Shades of the New World

Theor came into the living quarters of their home with a little girl hugging his waist and begging him to not let his daughter go on another trip with grandfather. Soon after, dinner time came and a merry atmosphere pervaded Evin's house.

Theor brought out the topic of Sasha's torturous journey to her grandfather, but Ssatsko did not bother to hide his disappointment towards his son-in-law, as he continuously interacted with him through a veil of sharp sarcasm. He was soon defeated at the hands of his granddaughter and Elina, feeling betrayed by their sudden onslaught towards him.

The talk continued on for quite a long time, as Evin and his parents had to narrate through their sudden lifestyle changes.

After everything was over, Evin called his parents to his room alongside Ssatsko. They gathered inside Evin's room and a serious expression was on the child's face.

"Mom, dad, I have to tell you something,"

Lora wanted to ask him what it is in a cutesy voice, but felt that the atmosphere was too serious for that.

"Go on," said Theor in a weirdly agitated voice. He had some drinks, so he was feeling a bit tipsy, but not enough to act like a fool.

"What do you know about the Children of the Empress?" Evin decided to at least lay some cushions underneath before he pushed his parents into the pit called truth.

"Kids like you, with smart wits from birth. Why?" Theor answered simply.

"Why do you think that some kids are born like that, while others are born with none of those developed minds?"

"What are you trying to say, boy? Of course, due to the grace of the Empress, how else?" Theor replied, then, as if remembering something unpleasant, he furrowed his brows and started talking.

"Actually, let me tell you something as well. Today, a few Easterners came to our bakery. Three dark-skinned individuals, wearing white and decorating their faces with gold and iron. Said they were mages, and probably were interested in our bakery good. After I was done with cooking food, I went out to the common hall like I always do. Told the folk a bit about you as well. Do you know what they told me? Told me, that you should join a damn cult they're starting! Says there's gods better than our Empress! Says that we should follow them as well, so that they can grace us with their divine presence! Says that our magnificent Empress is a scamming woman, tryna keep us in her palms for benefits unknown to us. Can you believe it? Those darned backward-country-bumpkin-looking-ass Easterners weren't satisfied with courting death alone, they decided to invite the whole World in their great endeavour! I didn't bother talking more with those fools. Was afraid that staying with those morons would dull my damn wits!" Theor finished his passionate speech. Clearly, the man did not like those Easterners.

"Actually, they came to see me in the afternoon, said similar things, and asked me to join them"

"Those mother-," Theor began, but was slapped on his hands by Lora.

"Theor! Watch your language!"

"Sorry, heart. But I can't believe they had the gall to come to my house and try poaching my goddamn son! My blood! I'll swear I should've kicked them away from our bakery, then!"

"Don't worry, I rejected their offer, so you don't have to provoke them unnecessarily," Evin interjected.

'The man with the golden pierces seemed a bit unstable, I can't let father provoke them. Who knows what he might do,' Evin reasoned and continued convincing Theor.

"Besides, even if they truly believed that, why bother wasting your breath on them? Endure them for a few days and they'll be long gone from this town. Surely a big-hearted man like my father won't hold grudges with some ignorant individuals?"

"Of course… Why should I care about educating those ignorant lunatics. Best if I simply ignore them,"

"Great. Anyway, we went way off topic. Remember how I asked you why the Children of the Empress are smarter than normal toddlers? You said it was the grace of our Empress, right? You may be correct, but I must tell you of a related, but different thing. Mother, father, do you believe in reincarnations?" Evin asked in a heavy tone.

Lora and Theor felt fear of what her child was implying, and could not help but wish to run away from the room.

The truth was, that they always knew that something was amiss with their child, but always ran away from the revelation. They could've asked Aran or Rith about Evin's true nature, but they still wished to keep the situation as is. They weren't blind, they had just chosen to be.

"The truth is, that the Children of the Empress are dead people who were reincarnated into the bodies of children," Evin said gravely.

"What do you mean to say…"

"It means… that I'm not a two-year-old child. I've lived a life in another World where the people know no magic, and no Empress to watch over us. I've died in that World three hundred years ago and wandered that World as a spirit. Two years ago I found a chance to reincarnate in Alvox," Evin explained.

"What do you mean? You mean to say you're three centuries old? Don't joke with me, child. It's not funny," Theor said, but he couldn't help but notice the uncertainty in his own voice.

Evin was silent for a while. He felt like he would regret this day greatly in the future, but he understood that it was something necessary.

"I shall take Evin to the forest, to teach him some things of hunters. We will most likely take 10 days. Think about this matter for the time being," Ssatsko said from the side.

"Father, did you know about this?" Lora asked weakly.

"I know about the truth of the Children. And I know that it is not their choice to be born with their memories, it is just something that happens naturally in this World. Perhaps the Empress has some influence, but us mortals cannot hope to fathom her thoughts," said Ssatsko.

"Fine, take the kid and go!" snapped Theor and walked out of the room. "What in hell has this World come to?" his mutterings could be heard while he was exiting the room.

"Sorry, child… I… I don't even know if I should call you a child, but I definitely think I need some time alone," Lora said and followed behind Theor.

"You know you had to do this sooner or later," Ssatsko also left soon after.

Evin sighed and leaned against Rith.

"They'll understand, don't worry. I'm proud of you," comforted Rith and rubbed her cheeks against the child.

"I can't believe I miss being a spirit," Evin muttered.

"It's how you lived for practically all your life. It's not strange for you to feel familiarity with that state. Anyway, it's time to sleep, I have a feeling that your days of waking up at noon will end tomorrow," Rith said.

Evin went to his bed, but couldn't sleep for a long time. But he still managed to get some sleep after a few hours of rolling inside his bed.

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