After a while of being lifted up by his father. Dein, his three brothers as well as his four sisters and Freya, found themselves sitted on the table again.
It wasn't rare to see the eight of them together in a single table, except Freya as she's often busy with her job, eating together. Despite this however, Dein feels like he missed this kinds of moments for a long time. Even though for him, only four days had passed since he left their home for his first nightmare.
For his brothers and sisters on the other hand… a lot of time had passed since they all got to eat together as a family. It would be their first supper with Dein after two years after all.
They're probably feeling mixed emotions right now…
'I probably made them worry a lot…'
And soon he would have to leave again for the academy. Which is why… Dein has to eat alongside them right now!
He groaned, fighting against the headache in his mind as his fork hovered above a juicy looking steak. But no matter how much Dein tries to bring his fork down on the food, he feels like there's strong barrier stopping him.
After a while, he cannot endure the pain anymore and he let out a long sigh. Letting his fork fall on the table.
"Ugh! See? This is such a stupid flaw father."
He complained. Around him, his siblings were watching him with interest. They've been watching him all this time actually as Dein demonstrated his flaw.
Well, not just his flaw really. Because while the food is still being prepared Dein also explained everything that happened in his first nightmare, he told them about his attributes and aspect but he left out a few things Freya had told him to keep to himself.
Like what happened to the Spell when he first arrived in the nightmare, and him having four souls. Dein also left out his innate ability which he wasn't sure of the purpose yet. He decided to tell them once he learned more about it.
He clicked his tongue. But beside him, a mocking voice came from Jane.
"Fft! Hahaha, it seems you really lost the Spell gacha didn't you, brother?"
He laughed, slamming the table. But before Dein could retaliate to Jane's mockery, Mei beat him to it.
"This is not a laughing matter Jane. Our older brother is extremely weak, has a useless Aspect and worse, our Clan cannot even lend him support. No one can really… and soon, we will have to go to his winter solstice."
She stared at Dein's eyes, saying in a genuinely worried tone.
"I just… can't imagine how he'll survive."
Now, that's… a bit insulting. But Dein can't find an answer to that, all of it is true after all. The first nightmare is designed specifically for him. That why, no matter how small, there's always a chance for him to conquer it.
However, when the winter solstice arrived, Dein would simply be thrown to a random place in the dream realm. He might get sent to a place already conquered by awakened and with a citadel close by. But there's also a chance that he'll be sent to a completely unknown place, with unknown horrors called death zone.
If that happens…
Just then, Dein heard a quiet sobbing beside him. When he turned to his left, Elain immediately hugged him. Balling her eyes out.
"Waa! No, no! I don't want to! You can't leave us again big brother… I swear I'll kill you if you do!"
She cursed at him. Farther from him, even Nem is crying again while Rei and Nash watched him with terrified and worried looks. Their eyes still red from crying earlier.
Watching all of their reactions, Dein cannot help but feel terrified as well. If he could, he certainly don't want to leave again. Not after experiencing all that happened in his first nightmare.
But the Spell isn't that merciful. In fact, the few weeks it gives Dein before the winter solstice could already be called its 'mercy'. Giving him a time to prepare.
Knowing all that, Dein sighed. Giving everyone a reassuring smile.
"Oh come on, I'm not that weak! My attributes grants me near immortality I'll tell you. I didn't even die when I was cut in half! And it's not like I'll need our Clan's help."
He placed a hand on Elain's shoulder, pushing her away from him.
"I'll just be like Warden of Valor, or Immortal Flame! No one had helped them when they're just starting out and yet they became the strongest of their time! So don't worry about me!"
As he said that, Jane nodded enthusiastically. Wrapping his arm on Dein's shoulder.
"Yeah guys, all of you are too worried. Our big brother may not know how to cook or even procure food whatsoever but he won't die like that! Not until I surpassed him and become an awakened as well next year that is!"
Jane laugh. But everyone's mood did not changed. Eventually, It was Nash and Rei who spoke next at the same time. Rei with his shy and trembling voice and Nash with his confident and innocent one.
"B-but Dein, y-you're not Warden of Valor…"
"But didn't you cry the hardest when Dein didn't return for the first month, Jane?"
Dein and Jane's fell silent when they heard that. Their mouth opening wide. Jane immediately let go of Dein and sat back down on his seat. Avoiding eye contact as he muttered.
"N-no I didn't…"
Dein felt a cheeky smile appeared on his face at the thought. But he ignored that and turned to his family seriously. His eyes even lingering for quite a long time to his father who's drowning in deep thoughts ever since Dein finished his story of his first nightmare.
He sighed, sitting up straight.
"Nevertheless, I won't die. I will make sure to come back. I may not look like it but I'm still a Legacy Scion of this Clan. I will do my best to survive and return here, so all of you don't have to worry about me."
He placed a hand on Elain's head.
"And stop crying already! If Little Mer saw you, I'm afraid she'll get scared and cry as well. We'll be in trouble if that happens!"
Everyone was speechless at Dein's speech. Of course, all of them must still be worried but none of them voiced out their concerns anymore. Instead, after the silence stretched for long enough. Everyone's attention suddenly spiked at a loud clap that resounded from the end of the long table. Where father is sitting.
"Right! That's correct everyone!" Father shouted to make them all hear him.
"I know you're all worried, and so am I! But we have to trust your older brother. I'm sure he knows his shortcomings more than anyone. However, just like this past two years, even though he's left inside a sleeping pod, unable to move and is having a deadly battle in his dream, all of us had never lost faith that he will one day return."
He paused, watching Dein it teary eyes.
"So… we should… we should support him again by wishing him good luck. Even if we can't help him personally."
Hearing his father's support, Dein cannot help but smile widely. He stood up from his seat. His eyes wandered towards Freya, silently eating on the far side of the table.
"Thank you father! And Freya and everyone as well. I'll make sure to bring honor to our Clan when I returned."
Father flashed him a wide smile and gave him a thumbs up. Seeing that, everyone sighed. And Dein is filled with vigor again. But he soon realize how hungry he had become because of all of that talking.
Then, with a glistening eyes he turned to Jane who's eating beside him. A bold idea came to mind as he picked up his fork.
"Hey Jane…"
"What?"
Jane turned to him in confusion as he was about to take a bite of his food. But in the next moment, Dein moved his fork and stole his whole meat. Even the one that's about to reach Jane's mouth wasn't spared.
Everyone's eyes widened when he did that.
"Heh… look, I already solved my food problem!"