Dein found a way to finally bypass his flaw even just for tonight. For some reason, his flaw treated 'stealing' as something he 'earned' so Dein finally managed to eat!
And just like that, dinner had passed. After Dein's promise to his family that he will return alive from his winter solstice. Everyone's mood gradually became lighter.
Though of course, he knew they're still worried. But everyone knows they can't do anything so instead of worrying, they simply enjoyed their time together. There was a lot of laughing and teasing, to the point that if one looked, their family doesn't fit the whole image of a Legacy clan at all.
They're more like spoiled kids making fun of each other.
Because to be honest, they are.
Dein sighed, he looked around the spacious room he's currently in. The huge bed in the middle and a wardrobe on the end. There's a coffee table, a couch, and even a balcony. There's a study table and even a few paintings.
"Ah! It's good to be back!"
He said, practically jumping to his bed. It was so soft and cold. A perfect temperature for resting. After days Of sleeping in a wooden cage, Dein is finally back on his own bed!
And his own spacious room!
No one's out there trying to kill him. No tribe, no fog, to fire, no Lei and Clara…
The last words made him paused. He stopped rolling on his bed and looked up at the ceiling. In just a few days, for him at least, a lot had happened to Dein.
His nightmare was really a nightmare among nightmares. It's incredibly difficult for a mundane. And yet… due to his stubborness and a really strong attribute. Dein managed to conquer it.
Not without leaving a bad taste on his mouth that is. But seeing his family's laugher today made everything worth it. Now, even if he got sent there again. Having to kill everyone, he's confident that he would do it again.
As many times as he needs if it means he could sit on the same table and chat with his family again.
Thinking about that, Dein finally found the courage to dive in his soul sea again. He closed his eyes resting his body but not his mind.
In the next moment, a vast abyss stretch out in front of him. There was no floor nor ceiling, no left or right. Only nothing everywhere. The only thing distinct in Dein's soul sea is the fracture running in an X from below and above. Holding their soul together with crude stitches.
However, whatever Dein does, the fracture remain distant.
Above Dein, a circular star floated. Countless sparks bouncing everywhere inside it. And in it, two light of soul essence could be seen as well.
It was his two memories…
But Dein ignored all of that. Right now he's looking for something… someone? Some people?
He's looking for the trio who still haven't shown themselves since he woke up.
"Huh? Are they gone? Am I finally free?"
He said but just then, a girl's voice spoke from his side. Dein's eyes widened when he saw her.
"Free from what mister?"
Dein studied her for a while. The little girl… is not so little anymore.
"Did you… grow taller? older? What happened?"
He asked, from before, the little girl looks seven but now she looks ten. Which still made her a little girl but it's quite the leap.
Instead of answering, the little girl spun around to present her new look, giggling.
"Yes mister! In fact, all of us did!"
"Wait really?"
Dein was surprised to hear that. The last time he saw the two, they looked exactly like him. Same height, same features. So if they grew older as well… then wouldn't Dein be cheated if that happened? They're just copying his look after all!
But luckily, no such thing happened as two more voice resounded behind him.
"Nope, not really. We didn't change much."
"Y-yeah… o-only our soul"
Dein turned around. Finally, the trio is completed again. For a moment there, he almost believed that they're gone. But of course they're not, life isn't that easy unfortunately.
Dein turned to Serious.
"Huh, I see. Can you explain what the heck you mean? And also why'd you guys turned silent for the whole day? Not that I'm complaining of course."
Hearing him, Scaredy scratch the bridge of his nose with an awkward smile.
"We umm, kind of just woken up earlier… while you're eating dinner with your family."
He said, and Serious continued. Stretching his arms as he walk towards Dein.
"As for what happened to us… prankly, we also have no idea. It's probably related to our soul getting stronger after we awaken. Just like how you feel stronger now, we do to. But for some reason, the little girl grew up."
Serious explained. To be honest, it makes sense. Dein grew stronger when he broke the first seal of his dormant powers. And so did his soul. Only, while the two's soul simply grew deeper, the little girl grew up instead.
There's a lot of weird things about her already but it seems she's really just more unique than the other two.
But she doesn't seem to pose any threat. In fact, none of the trio does. But Dein still warry, he haven't forgotten about [Looming Fate] yet after all. Even if it's purposely or not, the trio is still connected to the fact that Dein's soul would be destroyed in the future.
Dein sighed. "I see, well, congratulations on your new look then, little girl."
He patted the little girl's head, making her giggle. Then he turned to the two again.
"I guess this 'transformation' you guys had took quite a while to finish considering you just woke up just earlier?"
Scaredy nodded with a smile. It seems he's not much of a scaredy than he is before as well. But that's just probably because there's no danger here.
"Well, it's good to see you all back! I'm going to leave now."
He said, not giving them another time to speak. Dein opened his eyes and found himself inside his room once again. But of course, their voices still reached him even after that.
[Hey… that's rude mister]
The little girl pouted in his mind, even though her tone still sounds as happy and enthusiastic as ever. Anyhow, Dein did not want to spend another minute inside his soul sea. The utter nothingness of it all gives him creeps.
Dein did not answer the trio anymore. He would've a lot of time talking with them in the future. For now, he wants peace and hard earned rest.
Feeling the softness of his bed, Dein slowly drifted to sleep.
He shifted, rolled around his bed. And carefully enjoyed the feeling of sleeping in his own bed.
After all, this will be his very first sleep here after two years. As well as his last true sleep in this bed as well.
Because tomorrow, father would drive Dein to the academy. Four weeks after that, winter solstice will arrive and he will be summoned to the dream realm again. And even if he survived there or not, he will never be able to truly sleep in this bed ever again.
Until he becomes a Master that is.
So Dein made sure to enjoy this sleep the best he can.