A dream of the past

[Flashback starts]

"Grandma, I looove these stories you always tell me, they're so magical!! I wish they were true... that way, I could become a powerful hero, just like the cool heroes from that world of theirs with a weird name, and I could go looking for Mom and Dad!!" The little girl told her Grandmother filled with excitement, and it made her chuckle, "Haha, their world is called, "Realm of the Yokai" sweetie, and I truly do wonder where you get all that hope from." The little girl's Grandmother said in amazement as she heard her granddaughter with still so much hope of finding her lost parents, while she had already given up so fast.

"I just know I'll find them someday Grandma, don't lose hope so soon just because the police failed to find them after a couple of tries, you just have to believe." Said the little girl reassuring her Grandmother.

Seeing her granddaughter with such confidence and determination made her eyes flicker with hope, and it made her get lost in thought for a moment. "But Grandma, the only problem there is, is that... well, I don't have any birthmarks like the ones those heroes do..." Said the little girl, a bit saddened. "Don't you worry dear, did you know that some of these heroes got their marks later on when they were older? and they were powerless when they didn't have it, but that didn't stop them, they were filled with hope just like you are and continued to train even though they had no special abilities. Their hard work and pertinence paid off in the end, even your favorite hero was like this at the start!" The Grandmother assured the little girl, and soon enough she was excited again, "Really!? does that mean Akio was like me?! that's so cool! Grandma, do you happen to know any martial arts so you could teach me?" The little girl asked her Grandmother, filled with excitement once more.

The Grandmother smiled and looked in amazement at her granddaughter, "She truly reminds me of Akio..." She thought to herself, and it seemed she was thinking of something as she kept looking at her.

"Oh dear, I'm sure I'm not fit enough to be able to teach you myself even if I did happen to know some... but, if you are interested, I could get a young friend of mine to teach you, although you'll have to wait until you turn 16 because I'm sure he won't take such a young apprentice." The Grandmother offered the little girl, she knew that her granddaughter would accept even if it did upset her at first. "Do I really have to wait that much Grandma?" The little girl asked with a sulk, "All right, I accept your offer, but with one condition." The little girl said with a smile, "And what is that condition dear?" The Grandmother asked. "You have to tell me more about those stories Grandma!" The little girl said as she jumped in excitement.

The Grandmother chuckled and wondered why she even bothered to question what her condition would be if it was so obvious that it had to be about those stories, it almost seemed like she was in love with them.

"All right, what do you want to know dear?" The Grandmother asked, "I want to know why all the stories you tell me are similar and sound like they're from the same place." The little girl asked curiously.

"Well, that's because all of those stories are connected, and you were right, they are from the same world." The grandmother smiled.

"Wow, does that mean the stories are real then?!" The little girl asked hopeful. "How did you even come up with that conclusion dear?" The Grandmother asked with a surprised giggle and then continued to answer her question.

*Grandmother looks up at the ceiling and sighs.*

"Well... what do you think?" The Grandmother asked with a curious smile, as she looked down at the little girl. The girl thought for a moment, and then responded, "I don't know if they're truly real... but I want to believe that they are... so to me... they're real! And one day, I'll go to their world Grandma... I promise!" The Grandmother looked at her and smiled.

"What a silly little girl... she truly believes in these stories of a world where Yokai and humans coexist together, along with these "heroes" that are born with supernatural abilities and take care of their world. But... I admire her... because with all her hope and determination... her dreams might come true, and she'll carry on what I couldn't finish." The Grandmother thought to herself, as she looked at the little girl with admiration and love.

"Dear, may I ask of you for a favor?" The Grandmother asked. "Sure! what is it, Grandma?" The little one responded with a sweet smile. "Promise me, that you'll never abandon all hope, and you will keep fighting for what your heart desires, can you promise me that my dear?" The Grandmother asked with all the hope she had left.

The little girl was a bit confused by her request but eventually she agreed joyfully, "Of course Grandma, I promise!" The Grandmother hugged her with a relieved smile.

*Finishes hug and takes out a little box from the pocket her cardigan had. She opens it and pulls out a necklace with a beautiful blue crystal hanging down the string.*

"Here, I want you to take care of this for me." The Grandmother said as she tied the necklace to her granddaughter's neck. "Wow, it's so pretty! Are you sure you're okay with me having it?" The little girl asked with a hesitant voice. “Of course I’m sure! It even looks better on you than on me.” The Grandmother said.

“Oh, and one thing sweetheart… if you by any chance in the future get a mark like Akio’s… please, hide it very well, and keep it a secret alright?” The Grandmother said in a serious tone, which made the little girl feel a bit concerned, but she shook it off thinking it was probably because she wanted to protect her from getting tired of everyone gathering up around her to ask for her autograph or a picture.

“Wow, Grandma is so considerate.” Thought the little girl to herself, with a touched smile. “Sure Grandma I’ll do that!” She responded thankfully, and then went to play with her toys.

The Grandmother smiled relieved by how good and understanding her granddaughter was. “I’m not sure what I did to deserve such a nice granddaughter.” Thought the Grandmother lovingly.

*Grandmother smiles and looks out the window.*

“I just wish nothing bad happens to her when I’m gone…” Thought the Grandmother.

[Flashback ends.]

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***