"What the hell are you doing, you stupid ogre?" Open your eyes. Don't die! shouted Argon, kicking him in the ribs. There was a note of deep sympathy in her expletives.
He grinned and tried to open his eyes, but he couldn't; the swelling in his face eventually made that impossible.
"You're such a, you know that, Aguin?" By the way, you killed your fucking savage goddess, you're welcome. "
"You're alive!" both boys shouted in unison. "You really lived!" He could feel their little hands on him, trying to wipe away the blood.
"We're going to need a lot of bandages," Pepper said. He sounded desperate.
"It's no use, kids. I could pass out any minute now and that would be the end of me. Just remember my name. Tell them about A
d
Tell the stories of okles' god-killers, giants and saviors in a nice way so that they can remember them. "He said.
"Oh, don't be so exaggerated. Here, I have prepared some vinegar and wine. Drink it." Aguna said. She pressed a piece of skin to his lips and he drank it obediently. She poured the water slowly so he could swallow it all.
When it disappeared, he said: "Agn, to be honest, I'm going to die. But..." A strong emotion surged into his heart, and he was speechless for a moment. Although he couldn't open his eyes, he imagined the boys sitting next to him, still trying to wipe away the blood; the flower's white fur might have been dyed dark red for a week. They were all safe, and so were Gabby and the Fairy. It meant everything to him in that moment. His face was too swollen to shed tears, but he couldn't control his voice and almost cried. He said: "But thank you for helping me save them. I like them all. Keep them safe."
"No! No, you have to get better! Stay awake, Master Androx!" the boys said, desperately wiping away the blood. He didn't answer, choosing instead to think about what might have happened. He could see They, their gear, followed him, carrying their own little backpacks, complaining about sore feet. Of course, he would hold Ga
bi, and she would be bored. Aguna will be with them, wolfsca
would ride on her shoulders, chewing a worm. Along the way, he will meet other people, other children and companions, each one as precious to him as the first, until in the end, he returns to Glory with his money and buys back his home. .
He held the image in his mind, hoping it would lead him into the clutches of La Force or the home of the gods, knowing his consciousness was fading. The boys stopped wiping away the blood and he could hear them all moving back.
"Do you understand now?" said a voice he didn't recognize, the naughty voice of a little boy, full of joy and joy. These words seemed to touch his soul deeply. "You've always been my most stubborn. You're like a cow, only the stupid kind." Then the voice laughed.
"What..." Andros said, trying to figure out what was going on.
He felt a hand on his forehead and the pain in his body began to subside. With a "pop", his shoulders returned to their original position, making him tremble.
"I can't put all the blood back, but I can fix some things," the voice said.
The swelling in his face subsided until he found he could open his eyes. He looked up and saw the face of a little boy, maybe seven or eight years old. His sleek black hair grew past his shoulders. He wore a loose white belt trimmed with gold patterns. His face seemed gentle and kind even for a child, but what Androcles noticed most were his eyes: they were dark and full of stars. Being so close is like looking through a window at the night sky above, only brighter. They look familiar. Where had he seen eyes like this before?
"Here you go. Now you can look around. Do you understand now? Can you understand what I have done for you? Do you see it, in your heart?" the boy asked intently.
"Who are you?" Androx asked in surprise.
The boy patted his head gently and said, "Don't be silly." Then he chuckled.
After a while, Androx knew who it was. "Why do you hate me?" he asked. He was talking to the orphan Patos. fraud.
The little God stood up and shouted: "What? Hate you? Why do you hate me! I have done so much for you! I have given you one gift after another and tried my best to help you, but you have done it again and again. Tried to throw it away for once! I gave you little peppers and flowers, which are mine by the way, and Gabby, and I even convinced the xenomother to give you Wolf Scar! Do you know who he is? I gave you back your old spear! And a big gold coin, and when that wasn't enough, I gave you a cartload of human stuff! You wanted to throw away everything but the spear!"
A
d
Okles looked at God, not knowing what to say. Is that so? Why does this feel so familiar?
The god knelt down, his eyes full of compassion, and gently touched Androcles' brow and cheek.
"I'm sorry I didn't get to you sooner. I'm sorry you've been affected by the bloodshed and loss. I'm sorry for your parents, your friends in the military, and your wife. You were not what we thought. Born somewhere, I didn't know where to look. It wasn't even the right world. It took me too long to find you. Then I finally got it and it felt like your kindness was crushed and you were ready to leave forever Me. But I have been trying to save you. After all, you are mine."
Androx closed his eyes. His emotions were mixed and confused; he thought all the gods hated him, but now the god he least wanted to pray to was as familiar as his left arm. God of orphans, the weak, the forgotten, the helpless. He is not a god of soldiers. But A
d
Okles is an orphan after all, although his pride does not allow him to be called an orphan.
"I'm glad you have a strong body this time. Last time you were ugly, skinny, and had only one eye. Please. Don't give up the best part of yourself. I still need you," Patos said. . The god placed his lips on Androcles' forehead. "I need them and they need you."
Androx could feel the muscles in his arms gradually healing, and the scratches on the bones gradually disappearing. He could feel the skin on his chest stretching, covering the wound. It's both pleasant and uncomfortable.
"I'm not giving you something just to watch you lose it. You big fool, stop thinking like that. You've thought about it about fifty times in the past ten days. I'm not giving you something to let you lose it." Hang in there and get better. So don't be such a big ass about everything." God said as he stood up and kicked A
d
okles shoulders.
Androcles opened his eyes and looked at the god, but he had turned back and walked over to the body of the giant wolf. He stretched out his hand, and the body suddenly burst into flames with astonishing heat, and was soon completely consumed, leaving only ashes. The god kicked through the body and scattered the ashes everywhere, making it very dirty. Then he bent down and picked up a small glowing ball, about the length of a thumb. He lifted it up and looked at it. To Androx it looked like a glass bauble with a fat, glowing bug inside.
Patos smiled and covered it with his hand.
"Alright. Troublemaker!" Then he turned to the others and said, "Alright, get in line!"
Xiaohua and Xiaojiao jumped up. Aguna stood next to them, holding Gabi on her shoulders. A
d
Okles tried to stand up, but his vision went black and he found himself lying on the ground again. Passos hugged Little Pepper and said, "I don't teach you sneaking so that you can steal things! Don't get into trouble." Then he kissed the little girl's forehead.
He hugged the flower and said, "You have to learn other songs by yourself, so pay attention." He also kissed his head.
Then God stretched out his hand and said, "Come here, wolf scab
. "
The fairy fell obediently on the god's palm, looking very shy.
"Do you like princesses?" he asked.
"Yes." Wolfsca
answer.
"I told you you would! "You like Androx too, don't you?"
"I like him too."
"I told you you would. You're going to like these boys. You'll see."
"Did you tell me?"
"When you're older," Patos said. Then he kissed the wolf sca
on top of Peppe's head
between the ears. Then he turned to Aguna.
"Do you want to cure that girl or not?" she asked.
"Princess? No, you can. I'll go see her later so she doesn't get jealous. But do you think you can handle him? The god pointed at Androx and asked.
Aguun smiled and said: "Gods, no! No one can deal with someone like that."
Patos covered his mouth with his hand and chuckled.
"I know! He smells bad and has a bad temper!" he said. Then he held out his arms for her to pick him up. She did so and he hugged her neck. "I told you I would You brought people, didn't you? "I did," he said.
"Thank you for everything, great man. That's right," Aguna said.
"I couldn't save everyone. She was too strong here. But I saved you. My daughter and son are precious. I remember I told you!" Then he kissed her forehead and jumped down. "you are mine."
"Always," she replied.
"Do my job," he said.
"Always," she replied.
God nodded. He waved to everyone and said: "Oh, try to catch up with the beasts before they use money to buy an army. Goodbye!" Then he turned around, held up the glowing gadget, and said: "Now that I think about it, What to do with you!" He took one step and left, and the place he left suddenly felt colder and emptier.
For a moment, everyone enjoyed the reverent silence. However, soon, Flower and Pepper came to Androl and stood beside him, looking down with wide eyes.
"Are you okay now?" Pepper asked.
A
d
Okles sighed. "I'm fine. At least, I'll be fine in a few days once I get back from my blood draw. You may have noticed I spilled it everywhere."
Aguin said: "Pepper, go see that horse you saw. Flower, go get some more wine. Do you know which one I'm talking about?"
Flower nodded. Neither boy moved. Argon said more sternly: "Then go. Go! Go! You can ask him when you come back. And you, fairy, go with the flower. It is white. Make light for him."
The two boys ran away, disappearing into the darkness beyond the dim light of the fading coals. Argen looked at him angrily, his round face scrunched up in worry. Her entire face seemed to tighten as she frowned. "What are you going to do, soldier? Are you going to drop the children like broken pottery again?"
Anklex tried to sit up and glare at her, but the attempt made him dizzy, and he lay down again and tried to glare at her from the ground.
"That's not how it works, you know."
"I know. But I'm still mad at you, you stupid ogre. They cried themselves to sleep for four nights straight, you know? They talked about you all day, too. I didn't know you did What. I think if you clean the shit out of their asses, they'll lose their minds and start liking you, you cunning seductress," she said.
A
d
okles chuckled softly. "Actually, that's probably the only thing I didn't do. You have a dirtier tongue than Athanasius."
"Whoever he is, I can probably fight him."
"He was a soldier. An old friend. Died a long time ago," he said. After a while, he added: "Actually, all my friends are dead. My father too."
Agun sighed and thought for a while. Then she said: "You're not the only one suffering, Androx."
"What do you know?"
"How would I know?" That hateful, disgusting god you killed ate my daughter, that's all I know. I had to watch. She ate it slowly, chewing it, enjoying it, while my little girl screamed her throat out. He started biting her arms and legs, six inches in one bite. She stayed awake until the thing was halfway up her belly. Then my husband hanged himself. That’s all I know,” she enthuses.
"I thought you said your husband was traveling."
Kaimen said. He was lying and I didn't correct him. "
"Didn't you say that you also want to teach boys to worship her?"
"I said I would teach them to worship God, and everyone heard what they wanted. But let's get back to you being a jerk. Have the kids told you their stories?"
A
d
Okles nodded.
"And?" she asked.
"What?"
"Don't you care at all? Or are you too focused on your stupid questions?"
A
d
Okles sighed again. She won't let him go. "Yes, I care. It's complicated."
she said, tapping her foot and readjusting Gabby, who was still motionless on her shoulder.
"What? !"
"Do you still like them?"
"Yes."
"Very good. What about this?" she asked, nodding towards Galbi.
"she."
"Good. So you're not completely heartless."
"Not quite, but almost."
"Then are you going to break their hearts again?"
"Not in the short term."
Aguna sat down next to him and held Gabi in her lap. "Those bad boys probably stopped to catch frogs."
"I wouldn't be surprised. They were still recovering when I had them, but I could tell they were going to be trouble before long," he said with a smile.
"You have no idea!" It's almost impossible to hide them. They want to keep going out and see if you'll come back to save them. "
"How did they know? How did you hide from Mary?"
"The orphan told me. Told us about you and the girl and the fairy. I also know how to hide from God for a long time. When I was a little girl, I used to play hide and seek with him. I was still No idea who he is," Aguin said. She giggled. "Everyone used to think he was an imaginary friend. I've been his priestess since I was a little girl. Since before I was born, unless he's lying."
"I understand...so you..."
"How did I keep your evil away from the children?" Yes. My God is a magician and I have a bag full of tricks. "
"What about the time before I left?"
"Then stop playing tricks. No matter how horrible you think you are, you're better off than watching my girlfriend get eaten. Nothing can compare to that."
Androx thought quietly for a moment. Then he said: "You are strong."
"Of course, you stupid ogre. You don't know half of it."
"You know I have to go after Della again, right?"
"I know."
"Are you going with us?"
"What, are you going to take my kids somewhere?" she asked with a silly smile.
"you know what I mean!"
"Yeah, I know what you mean. I like those little boys too. I don't know why, and I don't care. I'm just still wondering if I love them enough to help you chase your wife."
"I see," he said, looking away.
"What should I say when I see her? 'Hey, I promise I'll never let him touch my nipples'?"
Androx laughed again, then said: "I don't love her anymore, if that's what you think. I won't take her back. It's just my money."
"I see," she said, looking at him.
"I have wine, Mr. Aguen," Flower said. Wolf Sca
Sit on his head. Argon jumped in surprise.
"Oh, don't start sneaking just because your brother is good at sneaking! When did you get here?"
Flower grinned and looked proud.
"I've been here for an hour!" he said.
"You shameless little bastard! Now, put the wine here and please help him sit up."
Hua put down the wine and then tried to put A
d
Okles head lifted. It wasn't very helpful, but it was enough to get him on his feet. Ankerex felt a little unsteady, and Aguna must have noticed, because she hurried over and sat down next to him, back to back, giving him something to lean on.
"Please don't let him spill it on you," she said. Flower helped Androx lift the bottle to his mouth and drank heavily. The wine was a little thin, which was just what he needed; water, wine, some more vinegar, and some good meat in the morning. He turned toward the fire and saw Pepper's face a foot away.
"God!" Androx cursed in surprise.
Aguna smiled, and he leaned against her, trembling with laughter.
"Pepper, are you back?"
"Yes!"
"Ever since that kid taught him, this little bastard has done it thirty times a day. I can't get him to stop attacking me. Just hit him." Aguna said. "Where's the horse, Pepper?"
"Good. It's just standing there. It doesn't see me."
"Of course not, you little brat. Now, don't you guys have something to ask Master Androx?"
The two little guys suddenly became quiet and serious, and they took each other's hands.
"Ask him." Androx put down the pot to show that he was listening.
"We... um, we just, um... it's okay if you don't, but... what if, um..." Flower stammered.
"Need help?" Agen asked.
Hua took a deep breath and said, "No. I can ask. Do you want to stay now?"
"God, no! Why should I do that?" said Androx.
The children immediately dropped their heads, dejected, although he could tell they had been bracing themselves for his answer.
Then he added with a wry smile: "Of course I'm going to take you with me. The whole town is ruined! Look around! From now on, I'm going to keep you with me."
"Who are you? They asked in unison, suddenly overjoyed. "Where is Master Agun? Can she come?"
"Ha! If she wants to. I like her. Even if she can make an oarsman blush. In fact, maybe that's why."
"I like you too, you monster," she said. Androx felt a spark. It's interesting.
The boys leaned over and gave him an awkward hug at an awkward angle, and he patted them on the back.
"Can we call you daddy?" Pepper asked shyly.
"Unless you agree to be my son. You just lost your original family. Are you ready?"
"I think so. I mean, yes, I am," Pepper said, sounding reflective.
"I guess I do too. I still miss my old family, but they never liked me, so that's OK," Flower said.
"Are you sure?" he asked again.
They all nodded and said, "Yes."
Androx thought for a moment, considering the consequences of his upcoming oath. He said, "Kids, something just occurred to me. Listen up, because I don't talk like this very often. In the army, we carry a shield and a spear, right? Look at that shield. It's big enough to protect you. The person next to you instead of yourself. We all stood in each other's shields, the whole army did that, and we were really hard to kill. But if someone ran away on his own and broke formation, he would die. He was covering The man is dead. It goes on and on until the battle line is broken and the battle is lost."
He sighed, thinking about how to put his thoughts into words. "I guess what I'm trying to say is, I need all of you. Let's band together like warriors. I'm tired of being alone. When I'm alone, I'm half a man. I almost died today, you saved me Save me. Little pepper, save Ga like that
bi. Flowers, your songs, Aguna, her... anything to keep the goddess away. Wolfsca
of light. So if you promise to always stand with me, no matter what happens, I will promise you that too. Is the sound fair?”
The children nodded, serious and solemn.
"Very well. I, Androcles, swear before the father of Arcos, the god of my ancestors: I make you my descendants, my sons, and I declare myself your father forever. Now you must say: ‘In the presence of the sworn father of Arcos, I will be your son forever and declare you my father.’ There’s usually more, but this will do.”
They only need a little memory to repeat the words. And then it's done. They are his.
"Thank you, Dad," Pepper said, trying out the new term.
"Yeah, thanks dad," Flower said.
"You're welcome, kids."
"You know, they keep calling me mom, but don't think anything of it," Agen said. Then she added in a more serious whisper: "Not yet."
She stood up and said, "Now, would you like to meet little Galbi here?"
"Is she okay?" Hua asked unconvinced.
Wolf Sca
Answer: "No, I think she's bad again. But she was better before, so we'll just have to wait. I hope. I hope she gets better again." He flew over and sat on the girl's belly, looking at her face.
"Oh, she'll be fine. A
d
Okles has his evil ways, but I have my tricks too, don't I, kids?"
"Would you do that again?" Flower asked.
"Yes. Are you ready?" she asked.
"Yes, Mom!" the boys said in unison.
"Prepare for what?" Androx asked a little worriedly.
Aguna fell silent, and suddenly a warmth, a calmness, a love that he had completely forgotten emanated from her. It completely surrounded him, penetrating the depths of his soul, and he could feel the hard things inside him shattering into sand. Her will is to make things right and put things back together that are broken. It's sewing torn fabrics together and patching broken metal with new forgings. It is like a red paste of the spirit. It's overwhelming. It made him breathless and his eyes teary.
After a while it disappeared and he returned to his thoughts. Aguna opened her eyes and looked at Garbi, who looked up at her.
"Mom... no... that's like mom." She said, snuggling against Argen's plump chest. Then she realized where she was and said, "Oh! Who are you?"
He could hear Gabi hurriedly getting off Agun's lap. She sounded scared, and no wonder.
"It's okay, Galbi, girl." "You're good."
When she heard his voice, she ran to where he was and said, "Mr. Androx! What happened? You're covered in blood again! Am I..." Gabby looked down Looking at myself, I checked my clothes to make sure I looked different than before.
"I'm not dirty. Oh! They have ears!"
"Everyone has ears, girl," Androx said, recalling why he liked her.
"No, their ears are..." she said, looking up from her head.
Pepper giggled and turned around, revealing her tail.
Gabby gasped and walked around them to get a better look. "Master Androx, who are they?"
"Girl, you should introduce yourself and the fairy. Like Gotzo
Master e does that. Do you remember her? Androx smiled.
"Oh! I remember her. Our friend. Well," Galbi said. Then she consciously corrected her posture, crossed her hands demurely, and said with regal grace and grace: "Nice to meet you. My name is Ga
bi, this is my best friend Wolfsca
, a noble fairy. Can I know your names?" Wolfsca
Bowed, failed to express Ga
bi dignity.
Argen was shaking with laughter; luckily, Gabi didn't look at her.
"I'm Hua. Nice to meet you," said Hua, smiling shyly.
"I'm Pepper."
"Master Flower and Master Pepper. I am honored," Galbi said, bowing gracefully.
"Oh, that's too much!" cried Agun, and then burst into laughter.
Gabby pursed her lips, trying to maintain a smile, and pointed her head toward the ground. She looked extremely embarrassed, maybe hurt.
"She's a princess!" Wolf Sca
shouted angrily. “So be nice!”
"Ah, you baby!" I'm sorry, I laughed. No one reminded me that you are such a perfect little princess! Oh, so perfect!”
Gabby recovered a little, but she still looked unsure. Aguna said: "You darling! Come here, come here and let me see you. I have never seen such a beautiful little creature! Where on earth did a beast like Androx find you?"
"He saved me from the pit in Tartalo. I owe him my life," Gabby said, sounding mature.
"How polite!" Oh, I like you! Agun was smitten.
Gabby relaxed and looked up at her with something needy in her eyes. She smiled.
"Oh! You smile like sunshine! You are so perfect!" Argon said, laughing again. "Come here and give me a hug!"
Gabby thanked her and then said: "Thank you, Master Aguun. It's my honor." Then she turned to Hua and asked hopefully: "Hua, are you a girl too?"
Pepper giggled and Flower looked hurt but tried to hide it.
"He's a boy, Gabby. He's very manly; you just can't tell because it's dark. They're my boys I told you about," Androx said, trying not to listen Up so happy. This will be interesting.
"That's his name, I didn't know it!" Galbi said, frowning.
"Don't worry, Gabby!" You just can't see that part of him. Wait a moment. "Wolfsca
He said, then flew down and lifted up the hem of the floral robe.
Xiaohua shouted: "Hey!" He jumped up, squeezed his legs tightly together, and tried to close the robe. Everyone laughed, Wolf Scar flew around in circles, his fingertips in his mouth, looking confused .
"What?" he asked.
A
d
Okles said: "That's rude, little guy. I'll explain it later. But for now, I'm going to be honest: I'm going to pass out. I'm going to fall asleep in no time whether I want to or not." He rolled over on his stomach, crawled to a piece of blood-free ground, and fell to the ground. "Someone threw a blanket on me."
"Can we sleep with him?" Flower asked, pointing at Androx.
"He's your father now. You don't have to ask. Get a blanket first," she said. "You should know where they are."
"I'll get it. I'll be right back," Pepper said, disappearing into the shadows. Androx doesn't know he really looks like a wolf Sca
Did he just disappear or was he just sneaking around? He would have to ask again in the morning.
"Follow me, Gabi. Let's go see if we can find somewhere more suitable for a woman of our status," Agen said, taking her hand.
Androx felt a warmth spread through him as his new children snuggled against him, and he knew it was more than just their body heat. It feels good to have them around. He then began to think briefly about what God meant by "putting up the money before they buy an army." The words tried to worry him, but failed, and then he grew tired and fell asleep.
