Again, I had that dream.
Being surrounded by darkness, covered completely in blood, hearing the chants.
"He's a monster! "Kill him! "Death to the bastard!"
They were laughing and mocking me, smiles twisted across their disgusting faces.
"Slyvester, Slyvester! Wake up!"
"I'm up, Auntie. No need to shake me," I said, stretching my arms.
"You were having that dream again, weren't you?" said my aunt, her eyes filled with concern.
"Yes. How did you know?" I said, looking down.
"Cheer up, kiddo. Have I ever told you about the time me and your uncle were in an adventuring party with your mother?" my aunt asked, trying to sound excited.
"Yes, Auntie. I've heard that story a million times. And no, I am not going to become an adventurer. I'm only fourteen. What do you expect me to do? Fight big, scary monsters? You call that bravery? Nah, I'd rather stay here, shut away from the world," I said, pulling the blanket over myself.
"You know they're going to force you to marry some rich brat or send you to an academy sooner or later, right? You might be living with us, but even though they call you a bastard and a monster, they still want you in their pockets as a pawn. That's the only reason they let you live," my aunt said, looking down at the ground.
I could almost see her tears forming. I got out from under my sheets and hugged her.
"Don't worry about me. I doubt there's anything they can do anymore that will hurt me," I said, smiling softly.
"You're just a child. No child should have to say things like that or go through what you have," she said, hugging me tightly and crying out loud.
"Stop, Auntie! Your snot's getting all over me, gross!" I said, trying to escape her deadly grip.
"Alright, Ellies, stop hugging the boy or you'll kill him!" my uncle said, walking in from the kitchen.
"If I don't hug and kiss him, who will, Ruckus? He's a growing boy and needs tons of love to grow," my aunt said, hugging me even tighter.
"You're killing him with your gorilla grip! That's not love, that's torture! Get your gorilla mitts off the poor boy!" my uncle said, pretending to look intimidating.
"Who are you calling a gorilla, monkey boy? Don't make me come over there and show you what real torture looks like!" my aunt shouted.
"Sigh... will you two ever change? Let me go and stop causing noise," I said, shaking my head.
"And I'm supposed to be the child. Imagine that" I laughed.
"Let's make a deal. If you two argue less, I might just think about becoming an adventurer," I teased.
"Fine!" they both said at the same time like children.
We walked to the living room where my uncle had prepared food. He was a talented fighter, but his cooking... well, it wasn't the best. Still, it was better than my aunt's. The last time she cooked, we almost died of food poisoning.
I thought to myself, I should really learn to cook so I can help out. They do so much for me, but they never let me help. I'll wake up early one day and make breakfast for them.
"A letter came for you, Slyvester," my uncle said, his smile fading.
"Oh? From whom?" I asked.
"The main family. They want you to marry the daughter of some duke they're trying to gain favor with," my aunt said, clenching her fists.
"They do know I'm only fourteen, right? A mere child. And why me?" I asked, trying to understand their motives.
"Those cowards would rather sacrifice you to that old hag than marry one of their own. Filthy animals," my uncle growled, slamming his hand on the table.
"Wait... they're marrying me, a child, to an adult woman?" I said, completely shocked.
"This shouldn't be an issue. I bet the duke's daughter will refuse once she learns my age. Don't sweat it, I'll take care of this," I said, smiling softly. "When do they want to meet?"
"It says three in the afternoon," my uncle replied, biting his tongue.
"Ah, well, it's only eight a.m. Might as well get some work done. That meal was delicious, Uncle! Thanks for cooking," I said, getting up.
"Aww, kiddo," my uncle said, starting to cry.
"Stop it, you're not a baby," I said, laughing.
"It's just... you're growing up so fast. I can't believe it's been twelve years since you came to live with us," he said.
"Stop being so emotional," I chuckled. "I'm going outside to wander around the forest."
As I walked through the trees, I smiled to myself. "I've been blessed with wonderful people I can call family. If it weren't for them, I'd be alone," I whispered.
I sat beneath a tree, looking up at the sky. Before I knew it, I was asleep.
When I woke up, I heard a loud crash. I blinked and saw what looked like an elf girl lying on the ground, apples scattered everywhere.
"What an interesting elf. I've never seen elves fly before," I said, laughing.
"Who's there? I'm a magician with godly magic! I'll blow you away!" she shouted.
"Godly magic, huh? Didn't you just fall from a tree?" I said, laughing harder.
"Oh, shut up! Where even are you?" she said.
"I'm right here, under this tree," I replied.
She walked closer and waved. "Hey! My name's Eris. What's yours? Wait are you human? In giant territory?"
"My name's Slyvester Rose. Nice to meet you, Eris. And no, I'm not human," I said.
"Rose? Like King Arthur Rose, the legendary Ultimate Hunter who slayed the evil dragons?" she said, her eyes lighting up.
"Yes, that one. And why are you here? You know giants hate elves. You're walking in enemy territory," I said.
"Well, the apples looked tasty, and no one else was eating them. Also, you're supposed to be from the legendary giant clan, but you're so small. Wait are you a dwarf?" she said, eyes sparkling.
"I guess I was born with unusual strength, but I wield aura, so not exactly a dwarf," I said.
"Tsk, disappointing," she said, pouting.
"Wanna see something cool?" I asked. I held up my hands, coating one in aura and summoning a small blazing sun in the other. Heat shimmered in the air.
Her jaw dropped. "What are you?! That's impossible!"
"Are you scared of me? Do you think I'm a monster?" I asked.
"No way! You're amazing, like a hero from a storybook," she said with a warm smile.
"You're odd, you know that? You're the first to look at me with awe and not fear," I said.
She poked my forehead. "Hey! I'm not odd, meanie!"
"Says the flying elf," I laughed. "Also, those apples are poisonous. That's why no one eats them."
Her face went pale. "Oh... good thing I didn't eat any!"
"You really are something else," I said, chuckling. "Nice meeting you, Eris, but I have to go. May we meet again."
It took me thirty minutes to walk home. "Yeah, I'm cooked. Late again," I mumbled.
Outside, a fancy carriage stood waiting. Inside sat an older woman dressed in silk and jewels.
"Good day," I greeted.
"Good day, dear. You must be the boy I was promised. You're adorable, just as they said," she said, her tone sharp under her smile.
"Do you realize I'm just a boy?" I asked flatly.
"That's fine, darling. Marriages like this are common. You'll get used to it," she said.
"Are you insane? He hasn't even lived yet!" my aunt shouted, my uncle holding her back.
"Can you filthy low-class ex-adventurers be quiet? I'm speaking to the lord of this house," the woman sneered.
"Lord of this house?" I said coldly. "This is just an old, broken mansion they dumped me in as punishment. And you insulted the only people who've ever cared for me. I won't stand for that. Leave."
She glared. "Fine. But this marriage will happen," she hissed, storming out.
"I can't believe you two shouted at the duke's daughter like that," my uncle said, scratching his head.
"You beat me to it," he laughed. "Come on, let's eat."
After dinner, we laughed and joked about her, then went to bed.
"Good night, Auntie Ellies. Good night, Uncle Ruckus. No matter what happens, you two are my only family. I love you," I said softly before falling asleep.
When I woke up, sunlight filled the room. It was already noon. Strange. My aunt always woke me early.
I rubbed my eyes, went downstairs empty kitchen. Quiet. Too quiet.
I walked to their room. Red liquid seeped from under the door. My breath caught.
I pushed it open.
My aunt's head lay on the floor, her lifeless eyes staring up. Blood covered the walls. The stench hit me hard. My knees weakened. I stumbled forward.
I turned to the bed and saw my uncle lying there, chest pierced clean through. His body was still, cold.
I froze. My hands shook. My vision blurred. I fell to my knees, the pool of blood soaking into my clothes.
They were gone. They were murdered.