Chapter 101 – Lost Innocence Blues

The Town of Edawick had an orange tint on it now. Leaves were on the ground, crunching as the townspeople step on them. Kids, wearing hats trotted around while making a nuisance at the harpers that was drinking their wine. A man and woman grumbled, looking at the prices of the goods. A soldier armed with a regular flint-lock rifle combed the street lazily, his impassive eyes staring at the quiet street. He yawned.

In a house, there was a man with grey hair taking care of a woman’s arm. Her arm was scraped and there was blood on her outfit. She had a bland expression. Her eyes looking past the window while trying to suppress the pain she was feeling from the rather lacking disinfectant she made along with the man.

“Reckless...” said the man. His hands tending to the woman’s left arm.

“I know. I know. You don’t have to say that again and again,” she grumbled. The man tightened the dressing on her left arm. She winced in pain.

“What was that for?” said her.

“Mistake,” replied him. He made a half-smile. The woman sighed deeply and leaned her chin against her palm. The man finished dressing her wounds, patting it. The woman grimaced.

“That should do it,” said him.

“Thank you Joshua...” she said, cocking her head towards him.

“No problem,” said Joshua. “Though even do I do this your wounds heal fast.”

She nodded. “Well, my Shiva-Type Augmentations allow me to fight on for months. Though I am out of maintenance by now and I had to rely on you for the dressing of my wounds.”

Joshua grabs hold of Zola’s hair. She looked at him. “What are you doing?”

“Boredom, and isn’t it a bother not to tie your hair into a braid?” said Joshua, twisting her hair. “I thought it would get in the way or something.”

She said. “Not really. My senses are high. But I am surprised that you knew how to braid my hair without trying to pull my scalp off.”

“Learned it from mother, and that I used to tie braids for my nieces,” explained Joshua. “They are a good bunch, had this teasing little one that was too naughty for her age.”

“I see,” Zola nodded, letting Joshua braid her hair. “Does braiding my hair that enjoyable, weirdo?”

“Hey, it’s not like I can braid a super-soldier who came from the future every day,” Joshua glanced at her fine silky hair then nodded in approval, “and maybe I can brag about it in the nearby future?”

“Hah,” she made this low voice laugh. “Just please don’t do it every time I get injured okay?”

“Not my fault that you get yourself hurt all the time. Then, sprawl on my couch as if you just fought something so ferocious. I can understand you're wanting to gather as much data as you can. But can you please not get yourself hurt? Or try to get on with the languid peace that we still have in this town.”

Joshua made this bitter expression. Zola caught that look with her eyes. “Looks like its bothering you. The new Lord of Avilla City and that there might be landowners that want to make this town theirs.”

“Yes,” Joshua admits. “I try not to think about it. But there might be trouble if the people around don’t want Templar ruling in their native lands.”

“Have they tried negotiations?” asked Zola.

“They did. At least that what Dan told me,” Joshua sat down on the couch. Zola adjusted herself while her bluish watery eyes looked at Joshua’s wry expression.

“So, are they forcing them?”

“I don’t think so. The Mayor wants to cooperate with them in exchange for authority over the fertile lands. It was quite smart of the Mayor, but if the Templars want to they can reject it. Though I doubt they could. Dan said that the areas the Mayor told them are filled with ores such metal, silver, copper, and saltpeter that can be concocted into gunpowder.

“And the Templars can make use of the Town to harvest them while giving them how many percentage?”

“Twenty-percent of their harvest will go for the use of the Templars. The rest will be put to use by the town. Tempting isn’t it?”

She pulled her head back staring at the ceiling. “Is there a catch to this?”

“That the Town will belong to the Templars and the surrounding lands will be under rule by the ‘Alva’,’ Joshua said with disgust.

“You know of these ‘Alva’ people.”

“Yeah, slavers, psychopaths that undermine the pride and dignity of a person. I had run-ins with their kind and the reason why I am here in Edawick in the first place is that of them.”

She was curious. “You say ‘slavers’,” she never heard Joshua talk about what happened to him. So she had to ask, “Did you get caught by these Alva’s?”

“Yes. One of them broke me,” Joshua’s hands were held tightly together. Zola could see the flicker of despair that appeared in his eyes.

“It’s over now. Besides, if they tried to do something,” she smiled. “I’ll help you kick their asses.”

“Hah,” Joshua chuckled. “I doubt they can win at you with that shotgun of yours. I’ll pity them but as long as I don’t get their attention. Then maybe they won’t find me out. And hopefully, the chance of being found out by that bitch is slim. No one would survive jumping off down a cliff like that.”

She raised a brow. “And so I’ve heard. Joshua, you look really meek and mellow but surprisingly you hare crazy and stubborn.”

“Thanks for the compliment?” Joshua said listlessly.

“Not really a compliment. And you call me the reckless and crazy one.”

“You heard that?”

“Superhuman soldier, remember?”

“Oh,”

Joshua smiled wearily. Zola stood up like a cat and patted her arm. “Thanks for the treatment. Though it will just heal as fast it should be.”

“Yeah yeah,” Joshua waves his hands. “Just try to get your pretty skin not bleeding or skinned. It’s a shame to see it that way.”

“Is that so?” she smiled mischievously. Then she left the house, leaving Joshua alone with his hands spread on the couch.

The house was something that the Mayor gave to Joshua. It was emptied out and the furniture’s were from the craftsman who thought to help him out. The town was a bit thankful to Joshua. The case of the abomination and the tragic yet successful hunt made them accept Joshua here as one of them. It was great for Joshua. He now had a home in this world that he can call his own.

...

Joshua took his time in resting. After that, he went for a walk to this market street where the people were crowding at the stalls. Joshua took a turn to this narrow corner and entered a workshop. The place has the aroma of freshly sawn wood. There was an old man who was shaving a four-foot long lumber. The old man took notice of Joshua’s presence.

“Here for the goods?” said the old man.

“Yes,” Joshua said. He looked around. He saw the nails all over the place. Sawdust filled the place and the old man was covered in wood shavings and clippings. Joshua poised himself near the slightly clean table. The old man continued doing his work. Suddenly, he craned his head to where Joshua was.

“So all that you need are nails and four arm-length wood?” He put his tools down. He swaggered to where the material was kept and laid them on this long table. “Here’s all I got. The fees are on Dan and Nana. No need to take that pouch of yours lad.”

“Thanks,” Joshua kept his hands on his side. He looked at the materials that the old man was bundling. “This is fine wood.”

“They came from the spruce trees deep down the jungle themselves. You’re friends with that young lady right?”

“Who are you talking to?” Joshua titled his head.

“I think her name was Zola.”

“Oh,” Joshua added. “Did she help or do anything?”

“Yes and no, she’s helpful. These great lumbers wouldn’t have arrived if she didn’t take care of them. Aye, I don’t know what she’s made off but she’s good at fighting and killing. Shame that she never really talks to anyone other than you or Cyra, a bit anti-social, is what I would like to describe.”

Joshua frowned. He had noticed that she barely talks to anyone. She’s always occupied and comes to his house either wounded or sleepy. He had observed her behavior. And all Joshua could think of her was other than that she afraid of peace. It was disturbing to her. War and conflict were so deeply engraved on her that it was making her restless living in peace. She didn’t have anything do. She couldn’t sit well around the house so he roams around killing anything dangerous, selling what she can get to the traders. Most of her money would end up as ingredients for Joshua to use. Joshua didn’t mind using the ingredients she provided. Not to mention that he can eat them too.

Still, Zola was a restless reckless woman who had been born in times of war. Joshua was lucky enough to be far from war when he was in his world. He didn’t experience the atrocities of seeing his friends blasted apart. He didn’t see his home get blown up. He didn’t see monstrous abominations tearing apart an entire planet with his own eyes. He could remember something and this made Joshua’s face fell.

“Anything wrong?” said the old man.

“No, don’t mind Zola. She’s grown in a place where times were hard.

The old man snarled. “When did times weren’t bad?” Joshua didn’t know what to say about that. He just nodded and waited for the old man to bundle the materials before leaving the workshop slowly. Joshua weaved through the street of Edawick, passing through the house-lined streets until he found himself in the avenue where he was able to spot a familiar figure crouching near the shrubbery.

“What are you doing?” Joshua asked. The person who was crouching turned her bluish eyes towards Joshua. She then returned it to the furry creature that seemed like a hybrid of a wolf and a dog. It was an animal that Joshua didn’t know.

“This creature is quite interesting,” said Zola.

“Well, it looks cool,” the pup was standing sternly. Its small red eyes looked at Joshua and Zola. “And fearsome, wonder what breed or dire animal it is?”

“It reminds me of those popular pups from Ganymede,” Zola said. Her eyes were sparkling. There was this childlike look on her eyes.

“She’s like a child,” muttered Joshua. It hit him right there that was something he had noticed. She had said it herself that she was eleven when she went to war. Joshua was still playing with action-figures when he was that age. Yet this woman in front of him was fighting abominations. He could tell that she was forced to become a soldier. It was clear that she was a soldier before she was a human.

This was her lost innocent right now, Joshua thought. Zola was playing with the little pup with a slight smile. She was poking the little pup that seemed like it started to like her. It was then that she suddenly cocked her head towards Joshua.

“Let me guess,” Joshua cut her in. “Want to take the little guy with you?”

She blushed. Then she nodded slowly. “Yes, is that okay?”

“Well, its fine really, but you feed the little guy yourself.”

“Eh?”

“What? You want to take care of that pup so might as well do that yourself, besides, I think it might be good for you.”

She didn’t say anything. She tilted her head and crouched down to pick the pup up with both hands. The pup seemed like it was happy. Then, Joshua saw a genuine smile from Zola. It was a calm smile. Zola wanted to play with the little pup so she lifted it up.

“You are now Titus!” said Zola. Joshua smiled at that name. He then trotted back home. Letting Zola play with the little pup that she recently named.

...

Back home Joshua started working on the crib again. He added the necessary parts. He carved some designs for details and made sure to nail the parts. He measured each leg he made. He then attached a wood board. It took him a while and when he looked at the sky. He saw that the afternoon sun was up. He was busy carving when he heard a thud of wood. He turned his attention to the door. There, Silo and Cyra entered casually. Cyra bought some sort of cake from the bakery. Silo was walking with his wooden leg.

The two sat on the couch. They stared at Joshua. He couldn’t but asked. “So here to just watch me? How’s everything?”

“Fine fine,” Silo gave a grin. “You look fine and dandy.”

“I am,” Joshua nodded. “Still hurting but I experienced worst.”

“That you do my friend,” Silo said with a lazy smile. Cyra was looking around the home. “So where’s Zola?”

“She’s out playing with a little pup.”

“Playing with a pup?? Cyra was surprised. “That’s unlike her.”

“You’d be surprised how much of a child she is,” Joshua said. He continued fondling the thing he was working on with focus.

“Really...that’s a surprise.”

“Is that?” Silo looked at Cyra and Joshua. “I thought she’s the quiet one.”

“That she is,” Joshua added. “Don’t say that to her face though. She might punch you.”

“Uh,” Silo twitched. “I’ll try to not say that.”

Cyra stood up. She walked to where the table was. She put the cake and placed them on a plate which she took from the kitchen. She brought the cake to the living’s room table. Silo and Cyra started eating. Joshua looked at the two with narrow eyes. “That looks really good.”

“Want some?”

“Feed me?”

“No.”

Silo said cruelly. Joshua lowered his shoulders. He looked at the thing he was working on before standing up. He picked some of the cakes and started to eat a piece. The three stayed eating. Then Zola barged into the room. There was a jolly look on her face but it became impassive as she took a sight of Silo and Cyra.

“Oh, hello,” said Zola blandly. In her cradle was the little pup. Titus, the red-eyed wolf-dog was waving its tongue.

“That’s a...dire banewolf?” said Silo excitedly. “I thought such things didn’t exist anymore?”

“A dire banewolf?” asked Joshua.

“Yes,” Cyra stared at the little pup. “It should an extinct breed. I thought that they have been hunted down.”

“Are they dangerous?” Joshua said.

“No,” Silo snapped. “But they can be if they are not trained well.”

“I see,” Joshua nodded his head. “Then Zola should be able to care for it.”

“Are you sure?” Cyra said worriedly. “That thing...I heard stories about it.”

“I’ll be fine,” said Zola. “I can take care of Titus.”

“Titus?” Cyra looked at Joshua.

“Yes, Titus, say hello to them.”

The pup cooperated. It barked at the two as if acknowledging Joshua’s request. Silo and Cyra seemed like they wanted to say something more. But Silo knew what Zola was capable of doing so he assured Cyra. Zola wasn’t afraid and in fact, hearing that the little pup was the last of its kind made Zola care for the pup even more. She took the pup with her to the kitchen. Feeding him the preserved meat that Joshua bought a while ago. Joshua didn’t really complain. It was her money so he let her do what she wants.

Cyra and Silo casually sat around the house. Joshua just worked on what he was doing until it was done. He only needed to pain it so he put it aside. He looked at Zola. She was casually playing with the little pup. The poor pup could not dent the stick.

Joshua squatted near Zola. He poked the little guy and the pup squirmed. It rolled at Zola’s feet. He met Zola’s glare. Joshua then blandly poked the little guy again. Her face twitched as she pats the little pups head in worry. She was attached to it now. And she was acting like a little girl who just got bullied.

Joshua threw his hands up. He backed off away and back to the table where Silo and Cyra were discussing their own wedding. Joshua didn’t add anything other than a suggesting the cake. Then he blurted out about wedding rings that are usually put on the left ring finger. Cyra was surprised at this. There was no tradition of putting a ring on someone’s finger, and hearing that the left ring finger had a vein that connects to the heart. It made Cyra want to get one. Silo looked at Joshua with a rather tired face.

Joshua shrugged his shoulders. He then reclined his back and took notice of the green brooch that was on Cyra. “That is quite the Emerald you got there.”

“Huh,” Cyra craned her head at Joshua. “Do you what this is?”

“Not really, I just assumed it’s an emerald brooch.”

“It sure is...” she looked down. “My mother gave it to me.”

“It looks beautiful,” said Joshua.

“It is,” she looks somber.

Joshua didn’t ask further. Cyra’s face was enough to tell that she didn’t want to speak further. Joshua understood and turned his attention to the cake. It was a good cake, but it was lacking. The night went on and the two left before it was midnight. Joshua cleaned the house. He took care of the woods shavings before going inside his room for a nap. He dreamed of his old world. It was a strange dream of running throughout the halls of his old school.

He woke up past midnight. He went out to drink some water only to find Zola resting on the couch with the little pup sleeping on her stomach. The moonlight shined on her. Her hood that was usually up was down and her long braided hair laid on the couch. Joshua knew that she had a super-human resistance and that she had already explained her constitution. Still, Joshua took some spare blanket and covered her and the pup. He then walked back to his own room, taking a rest.