Quoted By:
''I'd like to share my memories with you and Dad.'' Your resolution comes after a moment of comfortable silence, where Canaan's massage almost makes you fall asleep again. The lethargy in your limbs is frustrating.
''You are my and your father's blood, it won't be a problem... but.'' She stopped her massage to crouch in front of you. ''Two wills joining your soul will be much more invasive. We'd probably end up seeing more than you want to share.''
''You and Dad have more than earned my trust.'' There's a subtle shift in your mother's expression you can't identify. ''And I don't have the words to explain my... dream? Something bizarre is going on.''
<span class="mu-i">Did I use one of Mom's wands to shoot a lightning bolt? There are no traces of impact, no flesh-tree.</span>
You feel the warm touch of your mother's lips on your forehead. ''I'll fetch him. If our guests are awake, they can make themselves at home.''
--
''...'' Your father grunted.
''...'' Your mother sighed.
''...yeah.'' You ended, your hands still held by theirs.
Your mother's warning had been true; two souls joined into yours was invasive indeed. You could only grasp hints of your parents' feelings and mental state, while in return, your mind was an open, naked book they could have perused at their leisure. From childhood to now, they could have explored every little memory imprinted inside your brain, and you'd have been forced to indulge their whims; yet Canaan and Rikard actively held back despite their intense curiosity.
<span class="mu-i">It would have been so easy for them to look deeper than I wanted... yet they didn't.</span>
Your memories of last night, however, came under the most intense scrutiny of your life. And that little mishap with the mercenaries...
''I don't remember any creatures like that entity during my time in the Rangers.'' Your mother broke the silence, squeezing your hand gently.
''All we can do for now is to be careful until we gain more information.'' Your father said, his grip a little tighter as he covered your hand with both of his.
''I...I don't know if it even happened.'' You can feel your parents' gaze as you look to your knees. ''One entire week, lost? And Usha... she looked unaffected by our collective trance, if it wasn't for Olin...''
''We're in the little lad debt.'' Rikard hands move away from yours as he leans closer to speak comfortably. ''You probably fell asleep in a trance after your souls joined, but I do not doubt the truth of his message. The ritual of Last Bell needed me to diminish the divine veil; simultaneously strengthening the creature and the boy's presences.''
''Which makes me think we should inform our guests.'' Canaan continues, rubbing her thumb on your hand. ''I think you should share these memories with Seyraphal and Shigeko soon because they've been affected just as much as we have, but Augustine...'' Her eyes closed as she kept talking. ''...might need to be observed.''
