Chapter 49 - The night before...

Opening his eyes Aiden silently looked at Lily, who has just finished cooking and was now setting up their dishes, while humming that unfamiliar song she always seems to do so. He did try asking once about it when they were younger and was told that she herself doesn't know what it is, it was just some tune that her mother used to often sing. Looking at her, he just silently smiled and continued his mediation.

Lily noticed that Aiden woke up, but as he himself decided to go back and meditate, she decided not to bother him for a few more minutes as she prepared the food. She still preferred sweets over everything, but over the years spent in this place, she came to like other stuff as well.

One example was the same types of meat that her dear brother loved so much. There were days, even months at a time when they had nothing but what they hunted during the day. Their times back home with Granny and Number 3 were mere fleeting moments compared to the seemingly eternity they spent in this place. During those 'fleeting moments' they were mostly forced to study various subjects by Number 3, who she hated at first, but over the years as she realized how caring and kind she actually is, she came to like her more and more. What surprised her more was that Aiden started calling her 'master' on multiple occasions, stunning everyone who heard it...

Anyways, during those fleeting moments back at home, they indeed had lavish dinners and Granny always surprised them with fresh baking of her favorite tarts. Those dinners were the best rewards they could have received after every trial, every test, and hurdle they passed. The tests were designed in a way that both of them had to participate and face similar dangers. They had to work together to conquer the obstacle that was in front of them. So far, counting the very first day they arrived, they faced and passed nine trials. That meant they had 9 delicious and filling meals over the years…

After a few minutes, she finished setting up, and looked at Aiden before eliciting her cheerful smile, and called for him.

"Brother, it's time to wake up, dinner is ready! Let's eat!" With that said, she picked up her plate and started munching on her portion of the meat that was similarly cooked like Aiden's with some berry's that they found edible after testing nearly every other plant in this world. It had a similar taste to the black currant, and it was similarly colored as well. All other plants they tried were either poisonous or tasted and smelled so bad they just couldn't stomach them.

Another positive claim for these berries was the fact that they were energy-rich. When Aiden tested them, he said they provide almost as much energy as the meat they ate it with, effectively doubling the amount they could replenish with no extra effort. Since then, they both ate a portion of these berries as a sort of garnish for the main course.

Aiden opened up his eyes once again and silently nodded while standing up and walking closer to the bonfire.

Sitting down with his plate in his hands, he looked at Lily who also looked at him with a slight blush creeping up on her face.

"Thank you for preparing the dinner once again big sis." He knew that she loved it when he called her 'big sis', something she first said to him back when he joined the family.

Upon being called big sis, the blush became a tad bit more visible on her cheeks, and as to regain her composure, she averted her eyes, while muttering an almost inaudible "Stupid brother!"

Oblivious to her raging emotions and thoughts, Aiden started munching on his food while thinking about tomorrow. They planned to ascent the mountains, the place where the last trial should be taking place. This was the only place they haven't investigated yet, as the mountainside was steep and dark red colored clouds raged wars with the environment constantly, hurdling similarly colored lightning bolts to the rocks and its inhabitants. It was several thousand meters high, and with no other ways to gather information, they will have to climb without any idea of what they will face along the way. Trusting his instincts as it never failed him over the years, he knew that there will be grave dangers ahead.

"Khm..." coughing lightly to change the mood, Aiden continued. "We have a big challenge awaiting us tomorrow. Fill your belly and try to rest up as much as possible Lily. We head out to ascend the mountain tomorrow early morning. I'm not sure how long it would take or if we will have any rest along the way, so make sure you recharge as much as possible, okay?"

Facing her brother and listening to her words, a thought crossed her mind, causing the return of the rosy color of her cheeks. Embarrassed she faced the ground, and with a low voice, she mumbled.

"If... that's the case, would you mind letting me recharge a little bit of my supply of THAT as well? Just a little bit…"

Confused he looked at her and asked.

"Ehrm, what are you referring to Lily, What supp-" he suddenly realized what she was referring to, giving him a troubled look. "Really? But I still don't understand what supply does that give…"

Seeing her downcast look upon hearing his words, Aiden sighed, and stood up, moving closer to Lily.

"*Sigh* If that is what you want, I will not deny it from you. But just one this time, okay?"

Hearing the response she was hoping for, her distress immediately faded away as if it was never even there to begin with, and jumped up while bolting towards her brother, with her trademark happy giggle.

"Ehehe, one is fine! I would be recharged and ready to face even the gods themselves tomorrow, I promise!" Then she jumped to his embrace and clasped her hands together behind his neck. Demanding the reward she wanted, she looked him in his mesmerizing golden eyes. "Now give me my reward brother!"

Aiden smiled, and moved his face closer to hers, and gave a small peck on her cheek. The small rosy color on Lily's cheeks became bright red, almost as if they wanted to make her cute cheeks their permanent residence.

Only the sound of her breathing could be heard for several, long seconds. Only after about a minute did she reluctantly let go. The bright red blush on her face still visible, she looked at Aiden, and after a few breaths of time, she thanked him.

"Thank you for that brother. You know that is my favorite reward! With this, I'm SOOO recharged we could go and climb that stupid mountain right now!"

Smiling at her boasting, Aiden patted her head as that was usually their ritual before ending the day.

"Go and rest well. Get recharged, who knows what awaits us tomorrow!"

Lily nodded and raised her right hand in the air with her fists balled.

"Yes! Let's finish this trial, and leave this place once and for all!"

Then as they both got on their little makeshift beds on the grounds, they looked at each other one last time as they wished good night to each other. Both of them quickly got asleep, and while they looked careless, Aiden's Dark Sense was now passively running all the time, even without him focusing on it. Over the years this has become an almost passive function. He had to be constantly aware of their surroundings after all…

---

Back in the real world, in the little hut, and elderly lady tattered in ragged clothing and a mature female beauty in an average, housewife-looking cotton clothing were sitting in their chairs in front of the fireplace, watching the crackling fire as they both sipped on their tea.

The elderly lady looked at the mature woman, and after placing her pot on the table, she asked with slight worry visible in her tone.

"Tomorrow they will start to climb the mountain… Do you think they will be okay?"

Sipping one last time, before placing the pot on the table, the mature lady looked at the elder and gently smiled.

"No need to worry, you know if something bad happens we can always bring them back in a moment's notice. Besides, they both performed brilliantly the last 9 times."

Looking at her, the elder looked at the mature woman and mockingly remarked.

"Sure, you are calm now, but I wonder what you would do if HE would be in danger… He already calls you 'master'! Don't think I haven't noticed how happy you were when he said it the last time they were back!"

Looking at the fire, the mature lady smiled at the memory.

"Yes… Looking back, I never knew this is how we will end up. You know, I hadn't been sure for a long time, that joining you and helping these children get stronger was a wise decision, and if I would be called back by the Grandmaster…"

Looking at her, the elderly lady asked.

"And now? What do you think about them now?"

Still looking at the fire, she sighed before answering.

"Now? They mean the world to me…"