[The atmosphere in the simple living room of Professor Aldemar's house. After a moment of silence, Quartzis hesitantly speaks.]
Quartzis:
"I... want to ask. What were Father and Mother like? All this time, I've only heard a little about Father from Professor Aldemar. But about Mother... I've never known anything."
[Altair and Feran exchange glances. Feran sighs, then offers a faint smile.]
Feran:
"Our Mother was a sweet woman. She had short red hair, a smile that always warmed the atmosphere. Her nature was gentle, full of love... and she always managed to make me feel safe with just one hug."
[Quartzis listens in silence, his eyes sparkling. Altair continues with a heavy but warm voice.]
Altair:
"As for Father... he was full of laughter. He was humorous, liked to tease about small things to make us laugh, even in difficult times. But behind that, he was also very brave... never backing down from danger to protect his family."
[For a moment, silence returns to the room.]
Quartzis:
"Then... where have you been all this time?"
"Professor Aldemar only told me about Father. I want to know... about you who are now in front of me."
[Altair smiles wryly before starting to speak.]
Altair:
"I... was stranded in the underworld, in the belly of the earth. That place was full of monsters,The water tastes metallic, and pools of lava stretched everywhere. Narrow tunnels of deep red seemed to swallow everything. I lived there... with Grandfather."
Quartzis:
(Slightly shaken, asking softly)
"Grandfather? What kind of person was he? Can I meet him?"
[Altair stares blankly for a moment before answering.]
Altair:
"Grandfather was a tall figure, thin but muscular, even in his old age. He was stern, easily angered, but... behind his harsh demeanor, there was a deep love for family. He often chatted about Grandmother, Uncle, Father, and Mother... as if they were still by his side."
(Altair's voice lowers, holding back emotion.)
"However... he is gone now."
[Quartzis falls silent, looking down. He then turns his gaze to Feran.]
Quartzis:
"What about you, Brother Feran? What happened to you?"
[Feran smiles faintly, there's a sadness he's hiding.]
Feran:
"I was taken away by Uncle to the Rasyidia Empire. He took care of me as best as he could... even though he was a bit stiff and insensitive. He always tried to cover his wounds, hide his pain, as if wanting to appear strong in my eyes. But I knew, I saw everything."
(Feran pauses for a moment, taking a long breath.)
"He passed away while I was still at the academy. At that time, it felt... like losing the only reason to keep living. But I believed his words: that our family was still out there. That's why I kept trying... until finally becoming the War Commander of the Empire, and being reunited with Brother Altair."
[Professor Aldemar listens in silence, his face showing deep sorrow. Altair and Feran exchange glances, aware of the old wounds each of them carries.]
[Quartzis looks at both of them with teary eyes, then asks softly.]
Quartzis:
"So... now it's just us?"
[Altair nods slowly, his eyes sad. But before silence completely engulfs them, Feran speaks, his voice firm.]
Feran:
"That doesn't mean everything has ended. We haven't found Father yet. Who knows... we might still meet him."
[A small smile appears on their faces. Although the wounds are still open, there's a glimmer of hope that warms their hearts.]
[After that heavy conversation, the atmosphere felt a little stifling. Altair stood up from his seat.]
Altair:
"I'll... borrow the bathroom for a bit. I feel like I need to clear my head."
Professor Aldemar:
(Smiling slightly)
"Just use the bathroom in the left hallway."
[Altair nods and casually walks to the bathroom. Once inside, he turns on the water and lets the shower soak his body. He stands still, starting to daydream, letting his mind go blank.]
Suddenly, a familiar voice appears in his head.
Roniver (in Altair's mind):
"Oi, stop looking down at your private parts, you loser. Did you forget we share vision here?"
[Altair flinches, his face instantly turning red. He quickly looks up.]
Altair (embarrassed):
"Why do you have to appear at a time like this?"
Roniver (grinning):
"Good heavens... we share vision and emotions, Altair. I feel everything from you; sadness, pleasure, anger... everything."
[Altair closes his eyes, a small smile on his face under the shower.]
Altair:
"So... what do you think about our journey here?"
[Roniver is silent for a moment, before finally replying in a slightly softer tone.]
Roniver:
"Well... it was quite a pleasant journey. But I don't like that slant-eyed guy. He's like... I don't know how to put it."
Altair:
"You mean... that pathetic Duke? Well, I've always suspected that slant-eyed people are indeed cunning."
[Roniver laughs loudly in Altair's mind.]
Roniver:
"Good heavens! You're starting to be racist! What's next, you gonna say I'm black?"
Altair:
(Chuckling lightly)
"Haha, good idea."
[The conversation makes Altair momentarily forget the heavy burden they carry. But he gets too carried away, unaware of how quickly time is passing.]
(Outside the bathroom)
[Outside, Feran stands tapping his foot, his face annoyed.]
Feran:
"Altair, it's been almost half an hour. Are you showering or conducting a spirit summoning ritual in there?"
[No answer.]
Feran:
(Louder)
"Hey, did you fall asleep?! Don't tell me you got lost in the bathroom!"
[Still no sound.]
Feran:
(Sighing, then starting to bang on the door roughly)
"Altair! If you don't come out in five minutes, I'm breaking down the door!"
[The loud knocking makes Quartzis and Professor Aldemar in the living room stifle small laughs.]
(Back inside the bathroom)
[Altair opens one eye, smirking.]
Altair (in his mind):
"Looks like I got too carried away. Time to return to the real world."
[He quickly finishes his shower, then comes out with wet hair and casual clothes.]
Feran:
(Crossing his arms, staring sharply)
"Finally. I thought you had turned into a fish from soaking in there for so long."
Altair:
(Casually, while flicking his hair)
"Swimming in water isn't my specialty, Feran."
[The atmosphere lightens, with a smile.]
[Altair comes out of the bathroom, his hair still wet and messy. His clothes are casual, looking like someone who just fought with water.]
Feran:
(Grinning widely)
"Look at that, like a whale that just came ashore."
[Altair snorts lazily. Feran, without much thought, throws a small towel at Altair's head.]
Feran:
"Hurry up and dry your hair, you leaky bucket."
[Altair catches the towel, making a mock annoyed face.]
Altair:
"If I'm a leaky bucket, you're a cracked dipper."
[Quartzis, who had been observing them, blinks innocently and then asks seriously.]
Quartzis:
"Are you guys actually humans or bathroom utensils?"
[Instantly, Feran and Altair burst into laughter. Professor Aldemar, sitting not far from them, only smiles gently, his eyes glistening as he witnesses their togetherness.]
Professor Aldemar:
(To himself)
"Finally... this family can laugh again."
[Altair pats Quartzis's head with his wet hand.]
Altair:
"We're not humans, you dummy. But it seems like you need to learn a lot about humor from us."
Quartzis:
(Nodding innocently)
"Okay. Starting tomorrow, teach me how to be a good bathroom utensil."
[The atmosphere is filled with light laughter again. For the first time in a long time, a feeling of warmth fills the simple room, as if the dangerous world outside has momentarily disappeared.]