Erend got out of the car and walked straight into the house. When he opened the door, he saw Arty and his mother watching TV in the living room.
"Erend!" Arty called out with a smile on her face. "Look at this! We have a TV!"
In contrast to Arty who seemed too excited, his mother seemed much calmer. Her face did look brighter than usual, and she was also smiling at Erend's arrival. But she didn't shout as Arty did.
"Are you tired?" his mother asked.
Erend smiled at their greeting and threw himself on the couch. Seeing how happy the two of them were, of course, also created happiness in his heart.
"I'm alright," said Erend while rubbing Arty's head roughly while she maintain her eyes watching TV.
The news on the TV is telling about what had happened at the secret facility. All TV stations in this country broadcast the same news.
They even when providing live broadcasts from a helicopter circling the place.
Well, that of course can't be helped when something as big as this happens. Everyone must be curious about what really happened, triggering all the news stations to keep looking for information until they found the truth.
"You know what really happened?" Arty asked without looking at Erend because she was busy staring at the screen very seriously.
"Terrorist attack," Erend replied. Because that's what the President said.
"So that's true..." Arty muttered.
While Arty stared at the TV, his mother looked at Erend with a worried mother's gaze.
"Does that have anything to do with the incident on the ship that you experienced that time?" his mother asked.
"Most likely so, Mom. I don't know the details too far. It's all still a secret among high-ranking officials including the President," said Erend.
His mother sighed. "Let's hope nothing worse happens. You have suffered enough because of that Elf's invasion."
Erend looked at his mother's face who kept giving him a worried look. He knew that his mother had suffered because she was worried for years when he went to the bunker to fight the Elves.
Now that he was finally back, Erend could see how grateful his mother was to see him come home every night.
But her mother said that she wanted nothing bad to happen again. Which is something difficult to become reality in the future.
Magic's awakening is approaching at their door. And Erend was sure that when those early days of Magic awakening happened, a lot of bad things would happen.
Suddenly, Erend's hands clenched tightly. He did it subconsciously.
"I promise nothing bad will happen to you and Arty," Erend said with determination.
His tone of voice made Arty who realized that turn her head and stare at Erend.
Arty had something to say. It was the questions about what Erend's words mean.
However, she realized that their mother was still here and that it would only make her worry.
So Arty just kept quiet. And wait until the right time to talk to her big brother.
"Thank you. You have done many things for us," his mother said with a faint smile.
Erend returned the smile. While holding her hand.
"You don't need to thank me, Mom. I'll do anything for you and Arty," Erend said while squeezing his mother's hand.
His mother just nodded.
"I'll change the channel!" Arty said.
Then she changed the channel to a much more entertaining program to lighten the mood.
They were enjoying another TV broadcast as soon as Arty pressed the remote button. It was a show that according to news from Arty was booming show recently.
TVs were a luxury amenity that previously they could only see displayed in shop windows.
Because of that Erend, Arty, and their mother cherished the moment when they could gather while enjoying this decent place to live.
Unfortunately, their father passed away before he could enjoy this moment with a complete family.
They all feel sadness about a father figure that is not there among them. But the little family both decided not to bring it up and ruined the mood.
Time passed until finally, the night became late. So, Arty took their mother to her room. After that, she approached Erend in the living room.
Arty sat next to Erend. The couch that was so soft made Arty feel as if his body was sinking into it. Arty thanked Erend once again for getting this house for them.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Arty asked.
Erend didn't answer for some time. He glanced at the TV screen which was still showing the next show.
It was only a few moments later that he replied. "You don't have to worry about anything."
"No," Arty said as he glanced at Erend. "You have to start sharing your troubles with us. You can't keep enduring it all alone."
Arty's voice was calm. However, Erend could clearly feel the emphasis on her words and look.
Arty was no longer the little girl that Erend saw before. She had started to grow into a mature beautiful girl. And the hard life in Slums made Arty a tough and brave character.
Because of that attitude, she felt she couldn't let Erend bear everything alone. Arty feels she also has a responsibility.
Erend smiled, then rubbed Arty's head roughly. Arty did not take her eyes off Erend.
she said. "You don't have to act like a hero and think that only you who can take it all on your own."
"But what if I am indeed some kind of hero?" Erend said.
Because Erend didn't elaborate on his words, Arty blinked in confusion a few times. Erend chuckled seeing his sister's confused expression. But then his expression turned serious.
"I'm going to tell you something. I think you should know about this sooner. However, don't let our mother know."
Hearing Erend's tone and demeanor, Arty swallowed hard.
"W-What are you trying to say?" Arty asked.
After that, Erend proceeded to explain everything about Magic's awakening that will happen in their world.