13 Unknown Origins (1/2)

While Ryan and the military personnel were discussing in the war room, the Great Sage who discussed with Dustan earlier, walked through a beautiful flower field. Which stretched as far as the eye could see. In the background, several mountains towered into the crystal clear skies. Meanwhile, a light fog covered the flower field, too. But, it did not impede the movement of the Great Sage. As the strolled through the field, a gentle wind carried the fragrance of the divergent flowers towards his nose. Which made him have a gentle smile as he hummed a light tune, and his robes flapped in the gentle wind.

About five hundred meters east in the direction he walked; stood a small wooden cabin which looked as if they had forgotten it in the annals of time. A total contrast to the beautiful buildings found in Haveme. The wood used its construction had a deep gray color, just like ash. Although the surrounding air was humid, the wood looked dry and somewhat on the verge of decaying. From the perspective of most people who weren't native to Hoogport, nothing stood out about the cabin. But, one could not say the same for the citizens of Hoogport. Because, the wood used in creating the cabin was the national treasure of the kingdom. One that only the Royal Family and the upper echelon of the Military and Hall of Wisdom had access to.

While the Great Sage was leisurely approaching the cabin, two individuals sat on the porch of the cabin with relaxed expressions on their faces. As they discussed with each other, their occasional laughter reverberated into the air. Looking at the duo, one had the physique of an adult while the other had that of a slender child. They were the grandfather and granddaughter duo who suffered immensely via James curse, Daisy and her grandfather. Unlike when Dustan rescued them at the Iroko walkway, they looked healthier and happier. This was especially so for Daisy, although she lost her chubby physique, and was thinner than an average little girl her age, she still looked far better than when she suffered from the effects of the curses.

”Grandpa, when will the funny-looking Grandpa come back? Do you think he ran away?” Daisy asked as she hummed a little tune. She had an innocent look in her eyes as she stared at her grandfather, waiting for his answer.

Meanwhile, her grandfather chuckled while grin from ear to ear, after the watching his only family suffer for so long, he could not be any happier as he saw Daisy acting her age.

”Daisy, why do you think our benefactor will run away from his home? Don't call him - funny looking, okay? It is not a polite thing to say, do you understand?” He said.

”I'm sorry Grandpa, I won't call the funny-looking Grandpa, funny looking anymore. Grandpa, it is freezing and lonely out here, maybe that's why the funny… the other Grandpa ran away. Grandpa, why is there some strange mist coming from the cabin. I don't feel the cold because of the mist,” Daisy said while grinning.

Daisy's grandfather had a wryly smile on his face as he heard her words, just like how he could not see - the purple and red things, he could not see the mist, too. But, he knew that the wood used in constructing the cabin was not ordinary. Because, he felt Mana rushing into his body since he regained consciousness some weeks back. Unlike Daisy who only woke up a few days ago, he could not find out about the special properties of the wood. Apart from the wood, the surrounding flowers also piqued his interest. Although they looked ordinary just like the cabin, he recognized some of them were rear medicinal herbs used by various healers. Although he could only identify less than 1% of the flowers, the discovery shocked him. Which made him to speculate about the status of the Great Sage. Someone ordinary could never own such rare commodities, he speculated. With her grandfather consumed by his thoughts, Daisy continued to ask different questions on everything she was clueless about.

A few minutes later, they could see the Great Sage's silhouette in the distance, which caused Daisy to yelp in surprise. The reason for this, was because she noticed he was floating a few inches above the ground. While the fog in the field looked as if it was avoiding him, it was a very mysterious and fascinating sight for the curious young lady.

”Funny-looking Grandpa, you're back! I thought you ran away!” Daisy shouted while waving her little hands.

While her shout echoed, her grandfather to snap open his shut eyes. He was pretending to be asleep to avoid Daisy's barrage of questions. Because of this, he could not caution Daisy in time.

”Daisy… What did I say? Don't call our benefactor funny-looking,” her grandfather whispered. Although he did not have a stern expression on his face, Daisy lowered in apology while muttering, ”Grandpa, I'm sorry… I won't call the other grandpa funny looking anymore.”

Meanwhile, the Great Sage had a cheerful smile on his face as he heard Daisy's shout. Seconds later, he disappeared and reappear at the porch of the cabin, much to daisy's surprise and delight.

”Daisy, which part of my face is funny looking? Don't I look very handsome for age?” The Great sage asked while he stood in a heroic pose in front of Daisy. His eyebrows were shuffling up and down while he flashed a grin at Daisy. He also raised his arms while trying to stress his non-existent muscles. With his current demeanor, Daisy lost her calm as she laughed while mimicking the Great Sage's pose. Tears flowed down her eyes as she laughed, too.

”Grandpa, come join us…” Daisy said as tears rolled down her eyes as he held her tummy. Her laughter was out of control.

Watching the comical scene, her grandfather had a wry smile on his face.

'Our benefactor is so carefree, one wound underestimate him… I did not even notice when he arrived… It's good he has a good relationship with Daisy…' He mused.

”Benefactor, welcome,” He said in a low voice.

”Daisy, here is a treat for you,” the Great Sage said as he handed a blue colored orb to the surprised Daisy. And, he continued his statement, ”Play with it. If you're lucky, it will give you some candy.”

Although she wanted to grab the orb at once, Daisy did not because of her upbringing. She looked at her grandfather, asking for permission through her eyes.

”Daisy, why aren't you thanking our benefactor for the gift? C'mon take it and tell him thank you,” he said.

”Thank you, funny looking Grandpa,” Daisy said. Before her grandfather could complain, like an agile cat, she grabbed the orb and ran into the cabin.

Meanwhile, her reaction caused the Great Sage to burst into a bout of laughter. ”Youngsters of nowadays,” he said while shaking his head.

”Benefactor, I'm sorry for…” while Daisy's grandfather tried to apologize, the Great Interjected. ”It's all right. Abel, please have a seat,” The Great Sage said as he gestured towards an empty seat. Wasting no time, Daisy's grandfather - Abel, sat on a wooden chair while the Great Sage on the one opposite to his.

With the duo seating opposite each other, Abel heard the Great Sage's voice again, ”Abel, have you made your decision? Do you plan on telling Daisy you're not are Grandfather?”

Abel had a pained look on his face. The initial smile he had on his face disappeared into oblivion.

'I guess I can runaway from this question forever… But, why does reality have to be so cruel?' Abel mused as he lowered his head.

***

A few weeks ago, the soldiers from Dustan's party carried Abel and Daisy to the Great Sage's residence. As if he already knew about their imminent arrival, the Great Sage wasted no time in healing the duo. He did not even question the soldiers, he only told them to drop the sick duo and return to Dustan.

Although Abel suffered immensely from James's curse, because of the Great Sage he recovered in two weeks. A testament to the unique healing capabilities of the Great Sage. On the eighteenth day after his arrival, Abel regained consciousness. While sporting a stupefied expression on his face as he observed the unfamiliar room of a cabin. That he wasn't a dead man was a great surprise to him. When he discovered he had made a remarkable recovery, it left him speechless.

”How are you feeling? Do you feel any pain?” These were the first words, Abel heard as he regained consciousness. Since he did not know where he was, he became frightened.

Just as he was about to activate his Mana, he heard the same voice again, ”I mean you no harm. You are not in the best condition to use your Mana, please don't stress your body. You still need to rest.”

While the Great Sage's voice drifted into Abel's ears, it had a calming effect on his tensed body which caused him to fall into a slumber-like state. He did not even utter a word in the short period he was awake.

A few days later, he regained consciousness for a second time. But unlike before, he did not act rashly this time around.

”Benefactor, thank you for saving me. I'm also grateful for your help in saving my granddaughter,” Abel said in a humble, but an uncertain voice.