[ “Kyu? Why sad faces everyone~? See, I’m alright, kyu~.” ] She asked with a warm smile.
A big squirrel, sitting on the altar, smiling at every energy beast like a mother, was something I never thought I would see in my life.
A family, a large family made of different species, sizes, and colors, but the same heart.
All were happy, and I couldn’t believe it was the same hell I have lived in these past months.
She was special, and it wasn’t just her power or outside look, she was special from her heart, too.
What would you need to do to be a mother-like figure to hundreds of beasts?
What would you have done to a warrior species like this strong Orc, a plant species like those Ent, and that aquatic species like hippo humanoid?
It wasn’t just about strength, but also about the character of the master.
This was amazing, and I liked how these beasts had a harmonic, warm relationship with each other.
As I was looking at this scene with a warm smile, lady Fern turned towards me.
She was also cheerful, and it reminded me of mom… which I couldn’t help with right now.
The sole tear that brushed my cheek was warm, warm enough to feel on my already heated body.
Seeing this, a small smile spread out on her face and she sighed.
Hopping closer to me, she cleared the tears and patted my cheeks with a small smile.
[ “Don’t worry, guys. You will reunite with them.” ] She said, looking into my eyes.
It was a calm touch, and I felt calmer than even with my dynamic heart. This tranquil feeling seemed unreal to me.
“Yes…”
I knew I would be with them. It wasn’t a question, to begin with.
But… the long time away from them was still difficult.
With a sigh, I took a step back and watched her up and down.
“Are you alright now?” I asked, looking at her bright self.
Nothing good would come out of talking about my parents.
[ “Yes~! Thanks to you, I’m perfectly fine, kyu!” ]
She jumped on the altar and patted her chest, saying she was ok.
She clapped her hand and looked at everyone in the room.
[ “Ok! Kyu, everyone. Don’t worry and go to sleep. As you can see, kyu, I’m safe now~! I have many things to talk about with my savor~.” ]
She jumped down from the altar and greeted everyone.
Every beast here was happy and many of them were crying tears of joy.
Some baby beasts even went asleep while crying. Even their mothers were worried sick about her.
Watching all this, I strangely remember those animated moves from my previous world, but… this was different.
Fern was a master, a ruler, a family, a mother figure, and… a pillar.
A pillar supporting all these lives present.
They believed her, looked up to her, and loved her. ．
Watching all this made me rethink this place I called hell.
***
Sitting on a large tree branch with Fern, we looked up at the beautiful blue moon and twinkling stars that filled the sky.
This magnificent view was something I was seeing for the first time in my life.
I could see more stars from here than in my previous home and the moon was somehow more beautiful than normal.
It was an extraordinary scene.
Sitting beside me, Fern started talking while still looking at the moon.
[ “Axion. Would you be my friend?” ]
Her genuine tone surprised me, but it was a really tough question to answer.
Taking my eyes away from the moon, I looked down and fall into deep thoughts.
I never had any real friends.
When I was young, I feared losing friends more than anything.
After I started playing games, the people I met weren’t my real friends.
In my line of work, there weren’t friends or colleagues, but either acquaintances or customers.
There was no one I had to call a ‘real’ friend.
If I were to be friends with someone, I wanted that person to be my ‘real’ friend.
And, I didn’t know this being that well to let her have my friendship.
“No,” I answered, looking at her.
A sad expression appeared on her face, which created guilt deep in my heart.
This was a strange feeling that I knew wasn’t mine genuine feeling but, I somehow couldn’t deny them.
This was a strange, genuine sadness that seemed too real to look away from.
“What the…”
I wanted to understand what was happening, but before I could, Fern flinched.
[ “Oh! S-sorry! I didn’t want that…” ]
She tried to explain but went into a panic to even talk about anything.
She was a mess when she went into a panic like this.
“Ok, ok~. Calm down. I’m not angry or anything~.” Reassuring her that I was ok, I patted her head, which was just slightly bigger than my hand.
On that, she almost blushed and sat down while looking down.
It was funny how someone that was almost a ruler, a leader, and a mother figure acted like that.
Still looking down, she started explaining what that was.
[ “As you know, origin beasts are different from normal beasts. Just like Celestine is a <Crystal Butterfly>, I’m a <Helper squirrel>.
Someone like me helps other beings in nature.
Just like Celestine has a special <Skill> and I have a special power that… you just saw.
I can become close to anyone very quickly.
Stimulate positive emotions so that they can endure negative emotions and others believe me quickly.
Everyone that was with us today has been part of my family.
I couldn’t help them in physical matters, but I can help them emotionally.
It’s… a useless ability, but everyone is still grateful to me, so I also believe in everyone.
Earlier… I thought I can help you when you were remembering those special to you and holding back your tears and pain.
But… just like right now, looks like my ability doesn’t work on you like everyone.” ]
She was once again sad while saying her ability was useless, which was not true at all!
“Look here, Fern. No ability is useless. And yours is something very special,” I said and patted her head once again.
Her ability to control emotions… was something really unbelievable.
Imagine someone who can make you happy or ease your pain even though you are having emotional breakdowns, psychological problems, or stress disorders.
If given a chance, she could cure many creatures, mostly humans, suffering from mental problems.
This was a phenomenal ability and I might have loved to have her use it, but… not for the pain of not being able to see my family.
It was my pain and also my motivation, my idea, and my short-term goal.
She was a good person and I can feel her sincerity.
Not the one that her ability was showing, but her real self.
I could tell with my heart… she was safe.
“You know what Fern, let’s be friends~,” I smiled and extended my hand for a handshake.
She had friends, family, and people to look after, but I knew she didn’t have a genuine friend.
So, she can be my first true friend, and I can be hers.