JRWI tings :P

No.21

The moment the two got home, Gillion was sent to his room to get rest for tomorrow. Gillion was sure he knew why his father had done this. Usually, if Gillion came home after going out somewhere, he'd spend time with Eden, mainly showing her the new things he had collected whilst he was out. To ensure this didn't happen, his father stepped in. As he made his way, he could've sworn he heard his father mutter something about "A champion doesn't waste time collecting useless trinkets". He decided to ignore this offhand comment. Besides, there had been nothing said about Eden coming to his room for the two to spend time.

Eden caught wind of what had happened, mainly from the fact that Gillion had passed by her room with nothing more than a small glance. So, after a few minutes, she snuck over to him, grinning when she saw Gillion sitting atop of his bed, crossing his legs and looking to Eden with a small smirk. The smaller triton quickly sat opposite of her brother, crossing her arms and raising a brow. "So~? Y'gonna tell me why you ignored me? Or am I gonna have to give you the cold shoulder back?" Gillion made no attempt to hide his snicker, Eden joining in after a second.

"You are well aware I would ever make an effort to ignore you, Eden. Do not exaggerate..." Gillion's soft snickering faded to a gentle smile as he looked to Eden. His fond smile softening more so, his lips downturning to a small frown. "I...well, I suppose I cannot call it bad news, but I definitely have...news." Eden simply nodded, though Gillion didn't fail to notice her body language becoming more nervous, assumedly from seeing him frown before speaking.

"I...I have been chosen as the new Champion of the Undersea..."

The sentence hung in the waters for a while, nothing else being said for a couple of seconds. Finally, Eden broke the silence. "W-well..? That's a good thing, right? It sounds good...I mean, it's a pretty huge deal. And everyone knows the stories..!" She nodded, smiling softly in hopes of cheering up her brothers sudden low mood. "...But from how you're reacting...it isn't a good thing? What's wrong, Gillion?"

"I just...I worry about how high the expectations set for me will be. I only found out an hour or so ago that I'd be expected to become this...this 'Champion'! N-Now I'm being told to rest so I can wake up tomorrow morning at the earliest for training! A-and I now have my entire future set out ahead for me, not to mention the stories! Like you said, everyone knows the stories..! They're filled with danger and-" Gillion's slightly raised voiced became hushed before continuing, "and blind trust in destiny or fate..!" His rambling was stopped when he felt a soft hand touch his arm, making him let out a breath he wasn't aware he had been holding as he spoke.

"Hey...It'll be okay..! You can do this. You are Gillion Tidestrider. You're the best!" Eden flashed a big grin, nudging Gillion, earning a soft and grateful look from him. "Just...take everything one day at a time..! You'll figure all of this out. I'm sure of it!" If Gillion was being truthful, (Gillion Tidestrider was always truthful) he honestly believed that any encouragement, though always greatly appreciated, from Eden would prove to have little to no effect in calming his nerves. However, he had to admit, the mere thought that he had Eden there to support and believe in him was much more motivating than he had initially anticipated.

That's that, then. I will give my all into becoming what the Elders need from a Champion. For her.

"Just keep in mind, though..." Eden spoke up again, regaining Gillion's attention. "You'll always be Gillion Tidestrider. Being the Champion or whatever will always come second. Before all of that prophecy stuff you're my brother first...promise?" Gillion just stared at Eden for a few seconds, before pulling her into a hug, which she quickly returned. It may not have dawned on Gillion how this whole situation affected Eden...

"I swear, Eden. And I also swear to make as much spare time as I can to spend with you...But yes, of course, I will always be your brother before being the Champion. Besides, on my future jornies, I may be able to find new small things to bring back to and show you." Gillion felt himself smile more when he heard a slightly muffled giggle from his younger sister, seeing her pull away from the embrace and nod, a grin replacing her worried frown from before. Just the sight of seeing Eden grin or smile or show any ounce of confidence in him filled Gillion with enough motivation to start the damn training tonight!

"Well good. I'll hold you to that promise. And to you showing me the new things you'll find! You should get some rest. From the sounds of it, you have a busy day tomorrow, Mr Champion of the Undersea!" Eden snickered as Gillion shot a playful glare at her, watching her getting up and heading to her own room, turning one last time to say a small "g'night Gill, love you." before leaving.

As Gillion got dressed into more comfortable clothing for the night and got ready to get some sleep, as he closed his eyes, ready to succumb to unconsciousness, a single oath rung throughout his mind, echoing as he fell asleep.

That's that, then. I will give my all into becoming what the Elders need from a Champion. For her.