, and I know why..." I stared at him and he got nervous as he looked away.

"Well...I didn't think you would discover it since...why did you undress her?" He asked me.

"The perv." I pointed at Zanoba who made his way in. "Zanoba this is the creator, go ahead...I'm going deaf."

I literally moved all of my wind magic out of the room as they yelled about its brilliance. I had to have it travel so far away, so I didn't hear them since they were just screaming about it.

Rudeus seemed to get serious at some point and Zanoba looked ashamed. 'Yes! I depicted the embarrassment that comes from her inability to hide her m-' Rudeus looked to me and grinned nervously.

'You have a big inability to hide your perviness...how did I never notice before?' I groaned in my mind. 'But it's you, I'm fine with that. You just have a lot of love to show.'

Rudeus looked ready to cry and then ran to me, but he hit the barrier making me laugh as he fell over. Zanoba seemed to be screaming so I made some wind magic.

"MASTER!" Zanoba yelled.

"What did Rude say for you to use that title?!" I freaked out and ran.

'Come back! Don't leave me with him!' Rudeus begged in his mind.

Chapter Text

I did eventually come back, but I kept on top of the stairs as Zanoba crawled all around on the floor. "I simply can't find the mechanism anywhere to shut it off!" He yelled.

"Want me to blow it up?" I asked.

"No!" Rudeus shook his head.

'But the barrier will protect you, I just need a dragon.' I explained in my mind.

"The idea is to get me out of here, right?" Rudeus mumbled confused.

"Oh...yeah." I let out and he laughed as I was away with the dragons.

"Are any of your subordinates experts?" Rudeus asked him.

"I have no subordinates," Zanoba informed us.

"Oh, that must be lonely," I mumbled.

"I traded my last one for the Roxy Figure." He explained.

"You traded a friend for that?! Cruel." I hissed, and he bowed to me while apologising.

'This guy has a one-track mind...distancing him from Ceres will be a good idea.' Rudeus thought. "Then it seems I will soon be forced to expel you, my pupil." Rudeus sighed.

"What?! Master!" Zanoba begged then whacked into the barrier. "What a calamity."

"Just get him out. It was fatty who did this." I explained.

"Really?! Very well! I merely have to do something about Pax?" Zanoba asked and we nodded. "Understood. Please be patient a while longer."

Zanoba walked off. "What was that?" Rudeus asked me.

"You tell me," I mumbled as I just waited with him. "I heard he was a blessed child with cool strength..."

I paused when I heard screaming from outside and it seemed Zanoba was dragging Pax here making me grin scaring Rudeus a little since he can't hear them yet. "Zanoba!" Pax yelled as he came up behind me holding the idiot by the head and I made my way down the stairs quickly.

"Well, Masters?" Zanoba grinned.

'Why am I being pulled into this weird name?' I thought.

"Will you make me your apprentice now?" He asked us.

"Oh, I like teaching people! Yeah!" I nodded.

"Prince Zanoba! Please unhand him!" Ginger yelled then was surprised to see me.

"You will split my skull!" Pax screamed. I was a little unnerved by his yelling, but it was still well-deserved for what he had done and planned to do. "Ginger save me! Don't you care what happens to your family?!"

"Huh?" I let out.

"If you are worried about your families, they are fine," Eris spoke up from the stairway. "Ruijerd went to rescue them."

"Who is Ruijerd?" Ginger asked.

"A strong friend, he's stronger than me...do watch." I grinned as I held out my hand and then sent Pax flying into a wall. A huge indent of him was left behind when he fell from it. "That felt great! Seriously?! You are the worst!"

"That girl...they are safe." The guards mumbled then dropped their weapons making me grin.

"What are you doing Ginger?! Hurry up!" Pax yelled after I splashed him with a water ball to wake him up and Zanoba lifted him up by his head again.

'...Ceres is getting scarier...but a good majority of her family was in danger.' Rudeus thought then grinned. 'She's done well.'

I trembled making him laugh. "I originally swore my loyalty to Prince Zanoba. I can't defy his highness' will." Ginger gave a pretty good excuse.

"Pax, are you going to keep me waiting?!" Zanoba shouted as he held onto Pax's shoulder to keep him in place. "I might rip your head off any moment now."

I could actually hear Pax's muscles starting to rip making me freak out since it was so loud in my ears. "Fine! I will let him out so just let me go!" Pax finally screamed and then got released.

"Good, if you have learned your lesson, then stop your mischief." Zanoba patted his arm and it twisted making Pax scream. "Dear me, humans are such fragile things."

I just hopped away, and Aisha ran my way concerning me as to why she was there and she hugged me. "Keep off! Pervert!" Aisha yelled at him showing she knew of my weak body.

'It's over? I'm totally lost.' Rudeus thought as he sighed.

'I'm glad it's over. This was weird.' I agreed with him in my mind. "And star?!"

I held up Aisha happily and Eris held me up next. "Star!" Eris yelled and I giggled.

We waited outside the castle for Ruijerd to bring everyone else here. Ginger explained to us everything we missed and that was mostly everything. Ginger actually was planning to ask us for help to save everyone and stop the prince.

"Just ask." I sighed. "I would have done it easily!"

"It might have been a good thing she didn't." Rudeus sighed as Ginger and Aisha went running since Ruijerd and everyone else came into view.

I was glad to see him and Lilia safe.

I went over as Aisha was hugging Lilia. I did my best to hug both, and they hugged me back making me feel so loved. "I finally bound ou!" I cried losing all focus on my words. "You are safe!"

Rudeus patted my head but then. "Master!" Zanoba just threw Rudeus into the air. "You are safe."

"Not anymore," I mumbled as Rudeus hit the ground hard. "Ah, I could-

"Master!" Zanoba yelled at me now, and I was very concerned.

"...Why do I find this weird?" I mumbled. "How about Joker instead? I'm here to steal the treasure!"

"Beautiful! Master, will you make me your apprentice now?" Zanoba asked me completely ignoring my suggestion.

"On farting?" I asked and he nodded.

"Whatever! Please teach me!" He pleaded. "Master Ce-" Zonba went to grab me next, but Rudeus was already back up shocking everyone as he stood in front of me with his arms out. "Master?"

"You touch Ceres and I will hurt you!" Rudeus exclaimed.

"Don't!" I yelled.

"Pulling her wrist can break it, and I will break yours if you do!" Eris threatened him while I was just grinning after. I was happy they are so protective, but I have had enough of people getting hurt today.

Aisha then kicked Zonba while yelling at him and I hugged her.

Ruijerd even joined in on glaring him down and Lilia did too.

He didn't touch me, and we made our escape from him whenever he appeared. I even still have the original Roxy statue, and I just threw using it as bait to get him away from me.

Zanoba caught and cried over it, and that was that.

We were going to set off and since we were going separate ways I was pouting. "Ru-I mean, the Kennel Master is amazing!" Eris exclaimed.

"Please tell me more!" Aisha pleaded.

I was with Rudeus loading up the carriage for Aisha and Lilia with my wind magic. "That does it." Rudeus grinned.

"Master Rudeus," Lilia whispered and waved him over.

He looked at me, and I was looking at the sky. "Dragon." I let out pretending to be distracted since she only called for him.

He smiled to himself then went over to get handed something by Lilia. "This is for you." She informed him.

"Could it be?" Rudeus opened it.

"Ah." I let out seeing the box from far off.

"You don't see a thing!" Rudeus yelled at me.

"I'm deaf, not lined!" I yelled. "I man! Ah! I give up! Oh, that one went well."

Aisha came over and patted my arm to comfort me, and I grinned at her. Rudeus waved me over so I ran over and he held out a necklace to me with a really cute pattern on it and a blue stone in the middle.

"It was supposed to be for your ninth birthday from Sylph-" Rudeus went to explain and I snatched it and grinned.

I put it on and then held onto the charm tightly. "I will thank her one day!" I exclaimed, and they both grinned at me.

Lilia then pulled us both into a hug. "I wish you two a happy birthday." She mumbled.

"Happy birthday to you too!" I grinned.

"Lilia...you are touching me," Rudeus mumbled.

"I was right, you haven't changed a bit, but Lady Ceres really has grown so strong." Lilia tightened her hold on us. "I'm so glad you two are safe."

"Same!" I yelled.

"Same here too." Rudeus grinned.

"Has Aisha been rude to you at all?" Lilia asked us.

"She's perfect!" I declared. "She is nothing like Rude."

"Oi." Rudeus stared at me and I laughed. "She's a very bright girl. You must have raised her well."

"No, she's a dull wi-" I covered Lilia's mouth shocking her.

"Just praise her. She's been through a lot." I grinned.

"Yeah, I say that's for the best," Rudeus added. Lilia moved back into the carriage and closed the door when Aisha ran over.

"Mr Kennel Master!" She yelled and she was so cute as she grinned. "I want to ask you both something in secret."

"What would you like?" Rudeus asked.

"The world, easy," I added and he sighed.

"Please allow me to accompany you on your journey!" Aisha bowed to us. "My mother wants me to serve my half-brother when I'm older, but...I don't want to! Save me from his perverted clutches as you saved me before!"

"Aisha...don't you have a dream?" I asked her.

"Yeah, to serve my sister!" She exclaimed. "Can I not join you? My mother says that I'm going to do a lot of growing."

"But I don't need height..." I mumbled.

"No, I will be quite voluptuous!" Aisha stated and I was horrified.

'Lilia, what have you been teaching her?' Rudeus thought as he looked towards the carriage.

"No!" I yelled shocking Aisha as Rudeus chopped her head making me nod. "Don't talk like that!"

"Yeah, children shouldn't say things like that," Rudeus added and I rubbed her head since she looked to be in pain.

"I'm fine," Aisha whispered to me showing she was just playing it up for Rudeus to pity her.

Rudeus then took off his headband while I used wing magic to cut into it a little drawing of Rudeus and I along with a star next to it. "That's kind of childish," Rudeus mumbled.

"I'm a child." I reminded him.

"In a few years, you won't be!" He retorted then froze. "You won't be a child...that's scary!"

"I was an adult once!" I sighed at him as Aisha laughed then got curious over my last words.

"Anyway, this is for you." Rudeus handed her the headband. "I have been using this for a long time. Holding onto a memento of someone you like can be reassuring. Maybe your brother felt the same way."

'So you are twisting your logic that way...' I judged him in my mind and he nervously laughed seeing I saw through that. 'But that is right and it's not like Roxy doesn't know about it.'

"She doesn't!" Rudeus sighed.

"It was obvious, though." I retorted believing Roxy must know. "Aisha, are you alright?"

She seemed a little nervous as she rubbed her little thumbs against the headband. "One day...I want to travel, so I need someone to take care of the home I will return to." I grinned.

"I will do that!" Aisha declared. "Promise!"

"Pinky promise!" I held mine up, and she wrapped hers around mine.

I giggled so happily then tried taking her with us by putting her under my cloak. "No, Ceres! Put her back!" Rudeus yelled.

"Death." I hummed.

"Wrong one!" He corrected me.

"Rude!" I whined.

Rudeus shook his head at me as I had to say goodbye since they were heading off first. I gave Aisha to Lilia who was sitting in the carriage then I kissed Aisha's forehead she was surprised and teared up a lot.

"Let's meet again, sis." She held onto my cloak.

"Of course." I grinned while Lilia was surprised she knew I was her sister.

"See you again! I will keep that promise!" Aisha yelled as they took off and waved to us.

We waved back to them. "Sorry, I called you a pervert, Big Brother! And you were even more amazing than I thought Big sistar!" Aisha exclaimed shocking everyone but me.

I was shaking from the compliment, but waving back to her as I laughed at their reactions. "You are a great little sistar! Get along with Norn for me, please!" I waved to her.

"You knew?" Rudeus turned to me.

"She couldn't keep the act up around me and told me she knew everything from the very beginning." I laughed.

"She knew all along." Eris sighed.

"She's smart! The smartest! Even more than Rude and Rui!" I clapped.

"Tell me next time," Rudeus asked me.

"How much more did Paul spawn?" I asked, and he laughed at my wording.

"Hopefully no more." He grinned.

"But I want more! You make them!" I demanded and he blushed. "I want many nehes and nices."

"...That was on purpose, wasn't it?" Rudeus asked me and I nodded. "You already got the nickname." Rudeus nervously laughed. "Then what about you?"

"...Would I die if I had a kid?" I mumbled since I didn't know if my body could handle that and even Rudeus looked concerned. "Who cares?! I want to travel first! Adventure is my romance! And sword!"

'She means that kind, she means that kind.' Rudeus repeated to himself in his mind. He has been trying to calm down his perverted thoughts since I can actually tell they are perverted now.

I mean I kind of did before or I just didn't take notice, but it's fun to tease him. He did it all the time with me with my speech, so it's fair...I always wanted a sibling I could tease since it means you are close to each other.

I was so excited that we were travelling through the dragon realm that I was the fastest out of all of us. We had to keep waiting for Rudeus. "Little legs, hurry up!" I yelled.

"I have longer ones!" I faintly heard him yell since my wind magic is around Eris and Ruijerd mainly since it's hard doing a couple of different clusters. The bull along with Ruijerd's heavy footsteps helps me keep track of how fast I need to move the wind magic.

"Use them!" I retorted.

We did take a proper break, so I took that time to find more rocks while they made sure our bull was healthy since it was carrying most of our stuff and I have already named it.

"His name is Kaido. He has horns like him...are you part fish?" I asked it and Rudeus laughed. "You are now called drag." I pointed at Rudeus.

"Why?" He asked me.

"You drag those." I pointed at his feet.

"You do," Eris added and he sighed.

We finally made it to a rundown village, and we talked to the locals.

They allowed us to use a house for a night that was empty. I was with Ruijerd as we made sure the bull was tied up. I threw a blanket over it, and it didn't each reach so I used wind magic to lift it up farther into the air then grinned when I succeeded.

Ruijerd patted my head and smiled as he followed me inside to find Rudeus and Eris blocking out the open windows, so I could use my wind magic easily.

Once they did that I filled the room with it and we made our dinner.

Eris just punched in a new window concerning the other two and I walked over to look out to see a red dragon. "Ted!" I yelled.

"Ted?" Rudeus mumbled.

"Look! Red dragons!" Eris grinned. "I'd love to hunt at least one!"

"To ride?" I asked.

"Yeah!" She nodded. "We can ride it together!"

'Hm, ride?' Rudeus thought.

I turned to him with a suspicious look on my face, and he looked upset since I have been more cautious as to what his words mean now.

He did trick me into praying to panties and I rather not do something so embarrassing again.

Later that night, we went outside and I was in awe as Ruijerd and Eris were fighting. I didn't have any wind magic out so I couldn't hear them, but when their spear and sword clashed I could see sparks.

Eris was barely just missing Ruijerd and she even flipped midair. "Midbear!" I exclaimed with so much excitement I didn't care, and she smirked at my reaction.

It soon ended with Ruijerd slamming her sword into the ground with his spear, and she was out of breath and then deflated as we clapped for them.

Rudeus threw her a towel that I was warming up for her by the fire. I then handed one to Ruijerd who signed thank you to me for it. We sat down at the fire while Eris was still standing I made some wing magic to hear them.

"Eris, from this day forth, you may call yourself a warrior," Ruijerd spoke up.

"You mean?" She turned to him.

"You have grown up." He grinned.

"But I still haven't beaten you!" Eris retorted.

"Mountain!" I pointed at Ruijerd pretty much just saying that's impossible right now.

"That doesn't matter. You already have the strength of a full-fledged warrior." Ruijerd informed her.

"Congratulations, Eris." Rudeus grinned.

"Congrats!" I added.

"Rudeus maybe I'm dreaming, try pinching me!" She sat next to him.

"Will you punch me if I do?" Rudeus asked.

"I will not!" She yelled, and he went for a confusing spot, so she punched him and he had a spin to him making me clap.

"Sorry, but still you are not dreaming. I wouldn't be in this much pain if you were." Rudeus admitted as he held his cheek.

"I see, I'm a warrior." Eris grinned and I patted her back.

"But don't grow conceited," Ruijerd warned her. "That means I won't treat you as a child anymore. Understand?"

"Yes! What about Ceres? She's stronger than me?" Eris asked.

"Child." He answered.

I happily laughed since I knew he wouldn't ever think of me as a warrior since he wants to always protect me and my bones won't ever get better.

Chapter Text

The next day, we were going through the higher parts of the mountain. Ruijerd made sure I didn't leave the group since it was snowing badly with a ton of wind, so my wind magic was gone seconds after creating it.

Eris held my hand as we had to wait for Rudeus, and then I saw a dragon and I ran to get a better look at it.

Eris pulled me back and Rudeus grabbed my cloak. 'Stop that!' Rudeus begged in his mind as they seemed to talk about me nearly running off the edge again.

I was staring at the red dragons as we walked. 'Don't you dare think of meeting one. Red dragons are dangerous and incredibly strong, they also live in flocks!' Rudeus scolded me.

'They do, but Ted...' I stared at him with a pout as I got pulled along.

"Rack!" I ran to what I saw.

Rudeus spun so quickly to look at it then saw I meant rock and sighed. 'We will go a little ahead.' He informed me and I nodded. 'The path is inside the mountain, so you shouldn't be able to die accidentally.'

The other two looked confused since I only nodded at him. Rudeus then said they will go farther ahead since I will easily catch up to them and it's a safer route ahead.

I was admiring all the snow, and it only reminded me of Ted since his hair was nearly pure white and his cloak was white. 'Where did he go? Is he actually weak?' I thought.

I made a bunch of wind magic hoping I could cut off some of the rock off the cliff edge I wanted, but my wind magic got sent down the way they went inside the mountain making me sigh. I was actually able to stop it meaning the path is deep enough into the mountain that it blocks the actual wind.

I heard them talking about the Seven Great Powers once again then it went silent. I didn't get why, so I thought my wind magic had been taken again but using my eye showed that was wrong.

What I did see though was a huge amount of mana, there was someone else here in front of the others.

"Rudeus don't move a muscle..." I heard Ruijerd speak with fear in his voice.

"Ceres is back there." Eris let out.

I then heard the bull scream, and I saw it for a second since I went to the edge of the path to see it fall off the mountain. 'Why?! What spooked it?!' I freaked out in my mind.

'There's some man here along with a small girl.' Rudeus informed me with a confused tone to his voice in his mind.

"Is that Ruijerd Superdia I hear?" I heard a new but familiar voice.

"Ted!" I exclaimed recognising the voice.

I went to run in but then stopped because of the yelling I heard. "Who are you?! How do you know my name?!" Ruijerd yelled.

"He's scared?" I let out nervously. "The curse?"

"How come you know mine, too?!" Eris questioned him.

"I didn't expect-" My wind magic got swept away by the wind annoying me.

I didn't know if I should send in more wind magic or wait for Orsted to come this way. I mean people are afraid of him, but he doesn't act without reason.

I could hear Rudeus's mind, so I focused on that for now. 'How rude. Paul does have a son and that son takes after his father. But how does he know that Paul has two daughters? He has one more and she's adorable. She's back there as well, what's taking her so long?'

I heard a loud sound that even my wind magic from far off could hear. "Run, Rudeus!" Ruijerd screamed. I could hear a battle had started between him and Ted, so I ran in.

I could see the back of a girl who was watching from the back then beyond her was the back of Orsted. I launched some wind magic ahead since Orsted seemed to sense my magic well and he immediately stopped and physically flinched confusing everyone. "This magic? So this is where she is." Orsted hummed but didn't turn to me while the girl did that in his stead.

"What happened?!" I yelled as I was breathing heavily from the sheer panic. I don't want anyone to get hurt, but I see Ruijerd is already down on the floor unconscious.

Eris and Rudeus seemed scared that I was right next to Orsted, so that means he did that.

"You are all hurt!" I panicked not understanding why he attacked them. I was crying from seeing them hurt. "Explain!"

Orsted turned to me and stared down at me. "It's you. I have been looking for you ever since then." Orsted reached out to me making the other two scream.

I felt myself get blown back towards Eris and Rudeus and they held on to me with shaky hands.

I saw it was Rudeus who shot wind magic on the other side of me launching me towards them. "Ceres, there's a limit to who you can yell at," Rudeus warned me with a terrified smile on his face. "That guy from before broke your wrist, but this one will kill you."

Orsted seemed interested in Rudeus's words.

"Weak stil-" Orsted went to say.

"She is weak, so leave her out of this!" Rudeus demanded. "It's me you are after!"

"Strong!" I retorted.

"It doesn't matter right now!" Rudeus yelled as he kept me behind him.

Orsted made his way towards us. "Ceres-" He went to say, but I was focused on Eris running in and attacking him.

"Don't!" I begged, and he just simply grabbed the tip of her sword and punched her into a wall.

She coughed and puked up blood as she fell to the floor. "You have improved considerably," Orsted commented confusing me. I have seen him get upset before but he seems pissed off right now. "I always thought you had potential, but you lack polish."

Orsted looked back to us and Rudeus was running his hands all over his body as his eyes were wide open he then looked to me.

Before I could react Orsted had put his hand to Rudeus's chest and he then coughed blood up and fell over making my blood go cold. "Before you die, give the Man-God a message, Dra-" Orsted paused when I grabbed onto his cloak as aggressively as I could with my small body.

"Was it that thing?!" I shouted with anger. "Did he get you to kill my brother?! That stupid god!" I was crying as well, but the anger was overwhelming me. "I knew he wasn't good!"

"You know him?" Orsted asked me.

"Answer me! Are you with that monster?!" I screamed. "I yelled at you to explain before! Talk! Don't just hurt people like a monster!"

"Is she seriously just yelling at him?" The girl with Orsted mumbled finding me weird. "She's going to d-"

"I am not with that thing," Orsted answered. "Now answer me. Why are you crying?"

"He's my brother!" I cried as I held out my arms. I was right in front of Rudeus, and Orsted stopped his actions altogether, his aggressive attitude was gone shocking the girl. "He doesn't want to harm you! Or anyone!"

"Ceres!" Eris screamed thinking I was next.

"Name." Orsted demanded of me.

"Ceres Greyrat," I answered.

"Two new ones." He commented confusing me. I kicked him in the shin confusing him then I went to heal Rudeus, but he was rejecting confusing me.

"Don't die!" I freaked out as he was pushing me behind him again.

'I need to kill him before he gets to Ceres.' Rudeus was glaring at Orsted as he sat up. 'She wants to live, to see the world I can't let her die here! Ceres! Run!'

"It's fine, just let me he-!" I tried to explain.

"I call the bold heat of...fireball!" Eris tried to use magic, but it disappeared as soon as Orsted looked at her. He must have used dispel magic that he used on me before.

The ground underneath me was vibrating then I saw the tip of something dark come out of the ground. It went to a red colour and looked to be spinning. It shot at Orsted with such high speed stunning me.

He blocked it with his hand, but the back of his hand was badly burnt. "Incantionless spell casting? Do you two do the same thing? Did the Man-God give you two those powers?" Orsted asked.

"None! Rude, just let me heal you already! Stop fighting him!" I yelled seeing Orsted isn't going to fight anymore unless he is attacked.

Rudeus pushed me away still and used wind magic, so he could breathe meaning Orsted must have done something to his lungs.

Rudeus went to use a fireball next. "Dispel!" I yelled and stopped it myself.

Rudues just tried again and I haven't been able to do dispel for long, so doing it once was a miracle enough so Orsted did it this time. "Listen to your sister." He demanded.

Rudeus used wind magic underneath himself and launched back. "Rude!" I went to run to his side, but I stopped. "What's..." I paused seeing the flow of mana to the new fireball he was making, it would destroy the entire mountain range. "Brother! You don't need to! PLEASE STOP!

"I don't want anyone to die!" I begged. "I'm begging you!"

I moved away since it was getting too big for me to reach him and I couldn't stop it at all. I don't have any kind of magic that works as a shield and the sound of the explosion might actually make me go deaf if I use wind magic.

Everyone is going to die at this rate.

Rudeus is still bleeding profusely and it looks like he's suffering so much.

He is just doing this out of desperation, but if he hurts any of us he's gonna regret it. "I will sto-!" I went to yell with a stupid plan in mind, but it might work.

I raised my hand to do it, but his voice made me stop. "Come here, Ceres." Orsted ordered and I looked at him. "This seems to be a misunderstanding. I will save your brother."

"He's lying!" Eris yelled. "Stay away from him!"

Rudeus tried to grab my arm, but he was so far away and I went right over to Orsted. "Be good," I demanded.

He nodded as he picked me up with one arm and held me making Eris shout. Rudeus tried to pull back the magic, but it wasn't working.

I went to use wind magic, but Orsted took my hand and made me retract it while he held his hand out. "I believe you Ceres." He reassured me. "I won't harm you, any of you."

"I want to hit you." I admitted and he looked at me confused "BRO! MY BRO!"

"Family." He nodded seeing why I was so upset. "I will not kill him. I will heal him I promised."

A gate appeared in front of us and then the fireball was launched at us. "Open, Front Wyrmgate." Orsted spoke calmly. The pink ball of fire hit it, but it didn't come any closer to us it was just extremely hot and was making the gate shatter.

"What an incredible quantity of mana, he might be on par with Laplace." Orsted sounded angry when he said that. I was covering my ears from the sound of it all and he pushed my head deeper into his chest to try and help me.

Once it was over Orsted let me down and I ran over to Rudeus. "Now let me heal you!" I yelled at him.

"I will do that." Orsted turned me around by the top of my head and I glared at him.

He picked up Rudeus and healed him, but dropped him nearly knocking him out since he landed on his head.

"Gentle." I glared at him, and he looked down at me.

"Cute eyes." I grinned. "I really did miss you!"

"You did?" He asked me surprised.

"Get away from him!" Eris was screaming at me as she tried to crawl over to us.

"Is this the curse?" I asked Orsted. He nodded, so I took his hand and pulled him along to where the other girl was.

"Cer-!" Eris went to yell and she looked at me like I was going to die by doing this.

"Trust me! I will just talk with him." I grinned at her while I could hear Rudeus panicking in his mind as his consciousness was fighting to stay awake, but after all he had been through he must be exhausted.

I pulled Orsted along by his hand and he let me. Once I passed the girl, I saw she looked bewildered seeing Orsted was just letting me drag him along.

"You're still crying," Orsted commented when we got closer to the end of the path, but I could still use my wind magic.

"Because you are stupid!" I started to punch him, but it was doing no damage. He just let me then patted my head as I was starting to cry again. "WHY?!"

"I made you cry?" He asked me.

"Slow!" I yelled. "It was all you!"

"I see, I apologise." Orsted nodded making the girl flinch as she slowly followed us not knowing if she was allowed to hear this conversation or not. "Now, how do you know of the Man-God?"

"He kidnaps me when I dream, but your bracelet helped me escape him!" I explained and he went stiff. "We were in dire situations so we listened to him...it caused death."

"He's been trying to get me to like him! He saved some of my family...but I still don't like how he does things...it's all about results, so that means anything goes..." I explained. "That's scary..."

"Who do you like more? Me or him?" Orsted asked me making the girl look between us.

"You easily!" I exclaimed. He grinned, and the girl was having the funniest reaction to his every word with me.

"Then I will come for you one day." He informed me.

"HUH?!" The girl yelled.

"You will tell no one of our relationship," Orsted warned her. "He might try something if he finds out."

"...Okay." She nodded not really getting it.

"You will be killed off eventually so become my ally." He demanded of me. "I will protect you and not harm your family."

"Easy yes!" I giggled. "Good! Rudy thinks the same as me, but after all that, it will take a while for him to come around to you." I sighed. "Also everyone that I talk to about knowing you not with your name, don't worry. They just think you're a friend, but they all want to kill you or interrogate you."

"That's normal." Orsted informed me.

"I don't want you to die, then you are just my friend!" I was very happy to say that.

"Fine by me." He nodded.

The girl was looking at us like we were weird. "New friend?" I pointed at the girl, and he tilted his head while thinking. "No?"

Orsted just shrugged as I remembered something and got mad interesting him. "You beat Ruijerd?" I asked. "So cool, but he's nice, don't hurt him."

"I won't." He reassured me, and the girl tilted her head to the side confused as to what kind of conversation this was. Or maybe she isn't used to seeing him talk to someone normally since it seems everyone greets him with violence.

"Must be lonely..." I mumbled.

"What is?" Orsted asked me and I pointed at him.

"Am I the only one who smiles at you?" I asked him and he nodded. "That must suck...you wouldn't want the Man God's smile. He's creepy. A dragon should eat him!"

"I like the sound of that." He agreed with me.

"Also, I heard dragons have families...do you not?" I asked.

"I once did." He answered, and I hugged his arm making him pat my head.

"Remember I said you can choose!" I brightly grinned at him. "Also..."

I got nervous, and he motioned me to carry on. "Are you the Dragon God?" I asked and he nodded. "YOU ARE AWESOME!"

I was clapping happily as he looked to the girl to I guess translate my reaction. "She's happy..." She mumbled.

"Very! You disappearing was scary! But I finally found you." I grinned. "Another one down! Also, keep your promise I want to see you again real soon! We need to make snowmen again! Also, my pronunciation is amazing! I can teach you to do a backflip...just give me some time I can sometimes stick the landing."

"I have...missed that." He nodded and the girl gasped as I grinned.

"Bye-bye! Be nice to my brother next time! Stop trying to murder my family!" I exclaimed as I ran off and waved to him.

"I will." He promised me.

I left my wind magic behind since I was curious as to what they would talk about after. "You listen to that child?" The girl asked him like he was being out of character to her.

"She's different to everyone I have ever encountered. She likes and celebrates weird things, but also hates some normal stuff. She is firm in her resolve, so if she hates the Man God she must hate him with a passion." Orsted explained. "And her power makes her someone who will be very powerful. It's best I keep her as an ally and she's nice to talk to and has actual knowledge I have never learned of, she's also very loud."

"I could hear." She mumbled.

"She's mostly deaf and uses wind magic to hear." Orsted informed her.

"How is that possible?" She let out.

"I want to know that too, but she can hear from far." He nodded to me knowing I could still hear them and the girl flinched and looked at me.

I waved and then ran off. I walked back to see Eris crying her eyes out and I put my hand on her head and started to heal her.

She paused and then slowly looked up at me and she looked so relieved. "Ceres!" She screamed as she hugged me so tightly I fell onto her.

"How did you live?" She questioned me once she let me go.

"I talked to him," I answered. "Don't tell Rude, I never talked to Orsted."

She seemed confused but nodded seeing the serious expression on my face. "Let's get somewhere warm!" I exclaimed. I healed Ruijerd first then used my wind magic to move him farther into the cave where there's no wind to bring the cold in.

I took care of everything as Eris stuck close to Rudeus. I was happy with that since I'm sure this was a terrifying event for them all and I'm the only one who was kind of happy about it.

It was still terrifying, but it ended well.

"Ceres! Ceres!" Rudeus screamed for me making me flinch from how feral it was.

I looked over at him as Eris was making sure he didn't fall over as he got up. He ran over and hugged me as soon as he spotted me. "What happened?! Did he hurt you?!" He yelled.

I grinned from all the love then started to cry making him panic a little. "He didn't! He was just curious about my name like yours! It seems some word you said set him off! But he didn't come after me and even left after healing you! It was weird!" I laughed.

Rudeus was confused at my smile, but still hugged me with so much tension in his body showing how scared he was.

"Thank you for trying to save me, but you would have also murdered me," I informed him.

He laughed nervously. "I'm sure I would have wo-" Rudeus went to say.

"He's 2nd god, give up," I demanded making Rudeus sulk and he hugged Eris.

"You seem awfully cheerful, Rudeus." Eris sounded angry, but she must have been frustrated since it seemed like we were lunatics for even looking Orsted in the eyes.

"Well, I feel like I have got more than enough of all kinds of things," Rudeus explained.

"So you won't mind if I punch you?" She raised her fist.

"Not a bit." He answered.

'Does that have a weird meaning?' I asked in my mind.

"Cer-!" Rudeus went to yell then he only got hit lightly on the head by Eris confusing him and she started to cry making me cry.

I went and hugged her.

"I'm sorry I made you worry." Rudeus apologised.

"You should be, dummy!" She yelled. "Ceres, don't go near him again! It was scary seeing you walk off with him!"

"Huh?!" Rudeus yelled.

"Dream." I lied immediately.

"I'm glad! I'm so glad!" Eris cried into my shoulder, and her tears didn't stop either.

I think that was one of the most frightening things for me too. If I wasn't here? If I hadn't met Orsted before what would have happened? What did he mean by Paul only having two daughters? There's so much more to this, but we are alive that's all I need for now.

Chapter Text

"Up!" I yelled as I shook Rudeus since I could tell he was having a nightmare.

He woke up breathing heavily and he was right next to Eris who was still fast asleep. "Are you alright?" Ruijerd asked.

"...Yes." Rudeus slowly nodded.

"No, you were trumbling...I give up." I sighed as I glared at the cracks in the very rundown house we are in. The wind keeps sneaking in and ruining my wind magic or kidnapping it.

"Who is this Man-God?" Ruijerd asked making us nervous. "Ceres you don't seem that affected either from this entire ordeal..."

"It feels like a dream." I admitted.

'Should we tell him?' I asked Rudeus in my mind.

Rudeus nodded at me so we spoke of the dreams and Man-God, but I didn't explain about Orsted. Orsted said himself it wouldn't be good if Man-God found out I had some form of relationship with Orsted whatsoever.

"It's hard to believe, but your anger." Ruijerd looked at me. "It's very real."

"He's a twat!" I yelled. "Religion can go suck it!"

Rudeus laughed at that. "He said that the Superd's poor reputation is caused by a curse." Rudeus admitted so I'm guessing it's like Orsted's but much chiller. "Laplace transferred his own curse to the spears and put it on the Superd."

"What?! Dick move! You should make cool weapons not cursed lame ones!" I yelled.

'Does he not know of gam-he doesn't, his loss.' I went to ask in my mind then paused since I was recalling knowledge from our last world.

Rudeus laughed as I calmed down. "It sounds like you have been wasting your time on my behalf." Ruijerd added.

"No!" I retorted. "Anytime spent on you wasn't a waste! Even changing a single person's mind is great! You smiled more, that's enough!"

Ruijerd grinned at me and patted my head. "But he also said that the curse has almost vanished over time." Rudeus added.

"What?!" Ruijerd freaked out.

"Becoming Dr Egg! That's the solution!" I yelled. "But Ted would look lame."

"That's actually the reason. It's been fading since you shaved your head." Rudeus added.

"Is that true?!" Ruijerd exclaimed then looked to Eris.

"I'm using wind magic as earplugs." I reassured him.

"...Can't you still not use that on yourself?" Rudeus asked me and I shook my head.

"I made it for that, but the wind magic still absorbs the sound and sends it blasting in my ears." I sighed and he patted my back.

"The Man God said that you can clear your name through hard work." Rudeus explained.

"I see." Ruijerd turned from us with a shaky voice and I hugged his neck. "So that's how it is."

"And you work really hard!" I exclaimed as he wiped his tears.

"Well, I should get back to sleep now, Ceres you get some rest to." Rudeus laid back down.

"Nah." I let out confusing him as I stayed with Ruijerd and he freely let out his tears with me.

I was just so happy he didn't feel so lonely anymore, his efforts weren't wasted at all. He appreciated that I stayed with him that night and I informed him of the fun stuff he can do now with no idiots freaking out over who he is.

One day, I was riding a horse with Ruijerd, and I saw Rudeus was trying to use dispel. "What are you doing?" Eris asked him.

"I'm trying to imitate the spell Orsted used." Rudeus explained as he tried to nullify his fireball. "Actually Ceres used the same..."

"I came up with it ages ago! The Dragon God copied my move!" I squealed while really I stole it from him.

"Oh yeah, he is the Dragon God that's why you aren't freaking out." Eris mumbled.

'Yeah, it might have been a big fan girl moment...she fangirled about my death.' Rudeus thought only upsetting himself.

"No!" I yelled loudly. "Just cool powers until it was used on you..."

"Still why are you learning it?" Eris asked him.

"Research and if we run into Orsted again, I'd like to at least be able to escape him." Rudeus admitted and I sighed seeing how messy this was getting. Eris looked upset and then rested more on Rudeus's back and I wondered if she was feeling the same as before, but even more now.

Eris couldn't even stop me from walking off with the enemy, she might think that I had to sacrifice something to keep them safe. But she won't believe me if I said he was my friend, she would just get more concerned and then tell the others about our connection.

We finally made it to the outskirts of where the mana explosion hit and you can see the grass doesn't grow anymore. It just looks dead making me whine that our homeland really got destroyed.

'Who would do this? Was it even caused by a person?' I wondered and Rudeus shrugged showing he doesn't have any clue.

We visited where our house was and Rudeus was slow at walking over to it. I ran over and then fell to my knees seeing only very little of the bottom walls of the house were left over. "I always thought we would come back, and they would greet us smiling..." I admitted.

I teared up from getting so many memories of Zenith greeting us when we would get back from exploring or playing. I remembered her just hugging me and attacking Paul for making me cry.

"Mum..." I hissed as I dug my fingers into the ground. 'I want everything back...whoever did this, I want to hurt them the same!' I yelled in my mind.

"Ceres." Rudeus came over to me and grinned as he held out his hand to me. "I'm glad I still got you!"

"Same." I took it and he helped me up as we went to go to see that old tree.

"Hopefully that stupidly named mushroom is extinct now." I mumbled and Rudeus laughed.

"So this is your homeland." Eris and Ruijerd caught up to us.

"Yes, although it used to be much more beautiful." Rudeus admitted.

"I see, I wish I had seen it." Ruijerd admitted as they didn't know what else to say to us. "You don't need a babysitter any-"

"I do!" I exclaimed seeing he going is to leave us now. "I need a Dad!"

"Ceres." Ruijerd put a hand on my shoulder, and my tears were falling even more. "Your Dad is alive...I'm in your debt."

"I don't do anything. Not on the Demon Co-" I pulled Rudeus's cheek shutting him up.

"We all did our part, good or bad! We are here alive!" I yelled.

"Yeah, you both taught me that I had so many more options than I'd realised." Ruijerd took his bag off his back and then got out the figure of him we made. "I remember it all. The adventurers who smiled at the name Dead End without a hint of fear. How close I felt to the Doldia, who accepted me knowing I was a Superd. The Shirone soldiers who tearfully thanked me for saving their families. And a little girl who called me Dad and even understood me more than I ever could."

I punched at his arm lightly, and he laughed as he patted my head and I hugged his side.

"Ruijerd you did all of that yourself." Rudeus retorted.

"No, I couldn't do anything alone." Ruijerd shook his head. "I hadn't managed to advance a single step in the four centuries since the war. You both gave me that first step."

"But that was only because-" I smacked Rudeus's head lightly and he saw my pout. I didn't want him giving any more excuses I want him to realise he did many amazing things.

"I don't care about a God I have never seen. You two were the ones who actually helped me, Rudeus, and Ceres." Ruijerd grinned, and Rudeus finally looked at him. "Eris."

"What?" She looked away from him.

"You have talent. Enough talent to grow far stronger than me." Ruijerd admitted.

"You are lying, I mean..." Eris let out.

"...You two stop denying!" I yelled. "You are amazing! You can really grow to become! Woah! True Skarlet!"

Eris laughed at the usual awe I am in. "You fought one called a God and experienced his techniques. Do you know what that means?" Ruijerd asked.

"She's cool." I nodded and he grinned.

"I am! Since Ceres is always right!" Eris declared.

"Good, that's the way." Ruijerd grinned seeing they will be alright. "Now Ceres, don't be afraid to go out there. I can see you want to do things on your own. You always ran ahead and then waited for us, but one day follow your heart and go everywhere you want to. I'm sure you will find people who want to do the same thing."

"Yeah! I can't wait to see you again in my travels! I will be super big, but you still have to give me head pats! I will still be weak." I cried.

"You always will be a child to me, my daughter." He bent down and patted my head as I held onto his hand not wanting him to go.

"May I treat you two like children one last time?" Ruijerd asked as he patted their heads as well making them tear up and I was just a mess. "I ought to return this to you."

Ruijerd took off the necklace Rudeus gave him. "I'd like you to keep it." Rudeus shook his head.

"You would? Isn't this precious to you?" He asked him.

"I have one!" I grinned. "We can share!"

"Yeah, and it's also because it's precious that I want you to have it." Rudeus explained and Ruijerd accepted that and then started to walk off making me pout.

"Goodbye then, Rudeus, Eris, Ceres." He turned to us.

"...Unfair! I will track you down!" I yelled and he laughed as they kept quiet.

"We will meet again." Ruijerd nodded as he walked off.

I cried even more and Rudeus comforted me the best he could. 'There's so much I want to say. So many things, so many feelings that I can't put them into words. Feelings of not wanting to say goodbye to a friend.' Rudeus admitted in his mind.

'I really don't want to say goodbye...he's done so much for us, he cared so much about me! He was someone I could argue with fairly and always tried to understand me! Rui is so cool! He's the best egg around!' I whined in my mind. 'When I see him again, I will drag him to see you.'

"Yeah, I like the sound of that." Rudeus grinned.

After we were mostly quiet as we ventured deeper in. We only had one horse, and it would be too much with me added, so I was happy to fly.

Eris tried to stop me, but she saw my small smile and nodded.

I wanted to see for myself how much that beautiful view from above has changed. The gorgeous field I met Orsted in for the first time. We found a huge camp filled with multiple white tents showing they really haven't been doing too well after the whole disaster.

I think this is where the big city used to be, but now there isn't even a brick left over.

There were no happy people as expected and I landed below then walked along until I found a red tent and I looked inside to see someone I know.

"Ghis!" I yelled seeing her back and she froze and then turned to me.

"Ceres!" She ran and hugged me as I grinned.

"Everyone is safe!" I reassured her.

"Ghislaine!" Eris came running while Rudeus followed with the horse in toll.

"Lady Eris! I'm so relieved to see you safe, same to you Rudeus, Ceres." Ghislaine hugged Eris tightly and I grinned happy Eris had someone to finally reunite with.

"I'm delighted that you have returned safely, Lady Eris, Rudeus, Ceres." The old butler of the mansion came out.

"I'm so glad that you are both alright." Eris cried.

"Rudeus, Ceres, please wait outside." The butler asked us and we were confused but nodded.

"No! They stay!" Eris retorted.

"If you say so, my lady." The butler bowed to us and then closed the doors to the tent once we went inside. "First, let me say how glad I am that you returned safe and-"

"Skip the formalities and tell me." Eris ordered. I loved the attitude, but I knew she just wanted to have all the information now before she gets too scared to hear it.

Rudeus was sitting beside her, and I was on her other side and I took her hand in mine and she grinned at me. "Who is dead?" Eris asked.

"Lord Sauros, Lord Philip and Lady Hilda." He answered. "All three of them have passed away."

"Are you sure?" Eris asked as she took Rudues's other hand in hers as well and gripped mine more tightly.

"Lord Philip and Lady Hilda teleported together. They passed away in disputed territory. Ghislaine confirmed it." He explained.

"I see. And my grandfather?" She mumbled.

"He was held responsible for the teleportation disaster and executed." He gave us a shocking reason.

"What?! He had no power to do something like that! I would be more likely to blame!" I screamed.

"Why would they execute him for that?!" Rudeus added having as big of a reaction as me.

"Ceres, Rudeus, sit down." Eris ordered as if she expected he would die in such an unfair way. I was trying to hold in my tears since I shouldn't be the one crying here.

"I understand how you two feel." The butler informed us. "But that is the state of the Asura Kingdom."

"That still doesn't make sense." I retorted so confused.

"So, what happens now?" Eris asked.

"Lord Pilemon Notos Greyrat wishes to take you as his concubine, my lady." He revealed, and I visibly shivered from hearing that.

"Alphonse! Are you seriously considering that scum's offer?!" Ghislaine screamed at him.

"Scum or not, he is a lord." He explained.

"Still doesn't give him a right!" I added. "Eris wouldn't ever want that!"

"Are you thinking about her at all?!" Ghislaine questioned him.

"I am thinking about the Boreas family and the Fittoa region." Alphonse sighed.

"And you are going to sacrifice Eris for them?!" Ghislaine yelled.

"If necessary." He answered.

"Eris! You can run away and be happy!" Ghislaine informed her.

"What about the people?" Alphonse asked.

"You do something for them!" Ghislaine demanded.

"Be quiet!" Eris ordered and it was the quietest it has been yet. "Give me some time alone."

They both walked out first then I got up and put my forehead against hers. "Talk with me if you need to." I walked out.

"Cere-" Rudeus went to say confused.

"Didn't you hear me? Leave me alone." Eris repeated, and he got up and followed me outside.

He gave one concerned look back at her, but she wanted to be alone. My wind magic was still in there and I could hear her cries. She was weeping for her mother and father. But she lost both unlike us...

Chapter Text

"Come on." Rudeus pulled me by my hand to distract me from my worry over Eris, and we saw Ghislaine crossing off names on a giant board. "What is that?"

"The list of the missing." She answered.

There were an overwhelming number of names, but I found Zenith's quickly and pointed it out to Rudeus making him frown. "Missing, but not dead." I let out.

"Sylphie?! It can't be!" Rudeus yelled making me panic seeing her name crossed out.

"Did you check the list of the dead?" Ghislaine asked, and I checked it finding nothing. I kept checking, and I finally sighed in relief as tears fell down my face.

"I feel horrible...Eris lost so much, but I'm so happy Sylp-" I paused.

"It's okay." Ghislaine patted my head. "There's sometimes nothing you can do for people, but I know you must have done a lot for her already."

"What about Ted?! What's his whole name?!" Rudeus went to check again.

"Oh, I already found him." I reassured Rudeus.

"You did?! When did you meet him?!" Rudeus freaked out.

"...A while ago." I answered as I stared at the sky confusing Ghislaine as to what I'm staring at. Rudeus questioned me for a better explanation, but I ran away since I can't explain it well or at all.

"Ceres!" Rudeus yelled stunned that I ran away.

"Yeah, it's the guy that practically murdered you...I can't say that...Ted got triggered? That's even worse, he's like a brown bear...people normally scream at those, so I guess he is." I rambled to myself then walked into a tree. "...I should go back."

Rudeus and I were given separate rooms for the night and I didn't stay in mine... I went out immediately to go look for that field. Ghislaine saw me and grinned seeing I was still up and about not just suffering on my own in that quiet tent.

It's all white so it reminds me too much of that hospital room.

I did find the place and it was so far much farther than I thought it originally was. "I guess the excitement always made the time go quick..." I mumbled.

I landed there to find most of the area is dead, but I was so stunned to see one thing that took the attention off from everything else.

"It's...it's alive!" I yelled seeing the cheery blossom tree blooming with life, it was the one Orsted tried to give me then he replanted it since I was sad it was going to die. "Something survived."

I cried a little and found it utterly stupid that I was so happy a tree is alive and I put my head against its trunk. "Why am I here?" I asked myself. "Why is this the only place I can sleep in?"

I was so relaxed now and decided it was fine to sleep here for the night. "This is a home, isn't it?" I mumbled as I lay on my side under the tree and had my coat cover me as a blanket. "I'm home..."

I grinned as I slowly fell asleep under the tree.

When I woke up I don't know why but I felt disappointed that I was alone. I made my way back to the camp to find Rudeus weirdly happy, well I'm glad he's happy at least.

'Good morning, everyone! What a wonderful morning it is! What are you looking so glum for?' Rudeus thought as he looked at a depressed man that was probably depressed for a very good reason. 'Go get some experience too! It will put a smile on your face!'

"Rude!" I yelled and he nervously smiled seeing my worried look.

'Yeah, I'm getting bad again, I should calm down...Now excuse me. I have got plans with my girlfriend.' Rudeus yelled in his mind then ran back into his tent. 'Wake up, or I will have fun with you! Oh? She isn't there! I get it she must be embarrassed silly gi-'

I followed him into his tent since he was being so weird I guessed he was having a mental breakdown.

"WHAT DID YOU DO?!" I freaked out. He was confused until he saw what I was pointing at on the floor below him. "Is that what the hair-pulling kink is?" I hid behind the door to the tent.

"HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT?!" He yelled.

"Fifty shades! But imagination can only do so much! I thought it had something to do with wigs!" I yelled then I noticed a letter and grabbed it.

Rudeus came over to read sit with me "You and I aren't well matched right now...I'm going away. Ah, I see Eris wants to get stronger for us both still." I nodded understanding what this letter meant.

I took the letter quite well, but Rudeus did not and ran out of the tent to Alphonse's. I rushed after him since he was very quiet and seemed desperate. "Where did Eris go?!" Rudeus asked him in a panic.

"Ghislaine and she went on a journey." He explained.

"Where to?" Rudeus asked.

"She instructed me not to inform you." Alphonse informed him.

"Oh, I see." He let out, and he started to slowly walk off with a dazed look. 'Huh? Why? I don't get it. Why? Did she dump me? Abandon me?' Rudeus asked in his mind.

I saw he was taking it like I would with other things, the worst way possible! He's gonna spiral if I don't stop him. I grabbed his hand and he stared at me. "I promise you. She left to get stronger for you, she will return." I explained and he looked unconvinced.

'But...but...can I be alone?' Rudeus asked me in his mind, and I stood still letting go of his hand.

Rudeus walked on and I sent wind magic after him and I heard him start to cry when he thought he was out of my hearing range.

I sighed feeling quite lonely now..."She didn't even say goodbye..." I mumbled.

I just walked around the village, and it gave me some hope seeing people work hard at making this place grow. I know one day my home will be back in a way, so it helped lift my spirits.

I helped out by using my water magic to water the fields, and many thanked me and I found out this was a thing I wanted to do. I wanted to go and help people as I travel. I want to meet more people and do so many things like we have done already.

Eris must have a similar kind of view. We can't get strong together since we have different aims, so she went off somewhere to focus on her strength.

Ruijerd wanted to let us grow so he left us to do that.

I want to travel on my own to grow as well, but Rudeus.

I looked over at his tent to see him inside of it in such an awful state. He rolled over in his bed when the sunlight peaked in and it broke my heart. I don't want him to do the same as he did in his past life and shut himself away from us.

I know his aim has been completed by bringing us home, but there's one one we both want to achieve, find our Mum.

Alphonse came up to me next and looked at Rudeus with me. "May I?" He asked me.

"Please do, I don't know what will help him..." I mumbled. "I want to help him like he's helped me, but he rejected me earlier...if that happens again...I want to be strong for him. I can't be quiet anymore."

"You have done well." He informed me. "I didn't think that deaf little girl would turn out like this, but you are truly a good person. You know, we need someone like you to take the lead now that Lady Eris is gone."

"Sorry, but I won't do that." I grinned. "I was told to go for my dreams. My family comes first, so my Mum, I will find her."

He nodded understanding that and I watched as he walked into Rudeus's tent. I sent some wind magic to hear what he would say. Alphonse informed Rudeus he would like his help with things, but there was no response so he started to list them off.

"Your sister has already helped us with many things...shouldn't you get up and help as well?" He asked. "There is also timber to move for houses. We are short on manpower...not to mention..."

Alphonse sighed and looked at me. I nodded showing he should just attack the problem that was causing him this heartache.

"Regarding Lady Eris, I intend to report that she perished in an accident following the teleportation." Alphonse informed him, and that made me happy to hear she will be free.

Rudeus finally moved. "Of course, revealing that now would hinder the reconstruction effort, so the official announcement won't be for some time." He explained.

"It's a shame Eris ran out on you." Rudeus mumbled.

"Be that as it may, restoring Fittoa is my only concern." Alphonse admitted.

"Then I suggest you leave me alone and get to work." Rudeus sat up.

"Given what transpired with Lady Eris and Ceres helping us, I have allowed you to rest idly until now, but we are running short on tents and we have barely enough food to survive." Alphonse explained.

"Are you telling me to get out?" Rudeus asked.

"I'm telling you that you aren't the only one suffering." He admitted and walked out.

Rudeus laid back down annoying me and Alphonse came over to me. "I don't know if that worked." He admitted.

"We won't trouble you for much longer." I bowed my head to him as I heard Rudeus speak.

"I don't know what you want from me...I don't know what I should have done..." Rudeus rolled out of his bed onto Eris's hair on the floor and gripped it.

I walked over to the tent and then took a deep breath before I walked in. "You know in games there is a common thing where people have to go their separate ways at the ends of games, but in the sequel, it gets super cool since everyone reunites! They are all stronger so no one will die!" I explained as I stood near him.

"So...we are hitting the end of our first season! The money we earn will be awesome! Many people ship you with Eris! Ruijerd is the dad everyone wishes for! I'm the stupid girl who shouts whatever she wants and messes up a lot! You...you are going to be the one who paves the path and who gets in so much trouble we have to come and rescue you!" I started to have tears come up in my eyes as he still didn't move.

I fell to my knees and pulled on his shirt then bowed as far as I could go.

"Please, don't leave me as well." I begged shocking Rudeus. 'Please don't cut me off! I will do whatever you want! Just don't push me away! I can handle that with everyone else! But you...you are my brother if you do that...I lose my home! My favourite home! I rather die!' I cried out in my mind.

"Ceres!" He hugged me, and I gripped onto his shirt.

'Please! People say I got strong! But I'm still weak! I don't want to be alone again! Being in a white place forceable! Or seeing you staying in one place or just trapping yourself away never to come out! I don't want our lives to repeat in this world!' I cried and spoke in my mind knowing my words would all get messed up.

Rudeus moved back so his back was against the bed and I was crying into his chest. "People don't change that easily, no matter how many chances they get to start over. Even I never wanted to end up like that in my past life...I was surrounded by people who reached out to me, while you just wanted one person to do that."

"I rejected them all, I was stuck in my own paranoia convinced that they were all laughing at me. I wanted to lose myself in that dream. But it was to late then, no one would reach out to me anymore, why should I bother trying? I mean, people don't change. right?" Rudeus asked me.

"You make it sound like that was in the past! It's still you!" I yelled. "Can't you see that you are stuck?! I'm still stuck I need someone to save me! I need to be a burden on someone! I need someone to rant about games to! I need you to take my hand! Save me!"

"That little girl...she looked so happy while the person who was holding her looked finished...she threw that little girl, without thinking. I jumped I thought if I could at least do one good thing, I can at least save one person...she died beside me...she nearly died so many more times...Ceres..." Rudeus mumbled as he looked down at me and was finally looking at me.

"I'm sorry! I have been a horrible brother!" He hugged me. "We need to find Mum. You need to see the world, you need me."

"Yeah!" I nodded as I got up then held out my hand to him as I was sobbing. "Take it! Save me!"

He was in shock then took my hand and I made sure to keep a hold of it as we grabbed everything that belonged to us, so we can leave this place behind now. We will be fine, our home is right next to us.

We will meet the others again, and it will be for an awesome battle!

Chapter Text

"Ted!" I yelled then huffed after I looked around to find nothing. "I saw him! But it's also snowing...Rude says he hallucinates when he sees red...AM I GOING WEIRD LIKE HIM?!" I freaked out.

I then made my way off deeper into the woods without knowing there was a figure watching me from far back.

I pulled my hood down to enjoy the beautiful snow coming down on me. "This world truly is beaut-" I went to say.

'Her sweet ass was beautiful, I want to slap it again.' Rudeus thought and I sighed.

'These thoughts of yours have been a constant thing, I think I need another break from it.' I admitted in my mind.

'...Sorry.' Rudeus apologised with a weak tone making me frown.

"He hasn't cheered up at all." I sighed as I followed the breathing sounds I had found with my wind magic. Some of the breathing patterns I recognised are from horses that are doing some mild labour like pulling a cart or carriage, so I have found our ride.

I had them in my sight not long after and the driver looked up at me as I approached.

I held up the thing we were given when we purchased a ride. He slowly nodded finding it strange that I would get on here.

"He said another would join out here, didn't think it would be someone so small." The guy hummed. "Get in the back."

I walked past two of the carriages and then hopped into the back of the last one using wind magic to help me up.

I hopped in surprising the other people there, and I grinned at them just to show I'm friendly.

Rudeus was sighing constantly, so I pulled his cheek. It seems the lady apart of the other group was trying to talk to him. He loves women, but he's ignoring her.

"Eris always beat you into submission...you were into that were-" I went to ask.

"Stop!" Rudeus exclaimed.

"Wow, that's the first time I have seen some life out of him!" The lady exclaimed, and I looked at her to see her smiling at me.

"Has he been sighing nonstop?" I asked.

"Yes, do you know his problem?" She asked me.

"Oh, he has many!" I exclaimed as I sat on the edge so I could eat the snow when I leaned back.

"What brings you two up north?" She hummed.

"Why ask us that?" Rudeus grumbled.

"You are heading to a dangerous place." She explained. "But you two don't strike me as adventurers like us. Mage or not, you two must still be children."

"Do I need to answer that?" Rudeus let out.

I heard an arrow snap and saw it was the girl next to the lady and she looked to be around our age. "Suzanne was trying to be nice!" She yelled at us. "Is that any way to treat her?!"

'They are alike.' Rudeus thought.

"Sara, they are not trying to fight," Suzanne informed her.

"But you have been worried about him since yesterday!" Sara exclaimed.

"We are looking for our mother, a victim of the mass teleportation in Fittoa," Rudeus explained.

"That's still no excuse to be rude," Sara mumbled.

"But prying too much can hurt," I added. "Well, anyway, if you see anyone with my exact face, but so much prettier with a gorgeous laugh, that's our mum!"

'Big boobs too.' Rudeus thought.

'But talking about boobs might make me like you and Mum will be sad if I change too much, she loves me as me.' I explained in my mind, and he had a hint of a smile.

"You two don't look alike." Suzanne hummed. "Or really act the same."

"We have been told that a lot!" I exclaimed.

"You are really loud and your voice so-" Sara went to say.

"Please don't ask anymore," Rudeus mumbled not trusting them to know of my deafness.

"I see." Suzanne let out and the whole mood was dead.

"...You can really kill things." I laughed as I patted his head and then sat down next to him. "Also, I made this!"

"...A penguin?" He asked as he stared at my origami. "Yeah! You know I want to see someone walk like this! I swear I saw him again!"

"Ceres...don't turn delusional." He begged me.

"I'm not becoming you," I reassured him as I gifted him the penguin and then sat next to him. He laughed a little as I leaned into his side. It wasn't long until I fell asleep since I had been moving around all day long.

'I hope my mood doesn't affect her too much. She keeps making things and giving them to me to try and make me grin.' Rudeus thought then a tear fell down his face shocking the other two as he wiped it quickly. 'I'm so lucky to have someone who doesn't give up on me again, but this time I will make sure I reach back out.'

I got woken up by Rudeus rolling me across the floor of the carriage since he says it's tough to get me up because I'm fully deaf when asleep. Sara smacked him once I was rubbing my eyes and he fell out of the carriage.

I went after him as the rest who rode with us took off in one big group of adventurers.

"Good, you have me you would have looked sadder." I hummed seeing him on the ground. He got up then grabbed my nose making me whine.

"It's freezing." Rudeus let out.

"Let's go get a room." I grinned as my staff followed me.

We went to an inn and asked for two rooms for a whole month, so we could make a name for ourselves here and if we needed to leave for any reason we could.

"You got it, thanks." The guy at the desk came over. "Sign here."

He gave us a sheet each, and we both signed. Rudeus laughed at mine confusing me as he saw it was just a drawing of a dragon. "...Dragon." I let out.

He patted my back still laughing as the man took the sheets while grinning. "Take the rooms at the far end of the third floor." He demanded.

"I need one about four over," I spoke up.

"Of course." He nodded while Rudeus stared at me.

'Isn't it better if we are closer?' Rudeus asked me in his mind.

'I don't want to hear your thoughts on most things. And I don't want to hear the stuff I know you probably will do.' I explained in my mind rather than out loud to save his reputation.

"I won't!" He yelled.

"You told me you weren't a virgin like a week ago!" I freaked out. "I know you will get addicted when you have a partner! Or partners!"

"...You really think I'm that much of a catch?" Rudeus asked me with no shame as we were given our keys.

I just slammed down my payment and then ran off. "Ceres!" Rudeus chased me and I was laughing as I went up the stairs.

'He's not gloomy anymore, he's even running now.' I grinned seeing I could distract him again. 'I want to do my best to help him. I really don't know how to help him with some things since he needs to be the one to really reach out, but he's moving still, he hasn't stopped so I'm happy!'

I then missed a step and slammed my face against the stairs.

"Ceres!" Rudeus checked on me. "Are you okay?!"

"I broke my nose." I turned to him crying and many looked over shocked at the damage I had taken.

Rudeus panicked and healed me while many mumbled about how fragile I was. Rudeus held my hand as we walked along carefully this time. I was sniffling trying to hold in my tears as Rudeus gave me a tissue to wipe the blood that came out from my nose.

I got settled in and then made my way to his room.

'Eris...' Rudeus thought then I used my wind magic to smack the door open scaring him.

"Here!" I exclaimed as I sent my wind magic into his room, but only a little so it wouldn't be there when we slept later. "Window closed? No!"

"Why is that important?" Rudeus asked me confused.

"Because it means you are closing up!" I exclaimed. "Let people in, you want a woman to let you in their-"

"AHHH!" Rudeus screamed.

"Life." I finished.

"Oh?" Rudeus let out as I groaned not wanting to know what he thought.

I sent his coat flying at him. "Let's go! I want to see a dragon!" I yelled.

"Got it." Rudeus nodded as he got up. 'I think I will forget my heartbreak once Ceres starts chasing dragons again...never ride one!' He yelled in his mind, so I would surely hear him.

"I'm gonna try still," I smirked as he groaned.

I waited for him in the reception room of the inn. When he came down the stairs, I noticed he had that small bag again. He started carrying it with him after we set out on our own journey.

I never seen what he has in there, but he puts his hand in it a lot. He just doesn't ever take the thing out. I was the first to enter the guild with Rudeus behind me and many looked over at us and as normal they were snarky thinking we were newbies.

'Go look at the quests.' Rudeus told me in his mind confusing me, but I did.

I used my wind magic and then heard something making me run back over. "Excuse me, would you mind helping me officially disband my party?" Rudeus asked the reception lady, and I saw the metal plate he held out to her.

"HUH?! NO!" I whined as I snatched it from him.

"Ceres!" Rudeus exclaimed surprised. "Give that back!"

"No! We may not need it anymore, but I know that isn't the reason you want to get rid of it." I retorted.

"...We need to move on." He informed me.

"Then burn the hair!" I exclaimed, and he looked away from me. "One step at a time, but don't get desperate and destroy something you love. This is for memories! And I want to brag to my friend about my awesome party!...That he almost murdered."

"What was that last part?" Rudeus asked me.

"Nothing." I grinned and he sulked. "You look like Paul that expression won't work against me."

"Ah." Rudeus sighed and didn't disband the party since he knew it would hurt me.

For me, it's a way to feel like I'm connected with those two even if they aren't here. The people around took pity on us thinking our party was dead.

I handed him the quest I chose, and he looked it over. "White bears?" He let out.

'Ted looks like a giant white bear...one could be him.' I thought and Rudeus patted my head.

'He could actually be a bear. I have no clue who this guy is.' Rudeus thought then sighed. "We will take this one."

"Huh? But um, what about your party?" The lady at the counter asked us.

"...Us two," I answered.

"What?" She let out. "But taking on this job...I heard about your nose..."

'It went around that quick... that's embarrassing!' I freaked out in my mind and was now hiding under a table. Rudeus held out the origami penguin I gave him then I saw him flinch. 'Panic attack?!'

I tried to get up to help him but slammed my head against the bottom of the table. I fell onto my side and just stayed there wanting to die. "What's happening? An argument?" Suzanne appeared. "Oh, hello there! Wait, blood?"

Rudeus bent down to heal me, but it was actually ketchup that had dropped onto the floor and he sighed in relief seeing that. 'You okay?' I asked in my mind. He grinned at me then patted my head and got ketchup on his hand.

"Fire penguin!" I made it red with the ketchup on his hand and he laughed.

"Uh, hello?" Suzanne let out and we both looked at her as we had forgotten she was talking to us.

"I wouldn't call it an argument," Rudeus mumbled.

"She's just concerned and that's fair," I explained as Rudeus helped me up. I used water magic to wash the ketchup out of my hair, and he dried it with his wind and fire magic.

"You want to find your missing mum, but you need money," Suzanne informed us. "Isn't that why you want this reckless job?"

"...I want to make our names big like Ted, that's what we both want." I hummed.

"But I don't like the look of your brother," Suzanne informed me. "He looks like he doesn't care anymore even if he dies."

"Rude!" I was on the edge of tears and he panicked at my reaction and so did she.

"I'm not!" He exclaimed. "I won't leave!"

"What about we take it on together?" Suzanne suggested.

"...Friends? Please!" I exclaimed.

"Together?..." Rudeus let out and she was confused that he was silent. He was on the outside but on the inside, he was rambling. 'What happens if Ceres gets hurt again? They will find out about her hearing, her breaking her nose was already known by everyone somehow. She keeps becoming the centre of the talk when we go places...SHE MIGHT GET A BOYFRIEND?!'

"We are doing it," I stated and he sulked. "I'm not getting a boyfriend!"

"You sure?" Rudeus looked at me and Suzanne burst out laughing surprising him.

"That's what you were thinking about?" She grinned. "We don't have boys in our group near her age, it will only be you."

"That's good." Rudeus nervously laughed.

"You want me to be forever alone." I hummed.

'No, to be free! If she has a boyfriend, she might want to settle down and forget her dream to travel she has done that for me already.' Rudeus looked so guilty as he thought that.

"My choice," I explained as Suzanne took us with her.

"So since we are all still getting our bearings, let's work together." She grinned.

"I rather work with my sister alone." Rudeus hummed.

"You got a complex or something?" Sara hissed.

"Traumatised," I explained. "And he has those over women."

"...You are one." Sara pointed out.

"Sistar." I pointed out.

"Star?" Sara groaned, and Suzanne made her not speak up about it.

We sat with their group and had some drinks. "What you two need is more help. And the best way to get that is to join a party and survive." Suzanne explained.

"Just to say if you see me running and screaming Ted or dragon leave me to it," I asked, and Rudeus pulled my cheek making me whine.

"That's dumb." Sara let out.

'She's really trying to dress it all up, but I know she just pities me.' Rudeus thought.

"You two look young, but I bet you know your stuff, what can you do?" Suzanne asked us.

"As you can see we are mages, so I specialise in supporting melee fighters," Rudeus explained.

"I control the battlefield if there's only a couple of fighters," I added and they looked confused. "Also, I like to fight alone, so I don't knock a tree into anyone."

"Oh, so you hit trees a lot?" One laughed.

'...I mean yes, but it's normally me moving them not me being the moving one.' I thought.

'They think you are weak.' Rudeus explained in his mind to me. 'You will be babied.'

"Like you want to be?" I asked, and he pulled my cheek again. I used my wind magic to swipe at his feet, and he fell backwards and landed on the floor confusing them as I huffed at him.

"As clumsy as each other." Suzanne laughed. "We were just thinking that our party could use more people on support."

"Alright then." Rudeus let out.

"Now, let's spend today getting ready and meet at the north gate tomorrow morning." She gave us the plan. "We can work out our formation on the road."

"Okay!" I grinned as Sara glared at us. "Got a problem?"

"Are you still sulking? You are such a child." Suzanne laughed.

"Oh, shut up!" She downed her drink and then looked at us annoyed.

'Rude, I think her look is more for you.' I informed him in my mind, and he sighed as I used a napkin to make some more origami.

Chapter Text

We got to the meeting spot quite early and I was trying to put something on his head. 'When did you get taller? On your knees!' I demanded in my mind, and Rudeus looked at me concerned. 'I'm trying to crown you.'

He saw the horribly made origami hat in my hands and got down on one knee then I put it on his head. "Best brother crown!" I exclaimed and he grinned as he stood back up.

They finally turned up in one group. "Oh, you two are early," Suzanne commented. "After yesterday, I figured you two would show up late."

"Dragon!" I exclaimed my reason.

"But we are going after bears." She laughed.

"Pontential dragon," I explained and then cringed at my speech since I only heard a little of myself because my wind magic was getting blown about.

This kind of weather is the worst when I'm travelling.

"Potential dragon," Rudeus spoke for me. "Rudeus Greyrat, mage."

"Ceres Greyrat, mage!" I grinned.

"We can cast spells without an incantation," Rudeus explained and some looked impressed.

"Good to have you both on board." Suzanne held out a hand to Rudeus, and he went to shake it but faltered.

I took her hand instead. I shook it then I used my other one to shake his. "There we go! Indirect whatever it's called!" I grinned.

We took off together, and Rudeus kept questioning me in his mind if my bags were too heavy or not. 'If you break your back-' He got snow in the face surprising the others since they didn't see where that came from, but it was my wind magic.

"Ah!" I whined as my wind magic got blown away again and Rudeus patted my head.

I then felt a rough tug not long after and looked to see it was Sara who was speaking, but Rudeus stood in front of me. I made some wind magic so I could hear what she wanted to say.

I kept it behind Rudeus's back so it doesn't get blown away. "Hey! She was ignoring me!" Sara yelled.

"Oh, I'm deaf!" I declared making them all pause and look at me in shock.

"Rude explain...my mag...tuck," I sighed as my wind magic got blown away when he turned allowing the wind to take it.

'Did you just try and swear?' Rudeus asked me in his mind as he stared at me in pure shock more than them making me laugh.

He then explained to them how my magic works and they got concerned whenever they saw me messing around with snow or just going a little ahead. Rudeus informed me of how they say I act like a carefree child, but they said it was also like I was going to disappear.

'Kind of like what Paul said once, didn't even you say that?...Lilia and Mum to...SQUIRREL!' I freaked out seeing a baby one with its mum and I was in pure awe of them. 'The cuteness is so cute!'

'Glad you are enjoying yourself, but don't go any-' Rudeus went to say in his mind. I thought I saw something, so I ran off towards it and then used wind magic to send me ahead.

I knew there was something watching me. Something was here.

The area was empty except for trees and snow, but I knew there was someone here not too long ago.

"There are big feet prints! You are big!" I exclaimed as I sent out a bunch of wind magic to see if I could hear anything, but I still got no answer. "Why aren't you talking to me? Did I do something wrong?...Ted?"

I still got nothing and sulked back as Rudeus ran up to me seeing I didn't look happy. 'What's wrong?' He asked me in his mind.

'I don't think Ted likes me anymore.' I admitted. 'I'm now you.'

Rudeus gave me a big hug making me giggle a little since he truly felt sorry for me. The others were just confused, but just smiled at us, and we walked on. Rudeus explained to me all of their positions in the groups and their names.

Sara kept giving us weird looks saying it looks like I'm somehow communicating with Rudeus.

At some point, Rudeus stopped, and Sara seemed to be yelling at him while Suzanne got her to calm down.

I held out my arm in front of Rudeus when Sara went to carry on. 'This isn't what he needs, I get they are using us for her. But I won't allow it to damage him further.' I stuck my tongue out at her to show my dislike.

Suzanne laughed as she took Sara with her and I slowly walked with Rudeus. 'That was so childish...but you are right they are trying to use us to teach her that she can't be picky with people. Well, whatever that won't damage me.' Rudeus reassured me.

'Woman seemed to do the most damage to you even by talking.' I retorted, and he had a frown on his face. 'I'm the same with men...goddamn Ted!'

Rudeus grinned at me and I really have no clue as to why Orsted was being distant. 'Wait...he did that thing to Rudy.' I looked at him and he seemed confused. 'Then he said he would come for me one day.'

"WHO?!" Rudeus yelled in real life and in his mind.

I just ran for it until we found an area to make camp. Rudeus was still questioning me as I sat at the fire with a ton of wind magic around us. "Come for you?! Are you going to get married? Leave me?" Rudeus asked.

"...Dude." I let out as I stared back at him and Mimir laughed seeing the stare I was giving Rudeus. "I know one male you don't. Calm down."

'...You can't leave yet...sorry.' Rudeus apologised in his mind and laughed a little awkwardly.

'Nope, that's fine. I will go off and come back once you are settled.' I grinned as I spoke in my mind as well. 'I think this group could just be that, so don't feel guilty I'm the one choosing to stay around.'

'...With that girl who hates me?' Rudeus asked me.

'She's just protecting her friends and having new additions makes the whole group have to relearn so she must be scared.' I explained. He patted my head as I held up a snow bunny I made using leaves as ears and stones as eyes.

"That's cute." Timothy hummed.

"Tight?!" I exclaimed. I meant to say right, but it's so lovely having someone appreciate my work.

'Eris's hold on me was alway-' I looked to Rudeus as he thought that and he laughed.

"Now, let's review our combat strategy," Suzanne added as Mimir started to dish out the food and gave me a bowl of it.

"Thanks!" I grinned.

"First, as soon as Ceres spots the enemy with her wind magic, Rudeus will delay them at long range with Ceres," Suzanne explained, and I gave her a thumbs up.

"And Timothy will thin their numbers with magical attacks." Mimir hummed.

"They will close the distance before long, but Patrice and I will stop them." Suzanne then looked at Sara. "And Sara."

"Will back you up." Sara nodded showing she was used to this, but she might be getting too cocky like Eris did once before she got smashed down by Orsted.

"That could be a way to get him to appear again!...I'm getting too desperate." I groaned.

"Who?!" Rudeus yelled.

"A drag-" I went to say.

"Are you seriously deaf?" Sara asked making the others freeze while I laughed and couldn't stop. "What's so funny?!"

"You sound like my Dad." I grinned. "It is for you to choose if you believe me or not, Katniss Everdeen."

"Who?" The rest asked and Sara looked annoyed.

"That person is a very skilled archer," Rudeus explained.

"Look at that she complimented you." Suzanne grinned and Sara huffed. "Well, that's the basic plan."

"Um..." Rudeus held up his hand and Suzanne motioned him to talk. "I don't think I have much to do. Should I shift to support, too?"

"I can as well," I added.

"You don't know how the fighters move yet!" Sara retorted.

"Then, after I delay them, I could help thin their numbers." Rudeus grinned.

"Everyone knows you need to conserve mana in a drawn-out fight!" She yelled.

"Then tornado! Or fart them away!" I grinned.

"Are you stupid? Why did you say fart?" Sara questioned me.

"...You're not getting a snow bunny. I should take away his ears, so he can't hear you." I hummed as she gasped at me.

"Then, what if I joined in at close range?" Rudeus asked.

"Do you want me to shoot you in the back?! You are both not part of this party, so do what you are told." Sara demanded.

"...So many would leave you to die," I mumbled shocking them.

"How would you-!" She went to yell.

"That firstly." I pointed out. "I get it. You don't like having us here since it's a big change and that can be frightening, but do you really think it will always be fine with just you guys? You don't need anyone else?"

"Yeah! We have done so many missions now!" Sara declared.

"I have seen cocky people before in the demon continent their friend went flying into a tree next to me. Their blood and guts splattered everywhere...I really can't say that group was okay after...Please don't hurt anyone with your death or make them dislike you by lashing out...it just pushes people further away." I explained.

Rudeus pulled on my hood to check on me and I gave him my best smile. 'What made this come around? You have never lashed out at anyone but...Paul.' Rudeus thought.

'I actually thought of it from Paul's side of things...he didn't want to lose our connection, and I never knew what it was like to lose one. I know I haven't really lost one...but it's been so lonely without Rui or Eris.' I admitted in my mind. 'It feels like I have actually lost someone. We weren't going off somewhere exciting either unlike when we left home years ago, so it felt kind of daunting.'

He ruffled my hair as Sara walked off. "Sorry," I mumbled to the others.

"No, thank you for that." Suzanne grinned.

"...I'm gonna go get wet by the snow." I walked off.

"Huh?!" Rudeus followed me and then saw me faceplant into the snow. 'Are you really okay?' He asked in his mind.

He panicked when I didn't move or answer for an entire minute so he rolled me over and I was frowning. "Now, I'm thinking of Ted again," I whined since this was the actual position he was in when I met him for the first time face-to-face.

He laughed as he brushed the snow out of my face. "I think you would need someone super strong to be your adventuring partner." He informed me. "So only me."

"No, Ted better." I retorted and threw some snow at him, so he threw some back starting a fight.

Timothy laughed when he discovered us covered in snow. "I'm sorry about that. Sara, she's not a bad child but she's getting a bit full of herself so I have to thank you Ceres, you are wise for your age. You two must be quite skilled mages." He grinned as I shivered. "Are you okay?!"

"Oh, it's my compliment freak out." I giggled then sneezed. Rudeus slammed my face with a tissue taking me back down into the snow. "Wah!"

"Sorry!" Rudeus apologised as I used a good amount of my wind magic to send a whole pile of snow on top of him. His head was the only thing peeking out with a small pile of snow on top of his head.

"The last person I saw cast silently was a teacher in my school days," Timothy admitted as I dug Rudeus out.

"These skills won't bring my loved ones back," Rudeus admitted and walked off.

"...Is that a sibling thing?" Timothy asked me making me laugh.

"I think it's a traumatised thing." I hummed. "Wait...I said you guys would most likely leave her to die...I need to go apologise!"

Timothy watched me run off, and I just caught Sara and she looked annoyed seeing me as I caught my breath. "What n-are you crying?!" She yelled.

"Sorry, I just don't want you to die! Then I said something stupid!" I explained. "I apologise! I was only thinking about myself there for not wanting to see more people die!"

"...They wouldn't leave me," Sara informed me.

"Even if you are close people run without thinking," I explained. I could only think of that one time when I was still very young in my past life.

When I was very young, the nurses loved me and treated me quite well, but one day there was so much panic going on in the hospital scaring me into tears. There was screaming of fire and I went to look to the nurses with me at the time for what we should do and...they all ran leaving me there.

I was stuck and terrified. I even tried to get out of my bed to escape myself, but of course that only caused me broken bones.

There was no fire. It was a prank by some bored kid. I was left terrified of that event and the nurses soon spent less time with me and only came in for checkups or to give me my food.

"...So I'm really not strong?" She asked me.

"Huh? No, I think you are. I get taken down by just one hit, so you are way stronger than me." I grinned. "Also being an archer looks so cool! Your arrows are like mini spears! And can even be used way faster than mages with their spells!" I exclaimed.

"So you find me cooler than your brother?" Sara smirked.

"Yes." I nodded. "Can you show me?"

"Of course!" We went off together shocking the others, but Rudeus since he knows I can get along with just anyone well if they have at least one decent thing about them. I showed her what I could do as well with my wind magic and she was in awe of how many things I could affect at once.

We had a pretty good idea of what we could both do. "I say it's fine for Ceres to join in on support," Sara informed the others when we got back stunning them. "But not Rudeus!"

'Only the deaf girl can.' Rudeus mumbled in his mind as he laughed and I giggled.

Chapter Text

While it was still night, we found a big camp of those bears and they were down in a hole, so it will take them a while to run up to us on the hill we are on. "They are all asleep," I informed Timothy as I checked their breathing with my wind magic.

He nodded as he started to say a spell while all my wind magic was placed in front of us and around the bears. "Let the great protection of fire be on the place thou seekest." Timothy started.

'I'm so happy I don't need to say those anymore.' I thought that as I hummed.

"O raging inferno, incinerate tremendous bounty. Exa-flame!" Timothy sent down a huge flame upon them. I added my wind magic to make it into a gigantic fire tornado amazing the others. Some of the bears got picked up by it while many still escaped and came charged at us.

Timothy repeated his spell while Rudeus put his hand to the floor and made the ground ahead of us into mud making the bears sink into it.

Timothy kept repeating the spell as I kept my tornado still since it could burn the entire forest down if I didn't. Rudeus put his hands over my ears as I was whining hearing the bears crying from pain or the sound of their bodies hitting into each other.

"Sara, can I have an arrow?" I asked and she handed me one.

I held it in my hand and then put a layer of wind magic around it to give me an amazing amount of control. I sent it at the tornado then did my best to work with it. I controlled the arrow to make it hit the only living bear left in a weak spot killing it instantly.

It was constantly whining from its broken bones being forced to move by the tornado. "Sorry," I mumbled to it quietly since I felt bad I made it suffer, but it has stopped now.

I then turned with my eyes wide open making the others flinch as Rudeus had his ear to the ground. "More bears that way!" I exclaimed.

"They are close!" Rudeus added.

"Black Grizzlies?!" Sara freaked out.

"It's mud. They are covered in mud." Rudeus explained.

"Fire won't work well then!" I exclaimed.

"Retreat!" Timothy ordered. The people with the positions in the back ran off while Rudeus and I stayed to help keep the bears at bay.

'The future?' I asked Rudeus in my mind.

'We are stuck, it's too late.' He informed me. 'What now? No, forget it. I'm sick of this. I will just lose everything, anyway."

"Hah?!" I yelled as I sent wind magic at one shaped as a blade cutting it mostly in half while Suzanne stopped another one from jumping us.

"Run for it! I will act as a decoy!" She ordered.

"No! I will stay too!" Sara declared.

"You can't stop them!" Suzanne retorted.

"Mimi! Tini Tim back here!" I yelled for the other two with shortened names so it was quicker and they finally noticed that we were surrounded.

I helped them fight off the bears while Rudeus seemed to be in shock and Suzanne got sent flying at some point. She landed in front of me, and I healed her along with the help of Mimir so she got up quickly.

'What do I feel so uneasy? Why am I breathing so heavily? Why do I find this so exciting?' Rudeus thought.

'God, I was an idiot!' I exclaimed in my mind making him look at me to see I was crying. 'He really did want to die! He was going to allow himself to die! I don't want him to! I know dying can end suffering, but what will happen to me after?! To mum when she hears what happened to him?!'

"Keep off my brother!" I screamed as one just barely scratched at my arm ripping flesh off from it horrifying Rudeus.

'Damn...' Rudeus groaned in his mind. 'Of course, I know why they stand their ground and fight. I have known for ages.'

"Everyone down!" I yelled seeing a brand-new group of bears, and the ones around us were finally dead.

I focused on the tornado and made it move along like that giant snake we once fought to circle around us hurting the bears. "Please leave the rest to me," Rudeus added. He stood beside me grinning as some bears made their way through my wing magic while on fire.

"Rude you are really rude!" I yelled as he made a huge fireball.

"I'm sorry, Ceres, I promise I won't ever do that again." He patted my head as he launched the fireball. I used my wind magic to make it worse and kill all of the bears.

After that, Rudeus argued with me, and I knew I was right. "Lucky," I stated as I pointed at my arm.

"Stupid!" He yelled as he healed my arm that really didn't have that bad of a wound. 'It could have taken off your arm...' He thought not wanting to say it out loud.

"Heal it still?" I asked.

"I CAN'T WHEN IT IS GONE!" He freaked out and I saw some tears in his eyes.

"...Sorry," I mumbled.

"No, I'm sorry." Rudeus retorted. "That was all me. I didn't even move I nearly let you die."

We were both silent after that concerning the others.

We skinned all of the bears, and I just used my wind magic as a blade to do that. I was holding onto the back of Rudeus's coat the entire time. "I won't d-" He went to say and I frowned as tears came up again. "I should stop talking."

"You should keep living...I got here eventually after all those years in the hospital...so why would good things not happen to you again? Be patient." I demanded and he patted my head. "I enjoy my time with you...if I had to never know anyone else, that's fine..."

"You would give up Ted and our sisters?" Rudeus asked me.

"If I really had to for a good reason, I would choose you since you know how to help me. I like knocking down your ego you never have now." I sniffed and he laughed.

We burnt up the bodies after. "We owe you both." Suzanne grinned. "We panicked, and Ceres orders got us to group back together. Then you both saved us right at the end."

"I'm glad you agreed to bring us along," Rudeus admitted.

"Yeah, you really saved him!" I added confusing her. "He's so dumb."

She held out a hand to us each and I high-fived it as Rudeus shook hands with her. "Oh..." I let out making them laugh since I realised that was what she wanted to do this time.

"Okay, let's go home." Suzanne grinned and I nodded.

Sara then confronted Rudeus. "Thanks, I owe you...Ceres was cooler, though." She mumbled.

"Hell yeah!" I celebrated as I was trembling making both grin.

"But your arm?" Sara spoke up.

"All good! It looked worse than it was." I informed her.

We made our way back and I was only allowed to hold a small portion of the fur confusing me while they reassured me it was fine.

As we walked, I was soon ready to fly off. "Saw a thing!" I exclaimed as I flew off.

"Again?" Rudeus sighed.

"She does that a lot." Sara let out. "She will come back, right?"

"Let's wait. She's smart." Rudeus spoke up. "And if we move then she will use more wind magic to find us."

I made it to the area with a stupid grin on my face, and I felt so stupid when I saw nothing once again.

I whined as I crouched down I was really trying to keep in my tears. "Why do I feel so lonely when my brother is with me? Did Rude feel the same to make him nearly want to die back there? I feel so cruel." I groaned as I put my head down. "I don't want to end up hurting others...but I can't stop my feelings."

I then heard something, but I didn't look or investigate it with hope since I shouldn't keep hoping it would be Orsted or I might destroy myself.

Whatever it was landed on my head confusing me then I looked up to see it looking down at me. "A baby dragon?!" I freaked out and fell back making it fall forward.

I launched forward to catch it in my hands before it hit the snow. I carefully held it while I was in awe just looking at it since I had never seen a creature like this before.

I think it's actually a bird from the feel of its p black feathers and the look of its body, but then the shape of its head looks like a dragon and the eyes have a dragon-like look to them as well.

Its feathers are mainly black, but when I moved them a little it looked like it had another colour under its feathers confusing me. It flicked my hand with its wing every time I tried to inspect more so I was afraid I might be hurting it so I stopped.

"Where did you come from?" I looked around then it pointed off to the side with its wing making it seem like it understood me. "Do you want to go home? I can take you there."

It then pointed at me, and I'm now confused.

"Huh?" I let out.

It pointed at me again and its eyes scrunched down a little, it might be mad at me.

"So you want to come with me?" I asked and it nodded. "But don't you have a family? I can't just take you from them! I can't take you from where you live."

It pointed at me again making me laugh a little. "I don't know why, but I'm happy that you still want to come with me." I grinned. "Can you fly?"

It was just staring at me for a while then its wing moved weirdly. It jumped from my hands and tried to fly then landed in the snow. "...Wait, so you would die out here alone?!" I freaked out and it just rolled onto its back then its tongue fell out and I was ready to cry.

It rolled over again and pecked my leg, and I lifted it up into my hands. "Then I will help you!" I exclaimed. "...Thank you, I think you are saving me."

I wrapped the little fur I had around it carefully. I held it in my arms and then flew up into the air and its mouth fell open making me laugh. The sound of footsteps started to come from the nearby trees when they saw my wind magic was all gone.

I showed the bird to the others when I got back. "It's a Great Eared Nightjar, the colours are a little weird it's black with golden eyes?" Timothy commented.

"Dragon." I grinned.

"It's a bird." Rudeus corrected me.

"Dragon bird?" I asked with shining eyes and they didn't know what to say now.

"Ceres, it is-" Sara elbowed Rudeus before he couldn't finish and he fell to his knees.

"It's a very pretty dragon bird!" Sara grinned and I squealed.

"It's hurt, so I will take care of it until it's better." I grinned.

"It is?" Suzanne asked then it moved out its wing like it hurt.

They all had the same thought. 'It's totally faking it.'

They didn't have the heart to tell me since I was so happy, so they just allowed it. I wrapped the little guy up in more of the fur we gathered and he seemed to be observing everything.

"A bird that stays with me this time...that would be nice," I mumbled as he looked up at me.

He seemed to be judging me, so I gave him a big smile to show he would be fine. He just laid down in the fur showing he's relaxed. I felt very proud that I made him comfortable.

We got back, and everyone gave us nasty looks as we placed down the fur on the counters while I kept some for the dragon. I could make a blanket for him.

I used my wind magic to hear all the things the people here were saying. "Today, we are celebrating our first job in this town!" Timothy announced. "So we will buy a round for everyone here!"

'Ah, because they are drunk heads.' I giggled in my mind seeing they were going to change their opinions instantly with one simple gift. 'Like me with dragons.'

'At least she knows.' Rudeus thought then laughed.

"Listen up and don't forget! This guild has got some new faces, Counter Arrow! Rudeus and Ceres!" Suzanne pushed us forward and everyone cheered.

"Rudeus! Ceres!" They cheered.

The bird pointed his head out of the fur confused, and I carefully held him up. "Dragon!" I exclaimed and they cheered making me giggle.

Rudeus then laughed exciting me so much to see him grinning. That night I was with him in his room. I was pointing at the window to the bird confusing it. "It was always closed like he was blocking out the world now he isn't." I grinned.

"Oh...I guess you were right." Rudeus mumbled as he looked at it from the chair he was in. "Also, are you gonna keep it?"

"Yeah! He was actually hurt when I found him." I admitted shocking him. "All alone in the woods... mini-me, but I'm gonna adore him and not leave him to die when people shout there is a fire!"

"Someone did that?!" He freaked out.

"Yeah, I just learned I'm supposed to be angry about that," I admitted.

"You grew." He grinned. "You are even taking responsibility for someone other than yourself."

"...Didn't I start with you already?" I asked, and he nervously laughed seeing I meant that. "And Ted was the same I taught him many things. Like there's a thing called a spoon...I hope he's doing alright."

"A spoon?" Rudeus mumbled.

"Ah, are you okay with staying around?" I looked at the bird. "I can release you aft-"

He just pointed at me again with his supposed-to-be broken wing and I grinned since it meant he wanted to stay with me.

"Then that's where you will be! We can be adventuring buddies!" I exclaimed so excited.

"...She chose a bird instead of a human." Rudeus shook his head. I saw him go into his bag like he does every now and then. He actually brought it out this time to show...panties.

'I'd forgotten...about living seriously.' Rudeus groaned as he held them to his face. "What the hell am I doing?" He mumbled.

The bird looked at me confused as I motioned to him that it was fine. "Who says I will lose everything?!" Rudeus yelled. "I even let you get hurt there! I'm sorry, Ceres!"

I grinned hearing him say that.

'I need to remember when I first came to this world. When you and Roxy took me outside for the first time.' Rudeus admitted in his mind. 'I learned, she taught us, we grew together. I can't betray those lessons. I have been given things I still have. Sure, I lost some important things.'

"But there are our little sistars! Rui! Both our Mums!...Paul." I let out his name in a monotone voice making him laugh. "We have so many people now, and we even made friends here! We can start over again!"

I stood beside him, and he looked up at me. "I can't sit around moping. We are far apart but even so, I'm not alone." He held up the necklace Sylphie made him. "This still sucks, but we have had it worse."

"Way worse!" I exclaimed. "Our beginning was bottom! We are now at the intestines?"

He laughed at how I tried to actually give a visible image to represent it. "I'm ready." Rudeus grabbed the last of Eris's hair, and I put my hand on his.

"Together! I waited for a while." I reminded him.

"Sorry for making you wait." He informed me as we both threw it into the fire.

"Sorry! Eris!" I panicked. "I feel like we burned her!"

"We didn't." Rudeus patted my head and then we saw the bird fly into the fire.

"AH!" We yelled then he just came flying back out with bright red eyes.

"...You okay?" I asked tearfully as he landed on my shoulder. He looked shocked then nuzzled my cheek with his own then burped and literally a tiny bit of fire came out.

"...Rude! It's a dragon!" I freaked out.

"How?" Rudeus let out as I was jumping on his bed in excitement. "Wait, wasn't its wing hurt?"

I paused and looked at the bird, and it held out its wing again faking it and making Rudeus yell. "Oh, he's just using you!" Rudeus yelled.

"He wants to be with me! That's fair!" I exclaimed. "Bad things can still be good things."

'But still, where did it come from? Suzanne said it was extremely rare, and the colour it has isn't right at all. Then it burped fire. It acts really intelligently...Why is it here? And why Ceres? It's like that flower Ceres got years ago, it was hard to attain because of monsters and it was far up the mountain.' Rudeus was a little concerned, but there really wasn't much he could do about it.

Chapter Text

I was waiting for Rudeus to finish his usual run he does every morning. "So what did you think of my running today, Tindalos, Baskerville?" Rudeus looked down at his knees. "Oh, is that so?"

"You have no friends, so you made friends with your knees?" I asked and Rudeus looked up at me.

"No, my legs." He smirked, and he saw my expression fall. "I mean-"

"Horrible names." I let out.

"Wait, that's the thing you don't like? It's better than what you named that bird." Rudeus pointed out.

"Azizi is a good name!" I exclaimed with my hands on my hips. Azizi coughed up fire again from my shoulder.

"What does it even mean? My legs are named after hounds, so I will become agile." Rudeus smirked as he patted them. "They are good boys."

"Azizi means precious treasure," I explained then patted Rudeus's head. "Weird boy."

"Even weirder sister." He patted my head back, and I giggled.

"Azizi has strong sillyballs," I explained some more.

"Oh, syllables." Rudeus laughed knowing I just like saying it that way. "So it's easy for you to say."

Rudeus was working a lot more while I was taking care of Azizi and trying to learn about him some more. He was definitely not a normal bird, and I don't think he's a dragon either since I just fed him some water I created with my magic and now I'm crying.

"What's wrong?!" Rudeus asked.

"He drowned!" I freaked out.

"Woah, that's a lot of water!" He yelled seeing so much come from Azizi's mouth as he lay on his back. Azizi just hopped up fine confusing us, but I was hugging him so glad he's okay.

Water just kept flowing out of his mouth and we filled up so many cups. "Does it taste like water?" I mumbled.

"It came out of him." Rudeus groaned.

"Liquids come out of us too!" I defended and he laughed. "Didn't you want to try so-"

"AHH!" Rudeus yelled.

I got Azizi to eat some fire again, but he didn't like normal fire only fire that is made with mana. "Mana is circling around inside you," I mumbled as I looked at him with my demon eye activated. "What are you? You are so cool!"

He finally allowed me to move his feathers, and I was confused to see what looked like his skin was see-through and there was a fire inside of him. "You dying?" I asked him.

Azizi shook his head at me making me sigh in relief and I tested out with water mana to see it looked like water was inside him, but no more fire. "It's all mana," I mumbled. "But I didn't feed you that much."

Rudeus was instantly suspicious of Azizi, but I loved how cool he was.

He is so different! Like I am!

I actually tried teaching him sign language making Rudeus stare at me, but I thought he only needed to understand the motions and it does work. I can give him signals to do things like puke water onto Rudeus...I don't really wanna hurt people so there ain't much else we can do.

Rudeus and I worked very hard to make our names more well-known by doing more jobs.

And I know you are gonna call me crazy, but I keep seeing glimpses of Orsted! Am I going crazy?!

"I just want his coat again!" I whined.

"Ceres, you sound weird." Rudeus reminded me.

"Says the one who is praying to panties, I will never forget you made me do that." I glared at him and he shivered. "Anyway, just leave them in the shrine you made."

"I need them for comfort like you have Azizi," Rudeus explained. "...Your bird is giving me a judging look."

"Because he's intelligent enough to under that you're disturbing," I explained as I ran out giggling. Azizi turned on my shoulder as I turned away from Rudeus, so he could glare at Rudeus the entire time.

"Why is that hanging around her?" Rudeus mumbled. "It even spits fire at people who insult her when she doesn't hear them. He hates me too even..."

Rudeus and I went to the guild and some guy seemed to be yelling something so everyone could hear, but I can't right now.

He smirked then walked past us and frowned confusing me.

I tilted my head to the side, and Azizi did the same thing touching my head with his and I squealed.

The guy grinned at me and then carried on walking. 'The bird just helped her seduce that guy!' Rudeus's mind exclaimed.

'We did not.' I sighed wondering how he got to such a ridiculous conclusion.

'Then why did he frown at me and smile at you?' Rudeus asked me.

'A lot of people do that already.' I retorted and he laughed.

We went over to the board to choose a new job. Azizi pecked my ear making me look to the side to see a guy grinning at Rudeus. I used my wind magic to hear of his nickname and my own. "Hey! Quagmire! Hurricane! If I hear about your mum anywhere, I will be sure to let you two know!" Another man called out to us.

"Thanks!" I exclaimed as Rudeus bowed to them.

He has been much more polite than normal lately, but I can recognise why he's doing it. He's scared of rejection, and I was before in my past life, so I acted nicely and never complained when my mother visited me since she did stop visiting for a little while when I complained once and I felt so awful.

Rudeus chose a job for us. "So Quagmire? Like Quagmire from Famiy guy?" I asked and Rudeus paused. "You were named after that?!"

I was laughing so loudly making people look over and Rudeus was blushing with embarrassment. "Well, you are called Hurricane Ceres!" He yelled.

"Yeah, sounds kind of cool. At least I'm named after a natural disaster. I guess you are too...but is it natural?" I mumbled.

"To feel love is," Rudeus explained like he's some pure person.

"But there's a lot more to the guy than just that." I reminded him and he groaned.

"How do you even know of that show?" Rudeus sighed.

"Video games again," I explained as we handed in the plack the job was on.

'Our hard work has paid off because Rudeus Greyrat now has quite a reputation in this town.' Rudeus thought. 'Although more people know my nickname, Quagmire, than my real one.'

I tried my best to stifle my laugh and Rudeus crouched down in a new depression and I patted his back. 'It's good we made somewhat of a name for ourselves, but I think we should move on at some point unless you want to marry Sara.' I informed him in my mind.

"MARRIAGE?!" He screeched as he was holding Roxy's panties in his hands.

"Never mind." I laughed when Azizi put his wing in front of my eyes to protect my innocence.

The lady came back with the proof we would be doing the mission then flinched seeing the panties. I just walked off so Rudeus had to collect the thing on his own then we went straight to the spot in town to meet the one who gave in the job.

"I am Rudeus Greyrat. It's a pleasure to meet you." He bowed.

"Ceres Greyrat." I waved. "Azizi you to."

He turned away on my head then jumped into my hood and started to nap. "Grumpy again, huh? Cute." I grinned.

"So you are the famous Quagmire and Hurricane." The man hummed.

"I don't know if I'm all that famous, but yes." Rudeus nervously laughed and acted humble like usual to not come off cocky.

"Okay, then. Get to work." He ordered and handed us shovels.

I put mine down and used my wind magic to shovel the snow instead. I stood in the middle of the entire area and released a lot to sweep it away. It made a good number of balls of snow causing some snowball fights and snowman-making.

Rudeus used his power on the thing in the centre making it heat up the streets melting what was left of the snow. I noticed while we were working Sara was watching him heal a child who fell.

Sara was waiting with me the next morning, and it was obvious she was here to see Rudeus. "So what's his name?" She asked me as Azizi helped me make an army of mini snowmen.

"Azizi!" I answered.

"A what?" She let out. "That's a name..."

She paused when Azizi was flying right in front of her face and she was terrified by his glare.

"No burping fire," I ordered as I used wing magic to force him my way, but he ate it. "Azizi!"

He landed on my head and then opened his mouth. "No burping fire!" My voice came from him making us both flinch.

"The hell?!" Sara yelled.

"He's so cool!" I squealed. "Parrot dragon!"

"Good boys!" Rudeus exclaimed when he arrived then faltered when he saw Sara.

"We are about to take a job ourselves, want to join in?" She asked him.

"Um, well..." Rudeus let out. 'We have worked together a lot, but working with one party over and over again doesn't do much for my goal. Still...' Rudeus thought.

'You fancy her?' I asked in my mind.

"No!" Rudeus yelled at me.

"You didn't need to yell it!" Sara huffed.

"No, I mean...when will you set out?" He asked.

"If you are not interested, just say no." She groaned. Azizi landed on my shoulder and nudged my cheek wanting some mana, so I fed him some water magic while we watched it all go down. "We are not desperate. And I rather just have Ceres."

"Please excuse my indecision." Rudeus grinned.

"And stop being so polite, too. It gives me the creeps." Sara huffed and Azizi nodded agreeing with her.

"He's scared," I explained to him.

"Sara, that's enough." Suzanne came over.

"Suz! Suz!" I grinned.

"Ceres! Azizi! I see he's doing well, so are you two- I mean three coming with?" She asked us.

'...Did she just forget me, not the bird?...Let's say bir-' I looked to Rudeus when he nearly got his thought wrong. 'It was me.'

"Don't worry I will never forget you. It's hard to." I patted his back, and I laughed at his pout. "For the good reasons, I promise."

"I would love to come with you." Rudeus grinned.

"Dragon scales!" I exclaimed.

"Looks like you already got a job in mind." Timothy hummed.

I grabbed it for them, and I handed it in then we went off to the place. I was ecstatic at the sight of the ruins we were in. 'What were they made for?' I wondered.

"The Galgau Ruins were built as a fortress during the First Human Demon War," Timothy explained.

'I saw buildings on the Demon Continent, but nothing like this.' Rudeus thought. He looked at me since we were on a stone bridge with a huge fall below us. I was getting very distracted by the beautiful sights.

Sara pulled me back from the edge. "Don't just stand there staring." Sara was scolding Rudeus, not me for some reason.

"Oh, sorry. I will hurry up." Rudeus apologised.

"Do you both like architecture?" She asked us.

"A DUNGEON!" I yelled with my arms up. I was so excited, and Azizi was scared by my excitement.

"Not really, but I haven't seen many places like this before," Rudeus explained.

"I'm gonna stare for a while like Rude does," I informed them and looked around.

"Be careful." Suzanne grinned as they walked on.

I waited for them to get far enough then I felt ready to do it. "Should be enough away." I hummed. "Hey, Azizi. He's up there, isn't he?"

Azizi leaned his head onto mine confirming it. "Then I will make him fall into my trap," I smirked.

I scooped up Azizi and put him on the floor then clapped with confidence. I dived off the edge making him squawk at me loudly for doing such a stupid thing.

My face past the bridge, but then someone grabbed me by my ankle. I got pulled up, and I looked to see Orsted looking down at me with the same old look, but he was very tense this time. "Are you so lonely that you want to die?" He asked me.

"I got you!" I exclaimed in victory.

He tilted his head to the side then Azizi got in my face squawking. "What?! This was the only way to get that idiot to talk to me!" I explained as I pointed at Orsted.

Orsted looked at my finger then at his own chest and realised I was talking about him. "Ah, you tricked me, but what if I wasn't here? Or didn't act?" He asked me.

"I believe in you, and the pain is worth the ri-" I went to say, but he threw me up making me squeal then he caught me in his arms.

I paused then I pulled on his coat and played with the hood. "Fluff! I missed!" I exclaimed.

"Just that?" He asked me then got surprised when I looked angry at him.

"Why have you been ignoring me?! You stalk me then jump away! Do you not like me anymore?!" I questioned him.

"...I seem to have caused another misunderstanding." He informed me.

"Go ahead." I motioned him to carry on as Azizi landed in my lap. I was confused that he didn't hate Orsted like he does with everyone else but me. "Wait, you don't hate him! You two can be friends then!"

I was so happy now and Orsted grinned at me as Azizi looked at Orsted then flew up and spat water on him then looked away in a huff. "Or not...why?" I let out.

"Azizi is a very nice name, what is the meaning?" Orsted asked me.

"Precious treasure," I answered.

"Then it is very fitting. He is to protect the most loving, pure-hearted, and affectionate person he meets. Mana is what powers him so he is good for mages. He hates everyone else, but his master so he will never betray you." Orsted explained.

"Oh...that's so lonely!" I freaked out. Azizi looked up at me confused then he flew up onto my shoulder and nuzzled against my hand when I went to pet him.

"It is, but I know you will help him." Orsted added.

"...How do you know of him?" I asked.

"I left him as a gift since I saw you were lonely and I wanted to help," Orsted explained. "He will never leave you."

"But I wanted you to be there! But also thank you! But also how dare you!" I yelled. He was confused as to whether I was happy or not at his actions while Azizi looked done with him.

Azizi then flew off confusing me as Orsted went over to some of the ruins placed me down on a rock and sat across from me on another. He started to remove his coat then held it out to me like a peace offering and I couldn't help, but giggle as I took it.

I threw it around myself and hummed happily. "Now, explain why you are being dumb," I demanded.

"Last time we met, I almost murdered your brother." He reminded me and I nodded.

'Strange thing to talk casually about, but yeah.' I thought as I hummed.

'Talk?' Rudeus asked me in his mind.

'Found a talking ant!' I lied then froze and Orsted noticed.

He pulled his coat more around me to make sure I was covered properly by it. 'Don't take long or fall from up there. I feel like you would jump off the ledge for a dragon.' Rudeus warned me.

"How did he know?!" I yelled since I just did that.

"Because you shivered," Orsted answered me thinking I was talking to him and I grinned at him.

"I made you cry back then...and I've seemed to have done that again. But we made the promise that I would come get you one day." Orsted reminded me.

"And I was really disappointed when you ran away each time since I thought you wanted to go on an adventure with me," I informed him.

"I see, after dropping off Nanahoshi I made my way to you. I observed at first since your brother seemed to be in quite the state and so were you. He was very attached to you." Orsted explained.

I remembered when we properly left that place to go out to search for Mum. We had separate rooms, but other than that we would be with each other all the time to reassure each other we weren't alone.

But I think the loneliness we had was just too much, so we couldn't cure it for each other. So that's how I'm a mess now, and he's acting like a submissive loser.

"I thought you wanted to grow on your own, so I just watched when you went on adventures or travelled to make sure you were okay. I intervened whenever was needed and eventually, I saw you were on the edge of breaking." Orsted explained. "So I got you a friend."

"You really did get him for me?" I asked in pure shock.

"Yes, so you aren't lonely." He explained. "I told him to act like you when you first met so you could relate to him."

"Oh, my arm got hurt that day and his wing." I giggled knowing he was faking it.

"You smiled more from what I could see whenever I checked on you." He informed me. "I only followed you when you went on adventures other than that I can't come near the towns."

"But why still?" I asked. "You saw I was lonely, and I wanted to grow, you're strong."

"But if you cling onto me, then you can't grow," Orsted explained. "You won't be able to be around me and the people you love at the same time, so it was best I keep away."

"So you thought you would bring me down? And make me lonely?" I asked.

"Yes." He nodded then I got up and went over and started to punch at his arm.

He let me do that as he was confused then he moved my hair out of the way to see me crying. "Stupid!" I cried out. "I ought! I tho-I sant peak!"

"Take your time." He patted my head seeing I was messing up a lot, so I just signed to him the word stupid.

"How?" He signed back to me, and that's how we kept talking.

"I thought I did something bad that made you abandon me! I thought it was going to be like those nurses again, they liked me then I got hurt and they stayed away from me. Me getting hurt scared people and made them distant! I make people suffer that way, so I thought I had done the same to you!" I freaked out.

"But I only made you worry! And lonely! I'm so-" I went to explain with my voice this time.

Orsted put a hand on my shoulder and made me look up at him. "You are not a problem, and that is nowhere near the reason I kept away. I thought I would be the problem and make you lonely, but if you want me here I will st-"

He laughed a little seeing me nod frantically showing I want him here.

"I apologise for the misunderstanding. I will visit you more now and won't run away." He reassured me. "We can go on those adventures you want to go on."

"I won't get in your way?" I rubbed my eyes. "And don't you have that other person to travel with?"

"She isn't with me anymore, and she wasn't one much for conversation with me, unlike you," Orsted explained. "So I would like to hear more of your voice. I also saw you made a snow rabbit, was it?"

"Want to make one?" I asked and he nodded. "Then you have to meet me tomorrow!"

"I will." He nodded.

"Good boy." I patted his arm. "And thank you, I'm asking a lot."

"You are not." Orsted retorted. "Now go, they will get suspicious if you are gone for too long."

I handed him his coat and started to make my way down then turned to him.

I put my hands over my heart and grinned at him. He paused and then did the same back. I ran off giggling glad that our relationship was the same as before still.

Chapter Text

I picked up the scales I found on the way down and there really were no monsters whatsoever here. 'You know, I feel like I recognise that statue from somewhere.' Rudeus thought. 'Talk about stretching the truth.'

I looked at the giant statue that looked a hell of a lot like Rika. 'But why would she lie about such a thing? I believe her.' I asked him in my mind.

'Well most people lie, and not many are some weird-ass demon, Lord! Thing!' Rudeus explained.

'There are monsters coming your way! Four-legged ones!' I informed Rudeus since I heard them first and they came out of the holes around the statue.

I stayed where I was and took out what I could see from this distance, so they could try and retreat. I got confused when I started to hear grunts and groans I don't recognise and they were coming from the holes the dragon things came through.

Azizi actually helped by shooing water on the monsters when they got too close to the others to throw them off and allow the others to kill them.

When it was done, I walked down there to see there was another party. "Hello, I'm Timothy of Counter Arrow." Timothy went over to one of the men.

"Isn't he the one who-" I paused seeing him so aggressively punch Timothy in the face.

"Don't act friendly after you tried to swipe our prey." He demanded.

"What?! No one told us you were working here!" Suzanne yelled.

"I announced it in front of the whole guild!" He retorted.

"Well, it's news to us." Suzanne huffed.

"Oh!" Rudeus let out as I made my way down.

"Do you know something, Rudeus?" Suzanne asked.

"They did mention something about a job earlier, at the guild hall," Rudeus explained. "I believe it was to exterminate a snow drake infestation in Ilbron cave."

"Ilbron Cave?! That's a day's journey from here!" Suzanne freaked out. "These are the Galgau Ruins!

"Suzanne, calm down," Timothy spoke up.

"Yeah, yelling won't help," I added as I made my way through.

"Ceres good to see you are fine, but what took you so lo-" Sara paused as I went past her. "Is she deaf again?"

"No." Rudeus shook his head as he saw I was staring at the guy who punched Timothy.

"Don't you think fair is fair? Like an eye for an eye?" I asked him and he slowly nodded. "Then don't argue with this."

I pushed the bottom of his leg with my wind magic making him fall to his knees. I punched him right across the face leaving a red mark and he nearly fell over.

"Ceres!" Rudeus yelled. Azizi dived in and shot water at the guy and it was concentrated into a small ball making him fall this time from the impact.

"He was the first to act! He didn't even ask and decided immediately that our friends were bad people and punched Timothy! He deserves it!" I exclaimed as Azizi landed on my shoulder.

The guy just looked up at me stunned. "I'm tired of men!" I yelled and Rudeus was confused.

"...Is it because he looks like Paul?" Rudeus asked me.

"Acts! There's so much Paul in that!" I exclaimed. "But he's also a dick!"

I huffed and walked over to Rudeus as they finally worked out the misunderstanding and found out the cave was linked to this Ruin somehow. The drakes from the cave spilt in over here.

"Then you are here on a different job?" He asked us.

"Duh!" I stuck my tongue out at him.

"Ceres!" Rudeus covered my mouth. "Why are you like this right now?"

"Sadness turned to anger! It's weird!" I sighed.

'Is she...' Rudeus paused. 'Finally on her per-'

Everyone looked over as they saw him on the floor. "Don't think or ask about that," I demanded. "Sorry for the disturbance everyone, he's dumb."

Rudeus laughed nervously as I helped him up. "You put down a layer of wind magic down to catch me?"

"Yeah, I don't want to hurt you," I informed him. "Was it like a rollercoaster?! I heard you go really fast on those, and the wind is crazy!"

"Yes, it was and thank you." Rudeus patted my head as I grinned.

"Sorry, I sucker punched you." The guy finally apologised. "Now I get why the girl got mad."

"I apologise for my siste-" Rudeus went to say, but the guy held up his hand.

"It's fair, I acted too quick." He informed us. "Still, these drakes were our prey. So you only get to claim one, got that?!"

"Oh, we still get one? Thanks!" I exclaimed.

"Now, let's take our prize and head home." Timothy grinned. "And thank you, Ceres."

"So I did good." I grinned.

We went with them to celebrate after and have drinks. "Cheers!" They all held up their cups and I flew mine over because I was still short.

I drank mine and offered some of it to Azizi making Rudeus freak out, but Azizi didn't have any. "You know, surviving a run-in with that many monsters was a stroke of luck." Patrice hummed.

"You sure got lucky, Rudeus." Sara sighed.

"Was it luck? It seems more like you all rescued me." Rudeus grinned.

"Then you are lucky it was us, most parties would have left you to die," Sara informed him.

"Suzanne with a sword is so cool!" I squealed and she grinned at me.

"So you like melee fighters?" Timothy asked me.

"Yeah magic is cool, but the movements with a weapon, a spear too! I know such a skilful user! I miss him!" I whined.

"Another man?" Sara mumbled.

"Ah, he's like a dad! He's a good guy!" I grinned.

They talked about that guy who interrupted our job and spoke of how he has the strongest party in the guild. 'I wonder if Paul was like that when he was younger.' Rudeus grinned.

"Still is," I responded.

We heard a bunch of drunk heads laughing and stumbling about. 'There they are.' I thought as we all looked at them and they were swaying about.

"Hey." He greeted us.

"What do you want?" Suzanne asked as he leaned against the table next to me.

"Back in the cave, I was, y'know, on edge." He hummed. "So I figured I oughta try this again. That was, well...that was my bad. But your face pisses me off. You are always grinning like an idiot. I can't stand anyone who takes a punch and backs down without even arguing, sometimes a man gotta fight! That girl did it right!"

"Thanks." I hummed. "You do about nothing right, I'm guessing you make ten thousand mistakes a day."

I glared at him since he was only insulting people again after giving such a halfhearted apology. "Oh, well, perhaps you are right. Suzanne often tells me I'm too passive." Timothy grinned showing he really didn't care for his opinion. "I will keep it in mind."

"Glad you get it." He laughed then looked to Rudeus. "Quagmire."

"Yes." Rudeus nodded.

"He's okay, but you are the worst." He stated. "Why are you always so worried about how other folks see you? That grin of yours makes me sick."

I saw Rudeus flinch then he put back up his smile like a shield and he kept his hurt on the inside pissing me off. 'A guy like that who hurts people without a care and insults Rude who is trying his best to not hurt others.' I hissed in my mind.

"Maybe you think that's a smile, but it ain't! Your eyes are always looking down on people! Who do you think you are?!" He yelled.

"What the hell do you know?!" I yelled as I stood up slamming my hands against the table.

"Ceres!" Rudeus exclaimed. 'Why has she been acting like this lately?'

"Huh? You got something to say Hurricane?" He asked me.

"Yeah, I do dickhead." I grinned. "But I really don't think it will get through that thick head of yours! Try understanding that your words hurt others then you might get a brain cell working in there!"

"But I'm right! He looks like he thinks no one has got it worse than him!" He retorted. "I don't know what he's been through, but he won't face it! He is running from something, and I hate seeing brats like that! Isn't he just burdening yo-"

He paused when two entire tables started to float. "Want to finish that?" I hissed as I was on the edge of tears.

"What did that anger you?" He asked me.

"You have no right to say what's my problem! Family means more than anything to me! I-" I got stopped when Rudeus put a hand on mine and then grinned.

"I'm sorry I'm an eyesore," Rudeus informed him.

"WHY ARE YOU APOLOGISING?!" I freaked out since he didn't need to.

"Bullshit! Are you making fun of me?! Do you get off to turning down money to get your name out there?! We all need money to live!" He went to grab Rudeus, so I pushed him into a wall with my wind magic.

"Enough already!" His friend grabbed him.

"No! Hey! Are you enjoying life?! Are you just gonna hide behind that girl?! If so drop dead!" He screamed as he was finally removed.

I looked to Rudeus who had such a poor smile on his face. "Rude." I let out. "You don't deserve this, don't give up with it, it's okay to let it all out..."

Rudeus broke a little from my words, but he kept up his resolve. Even that night when he went to his room I really had no clue how to help him. I didn't want to be so forceful that he started to even find me as someone he couldn't be himself around.

'Actually, he already sees me like that.' I let out in shock in my mind. Rudeus looked over with tired eyes before he entered his room then his eyes widened seeing I was crying.

"Ce-!" He went to yell.

"You won't be seen badly! Mum's life won't weigh on your reputation being good or bad! So scream! Yell! Attack him! If we have another sistar appear that's great!" I yelled at him.

Rudeus paused then grinned as he came over and patted my head. "Thank you...seems you know what's wrong with me." He laughed pathetically.

"There's a lot." I nodded. "But you beating up that guy who looks like Paul would be awesome!"

"Would it?" Rudeus let out.

"Asses are there to be slapped you said! So slap it!" I exclaimed.

"...I shouldn't have said that." Rudeus groaned but laughed at my determined expression. "You said that so seriously...I will, but give me some time."

"Yeah!" I nodded happy he has an aim at least so that should motivate him.

We saw Soldat around still and weirdly, he's been falling down a lot more, I wonder why.

Today we were down in the guild and Soldat walked in. "Hunting for scarps again?" Soldat asked.

"Talking to children since no one wants to talk to you." I hummed as I glared at him. "Go waste away already."

I pulled Rudeus with me to go upstairs then I saw Suzanne and the others make their way inside, but Sara and Mimir weren't with them. "Welcome back, is something wrong?" Rudeus asked.

"It's Mimir and Sara." Patrice didn't even turn to us, and his tone scared me.

"...Why are you here without them?" I asked.

"They are dead," Suzanne answered making us freeze.

"Oh, I see." Rudeus let out.

"Well, Mimir is dead, but Sara just got separated," Timothy explained. "We might still find her if we leave now."

"In this blizzard? We'd just get ourselves killed." Suzanne retorted. "At least wait until the snow stops."

"I knew I shouldn't have abandoned her." He hissed.

"We all agreed, in the end. We are just as guilty." Suzanne retorted.

"And I thought that was impossible to do after she told me how she trusted you all...you seriously just left her out there?" I asked, and they looked away from me. "I don't get that at all. You all agreed? You are friends, right? You are like a family."

"Ceres! You haven't faced this kind of situation before! So you can't understand what we were thinking at the moment, you are being naive." Suzanne hissed then paused at what she said.

"Naive, huh? No, I'm just dumb to you all since I value things differently." I explained. "And yeah I don't know what it's like to abandon someone, but I know what's it like to be abandoned, though."

I rushed out the doors shocking them, and they did chase after me, but I launched myself towards the forest where their job was.

Rudeus was going to follow, but decided he needed information first from them since I only rushed out there without any. It was dumb of me, but it's a dire situation. I know I can rely on Rudeus to be the logical one right now.

I landed in the forest as snow was heavily falling making me calm down a little. I sent out my wind magic far and wide to search for the breathing that matched Sara's.

I stood there with my eyes closed to have better judgement of what I heard. I was able to think about Suzanne's words some more. Recently when I talked to her a few times about how Timothy didn't fight back she said it's an adult thing.

But it's like what Rudeus did he held back and it hurt him, so did it hurt Timothy? Do I have to be like that to be classified as an adult?

"To be an adult, you need to accept that you can't do certain things or don't even try?" I mumbled confused as I had my wind magic swirl into my open hand. "But I'm already different, so I might as well just pave my own path."

I held up my hand as my staff took in a ton of my wing magic and made a huge tornado of wind clearing the area of snow. It reached the sky in seconds and took out the storm cloud clearing it all.

"Yeah, I want to do what I want! Why care what they think when they can't even make themselves happy." I hummed as I ran in to go find Sara.

Chapter Text

I used my wind magic to fly in the air and eventually, I heard Rudeus's voice in my mind. 'Ceres they said they lost Sara in Trier Forest, to the west. The blizzard had blinded them and there was a herd of snow buffalo that attacked.'

'Not gonna question me?' I asked. 'Or scold me?'

'No, I can't just stop you that would be cruel of me.' Rudeus explained. 'And...I can't judge you. You do this because you care for people, you want to help even if there's a small chance they are alive. You know the pain of dying when people could have helped if they just reached out a hand.'

'You did that for me.' I reminded him. 'Well with your entire body.'

I giggled as he let out an oh in his mind. 'Honestly, I don't know if I'm doing this to make myself feel better or because you are out here. Well, finding Sara is my way, I guess.' He thought.

'There's a bunch of snow buffalo around the area you are entering. Make a middle finger with the earth. It's the easiest way to take them out for you.' I responded. 'Earth style! Do the ninja signs!'

'...Can she see me?' I could feel Rudeus move around with my wind magic while I was further in the forest checking around for any kind of life, but I was finding just buffalos so I would blast them into the sky. 'A FLYING BUFFALO?!'

'That's me! And you did the signs wrong!' I pouted.

'...Your power is getting kind of scary recently.' Rudeus admitted. 'Good kind!'

"Ah..." I let out as I found Mimir. "He's dead."

I felt some tears fall down my face, but I felt bad that I really wasn't that upset about this. I guess I expected this at some point since I have seen parties lessen a good number of times.

'Mimir is dead.' I informed Rudeus in my mind. '...Will you cry if Sara is dead? I can look for her body alone.'

'Don't! I don't even care if she's alive or dead.' Rudeus responded surprising me that he felt similar to me, but I was the more emotional one. 'Right now, I want to accomplish something. Or maybe I just want to choose not to turn my back on someone, since Eris turned her back on me.'

'...She went to train.' I hummed.

'This isn't a time skip.' Rudeus retorted as I used earth magic to open up the ground then I used my wind magic to move Mimir's body in it. I burned it in case he turned into a monster.

'But what if we do find her dead?' Rudeus asked me.

'You might be disappointed, you might cry.' I responded. 'I don't really know either. Death is really confusing it hurts, but can also be a good thing...I feel awful thinking that.'

"Says the girl making a man a grave." Rudeus laughed as he patted my head since he caught up to me.

He was in awe of the stone I made for the head of the grave. I had made a statue of Mimir that wasn't too bad since I had made one of them all before for practice with my earth magic.

Rudeus patted my head roughly and prayed for him then he noticed Sara's earring, so she might be one of the skeletons here. I didn't see any of her clothes, so I still searched for her as Rudeus burned the rest of the skeletons.

"She wasn't as prickly lately. We could have been friends." Rudeus let out.

"She's alive," I announced. "That thing is moving!"

Rudeus looked over as I used wing magic to launch us both from our spots that was soon after hit by a huge chunk of ice. "The tree...likes bondage?" I let out seeing Sara tied up in its trunk.

"Sara!" Rudeus yelled as he ran in with no hesitation, so I took the position of support.

The roots of the tree tried to flick him away, but I used my wind magic as blades as I made a huge fireball in the meantime. Once Rudeus got her free he jumped into the nearby river. I released the fireball, and my wind magic was already surrounding it.

The tree lit up in flames and my wind magic combined with it made a tornado, so even when the tree made ice it instantly melted. It did take a while, but it eventually burned away into ashes and Rudeus took Sara to a cave in the meantime to dry their clothes.

I stayed outside since Rudeus was thinking about thighs, that were also naked and belonged to a female and he wanted to squeeze. There's a window now...what does he mean by open?

'Rude...' I thought and then I heard a crash.

"I forget!" Rudeus yelled.

"Me?" I mumbled then he notified me they would be coming out soon.

"Ceres! Thanks!" Sara exclaimed as I turned to see she was wearing Rudeus's coat. "But why were you out here for so long?! I got worried!"

"Oh, I burned it to ashes along with all the roots. I heard blood dripping from the horns of a buffalo, so I'm guessing it's the one that got Mimir maybe, I killed it," I explained.

"The sound of blood?" Rudeus asked.

"There are tons of snow. It was probably water." Sara added.

"No blood is different," I stated. "I know, anyway! I'm glad you are okay! We were able to save you!"

"Thank you, your warning was right. But thank you both for coming to save me." Sara grinned and I cried as I hugged her.

She giggled as she patted my head and I felt bad, but the reason I was crying was not because of her but Rudeus's thoughts. 'I feel saved like I have been forgiven for everything I have done.' He admitted.

"I'm so GAD!" I went over to Rudeus and held onto his sleeve.

He was shocked and then realised why I was such a mess. I was still afraid of losing him since the pain he had couldn't simply be cured by a couple of people or such little time. We have pain that will never leave, but if there is more joy then it will be fine.

"Jeez, stop crying." Sara let out, but she was truly concerned as she wiped my tears with her sleeve.

We made it back to find the others walking out of town. "Suzanne!" Sara ran and hugged her tightly.

"Where have you been?! We were just about to go out looking for you." Suzanne asked.

"Rudeus and Ceres saved me!" Sara grinned.

"Don't tell me...Did you also set out as soon as you heard our story?" Suzanne asked.

"Wait as soon as?" Sara asked.

"I flew off into a storm...I have done it before." I admitted.

"At least it isn't after a dragon." Rudeus sighed in relief.

"Next idea!" I declared, and he pulled my cheek a little making me giggle.

"Why are you joking around?! That was reckless! What if you two died too?!" Suzanne freaked out.

"And what if we didn't go?!" I yelled.

"Ceres you are dea-" She went to explain.

"I know I'm deaf! You think I don't?!" I freaked out shocking them. "But I'm not weak, you have seen that! I am strong! I need to be to make others not worry! I'm not the only one who cries! Others do it alone and away where I can't reach!"

'Ah, she definitely means me, so she knows I cry at night.' Rudeus thought then patted my head.

"Cer-" Suzanne went to say.

"Hey! That's no way to talk to Ceres! Rudeus helped me as well! They saved me!" Sara defended us.

"You are right. I'm not myself right now." Suzanne nervously laughed. "I should have started by thanking you both for saving Sara."

Timothy then came over and took a hand of ours each as he cried. "Thank you...I'm truly grateful. If there's any way, I can repay you, just name it."

"Please, you don't need to thank me." Rudeus shook his head. "You have already done so much to help me."

'I feel like Counter Arrow has done so much for me.' Rudeus thought. 'But Ceres was the one who protected me by being so strong.'

I grinned brightly at him, and he laughed seeing I was so happy as I shook from the compliment.

We went back towards where we were all staying. "Rudeus! Ceres!" Sara called out to us when we were going to go our separate ways. "See you later!"

"Rest well!" Rudeus waved to her.

"Don't do bondage with trees!" I waved to her and Rudeus froze.

"It did look like that." He mumbled.

"Gonna make a statue?" I asked. He laughed seeing I already knew where his mind went. "I'm not helping with that one."

"Please don't." Rudeus nodded.

After that, I felt that I could really leave Rudeus for a little while. He was glad to see me do something for myself but also terrified.

It was time for me to go on my first adventure. "Don't talk to strangers, don't eat yellow snow! Don't sleep just anywhere, and I mean in snow!" Rudeus was annoying me with all his scolding.

I feel blessed now that I am mostly deaf.

Sara was shocked at how worried he was.

"She is his sister," Suzanne added. "And she's still young, but Rudeus said she has a good travelling partner. I trust her judgement."

"You shouldn't." Rudeus retorted, and I punched his back as he was turned away from me.

"I'm joking, Ceres." He patted my head and I shook. "Have a safe journey and come back safely."

I paused then grinned feeling so happy I have a home to return this time. "I will be back!" I nodded as I hugged him.

He looked ready to cry when I let go and I used my wind magic to fly. "Ted!" I exclaimed when I reached him.

"You are early." He nodded as I held my hands over my heart and he did the same thing.

"You are always super early! So if I come early! Then we get to spend more time together!" I exclaimed.

"I like the sound of that." Orsted nodded. "Are you all prepared?"

"Yes! This is the first one of thousands of adventures!" I cheered. "Can we go see...um! Uh! What do I want to see first?!"

Orsted patted my head seeing I was just overwhelmed with excitement. "We can do what I normally do, we go in that direction." He just pointed off to the side.

"So no proper destination? Hell yeah!" I exclaimed as I took his hand and pulled him along. "Let's go find things!"

"I'm sure we will find a lot of that." He nodded making me giggle.

I was running as fast as I could, but strangely this time Orsted was running up behind me this time while he usually just paced himself. He grabbed my cloak from the back and held me up as I looked down below to see. "Oh...I was gonna freefall." I giggled seeing there was no more land, but a long fall.

He placed me down then poked me in the face and he seemed confused. "Did you suddenly fear me?" He asked me.

"No! I saw a pretty bird and ran after it! I didn't run off the edge like that bull! I want to be with you, not away!" I declared. "Don't start misunderstanding again."

"I won't." He nodded. "How pretty was the bird to you?"

Azizi started to scream at him this time as he spat fireballs at him and Orsted was very unfazed by him. "What's with him?" He asked me.

"I think he's mad that you might try and give me another bird," I admitted as I held out my hands to Azizi.

He landed on them and nodded then flew to my shoulder and rubbed his head against my cheek affectionately. I giggled as I went running again to see more stuff. I did run off a lot, but Orsted would always catch me or jump after me.

I even landed in a party of people who were concerned since I had just fallen from the tall cliffside beside them. Then they were screaming when they saw Orsted's murderous face come rocketing down and he just landed in the snow head first making me laugh.

The people fainted while I was laughing still.

Orsted got up and saw I was still laughing and smiled himself this time. He did that on purpose, so I wouldn't feel guilty for making these people suffer by falling down here.

I would hunt down our food for us since I was better at both tracking and using my magic efficiently for it. Orsted would destroy the areas whenever he tried. He would always bring back a screaming animal he hadn't killed yet or a really messed up animal that you would think had been rotting for a month.

I go into town as well and use my money to buy us stuff while he stays on the outskirts.

We never slept in inns since that's impossible for him. I rather not be on my own and camping is awesome!

Orsted also gives me his coat to use as a blanket every night! Why would I miss any opportunity to have that?

We also ran into a lot of people who wanted to fight him. He would take care of them so easily or I would knock them out myself, so he doesn't need to hurt them.

I did feel bad at first, but I felt worse for Orsted seeing how troubled he is by these people.

"That curse is so stupid whoever put it on you should apologise." I huffed.

"He's dead." Orsted informed me.

I paused at the tone he had, it would be hard for anyone to tell especially with fear flooding your every sense. But I heard his sad tone, it seemed he was close to this person...

I didn't ask anymore since he would speak about it if he was happy to tell me it all.

"So people can curse others..." I hummed as I waited for the meat I paid for.

"Here you go, miss." The butcher held it out to me in a bag.

"Thanks!" I exclaimed.

I happily made my way back and I was near the edge of town, so I didn't need to keep up my wing magic. I looked in the bag and grinned as I reached the woods.

"I hope he will like the food." I hummed. "He hasn't eaten in a while."

I then felt something land on my shoulder. I looked to see Azizi, but behind him was the sunset that was so bright. The beauty of it left me mesmerised once again.

I can see it so clearly, and having my hearing gone allowed me to focus on just it.

I didn't notice Azizi was looking behind me and then started to poke at my ear, so I released some wing magic and he landed in the bag. "Oh, that's for Orsted since he hasn't eaten for a while, I hope he will like it," I explained.

Azizi then took off flying confusing me, but I carried on walking back to our camp that's inside a little cave we found in a small mountain nearby.

I arrived to find Orsted standing there staring at the mountain making me laugh and he turned to me. I used a little of my wind magic as I held up the bag to him. "Let me make you dinner tonight!" I suggested.

"Why don't you go straight to bed?" Orsted asked me as he looked to see it's pitch dark now.

"But aren't you hun-" I went to ask.

"Dispel." He answered making my recent wind magic disappear. I stared at him confused as he looked slightly amused.

"Eat da foo!" I shouted at him as I held up the bag and he nodded.

Orsted took it off me and then placed it down making me whine at him since he really hadn't eaten in a good while. He took off his coat and then motioned me to lie down in the small cave where there was no snow.

I groaned since I wanted him to eat...but to sleep in that coat was to die for.

Orsted knew that and now I was laid down with it wrapped around me. I was still looking at him with a mad expression.

He seemed amused by it this time than confused since he understood why I was mad this time.

Orsted draped his coat over me making me grin at how soft it is and I rolled up in it. It kept me very warm, and he patted my hair as I instantly fell asleep since it was so warm and his coat reassured me that I was safe.

"Eat..." I mumbled in my sleep.

"I will, but first." Orsted then stood up and took off towards where he sensed those people were.

He guessed it was more people who wanted to fight him, and he wanted to take care of them himself this time since many times before I stayed up ready to send anything flying that came near since we had been attacked in the middle of the night before.

Orsted found the group of men heading towards him through the woods. They had lanterns as they looked around the area for something.

"Is this where that little girl went?" One of them mumbled making Orsted pause since this was new. Every time we have been attacked they would go for him not me, so why was I being followed?

"Why are we coming after a small brat?" Another yawned.

"She has money." The leader smirked. "Then we can make more off her body or just play with it. She was very sweet and innocent. She gave some money to the homeless, but coming out hereafter?" One laughed.

"Maybe she's got some sick parents." Another added.

"Oh, we can use that against her, also didn't she seem to act a little weird? She didn't hear that butcher guy call out to her about us after she walked off." One mumbled.

"Maybe she's cursed." The leader laughed then they heard a snap and looked in front of them to see what that sound came from. "Brat, are you there?! If you just listen and behave, nothing bad will hap-!"

His face lost all colour when Orsted walked out into the light and the others cried in fear. "I thought I told you to look after her." Orsted stated confusing them then Azizi flew down to his shoulder and opened his mouth.

"I hope he will like it!" My voice came from him since he ate my wind magic when he noticed them following me.

"Why the hell does that thing sound like the girl?!" One of them yelled.

"So you led them to me." Orsted nodded understanding that Azizi didn't want to trouble me either with them. "I am fine with being attacked, but it would make her cry knowing someone wanted to hurt her."

"So what?! Who even are you?!" The leader laughed as the rest tried to pull him then ran off themselves and he turned to them stunned. "Cowards! Come-"

He didn't get to say another word after that as he looked down to see a hand come through his chest.

"Ted?" I let out confused when I woke up since he was walking with me in his arms. "Did I sleep for too long?"

"No, I thought a change of scenery would do you well." He admitted, and that was a weird reason to me. He does want to show me stuff, but he always waits for me to move and decide when we do stuff.

I wonder what happened for him to decide this. Azizi then came flying down and held up a golden coin to me. "Awesome! Where did you get that?!" I made some water magic for him to eat as a reward.

He happily ate it as I took the coin and it felt a little gooey then Azizi shot it with water magic making me giggle.

Oh, well it doesn't really matter, I hope I get to adventure with them forever!

Chapter Text

After a long journey, I came back once I started to feel a little homesick...I missed Rudeus thinking of panties that's so weird, right? Well, I guess that's home to me.

Better than being murdered by your own mother...I don't think that should be a thought I have.

I made my way through the last of the forest by myself since someone might see Orsted if he got too close, but he wasn't too far back confusing me a little. He has been closer to me lately since he normally just lets me decide what path to go on and then follows behind me. He only gets closer whenever we are transversing mountains since I do nearly run off them a lot.

I got out of the forest and was heading towards the guild since they were probably all there at this time of day.

Then my wrist got grabbed from behind. "Dah wha?!" I let out in just shock so it was gibberish.

I turned to see it was Soldat who grabbed my wrist. "Do you need something?" I asked.

"Are you okay?" He pulled me closer. He was quite protective and looked at the forest while shivering a little.

This man has never shown fear before in front of me. "There was something monstrous here just now...what was it? I felt it watching me before...back when I punched Timothy." He scanned the forest with his eyes trying to find something he knew would terrify him.

"I suggest you let go." I shook my arm. He let go noticing he had quite a tight grip on me then he relaxed a lot showing Orsted was gone.

I made my way towards the guild, and Soldat was calling out to me, but I ignored him.

Seriously I got such little wind magic out, but I can hear his annoying voice clearly. "Where have you been? Did you really go al-oh, nice gift?" He let out as he saw my middle finger.

I then ran the rest of the way. I tripped and hit the snow, but got back up and carried on as I held two thumbs up to the woods confusing Soldat, but I saw Orsted. He gave me one back making me giggle seeing him do that with a straight face.

I smashed open the doors with my wind magic and everyone looked over.

"Ceres!" Rudeus grinned seeing me as he was with Counter Arrow again, and he looks happy!

'He looks so happy!' I fisted pumped the air, but punched a door during that and cried out.

Many were concerned as I held the wrist of my hand and then breathed in. "I'm back!" I exclaimed then got so happy and hugged him.

Rudeus happily laughed seeing I was so cheerful. 'You look less lonely too!' I grinned.

'It isn't because you were gone!' He reassured me in his mind.

'I know...why did you assume that? We both needed more people!' I nodded. 'We needed to be free! So have you married Sara yet?'

"What?!" Rudeus blushed confusing the others since I asked in my mind and I laughed at his reaction.

"Nothing at all?" I asked and he slowly nodded. "...when did you get slow?"

He nervously laughed, and I could tell he might just be scared to lose the relationship he had made with her. I was terrified that I was losing mine with Orsted, so it's fair.

I went to reach for his head to pat it, but I struggled to reach it. "...Dude, how much are you going to grow?!" I whined.

I carefully knocked him down onto the floor with my wind magic then sat on his back. "Paul would say you are off your game." I hummed.

"Well, you got none." Rudeus groaned.

"You sure about that?! I had tons before!" I grinned and he nearly freaked out. 'Video games.' I stated in my mind.

'It would be weird if someone dated you, you looked twelve.' Rudeus then pushed himself up with me on his back making me freak out that he could lift me up since he wasn't able to before.

"You are strong now!" I excitedly yelled and he laughed.

Suzanne lifted me off of him and placed me down on my feet. "How was your adventure?" She asked me.

"Oh, I got stories!" I exclaimed, and they gladly heard me speak of them. They got concerned by the many times I nearly ran off things like cliffs and cliffs, and a roof or two.

I get kind of lost or find what I think are hidden paths to Easter eggs then end up somewhere weird.

Sometimes I find some stunning things like one time we were walking even though it was night. I didn't need to sleep really and wanted a night walk to see the stars.

It was kind of boring actually. It was so dark. I know that's to be expected! But I wanted to see the shine of something!

I found a very old ruin of a house with a roof, and I immediately wanted to stand on it.

There was even a tree next to it with branches that just looked like a ladder. "It's asking to be climbed." I climbed up it. Orsted finally caught up to me and watched me climb and then jump onto the roof.

I went over to the edge of the roof and looked off. "...Well, that wasn't worth it..." I laughed weakly as I went to turn the sun started to come up and it covered the sky in such beautiful colours.

It looked like a fire in the middle of the snow amazing me at such a spectacular view it turned into with just the sun coming up.

"So that's what all those buildings always covered." I gasped. I remember always looking out of my window in my hospital room and seeing just hints of the sunrise through the gaps of the buildings in Tokyo.

Those things felt like a second prison to me with how they blocked everything out.

Orsted landed behind me on the roof. "Ceres, are you okay?" He asked when I didn't move then looked back at him with tears in my eyes.

"That!" I pointed at the sunset.

"Does it hurt your eyes?" He mumbled as he went to cover the sight of it.

"Can something so pretty blind you? I would allow it if this was the last thing I saw." I sniffed.

"I see...crying over a sight, is it the same crying over our relationship?" Orsted asked me.

"Our relationship is way prettier since it lets me see such things like this! And I get to be with you every day now! It's been the best time ever! I'm really accomplishing what I thought was impossible...so many views I wanted to see, but couldn't even if I asked for help." I felt myself choke up confusing me.

"You don't need to ask." Orsted patted my head. "We will discover them just like this."

"Like how I found a snowman?!" I pointed at him and giggled.

He had a slight smile on his face as the roof gave out on us. We landed in the snow that filled the house over time. I was giggling as he had landed on his front while my lower half got stuck under the snow.

Azizi arrived and just landed on Orsted's head and opened his mouth making water flow out onto him making me laugh some more.

That was truly a great memory of mine just from this one adventure.

"Ceres!" Suzanne exclaimed then grinned seeing she got my attention back. "So what about this sunset?"

"Yeah, where was this great view?" Patrice asked.

"I can't tell you, go discover it yourself." I grinned. "I will find many special spots and they are only special if a couple of people know of them."

"Can I?" Rudeus asked.

"Definitely not," I answered because Orsted would probably go there again and he pouted.

After that, I think I fell asleep at some point. I was in Rudeus's room when I woke up and he was at his desk seeming to have a breakdown. 'I COULD GET LAID!' He thought.

'Laid?' I asked in my mind as I sat up and he flinched.

'Oh, like lay down with someone.' He nervously grinned.

'Oh, like you did with Eris.' I nodded and he looked devastated that I figured out the truth. "I'm great at figuring things out now!"

"You are...please, don't get any better," Rudeus asked me with a terrified smile.

"Oh, someone needs to know your hidden truths. I know your past life already. I want to tell the tale of Rudeus Greyrat one day!" I grinned.

"That's an honour, but you make it sound like I'm gonna die first." Rudeus laughed.

"You will probably be murdered by a woman somehow," I explained. "And you wanted to die not long ago."

"...You got me there." He sighed. 'That would be such a great death!' He shouted in his mind.

"I can hear you still." I laughed. "So want to catch up tomorrow? I want to tell you something to get your perspective on stuff since I trust you, and I can try to help you."

'I can't go to my sister for relationship advice...can I?' Rudeus thought.

"I interact with people more than you and I'm deaf, you might want to get out more." I laughed and so did he.

"Well, I'm going on a date..." Rudeus informed me, and I was happy for him. "So I can't hang out with you tomorrow."

"That's fine, there's a couple of things I want to do." I grinned. "Good luck Rude! I'm going to be miles away if things happen."

"PLEASE DO!" He exclaimed and I laughed.

The next day, I gave him a thumbs up on my way out from the inn seeing him up and early waiting for Sara.

Azizi just opened his mouth and covered his head in water. "Blessing?" I guessed and Rudeus laughed.

Azizi pecked his head hard making it a no to my question. I scolded him on the way, but it is true he only can like me out of everyone in this world. "That's really sad, but I will make sure I will give you hugs upon hugs!" I exclaimed.

I fed him all sorts of mana as we went. He was very happy then napped away in my hood as he usually does unless other people I don't know are near.

I just had a search through the woods to see if I could find anything.

Once I was far away, I found one of the Seven Great Powers monuments. I searched for stones around since they normally have pretty ones, but there weren't any.

I sighed and once I walked past it something felt very off.

I put up my guard as I saw mana concentrate on one spot. It was too close to not be linked to me. "Man God?" I hissed quietly to myself as I backed up.

Azizi was up standing on my shoulder with fire in his mouth ready to shoot at whatever or whoever appeared as his feathers stuck up showing even he was put on edge.

It then formed into a man with a cool fox mask that made my guard fall a little since he looked cool. I see he also has a blade, but it wasn't in his hand.

He moved his hand over his heart and then went to move his other hand there.

"What do you want?!" I demanded to know with an aggressive tone.

He did that on purpose to see my reaction. "Almanfi of the Bright, present." He bowed to me. "I am one of the eleven summoned spirits under the Armored Dragon King Perugius Dola."

"...Are you on a quest?" I asked a little excited. Azizi stopped the fire and then fell backwards into my hood without even turning.

"A quest?" Almanfi let out confused.

"You know...fun stuff!" I grinned. "Anyway, I'm being rude! My name is Ceres Greyrat, so what is it that you want with me? Ah, I got polite again that always happens when I get excited."

He was confused by how I was acting but kept to his purpose of coming to see me in the first place. "You have been invited to the Chaos Breaker, by my master the Armored Dragon King Perugius Dola," Almanfi informed me.

"...Where?" I tilted my head to the side, and he nearly did the same. "Wait...floating dirt thing?!"

"..." He didn't want to confirm and then just held out a golden baton to me.

"...A cool stick?" I asked and then took it. "Can I keep it?"

'He just disappeared, but I got a cool stick, isn't that a win?' I thought.

'Ceres, what are you doing?' I heard Rudeus's voice.

'Oh...got given a stick...a golden one and...why did it get warm?' I started at it confused.

'WHAT DO YOU MEAN WARM?!' Rudeus panicked.

Then it felt like I got pulled away somewhere and I was travelling really fast through some white world. "Man twat!" I freaked out, but I'm still in the same body so it might not be. 'Rude!'

I didn't get an answer back, so it means our distance must have gotten too long. A light appeared before me and seemed to be in the shape of a magic circle.

I finally felt it all stop, but I was a little hazy as my feet touched the hard ground. "That felt kind of familiar...Wait, I just got kidnapped!" I freaked out. "I still got the stick!"

I pointed it at the ceiling in victory then looked around at the floor to see a huge magic circle. "Someone can draw a perfect circle?! Who is that skilled?!" I let out in pure awe.

I have tried so many times, but doing a perfect circle is impossible for me. I then noticed the giant ass castle in the far back, it was so big I haven't seen anything like it in real life before.

"Final boss?" I hummed and then looked around at the open area to see clouds, but they were so close. "Like a plane?! I always wanted to go on one and not die."

I ran off to get a better view then tripped. Someone grabbed my wrist and then pulled me back before I plummeted to my death off the floating dirt. I looked at the lady to see she was wearing a mask and was clad in mostly white.

But I was more focused on the huge giant pair of black wings on her back. They were making me fangirl! She looked awesome! She then tilted her head to the side.

"Ah, death?!" I freaked out then released my wind magic and she got a little nervous. "Sorry, I couldn't hear you."

She bowed her head to me once she got me far away from the edge. "I am the first Familiar of Perugius-sama, Sylvaril of the Void. Please allow me to lead you towards Chaos Breaker."

"Nice to meet you! I'm Ceres Greyrat...human girl?" I let out and she giggled. "Also deaf! Wait, I shouldn't say that."

"That's why you weren't answering me." She hummed as she put a hand to one of my ears and then froze. "I do apologise."

"No, it's fine." I waved her off. She seemed to lock on the bracelet on my wrist, and she put her guard up a little.

"Then, this way please." She led me towards the castle. It was like she wasn't even walking, I couldn't see her legs or feet under her pretty gown.

"Are you floating?" I asked and she shook her head. "Are you a ninja?"

"A ninja?" Sylvaril mumbled.

"They don't exist here? That's such a loss for this world." I whined. "So does your Perugius want to talk to me?"

"Yes." She answered.

"A dragon wants to talk to me! That's cool!" I exclaimed since I'm pretty sure he's the only other one of that race in this world. I asked Orsted about him on our journey since he's called Dragon King, but he seemed annoyed so I left it alone and then gave him some snow to make him happier.

"Azizi didn't get up." I reached over my shoulder into my hood to find him gone. "Azizi!"

"What's wrong?" Sylvaril turned to me.

"My friend that's a bird dragon isn't with me!" I explained while shaking a little.

"Only you were invited so he was left behind." She explained.

"Oh...poor Azizi," I mumbled.

Chapter Text

Sylvaril took me through the gardens, and I was picking up rocks I like along the way. Yes, I still have that hobby, it dies when I die.

I was amazed by just the detail of this entire place. It really had been worked on really hard. "Feels like a home." I mumbled as I poked an archway.

"This arc is handmade by the Dark Dragon King Maxwell. Maxwell-sama specializes in this sort of craftsmanship and magical construction." Sylvaril informed me.

"More dragons?!" I freaked out. "And Dark King that's such a cool name. I'm just Hurricane and of the Void is just so mysterious."

"Why, thank you." She giggled as she handed me something.

"Such a pretty stone!" I exclaimed seeing it's a beautiful sky blue.

Sylvaril seemed very happy with my excitement.

We got inside and I saw even more of the cool stuff they have here. This is how a noble place should be decked out to me since it's boring just having a whole lot of hallways for no reason, it just makes you walk more.

Then finally, we arrived at a huge set of doors that probably led to what would be called a throne room. Sylvaril said I was decently dressed, and Perugius wanted to talk to me immediately, so my appearance wasn't important.

My staff was even allowed to follow me, and it came with me since I had it hidden behind my back when Almanfi came down, so it was touching me. I was thankfully since it does help with my hearing.

Sylvaril opened the doors for me and once I walked inside, I saw a man who had so many features similar to Orsted's, but he also felt very different. His expression seemed less sharp and he seemed kind of bored as well.

"Come forward," Sylvaril ordered, so I walked in some more and saw all of what I'm guessing is his familiars behind him. "Stop there."

She went over to stand behind him with the other familiars while I waved at them not really knowing what to do since it was just silent.

"Thank you for accepting my invitation. I am Armored Dragon King Perugius Dola." He informed me, and he had quite a deep tone. The size of the room made his voice even deeper.

That must be on purpose.

"Ceres Greyrat, nice to meet you!" I exclaimed. "So why am I here?"

"You are acquainted with the Dragon King Orsted." He spoke up.

I tilted my head to the side confused. "I cannot ignore Orsted. What I have been told by my familiars is what they have viewed of his actions in the past year is to follow around a weak human girl...why?" He got straight to it.

"Oh? You make it sound bad!" I laughed. "Nothing like that, he's my friend!"

"...You are being honest." Perugius hummed.

"Why do I need to lie?" I asked. "I'm not a threat to you since I love dragons! Also, are all of you awesome dragons bad with words?"

His familiars stiffened up behind him while he seemed curious at my words. "...What do you think of Orsted?" Perugius questioned me.

"A good friend!" I declared. "I have been travelling with him...that's about it."

"Why would he take a girl around?" He asked me. "You have mana on par with Laplace, it is also being released by you constantly."

They got on edge when he noted it. "Oh, that's because I'm deaf," I stated.

"Deaf?" Perugius had a glint in his eyes showing he was interested to hear more.

"Yeah, I lost most of my hearing when I was born, but when I use wind magic I can use it to hear for me," I explained.

"That could be why he kept you around," Perugius stated for himself.

"He said he also saw me as a teacher." I hummed as I poked at the rocks in my hand.

"A teacher?" He let out not expecting me to ever say that then laughed. "What do you teach him?"

"Sign language, how to build a snowman," I answered and he laughed some more. "You can ask him yourself."

Perugius stopped laughing then. "Do you guys not get along?" I asked.

"We do not." He shook his head.

"Oh, that's a shame." I let out, and Perugius was confused about why I would say that. "Well you two are the last from your race from what I know, so I'm guessing you aren't related, but I still feel like you two could be like family to each other so I guess it's lonely...are you lonely?"

He laughed once again confusing his familiars and me too while it seemed Sylvaril expected this a little. "Will you do something if I am?" Perugius asked me, and I didn't like the tone since it was like a noble as I expected.

"Are you a noble?" I asked him.

"Some may see me like that, is it a problem?" He smirked.

"The ways nobles speak is disgusting to me. I knew a good few and one of them gave me my first job. He was kind and caring about his family, but also of power...he talked about his daughter like a tool sometimes." I explained. "But he tried to hide it in how he talked."

"Why do you like about them?" Perugius lifted his head from the hand he was resting it on.

"Tea party!" I exclaimed and he looked confused as my eyes were shining.

"Tea party?" He asked me to confirm a little dumbfounded.

"Yeah, I always wanted to experience one! Little cakes and sharing drinks over talking about...art? Dragons? Castle in the sky? That's where I recognise your name from!"

I saw him giving me a questioning look.

"Can't tell you." I grinned. "Mr Final boss!"

He looked to Sylvaril for an explanation of what I am saying. "She did say that earlier with a lot of excitement, so I'm guessing it's a compliment from her." She explained.

"You are right, it's the highest kind." I nodded. "Final bosses are usually cool dudes! The strongest!"

"Am I to you?" Perugius hummed.

"Can't say for definite, there's Ted." I let out.

"Ted?" Perugius asked me.

"Orsted," I answered, and I could see I made the others uncomfortable. "I apologise? Oh, wait is it because of the curse again?"

"When you mention Castle in the Sky, you mean my home?" Perugius spoke up.

"No, the story." I shook my head. He seemed confused since he had never heard about it because it was from my old world.

"Tell me what is this story." He demanded.

"No," I smirked stunning the familiars while he seemed amused. "If you like to act as a noble like having an audience, but also kidnapping me without consent, shoving a baton at me, then questioning me about my relationships with men...you are a little weird like my brother, but I love my brother."

"...Was that insult?" Perugius looked to Sylvaril.

"I do not know." She admitted.

"Can you not understand what I'm getting to?" I asked and he kept silent so no. "Then I want to do a noble thing with you! Have a tea party! In exchange, I will tell you about the entire story of the Castle in the Sky, I think that's a fair deal."

"...It is." Perugius nodded. "I will have it prepared."

"You are so nice!" I exclaimed. "Also, can I ask for one more thing?" I spoke up, and he got a curious look in his eyes.

"And what would that be?" He hummed.

"Rocks." I held them up, and he looked confused once again. "They are pretty. I collect them, so I want to take them back with me. But this is your home."

"Fine by me, but you could have asked for anything," Perugius informed me like I was wasting an opportunity here.

"I value them, so who cares?" I shrugged.

"You could have just taken them." He added.

"You informed me that you have stalking tendencies like Ted, so you would have known anyway." I retorted.

"Smart, but I still wouldn't have cared for such a thing," Perugius informed me as he looked at Sylvaril. "We can have a room prepared for you until I have the tea party ready."

"Sorry, but I need to go back since my brother is having a date. I have no clue if he's going to be crying or making a girl cry." I explained. "I am also having a meeting with someone."

"...I see you are busy." He nodded.

"I am, but just please give me whatever date you like and I will definitely come...just help me get here, please," I asked and he nodded.

"I will send you the date and time soon," Perugius informed me. "You will need to be by one of the Seven Power stones."

"So you like cool stones too?" I grinned and he nodded.

"Now have a safe trip back. Sylvaril led her back." He ordered and she nodded.

She took the lead, and I happily followed her and waved to the others in the room. "A tea party with a dragon it's like the tiger tea party story, but so much cooler!" I giggled happily as I followed her out the doors that closed behind us.

"Funny girl." Perugius let out when I was out of normal hearing range for most people, but my wind magic was still there. "Ah, can she hear me? Her ability is quite useful."

I shivered from the compliment then giggled happily.

'Ah, wait, what will Ted think of this?' I paused as I thought that. '...Happy for me? Probably not, he doesn't seem to like Perugius hopefully not as much as Man idiot.'

Perugius waited for my wind magic to disperse and it was a little hard for him to tell, but he could see there was some leftover. He was slightly impressed seeing even now I have control over very small parts.

Once they were gone, he spoke about what was on his mind to his familiars since some themselves were curious as to why he summoned me once he heard of my existence and ties to Orsted.

"Of course, the real reason for summoning her was to figure out why such a powerful person was protecting that child. She may not know, but she has been close to death a couple of times when she adventures alone without that other person beside her that must be her brother." Perugius admitted. "Someone wants her dead, Orsted could have easily just kept her by his side, but he didn't at first."

"So he stays near her side instead, that is very strange behaviour." He mumbled. "I am afraid of his capabilities, so I need to be wary of that child...but rocks was what she wanted. She also seems to really like dragons."

"She does." Syvatil nodded when she came back from sending me off. "You must have heard on the way how she admired this place. She called it a home since she could see the love and work that went into it."

"A child has actually convinced me to invite her back for her to tell me a child's story?" Perugius smirked. "She wasn't even intimidated one bit."

When I was sent back, I ended up in the exact same spot. I was trying to get used to light a little since it was a little brighter now, but my eyes were struggling to open up more.

I flinched when I felt something brush my arm frantically.

I let out my wind magic to find out the cause.

Azizi was screaming at me as I tried to calm him then he eventually started to whine instead and I held him to my chest. "I'm sorry, I will ask them to bring you along next time." I apologised.

Chapter Text

Azizi was huffing the entire time making me laugh a little as I made some fire for him to eat. I made my way back towards the inn since it was still a few hours off from when I needed to meet Orsted.

I wasn't too far away. 'I should be careful and not make my move until I'm sure. Right, Paul?' Rudeus asked in his mind making me pause.

'What's happening?' I asked nervously as I froze.

'Does she realise what that means?! WAIT, YOUR BACK! WHAT HAPPENED?! Ceres, you might need to run.' He warned me. 'No, no, I need to control myself! I mean, it's not even like that between me and Sara.'

'She likes you. It's obvious.' I informed him.

'IT IS?!' Rudeus freaked out.

'Poor dude lost that much confidence.' I pitied him.

'...SHE IS HORNY!' Rudeus declared. '...My sister helped me understand that. I apologise so much! I will go with the flow, so you will go to the woods!'

'Will do if she doesn't punch you.' I replied. 'Just say run.'

We had our plan and as he had made his way back with her to his room he was asking me where I had been. It was sweet he was somehow focused on me a little since our conversation did get cut off earlier.

'Oh...rain.' I answered and it was just silent. 'I'm not good at lying.'

'Why are you lyi-Run!' He exclaimed in his mind.

'Good luck I guess!' I bolted it to get out of range, and I went to go to the meeting spot Orsted told me about.

He was already there, but we were supposed to meet in three hours time. He still has his habit of arriving really early making me smile a little until I heard an oh no in my mind.

"Orsted kidnap me!!" I ran towards him and he was confused. "My brother is going to have sex!!"

He seemed confused but took my hand, and I pulled him along then nearly fell into the snow so he lifted me up by my hand.

I giggled as he walked into a tree since he was so focused on me, he nearly took the tree down. He was so unfazed as he looked down at me then snow fell onto his head from the tree and I just laughed even more.

When I heard Rudeus's mind again I pulled him with me again. I didn't hear Rudeus in my mind anymore as we got quite far away.

I just nearly kept tripping making me laugh as he kept me up then fell over himself since he kept his focus on me.

When we did finally stop and settle down, we were under the night sky. It was so pretty to watch. "Ted, what have you been doing today?" I asked him, and he seemed confused by the unusual question. "It's a weird so-called normal question humans ask each other."

"...Ants ran away from me." He informed me. "I saw no other living creatures than ants and you."

Azizi squawked at him making me laugh then he just flew off annoyed. "How was your day?" He asked me.

"Ah..." I let out. Meeting Perugius might not be a good thing for him. "Sit."

He sat down and I got some snow then made it into a snow bunny and handed it to him as a peace offering this time. "...Is this a sign I could get mad?" Orsted asked me.

"Yeah, but no man twat." I reassured him.

He nodded as I sat down. "I met Perugius today."

Orsted immediately looked annoyed, so I just pushed the snow bunny more into his sight, but that didn't help. "Why?" Orsted questioned me.

"Well, I kind of got given a baton and then kidnapped by it. I went through this weird area that was actually similar to the world Man Twats makes me go to meet him in." I explained. "I met some kind people up there! I collected some awesome stones too!"

I showed him the stones I collected, and he admired them. "This one is nice." He pointed at a blue one.

"You do like blue." I let out. "I like this white one. It's got specks of yellow in it."

"Oh yeah, so I met him with all his famli- fam." I got myself back on track, and he nodded.

"Peru looks like you, but softer and older and less fluff so not as good as you. He said I was invited because his familiars had noticed that you were acting strangely as I mean following me around." I explained. "But he has no bad intentions against you, just cautious with what you are doing."

"But I wanted to tell you just in case I don't know anything dangerous about him. If you need to keep away from me to keep safe, that's fine by me!" I declared.

He patted my head confusing me. "It is fine, but did he do anything to you?"

"...Laugh? I asked if we could have a tea party instead of standing weirdly since it would have been the actually fun part of the noble things." I admitted and he relaxed somewhat. "He asked why I was around you, and I just said I teach you things like how to build a snowman. He wants to hear of a story I know, so I will tell him in exchange for the tea party."

"But if you don't want me to get close to him," I mumbled.

"...It is your choice there." Orsted informed me. "Would you like to?"

"I mean...I know he ain't exactly your family, but he's the only other person from the Dragon Tribe alive, so I was hoping to keep a connection alive for you...he's also a dragon and that's cool." I explained. "Also, my reason is dragon."

He ruffled my hair again and nodded. "Thank you." He hummed.

"I did good!" I exclaimed happy since I didn't know if it would be a bad thing for him or not.

I grinned at him brightly. 'I seriously think Ted will be a lifelong friend. He's been someone I can trust and rely on. I still need some time, but I think he might be the best person I could tell about my true self, I want him to know the real me one day.' I thought.

"Hey, Orsted." I let out, and he seemed to catch my serious tone this time. "One day I wanna tell you something that kind of explains a lot about me...my origin, I guess..." I then realised something amazing about myself. "I HAVE AN ORIGIN STORY! I'M COOL!" I squealed and he laughed a little.

"Then when you are ready, I will tell you of my origin." He informed me.

"You are gonna get cooler? That's impossible." I stated.

"I'm cold?" Orsted asked me.

"Yeah super! And I like it!" I confirmed.

"Good." He nodded.

Orsted walked me back when he deemed it should be fine since I asked him if he knew how long people would have sex and he didn't know, but guessed it wouldn't be for more than an hour.

I agree because he's smart.

When we got to the woods I didn't hear anything from Rudeus's mind so he might be asleep.

"It's him again." I groaned seeing Soldat standing in front of the guild.

"Who?" Orsted went to step out. I shoved him back with wind magic then Soldat noticed me and I sighed as I quickly went over since it's best Orsted doesn't get discovered.

"Why is a girl out in the woods on her own again? You look a little messy." He nervously laughed confusing me until he looked behind me at that spot again and Azizi flew over out of the woods.

"Meeting someone," I confusedly mumbled.

"Who are you meeting so often?" Soldat asked me as Azizi landed on my shoulder.

"A good friend," I answered.

"...It feels like death is what you are meeting, are you really okay?" He questioned me.

"Oh? Thanks for the concern!" I exclaimed. "But I'm okay! I'm super powerful too!"

"Now you have a real smile, unlike your brother," Soldat smirked.

"Just leave my brother alone, he's been through a lot and sometimes people handle it by keeping it in," I explained.

"That's weird." He let out.

"I know it is for you." I sighed. "But we rather destroy ourselves than others when we get hurt. The smile is a shield, but is it really fake? I wanted it to be real."

"It's probably a real one around you." He huffed. "How about this? I apologise again, and you think about joining my party."

"Why?" I questioned him.

"I saw your group a couple of times and you take out most of the beasts before the melee fighters can even get to them. You can even fly while attacking making most beasts unable to reach you." Soldat explained then was confused when Azizi landed on his shoulder and had a fireball in his mouth ready to hit him with it. "...He doesn't like me."

"He doesn't like anyone." I grinned. "Azizi, it's fine."

Azizi stared at me as he turned his head around like he was gonna snap it concerning Soldat. "You don't need to tilt your head that much! It's not weird to stop you! It's not like someone is trying to kill me." I reassured Azizi.

He flew back over then he hit his wing against my head confusing me. "Why? Did I do something wron-" I went to say then he rubbed his face against my cheek calming me down.

"I will give it a go when I see your brother next," Soldat informed me and I nodded as I stayed outside for a little while.

Azizi stood on my staff and then pointed a wing at himself.

"What?" I let out.

Azizi jumped about then ate some of my wing magic. He motioned at my staff after, and I understood what he wanted me to do.

Hell no!

"I can't fill you wind magic! You have seen that kill people, especially their lungs, I feel like that's Orsted's speciality." I nervously laughed remembering that's the attack he used on Rudeus.

"Come on, let's go in for now." I opened the door and Azizi landed on my shoulder.

I paused when I saw Rudeus beating the face of Soldat, but it wasn't the first time I had seen him beat someone up in a bar. I released a lot of my wind magic to fill the guild, so I could understand the situation quicker.

"Isn't this what you wanted?! What's wrong with grinning like an idiot?! Do you want me to go around insulting people and bragging about it?! Then I will be just like Paul! The only person who stayed will hate me!" Rudeus yelled.

"That attitude makes people resentful and jealous, and it drives them away! But if I could keep acting cocky anyway, I'd do it, too! I don't want people to hate me! I keep smiling so they won't!" Rudeus screamed.

"I don't want to worry her! She's already crying by herself and I can't even comfort her while she knows I'm on the edge. She tries to help me, but I feel bad then push her away! I know she will eventually leave me! And I'm done for when she does!" Rudeus cried. "Being ditched like that hurts...Ceres looked so happy when she left for a while...Eris must feel the same."

I went over and then bent down beside him. "When did I say that?" I asked as I held out some tissues and he was shocked to see me. "I'm not leaving, I will always return."

"Seriously you care so much about me, it makes me happy." I grinned then some tears fell. "But I don't want you to feel lonely or scared, even if you turn into a terrifying kind of person, don't worry! I will turn you back by beating you so don't hold back, well you did that here and it was a beautiful sight."

"Thanks." Soldat groaned.

"Hit me, damn it." Rudeus hissed as I patted his back. "I know I'm no match for you."

"I will make a tornado right here if you try," I warned Soldat.

'Ceres don't say things you do-' Rudeus went to warn me in his mind.

"I would do it since you are my brother!" I exclaimed.

"Hey, Sol. Cut the kid some slack." One of his friends came over.

"S-sure." Soldat let out. "Sorry, my bad."

"Wow, you are so awkward now," I mumbled.

"I'm sorry, okay? No one has it worse than him." He let out.

"No, listen to him," I ordered. "I don't think I can understand it since it's to do with sex and men things probably. You are convenience store, Paul, so you will work."

Rudeus actually laughed but still cried.

Chapter Text

"I guess so, drink up and tell me about it." Soldat accepted his fate in helping Rudeus. "Spill your guts to us, and it might help you figure something out."

"Don't actually throw up, I want your feelings, not your lunch," I added.

Rudeus agreed and he did ramble it all out and most of it was what I knew, but I learned more of how he viewed the situation and he really took it the worst way.

When we were in the Demon Continent, he was terrified of losing us, so when he had his first proper romance he let his guard down fully.

Then Eris left with his heart practically, and I think it can only really be filled with love like with Sara, but...

'Ed got in your way during sex? What's that?' I stared at Rudeus as I asked that in my mind.

"Some dude?" I asked out loud when he didn't respond.

"I will not explain that part to you! It is men's stuff you won't deal with ever!" He gagged confusing us and I didn't ask more since I rather him not puke.

"Sounds like P.e." I hummed.

'I wanted to do that, but couldn't.' I thought.

"I have the same problem with ed." Rudeus laughed then cried again.

"Am I this confusing?" I asked as I rubbed his back.

"So your girl dumped you 'cause you can't get it-" Soldat went to say and Rudeus screamed. "Ceres is only a year younger than you and has a friend she meets in the middle of the night, in the woods."

He raised his eyebrows at me as Rudeus stared at me in shock. "I said, friend." I sighed.

"Good friend." Soldat corrected me.

"Yeah...what are you hinting at?" I asked. "Easter egg or something?"

"How are you two siblings?" He let out as he poked my forehead.

"Are you making fun of me?" We both asked him and he laughed.

"I'm not trying to," Soldat informed us. "But when you are down in the dumps, you have to be clear about why."

"Huh? That's smart." I mumbled.

"But I was feeling melancholy because-" Rudeus mumbled.

"Don't be so formal, don't hide behind fancy words and be like your sister, she's the casual of causal." Soldat pointed at me.

"Big words hard," I explained.

"Is that your boyfriend's name?" He asked me with a smug smirk,

"...No focus on the non-virgin," I demanded. "Rude, just swear at him already, he deserves it."

Rudeus patted my head. "I was feeling down because of the other thing that happened before." Rudeus reminded him of the thing with Eris.

"That's the cause, right?" I asked Soldat. "But I don't know how to handle this."

"Why did Eris leave me?" Rudeus cried.

I motioned at him to Soldat showing how much of a mess he was. "Well, in my experience, you might have screwed up right beforehand," Soldat mumbled.

"Right beforehand? Ceres, what did I do?" Rudeus asked me.

"...Pulled her nipple?" I guessed since Eris slapped him for that before. "But I still think she left because she wants to get stronger."

"I was awful in bed." Rudeus ignored my reasoning annoying me.

"She left for the good of both of you! She lost a lot at that time as well! So she was probably ready to dedicate herself to you!" I explained.

"Wow, that is really hopeful thinking." Soldat let out.

"You are single for a reason." I glared at him. "Don't insult her. I know she means well. Just communication was never her thing unless you like getting hit. Is that why you are fine with getting hit, Rude?"

"...Maybe." Rudeus let out and I patted his head then gave him a pretty stone.

"Oh, it's red." He let out.

"It's green," Soldat added as I sighed.

'Did his want for Eris make him colour-blind somehow?' I thought then groaned as I gave him an origami elephant. "If you try and say she's anything like that, I'm sure you will die in the next minute somehow."

Rudeus was too scared to actually do that even if he got to see her again. "Let's fix you up, paper and stones won't help." Soldat grinned.

"So I was right?! You do have the way!" I excitedly grinned. "I'm glad!"

"But how?" Rudeus asked desperately.

"I don't know, but if that's the cause, all you can do is blot it out with more of the same." He explained.

"Meaning?" Rudeus asked.

"Leave it to a pro," Soldat smirked.

"...You and my brother?" I mumbled and Rudeus rolled away terrified.

'NO! I WILL BE A VIRGIN FOR LIFE!' Rudeus screamed in his mind and looked ready to cry again.

"I am sorry!" I panicked since I knew I triggered that, but I was so confused.

"Not together! I will show you a place!" Soldat explained.

"Ceres go to bed." Rudeus put his hands on my shoulder.

'The elephant insult would have been terrifying enough, but if I took my sister with me to a brothel I feel like the entire world will come after me!' Rudeus thought as he shivered.

"Okay, but do you still have this one?" I held up my little figure of him, and he paused and then got his out making me grin brightly. "Didn't I say before when I gave this to you it's for when we are apart, so it's like we are still together! So that means you will never be alone again!"

Rudeus paused then grinned. 'Yeah, she won't leave me. I feel bad that I doubted her.' Rudeus thought.

"Yeah, it's an awful thing to do that to me!" I exclaimed concerning him. "So just live and do whatever makes you happy that's how you will repay me, I want to see your real smile!"

"Yeah, thank you!" He hugged me and then waved to me as he left with Soldat.

"You better protect that sister of yours." Soldat hummed. "I'm surprised there's someone so innocent in this kind of life."

"I have heard many times before that she's very different not just by being mostly deaf," Rudeus admitted.

"She is?!" Soldat freaked out. "She must be fak-"

"Wow, you really are too similar." Rudeus groaned and then paused when Soldat went running from a giant fireball.

They both looked to see Azizi was really mad. They guessed he held back this entire time since I wanted to focus on Rudeus. They both held up their hands as a new fireball was made then it was sent into the sky instead.

Azizi flew back inside to join me as they sighed in relief that they lived.

Rudeus made sure to give Soldat a good talking to, so he wouldn't say that he thinks I'm faking around me. He might die if Azizi hears him say that.

Next time we see Paul it might end badly for him if he is as stupid as the last time we met, but we will find out one day.

Once I went to my room, I was able to get to sleep quite soon since I believed Rudeus would be fine. Paul seemed to be able to help out Rudeus before, so that guy must be able to as well.

I woke up quite early the next day and I was outside first thing since Rudeus hadn't come back yet. I was also sitting on a stone wall to watch the sunrise, and it was stunning.

I felt vibrations from the wall I was on and looked behind me to see Sara smacking it and she grinned seeing she got my attention.

I released my wind magic around me as I looked at Azizi since he would have heard her, but he turned away from her as soon as I turned to her making me laugh. "Azizi thank you for letting me watch it peacefully." I grinned as I petted his head and he hopped about happily it was so cute.

"Do you know where Rudeus is?" Sara asked me and I shook my head.

Suzanne was with her as well. I saw Soldat and Rudeus both staggering this way from the main town. My wind magic was quite close to them, so I heard them before the other two. "Why not go see her again and talk it out?" Soldat suggested.

"I understand. I will go see her this evening or tomorrow, then." Rudeus held up his arm and he was slurring like I did when I was younger making me giggle.

"I wanna make fun of him for this." I grinned.

"I said I understood! Stop hassling me! Well, who cares if it doesn't work out? I don't want a woman like her! She's built like a kid! A woman oughta be stacked like Elise!" Rudeus declared.

'Rude be quiet!' I exclaimed in my mind.

"I will not be silenced! Can you believe all that kid-" Rudeus went to say and I saw the horror of Sara's face.

"Azizi!" I yelled, and I threw up a very small fireball.

He ate it and started to breathe it on Rudeus making him freak out until he saw Sara. "No, Sara, I didn't-" He went to explain and she slapped him.

"You are the worst, never let me see you again." She threw down the dagger in front of him.

"That was way out of line." Suzanne agreed.

I started to go over then Rudeus fell to his knees and grabbed the dagger making me freeze seeing the look in his eyes.

"Rude!" I screamed as he held it to his neck and he paused fully regretting what he was about to do.

'Was I really going to-' Rudeus thought.

Soldat kicked it out of his hands. "Don't be dumb! Go after her right now and explain yourself! Come on!" He ordered.

"Don't, that look." I grabbed Rudeus's hands. "Come on, let's go start somewhere again."

"I don't want to do anything anymore." Rudeus groaned as he cried into my shoulder. I was trembling I was so scared that he had now gotten pushed back to square one, he might really die.

"Alright, how about making a stop home?" Soldat suggested.

"Gone, the rest are in Millis and one is missing," I explained.

"That's too far." He groaned as he stood up and then looked down at us. "Wanna come with us, then?"

"Huh?" We both let out.

"A huge labyrinth turned up over in the Duchy of Neris. We are thinking of heading out sometime today." He informed us. "Care to tag along?"

"Why would you even offer? I thought you hated me." Rudeus admitted.

"I insulted you a lot," I added.

"Yeah, I couldn't stand your creepy smile or your goody-goody manners. And you come up with some fun insults, Hurricane. I know what's at the heart of you both." Soldat grinned. "I can accept why you act that way, so I have got no more reasons to hate you."

'I had him all wrong.' Rudeus thought.

'He's just a guy with weird logic.' I added in my mind. "But I always get along with someone if they have one decent part to them, Sol! Thanks!"

"Oh, nickname?" He asked me.

"You ain't special, other people call you that," I informed him. "Maybe you are special. You are the only one I insult a lot."

He laughed as I helped Rudeus up and he looked full of guilt. 'I really messed up and showed you my ugly side.' Rudeus thought.

'Dude, I have already seen that. You know mine.' I reminded him in my mind.

"You are human, you make mistakes! If I don't give you a chance who will?! I won't abandon you!" I yelled in his face. "Accept it! I'm here to stay!"

"Ceres." Rudeus hugged me tightly. "Truly, thank you...I got so lucky, I'm so sorry! I'm really sorry."

"You got blinded by your sorrow. I should have guessed since you get blind by your feelings for boobs as well." I hummed and he laughed a little. "But let's just go find something new! You don't owe those people anything, they used you remember that. And I think you need a new type, how about someone nice for once?"

"I think I'm gonna keep away from women for now." He admitted.

"Fair, want to ride a dragon?!" I smirked.

"You are still trying!" He freaked out then sighed.

'Yeah, actually that sounds fun.' He thought.

"We accept," I informed Soldat.

"I will go, please take us with you." Rudeus nodded, and I saw some strength in his eyes.

I was so relieved, and we got ready to leave straight away. "Ceres..." Rudeus let out nervously as Azizi was on top of his head just letting water flow down from his mouth.

"...Is that a form of comfort?" I laughed. "Or he could be telling you to cool off?"

Azizi shook his head making water go everywhere, and I held out my hand and he flew onto it. "Azizi, we are going on another adventure! Let's find more stuff!" I grinned.

I was waiting downstairs for Rudeus excitedly as he was taking longer than me. "How much stuff does he have?" Soldat let out.

"Stuff." I shrugged as he looked at me.

"Glad to have you on! I guess I should have gone for your brother first to get you." He grinned.

"You always sound so weird, but thank you for giving him a chance that I couldn't give him!" I exclaimed and he nodded.

'Come quick.' I thought since I wanted to go immediately before we ran into any of the others.

"Who?!" Rudeus fell down the stairs making me laugh. "My nose!"

"That's how we arrive and leave?!" I freaked out as I went over to heal it for him.

He had actually broken his nose like I did. He whined as we walked outside then noticed my smile confusing him since I was crying for him a moment ago.

"How am I clumsy? You made like fifty mistakes while we were here." I pointed out.

"Don't start that." He poked my cheek and I giggled as I ran off while Azizi spat some water at him and he dodged it flawlessly then got hit by a second making him pause. "Wait...that was you wasn't it, Ceres?!"

"Deaf!" I yelled as I kept running. He chased making the others laugh seeing we were both smiling during this, it wasn't a real fight we rarely have those.