A Spark of Hope

Genji's Pov:
We walked together into the city. The town was quite different from what I was used to. There weren't buildings as tall and large as ours, instead, they seemed quite small and humble compared to the huge buildings in my world. There were also some giant trees towered above everything, and there were just a few flowers along the ground and grass on the side of the road. There were even more children around my age here, some of them seemed to be training and others playing. They gave me a strange look but Brenda explained that the blood all over me was due to killing some monsters changing the strange looks to some praise. It felt nice having a protector like her...

 

As we walked, we noticed more people around, although some of them were staring at me with suspicion or fear, they were friendly with Brenda. Some even stopped and asked if we needed help with anything.

To kill the silence I started the chat "You seem pretty famous here for just a 9-year-old kid." "Yup! that's because I help a lot with my fire magic. Fire is a two-edged weapon, I can beat the bad guys and protect people, and I can use it to start a fire and heal others." "Those achievements are great for someone who is just nine!" "Hehe! Do you see how much great I am?! Just don't fall in love with me because I already love someone."

 I was going to reply with the fact that I also have Nanami, but we were already in front of our destination. "Here! We are home!" Brenda's family house is located next to a lake which is filled with fish swimming freely through the water.

 A woman with bright red hair wearing a yellow dress was sitting inside on a bench drinking tea, her sapphire blue eyes sparkled under the sunlight as she looked at us. When the two of us came inside, she put down the cup she was holding, and stood up walking up to us "My my... did our little princess find a little companion other than Piopino? It seems to be a human, not some other beast." "Mom! let me introduce him to you, This is Gin, my new friend. I saved him from the monsters after he lost his memory and we were hoping that dad might be able to help him with finding his true identity." "Welcome Gin. My name is Lila Valentine, hope Brenda didn't cause trouble. My daughter is a bit reckless at times, but she has a big pure heart." She introduced herself with a kind and gentle smile.

 She had a warm voice and her attitude was kind yet tough, just like her daughter. Mrs.Valentine was pretty like Brenda but she had pale skin and blue eyes.

Brenda didn't wait until we entered before asking "Mom, where is dad? We gotta find him before any knight gets to know that Gin forgot how to use his magic and fight. They won't let him live to the day he restores his abilities."

 

 Her mother sighed sadly "I'm sorry to hear that your new friend here has a problem, but your father was requested to the capital and left this noon. He wanted to wait till you come and say goodbye but they said it's an emergency." Brenda pouted and complained "What! Did he leave without giving me a goodbye kiss? That's so unfair!!" I just smiled at how heartwarming it felt there... My parents died in an incident three years ago leaving me completely alone...

 I felt a stinging pain in my cheek while I was absentminded thinking about that horrible incident "Yo! Are you still here?" Asked Brenda "S-Sorry..." Mrs. Valentine smiled "I'm sure he is feeling uncomfortable. Don't worry dear, feel yourself at home till we find your family."

 We entered the house which smelled so comfy. Brenda looked at the woman "Mom, I'm taking a shower and changing. I'll prepare the bath for Gin too so he can clean all the blood that covered his clothes." I felt pretty uncomfortable with how my clothes were covered in blood I looked fine. The lady noticed how I was feeling so she brought up a topic to talk about "Little boy, can you tell me about anything you still remember? You don't look like someone from outside here... You look pretty familiar so maybe if you remember a few things, we might be able to know your family sooner."

  I felt really bad about lying to those nice people, I am from a different world, and with no lost memories, I can't just tell them that I was summoned from another world so I simply answered her question "Nope. Can't remember anyone at all." My answer seemed convincing enough and she agreed "It seems like it. You must have been through a lot... We won't force you to remember." She looked at me "I can sense great worry from you-" we were interrupted by Brenda's voice "Mom! He has the right to feel suspicious about us. After all, he was almost killed by one of the Tyarnts as he opened his eyes from his coma, and to hide from the other beasts I had him hide inside Piopino's tummy."

 She looked at me before suggesting "You can freshen up with a warm bath before trying to remember anything. I'll show you the way." She gestured me to follow her and so I did. 

The Bathroom wasn't anything luxurious but it felt satisfying to soak in the warm water, especially after all this walk and terrible events. Brenda borrowed me her clothes since I had nothing to change while she washed my blood-covered clothes. I was cursing my luck for coming to this world at the start but now I don't feel this bad... After all, not everyone is as bad as that knight from today... At least I'm no longer alone.

 I was enjoying the warm water when my phone rang interrupting the moments of bliss I was having. In a different world, is it possible for someone to call? I was glad that I kept my phone hidden from Brenda and Lila since they might think of it as an accessory and damage it. I was also curious since a lot has already happened in the past few hours since I was transported here. 

Looking at the caller ID, the name Edd showed up as if it was registered already which made me more curious. Surely whoever brought me here has messed up with my phone.

 I picked up "Hello?" "Yo! Gin!" I was shocked at the star because the only people who call me Gin are my parents, Nana, and Brenda who gave me it as a temporary name. But back to that email... "Hey? Are you there?" "Who are you and what do you want from me?" "Hehe! You wouldn't believe me if I said I followed you since childhood and saved your life once, would you?" "Why would I believe someone who dragged me into such a mess?" 

The man chuckled "You have the right to not believe. However, I need you to restore the kingdom's former rules and glory. You are the only one who can do that. I will keep giving you tasks to sharpen your abilities and your final reward will be reuniting with your little princess, Nanami Haru. As proof of my words and a reward for completing your first task, I shall let you have a few minutes with her."

 I was about to ask him what he meant when a gentle voice from the past came from the phone "Genji? Gin! Is that you?" "Nana!" "So it's true! All this year's work wasn't in vain!"

 I was on the verge of tears being able to talk to her again "Nana I'm so glad you are fine." she laughed heartily "Gin! Your voice sounds like a crying baby!" I laughed "You too!" "Gin! You wouldn't believe how long I waited. I had faith every day and prayed to be able to meet you again. I'm glad you didn't forget about me even after nine years have passed, I'm glad that all the efforts I made weren't just in vain. Just wait a little more and we will be reunited, okay?"

 I couldn't be happier at the news of being able to meet her again, but before I could reply the man's voice came back "Sorry to cut you but if you want to really meet her again in person, finish the task at hand. If your feelings for her are true, then you shall be able to restore this kingdom to its former state. You have the power to do that and the key to extract it is that Girl. I'm counting on you, Genji!"

 And just like that, the call had ended giving me a spark of hope