As Ernest is Approaching his house, from a distance he can see Elydia sitting close to the door coaxed to her knees with something like a launch box beside her.

  Ernest quickens his pace to the girl. “What are you doing here?” he asks.

  His question doesn’t have any answer.

  “Looks like she’s deep asleep.” He looks up the sky. “It isn’t that late.” Looks back at her. “She must’ve been here for a while.”

  Ernest started shaking her to wake up. The motion makes her open her eyes.

  “Well seems you’re up now. You’ve been here for a while, if it’s about Everest he’ll be back soon… I hope.”

  She yawns still in daze. “Why am I here?” she stretches her arms. “Yeah I came to see if anything happened to Everest.” Stands up and wipe the dust off her. “Good morning… I mean evening Ernest.” She smiles.

  “Why is that you’re checking on him now?”

  “He hasn’t come to the orphanage today so I thought he felt sick or something. Or perhaps what I told him bothered him much.” She fidgets averting her gaze.

  “Hmm.” Ernest looks at her. “Is that food in the lunch box?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Then let’s get in and eat. We actually haven’t cooked yet.”

  “Fine, but it’s cold now.”

  “No problem, we like it that way.”

  They soon entered and Elydia sets the table. On the meal was chicken with sauce. Only that. Ernest brings up a water and cups to the table.

  “Only chicken?” Ernest ask confused.

  “Well had a dead one so I didn’t want to put it to waste. I had no idea of what to use to accompany the meal so I didn’t add anything hoping Everest will like it.”

  “Alright. Maybe we should wait him a little longer.”

  “Sure, in the mean time I want to discuss about something.” She stares intently.

  “And what is it?” he fills a cup.

  She places her hands on the table gathering conviction. “Everest is obstinate about his goal of becoming hero. But he has no starting point nor plans or anything. I’m worried he’ll end up being disappointed of his existence.”

  “I hear what you say but what do you want me to about it?” he takes a drink.

  She gasps.

  “I hoped you could put him back on track and make him take his life seriously.”

  “And do you think he’ll feel better?”

  “Huh? What do you mean?”

  “What’s the difference between now and what you suggest?”

  She stays silence.

  “He already feels entitled to me by helping me everyday. He already feels like he’s lacking. If I definitely force him to that path then he’ll regret not trying to pursue his goal even harder.” He takes a deep breath. “I’m a father now and didn’t have a father so I won’t know about it. But I think seeing your child hard to accomplish something must be the best feeling a parent can have and I feel like I’ll be even more happier after he achieve his said goal.”

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  Elydia slams the table. “But that’ll only delay the suffering!”

  “Maybe, maybe not but… Everest is the only one to know. But how about you? Don’t you have any own plans or goals? Or are you planning to keep running behind him.”

  Elydia shivers then sit.

  “You could’ve mentioned it another way.”

  “That’ll just be sugarcoating things for you but I’m not like Mara.” He drinks again.

  “I was planning to stay here at the orphanage if you agreed to have him stay with you. But I think of moving to be a maid at the palace.”

  Ernest chuckles. “W-what? You’re not even from a noble grounding. It’s going to be unrealistic.”

  “Like the goal of Everest but you don’t have the same reaction.”

  “No it’s just.”

  She interrupts him. “Never mind, I don’t want any justifications.” She places her hands on her laps. “I love him but If possible I don’t want to leave him behind so…”

  Ernest interrupts her. “There is an entry recruitment in three weeks in the army. It’s at Bazef.” He crosses his arms. “The thing is since Kaldur empire, the king put a core focus on the recruitment of spirits users only. Might be for a reason of dissuasion.”

  “I don’t understand, why are you telling me that?”

  “I’ve told Everest to give up on his dream if he can’t accomplish the feat of manifesting a spirit in two weeks then he’ll have to give up on that dream of his.”

  Groach!

  The door opens. Everest enters.

  Everest’s perspective:

  There is no one in the living room, though the lights are on. I think we have a visitor I don’t see a reason why Ernest will leave them on otherwise.

  I go straight to the bathroom. I can see light in the kitchen but I first need to clean my hand.

  Crap, it hurts, the water is so cold.

  Why did I kept hitting that tree? I’m dumb sometimes.

  Done washing my hands I band them and go down to the kitchen. There I see Elydia and Ernest in front of a plate of chiken.

  “Hi Elydia, what are you up to?”

  “Hi Everest.”

  “Why are your hands banded? Don’t tell me you stroke that tree after I left.”

  “Hey Ernest not in front of her.” I whisper. “Anyways thanks Elydia. You didn’t have to make the food.”

  Oh chicken. I would’ve liked some milk with it but maybe there wasn’t enough to bring.

  I sit with them. With it a prayer before digging into the chicken.

  The meal went on without any problems. Ernest excused himself before going to sleep.

  “It’s late, Elydia why don’t you sleep here today? You can have Everest’s bed.”

  “Sure Ernest.”

  That’s what happened before he left.

  “I’m sorry for not coming to see you this morning.”

  “Don’t worry about that. I’m happy to hear you give much help to Ernest, it’s more responsible coming from you.”

  I blush.

  “More importantly. I wanted to tell you I might be leaving in two months for Grimrin.”

  “The capital? Why?”

  Elydia takes her time and explains me.

  She said it so casually like it doesn’t do her anything to leave me behind. But it’s not her fault, I’m the one holding her back, maybe this have been the case for even longer than this.

  I clench my fist.

  This is bad I don’t more time to waste.

  In my room:

  “I’ll be sleeping on the futon.”

  “Sure, then goodnight Everest.”

  Elydia quickly goes asleep.

  I lay down my hands behind my head.

  I’m stoke. Trying to represent that dragon didn’t make any difference. Either I went wrong somewhere or Ernest didn’t tell everything.

  Representation, Connection. Then I remember. ‘Feeling’.

  If I’m right about it then I need the feeling of the dragon to get through this.

  I still can’t describe it precisely but it was like that wolf. The first time I saw it.

  Also if I recall what happens in my dream it wants me to call it by his name.

  I scratch my head.

  I don’t enjoy thinking this much, but I feel like I’m going toward something.

  Connection, communication… Identity. This is the core essence of a relationship. By knowing each other we can easily create a connection.

  My error was to think the communication only goes one way but the dragon has been trying to communicate back all this time as well. I need to synchronize with it. If I can do that then I can only succeed.

  I close my eyes.

  It’s not good. Now I’m not only fighting for myself. I don’t wannabe left behind by Elydia. I don’t want to be a burden to her.

  With that said two days after that night the training site got whipped and I am the only one standing.

  It seems like it took lesser time than I thought.

  I turn back.

  Ernest glance at me sweating.

  So tell me Ernest. Isn’t it more than what you expected?

  I smile.

  “Everest. How did you do that? For a second… that thing was terrifying.”

  I walk to Ernest placing my hand on his shoulder. Looking at the ground.

  “I cheated.” I walk pass him. “Now nothing is holding me back here. With that said keep your promise and teach me the art of fight that’s what I need next isn’t it?”

  Without looking behind I wave at Ernest.