A while later, I was sitting all by myself next to a small pond that I had found using my 'Overworld Detection' earlier. I needed some time alone to really gather my thoughts together, mainly because of my conversation with the Ancient One and my small... Vent - if you can call it that.
I actually wanted to collect my thoughts immediately after that conversation, however it took me a solid 25 or so minutes just to get Frindel off of me with her whole: 'YOU'VE BEEN THROUGH SO MUCH, PLEASE LET ME HUG YOUU!' spheal while also crying like some high school girl during a romantic movie.
Anyways, as I sat by the pond simply sinking myself inside my thoughts, a sudden small crack behind me dragged my attention.
Turning my head lightly towards the approaching individual, I sighed.
"You don't have to approach me like some sort of animal you know."
Which is an ironic statement, considering that I technically was an animal - a snake. The approaching individual seemingly hesitated for a bit, before coming into clear view, revealing themselves to be none other than... Kio.
I remained silent, tuning my head away again. For a couple of moments, there was dead silence between us.
[Kio] "U-Uhm.. do you mind if I sit next to you..?"
She asked.
I didn't reply at first, before eventually giving her the green light to 'Do however she pleased' with a gesture. Kio nodded nervously, before walking up and sitting down somewhat next to me, while also keeping around a metre distance from me.
Understandable - She never really was the type to interact well with complete strangers. And while I technically still knew her, since I used to be her brother, she didn't know who I was.
To her, I was just an Adventurer of this World and nothing more.
As the both of us sat by the pond in silence, a rather awkward atmosphere formed. Not talking when someone else is literally right next to you felt... Weird.
It also strangely felt wrong to not even try to strike up a conversation. So, after a small bit, I exhaled before looking up into the air.
"So tell me - what is the world you come from like?"
I asked.
If I was going to play the fake act of a normal adventurer from this world, then I had to act like I didn't know a thing about my old world.
More specifically, about Earth as a whole. Kio remained silent for a bit, looking into the ponds crystal clear water.
[Kio] "It's..... I don't know, I don't really know how to explain it."
She replied, sighing with a saddened look on her face. By her expression alone, I could tell that something was keeping her mood down. And if I had to take one guess on what it was....
I'd say that it most likely was my death. I know, I know - a pretty bold and simple guess, however, it would make sense.
Even with saying those words, it never particularly felt like she had meant them. If anything - it felt like she was feeling pain while simply saying them to me.
And besides - no matter how much you hate a relative — whenever they die, you'll most likely mourn their death, because... Well...
Death, is sad. That's the simplest way to put it.
"Maybe you can just tell me what you like about it? Maybe how you live or so?"
I asked, still trying to act cool.
I wasn't a particularly good actor, however, thankfully my legendary skill 'Jester' was also capable of improving my acting skills.
Or at least.... I think it was.
It most definitely is master :).
...Is it just me, or did the Ancient One just put a smiling face at the end of his—
[Kio] "What I like about it..?"
Kio repeated the question I had asked earlier, dragging my attention back to her. She looked to think about it over for a bit, before exhaling, staring into her reflection in the water.
[Kio] "I guess... I like how....."
She started, cutting herself off at the end. I could tell that she was struggling to put her words together - maybe perhaps the world she came from, my old world, wasn't so likeable whenever you lost someone close to you.
Or maybe I'm just overthinking it.
However, I realised that she probably won't be able to answer my question, so I simply sighed.
"Well... Nevermind that question then - Tell me, what—"
[Kio] "I like how the world I come from is so vast and full of different people."
She suddenly stated, cutting me off and causing me to lightly exclaim as I turned my gaze towards her.
[Kio] "I love how interesting it is, how there is so much you can do in it, so much that it offers to you. I like how it's the place... I had all those precious memories with him..."
'Him'?
Who was she referring to..? ....Wait— Is she referring to... Me?
"Him? Who is him if you don't mind me asking?"
Kio looked like she was very hesitant to tell me, which I understood. I don't imagine I'd tell something that 'personal' to just a technically 'stranger' I met just a few hours ago.
However, to my surprise, after a small sigh, she spoke again.
[Kio] "...My older brother."
I guessed correctly I suppose.
[Kio] "He was someone who was... My only friend basically. In my world, I am known for my extraordinary talents in all sorts of arts - music, art, academics and others... But I don't like that. People would always see me for my talents, not me as a person, which.. pained me. But my brother..."
She looked up towards the sky.
[Kio] "He saw me as nothing more than his little sister. While he cared for my talents, he didn't see them as the only thing I was, but instead... As an add on to his already 'Cute little sister'."
She continued, saying statements that I genuinely never thought I'd hear from her. She explained how she loved her older brother - aka me - so much, since I'd always be there for her and all. However, she would also explain how... She had messed up and accidentally caused our relationship to shatter.
I'm of course talking about that statement she told me that caused me to move out of the house to not get in her way.
Not going to lie, hearing it from her point of view... Somehow stung more than I remembered it from my point of view. I suppose it was because hearing an already sort of painful event from someone elses view... Gave you a new perspective on that event.
Like - I only knew the event from my perspective, not my sisters, so hearing how she felt and how she regretted the words she had told me back then so much... It honestly just pained me.
I even considered just breaking my fake facade and tell her, that I was her brother - reincarnated into this world and that everything will be okay and that I forgive her....
But — I didn't.
I remained in my facade and didn't tell her anything - simply remaining silent as she slowly began to tear up and cry.
Eventually, she'd finish 'venting' out all her feelings to me, before hugging her knees and burying her face into them.
After hearing everything she had felt, especially after the news of my death.... I felt like garbage. I felt horrible as an older brother, to have put my sister through so much pain by simply deciding to leave because 'it would be better for her'.
I looked down at my reflection in the water, seeing the person I was now, while also remembering who I used to be.
There was a strange conflict going on inside me at this time...
It was like the 'New Me' after reincarnation and the 'Old Me' before reincarnation were fighting over the temptation to reveal everything to her.
In the end, I got up from my seat, before walking up to her and kneeling down, patting her lightly on the back, causing her to look up slightly towards me.
"I won't tell you to not grief, as the loss of a loved one is terrible. However, I will tell you, to not allow that one loss define you. I'm truly sorry to hear all what you've been through and the loss of your brother, however, you are still alive. That should mean something, right? Would your older brother want to see you like this?"
I asked, seemingly causing her to slightly become lost for words - which was understandable. I had decided to use a trick of comfort I had learned in my previous life — use the source of someones pain, as a 'weapon' to try and comfort them.
"And besides, you have such lovely friends from what I understand, so really - even if grieving a loved ones loss is natural, should you blame yourself for it?"
I continued, my tone light and gentle.
Not going to lie, I felt so smart in these moments - it felt like I was some therapist giving the best advice for someone in pain.
Kio was completely silent, clearly unable to think of anything to respond to me with. This was a pretty clear sign to me, that she wanted or needed some alone time - so I simply got up on my feet, before reaching into my small bag, taking out a small mirror and placing it next to her.
"Here's a gift from me. Perhaps it will allow you to collect your thoughts more easily."
I finished, before turning around and beginning to walk away. Kio remained silent for a while longer, before eventually sniffing and wiping off her tears, smiling light afterwards.
It seems like my words had managed to get to her.
As I walked away, I noticed a strange, black group of clouds slowly coming towards us in the distance. My expression turned serious as soon as I noticed them, as I stopped to observe them.
'Seems like something is coming...'
I thought.
'Ancient One?'
Already on it.
The Ancient One replied immediately, before activating a wide range 'Overworld Detection'. With the group of black clouds, I also sensed the same Magical Energy presence as before.
The one which I had sensed before meeting with heroes. There was no doubt - something or someone was coming our way.
'Only question now is... What?'
I thought, narrowing my eyes onto the black clouds in the distance as I thought.
Meanwhile, right under the black storm clouds, Olhade stood tall - glancing off into the distance. More specifically, the forest infront of him.
Simply scoffing to himself, he kept on his march, continuing to move forward as the black storm clouds followed him.
The storm, was slowly coming.
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Next Chapter:
103. -
"So I DIDN'T kill that Kitsune After all?!?"