Chapter 9 Past and Farewells

The whole “Triskell” guild was at the inn. After the fight, they divided the loots. Alex obtained part of the treasure, more gold than he could have dream to have, a whopping one thousand golds. The stuffs were more for magicians, so the group decided it would be for Anna and Julia. The others earned more gold to keep it balanced.

After that, they went back to the city and partied until morning came. Except for Anna who was too young to drink and Alex who had been trained to reject all substances that could hinder his reflexes. But he still enjoyed it very much, as the aroma of friendship and victory was sweet enough in itself.

However, when morning came, he was alone in the street, looking at the rising sun. He felt someone coming behind and put back his mask. Percival looked at him.

- Thanks you for your work, A… Alex!

- You have nothing to thank me for, Alex replied, you especially.

- You could have ignored me, but you decide not to. My heart still has troubles accepting it but I know you’re not the one everybody was looking at in the arena…

- It was still me…

- I don’t know why you did those things, but I know you had a good reason. Don’t keep it to yourself. Find someone you can trust with your past. Someone that won’t judge you.

- I don’t think such a person can exist.

- Seeing my reactions, I can’t really oppose that, but you need it. Just think about it…

- Thanks…

- …

- You did not come to say that, didn’t you?

- True! It was truly a good hunt, but you have your own fights to lead, haven’t you? That’s why you’ll leave…

- I…

- Don’t worry! I understand. You stayed back for me, and you appreciated the guild, but you can’t, no yet.

- Right! I learned a lot of things during my life. Things normal people would never learn. But I haven’t been taught the most important… I need to find it, and nobody can help me with it. It is my quests.

- What will you do?

- I’ll travel. Far away. Doing Quests, fighting monsters, meeting people: learning. It will probably take some time.

- Don’t forget us. And if you need a party for some quests, we’re ready for all, especially hard ones. The others will be a little sad but they’ll understand. And next time, I would probably be able to see you eye to eye, without having to impose you this mask or nickname. At least I’ll try to!

- Julia will regret it…

- Don’t worry, she’ll find something else to torment you with.

- Bet she will!

Like that, the day awoke, and the adventurers too. During two more days the whole party fought as a whole, before it was time to say goodbye. Julia complained a little and forced him to promise to send her messages from time to time. Anna tried to hold back tears, but her smile was stretched and everyone could see the pearls of water at the corner of her eyes. Kordur did not say much, and just gave him a tap on the shoulder while Bob tried to squeeze him to death. Last but not least, Percival gave him a sealed letter and some partying words:

- Here are some things that you will need to know. Everybody put some words. Have a good luck, Colonel!

- You too, Commander. Until we meet again.

- Until we meet again, Percival whispered with a smile.

***

Alex was on his cyberspace. He still had some time until his next meeting with Nathalie Vercoss. Not much, but enough. He calmed his breathing and thought; about a lot of things; about a uselessly meddlesome girl who told him about the importance of talking; about a silvery knight who courageously faced his greatest fear; about the partying words of one of his so rare friends. Now he was ready. It was time for him to face his past.

When the doctor arrived, he was lying down on the sofa, looking at the ceiling and at nothing at the same time. He stood up and greeted her before sitting back, while she took her usual place in an armchair:

- So are you fine today Alex?

- Yes Doc.

- …

- How is Emy?

- She’s doing fine. Seeing the easiness she has for making friends would make one believe she’s not truly your sister.

- How is her health?

- Still some minor troubles, but it’s coming back nicely…

- I know I probably should not tell you that, but if he was not already dead, I would probably take great joy in killing him.

- It’s true you should be careful with those kinds of statement, are some would probably take them seriously… but it’s fine with me. I understand where it’s coming from, and what your old “employer” did to your sister. Hopefully there were no permanent damages. And I am sure he regretted it in the end, when everything fell apart.

- It is probably true…

- …

- Doc…

- What is it, Alex?

- What… What do you know about me? About my past?

Nathalie moved a little and sat in a way that made her stand closer to Alex.

- Not much I’m afraid… Only what was on the files…

- I did not read those, joked Alex…

- It’s quite simple: your only known family member is your sister, Emily. As you did not say anything and she could not remember, it is all is known about the family. No surname, no parents, no date of birth, no place of birth, nothing. You’re called Alexander, but investigators thought it was a name given to you for the arena. Once again no luck from you, your sister, or the members of that organization. You were trained during some years before being sent to the tournament. From what was written, it was quite an insane training… nearly a hundred days’ worth in one day. That is part of the reason I thought you’ll refuse to be sent once more in a VR world. You won the tournament 5 times in a row, and with the special events, it has been said you kill hundreds, if not thousands, of people and ferocious beasts. Then you help the Special Forces during the demise of your “employer”, and willingly accept to be arrest in the condition the government would take care of your sister. Then you refused lots of bodyguard job offers but accepted mine, and came here. I think that’s all…

- I… I…

- Take your time if you want…

Alex smiled and took a deep breath.

- I would better be beginning somewhere… Emy is not my only sibling. She’s just the only one I’m sure is alive.

- What do you mean?

- I do not exist. That’s why nobody could find who we were, as neither I nor my sister were officially born in that world…

- You mean…

- Let me explain you my youth…

***

The young boy was coming back home, holding with one of his hand a bit of bread and with the other his hurting sides. He knew he did not have as much as his father wanted, but he also understood that should he managed to bring a whole bag of food, it would also be too little in the eyes of this man. So he just went in the slum that was his home.

Of course, the man was angry. He always was. But since two years ago, he did not dare to touch his son anymore. The kid was strong after all. He was spending his time stealing some food, fleeing from policemen, or fighting against those that thought it was a good idea to take his spoils. And the boy had learned how to fight. His instincts were first rate, and no one was trying to steal from him anymore in those streets.

Two years before, in one of his usual fit, his father raised his hand against him. But he had never been really dexterous, and the alcohol did not help at all. With two twisted fingers and a painful groin that were both done reflexively, the man decided to always keep at least a one meter safety distance. Losing to his 8 years old kid had hurt his pride, but not as much as the kid’s hit hurt his manhood.

So he was shouting, more than ever, but those were only the barking of a losing dog, at least in the child’s eyes. His father was a mean, violent and cowardly person, and if he had hated him during a long time, he now only had disdain toward him.

The shouting did not last long, and the father took half of the spoil, mumbling about the fact that he was hungry and needed more, but he took only his part and left, probably seeking a place to hydrate his self. And he was as fast gone from the home than from his kid’s mind.

The child quickly went to the small room where his mother was. She was sitting against the wall, with a warm blanket on her, and holding in her hands a baby as if it was a treasure. When the kid entered, she looked at him, with some fear first, but with a shining smile when she understood it was her son, and not her husband.

- Here mother, said the boy shyly. I’ve brought back some bread.

- Thank you my dear, she answered while patting his head with one hand. But you should take some for yourself…

- I already ate some before arriving. It’s your share.

- My angel!

Saying so, she used a freed right hand to draw him near and hug him. But the baby, his younger sister, quickly made herself known, shouting as strongly as she could.

- Oh, little Emy. Don’t cry… He is your brother.

With her mother pampering her, Emily quickly stopped crying and looked up with shiny eyes while babbling. The young boy hesitantly approached his hand, but the baby frowned and nearly started to cry again. Seeing the disappointment in her son’s face, the woman smiled kindly and comforted him:

- Don’t worry. It’ll perhaps take a little time but she’ll eventually grow accustomed to you.

The kid smiled back at the two before leaving. He still had to find something to eat for the following day, for him and his family. Today he knew where he could obtain a lot of food without many risks. It would be long and tiring, but he should manage. Or he should have. But this time, fate had decided otherwise, and he had to stop when seeing many policemen just a street away from his goal. So he had no choice but to give up and went back.

When he arrived, he heard a quarrel and some shouting. As he recognized the voice of his mother, he speeded up.

- No! I am not letting you take one of my children ever again!

- Shut up woman! You don’t want to anger me!

- Aahhhhh!

The last scream was terrifying for the young boy. He had heard a lot of screaming during his few years, and he could recognize, even if he was desperately trying to deny it, the holler of a hurt one. He just stormed in in a blurred rage. Noticing the man holding the blood-stained knife, he just elbowed the side of his knee, depriving him from balance.

From a side glance he saw that being which was calling himself his father falling and impaling himself on the knife. He was shocked, but it did only last until he heard the hard breathing of his mother. He quickly went to her side:

- Mother. It’s me… He’s gone and won’t be back…

His mother held a shivering hand up and brushed his teary cheeks.

- Here you are my angel. Please, take care of your sister… This man already took your other siblings away… Take care of Emily at least… in my stead… as I… can’t… longer…

- I swear it to you mother, I’ll take care of her! So… please… don’t leave us!

But she could not hear anything any longer. After blanking out for quite a little time, the boy stood up, without much confidence, and took her sister with him, leaving the house. When he approached his hand, she caught him and giggled, showing him the same dazzling smile he had so often see on his mother face.

- Yes. I’ll protect you little Emy. I won’t let anyone hurt you…

And the young boy definitely left his home, burying in his heart the memory of his parents and of his old name, focusing only on surviving and taking care of his baby sister.

Hello everybody!

This chapter is short, but it was hard to write, and I'm still not sure I managed to do it the way I could see it happening.

Hope you'll like it.

Next one will be the epilogue of the First Arc!

Do not worry, the following is mostly scheduled, as I have too many ideas and just need to select the best one.

Thank you for reading my works