His mother stepped closer and gave him a light tap on the arm.
—Get some rest —she said—. We'll sort everything out tomorrow—
Eric nodded, and then they all had dinner together as a family.
This time, the meal was more lavish than usual.
Large and small hearty radishes.
A luxury not even the mayor could regularly afford, since they couldn't be grown just anywhere.
….
The next day,
With almost obsessive patience, Eric spent the morning organizing the spoils.
The two houses he had bought and converted into shops were now perfectly arranged.
Every crate had its place in storage. Every material, its shelf.
When he finished, he allowed himself something rare: to stop.
From the doorway of the main shop, he watched Lyra move confidently behind the counter, talking with merchants and visitors, laughing, haggling with that natural skill she had refined over the years.
Her hands were always busy, her eyes bright.
Eric leaned his shoulder against the doorframe, smiling as he watched his mother.
—As long as she's happy… —he thought— everything is fine.
As evening fell, he went to speak with her, to tell her he would be leaving the village for a few days.
The image of the massive Divine Elephant surfaced in his mind, imposing and dangerous.
Eric didn't feel fear, but something just as important: caution.
—Not yet —he admitted to himself honestly—. I'm not that crazy yet—
He was still too weak to face something of that scale.
So he decided to make a trip to central Hyrule to seek out stronger enemies.
Travelers said the central hills of Hyrule were infested with Guardians.
Those malicious automated creatures that had brought the kingdom to its knees.
Eric figured it would be a good starting point before going after the steroid-fueled elephant.
—Take care —Lyra looked up briefly and nodded. She knew she couldn't stop her son's thirst for adventure.
Before leaving, Eric led his mother through the back room of the main shop.
There, among seemingly ordinary shelves and neatly stacked wooden crates, he tapped a small rune engraved almost invisibly into the floor.
—Watch closely —he said.
The plank beneath their feet lowered barely a finger's width, then returned to place. Almost imperceptible.
—That's a trapdoor —Eric explained calmly—. It doesn't activate under normal weight. It only responds to sudden movement… or to people who shouldn't be snooping around here—
Lyra swallowed when she looked down.
—And what happens if someone…?
Eric walked to a corner and nudged an empty crate with his foot.
The crate dropped into the void.
Below, something metallic shifted slowly.
—Small auto-transporters —Eric continued, as casually as if he were talking about the weather—. Equipped with cryogenic and electric cephal modules. If someone falls in there… not even ashes come out. I already warned the mayor—
Lyra closed her eyes for a second.
—Eric… you don't have to—
—They don't activate if it's you —Eric continued, not waiting for her response. He knew she would object, but there was no alternative. That was just how Hylians were.
—They recognize your pulse —he said— your voice, and your imprint. Same as mine. And before you ask: no, there's no way to disarm them from the outside.
He led her to the second warehouse.
—This one's simpler —he said—. Zonai pressure stakes. If someone tries to force a locked door at night… —he made a small gesture with his hand— let's just say they regret it before they understand what happened.
In the third, he simply pointed at the ceiling.
—Floating blocks with reverse release. If someone climbs or tries to enter from above… they fall. And not just once. Heh. This one's the most fun—
Lyra looked at him for a long moment, faint exhaustion in her eyes.
—You're always so excessive —she murmured.
Eric smiled faintly.
He pulled out a small ruby, engraved with green runes, and handed it to his mother.
—When you close up for the day, activate this with your imprint —he said, pointing at the engraving—. It saves battery. When you wake up, deactivate it. Don't worry, only you and the kids are authorized to enter. My creations recognize your signatures—
Eric raised his Zonai arm, which glowed faintly, as if acknowledging the conversation and confirming his words.
Since his siblings were extremely curious, especially Nair, he had also added them to facial recognition.
None of the devices would activate in their presence. They would simply remain inactive, enough to kill the curiosity of any of his younger siblings.
As for anyone else who tried to break in, Eric made no guarantees about their survival.
Reede had already been informed.
Lyra nodded reluctantly.
—All right—
She slipped the crystal into her apron pocket and looked at him with that blend of pride and reproach only a mother could master.
—One day you're going to scare the entire village to death.
Eric simply shrugged.
Lyra let out a short, resigned laugh. Then she stepped forward and hugged him tightly.
—Come back in one piece —she said softly, kissing his forehead—. I don't care how many things you bring back—
Eric rested his forehead against her shoulder for a moment.
—I always come back safe —he promised.
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