The entire morning was spent just like that. Both my Pops and I sat on the dining table as we shared a hot soup he made for breakfast. It is savory and delicious. It has some potatoes, peas, and carrots. They are well cooked and the chicken in it added more flavor to the soup. This is actually my comfort food and it never fails to bring delight to my stomach and soul. It is a cozy chicken curry soup, a favorite dish of mine that my Pops usually make whenever I feel not fine. I can still remember the days when I went home crying with some bruises on my body and my Pops would immediately go up to me and hush me. He will also cook the said dish to make me feel better.
I told him about everything. I made sure I didn’t leave or forget any single information about my adventure on the Cildreth Demon Realm. I also told him about my encounter with that big, ugly, and terrifying monster. His eyes widened in shock when I described the creature. I almost gave him a heart attack when I said it almost devoured me whole. His eyes are painted with worry but it is immediately replaced with relief when I told him about my savior. I said I have to repay the man and he agreed. If it weren’t for that man, I won’t be able to come home safe.
We exchanged laughter. It is absolutely a piece of paradise whenever I am home with my Pops. I know he is not my biological father but he did not fail in raising me. He is a great patriarch and I couldn’t ask for more. He has given me all the emotional support that I need, as well as the tender love a parent could offer. I may not know who my biological parents are but I am blessed with such an incomparable adoptive father like my Pops.
He is the reason why I enjoy staying here in Raevisia Apples Frost. Despite the bullying I always get from other foxes, Pops is there to comfort and take good care of me. I can’t imagine a life without him.
I immediately left the house after Pops and I were both done with our meals. I asked him if he had any idea of who or where I can find the man but he just shook his head and sadly looked at me. I don’t know where to start searching. I’ll probably have a hard time in finding him but I won’t stop until I see him again. I vowed that I’ll repay him and I’ll stay true to my words.
“Where will I first search for him?” I purse my lips, gently massage my temple and close my eyes. I don’t really have any idea where he is. I tried to dig in my brain for any possible idea but nothing is coming up. I opened my eyes when I think of something and a light bulb almost seems to pop up above my head.
“Ah! Since I met him in the Cildreth Demon Realm, I’ll look for him there!” I declared and jumped high up in the air. “Yes! I’ll go back to that realm and ask the people there if they know who my savior is!” But will it be enough to just describe him to them? Is he the only one who have cerulean eyes and silver hair? I think no. They might even point me to another man who has the same characteristic and description. What shall I do?
And again, a sudden idea pops up in my head. I’ll draw him! It will be much easier if they’ll see his image so I’ll try to paint him! Luckily, I brought a bag with a paper and pen inside. This will do. I can draw him by just using these. I roamed my eyes around the area and spotted a wooden chair and table under the massive apple tree.
“Perfect!” I cheered and immediately ran towards it. I put down my bag and sat on the chair. I grab the paper and pen and lay it atop the table. I started drawing. I recalled his image in my mind- perfect nose, almond shaped eyes, plump lips. Such a beauty. With each stroke of my pen, my heart is beating faster, louder even. He really has this charm that can make me dazzled. I never expected that a man can be drop dead gorgeous.
After several minutes, I clasp both of my hands and giggled. I am done with my sketch of him. I am hoping this will do. I held my artwork high up in the air and smiled like a proud renaissance artist. But after seconds of staring at it, I frowned and stomped my feet on the ground.
“This does not look like him!”
The sketch looked like it was drawn by a kindergarten! I am not really good at this. This freaking artwork does not look like an artwork! The heaven is so unfair. Why don’t they bless me with such artistic and talented hands? Argh. This won’t give justice to his beauty!
“But this is better than nothing.” I reassured myself and started folding the paper into two. I grab my pen and put it along with the sketch inside my bag. I stand up and raise my right hand in the air with a matching determined look on my face. I am ready to go.
I was about to take a step forward when suddenly, the bone chilling and frightening image of the four legged beast entered my head. I am frozen in my place and feel the hair on my body rise. A lump suddenly formed in my throat and I swallowed it hard.
“What if I cross paths with that monster again?” I trembled in fear as I remembered the razor sharp fangs of the beast. It almost ended my life. One single snap of it can snatch my life away. And those claws, it can surely rip off every part of my body. I harshly shake my head and erase the horrifying thought I have in mind.
“No. Nothing can stop me. I’ll find him!” And with this, I started running towards the Hell Gate. I am willing to go through hell just to see him again. I will never surrender and nothing can stop me.
I searched the entirety of the Cildreth Demon Realm. Gladly, I haven’t encountered the ugly monster. Maybe it is hiding somewhere because of what the man did to him yesterday. I walked and walked until both of my feet hurt. I even asked the creatures living there if they know or see the man with silver hair and cerulean eyes. I also showed them my artwork but unfortunately, all of them just laughed at it. It’s like what I showed them is a piece of trash rather than an artwork. But despite this, they still answered my question and none of them knew the man. I tried to search farther, but it was only exhaustion and disappointment I got.
I started walking on my way home. I feel a bit disheartened. I thought I’d see him here but I was wrong. I should go home and have some rest. I’ll continue searching tomorrow. I breathed a sigh as the man’s image flashed in my mind.
“Where will I find you, my savior?” I whispered in the air and let out an exasperated sigh. I started pacing towards my way home. It didn't took me that long to reach home.
I turned on the lights and immediately search for my Pops upon my arrival, "Pops, where are you?" I called out to him but I haven't gotten any answer. My brows met and I curiously glanced at the surroundings. I called him for the second time but there still aren't any trace of him around. Weird.
He usually runs to me and encase me in a hug whenever I arrive home. I roamed the entire wooden house to go look for him. I am relieved when I see him sleeping inside a gigantesque vase that can fit a person. Pops is not that tall and he looks comfortable in it.
Like what I've expected, he is snoring while embracing a bottle of liquor made from wood. I darted towards him and I frowned when I smelled the scent of liquor in his breath. His mouth is even hanging open while he is drifting far away in the dreamland.
"Pops, wake up!" I pouted when he was not even shaken in his sleep. I scratched the back of my head and started sitting at the empty space on the side of the vase where my Pops is sleeping. I rest my head on it and think of all the possible places where I can find my savior. I took a deep sigh and slowly closed my eyes as I fell asleep out of exhaustion.
=^._.^= ∫
Chapter 4: Freedom. I was lying in my bed when I woke up. Maybe Pops picked me up last night and moved me here. We only live in a small hut and upon waking up, you can see everything here, even the small table where we always eat. The wooden door is open, a sign that Pops is already wide awake. At the bottom of this hut is where my Pops makes his wine. The wine is made of apples and he ferments it by means of burying it in the ground for several months. After the said span, the wine is ready for drinking and it tastes so good. I also love drinking liquor but unfortunately, in my case, Pops will always scold me whenever he caught me drinking. I frowned. It is kind of unfair. He drinks wine like it is just an ordinary water. He never stopped drinking and you can always see him getting drunk. I have to hide whenever I want som
“Aiyoo~ What are you doing? Trying to sneak in again?” the long white haired old man asked me while still busy playing his chess. I silently groaned. It pained me. It hurts. I put on a long face. “I’m…” “Stand up,” he muttered while looking directly at me. I pouted and sat properly on the ground. I shake my hands as well as both my elbows to remove the dust off me. “Come sit with me. Don’t you ever dare think of sneaking. How many times do I have to tell you to not go into the human world? It won’t do any good to you. It will only put yourself in harm.” I immediately glanced at him and went near him using my knees. “Aiyaaa~ Master white hair, people in the human world are kind. And one more— I don’t use any magic to catch their attention since I don’t know how to. If I only know how to, I will not probably went here to visit the human world,” I whispered my last sentence while frowning.
I’m holding tightly to his hands, not wanting to let him go. I turned to him and he genuinely smiled at me and embraced me in a hug. “Master white hair, I will miss you. You will visit me and Pops, right?” I asked him and felt him nodding against me. My heart is getting torn into pieces. I didn’t know a goodbye would be this painful. “I will. Don’t worry, little wolf.” I hugged him tightly while my face was still drowning in different emotions. We both parted from our hugs and bid my goodbye. He just nodded and waved his hand at me before entering the portal. I turned my back for the last time and I saw him tilted his body to face his back at me. His other hand is holding a stick. He is aging. He’s just around the age of my Pops and he flew away from our home. My
I heard them say those words when I threw them the magic powder. It will make you blind for a few minutes and your eyes will become itchy. I saw a giant plant and I decided to hide there. “Who the hell did that!” “Come out, you little piece of sh*t!” “I will make sure to cut you into tiny pieces when I see you!” “You, go there. We go here. Go bring them back to me!” I heard them talking and cursing. They are enraged because of what I did. I giggled as I hid ourselves behind the giant plants. When they were finally gone, I took a deep breath and felt relieved for not getting caught. Maybe I have a talent when it comes to these things. Per
I pouted. For one horse, it’s too expensive. I still have things to buy and my money won’t be enough to buy all of those. “Sir, can you please give it to me for a lower price? I’m begging you, I still need to buy something and my money isn’t enough. If I will pay five silver for just one horse, I will be left with nothing,” I argued while holding his sleeves and trying to make him pity me. I even batted my eyelashes at him to make myself look adorable but he just threw me a stare of dagger. “Aiyaaa, if you can’t pay my asking price then don’t rent it. I still have more customers,” he said while leaving but I immediately gripped his elbow to stop him. “Alright, I will pay for it!” I make a face and get five silvers in my bag. Am I doing the right thing? Am I really paying this huge for just one horse? But I guess I have no choice.
Chapter 5: Heavenly Realm. When I arrived home, I tried to look around but I didn't see any trace of my Pops. He’s probably drunk again or sleeping somewhere around. Actually, that’s what all he did. It is his daily routine to drown himself in the presence of alcoholic beverages or busy himself with wine making. There are also those times wherein I’ll see him in the backyard near the pond while playing chess all by himself. The bonding we all have is chatting and playing around. I’m not mad at him for always getting drunk. I’m satisfied with everything but I also cannot help but worry about his health. Too much liquor might affect him. But based from his looks, I think it’s the other way around. I guess it serves as his vitamin. His day will be incomplete if there aren’t any signs of alcohol in his system.
“Are you done playing around?” he asked in a drunken tone. Like usual, he’s drinking again. I saw him holding his ancient bottle in his right hand. He is gripping at it for it to not fall on the water. I also fool around him whenever he’s around. I played some pranks on him and tease a little bit during those times he went here to eat. I actually miss those times and wished he hadn't left. I breathed a sigh and a sudden memory crossed my mind. I blinked several times. The other day, I was lying carelessly on the bermuda grass for me to rest. I read an article about Alois Deveraux and how he became the first emperor of heaven in the Heavenly Realm. He acquired the throne because of his immense power. It can even be compared to the king itself. I giggled because of the information. He is way too strong. I guess he’s too skillful and unbeatable. He is also an expert in terms of creating weapon
“Ah—” I handed him a glass of water and he hurriedly snatched it from my hands. He gulped every ounce of it and made sure he didn't leave any drop behind. Unfortunately, the amount is too much which made Pops spit out again. This earned a good round of laughter from the Master white haired. A heavy whap was what I received when I tried to lower down both of my arms. I closed my eyes because of the stinging sensation on my arm. “Raise your arms properly. Don’t lower it down until I order you to.” My hands are raised in the thin air while I kneeled on the cold bermuda grass. The two old men are also casually playing chess in front of me. This is the punishment for what I did earlier. I am now starting to regret the small prank I intended on doing. “Popsy, I already said I’m sorry and one