"So? How was it? It took you a long time to get back; is it really that bad? "
Aaron, with seriousness in his voice, asked Amon.
It was nighttime. They just finished their dinner, and Aerin was now sleeping soundly in the bed next to where Amon was sitting.
They were inside Aaron's hut. It was a small hut, a bed, and a table next to it with a few books on top. A box where Aaron put his clothes and other things, and a small stone hanging at the ceiling, releasing light, called a lightstone. It was obviously a house meant for one person only.
Amon and Aerin got a house inside the village, but it was practically deserted now since Amon seldomly comes home, and Aerin gets to live with Aaron every time Amon leaves.
"It was still manageable for now. The beasts are running rampant, but the hunters from the different families worked together to push the beasts back, and it seemed to be working."
Amon, brushing Aerin's hair, his eyes gentle.
"However, we don't know how long we can keep this up. Judging from the movements of the beasts, I think we still have a few years of peace left."
Aaron looked outside through the windows and sighed.
"The beasts have gotten smarter. They learned to work together now. Usually, beasts of the same family worked together. But now, even outside of their family, they stick together."
"Yeah."
…
Night passed, and Aerin woke up to the sounds of metal clashing. He quickly got up, thinking that some beasts attacked them. When he got outside, the view made him smile widely.
It was Amon and Aaron in the air, both with a pair of massive brown wings emerging from their backs, feathers layered and strong, swaying beautifully with every beat. They both had their upper bodies bare, showing off the scars they got from every battle with monstrous beasts.
In their arms are weapons they used for hunting. Amon used a pair of axes, meant to be held with both hands, but he wielded two of them in each hand as if they weighed nothing. Aaron, on the other hand, is using a morning star. It is a long pole, about as tall as Aaron, with a spiked ball attached to its end.
"I still had it in me, I guess."
Chuckling, Aaron looked at Amon while panting.
"Yeah. They don't call you the Air Savage for nothing, huh?"
Amon said.
They were both panting, showing that they've been fighting for a while now.
"Guess that's it for today; my wings are tired."
Aaron descended and retracted his wings. Amon followed after him.
"What? It's ending already? "
Aerin pouted.
"Seems like you missed it, boy. Better wake up early next time."
Aaron chuckled.
"Unfair. You should have woken me up! "
"We did try to wake you up, but you slept like a log."
Amon walked over and ruffled his son's hair. Aerin crossed his arms and looked away.
"I just know what'll make our little boy feel better."
An enticing aroma wafted through the air. Aerin's nose wrinkled, then he sniffed, eyes slowly brightening as the delicious smell sank in.
He then ran towards his grandfather, who was now holding a ladle, stirring the soup in circles as steam rose.
"Wow."
Aerin's eyes sparkled, his mouth beginning to drool.
"Now, now. Wait for a while; it's almost done."
…
After the scrumptious meal, Aerin laid his back on the chair lazily, rubbing his bulging stomach, looking very satisfied.
Amon looked at his father, and seeing him nod, he said to Aerin.
"Hey, kiddo. Rest for a while; we have something to do later."
"Mmm."
Aerin just nodded with his eyes closed and a happy smile on his face.
After a while, Amon got up.
"Let's go."
Receiving no response, he looked at Aerin only to find out that the kid was already sleeping.
"This kid."
Releasing a sigh of resignation, he walked over to his son and raised him up.
"Jush a bish moreee."
Aerin mumbled. Amon chuckled and looked at his father.
"We're going."
Aaron nodded.
"Okay. He's still young, but we have no choice. We need him to be prepared as soon as possible."
"Yeah."
Amon's face turned serious.