Few minutes later, Dein and Freya found themselves sitting on a long table opposites of each other. Dozens of servants makes their way preparing their dinner, all of it looks really delicious. There were meats of all kinds, mostly nightmare creatures of course but there also seafoods which is rarer than anything in the world right now.
However, Dein cares little about any of that as he keeps trying to fix his garment that keeps falling out of place. Normally, a servant would dress Dein up after each shower, they would fixed his hair and everything, but Dein can't really do that anymore can he?
All because of his damn stupid flaw!
"Ugh, this is stupid!"
He hissed, choosing not to care about the garment anymore. But just as he did that, a mocking voice came from behind him.
"Fft! Can't even wear clothes on your own huh? Did your brain grew smaller after staying in the nightmare for two year, dear brother?"
Hearing the annoying mocking behind him, Dein quickly jumped up from his seat, turning around to face the person.
"Jane! You rascal, how dare you talk to me like that?"
Saying that, Dein walked towards his little brother Jane. He's a man of the same build as Dein. When he left, the rascal is still thirteen years old so now, he should be fifteen.
Dein stood up, the two of them sized each other up as his brother studied him.
"Heh, your telling me you're a Sleeper now? You look like you can't even kill a bug!"
Dein was taken aback by the remarks, he wrapped his arms around Jane and caught him on a chokehold.
"Wha! What'd you say you rascal!"
Of course, he did not apply much strength, only using his other hand to rub his fist on Jane's head as Jane laugh.
"Stop it, stop it. I'm just kidding!"
But Dein did not stop as he smirked. He feels like he missed tormenting this little brother of him. That said, Dein eventually stops when he heard another voice entering hall. Unlike Jane, the voice came from a calm and collected young woman. Beside her is a much younger girl of at least four years old.
The young woman spoke as she sat the girl down on the table.
"Sigh… the two of you just met after two years and is bickering already. And in front of the food as well. How embarrassing."
Hearing her, Dein dropped his little brother on the ground as he tries to compose himself. He might've heard Jane groaning for a bit but he ignored him. Instead, his smile widened as he approached the young woman.
"Mei! And little Mer as well!"
"Yes yes, it's nice to see you again after two years big brother but can you please sit down now? The food will get cold."
Mei responded, as usual she's as collected as ever. Not letting her emotions show. She's Jane's twin so she's the same age as him and yet she's much more mature than anyone. Even taking care of little Mer! The youngest of us siblings.
Hearing that, Dein nodded but did not take his seat yet. Instead, he approached them and placed his hand on little Mer's cheek. The cute girl stared at him and gave him a smile, reaching out to give him a hug but did not say anything. After all she can't…
Little Mer is born deaf and so she can't speak as well.
Dein gave the Mer a tight hug as well as he stared at Mei in the eye.
"Two years may have passed here for all of you but for me… it only took four days."
Everyone turned silent when they heard that. Even Jane looked down. After a while however, Mei spoke again in trembling voice.
"I-is that so? Then why'd you take so long?"
Dein looked down on little Mer, with little tears on her eyes now as she nuzzle on Dein.
"I'm sorry…"
He whispered. Just then however, a loud voice echoed on the entrance again.
"As you should be!"
Dein turn to them, his eyes widening as he felt the corner of his mouth twitching. There, behind him, another young woman stood, imposingly. Hands on her hips as she looks down on Dein. He immediately felt terrified.
"Bastard! How dare you take so long! Do you know how worried all of us are?"
The girl scolded. Making Dein apologize in fear.
"I, I didn't know Elain, I'm sorry!…"
Elain clicked her tongue.
"What? You didn't know? That's all your going to say? You irresponsible older brother! Kids attack him!"
Immediately after saying that, three kids came out of their hiding and ran towards Dein. Two of them are boys with one girl.
Despite that, the girl is actually the first one to land an attact on Dein. At least that's what the burning sensation on his face told him before the attack even landed.
"Wait no, wait! I'm sorry okay? It's not my fau–"
His begging was cut short as the girls fist landed square on his face. Then a kick from one of the boys and a tackle that sent him to the ground.
As he fell on the ground, the three mischiefs climbed on top of him. Punching him still. Of course, none of their attack can hurt Dein now but he still let them.
Only after he heard sobbing did he open his eyes.
"Nash, Rei, Nem, are you guys… crying?"
Hearing him, the trio stopped their assault. Looking at him with anger. The first to speak was Rei, the boy with brown hair.
"Of course we are, you stupid big brother!"
Next to speak was Nash, the other boy, his eyes watering as he sobbed uncontrollably. He's usually shy but today, he expressed his emotions in the open.
"W-why'd you leave for so long? You didn't even said goodbye!"
The girl, Nem, followed.
"That's right! How dare you leave for two years without saying goodbye! We thought… we thought you were dead…"
Looking at them, crying and sobbing. Dein felt a little guilty. He did not say goodbye to them at the time because he doesn't want to worry them. But as it turns out, leaving them in the dark only made things even worse.
He pulled them into a hug, he even saw Elain holding back tears from where she's standing. She's probably cursing how stupid of an older brother Dein is right now.
"I, I'm so sorry… I really am…"
He whispered to them, not just to the three but to everyone here. Dein even felt his eyes watering as well. About to burst in tears.
But before he could do that. A warm, crying voice of an old man echoed in Dein's ears. He sat up when he heard it but he was too late as an old man jump towards the four of them and they all got caught into a hug.
"Whoaaa! Dein, my son! You're alive!! Thank the dead gods!"