Iris’s eyes lit up with excitement as she spotted the old house, recognizing it instantly. Her heart quickened with a mix of anticipation and relief, seeing that it was completely intact despite the chaos that had befallen the surrounding area.
The duo picked up their pace, their footsteps quickening as they approached the house. The closer they got, the more Iris’s emotions swirled inside her. She had been so worried about what they might find—or not find—but now, standing just a few steps from the door, she allowed herself a glimmer of hope.
They arrived at the front door, which was shut tight from the inside. Iris hesitated for a moment, her hand hovering over the wood as a flood of memories and fears rushed through her. What if they weren’t inside? What if something had happened to them?
Her heart felt like it was stuck in her throat, pounding with anticipation and fear. But she forced herself to move, to act, to find out the truth that waited just beyond the door.
“Knock! Knock!” Iris rapped on the door, trying to calm her racing nerves. The sound echoed in the stillness of the moment, each knock a plea for an answer, for reassurance.
For a moment, there was silence. Then, slowly, the door creaked open just a crack, enough to reveal the small head of a child peeking out cautiously. The little girl’s eyes, wide with apprehension, scanned the surroundings before they landed on Iris.
“Iris sister!” the girl exclaimed, flinging the door wide open and rushing forward to embrace her.
Iris knelt down, tears of relief welling up in her eyes as she wrapped her arms around the child. “Luna, you’re safe!” she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion.
Ethan stood back, giving them a moment as Iris held her sister tightly. He could feel the tension in the air dissolve, replaced by the warmth of a long-awaited reunion.
“Luna, where are the others? Are Mom and Dad inside?” Iris asked gently, pulling back just enough to look at her sister’s face.
Luna nodded quickly, wiping away her own tears with the back of her hand. “Yes, they’re all here. We were so scared when everything started happening, but we stayed together like you said we should. Mom and Dad didn’t want to leave the house because it felt safe here.”
Iris let out a shaky breath, relief washing over her. “Thank the stars,” she murmured, standing up and taking Luna’s hand. “Let’s go inside. I want to see them.”
Luna led the way, pulling Iris into the house. As they entered, Ethan followed behind, his eyes scanning the small but sturdy wooden structure. The interior was simple, with a few pieces of well-worn furniture and a fire crackling in the hearth, casting a warm glow over the room.
Iris’s parents were seated by the fire, their old wrinkly faces lined with worry and exhaustion. But as soon as they saw Iris, their expressions shifted to disbelief, then overwhelming relief.
“Iris!” her mother cried oit, rushing forward to embrace her daughter. Her father followed closely behind, wrapping them both in his arms.
It was a scene of love and reunion that tugged at Ethan’s heartstrings, reminding him of his lack of own family to return to. Then, Emily and Innkeeper Geeta’s face came to his mind, reminding him that he should find them soon.
For a few moments, the room was filled with the sound of happy tears and whispered reassurances. Ethan stood quietly near the door, watching the scene unfold with a gentle smile.
After a while, Iris pulled back slightly, looking around at her family. “I was so worried about you all,” she said, her voice still thick with emotion. “But I knew you’d be safe here.”
Her father, a 45 years hunchbacked old man, nodded, his hand resting on her shoulder. Despite being at their forties, their hair turned grey and face wrinkled due to poverty and tension for their daughter’s safety all day long.
“Daughter, we didn’t know what to do at first, but staying here seemed like the best option. We’ve been waiting and hoping that you’d come back to us.”
Iris glanced back at Ethan, who gave her an encouraging nod. She turned back to her family and said, “Mom, Dad, This is Ethan. He’s been helping me search for you. I wouldn’t have made it here without him.”
Her parents looked over at Ethan, gratitude shining in their eyes. “Thank you, Child,” her mother said softly. “Thank you for bringing our daughter back to us.”
Ethan shook his head modestly. “I’m just glad I could help. Iris is strong, and she was determined to find you. I just tagged along.” he said this to reassure them further.
Luna, who had been clinging to Iris’s side, looked up at Ethan with wide eyes. “Are you a hero, Mister?” she asked innocently.
Ethan chuckled, kneeling down to meet Luna’s gaze. “I don’t know about that,” he said with a grin. “But I’m here to help, just like your sister.”
Luna smiled brightly, her earlier fear completely gone. “But, You’re a hero to me,” she declared, earning a soft laugh from everyone in the room.
“Haha..”
As the warmth of the reunion settled over them, Ethan stood up and addressed Iris’s parents. “Uncle and aunt, I think you shouldn’t stay here any longer. This place is also not safe anymore. We have encountered a ferocious beast on the way here. Moreover, the city walls have also collapsed. We need take you to the main district to Safety.”
Iris’s father nodded solemnly. “You’re right, son. We’ve heard the sounds of battles in the distance. We knew It’s not safe here for long. But, we wanted to wait a little more for Iris to arrive.” (AN: Here ‘son’ indicates an affectionate address)
Ethan’s eyes met Iris’s, and she gave him a grateful smile. “Thank you, Ethan. For everything.”
Ethan nodded, feeling a sense of fulfillment. “Let’s take a moment to rest, then we’ll make our move.”
The atmosphere inside the small house was one of relief and gratitude, the kind that only comes after surviving a harrowing ordeal. As Iris’s family settled back into the warmth of their home, the tension that had been weighing on them for days began to lift. The fire’s gentle crackling filled the room, providing a soothing backdrop to the reunion.
Iris’s mother began preparing a simple meal, her hands moving with practiced ease as she worked. The aroma of warm broth and freshly baked bread soon wafted through the air, adding to the feeling of comfort that now permeated the house.
Ethan watched the scene unfold with a soft smile. He was glad to see Iris with her family again, safe and sound. But his thoughts couldn’t help but drift back to his own closed Ones. The faces of Emily and Innkeeper Greta flashed in his mind, reminding him of the connections he had formed in this new world.
“Should he head there alone? But, what about Iris’s family?” He sighed and decided to wait a little before departing with her family as soon as possible.
As they sat down to eat, Iris’s father, now more composed, turned to Ethan with a serious expression. “Son, you’ve done more for us than we can ever repay. But I have to ask—what’s happening out there? The sounds we’ve heard, the tremors… It felt like the world was coming apart.”
Ethan took a deep breath, considering how much to reveal. He didn’t want to alarm them more than necessary, but they deserved the truth.
“Uncle, The city has been under attack by a beast rampage,” he began, choosing his words carefully. “Ferocious Beasts, the likes of which most people have never seen, have breached the walls. The situation is dire, but there are still places of safety. The main district is one of them, and that’s where we need to go.”
Iris’s mother looked worried, her hands pausing over the food she was serving. “And, will we be safe there?” she asked, her voice trembling slightly.
Ethan met her gaze with calm reassurance. “Aunty, It’s safer than staying here. The main district should be fortified, and many people are gathering there for protection. We need to move soon, while we still have a clear path.
On the other hand, Iris hurriedly began to pack their belongings with the help of her little sister Luna.
Iris’s father nodded in agreement, his face full of urgency. “Alright, son, We’ll go as soon as we’re prepared. We can’t afford to wait any longer. You might also have a family to take care of.”
Her father already heard about their exploit in the dungeon and his daughter’s progress, and how Ethan directly came here to help them first, without caring about anything else.
Her father was just a ordinary farmer, not having talent to awaken his system, unfortunately. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have to rely on others save them. But, what could they do? Fate had made a cruel joke out of them. Even their firstborn son had died in an unfortunate accident at the tender age of 16, leaving them solely rely on their daughter for the living.”
