Chapter Three

The Reunion of Heirs

The morning had brought clear skies with it, and today was the day that someone’s dreams would finally come true. That someone was a young boy, who as Alisha a few miles away entered her house for the last time, left his own to head up into the garden. It was his job every morning to check on and feed the rabbits his Mother used to breed. The love his mother had once given so much to them seemed to come back through them when Shion found them licking his hands and listening to his every word. Since his mother’s death he’d learnt about his guardian, and even though he knew that it were only Archaeus that spoke to him, he felt that the rabbits could understand too. His mother’s spirit still lingered in the pen with them, and it felt like she was really there.

Shion always found himself contemplating whilst he spent his time feeding the bunnies. About how much he missed his mother, how he despised his Father, and how he wished that someone from Aetherspace would come and rescue him. That was when he began to get confused. All the memories of his mum wouldn’t surround him when he left, how would he remember her then? A heavy sigh escaped him and he looked to Archaeus, his Guardian, who was busy teasing the baby rabbits with some carrot, forcing a laugh from the boy.

“If I were to put you in a cage and sway a bar of chocolate in front of you… “ The small dragon-shaped guardian snorted, blowing wood shavings all over a small black rabbit.

“ I would bite your hand off! “ The two shared their gaze for a few moments, before Shion shook his head, closing up the hutch door of the last rabbits that needed to be fed. Before moving away to the pen door, making sure to kick Archaeus in the side before running off down the garden.

“ Beat you to the beck! “ He yelled back. At that, Archaeus jumped in the air, propelling himself to fly upwards in the general direction of the beck. His wings shone a soft blue in the high sunlight, which made his wings seem like that were transparent. Searching over the rooftops, he spotted Shion, who had only just gotten round the corner from the house. That was when he spotted the milkman heading down the road, and like a shot he lifted his wings and fell to the floor.

Shion in the meantime was swiftly making his way to the beck, slowing down as he turned into the path that ran alongside it, only to find Archaeus already sat at the side of the small river, watching the fish swim past.

“ How on earth did you get here so fast? The milkman was on his rounds! He must have seen you? “ Shion blurted out, before leaning over to catch his breath. Only to have Archaeus watch him with a most anxious look on his face. Shaking his head slowly, the dragon peered back into the water, his impishness gone in an instant.

“ You really have been here too long. Good Job that, really. “ Shion frowned, wandering over to sit himself down next to the dragon and letting the tips of his trainers trail over the water.

“What’s a good job, and how did you get here so fast without being seen? “ Archaeus just shook his head, smiling almost as he looked up at Shion.

You’ll know soon enough. I will let you know. However! That day you’ve been waiting for is upon us. “ Shion’s eyes lit up, and without realising it, his feet had gone under the water and his socks quickly soaked it up. Shion was too interested in what news Archaeus had to notice.

“Upon us! You mean they’ll be here for me soon? Like, in a few days? “ The guardian frowned, realising that what he had said to Shion about being away from home for so long applied to him too. It was as if Physeospace drained the both of their energy. He simply offered a smile, nodding slowly.

“Soon. Yes.” He couldn’t possibly reveal that, the one who would collect them would be here within the hour. He himself was overcome with hidden excitement. He would see Eykoe again; there would be a huge reunion. It would be grand! With that, the child in Archaeus appeared again, and he leapt into the water, not failing to cover Shion who was still shocked, from head to foot in the stuff. Still, he sat there daydreaming.

Finally, he’d been waiting for two years to be taken away, and at long last he would be back where he belonged away from his dratted father! A feeling of peace flitted through his mind, and for the first time – in a long time, he felt calm.

It was only when Archaeus jumped out from the water, flapping his wings to shake the excess off his back and onto Shion, that he realised he was soaked. A heavy sigh escaped him and he pushed the dragon back into the beck, laughing at him for a while as he got pulled away with the current. His laughter lasted only as long as it took for Archaeus to disappear completely, reappearing behind Shion, who uttered an ‘Uh-Oh’ before being pushed in himself, falling face first in the beck

Laughing, Archaeus let his wings dry, flapping them lightly in the morning sun that had begun to break over the houses. Shion, stood to his feet shaking his arms and head to brush the water off him. Suddenly both guardian and dependant fell quiet. Shion for what his eyes saw – Archaeus for the presence he felt.

“Arch! There’s someone coming, they’ll see you. “ Shion’s Jade eyes were wider then they’d ever been, his fear of being ‘found out’ tremendous, and when Archaeus did nothing but bat his wings some more, he grew angry. Wading through the shallow water towards Archaeus. Shion bopped him, between the two bumps on his head that would grow to be his horns, with a balled fist.

“ Are you listening to me? You’re in Dragon form! Change… NOW. “ Archaeus’ tail flicked over to hit Shion across his forearm, nudging his head to push him back again, laughing as the boy fell back with a splash.

“Idiot. Can’t you tell they’re not human? “ Shion’s eyes stopped on Archaeus for a while, before moving slowly towards the trio making their way closer to them. His mouth fell open, and with a flick of his head, wet strands of chocolate brown hair fell into his eyes.

“Oh. “ He said simply, staring at the three of them only lifting a hand to brush his hair from his eyes. The next thing he knew was that someone, or something had tackled Archaeus, and as Arch fell back, so did Shion. He felt a pang of realisation and a fondness towards the other guardian and whoever she looked after. He was glad to see that the other dependant looked as shocked as he.

“Archaeus! “ Yelled the female dragon, holding Archaeus pinned on his back. “ I’ve been looking forward to…” She stopped suddenly, leaping off him with a squeak. “ Eew! You’re wet!” Archaeus snickered, rolling up onto his feet and nudging his head up against her side, bounding away quickly towards the two others, as they walked over to where Shion sat, at which point they laughed.

“Shion. This is Alisha, the other Aetheon here. Raiin, An Aetheon Elder, and Eykoe. Alisha’s guardian!” Raiin bowed to Shion, as Alisha held back a bout of laughter, smiling at him all the same.

“Pleased to meet you, Shion. “ With another giggle, she leant down, offering her counterpart a hand. He took it gingerly, helping himself up.

“Thanks, I think. Finally got to meet you.” A smile etched across his lips as he brushed a few more tendrils of hair from his eyes, before a sudden gust of warm wind surrounded him, drying him off completely, both his and Alisha’s eyes lit up as the other three smiled. Raiin stood with a proud look. Obviously he’d used magic. It was he that spoke first.

“We have lots to get done, so much for the both of you to learn. Let’s get going to Shion’s first. “ He turned, clicking his fingers once, both Eykoe and Archaeus bounded up next to him. Soon Raiin was deep in conversation with the two guardians, leaving Alisha and Shion to find something to talk about.

“Uh, So. How are you? “ Alisha smiled as she spoke, leaning into a stride as they began to make their way to Shion’s a blush filling her cheeks as he just stared at her for a while, before replying.

“ To tell you the truth? I’m rather scared.” He blinked a few times, finding himself deep in thought. He’d longed for this day so much, and now it was here. All the bad things about leaving flooded his mind, and his cheeks lost all colour. Still he continued walking alongside Alisha, staring down at the floor. His walking partner soon noticed but failed to say anything, she didn’t need to. It was obvious to her what he was thinking, for she felt the same way.

A heavy sigh escaped the both of them and their guardians fell back from Raiin to walk alongside their dependants, Archaeus flittered up to be at the same height as Shion nodding slowly to him.

“We’ll get home soon, and it’ll all be fine. You know, we’ll get to Aetherspace and it’ll be fine. I know how you’re feeling though, so does Alisha and Eykoe, it’s all the same.” The three others nodded to Shion reassuringly, as Raiin stopped, holding an arm out toward a house next to him.

“Here we go Shion?” Another sigh escaped him and he nodded to Raiin, turning into the drive, with Archaeus in hot pursuit making their towards house. Raiin waved to the other two to follow, as Shion opened his front door, waiting before he stepped through the threshold, his eyes fixing on Raiin.

“You do know, don’t you?” Raiin nodded, smiling to the young boy, as he placed a hand on his shoulder lightly. Shion felt calm again for the second time that day. He then entered the house, peering around the kitchen corner to find his Father sat in a huge chair with a newspaper in his hands. Raiin, Alisha and Eykoe piled in after him, staring at the man who failed to acknowledge Shion’s dragon formed guardian and the other three. He only spoke.

“Dishes to be done, Shion. Then you can make us some sandwiches for lunch.” Raiin’s expression changed dramatically; stepping past everyone he lifted a hand to pull the paper down, away from the man’s eyes, so that he was staring directly at Raiin.

“Excuse me. “ The man’s face fell completely, and in a flash he shot to his feet, the newspaper in his hand lay forgotten on the floor.

“Raiin! We didn’t expect to see you, “ It seemed that was the end of his sentence, until he added a hasty, “So Soon! “

“I’ll go and get my things. “

With that, Shion departed, Archaeus not far behind to make their way to his room, leaving his Father face to face with Raiin, his cheeks pale.

“How have you coped without your wife? It must have been difficult for you. Having to look after Shion but yourself. How have you coped? I hope he took the news of his origin well.” Shion’s ‘Father’ moved away from Raiin wandering towards the kitchen area.

“I haven’t been coping. That brat is fine. He can cope with anything can’t he, He’s Aether-Whatsit, “ He shook his head, staring down at the counter, “ I on the other hand have had the most difficult time of my life. “

Raiin shook his head again, turning away from the other adult to smile at Alisha, curling an arm around her shoulder.

“We’ll wait for Shion to finish and say his goodbyes. Can’t wait here for too long. Won’t be a very good start to our journey, would it? Have to keep happy.”

Alisha nodded, kneeling down to play with the tips of Eykoe’s feline ears, a smile etching over her lips before she pressed her nose against the cats own. The three of them peered up to Shion as he re-entered the room. He has a black baseball cap on, backwards, a few strands of hair flicked out over his forehead, a small dark blue rucksack on his back, obviously filled with clothes and precious belongings.

“Ready then? “ The minute he’d spoken, Shion’s Father spun round to look at what was going on, hurrying over to the others, his eyes wide.

“You’re leaving already? Aren’t you going to stay a while and talk? “ Shion looked up to Raiin in question, before shaking his head slowly, moving towards Alisha and offering her a hand up, smiling.

“I’m going to show Alisha the bunnies and say goodbye. You can come along with us? “ Shion shuffled his bag on his back, making his way out and up towards the far end of the garden, walking alongside Alisha, the two silent in mutual understanding. As he made his way closer to the rabbit’s pen, he held the door, letting the others in first, before making his way to the biggest hutch, opening it slowly.

It was obvious that he favoured this particular rabbit. It’s water bottle and food bowl were full nearly to the top. The rabbit itself had nearly completely dark fur, aside from the white of his paws and on the tips of his ears.

“This is Paws. My mum hand reared him, and he’s been my favourite ever since, really. Don’t you think he’s cute? He won’t bite. “ Stepping aside to let her closer, she reached a hand in to touch his head, running her thumb and forefinger over his ear, only to be pushed aside by Shion’s father, who pressed a hand to it’s back, brushing across him firmly.

“This is your mum’s favourite? I had no idea!” Shion frowned, shaking his head slowly, before pushing his Father’s hands away.

“He doesn’t like that. You have to be gentle with them all, they’re only little.” He lectured, looking to Alisha with a fed up look in his eyes. She could feel his pain.

Alisha ran her fingers over the rabbits ear again, before dropping her hand away, smiling as Shion whispered a ‘goodbye, Pawsie. “ The two of them stepped back as Shion slowed up the hutch, whispering a quick goodbye to all of the rabbits in turn, taking a deep breath as he turned to his Father, offering a smile.

“Do you think you’ll be able to look after them all like mum did? The need cleaning out often, new food and water everyday, like mum used to do. “ He stared blankly at his Father, waiting for some kind of reply, to which he nodded slowly. Shion stepped forward and gave him a hug.

“Thank you, Dad. I’m really going to have to go though. I’ve waited for today for years. There’s nothing else really to say, “ He paused a moment, tucking his thumbs under the straps of his bag, “ Are you coming to see me go? “ His Father’s eyes welled up, and he fell back to sit down shaking his head slowly, his thoughts obviously miles away, he spoke again.

“No. You go on. I’ll be thinking of you. “ Shion nodded, taking yet another deep breath before turning, uttered a ‘goodbye’, which was repeated to him. The Five of them made their way towards the front gate, Shion and Archaeus walking together, Shion’s eyes on Archaeus. Now that the goodbyes were over, he felt ready to leave.

Like Alisha before him, Shion didn’t turn back when they left down the drive, and onto the road, tears welled up in his eyes too. They were all free now and the travel back home was so close, they could almost touch it.