There are moments in life when a quiet longing stirs deep within. A feeling as though a part of oneself is missing, just out of reach. It's not something easily named, yet it lingers, a silent echo in the heart.
Whenever this realization begins to surface, it slips away again, lost in the noise of daily life. Your thoughts are drawn instead to the people around you. Family, friends, the roles you play, the love you give and receive. These are the pieces we often chase, hoping they will complete the puzzle. But sometimes, the missing part lies elsewhere, waiting quietly to be remembered.
You go on believing you are whole, that everything is as it should be. And yet… a subtle emptiness remains.
Twelve years have passed. Many things have happened since then.
As I opened my eyes, I found myself inside a large bedroom. I glanced around the room and realized that I was in my bedroom.
"It's that dream again, huh?"
From time to time, I dream about someone. A woman is sitting under a single holly tree in the middle of the meadow. I've never met her before, yet for some reason, she gives off a feeling that makes me feel at ease. Every time I dream about her, she always tells me these words before I wake up, "Regardless of who or what you are, I will always love you."
Anyway, this is not the time to be thinking about her. I turned to where the clock is to see what time it was. I didn't realize that it was almost 10 o'clock. I should be hunting for wild boars, but I woke up late today.
"One of my sisters must have gone in my stead."
I started fixing my bedding and opened my windows. Since it's already late, I decided that I should visit my father at the library.
In this world, mortals, immortals, and monsters exist—transcendent beings, like spirits, angels, dragons, demons, and deities.
Every being has something called zxychq inside their body. Zxychq is a medium to control the aura, mana, holy, and demonic energy inside the body. You can only have a single type of energy in your body. If you have two or multiple types of energy inside your body, normally, it will not be able to handle the clash of the different types of energy, and this will lead to your demise. But with a deeper understanding of zxychq, it's possible to combine multiple types of energy.
After walking for a few minutes, I reached the library. Our library contains a variety of books; it's divided into different sections like history, sorcery, smithing, alchemy, and much more. But what catches my eye the most is the entertainment section, where the book called manga is.
Father told me that this book was created by summoned heroes. It's a fictional book that people from their world read for entertainment.
Summoned heroes are people who were summoned from another world. They are humanity's hope. Well, at least that's what the common people believe. While it's true that they are humanity's hope, Father told me that they are nothing but tools for war. A slave who is bound to the bidding of their king.
There is an extremely important matter I have to discuss with my father, so we'll talk about it next time.
I entered his office, and there he was sitting, browsing through some books. He's wearing a black cloak with golden embroidery, with a design that looks like ash leaves. He also has a golden chain necklace with a pendant that looks like an ash tree, yet he uses it as a bracelet on his right arm. He's wearing a gray sweater and beige trousers under his robe. Apart from his outfit, what stands out the most is his long, pointy ears.
The man in front of me is an elf known for their longevity, adeptness in sorcery, and beast taming. His name is Andrew Loodus; his long silver hair stands out among the elves, probably because of his bloodline, since he is the brother of the ruler of the elves. He is also the hero of the elves, a dad of 8 children, and my foster father.
While my thoughts ran through my mind, my father greeted me.
"Good morning, Neihil, aren't you supposed to be in the forest right now hunting boars?"
"I overslept…"
Father laughed, then suddenly asked,
"Are you here to talk about that?"
Father is talking about the place that the woman in my dreams once mentioned.
"Yes, Father. Have you found something about this place called Theós?"
"Unfortunately, I haven't found a single clue."
As expected, it has not written any books. I'm starting to wonder if that's the name of another world. The only world I know is Pantheo and Earth. And for whatever reason, all summoned heroes come from Earth.
"Father, is it-"
"Neihil, what did I say before? You should call me Dad, not father. Same with your mom. You're gonna make us sad." Father suddenly cut me off.
Dad huh… Maybe the reason I can't call him dad because I know I'm just an orphan. All I know is that he saw me and my sister, Aisha, outside his house one night. I call her sister, but we're also not related by blood. Even if we're just orphans, Dad and Mom always gave us the familial love we needed. They accepted us into their family, and I'm grateful, but sometimes I can't help but wonder the reason why they abandoned us here. Well, I guess there's no deeper meaning; I should just enjoy my life here.
"Alright, dad…" After I gave him my affirmation, I sighed.
Dad smiled happily.
"Anyways, Dad, is it possible that it's the name of another realm?"
Overall, there are three existing realms—Heavenly, Demon, and Elpízonium Realm. The Heavenly Realm is where angels and deities live. The Demon Realm is where demons with titles live. As for Elpízonium Realm, it is the realm we live in.
"A fourth realm. I guess it's possible…" Dad murmured.
"If there is really a fourth realm, maybe that place is your birthplace? If we can find a way to travel to that place, maybe we'll learn more about you, Neihil, and the woman you keep talking about." Dad grinned.
We can't cut the possibility that there is another realm out there. Elpízonium realm is already vast enough; if there's another realm, it will be difficult to travel. Not everyone can travel the cosmos freely, even deities can't unless you are a high-ranking transcendental being. And also, there's a lot of unknown in the Elpízonium realm since it's a vast universe, who knows what danger is lurking around the cosmos?
"Don't worry, Neihil, you will always be our son."
Dad must have thought that I was sad. I've never really even thought about it. I am more interested in the girl who keeps appearing in my dreams.
"It's alright, Dad."
"That's the spirit!"
"I should get going, Dad, thanks for always helping me."
"That's what fathers do." Then he let out a little laugh.
I came out of the library. Now, where should I go?
As I ponder what to do, I notice that I'm already outside the house. Since I have nothing better to do might as well go to the garden first, then afterward I'll go to the forest.
While I walked toward the garden, I saw a figure of a woman sitting atop the belly of a giant floating panda pillow. Her beautiful, long, white-blond hair with a star and crescent moon-shaped ornament that blends in with the forest of flowers around her. She wears a long-sleeved white dress with a lilac accent and an open front.
The name of this woman is Leila Loodus, the wife of Andrew. She's one of the strongest transcendent beings, part of the spirit clan. She's also the queen of the spirits.
"My, good morning, Neihil."
I greeted her back and then told her that I'm just taking a stroll here for a bit before I go to the forest.
"It's almost lunchtime, your sister Aisha is in there together with Stella, hunting. Can you please call them back for me?"
"Alright, mom."
I started walking toward the forest after a short conversation with my mom. I remember dad mentioning before that there's a strong monster sealed in the middle of the forest, and dad is the one in charge of taking care of the seal. When he gained his hero title, he announced that he would take this part of the forest as his reward.
After walking for several minutes, I saw a girl with long, dark red ombre hair. She has white horns on the side of her head. She's wearing a long-sleeved black shirt with an exposed waist, a knee-length white skirt, and black lace tights. Around her neck is a choker made of fabric with an ash tree leaf-shaped pendant. It's pretty evident that she's not part of the elven race. She's one of the descendants of the transcendent beings known for their cruelty, the demon race. Actually, she's half-demon, half-angel.
It was Aisha, she is the same age as me. She can use all elements, and her main weapon is a scythe. Despite her appearance, she's a tsundere.
Around her are several corpses of monsters and wild boars.
I called out Aisha's name and then asked her what had happened here and where Stella was.
"Aisha, what happened here? And where is Stella?"
I approached her, then took out my handkerchief and started to wipe the blood from her cheeks.
Aisha suddenly let out a shriek.
"Wha- wha- what are you doing?!"
Her face is so red that she looks like a tomato. When you look at her like this, you can't even tell that she's a member of the demon race.
"Monsters suddenly attacked us after we were done hunting some wild boars."
"It's almost lunch time, you should head home first, then prepare the food, and I'll go and bring back Stella."
"Okay! Go straight, then you'll find her there," Aisha responded, smirking.
Aisha then suddenly took off after putting all the corpses in her spatial inventory.
"What was that about?" I asked myself in confusion.
So I followed Aisha's direction, and there she was, half naked, untying her braid, then softly washing herself.
"So that's why..." I sigh in disbelief.
Stella Loodus. She is a cheerful, energetic girl; she's what you call a youthful girl who happily does things she likes. She is a year younger than I, a half-spirit and half-elf. She's a martial artist who can use the element of fire.
She has to be cautious when she's outside. Should I test her?
I erased my presence until I got close to the lake, then called her name.
"Stella!"
Stella was flustered and let out a scream.
"Bi- Big brother?! I didn't notice your presence! What are you doing here?"
"If I'm a monster, you would've been hurt or killed. Looks like you need to train more, Stella."
I took out a towel from my spatial inventory and wrapped her with it.
Stella giggled and said,
"Don't worry, big brother, if a monster really showed up, I can easily defeat it with a single punch. And also, I can easily detect their presence, except for you, father, and also mother, I guess? You guys are too strong."
"What if someone as strong as me attacks you?"
"Then you'll be there to protect me, big brother," she responds gleefully.
I sighed, then patted her head.
"Go put your clothes on, then we'll go home."
"Okie dokie!"
After a few minutes, we got home. Mom welcomed us home and told us that we would eat our lunch in the gazebo today. Stella went inside to help Aisha in the kitchen to prepare our meal, and I took out the utensils and put them in our gazebo.
A loud explosion suddenly occurred in the training area. It's probably Sierra and Mariella.
"Neihil, can you tell your sisters Sierra and Mariella that it's time to eat and also to clean up their mess?"
"Sure, mom."
I went to the training area and did what my mother asked. And there they are, two girls trading blows, giving everything they've got. The one with brown hair tied in a ponytail is Sierra, and the one with blue hair in pigtails is Mariella.
Today, they are training in martial arts, and it looks like Sierra is winning the fight.
Sierra and Mariella aren't actually martial artists, but it doesn't hurt to try different types of fighting styles since it might help them someday.
Sierra is actually a swordswoman who uses the element of earth. She's the same age as Aisha and me. Sierra is also half-spirit, half-elf. In terms of her personality, she is a respectful, honest, and virtuous girl. Additionally, she's always quick to lend a hand whenever someone needs assistance.
Mariella is a magician who uses the element of water. She is the twin sister of Stella, yet Mariella is the opposite of Stella, who is energetic. Calm and composed, like a tranquil lake in the middle of the forest.
"Looks like their fight is coming to an end," I murmur to myself.
Mariella is on the defensive and can't seem to counterattack. She can't hold on much longer, and Sierra took it as an opportunity to do a 360 spin kick, dealing the outcome of their fight.
I clap my hands, letting them know my presence.
"Brother Neihil?" Sierra muttered in a perplexed manner while panting.
I walked towards them and took out some towels and water from my spatial inventory.
I praised Sierra, then patted her head.
"That was a good fight, especially your finishing kick, Sierra."
"Thank you, brother," Sierra responded shyly.
I turned towards Mariella and also patted her head.
"Mariella, you might've lost the fight, but your defense is getting better."
"Thank you, big brother, Nehil," Mariella replied, then let out a smile to not show her disappointment for losing.
"Alright, I will clean up here now, and both of you should rest for a bit, then after that, go to the gazebo, because we will have our lunch there."
"Thank you, Neihil."
"Thank you, big brother, Neihil."