Ancient Pasts - Tbate

Adventurer Guild

Cathan Leywin Pov

"Crying won't work! Shouldn't you be used to water by now, Azraey, Sylvie?"

"Kyuuuu..." Sylvie finally escaped from my grasp and scurried out of the shower, still dripping. 

"Haa..." I shook my head as I finished washing up with Azrael. 

Wearing nothing but a simple t-shirt and pants, I took one last look at the room I had been living in for the past few months, imprinting the image. I put on my mask and rings, packing the coat along with a few other necessities into my bag. I strapped my weapon to my waist before walking out. 

"Trust in Jasmine when things get rough. She may be the youngest but don't doubt her strength and experience as an adventurer," my father advised as he pulled Arthur into one last—firm—hug. 

"Why are Brothers and Sylvie and Azreal leaving? No! Stay here!" My sister was now struck with the realization that we wouldn't be home for a while. She was clutching my waist and refused to let go as she used the weight of her body to anchor me down. 

"Honey, your brother will be back, okay?" My mother attempted to console her. 

"Nonononono! Stay!" my sister demanded. She had refused to listen to excuses and began shouting with tear-filled eyes. 

Kneeling, I wrapped Ellie in my arms as I patted her back. "I know you're a big girl now. Can you protect Mom and Dad while we're gone for a bit, Ellie?"

"UUuuu... hic... I can protect them..." she replied in a muffled voice, burying her head into my shoulder. 

Letting go of her, I studied my baby sister's face, wiping the tears streaming down her cheeks. 

"Atta girl. Your big brothers are going to be gone for a little bit but we'll be back. I feel a lot better that we have someone strong like my little sister here to protect the house. "

"Yes!" she seconded eagerly, her eyes filled with a newfound determination. 

Patting her head, I gave Mother and Father one last hug. 

"We'll miss you. Don't forget to keep the ring on Arthur, okay?" My mother squeezed me tightly. 

"Stay safe and know your limits, Arthur, Cathan. " Father placed a hand on our shoulders and stared at us, waiting for a response. 

Know my limits, I repeated to myself, giving my father a firm nod. After the partings were finished, we made our way down the front stairs to where Jasmine had been waiting. We waved them one last goodbye, gesturing to my sister, who was waving both her hands as she bit her lips to keep from crying, to cheer up. 

"Let's go," Arthur declared while putting on the mask and coat. 

She replied with a terse nod as we began heading downtown to the Adventurer's Guild Hall. 

______________________________________

The Guild Hall was not what I had expected it to be. A vivid image of a place filled with thugs seated around wooden tables downing beer was what I envisioned. Instead, it was a building filled with prestige and luxury. A marble structure towered over us like a sacred museum. Once inside, it was clear the amount of work that had been put into the intricately designed interior. There were tables made from metal where I could see other adventurers giving us a passing glance. The whole place had an ambiance of extravagance that didn't suit me, much less some of the barbarian-looking adventurers here, but I simply continued my stride. 

"Welcome! How may I help the three of you?" The female receptionist's rehearsed smile gleamed a pearly white. 

Before Arthur and I had the chance to reply, Jasmine slid a piece of parchment towards the woman.