Celestial Hybrid

Chapter 2

I wiped the sweat from my brow, the sun beating down on my bare back as I cleared the last patch of stubborn weeds from the field. Years of helping mother on the farm had carved the skill into my bones… and muscle into my frame.

Straightening up, I let out a deep breath, feeling the cool air brush over my sweat-slicked skin. My shirt hung nearby, forgotten, draped over a fence post. I could feel the sweat dripping down my chest, trailing along the muscles I’d earned through sheer hard work.

The silver strands of my hair clung to my shoulders, slightly damp, and I tucked some behind my ear. People always said my eyes were strange—orange-gold, like molten metal. Some even said they were unsettling, like I could see more than I should. I never knew how to respond to that.

I glanced over the farm, a small smile tugging at my lips.

“Gosh, I’m so tired,” I muttered to myself, stretching my arms high above my head. “But mother’s gonna be proud when she sees this.”

Eralis lay just beyond the fields—a quiet little village at the edge of Oakview City. It wasn’t much, but it was home. Full of kind folks, hardworking farmers, and the gentle rhythm of simple life.

I grabbed my shirt and slung it over my shoulder, the late afternoon sun casting my shadow long across the path. As I made my way back toward the village, I caught the familiar stares; some filled with curiosity, others with envy… and a few with something else entirely. I didn’t pay them much mind. I just walked with my head high and a grin on my face.

After all, I’d earned it today.

The sun was dipping low when I spotted her on the verandah—my mother, gracefully moving about as she prepared our evening meal. Even in her early fifties, there was something youthful in the way she worked, humming softly as the scent of grilled fish drifted through the air.

I couldn’t resist sneaking up and wrapping my arms around her from behind.

She gasped, half startled, half amused.

“Good evening, Mother,” I said with a quick peck on her cheek.

She turned around with that all-too-familiar disapproving look. “Remiel! How many times do I have to tell you to put on a shirt when you come back from the farm?”

Is that the way to greet your son? 

I grinned, shameless. “And besides, I don’t want throngs of ladies frolicking around my house,” she added, trying to scold me but failing to hide the smile tugging at her lips.

Not me. I'm not like that pervert I call my brother. 

That got a laugh out of me. “I’m a good boy, Mom,” I said, placing a hand on my chest. “And it’s not like they’re storming the place— just watching from afar.”

She narrowed her eyes playfully. “Hmmmm, we’ll see about that.”

I stepped beside her, inhaling deeply. “Mmm… I smell something amazing. What’s the greatest chef in Eralis blessing us with tonight?”

She rolled her eyes. “Stop whining. It’s just grilled fish and butter-baked cornbread.”

“Yummyyy! That’s one of my favorites!” I nearly bounced with excitement and reached for a piece.

She swatted my hand away. “Oh no you don’t. You don’t even have one true favorite dish. Go take your bath first. You stink.”

“Ouch,” I said, clutching my chest like she’d wounded me. “That hurts.”

She chuckled, turning back to her grill. “By the way, where’s David?” I asked casually.

“He went to the market to pick up some groceries for me.”

I frowned slightly. “How come I’ve never gone to the market?”

“Because David’s a better cook than you,” she said without missing a beat. “I don’t want you poisoning the whole family.”

I gasped dramatically. “It seems you want to see me cry tonight, Mother.”

“You look more handsome when you cry, yuuno,” she teased with a wink.

“I’m not shedding a single tear.”

Just then, two familiar silhouettes approached from the road. I turned my head slightly, squinting.

“Good evening, Mrs Reinhart. Good evening, Remiel,” came a gentle voice as it neared.

“Hi Scylla. How are you doing?” Mom replied warmly.

“I’m doing fine, ma,” Scylla answered politely.

“Hey, Scylla,” I said with a smile.

Scylla Roland stood tall; taller than most girls I knew, actually. At 6 '1", with flowing crimson-red hair and matching red eyes, she had the kind of body that made half of Eralis trip over their own feet, especially the ladies.

Something about her makes me wonder sometimes. “Who did she inherit her eyes from?”

Right next to her was David; my younger brother. Same age, same height, but his long blue hair and cyan eyes gave him a calmer, cooler vibe. The two of them together always made people do a double take. Including the woman standing in front of them.

Our mother’s face shifted the moment she saw them—there was a flicker of concern in her eyes she tried to hide with a smile.

“Good evening, Mother,” David greeted.

He's pretending like he didn't see me again. Such a knucklehead. 

“Good evening, son,” she replied. “How was your trip to the market?”

“It was fun, Mom,” he said with that usual spark in his voice. “Scylla showed me around a bunch of places today. And she helped with most of the groceries too.”

“Obviously,” I muttered, stepping closer. “What? Am I invisible now?”

David blinked, then grinned. “Oh, sorry, didn’t see you there.” He gave me a mock curtsy. “Good evening, big brother.”

Scylla laughed, and even I couldn’t hold back a small smirk.

“The food’s almost ready,” Mom said. “Remiel, go have your bath. David, take those things inside and come help me.”

Before we walked off, Scylla glanced at my brother and smiled. “Goodnight, David.”

“Goodnight, Scylla,” he said back, just as soft.

Something about the way they looked at each other made me smirk.

Lovebirds.

~~~~~~

“I'd love to help too, mother.” Scylla volunteered.

“It's getting late already dear.” Mrs Reinhart smiled. “You know how worried your parents can get sometimes.” she added. 

“Speak of the devil.” she said, looking at the approaching figure. 

“Cynthia, good evening.” the figure greeted. “You wanna kill us all with this aroma.” 

“Good evening Rosa.” Cynthia giggled. 

“Good evening mom.” 

“How are you Scylla?” “I've been searching everywhere for you.” Rosa said, her aged face filled with worry. 

“I was with David at the market today.” 

“YOU WHAT?!!” “Why didn't you tell me?!”

Scylla flinched, her mother's sudden outburst catching her off guard. 

“I'm not a kid anymore, mother.” “I need my freedom sometimes.” 

“It's ok, Scylla.” “You should've told her where you were going in case something happened to you.” Cynthia corrected. 

“I'm sorry mum.” “I'll do that next time.”

“It's ok dear.” 

“Goodnight Cynthia.” Rosa looked at her friend, exchanging knowing looks. 

“Goodnight Mrs Reinhart.” Scylla bade her farewell 

“Goodnight.” “Send my greetings to Danny.” 

“I will.” 

Cynthia Reinhart and Rosa Roland became close friends 2 years after Cynthia came to Eralis. The reason behind their sudden closeness remains a mystery. 

“I hope that man sees the trouble he's put on us.” Cynthia muttered, looking at their retreating figures.

~~~~~~~~~

Footsteps echoed in the darkness as a figure approached a titanic entity seated cross-legged on her throne, her form shrouded in mist, with only her glowing white eyes visible.

“I have found them, mother.” the figure said, genuflecting before the mysterious presence. 

“They're on Myther Mortalis.”  

“You've done well.” a gentle yet terrifying voice spoke from the mist. “Seems they couldn't stay separated forever.” 

“No matter how hard he tries to keep them apart, they always find their way back to each other,” the entity giggled, her eyes glowing brightly.

“Should I go capture them?” 

“Not at all.” 

“When the time comes they'll find their way here, eventually.” “Things are about to get interesting.”