Ashes and Kingdoms

2-5. Under the Moonlight

The next day the line proceeded cursorily with the sinking air, and the forest, though falling out, was to celebrate the night in the unseen wilderness of the people as ever. I can't help it because Finn is trying to strain one leg. He didn't even say it hurt, and Nellis and Fauna didn't shake their heads vertically as hard as they could, no matter how much they told them to get on the horse.

"It's going to be sunny tonight. Do it. Thank you."

After the usual elegant dinner, Oandus looks up into the sky and breathes. Finn said as he lowered his hips over the grass and rubbed his legs.

"I'll be the best watch. If they show up, we'll wake them all up."

"What are you talking about? Your brother has to go to bed."

Nellis disagreed outrageously as soon as possible. He's injured, so sleeping and recovering his body is a prerequisite, because if there's no decent person to fight for, they're all down together.

But Igross agreed with Finn lightly.

"Well, I asked for it. Take turns at the right time if you can."

"Yes."

Without even waiting for Finn to nod, Igross laid down in a blanket. Nellis opened her mouth gently.

"I can't believe it, why not..."

"That's okay, Nellis" Finn quietly blocks it. "Which, I can't sleep with pain. I know."

…………

Nellis blushed, almost crying, and turned away.

"It's sloppy, it's... it's terrible"

The crushed voice is trembling. Finn stroked his sister's head lightly and looked around at her family pretending to be fine.

"That's why my uncle and aunt, please, sleep with me. It's okay, I'm distracted by the moon."

"Okay. But Finn, if you think you're going to sleep, wake me up right away. Even I can keep an eye out. You know, I've spent the whole night giving Nellis a whirlpool."

Fauna said gently, Finn smiled a little when he was followed.

Even after the couple lay by the burning fire, Nellis sat beside Finn, willingly, with a stubborn face.

"I'm awake, too. I don't want you to put up with one brother."

"You... that's not the problem. You're the one who doesn't have the strength, so you need to get some sleep and rest. Don't worry, you'll have this pain tomorrow. I know from previous experience. Please, Nellis."

In response to Finn, who continued to persuade him in a whisper, Nellis stared at the end of the street without even wandering. When Finn gave up and shut up, she tried to stick her jaw to the knee she held and snapped.

"I wonder why I don't have the power to be like your brother. I wish I could fight too."

Finn didn't answer right away. It was a word that would have made me joke if it was a long time ago - if it was a time of peace, don't say it, deny it from my head, or else, what am I going to do with being stronger than this, horrible, etc.

But not now. Wishing I could fight was a veritable one for Nellis and even for Finn. Man or woman, adult or child. How helpful it would be if even one person could fight...

"If you practice, you might be able to use your sword a little bit. But more than that, you seem to have the qualities of a priest, so why don't you take advantage of that? If you find a temple in Winnea, you should talk to them."

"I want to be useful right now."

"That's a little tricky.... Yes, that mundane, will you call everyone tomorrow? Besides, if you bless the weapon because it's appropriate, it might do a little good."

"... yeah, I get it. I'll try."

By the time I finally agreed with the adult, Nellis' lid was half-closed. Finn smiled bitterly and whispered, "Go to sleep now." Nellis nods at Kokon and crawls to the blanket. On the verge of lying down, Nellis turned around as she remembered.

"You know, brother Finn. Me... I really like your brother. So."

I don't like dying - the voice I wished for was too small to hear, but Finn nodded deeply and firmly. It's okay, I know, I know.

As Nellis began to take a quiet nap, Finn was finally overwhelmed, distorting his face in agony and holding his right leg. Eat up your teeth and bite down your groans desperately.

As the night chills, the wound on his right leg also hurts to stab him hard. Wrapping the blanket around it didn't warm up a bit and it was going to get frostbite like this.

(It's all right, it's all right, if you put up with it tonight)

From previous experience, I knew what course the wounds done to the Dark Beast would follow. As soon as they do, paralysis and severe pain come at the same time. Then the paralysis lasts for a while, and by the time it can be solved, the unbearable pain will strike, but once it has crossed that line, the rest will heal slowly.

Of course, just because you can predict that doesn't make the pain more bearable. Besides, I've never been hit so badly.

His breath became rough and tears spilled out of his eyes. Not to wake the sleepers, but to crawl with his left leg and arm, away from the burning fire. You won't need to worry because you don't see blue light points in the darkness and white and moonlight illuminate the world.

(Lena)

A girl appeared in the back of her brain. Surely she didn't say that night that there was nothing here that would attract the Dark Beasts? But then why was the beast ambushing in a place like that yesterday? Even though there are few who pass by now.

It was during the bundle that I deceived my consciousness with such questions. A strong pain ran and Finn fell lying with his right leg in his arms. Round as a fetus, or exhale and scream. I couldn't raise my voice. It's going to wake everyone up, and even if it doesn't, I'm afraid it's going to call for something extra.

But how long will it last? Finn looked up to the moon to seek salvation.

- and something fluffy and white appeared in its sight.

The moment Finn caught his eye by surprise, the pain was soothing. Until now, I've been so hard on Finn that I want to die.

"Finn?"

A soft voice calls for fame. At the same time, I felt like I could touch my hand softly in my heart. I was surprised at first, but now that's comfortable. Finn exhaled deeper.

Slowly waking herself up, Lena was crouching beside Finn and putting her hand on the wound. The frozen legs seem to melt slowly.

"Thank you, thank you very much."

As Finn thanked her, Lena smiled and shook her head small.

"I didn't do anything. Finn's power."

"No way," Finn squeezed his eyes. "If you can do that, you'll be cured before you go around."

Or did you say something again in a way that deviated from human understanding? The suggestion was made that Lena had a troubled look.

"Oh, yeah, it's not. That's not what happened. I mean, uh..."

In the meantime, the pain fades completely and disappears. Finn laughed unexpectedly.

"Whatever. Anyway, thanks for making it easier as soon as you got here."

Lena also spread a happy grin so that she could catch Finn's smile. Finn looked at that smile when he made it, and then, uh, remembered how he explained her to Nellis. Like a jean dog - that's what I said. Lena tilts her neck toward Finn, who seemed pungent and endangered.

Finn deceived himself with a bitter smile, turning up the hem of his right foot to ascertain the wound. There's still a blushing red mole, but it's almost gone. The power of the Spirit is amazing, Finn said as if he had read the idea, as Lena softly touched the wound with her fingertips.

"Can't you use my powers? Because it's sealed...... but I can let people use the power they have. So it's your power that healed this wound."

He was gently stroked on his feet, his fins blushed on the boulder, and he hurried down his hem. Lena looked somewhat surprised at his reaction, but then followed suit and apologized.

"Oh, I'm sorry. It's like I'm just trying to get you in trouble."

"No, that's not what I'm talking about right now, it's just, you know... anyway, you don't have to worry about it. What's more, it's sealed?

Hurry up, Finn changed the subject. Lena glanced at the messenger, but answered the question honestly.

"Yeah. My parents sealed it so people wouldn't use it. That's why I've barely been outside... and I don't know much about people. Because I have knowledge gained through inheritance, but I have no immediate experience dealing with people."

"Heh, she's a boxed girl"

"Box...?

"I mean, it's taken care of. You have a family, too."

Whatever the dwarves were, Finn was surprised and interested because he never imagined the Spirit had a family. but Lena's lonely smile squishes me in that mood, too.

"... I'm not here anymore"

After crushing her, Lena took off her gaze and looked at the burner.

"Is that Finn's family over there?

"On the left is Igros, a fellow soldier. And then there's my family. Uncle Oandus and Aunt Fauna, plus Nellis. I'm an adopted child, so I'm not connected to blood."

My chest hurts. They tell me Finn is family. Myself, I consider them family. But still, it wasn't enough to make a natural face and say, "I'm family." To the point of being affectionate, gratitude is deepened, and thus reluctance - given something that cannot otherwise be received, such thoughts are strengthened.

(If we're family together from birth, maybe we'll fight more or even hate each other. Maybe it's better now than then)

Nor was there anything like frowning in the appearance of a family you see in the city of Nanais. Big fights like swinging blades and popping out to business, parents and children extremely cursing each other in front of the public. Some of the rumors are even more spectacular. Compared to that, how better to be reluctant? Even if it involves some bitterness.

- And something slightly warm touched Finn's chest like that. Finn looks back, looking back at Lena. The gentle smile also seemed like a goddess of mercy who foresees and accepts everything.

"You're Finn's important people."

She tells me she seems to love me, and Finn rounds her eyes. That simple word easily broke down the extra thoughts. Finn was smiling very naturally and nodding "Oh". I can feel Lena rejoicing in her answer, and Finn feels strange as she goes. Why would Lena be so happy that I was going to muddle someone?

"That kid, too, is very pretty"

Lena whispered, Finn turned odd and said, "Are you talking about Nellis?" I asked back. Lena nods silently. Finn glanced at the blanket chunk, wondering if so, tilted his neck, then finally remembered.

"What you're saying was about your heart. Yeah, then there's no objection. He's a good kid... busy and mouthless, but he's really sweet."

The laughter spilled all the time. I'm bored of being a fool, and even if you throw a pompous murmur at my brother, his heart is straight and pure.

(Oh well)

My heart warmed up thinking about Nellis, and Finn was accidentally convinced. I know what it's like for Lena to say "I want to watch". I can't help but figure out that the subject was me, aside from that.

Finn felt unspeakable happiness on the side of Lena staring at Nellis as she loved him. I was so happy to have someone to share my thoughts about my loved ones.

"... ahhh"

When his heart was full, he was drowsy, and Finn had a small abduction. Lena looks back and gently reaches out. Finn panicked and tried to pull himself back. If I fall asleep again, this time they'll kick me up. Besides, I want to talk more.

"Lena, I need to ask you something..."

Though I almost told you, the rot doesn't turn well. A leaning body was embraced again by something as fluffy as a cloud.

"More..."

I want you to tell me. About the Spirit, about the world, about you.

The rest of the words I couldn't say were going to crush me in my dreams.