Wakfu: Aeri The Eliatrope

Chapter 21: A Father's Goodbye

While the twins were training to try and master their powers, as much as they could, they couldn't have known about the things that took place down in the World of Twelve. They occasionally could feel a difference in the Wakfu of the world when something big happened, but they were too high up to see exactly what that something was. They tried as hard as they could, to try and learn everything, so that they could go and tell Grougaloragran, how their journey had been so far. It had been twelve years since they had actually seen each other. The two missed the old man, who was like a father to them. His grouchy appearance but his caring heart behind all of it. The way he taught them everything he knew during the time they spent on Oma Island. He had kept them safe for hundreds of years before they got to go out on a journey. That's how overprotective he was, but, they still loved him for that. He may not have told them HOW he got their Dofus in the first place, but he had kept then safe for all of these years, and for that they were truly thankful.

Aeri and Shiroazaad could feel the distrubance with Wakfu due to Nox collecting it from everywhere, but they had no idea what it was. Nox was a Xelor who tried to collect Wakfu for the Eliacube, in order to turn back time to get back to his family, but he would soon be stopped by Yugo and his new friends. During their days of training, and Nox' rampage, Aeri and Shiroazaad could feel something. Something BIG which would change their lives forever. They felt something happening to Grougaloragran's Wakfu. First it was there as usual, and suddenly without a sign, it was gone. The twins fell on their knees, teary eyed. ;"Grougal..." Aeri said silently. Shiro was hiding his face with his hands. The Huppermages couldn't figure out what was going on. ;"Aeri, Shiroazaad. Are you alright?" Palani had asked. Neither of them had answered. That night Aeri had a dream. Dream about Grougaloragran. He stood at the edge of a field, his robe flowing in the wind, he was watching the sky. Aeri quickly ran to hug him ;"Grougal! I thought you were-" She tried to say sniffling. Grougaloragran patted her head. ;"Fear not little sister, Grougaloragran is here for you." He said. Aeri wiped her tears away. ;"But.. We felt your Wakfu... It disappeared!" She said worriedly. Grougal's expression changed to a sorrowful one. "Oh... So it really happened.. but why are you here? How?" Aeri asked. Grougaloragran gave her a reassuring smile, ;"Because Grougaloragran needs you to know that you'll be fine, even without me." He said. Aeri started to cry. ;"But I need you, WE need you!" She cried out. Grougal laughed. ;"And yet you've gone so far on your own." He said. Aeri knew he was right, but she refused to say goodbye. She hated Goodbyes. They were the hardest thing she ever had to say. ;"It won't be the same without you." She said, feeling her heart break in two. Grougaloragran hugged her. ;"Grougaloragran knows this, but you must go on, even if you don't feel like it. You and your brother are stronger than you think. You will do incredible things together." He said calmly. "So it's a goodbye for no little sister." He said. Aeri tried to stop her tears, but she couldn't. ;"I will not say goodbye to you!" She said. "I will only say: see you later, Grougal." She forced a smile on. And that seemed to be enough for him. Soon after he turned into light, into Wakfu, and with the wind he was gone. She woke up crying. Shiroazaad quickly hugged her for comfort. ;"I know. Me too." He said. Aeri hugged him back. The two spent the night like that. Comforting each other.

The next day, the two were low on energy, and low on feelings. They couldn't focus on the training at all. ;"I'm sorry." Was all Aeri had said to Palani when she asked about it. She could see her eyes were red and puffy from crying. ;"Did something happen? You know you can tell me anything." She said. Aeri looked at the ground her 'ears' flopping down. ;"Our brother Grougaloragran. He's gone." She said silently. Palani offered her condolences. But to Aeri everything felt numb. Sure she knew he'd come back after some time, but it still didn't change the fact that he was gone for now. Truly gone, and who knows how long it would take till he'd be ready to be reborn again. Theirs took thousands of years. She felt so alone, despite Shiro being there for her, but Grougal was the closest thing to a father she had in this life. She owed everything to him, and so did he. She knew her twin would agree with her. She tried to focus on the training, but forcing out portal after portal just ended up with her burning out sooner than expected. She laid on the ground motionless. ;"I'm sorry, I don't think I can do this today." She said. Walking to her room, Shiro close behind her. The Huppermages were truly worried of them, during the years they had become something of a family to them. And their unfortune was hurting them too. Aeri sat on the edge of the bed, head held down low, Shiroazaad entered the room making noise so she'd know he was there. She didn't turn to look. She was sniffling alone. ;"I know, how hard it is to move on sister." He said placing a hand on her shoulder reassuringly. "But we have to. This happens to our kind but we always come back from it." He said. Aeri looked at him ;"It still doesn't mean I can't mourn his death." She said. Shiro shook his head. ;"Of course it doesn't. But I'm saying, we must be strong, so that we can meet him next time our heads held up high." He said. Aeri knew he was right, he was always right. Aeri gave him a warm hug in response. ;"I'll try." She said, wiping her tears away.