So... you're not my father's ghost?"
Edrew ruffled her hair. "Nah, just someone who knew him better than anyone."
Her small fingers tightened around his. Then, with the timid courage only children possess:
"What... what was he like?"
And so Edrew spun tales—of a man who laughed too loudly, loved too fiercely, and once accidentally turned himself blue for a week during magic practice.
Her eyes sparkled like dawn catching dew.
"As payment tell me your name."
"Sierra," she whispered.
"Wow. That's a name fit for a princess. Your mom's name it ?"
A shy nod.
Edrew's smile faltered. "Then why hide in this dusty room? The world's full of wonders waiting for Sierra to discover."
A flicker of sadness crossed Sierra's face—there and gone like a shadow.
Edrew didn't need words to understand.
"Ah. It's your mom, isn't it?"
Her silence was answer enough.
"Tch. Typical 'Hero Party' priorities," he muttered, scooping her up like a sack of potatoes. "Let's go scold her."
Before Sierra could protest, Edrew plopped her onto his shoulders and marched down the hall—a tiny empress atop her grumpy throne.
"How dare she ignore you?" he kicking open doors. "Don't worry. She won't fight back. I'm the strongest, after all."
Somewhere ahead, Siris's teacup clattered to the floor.
Where's your mom's room?" Edrew asked, looking serious but acting like a kid.
Sierra laughed at his silly face. "Her workroom," she said.
"Okay, let's go!"
Edrew walked confidently, like he knew the house well. Soon, they reached a big door.
He stopped. Took a deep breath.
Sierra gave him a look. "I thought you were brave?" she teased.
Edrew sighed. "She's from the Hero Party—of course I'm a little scared!" Then he grinned. "Ready to tell her off?"
Sierra nodded, raising her small fist. "Let's go yell at Mom!"
Edrew kicked the door open.
"Hey, stupid mom! Your kid needs you! What are you doing bitch?!
He looked proud—until he saw five important people in the room, all staring at him.
Silence...
Edrew slowly backed up. "Uh... sorry." He closed the door quietly.
Sierra laughed so hard she almost fell. "That was the best thing ever!"
They looked at each other and laughed together, happy.
"Should we go somewhere else?"
Sierra nodded, still giggling. "This is the first time I've been this happy."
Then she hugged Edrew tightly.
In the meeting .
Who does he think he is, calling me a bitch?!"
Siris squeezed her cup so hard it cracked. "What is he teaching my daughter?!"
The four officials burst into laughter , tears in their eyes.
"First time anyone's called you that!" one wheezed. "This place hasn't been this lively in years!"
Curious, they leaned in. "That man... he looks exactly like Shin. Where'd you find him?"
Siris sighed. "I spotted him in town today. Thought he was Shin at first... but no. I brought him here for Sierra." Her voice softened. "Not even Shin's twin brother could get her out of her room. I don't know how he did it."
"Should we... end the meeting here?"
The group nodded, still smothering giggles.
Meanwhile, Edrew and Sierra were having the time of their lives.
"WHOOOOA—!" Sierra screamed as Edrew's wind magic sent them flying high into the air.
"This is nothing . Let's go even faster!"
They zipped around the mansion, laughing as they dove past windows and spun around towers. The staff below watched in shock—some horrified, others secretly smiling.
They lounged on the mansion's roof, watching the sunset. The quest window still hovered in Edrew's vision:
<< Guardian Quest: Protect Sierra >>
▸ Status: Incomplete
"This doesn't mean I have to kidnap her, right?"
Noki walk slowly up the road, bags in hand... but behind him, a group of white-cloaked figures advanced like a silent tide.
"Sierra, who are they?"
The girl tensed, her small fingers digging into the tiles. "We need to go down. Now. They're here for Mother... and me."
Edrew raised a brow but didn't pry. Some messes weren't worth stepping in.
He floated Sierra down and met Noki at the carriage.
"Got a smoke?"
Noki tossed him a pack. "Mission accomplished? Also, uh... who are those cult-looking guys?"
Edrew lit a cigarette, exhaling slowly. "Not our problem. We get paid, we leave."
Siris and Sierra stepped outside to face the white-cloaked envoy.
"I already refused your proposal," Siris spat.
"Why come again?"
"How long do you want to stay single? Shin has already died, and your daughter has been granted unlimited power. She will be a problem for our Rox continent if she falls into enemy hands."
He then pulled out a letter bearing the Empire's emblem.
'This is the Emperor's decree, and you cannot defy it—or you will be branded a traitor to the nation. Are you prepared to accept what is to come?'"
Siris snatched the letter, her hands trembling as she read. Then—her grip turned crushing.
Mom... mom, is all this trouble happening because of me again? I'm sorry..."
Her eyes began to darken once more.
Edrew watched from a distance and noticed those eyes—just like his own when he was young.
Those eyes... the eyes of someone who refuses to be a burden.
Edrew saw Sierra as a reflection of his past self. Guilt gnawed at him; he couldn't help her.
Suddenly, Noki clapped Edrew on the back.
"That Sierra... she's your kid, right?"
"Tia already told me everything on the way. If you think she wasn't born because of you, think again."
"A soul can't give birth to a child."
He pointed a finger at Edrew's body.
"This body is the reason she exists. Never forget that. No matter how many souls switch places, that child is yours."
"You made her. You're the father."
Noki grinned proudly.
Edrew fell silent for a long moment... then finally spoke:
"Noki... if we're hated and become villains, will you still follow me?"
Noki punched Edrew's shoulder.
"Who do you think I am? I'd never betray someone who cared for my family."