(Warning: Slight Singing Ahead)

*Song Credited to Lizz Robinette, amazing singer.*

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Chapter 35-
Berceuse
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Everything had gotten quiet now and many pipes stuck out or lay on the ground. A familiar home was half crumbled and the skies were slightly grey.

“Varian!”

Quirin had come back from a small out of village business and seen the village almost destroyed. He felt scared inside when he spotted his home almost all crumbled.

The villagers were in great concern and scared, speaking to Quirin, but his safety for his son was more important at that moment.

“Varian!”

He heard something moving in the pile and felt relieved, only to immediately grow more worried when Princess Rapunzel and Eugene walked up from where they were.

“I'm sorry, Princess, but please tell me you've seen my son?”

Rapunzel and Eugene look at each other in worry, “I'm sorry, but no. My friend followed him, but I don't know where they are now.”

Eugene's eyes widen, “(____). I bet he went after her.”

Quirin glanced around and closed his eyes, silently prayed, “Please, keep him safe.”

Through your eyelids, you could see a very bright blue light before anymore rubble could fall, it was blocked. There was something exploding, but it wasn't a normal one.

You all open your eyes and see you're all okay, though dust made it hard to see. You coughed and see a small circle around where you three were huddled.

“We have to get out of here. Let's go.” Cassandra ordered.

You let go of Varian’s hand once you notice something black go back under the ground. Cass helps Varian walk over the rocks toward the ladder that stayed intact.

“(____)!” Cass called.

The three of you climb up one by one. Cass went first, then you as you wait for Varian to come up.

He yells slightly when the ladder breaks and luckily, Cass grabbed his wrist and pulls him up. Varian sighs in relief and grins a bit flirtatiously at Cass, “Thank you, Milady.”

Cass rolls her eyes and for you, it just felt weird like you were annoyed.

“Varian!”

Varian grimaces, “Uh oh. That's my dad.”

Quirin spots you, Varian, and Cass. He runs over and kneels in front of Varian and places his hands on his shoulders, “Are you okay?” He smiles in relieve, then frowns, “What happened?”

Varian looks at the damage and he felt really bad, “Dad, I'm sorry. I didn't know-”

Quirin sighs deeply and shakes his head, seeming disappointed, “Not again, Varian.”

“But, Dad.” Varian says softly, almost heartbroken.

Quirin now turns to take care of the villagers, “Is everybody okay?”

You place a hand on Varian's shoulder in worry, “Varian, it's okay. I'm sure-”

He moves to pick up a piece of metal from the ground and he holds it tightly, “It won't be okay…. I let my dad down again.”

You kneel next to him, “Varian, you will make him proud, just keep trying-”

Varian glares at you and snaps, “I've been trying! Nothing I do will be worth anything him.” He throws the metal piece off to the side.

“Varian, just wait and the big day will come where you will make him proud. Besides, you never know that he already is proud to have you.”

“How would you know!? You weren't actually here half of the time! It's not like you're spending your whole life trying to please someone you care about.” Varian is now breathing heavily from the tantrum.

It hurt for him to say that, but you guess it was true. You swallowed the lump in your throat, “You're right. I haven't been here half of the time, but I see more to you then anyone else. You're the only one I care about.”

You walk toward his house and look at the mess. Now you had to find your satchel. You sigh sadly and careful dig around, then decided to try to clean it all.

Varian stands there for a moment then looks in your direction sadly and in guilt. He heads over to you and watches you trying to pick up all the mess.

“What are you doing?” Varian asks.

You glance at him, frowning, “I'm trying to help.”

Varian puts a hand on your arm and softly leads you to sit down a big piece of debris. He sits next to you.

“I'm sorry I snapped at you like that.” He rubs his arm shyly.

You sigh, “It's okay, Varian. It was the truth anyway.” You cross your arms and gaze at the wreckage of the house.

Varian hugs his knees, “Sure it was true, but I never said I want you to leave. I'm just getting frustrated is all and tired.”

You close your eyes and tilt toward Varian, laying your head on his shoulder.

Varian does the same, but his head is on yours.

You hear humming and realize it's Varian. You've heard the melody before and you somehow remember that it was someone who sang it, but who?

“Cast away, your worries my Dear. For tomorrow comes a new day.” The words formed from your lips as you sang gently. “Hold to me, you've nothing to fear. For your dreams aren't far away.”

Varian stops and gets lost in thought. “As you lay your head and you rest. May your dreams take over my love.”

Quirin walked over and spots you two. When he gets closer, he freezes and stares as you sing. “Listen close, my son of the West. For your destiny lies above.”

You reach up and gently brush your hand through Varian’s hair, “Though the world is cruel, there's a light that still shines in the darkest days of our lives.”

Slowly, Quirin comes closer and quietly sits next to his son. You notice and gently lean Varian to his dad, “When all hope seems lost and you can't find your way. Think of me as you look to the sky.”

You watch as Quirin wraps his arm around Varian and Varian clings to him, seeming to cry in silence. You knew they both missed Varian’s mom and you had a feeling she still loves them. Possibly watching them.

A hand grabs yours and you see it's Varian, so you hold on. As you sing again, you hear a faint voice singing with you, “Child mine, your future is bright. For your father's bloods in your veins.”

“In dark times, I pray you will fight. For the world will soon know your name.” You smile tenderly at the father and son moment.

You didn't belong, so why were you trying? This all was unnatural for you, yet natural. You shake your head and get up. Nearby, you spot your satchel and go over to dig it up.

The satchel could be easily dusted off, but you notice the metal owl emblem was missing. “Oh no.” You whispered and search around.

Finally you found it under a few rocks and dust it off. When you flip it to wipe it from dirt, there on the back of the emblem were words. No just any words.

“In time of need, whistle once?” You questioned the words etched on the back.

The emblem had clicked back in place on the satchel.

“(____).” Quirin called.

You turn and he nods for you to come over. While you careful walk to him and see Varian is asleep in Quirin’s arms.

“Luckily, the wreckage didn't cause damage to the bedrooms and the kitchen.” You follow Quirin, “I need you to watch Varian while I start on repairs.”

“Okay.”

Varian snores softly, now under the covers. You smile and take off his goggles, placing it close to him.

There were dirt spots here and there on his face, so you head down to the kitchen for a rag and water. Carefully, you sit cross legged and balance the small bowl of water near your leg.

“Your dad will always love you, Varian. I hope you remember that.” You whisper and hold his face while cleaning the dirt spots.

“There.”

You couldn't help but stare yet again at Varian's peaceful face. Your thumb gently grazes over his cheek and you realize the wound on Varian's head was still there.

You bite your lip then take a deep breath, “Please work.” Your hand touches his wound and you sang. “Flower gleam and glow. Let your power shine. Make the clock reverse; Bring back what once was mine.”

A soft golden glow came from your palms and you spot one of the three lines on your mark was glowing golden. “Heal what has been hurt; change the Fates' design. Save what has been lost.”

You felt drained, but you kept going, “Bring back what once was mine. What once was mine.” You pull away and accidentally knock the water off the bed.

The wound was gone and you felt pleased it had healed.

You kiss his forehead, “You'll be alright.”

The chest that's full of your stuff was still in the room, so you get a spare shirt from it and change quickly.

You cover the mark by wrapping a bandage around it. Hopefully, you'll be able to catch Quirin alone so you could ask him about the mark.

Suddenly your eyes widen when a quick image of Rudiger passes your mind. “Rudiger!” You run out and luckily you found the neutralizing particle that was randomly nearby.

Rudiger clings to you and you chuckle softly, heading back to the sleeping Varian “You're okay, Rudiger. I got you.”