Chapter 58- Questions

Chapter 58- Questions

[Keeno POV]

“Then, can you answer my question from earlier?” (Pram)

“It was why I was injured, right?” (Freya)

“Yes.” (Pram)

“The Family that I was born into messed up and as a result, all of them were disposed of. I’m the very last one, not that I ever really considered myself a part of that Family.” (Freya)

“...” (Pram)

“...” (Keeno)

“Okami, what’s with that look? Never heard of something like this before?” (Freya)

“...Let me guess, you were born to an influential family, but them being either so loyal to the country itself, or their Name, that they treated you more like an object. It was so bad that, if you disappointed them enough, they’d stop any form of support for you and raise you till you were old enough to be practically sold off to another person for the sole purpose of breeding?” (Keeno)

“...How’d you figure all that out just from that one answer?” (Freya)

“I get it since I was the same till I was five. Then, with help, I managed to get out.” (Keeno)

“...” (Pram)

“Where were you born?” (Freya)

“Falheim.” (Keeno)

“...There’s a limit to jokes, Okami. Even I know that Falheim makes sure nobody could ever cross its border, in or out.” (Freya)

“It’s a decently large country, very behind in lots of knowledge we would consider common. They treat people with Soul Weapons like both chosen ones and slaves. And the capital, from the little I saw of it and remember is mostly canals with very little footpaths.” (Keeno)

“I don’t get how you think I’d be convinced with that, I’ve never been there and have no way to know if your telling the truth or not. Like I said, no one gets in or out.” (Freya)

“...Well now I feel stupid.” (Keeno)

{Hehe.}

“Anyway, believe me or not, I’m speaking the truth. If you want to know how I got out, I had help from Fiametta.” (Keeno)

Freya’s eyes went wide when I mentioned Fia’s name.

“Wait, are you the ones that...*sigh* Just what is going on?” (Freya)

“What are you talking about?” (Pram)

Freya started massaging her temples and let out another long sigh.

“Around a year ago, a very important person came here to the capital and stayed with one of the two leading Families of the country. After some things happened, they basically swore fealty to her. She left some cryptic instructions and then left. Those instructions were to help her family member and her companion with whatever they needed until they were done in the country.” (Freya)

“Fia really doesn’t hold back, does she?” (Keeno)

“Seems like it.” (Pram)

“Was the Family you were in under this other Family?” (Keeno)

“No. They served their rival.” (Freya)

“Then it sounds like they have some info leaks or traitors in their midst if you know all this.” (Keeno)

“A mix of both, actually. Though I’m impressed again. If anyone else heard what I just told you, we’d either be fighting or one of us would be dead by now.” (Freya)

“Well, one, Pram went through all that trouble to heal you, so I’m not going to undo all her hard work. Two, you give the vibe of someone who’s just done with all this Family crap and just wants out. Three, you’re surprisingly Pure for someone who was raised in the situation you were. Not saying you’re anywhere near as Pure as Pram is, but your soul doesn’t drip with corruption like a lot of the people I’ve seen here so far.” (Keeno)

‘...’ (Keeno)

{I couldn’t have said it better myself, Pram. And if I’m to add my own input, while it’ll take some more work, she is a good Apostle candidate for Keeno. I mean, there needs to be more trust, but Keeno said as much earlier. And she could be one more companion that keeps Pram safe in a fight.}

‘I’m not that useless. I just focus more on the debuffing and healing.’ (Pram)

‘Neither of us said or even thought you were useless, Pram.’ (Keeno)

‘...’ (Pram)

I patted Pram’s head.

‘You are not useless, Pram, and we’d never think of you that way. Now get some sleep. We had a long day.’ (Keeno)

‘Mm.’ (Pram)

Pram closed her eyes and soon enough her breathing indicated she went to sleep.

{...Keeno, how are you holding up?}

‘...I don’t know. This was the first time since the bandits...and I still don’t like it.’

{Again, you don’t have to like it, but since it will be your responsibility to handle these things, you need to at least get desensitized to it. Of course, I’m here for you, so unload all your troubles onto me and I’ll bear the burden with you. That’s what I’m supposed to do.}

‘Thanks Ama. I feel like that’s just the first of many times I’m going to have to do that from now on, so I’m trying to just not care, but it’s not working. That’s also another reason why I want Freya to join us...she seems like she’s killed way more people than me, so I want to know how she deals with it.’

I wrapped my tail around me and curled up a little more in my corner.

{Keeno...rest for now, you need to sleep.}

‘I will.’

{Huginn, Muninn, I know you can hear me. Make sure everyone in here is safe.}

‘Hehe.’

Soon after that, I fell into a light sleep.

Chaos Realm:

Fenrir: ...Mio, come here.

Mio: Fen nya? What’s wrong nya?

Fenrir: ...That Freya person...looks...I don’t know. It’s like something in my soul is telling me I need to fight her.

Mio: Fen nya, if you do that, I’ll fight her with you nya.

Luna: Hey Payto, if Fated Ones are a thing, are there things like Fated Rivals?

Nope. I think Fenrir is just sensing another wolf in similar circumstances to her.

Luna: ...How?

Cmon, Luna, you and the others have already started to figure it out. Think.

Luna: ...Ooooooooooooh. Fufufu. Though if that’s the case, why does she want to fight her?

Fenrir: Cause why not? Doesn’t it seem like it would be fun? I mean, I have ice and Winter magic and Authority, and that Freya girl has Solar and fire-based magic, it’s like we’re supposed to fight any time we meet, even if she doesn’t know about me.

Mio: And whatever Fen wants nya, I must support her in it nya. Someone must teach all the wolves that Fen is the best nya!

Fenrir: Oh Mio, you’re the best. Come here, you. *smooch*