(CRUMBLE) the baby stopped and looked behind her just in time to see her home crumbling down into a bunch of wreckage. She inwardly sighed. She didn't love her mom that much but she still believed that the woman was far too innocent to suffer and die like that.
Which was unexpected coming from a less than a year old baby. Unless that baby remembered her past life as the former Hitman James Kennedy who just got blown up by a nuke .
Now she just sit there , staring at the destroyed house, not in the mood to go anywhere or do anything. 'I just got a second chance to live a normal life and all this happened on my first year?' she thought to herself in frustration before sighing ' what a drag.'
Suddenly, she sensed an ancient presence heading her way . She turned around and saw a middle aged man coming to her. He has a wild deep blue hair, wore a black sleeveless shirt, a pair of black gloves, a pair of black pants with a knife holster attached at each leg, a pair of black combat boots and a sword sheathed at his back.
"Hello there little one. Mind if I sit with you?" He asked her as soon as he got close enough. She didn't even mind him however, since babies of her age doesn't understand what others say or do. "I'll take the silence as a yes." He said as he sat down beside her. Probably to clear the awkwardness he just created. But like before, she didn't care. Since she's a baby, there's no way she can escape. It now seems the only left is to allow him to send her to an orphanage, a daycare, or anywhere related to those two.
She might hate it no doubt, but at least she can use that opportunity to learn something useful about this world before she'll escape to live on her own. A small risk for a big gain if things goes well for her and she doesn't end up on anyone hit list.
After a long silence of waiting, the man Finally asked "you miss her. Don't you?" She didn't respond. As she didn't exactly know what to say or how to do anything. As for him, he might think that she was a baby so she can't understand what he's saying or something like that. So he kept on without waiting for a response. "I know how you feel." If he didn't have her attention then, he does now. As she's fully facing him, curious to know what make them similar.
He then began: " When I was young, I watched my parents being murdered right in front of me. I wanted to do something but I was too weak and scared to do anything. I was also bulied and laughed at because of my status as an orphan." ' Oh! It's those totally zero to hero stories. Not exactly like my past life but I can understand the similarities.' she realized as she let him continue.
"My life would have ended because of them if It wasn't for a boy who helped me overcome them. Thanks to him, I am now the man I always dreamed of being. But I Also found out that, there are other children that have a worst fate than mine. It was then that I've finally found my true purpose." He then faced beyond the horizon with a face full of hope while she curiously waited for his big reveal.
After a long silence, he finally revealed" To be the most awesome dad anyone has ever had!"
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" DAFUK?!!!" Her sudden outburst took him off guard since he didn't expect her to give that kind of response. Let alone, her talking in the first place. " Hey! Calm down there would you?" He said in panic before mumbling "Who taught you to be that kind of brat anyway?".
Unfortunately, she heard it and was giving him a death glare when he turned to look at her. "Iw ki u." She told him. "OK! OK! I'M SORRY! I DIDN'T MEAN TO INSULT YOU! WILL YOU PLEASE STOP?!" He asked in fear. She kept glaring for a while before she finally told him "Hari up." Then went back to stare at her home. Unknown to her, during her glare, she has been releasing an aura so large, the man was surprised he was still alive.
It was when she stopped releasing it, which was when she stopped glaring at him, that he realized that he almost went for his sword. But weather he stopped midway because of resistance or pure terror, he never figured it out. 'That aura, it's as powerful as a demon general. Could she be one of them?' he shake his head. 'No. They'll let us know. But still.....'
He looked at her again 'Either way, she's no ordinary child. And whatever the dark side want from her, it's certain it won't end well for us all. (Sigh) I'll have to protect her from now on. I'll have to make sure she doesn't end up on the dark side.' he looked at the destroyed area 'And I'll have to make sure THEY doesn't find out.'
After a while waiting and a deep sigh, he decided to try his luck again "Anyway, my name is Dante but you can call me daddy." "Rili?" She deadpanned. 'Is he really that desperate to adopt me?' she thought to herself. He saw her face and knew he messed up.
"Yeah I know it's too soon but..." he looked around him, "I doubt you're expecting any visitors." He then smiled at her "Besides, with the way things are going between us, I'm pretty sure you'll enjoy your stay with me better than an orphanage or another family.".
Well, it's not like he's right or anything but, she doesn't like the idea of living with a family no matter what kind of people they are. She is just not comfortable with that kind of relationship even in another life. As for the orphanage, well, she's pretty sure that Dante will use that opportunity to adopt her. In a short time too based on how desperate he is. Which is left with living with Dante and that is a risque she doesn't want to take.
In her past life, if anyone found interest in 'him', 'he' makes some research on that person. Even if 'he' didn't get all Intel, what he got gave 'him' some few ideas on who 'he' was dealing and how to take care of him or her. As for the missing pieces, 'he' consider it as a challenge.
But this new one is another matter. Here's a stranger she has never seen nor heard of in a world she has zero knowledge on, which could be a problem in case he's bad news. On top of it all, she's a baby, making her completely useless in ... anything. The more she thought about it, the more she realized that she's completely fucked up.
Well, the good news is that, this is the kind of challenge she always wanted. Where almost everything is against her favor. The bad news, however, is that it might cost her second life if she's not careful. And that alone a debate in wether it's worth it or not. But she knows she doesn't have a choice so, better get on with it.
"Kendi." That word got Dante's attention as he turned to her in curiously. "What was that?" He asked her. She pointed to herself and repeated "Kendi.". If she was going to start a new life with him, then the least she could do for herself is to keep her old name. And since 'James' is a boy's name, 'Kennedy' will have to do. She just hope he'll figure it out from her baby talk.
He smiled at her when he realized what she was doing. "So you decided to find a name for yourself, hen?" He asked before making a thinking pose. "Kendi hmm. Well not cute but somehow creative for your age." He suddenly got an idea "How about 'Ken', hen? It's short for Kendi. And it's cute just like you." He suggested.
She thought about it and at the end, gave a sigh of submission. She'll have to agree with him because; (1) it sounds better than hers, (2) it's short for her old name and (3) Dante will probably suggest a more 'cuter' name if she deny the former. 'What the fuck did I get myself into?' she thought to herself.
Suddenly, she found herself being lifted up by Dante who putted her on his chest. Before she could wonder what was happening, Dante started to gently rub the girl's back.
"Sleep well for now little one. When you wake up, I promise you'll be in the best home eating the best food while being sorounded by the best people." That was all he could say for now.
And as much as she wanted to protest, she couldn't. Due to her condition, She needed as much food and as much rest as she can. As well as a secure location with someone to keep her safe. Unfortunately for her, he's currently the only one who has all those requirements. Hell, the only one who has any of those requirements. Meaning, she will have to trust him, for now.
Dante was glad when he saw her closing her eyes and felt her steady breathing, a sign that she's fast asleep. He was about to go when he felt something wrong. He looked up and saw the same dragon from before, flapping it's wings in the sky while looking at him like he's the most disgusting and hated being who has done the most abominable crime.
However, this time, something or someone was riding on it, starring at the two humans, particularly the baby, like it founded it's greatest toy. Sensing the enemy true purpose, Dante readied his sword. Ready to protect his little Ken from the would be kidnapper.
It's skin was completely purple and it had a reptile like tail. Two long and thin horns hanging upward on both sides of it's head and and two shorter ones on it's forehead. Four elves like ears instead of two and it's hair were replaced with flames which blazed wildly like hell itself. It was completely naked save the golden armor pieces on it's shoulders, elbows wrists waist and knees and wielded a broadsword that emitted pure, raw lightning.
The two stared at each other, one ready to protect someone like a wide cat like mother protecting it's kitten while the other ready to slay any living being like a ravaging beast seeking revenge.
Then, suddenly, the rider made an annoyed grunt before flying away. Sparing the surviving two. Dante was wondering what was that about, but soon dropped the matter as he decided to send the child home. "Better get the baby out of here than waiting for whatever problem that thing is bringing back."