Family

A blonde woman, wearing a brown and white dress, was running through the trees, feeling cold. She was panting, as her heavy clothes made running difficult. She stopped and leaned on her knees. A rustling sound came from the bushes and trees. Startled, she sat down behind a tree, covering her mouth with her hand to avoid making any noise.

A gigantic creature was walking through the forest; the ground shook with every step. She peeked out — the creature had white fur and looked like a yeti. Although she was hidden, the creature caught her scent and walked slowly toward her. As soon as it saw her, the creature roared. The woman braced herself for the impact, but the monster suddenly turned its attention elsewhere.

Someone landed beside her, holding a blood-stained axe. He smiled at her. "Get down!" he shouted, as the yeti slashed horizontally with its claws, slicing the tree she was hiding behind in half. The man threw himself to the ground, dodging the attack. Then, he ran around the creature and struck its leg with the axe, causing it to lose its balance.

"Run!" the man ordered, as the woman got up and moved out of the way. The monster roared again, but this time in pain. The man struck the creature in both eyes with the axe, blinding it. It flailed its claws in all directions, hoping to hit something. The man stepped back, waiting for it to tire. 

As the woman was wearing shoes unsuitable for walking on dirt terrain, she tripped over a stone and fell onto the grass. "What is a monster doing here?!" the woman exclaimed in shock.

"A monster?" the man repeated, chuckling softly. "That's just an animal." He held out his hand to help her up. She took it, her heart still racing.

"That is an animal?" she asked, incredulous. "In Siffren, of all places?"

"Well, at least it's a good source of food," the man replied with a welcoming smile. "It's a pleasure to meet you — my name is Cliff."

"Martha..." she announced. "Um, sorry to bother you, but I need help."

Cliff: "I can tell. Are you lost?"

Martha: "Sort of... my village, in the north, was attacked by bandits... so I ran as fast as I could and ended up here."

Cliff: "Bandits, huh...?"

He placed his finger in front of his mouth, thoughtful.

Martha: "Do you know something about them?"

The creature finally stopped thrashing, exhausted. The blizzard was getting stronger.

Cliff: "First, let's get somewhere warm."

After finishing off the yeti, they went to a cave. Cliff gathered some sticks from outside and built a fire, roasting the monster's meat. Martha was starting to feel better.

Martha: "Sorry, I forgot to thank you... for saving me."

Cliff: "It's nothing, don't worry. I was looking for food anyway."

Martha: "The people from my village, they... told me to go south, to find the capital..."

Cliff: "To the south? But the capital is a long way from here; you wouldn't make it there on foot."

Martha: "Is there any way for me to get there quickly?"

Cliff: "Why do you wanna go there? To seek shelter?"

Martha: "Not just that, but to inform the authorities about the attack."

Cliff: "You won't have much luck with either of those two options."

He picked up one of the meat skewers and handed it to her.

Cliff: "That place isn't very welcoming, and most of the bandits come from there. If you aren't rich, the authorities won't even listen to you."

Her eyes widened, revealing a growing desperation.

Martha: "But then... what options do I have?"

Cliff: "I am a pilgrim; I live alone. You can do the same."

Martha: "But I don't have the skills..."

Cliff: "I can train you."

With that, they headed to his house, which was very far from there. It was a long journey, but there was no snow there, as the green plains were enjoying pleasant weather. Cliff opened the door, waiting for Martha to step inside.

Martha: "Um... Sorry if I'm in the way... I don't want to be dead weight."

Cliff: "I live here alone. It's peaceful, but sometimes it's really nice to have visitors. Make yourself at home."

They dueled with wooden swords. Cliff, using only one hand, sent her sword flying, defeating her easily.

Cliff: "Not bad; just try to find the fighting style that suits you best. But remember: running away is always an option."

She did push-ups on the grass, getting exhausted very quickly.

Cliff: "You're getting the hang of it; keep practicing. Any kind of skill makes all the difference."

With each passing day, their relationship grew stronger. Cliff saw her as a disciple; Martha saw him as her master. Yet, the years went by, and they remained together. They respected each other immensely, so they could not simply part ways. They weren't just friends. That place was peaceful — perfect for spending the rest of their lives, especially now that they had someone to live for.

Cliff: "I will avenge your village."

Martha: "Wait, Cliff, don't go!"

She held his hand as he stood before the door, sunlight bathing his back.

Cliff: "But, Martha, we need to know if anyone else survived."

Martha: "Our village... has always been in debt to the capital. Even though the bandits are no longer there, they took everything — and everyone!"

Cliff: "We can't be so sure until we see it with our own eyes."

Martha: "No, Cliff, you don't understand... They take the villages they attack... there are too many of them — it's too risky!"

Cliff hesitated, feeling a little scared.

Cliff: "Don't you miss your family?"

Martha: "It’s not that I don’t miss them... but I don’t want to run the risk of losing this peace... There’s nothing we can do."

Cliff: "How can you... forget the past just like that?"

Martha: "I can't... but if we get caught, it will all have been in vain. We don't owe anyone anything. There's nothing wrong with living for ourselves."

Cliff wanted to convince himself that she was wrong, but deep down, he thought the same thing. He valued that peace far more than the chaos of the capital. And now, he had something — or rather, someone — to lose. If he got too involved in other people's problems, he might make the situation worse, just as his father used to warn him.

They had nothing to lose by continuing to live that way — life itself was already rewarding. They undertook journeys together, hunted to survive, and felled trees to expand their home. They helped one another. Feeling stuck to each other — in a good way — after so many years, they decided to have a child. Her name was Lily.

When they needed to go out in search of more food, they always took Lily along to teach her how to live on her own, without being anyone's slave. She enjoyed the outings and learned more each day. However, something happened to shatter that peace. Lily ran to Cliff's room to wake him up. She shook him, rousing him from sleep.

Lily: "Papa, there is someone outside!"

She pointed to the window. He stood up to take a closer look.

Cliff: "Are they friendly?"

Lily: "He looks scary! Mom said he dresses like the bandits who attacked her village!"

Cliff hurried out of the house to meet Martha. On the way, he grabbed a sword. The man was tall, muscular, and bald. His skin was slightly dark, and his face was covered in scars. He stopped before them, tapping a small golden spear against his shoulder with a sneer.

"The whole family is here to welcome me, eh?" the bandit said sarcastically.

That golden spear... it can't be...

Cliff: "Who sent you?"

"Huh?" the man blurted out, half-annoyed. "You think I work for someone? I simply saw a house and decided to take it. I live only for myself, not to please some filthy boss."

Cliff: "I admire your hatred of the authorities, but this house is already occupied. Go back to the capital or face the consequences."

"The consequences, huh?" The man pointed his spear at Cliff. "How about these consequences?"

Hey, you can't be serious...

Cliff leapt aside, trying to dodge the imminent danger. The bandit, however, deliberately waited before firing the spear. It unleashed a blue electric discharge that struck Cliff in the stomach, piercing him and searing his insides. Yet, he spun on his heels and hurled his sword at the bandit, striking him in the neck.

The thief hurled a small, sharp blade as Cliff kept charging relentlessly toward him. The dagger struck Cliff's arms, but he managed to get close enough to grab the sword and drive it deeper into the bandit's neck, killing him. Both men collapsed onto the grass.

Martha: "Cliff!"

His wife and daughter rushed to help him, but it was already too late. Cliff was bleeding profusely. The wound was too severe to heal. Martha held his hand as his life force slowly ebbed away.

Cliff: "This is why... you need to be able to protect yourselves..."

Martha: "Cliff, stay with me! I will find a way to heal this wound and..."

Lily: "Papa, what is happening?"

Although the girl could not fully grasp everything, she understood that her father was in danger. Martha and Lily were weeping uncontrollably.

Cliff: "Stay away from anyone holding that spear... run as fast as you can... don't try to face them like I did... there's no shame in it... running away to live another day..."

Martha: "But, Cliff, there must be another way! There's always another way!"

Cliff: "It's going to be lonely without me, huh...? But now you can live on your own..."

He caressed his wife's cheek, wiping away her tears.

Cliff: "That’s what I trained you for, wasn't it...?"

After his life force was spent, he found himself in a dark, hot place. He had fallen into the depths of hell, despite having lived a full life without committing grave sins.

Martha’s hair was disheveled, and she had deep, dark circles under her eyes. Visibly depressed, she hung out the laundry to dry. A small silhouette in the sky was drawing closer to the ground.

She ran home and returned holding the bandit's spear, pointing it at the aircraft that had landed on the grass. Two people jumped out. Conflicted, frightened, confused... words could not express what her face revealed. Her state of mind was deplorable, for she could not forget that person. Even after death, he remained alive in her heart.

Martha: "Cliff...?"

Troyka took a step forward, waving at her in a friendly manner.

Troyka: "I'm sorry to have to tell you this, but Cliff has lost the ability to speak. But he can still understand you."

Martha: "What...?"

She lowered the weapon slightly, before pointing it threateningly once more.

Martha: "You can't fool me! He's not Cliff; he's dead!"

The boy nodded to his friend, signaling him to take the initiative, and then jumped back into his aircraft. Cliff stepped forward.

Martha: "Stop right there!"

She pointed the spear at his head, threatening to tear it off.

Martha: "If you really are Cliff, you should know how dangerous this thing is!"

He nodded slowly, agreeing with her. He knelt down and wrote something in the grass: "Lily." He gave her a warm smile.

Instead of letting her guard down, she became even more alert. An expression of anger and revulsion was etched on her face.

Martha: "Do you think you can deceive me?! What do you want with my daughter?!"

Suddenly, he saw the door of his house open and a small figure step out. He recognized her immediately. She froze when she saw him.

Lily: "Papa...?"

The mother turned her head, startled.

Martha: "Lily, get inside, now!"

Tears welled up in the little girl's red eyes. She ran towards her father, crying.

Martha: "Lily, stop! He's an impostor!"

Lily: "I'd recognize Papa from a kilometer away! I'm sure it's him!"

Martha tried to stop her, but the girl ran as if her life depended on it. He opened his arms, ready to embrace her. The mother lowered her weapon, afraid of hitting her daughter.

Unlike Cliff's wife, Lily wasn't afraid of anything. She was certain her father would never hurt them. And that is exactly what happened: Cliff gave her a tight hug, careful not to hurt her with the non-human part of his body. He affectionately stroked her golden hair.

Lily: "I missed you so much, Papa! But I knew you would be back soon!"

Cliff instinctively opened his mouth to say something. But he didn't want to scare her, so he simply nodded, tears welling in his human eye — the other was scorched and couldn't produce tears. He gently moved her aside and wrote something in the grass for both of them to read:

"I'm sorry for being away. I'd love to return to our peaceful life, but something terrible is happening to my body. I need to find a cure, or else I’d be putting the two of you in danger."

Martha: "Cliff..."

The mother hesitated, scared. However, after a few seconds, she ran toward him, weeping softly. He opened his arms as she hugged him tightly.

Martha: "Cliff, you're alive..."

She stepped back a little to see his face fully. She tenderly caressed the charred half of his head.

Martha: "What happened to you...? Who did this to you?"

"It's a long story," he wrote in the grass. "But I can't stay here for long — not until I solve this problem."

Martha: "Wait, what? But you just got back..."

He held her face very close, gazing intently into her beautiful blue eyes. Then, he wrote something again: "It’s too dangerous. I can’t fully control my body right now. I can’t put the two of you in danger."

Martha: "Can't you... at least sleep here tonight? You must be tired..."

Cliff hesitated, pondering her proposal. He looked at the sun; it was beginning to set. The golden sky reigned.

We've been flying all day... damn, I can't go out at night. What if that... thing happens again?

Martha: "Cliff...? Are you okay?"

Was it really the darkness...? Or the crystals? Or the narrow space? Or the fact that it was underground?

Lily placed her small hand on his. He squeezed it gently.

Lily: "Papa..."

Cliff smiled determinedly and nodded.

Even if I transform tonight, I will have to control myself — no matter the cost. This is the only way to subdue my other half.

Martha and Lily smiled, relieved.

Martha: "So, come on in! The sun is almost setting!"

She glanced at Troyka, who was resting in his plane. The daughter pointed at him.

Lily: "Are you Papa's friend?"

Troyka: "Oh, me? Yeah, sort of. It's a pleasure to meet you!"

She is even younger than I am! — he thought, charmed by her cuteness.

Martha: "Come on in! We have dinner for everyone!"

She smiled invitingly.

Troyka: "Eh? Seriously?"

The family of three smiled at him, waiting for him to come over. His lips curved upward involuntarily.

Troyka: "Well, don't mind if I do."

Although Cliff had shown strength, he had to lie down immediately upon being struck by a severe fever. His wife held his hand firmly, reminding him of who he was. The conflict of identities caused him to hallucinate about entire lives and consciousnesses, all vying for dominance. 

Maintaining consciousness became increasingly difficult, until Troyka and Lily entered the room to serve him dinner. They stayed with him the entire time, until he managed to fall asleep in relative peace.

The next day, they were ready to leave. Cliff gave his wife and daughter a final hug to say goodbye — at least for a few days or weeks. They had a mission, so his family eventually came to accept it. They waved to him and the boy, eagerly awaiting their return.

Lily: "Bye, Papa!"