"Yes, I have one!" said Kael, raising his hand.
"Go ahead," Blanc replied.
"Something was different from last time. When you harvested the stag, no red mist left from where the Mark was. Why is that? Is it because this was the first wolf you harvested?" asked Kael.
"Incorrect," began Blanc. "It was because of the wound I had on my shoulder. The Raw Vita chose the wound as the place of the Mark, and so, it healed the wound."
"So… the wound is gone now?" Celine asked.
As an answer to her question, Blanc began first moving his right shoulder around, then his arm, swinging it from side to side, before he got back on his feet and picked up his bow and stretched its string with his right arm, until the string was ready to snap.
"It appears so," Blanc said.
"Thank the Vita," Celine exhaled, throwing herself into his arms.
"And brother," Lune began, "what rewards have you got from the Raw Vita?"
"Well, I'm not completely sure yet. You have to check after harvesting to see what feels different. But for you two, it will be obvious. Especially after your first harvest." Blanc explained.
"And will we receive the same things you did?" Kael asked.
"No. No harvest is the same for two people. There is a small chance you might, but consider it a rare occurrence if it happens. The Vita decides what you receive. And what it finds worthy for you to receive." Blanc concluded.
"I see…" Lune muttered, lost in thought.
"Anything else?" Blanc asked the three of them.
"Well then, I will take a look at the two of you while you do it. Celine, feel free to do it at your own pace. But after each one, check your new Mark and its color." Blanc instructed.
But Celine, who was now near him, instead of his arms, had another question in mind, as she whispered in his ear, "Should I take off my tunic too?" she asked, giggling in his ear.
"I will have to take that offer later tonight, when we do not have such young company," Blanc whispered back.
With a quick bite of her lips, she turned back, heading towards the wolves she had slain to pick one for the first harvest.
"Now then, Lune, Kael," Blanc began, as the twins were now kneeling, each beside a wolf that had been moved aside. "Make sure you place your hand on the chest of the beast firmly, but not too hard. Do not fret, you do not need concentration at that moment. You just need to be present. And do not fear when you feel like your mind is elsewhere. If you begin to panic, do not take your hand off. Instead, open your eyes. Look around you. See that you are still here. Understood?"
Both Kael and Lune offered a nod, both nervous and excited for their first harvest. After all, it would make them stronger. Less dependent on Blanc to protect them.
A dream both of them shared.
They were ready.
"The focus comes after," Blanc added, "Your body will stiffen. And once the wisps of crimson start heading inside you, the Mark will appear on your body. But before returning your mind, you will feel the beasts' memories or will. Do not think of them as your own. The harvest will end soon after and you will feel the rewards of it. Any questions?"
"None," they both replied in unison.
"Well then, you may begin."
With a shared nod between them, they moved at the same time, placing their small hands atop the chest of their respective wolves. And just like that, they were gone.
Their eyes both opened. And Blanc knew it was an uncomfortable feeling, having your mind strip away your body.
But he knew they would feel the same. They were siblings after all.
As he thought such things, the wisps of crimson and amber, which Blanc always thought of as cute serpents, started their dance towards Kael and Lune's chest.
At the moment the wisps made their way into their skin, the mist they left behind began pulsing and drawing in shortly after.
The harvest had ended successfully. Now, they only had to return.
And moments later, they did. Their eyes opened wide, looking around and feeling the sounds once more.
It was a funny sight for Blanc to see both of them sniff the air or clench their fists.
"How was it?" Blanc asked, a smile on his tired face.
"Weird…" muttered Lune.
"But good," added Kael.
"And the rewards?" Blanc asked.
Lune thought for a few moments before answering him, "I feel stronger. And the smells feel more… in my nose."
"Same here," Kael answered.
"Same?" Blanc looked puzzled. "Well, it may seem that way now, since you have not checked everything yet," he concluded. "Take a few minutes to rest before doing it again. Play a bit and feel your rewards. And look for the Marks on your body, make sure you do it every time, and see the color it has."
"Okay," nodded Lune.
As Kael and Lune started moving around, Blanc turned towards Celine. She was just coming up from her first harvest as well.
"How was it?" Blanc asked once she noticed his presence.
"It went very well, actually. I could smell you near me," she replied.
"Do I really smell that bad?" Blanc muttered, sniffing himself.
Celine giggled warmly seeing him, "No, not a bad smell. A smell that just makes me think of you, I guess? Not sure yet, it's weird."
"And the Mark?" Blanc changed the subject before his smell became a subject of discussion.
With a slight bow, Celine raised the lower part of her pants, and turning around, showed the outline of a bite Mark, just like his, on the left leg, near her ankle, and the outline of a scratch that stretched the full length of her calf.
"Were you wounded?" Blanc asked her.
"Nothing serious. A few scratches from walking yesterday," she explained. "But I feel stronger. Especially in the legs."
"That's good, my love. Make sure you take a few minutes to rest. It's the first time I can absorb more than one beast at a time, so I'm not sure if there are issues with doing it too quickly," said Blanc.
"I will do just that. But what about you, my dear? Going back in already?" Celine asked as Blanc turned around.
"Yes, Kael and Lune did well for their first harvest, and we still have to get to the mountain. At this point, I think the night might get here first before we reach the Omu Mountain. But there is still a lot to harvest. We need to reach the mountain by tomorrow." Blanc explained, as he moved a wolf aside, to begin harvesting again.
"What were you saying about safety?" Celine asked him.
"Love you…" Blanc said, just as he touched the wolf, and his mind departed once more.