59 Farewell at Dawn (1/2)

”Waaah, Andria will miss brother so much!” Andria's sweet crying rang in the air as she rubbed her reddening eyes. Her tears covered her little fingers and dripped onto the dirt beneath, staining it a darker colour.

Jonathan put on a warm smile and sat down on his knees so he was on her level before cupping his hands on her round cheeks. He spoke softly in her ear as he leaned his warm forehead against hers. ”Don't cry little An, I'll only be gone for a few more months. You've already been such a good girl this year, do you want to spoil that now?”

Andria's sniffing and crying came to a stop when she felt the warm sensation on her forehead and heard those words. Sniffling back her final tears, she croaked in response. ”A-Andria will be g-good girl, will wait for B-Big Brother's r-return! No c-cry... N-no more.”

”Good girl!” Jonathan laughed brightly and shook her hair into a mess playfully, causing Andria to pout and stick out her tongue resentfully.

Her cheeks were now dry.

”Be careful out there son. I don't know much about whats happening in Claw Reverence, so keep a close watch on your surroundings and don't act too foolishly.” Alexander stepped forward, placing his veined hand on Jonathan's shoulder. His lips were curved into a warm smile while his eyes showed a trace of worry as he looked deeply in Jonathan's eyes, which were identical to his black ones.

”I will, father!” Jonathan responded seriously.

”Big Brother, take care of my son well. Make sure to keep his true rank secret, I agree that something of this magnitude should not be revealed carelessly.” Alexander turned to face his brother, Kil as he spoke solemnly, referring to Jonathan's breakthrough into the Spirit Rank.

”Haha, don't worry little bro, if the fool even dares to show off a hint of his true rank, I'll beat him up till people think he could be nothing but a Foundation Rank Magician!” Uncle KIl quipped as he cracked his knuckles, a playful and excited grin gracing his bald head.

”Teh!” Jonathan clicked his tongue but didn't say anything, only looked at his uncle with a scornful gaze.

”Alright, enough with your bickering. Its more like your a pair of brother rather than Uncle and Nephew.” Alexander sighed helplessly.

Jonathan and Uncle Kil let out a harrumph in sync, only angering each other more. But for the sake of the moment, they held back their need to spar.

Finally, Jonathan's gaze turned to the kitten's Greenish-Red one's. With a deep sigh he walked up to her who was sitting on the floor next Andria, eyes staring dully at the ground.

Hearing footsteps walking up to her and eventually the outline of the tip of a shoe in her periphery vision, Lexa looked up to find the maximized view of Jonathan kneeling right their in front of her. He was so close the kitten got a big fright and toppled backwards to the laugh of those around her.

”Hehehe, silly little fang!” Andria giggled through her tiny hands.

”I told you to not call me that.” Little Fa- I mean Lexa grumbled before turning towards the laughing face of Jonathan, a sinister gleam shining in her feline eyes.

Swish!

”Gah!” Jonathan cried out as Lexa's claws struck his cheek, cutting it shallowly. He could only let out a wry laugh. ”I guess I deserved that...”

”Its been long awaited with all the antics you've pulled, hmpth!” Lexa harrumphed.

”Alright, alright. This young master apologizes to the great Lexa!” Jonathan laughed with a grin as he petted the kitten's small head softly.

”Hmm, that's much better.” Lexa nodded, her eyes slanting and her head nodding in satisfaction.

”This is going to be our farewell for now, little lass...” Jonathan's voice suddenly turned solemn and his petting of the kitten paused as he looked at her with a sad smile.

”I guess so...” Lexa mumbled halfheartedly, her eyes also turning solemn. ”Jonathan, no matter what, you were my first friend in this world...” Lexa declared.

”Haha, what are you getting all depressed about. We'll see each other at the end of the year, on new year's eve.” Jonathan chuckled as prodded her forehead with his index finger before retreating his hand as he stood from his crouched position. Lexa only grumbled as she pawed at her forehead.