Sitting around the lunch table, Aiden looked at his sister with concern in his eyes.

"Are you sure about this, Lily?"

Hearing the question, the blonde girl took a moment to calm her rapidly beating heart. Although she was nervous and slightly afraid of this talk, she was also determined. She had to get stronger in order to be able to not be a burden anymore. She caused far more problems to him already as it is.

After a few dozen tense seconds, she looked up, matching her brother's gaze. With a determined look on her face, she decisively nodded.

"Yes, brother. I am far too weak compared to you. I found a way to be able to grow up and be able to stand with you. I need to do this, I'm sorry."

Seeing the determination in her eyes, Aiden could only acquiesce. His concern turned into acceptance, revealing a faint, brotherly smile.

"If that is what you want then I won't stop you sister. We still have almost three full months before the start of the academy's entrance examinations. Grow stronger till that time and show me the fruits of your determination!"

This time it was Lily's turn to look at her brother with great concern.

"Are you going out, brother? When will you come back?" She worriedly asked.

With a pained smile, Aiden shook his head.

"I don't know, Lily. At the latest, I will be back before the exams. I.."

Lily's vision started to become blurry as her eyes rapidly watered up. A small stream of tears escaped from the corner of her eyes. Still, she didn't let out a single word, but her whole body was shaking.

Seeing as to how Aiden was struggling with his words, Granny, who was silent all this time, gently grabbed Lily's shaking fist, trying to calm her down.

"Aiden has his own problems he needs to face in the meantime. The whole reason he trained so hard in this past week was to have the confidence to face them. He has to set out and find the answers he needs and overcome these demons.. by himself."

Adding to her words, Aiden spoke up.

"Yes, I am sorry as well Lily. I will come back, I promise.."

Hearing both of them talk, Lily's spirit started to return, and after a while, she managed to calm down enough to speak. She returned their words with a weak nod and a loving smile before she meekly muttered a few words.

"I understand.. I am too weak.. I..."

She wanted to continue and say more, but she couldn't when she felt her brother's warm touch as he reached for her left fist and wrapped it over with his hands.

With the same loving smile he had before, he spoke warmly.

"Don't worry, Lily. I will return, I promise. Until then, train hard with Master! I want to see you be the big sis you always were and protect me from harm when I come back!"

"Uhm." That was the only thing Lily could mutter. Even though she was determined, and made this decision, it was still hard to say goodbye to her beloved brother. After all, ever since she 'got' him, she was never ever from him for more than half a day. Now, they will not see each other for several weeks, or maybe for even months. It wasn't easy for her.

---

Standing in the doorway, Lily, Granny and Number 3 were looking at Aiden who was about to leave his home for the first time ever since he joined Granny and Lily back all those years ago when he left his cocoon that they mistook for an egg. Behind them, two black shadows, Sam and Biggy were standing, looking at Aiden's with great vigilance.

He had a warm smile on his face, a big contrast to his emotionless state when Granny and Lily found him all those years ago. Back then, he didn't really know who these people were, or what they wanted, but still decided to go with them. He didn't think that his decision back then would lead him to have this family. Now, the only person that was missing was the guiding voice inside his mind, Enya. He still had no idea when she would be able to wake up.

Thinking back about it, Aiden couldn't rationally explain why she showed himself to them. Why did she risk all the reserves she had just to warn them. She shouldn't really care for them, she should be part of the system, the guide for Aiden.

Over the years, she did show strings of emotions every now and then, but Aiden never really paid much attention to it. Thinking back, he probably should have.

'I hope you are okay..' he thought, but quickly shook his head, revealing the same gentle smile he had. Turning towards, Number 3, he bowed slightly, showing his respect.

"Thank you for letting me have this opportunity, Master. I swear, I will do my best with the chance you have given to me!"

In return, Number 3 nodded to him.

"Do your best, Aiden."historical

Looking at Granny, who had the very same gentle smile that she always had, Aiden bowed once again.

"Thank you for everything Granny. You, Lily, and Master are the only family I have. I have to go and set out for now, but I will come back as soon as I can, but if nothing else, by the start of next year."

Granny's smile curved slightly, and her eyes shimmered for a brief moment, but seemingly nobody noticed. She also nodded towards the boy, her voice remained calm.

"I will look forward to your return, dearie!"

Her face and tone remained calm, but inside nobody knew the surging emotions she kept. Ever since she found this strange boy, she felt that he is someone important, that he may really be family.. Her grandson. Still, she didn't reveal any of her thoughts, and just kept her calm appearance.

Lastly, as Aiden's eyes wandered to Lily, she stepped forward with watery eyes. She was really doing her best to not cry, she did actually promise to not do that anymore. She wasn't a little girl anymore. However, standing here, and seeing her brother probably for the last time for months to come, she could no longer keep her emotions in check.

She ran forward, and jumped towards Aiden, flying into his embrace.

"Brooother!" She cried out as she burrowed her face in his chest.

Wrapping his hands around Lily's back, Aiden gently caressed and patted her. Leaning closer to her ears, Lily could feel his warm breath as he whispered causing her to feel a sudden shock to run through her body. However, this feeling wasn't bad, it was actually very comforting. Although her face remained hidden, even the tip of her ears became beet red, revealing her embarrassed state.

"Silly girl.. Lily, my big sister! Don't cry, I'm not going away forever, just for a short time. You will barely even notice me missing, with all the training you will do with Master and with Sam and Biggy.. We will meet again, and you can show me all you learned!"

As she looked up, Aiden could see her red eyes as she cried them all out. Giving a big hearty kiss on the top of her head, giving her yet another reason to remain beet red all over.

"B-brother, s-stop that!" She cried out in embarrassment. "When, When you get b-back, I will show how strong I have become! I will be stronger than you!" She made her promise right at the spot.

Giving one last kiss to the top of her head, despite her weak protests, he spoke in a gentle, loving tone.

"I will be looking forward to it, Lily."

Looking at the hugging youth, both elders, Number 3 and Granny had a warm, loving smile on their faces. It no longer mattered where they came from or how they came together, right now they were a family. The past did not matter, only to keep all of them safe.

Everything had to come to an end eventually. After some time, Lily begrudgingly separated from Aiden and stepped back between Granny and Number 3. Her hands subconsciously reached for the dogs that immediately stepped by her side and caressed them.

Before Aiden could turn around, Number 3 stepped forward. She raised her open palm towards the sky. In the next moment, the tiny gemstones of the skull figure in her ring flashed. The air in her palm began to vibrate and visibly distort. A second later, the same black crystalline object that they used back in The Pit materialized out of thin air, alongside a small leather purse heavy with coins.

She reached out towards Aiden with the same warm smile she had. With a gentle tone, she spoke.

"Aiden, take this. You know what it can already do, if you ever find yourself in trouble, don't hesitate to reach out to me. But beware where you use it! I am not the only one that can use this method of communication! Be sure to only use it as a last resort!"

Accepting the crystal, Aiden firmly nodded to her words. Without saying anything else, he gave one last look to each of his family members, memorizing their smiles as they waved towards him, then he turned around, looking towards the direction of the city.

His journey has only just begun. There were countless unanswered questions that needed answers...