Inside Ais's dreams...
Drifting in a boundless black void, Ais felt herself slowly fading... weightless, silent, and calm.
Then, faintly... a voice reached her.
'That gentle voice...'
A soft, nostalgic warmth spread through her chest as she recognized it... a voice she hadn't heard in so long, yet could never forget.
It was filled with love, patience, and a kindness that wrapped around her like a blanket.
A voice that once lulled her to sleep, reading stories of brave heroes and happy endings.
'Mother...'
The darkness melted away.
The void was replaced by color, light, and life.
A familiar place took shape before her... right next to an oak tree, bathed in the golden glow of the afternoon sun.
The scent of flowers drifted her nose.
Ais blinked, eyes widening when she saw a younger version of herself sitting on her mother's lap.
Unlike the stoic girl she had become, this Ais was full of laughter, her cheeks rosy, her eyes bright with wonder... just an innocent child listening to her mother's soft voice.
"The sleeping beauty was eventually awakened by the prince..."
Her mother said with a warm smile, brushing a strand of golden hair from Ais's face.
"... and they lived happily ever after."
Her mother's beauty seemed almost otherworldly in that light... gentle eyes, long hair that shimmered like sunlight on water, and a smile that could soothe any sadness.
Ais felt her heart ache at the sight.
'That smile... it's been so long.'
"Mother, do you like this story?"
The young Ais asked curiously.
"Of course."
Her mother giggled softly.
"Because, like the sleeping beauty, I have my prince. Because of him, I am this happy."
Her words brought a giggle from young Ais, who tilted her head with childish innocence.
"If you're able to find your own hero one day."
Her mother said, placing a hand on her head.
"Someone who belongs only to you... that would be wonderful."
Ais smiled faintly.
It was a memory she had held close in her heart... a memory that even time couldn't erode.
Then, the light began to fade again. The scene shifted.
This time, the air was cold and heavy. The sky turned gray.
Young Ais stood trembling before a monstrous creature... its growls low and menacing, its shadow looming over her small frame.
Fear rooted her in place; her body refused to move.
Then, a familiar figure appeared between her and the beast.
"You alright, my little Ais?"
The voice was calm and firm, yet kind.
He stood tall, a sword gleaming in his hand, his scarf fluttering with the wind.
His eyes... so full of warmth and resolve... looked back at her reassuringly.
Tears welled in her young eyes as she ran toward him, clinging to his leg.
"Listen, Ais."
Her father said, resting a gentle hand on her head.
"I can't be your hero... because I already have your mother."
He smiled, his voice softening.
"But it would be wonderful... if one day, you found a hero who belongs only to you."
Another precious memory... etched deep within her heart... appeared before her once more.
Then the world began to dissolve, scattering like dust in the wind.
"Mnn..."
Her eyelids fluttered open.
Ais found herself lying in her bed, the faint glow of dawn barely touching the curtains.
She sat up slowly, her expression calm, almost serene.
'Father... Mother...'
Looking toward the window, she noticed the sky still painted in deep blue, the sun yet to rise.
'It feels... like my body has become lighter.'
Maybe it was just her mood, but she felt as though a great weight had been lifted from her heart.
For the first time in a long while, Ais smiled... softly, peacefully.
After stepping out of bed, she quietly slipped on her boots and walked toward the door,.
The hallways of the Twilight Manor were silent... only the faint creaks of wood and the distant hum of mana stone powered lamps filled the air.
Most of the members were still asleep, their rooms dark and still.
'Water.'
She headed toward the kitchen, her steps light and soundless.
She wasn't expecting to run into anyone this early.
The quiet felt almost sacred... until her sharp hearing, enhanced by her Level 5 blessing, picked up the sound of footsteps approaching from the opposite hall.
Ais turned the corner.
"Judas?"
She blinked, tilting her head slightly, her usual calm expression softening in surprise.
"Ais?"
Judas muttered as their eyes met, neither of them speaking at first.
'Was it because of him that I was able to dream about my past?'
Ais lowered her gaze for a moment.
As the memory of her dream drifted through her thoughts, a small, fragile smile formed on her lips... one that she rarely showed.
"Thank you."
Her voice was soft, almost hesitant, but sincere.
"Um... you're welcome?"
Judas replied, blinking in confusion.
He had absolutely no idea what she was thanking him for, and the way she was staring at him now only made him more puzzled.
Ais didn't clarify.
Instead, she took a small step closer.
"Are you heading out to train?" she asked.
"Yes," he replied simply.
"Didn't I already mention it during the meeting? I'm training with Alfia from the Hera Familia, remember?"
Ais blinked, then tilted her head again as the memory surfaced.
'Right... you did mention that.'
She also tried to recall anything she knew about this woman named Alfia.
'I feel like I've seen her before.'
There was a fuzziness in her memory that she couldn't explain, but she didn't think much of it.
'The Hera Familia... that legendary Familia that used to be the strongest many years ago.'
She only knew that the Hera Familia had been powerful—stronger even than the Loki Familia now.
'I wonder...'
She shifted her gaze back to Judas, meeting his purple eyes directly.
"Can I come with you?"
Judas blinked, caught slightly off guard.
The words hung between them like a stone dropped into still water.
"You want to train with us?"
He asked curiously.
"Yeah... am I not allowed to?"
Ais replied, her head tilting just a little, golden eyes steady on him.
Her face was as unreadable as ever, but the sincerity behind her question was unmistakable.
There was no arrogance, no pride... just a simple desire, spoken plainly.
He replayed the previous training sessions in his mind... Alfia's brutal punches, her cold but precise corrections, the way she had looked at him and Belle with that strangely distant expectation.
He understood a little, her goal.
'To nurture the future generation.'
If that was the case... then bringing Ais wouldn't be a problem.
In fact, Alfia might welcome it in her own harsh, backhanded way.
"I don't see why not," he said at last, meeting Ais' gaze again.
"But you'll have to ask Finn or the others first. I'm an exception... but for an executive of a major Familia to train under someone else, that's a big deal."
His tone was calm and matter-of-fact, but Ais could tell he was being considerate.
"Ah..."
Ais's eyes widened slightly.
'But... Riveria, Finn, and Gareth might still be asleep...'
Ais looked around anxiously, trying to decide whether she should go and knock on Riveria's door.
"I'll allow it."
The familiar, elegant voice came from behind her.
Ais turned her head, her golden hair swaying lightly as she saw Riveria approaching... her green hair glimmering faintly in the lamp light, her expression calm and composed as ever.
"Riveria?"
Ais said softly.
The high elf gave a faint nod, her emerald eyes flickering briefly toward Ais and Judas respectively.
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