HER KIND

Climbing Trees

'Chapter 21'

─── · 。ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

A week had passed since their arrival at the small farm. In the early morning quietude, a routine had settled over the house. The stairs would creak under the weight of sleepy footsteps around 7 am, just as the sun began to cast its golden glow over the trees encircling the farm. Breakfast was swift, a communal affair where the clinking of cutlery and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air.

After breakfast, a curious pattern emerged. The family dispersed, finding their places within the vastness of the farm. Dria, always vigilant, observed from the porch as the day unfolded. Edrik, determined and disciplined, engaged in rigorous training sessions with Kane and Marcelo, the trio forming a makeshift training ground under the open sky. Their movements were swift, purposeful, a dance of agility and power.

Meanwhile, Jared and Alucard retreated to the barn, disappearing into its depths for hours on end. The muffled sounds of tools and whispered conversations wafted through the wooden walls, giving an air of secrecy to their activities.

Elliam, the youngest among them, often nestled close to Dria. His eyes, filled with innocence and curiosity, followed the siblings as they practiced. Occasionally, he'd join the fray, his laughter ringing through the air as he played alongside his twin, their youthful exuberance a contrast to the seriousness that enveloped the older members of the household.

As the sun climbed higher, bathing the farm in warm hues, the disparate sounds of training, conversation, and laughter merged into a harmonious melody, a testament to their unity in the face of uncertainty. 

The echoes of footsteps on the back porch floorboards stirred Dria from her intense observation of the training session before her.

"Marcelo has been improving," Katrina remarked, settling beside her on the stairs.

Dria nodded absentmindedly. "Yes, they all have, but I can't help but think that Jeremiah's teachings might not be enough soon. The danger we're in requires more than just basic skills."

"You're always worrying about what's to come. Marcelo is progressing, and Edrick, well, he knows everything his father ever taught him. They'll be fine," Katrina reassured her, her tone calm but firm.

Dria frowned, her worry etched on her face. "It's not just about the present skills. Continual learning is vital, especially in our situation. We can't afford complacency."

With a sigh, Dria stood up from her seat. "I need to find Elliam. It's been a while since I've seen him."

"He went toward the barn a few minutes ago," Katrina said, her head gesturing to the rustic brown building across the small field.

Dria's five-minute walk to the barn was accompanied by Katrina's reassurances, yet she couldn't shake off the feeling of impending danger. The wooden doors creaked open, granting her access to the familiar, rustic interior. The silence inside was nearly palpable, broken only by the soft rustling of hay and the absence of the horses that usually occupied the stables. Intrigued and slightly concerned, Dria followed her curiosity.

On the far side of the barn, she discovered slightly ajar doors, revealing faint hoof prints on the ground that led toward the dense woods behind the barn. Worry tightened its grip on her heart; she knew that if she noticed the footprints, young Elliam, driven by his impulsive nature, would have seen them too. Without a second thought, she decided to track him.

The further she ventured into the woods, the denser the foliage became, casting eerie shadows on the forest floor. Every step she took felt like a battle against her rising anxiety. The distant sounds of grunting and clashing metal grew louder, urging her to quicken her pace.