Return of the Mythic Bloodline

"Oh that, I can tell you, but firstly, there is something I need your help with," she replied, leaning towards me, holding her hands behind her lower back.

"What—what do you want?" I asked, a little flustered.

"Help me in finding the treasure to cure my disease and defeating the cursed Gumiho to remove the seal on my Soulforce," she said, grabbing both of my hands.

"Well... I was going to fight Gumiho even without your request. And as for your other request..." I paused and looked towards the Amrita water as I spoke further, "You already got the treasure you were looking for."

"Do—do you mean that sparkling water is the rumoured treasure that heals all diseases and wounds?" she asked, pointing at the pond.

"Yeah, it's called Amrita water, and I have already bathed you in that water. Didn't you notice all your injuries are gone?" I replied, trying not to make eye contact.

"So... that was the reason my injuries were gone, and here I thought that I was unconscious for so long that all my injuries naturally healed. But that comes later. Raj, quickly touch my chest!" she said, moving my hand to her chest.

"What—what do you mean by touch your chest?" I responded, immediately pulling my hand away.

"Oh, I apologise. I may have flustered you in haste. Actually, I had a hole in my heart and was going to die before reaching the age of twenty five. I can't use my Soulforce to scan my heart since it's sealed. That's why I asked you to check up on me," she replied in a sad tone and spoke again,

"But what's with that reaction of yours? Shouldn't I be the one getting embarrassed? And haven't you already seen and touched all of my upper body?"

She glared at me, crossing her arms—but that only made her look cuter.

"Oh pretty lady, please don't tease me." I sighed as I spoke further, "Fine, I'll try it."

I slowly moved my hand toward her chest. As it reached closer, my hand started to tremble.

It was even more difficult than before, since she was wide awake and staring right at me.

My heart began to pound, and a shaky breath escaped my lips.

She noticed my nervousness, grabbed my hand, and moved closer, inserting my hand right between her round and soft breasts.

Both of our faces turned red, and she closed her eyes in embarrassment.

It must have been hard for her, letting a stranger touch her like that, so it was unethical for me to enjoy her vulnerability.

I closed my eyes and spoke in my mind, "Vivi, analyse the subject's heart. Tell me if there is any problem with it."

"Initiating Host's request..."

"Analysing subject's condition..."

"Analysis completed!

Subject's heart is perfectly healthy and functional."

I opened my eyes and spoke, "Miss Nymeria, there is no problem in your heart."

"Are you sure? Did you check it properly?" she blurted in a hurry.

"Yeah—yeah," I replied nonchalantly.

"I will really kill you if this is a lie. So tell me, is it really true? Is my heart really cured? Can I really live? You aren't spouting lies to comfort me, right?" her voice began to crack.

At that moment, I didn't have control over my body. Listening to her speak like that was breaking my heart. How scared she must have been, knowing that she wouldn't live much longer.

I just moved my body, instinctively hugging her tightly and whispered, "Yeah, it's really cured. See... your heart is already beating so loudly and beautifully."

Her eyes burst into tears, and she began sobbing as her arms wrapped tightly around my back.

After flooding my shoulder with her tears for some time, she finally calmed down and removed her arms from my back.

"If you tell anyone about this, I will kill you," she said, wiping off her tears.

"You don't need to worry about that. I don't have anyone in this world to talk to anyways," I replied, smiling awkwardly.

I still had a few questions left to ask her, but I decided to hold back. Since our long conversation was finally over, it was time to move again.

I moved to the house and began packing my gear.

"Excuse me, Raj, do you know where my sword is?" Nymeria asked, standing at the entrance.

"Ah, your sword. I forgot it in the woods where I first found you. But don't worry, we are going to move from there, so we will find it," I replied, trying to assure her.

"In the meantime, you can use that sword," I pointed at the sword embedded in the half-broken log.

She reached closer to the sword, grabbed it by its hilt, and spoke, "It is a beautiful sword, but it is not made for me."

"Well it's upto you. So can you wield a bow for the meantime?" I asked, throwing a bow towards her.

"Of course, I am Nymeria el Snowbane, after all," she replied, catching the bow.

"Hehehe... Wonderful! I already have tons of ideas how to use you now," I muttered, grinning softly.

"You said something?" she asked in an uneasy voice.

"No, nothing. Let's go," I replied, grabbing two quivers full of arrows.

We moved outside the house and reached Ruru.

"Ruru, meet Nymeria. She is our new friend now," I said, brushing her neck hairs with my fingers.

Ruru stared at her for a few seconds, then slowly moved towards her and rubbed her face with Nymeria's.

"I think she likes you. Not that I'm jealous or anything," I spoke, giving side eyes to Ruru.

Nymeria smiled and patted Ruru's face back.

It was the first time I saw Nymeria's face light up. It was like spring finally bloomed after a long winter. I had never seen a smile as innocent and pure as hers before.

After the light meet-up between the two, I knelt on one knee and moved my hands forward. Nymeria put her foot onto my hand and spoke, "I didn't know you were such a gentleman."

"There are many sides of me you don't know yet," I said as I pushed her upward, helping her climb onto Ruru.

"I will know all of them slowly but surely," she replied with a little smugness on her face.