What was left with Megumi village was just ash and some burnt wood. Nothing else.
"How are we going to find Kyle, Erica? It looks like the fire didn't leave anything behind," Simon said while covering his mouth so that he won't inhle ash. Yes, they went to Megumi village to find Kylie while the other slaves went home to their respective villages.
"Let's not give up," Erica said, "Let's look for him in another village, maybe he left."
Minna raises her hand, "Oh! I know a village near Megumi! It's my home, at least I can also see its condition."
Erica nodded. But as they were about to leave, someone called out weakly, "O-onee... onee-chan... h-help.."
"Kyle?" Erica immediately looked again at her old home to see if anyone's around. Only her little brother would call her that way.
And she saw him under a pie of burnt wood. They could hardly see him because her was completely covered in black ash. Without hesitating, Erica quickly rushed to his side to pick up the pile of wood covering her sister, crying, "Kylie! I'm so glad you're safe and alive! Judy, Simon, Minna, help me pick up these wood!"
And the three did what she told them to do. As soon as the wood were all gone, Erica immediately hugged her brother, and Kyle hugged her back. The two were sobbing.
"Onee-chan..."
"Kyle..."
"Kyle?" the five looked at where the voice came from, and spotted their father with no guards accompanying him. Kyle looked at him in surprise, "Father?"
He missed their father. Even after living in Megumi without him for so many years, he still missed him.
On the other hand, Erica was furious, "You! What are you doing here?! I already told you to stay away from us!"
"Onee-chan, why are you mad at father? We should be happy because he's here, right?" Kyle asked innocently.
"No, we shouldn't be," Erica pointed at Nadal, "because of him, we got no place to live anymore. Because of him, mother died!"
"W-what?" Kyle asked.
Nadal spoke nervously, "Erica, please, let me explain."
Erica didn't answer. Her younger brother looked at her, "Onee-chan, I think we should let him--"
"Go," Erica said. She actually meant let him 'go', finishing Kyle's sentence. But the rest though Erica ws letting her father to explain.
"I never really wanted to shout at you," Nadal started, "but I just can't help myself. I don't want the guards to think that I'm a coward."
Erica was about to shout at him again, but she controlled herself, "So you prefer pride than your own daughter?"
"No-- I mean, yes. I don't know. It's just that I didn't know that you were still living in Megumi. Before I left, me and your mother had an argument. I thought your mother doesn't love me anymore so she left Megumi with both of you. I didn't know you were also included in the child hunting, and I NEVER expect you to be part of it."
They remained silent. Nadal continued speaking, "And I'm sorry. I know that a single word isn't enough to take back all the sins that I have done in my family. Don't worry, I'm not asking for forgivencess. Whether you forgive me or not, it's okay. I know how it feels. So.. sorry."
Erica and Kyle didn't talk back at their father. Instead, they hugged him, which surprised the latter. He can see that they're crying.
"I'm sorry too, father. I didn't know the reason behind allthese, and I shouted at you for nothing. I didn't let you to explain at first," Erica said while sobbing.
"If you only knew, we missed you," Kyle said, "I thought you already left us. I'm sorry too."
Nadal hugged his children back. He started to cry, too, "Why are you saying sorry? I'm the one who's at fault. I planned to construct the Supreme Tower by using slaves but how foolish of me, you were innocently included. I was using it to get fame and money, and I can finally help you and your mommy. But I didn't get it."
"Father," Erica released her hold from her father and looked at him, "We don't need money. We need you."
Suddenly, a smile formed on Nadal's lips. He knows that he's not worthy to take care of his children, but they need him. And he needs them.
"I love you both. Don't you ever forget that," Nadal said, hugging Erica and Kyle.
"We love you too, father," the two said in unison.
We can't avoid to have arguments with our parents. But never get too carried away by your feelings. Both of them still need our love equally, and also our whole family.
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Author's Note: I could hardly hold my tears while writing this last part of the story. But still, tears were streaming down my face. Anyway, I hope you learned a little lesson from my story. Just comment below if you want to request another inspiring short story. :)
