[Ties] Bootcamp 1

A little girl wearing a servant's uniform bowed before a little boy smaller than her. The little girl had black hair that only reaches her shoulders—a bob cut, dark brown skin that seemed charred from the sun's merciless rays, and brown eyes that complemented her round and cheerful face.

"Greetings, Young Master Malachi. My name is Arlianne." said the little girl, "I will be taking care of you from now on."

The little boy, Malachi, was seated upon a chair and wore tan-colored overalls with a white shirt. Similar to Arlianne, he had short black hair and his skin, although brown, was of a lighter shade than Arlianne's. However, one thing stood out when it came to Malachi; it was his unnatural red irises.

Malachi, with his wide red eyes, looked upon Arlianne from his seat. Beside him was a table and a book lay opened beneath his right arm. Malachi returned his attention to the book, lifted it up with both of his hands, and hopped off his seat. The book, seemingly as large as his chest, wobbled from his small arms and was brought before Arlianne.

"Hey, hey!" he said, "Can you read this for me?"

Malachi requested Arlianne with great vigor, and the girl was surprised at his request. This surprise was especially true for once she took a look at the contents of the book.

"Umm, Young Master... What is this book?"

"I don't know! I can't read them!"

Arlianne frowned.

"Forgive me, Young Master. I cannot understand much of what is written here. I can read them, but they're all too difficult for someone of my age."

"Oh..."

Malachi was saddened by her answer. Seeing this, Arlianne looked around the room to look for a more suitable piece of literature. Eventually, her gaze fell upon a small shelf of books placed at a corner of the room. Looking closer, the spines of the books were more colorful than the rest of the books within the room. The bright colors should have given her a hint.

'I wonder if those are children's books?' she thought.

Arlianne placed her hand upon Malachi's head, and gave her a reassuring pat.

"Young Master, while I may not be able to understand much yet, I can still read you books that are easier to understand."

Hearing this, Malachi looked up to her with a wide smile and nodded vigorously. Arlianne went to the small shelf and pulled out a random book. Inspecting the title, it was indeed a children's book.

'The madam must have made this especially for her child.'

Arlianne sat on a nearby bed and gestured to Malachi to come sit next to her. Malachi did as he was told, and thus began an afternoon of storytelling.

///

Well into the evening that same day, Malachi and Arlianne were seated upon a table. With them was a young adult woman. This woman had an appearance that was strikingly different from both Malachi and Arlianne. She had waist-length white hair, and her skin was of an equally white tone. Her pale white hair and skin would have, undoubtedly, mistaken her for a sickly woman or a spectre in the night. Despite her worrying appearance, her eyes, which were also unnaturally red, gave off a lively brilliance.

The young adult woman was seated before the two children, and together they ate their evening meals. Although, Arlianne was stiff as a rock.

"Arlianne, why are you not eating?" asked the woman, "Do you dislike the food?"

Arlianne vehemently shook her head.

"No, ma'am, it's not that." replied Arlianne, "It's just that I doubt I should be eating with my employers."

The woman smiled softly at her answer.

"Oh, worry not. Arlianne, everybody within this home is family. The moment you came into this home, you had become a part of us. So, go on and eat to your heart's content."

While Arlianne was deliberating on whether to make herself at home, she sent a glance at the little boy seated next to her. Malachi, seemingly oblivious to her predicament, wolfed down everything on his plate with reckless abandon. Suddenly, he looked at Arlianne, noticing her glance, and gave a smile full of food.

"Pfft." stifled Arlianne a laugh.

Seeing Malachi's stupidly cute action swept her worries away, and finally ate her fill at a regular pace.

While they were eating, a bell resounded from a corridor. Hearing this, the woman stood up.

"Hmm, they're early?" she muttered, "Wait for me here, you two."

The woman left the dining room and went to the corridor. Turning her heels, she faced and went towards a door. She took a peek through the peek-hole that clicked and opened, and found two brown-skinned bearded men wearing leather coats.

"Bashia? It's us." said the bearded man in front.

The woman, Bashia, also saw that the other bearded man gave a thumbs up at the peek-hole. She smiled, and happily opened the door.

"Emmanuel, welcome home."

Bashia greeted the bearded man before her, and gave him a loving hug. The bearded man or, rather, the disguised man returned her hug. The man, Emmanuel, had long black hair and brown eyes. Similarly, the man behind him had the same coloration despite having a sharper appearance.

"Gregory, welcome." greeted Bashia to the other man.

Gregory nodded in return.

Still wearing their coats, they removed the unnatural beards and extra hair on their faces, and gave their chins a soothing scratch.

"Ugh, remind me to find a better set of beards." said Emmanuel, "Garm fur is really itchy."

"At least it smells better than Garuda and Manticore fur." replied Gregory as he fixed his coat.

Curiously, the way Gregory fixed his clothing was unnatural as though there was something hidden underneath. The way he walked as well hinted that there was something that prevented him from walking properly.

Emmanuel raised his head, and sniffed the air.

"Oh, were you having dinner?" he wondered, "Do you think you have enough for two more?"

"I always have more than enough, Emmanuel." she replied as she smiled.

"Mama? Who they?"

Suddenly, Malachi's voice came from behind her. Bashia turned to see Malachi with Arlianne behind him holding his shoulders. Arlianne, however, was staring straight at Emmanuel.

"Oh, is she...?" wondered Emmanuel, "I've heard about her from you, but I didn't think she would be so cute."

"Ababa...baba...baba..." stuttered Arlianne, "Y-y-your..."

"Oops, she recognized me." said Emmanuel.

Emmanuel gestured to Arlianne, with a finger on his lips, to stay quiet about, most probably, his identity.

"Now, now, Little One, I am here in secret." he said, "Keep it quiet, okay?"

Arlianne, with eyes opened wide, darted her gaze from Emmanuel then to Bashia. Bashia had a mischievous smile as Arlianne's gaze landed on her. The gaze went back to Emmanuel, and the man gave a smile, then Arlianne suddenly dropped her gaze at the little boy below her.

"Shocking, I know." uttered Gregory, "Well, you'll just have to get used to it... If you want a peaceful li— ow!"

"Gregory, shut up. Don't scare her."

Emmanuel gave Gregory a kick on his shin to stop the girl from breaking out in tears. Especially since Arlianne stood stock still at this interesting revelation. Bashia suddenly clapped her hands together, and brought everyone's attention to herself.

"Okay, everyone, let's stop dallying in the corridor, and return to our dinner." she announced, "Come, come. Let us finish our still heated meals."

///

The next day,

"I'll come again next week." said Emmanuel.

Emmanuel and Gregory stayed the night, were now wearing their disguises, and were at the entrance to a, surprisingly, a small villa built upon a wide plateau. The plateau had sparse greenery and towered over a vast savanna-like environment.

Although the greenery was sparse, there were a lot of tall rocks and large boulders littered across the flat area. Aside from the rocks, crevices and small caves where small animals lived in dotted the rock faces. Over the distance, a large city could also be seen with tall structures and pillars of smoke.

"Take care as you travel." said Bashia to Emmanuel, "You take care as well, Gregory."

"Mn." replied Gregory with a nod.

Emmanuel crouched down before Malachi and rubbed the little boy's head.

"I'll see you again, my child." he said, "Take care of Mama, alright?"

"Yup!" answered Malachi, "See ya, Papa!"

Emmanuel chuckled at his son's energetic reply. Next, he faced the quiet Arlianne.

"Heh heh, now you... I hope you'll treat them the same as usual, alright?" he told Arlianne, "Forget the fact about my status and just live with them like you would with your family."

"Family?" wondered Arlianne.

"Yes, family." repeated Emmanuel.

Bashia crouched down next to Arlianne and brought her, together with Malachi, closer in an embrace.

"Emmanuel and I had a little talk as you slept." she announced, "We know that you were an orphan, and we thought, 'Why don't we adopt her as well?' as we had discussed about you working here. Would you like to become part of our family?"

Arlianne stared wide-eyed and mouth agape at Bashia. Her eyes darted back and forth between the the couple. Malachi, naturally, heard the conversation and looked at Arlianne.

"Arlianne? Family?" he wondered.

"Yes, Malachi. Would you like to have an elder sister?" inquired Emmanuel.

"Sister?" repeated Malachi, "Okay!"

"Pfft... Haha!" chuckled Emmanuel, "Such a happy child."

While the family was happily spending a few more moments together, Gregory watch watching the surroundings with a wary eye. Sensing and hearing that Emmanuel was about to finish, he turned around and focused on the family behind him.

Suddenly, sensing something amiss from the wind,

"Huh? GET DOWN!!" he cried as he pushed the family through the doorway.

PS-SHANG! PAK!

A sharp noise tore through the air, and a small object pierced through the frame of the door.

BANG! BANG!

Two more small explosions resounded from the distance, and more small objects gouged the wooden door.

"Shit! How did they find us!?" bellowed Emmanuel.

"Forget that!" cried Gregory, "Get the others to safety first!"

"Bashia, you heard Greg. Hide inside for a while." advised Emmanuel, "Greg and I will try to get rid of them."

Bashia silently nodded, and carried the two children, with surprising strength, with her. The three others went deeper inside the villa, and Emmanuel returned his attention to the attackers outside.

"How many?" he asked.

"From the sounds... Just one." replied Gregory.

Emmanuel and Gregory removed their disguises, including their coats, and revealed shining plate armor hidden beneath. Their armor, made of unknown metals, protected most of their bodies while giving them enough mobility to move. Strapped to their legs were long pipe-like weapons with a handle on one end.

Their weapons were firearms.

"Just one, huh?" muttered Emmanuel, "Same as usual?"

"Mn." answered Gregory as he nodded, "You spot, I shoot."

Gregory kicked the door open and the two dived into a firefight.

///

Deep within the villa, in an unknown cellar.

Bang... Bang...

Sounds of gun-fighting echoed through the building, and Bashia kept the two children deep in her embrace. In the darkness, Arlianne freed her head and gasped some air.

"Ah, I'm sorry." apologized Bashia, "Are you uncomfortable?"

"Never mind that, Ma'am!" shouted Arlianne, "His Highness, His Highness...!"

"Shh, Emmanuel and Gregory can take care of it." reassured Bashia, "Gregory—Sir Grigorio—is the Phoenix of the Kingdom, and the best friend of Emmanuel."

"But still! But still!" pestered Arlianne, "Shouldn't we call for the Royal Guards!?"

Bashia's expression grew solemn and shook her head.

"It is because of Malachi and I that they cannot be called upon."

Arlianne became silent and quickly realized why.

"But the war was already over so long ago!" she cried, "Even the king gave a Royal Decree regarding the treatment of Eskurs!"

"Yet, many people still remember the scars of war." argued Bashia, "You are young, younger than those who personally witnessed the hatred of my kin. The aged and the descendants of those lost lives still find it hard to forgive and forget. Even if we, the defeated, were forgiven... As long as our past is not forgotten, as long as they vehemently remember that part of our past, we are never forgiven."

Arlianne quietly stared at Bashia in silence for a while as distant gunshots roared outside.

"That is why, Arlianne..." continued Bashia, "Do find it in your heart to be with Malachi despite any tribulations you may encounter in the future."

Arlianne gazed upon the little boy next to her, sleeping in his mother's arms.

"I... I will do my utmost to stay with the Young Master." she declared, "I will stay by his side as his servant... no... as his family, his sister. I swear, Ma'am."

Bashia smiled and placed her hand on Arlianne's cheek.

"But first, we have to change how you address me, right?" she said, "You have to call me, "mother" or "mama", yes? Hmhm."

"Mo... mom." stuttered Arlianne, "Yes, mom."

Soon after, the firefight outside audibly died down. Bashia brought Arlianne closer to her embrace, and even woke Malachi up with her tight squeeze.

"Ma... Mama?" groaned Malachi.

"Shh, quiet." advised Bashia.

After a while, footsteps could be heard coming closer and closer. A moment later, a voice was heard.

"Bashia, are you well?" said Emmanuel, "We got rid of the assassin. It's safe to come out now."

The wall before Bashia and the two children opened up and light seeped through. The other side of the wall was the dining room where they ate their meals. A hidden cellar behind a small cabinet.

Emmanuel was perspiring, his clothes tattered, and his armor scratched. Despite his haggard appearance, there were no visible wounds nor noticeable injuries. Despite the dirt, Bashia flew towards Emmanuel into an embrace, and the couple warmly received one another.

"Are you sure it's fine already?" inquired Bashia as she caressed Emmanuel's face with her hands.

"It's fine." reassured Emmanuel, "Though, as a precaution, Greg is sweeping the area for other assassins. Ah, he's here."

Just as announced, Gregory appeared in the dining room carrying a small bag and another firearm.

"Mn." said Gregory, "Apart from his fusil and ammunition, I found nothing else that could be a clue to his identity."

"His identity doesn't matter, anyhow." declared Emmanuel, "It's already obvious that Elijah had a hand in this."

"Yet, we have no evidence that directly points to your brother." rebutted Gregory, "And that's what we need the most in this ridiculous faction war."

Just then, Malachi and Arlianne had followed Bashia out. Arlianne was still holding onto Malachi's shoulders, but the little boy himself had a different expression than that of the people around him. The others had expressions of relief, yet Malachi, however, had an expression of shock. The first to notice this was Gregory.

"Mn? What is it, Young One?" asked Gregory.

Following the boy's gaze, Gregory found that Malachi was staring at the fusil in his hands.

'Is he interested in this fusil?' he wondered, "Would you like to see?"

Gregory crouched down and presented the fusil to Malachi. The fusil was a bit short of two meters in length, and its girth was three-quarters of a grown man's arm. At its end was a wide piece of wood, curved to be held by a hand. The fusil was wholly metal, and seemed lighter than expected when held by Gregory.

Malachi tottered slowly towards the fusil that was held out. Arlianne let go of his shoulders and watched as the little boy inched closer. Bashia and Emmanuel curiously watched their child arrive in front of the fusil and hold his hand over the metal frame.

A few moments after Malachi made contact with the now-cold metal, he collapsed.

"Malachi!?" screamed Bashia.

His mother darted towards his limp body and held him close to her. Bashia noticed something strange, and placed her palm on his forehead.

"A fever? His body is so hot!?" she announced, "Call a doctor, quick! Arlianne, get a basin of water as well!"

Gregory bolted out of the house as soon as Bashia ordered. Bashia and Emmanuel carried the boy with them upstairs, and Arlianne did as she was told. Malachi was then placed in his room, and all the windows had been opened to let the breeze through.

///

Eight hours later.

Bashia and Emmanuel were within the dining room, anxiously waiting for the report of the doctor Gregory had brought prior. Arlianne was within Malachi's room assisting the male doctor that appeared similar to Bashia—white hair, pale skin, and red eyes. As for Gregory, he stood watch by the windows with his fusil, ready to engage the uninvited, if ever.

"This is baffling." commented the doctor, "I've spent almost all of my antipyrectics and poisons that should drop one's body temperature, yet I see no change in his condition. Even the anti-flammatory medicines had no effect. I had to stop administering them lest I risk his life."

Arlianne's body froze and her face teared at the doctor's word. The doctor noticed this, and placed his palm upon her head.

"Worry not, child." he said, "I will do my utmost to see him cured." 'I was shocked at first when the Royal Phoenix came to my clinic, of all places, and brought me here before the Prince. Ah well, I am sworn to Eqarian secrecy. Haha. Still, this child, to be so anxious for one who is born as a half... It would be nice if this generation will guide our future.'

Without warning, Malachi's body twitched, and his voice gushed out like a broken dam.

"Kh... Urr... aaAAAAHHH!!!"

A roar, unbefitting of a child, burst from his small body. His body writhed, his hands balled into fists grasping and nearly tearing the sheets.

Alarmed and panicked, the doctor stood and tried to hold Malachi down. Soon, footsteps erupted from the outside, and the door swung open in full force. Bashia and Emmanuel stormed the room in response to Malachi's cries.

"Malachi!? Malachi!?" cried Bashia.

Bashia dove onto Malachi and brought him to his embrac while Emmanuel stood next to the doctor, unsure of what to do.

"AAAAHHHHH!!!" screamed the child.

Bashia broke out in tears, unable to quell her son's pain. Seeing that things might turn for the worst, Emmanuel gave an order to the doctor.

"Put him to sleep! Put him to sleep, now!!"

Without another word, the doctor pulled out a syringe with clear liquid. With the aid of Bashia and Emmanuel holding Malachi down, the doctor administered the drug.

///

'Where am I?'

A life drifts in the void.

'Who am I?'

Floating...

Fleeting...

'I... am...'

Light emerges from the darkness...

///

"Ghuaahh! Kaa... Haa... Haa..."

A little boy gasped as he awoke. Panting for breath, he stared at the bed where he lay.

"This place is...?" he wondered, "Urgh..."

Realizing he was somewhere unfamiliar yet very familiar, he held his head as a sharp migraine coursed through.

"The... Hell...?"

As he got up from the bed, the door of the room opened an a little girl walked in with a basin of water.

"Young Master, pardon me while I—"

The little girl stared wide-eyed in shock. Fortunately, the basin in her hands did not fall. The little boy and the little girl at one another for quite some time.

'Who?' thought the little boy.

However, before he could figure it out...

"Young Master!"

The little girl wailed, dropped the basin of water, and charged forward.

"Huh!? Wai—oof!!" groaned the little boy.

"Young Master!!!" she cried as she embraced the little boy, "Young Master Malachi!!!"

Footsteps, again, were heard outside. At the very least, the door was left open, and four adults appeared one after another. Taking care of avoiding the puddle of water, Bashia was the first—second—to notice that the little boy, Malachi, was finally awake.

"Malachi... Malachi..." repeated Bashia as she covered her lips with her hands.

Like the little girl, Arlianne, she embraced Malachi as well.

"Oh, Malachi...!" she cried, "We were so worried!"

"Kuh... Who..." struggled Malachi, "Urgh! Ahh!"

Malachi grasped his head with one hand, and shoved the girls away with the other. Shocked, Arlianne and Bashia stared agape at his actions.

Still screaming in pain, the doctor was about to administer the same drug that put him to sleep until...

"Out! Get out of the room!" cried Malachi, "Leave me alone!!"

Malachi grabbed hold of the doctor's hand, snatched the syringe, and threw it onto the floor. Emmanuel was about to go forward to hold Malachi down, but he received a punchwith surprising strength to his chin that he fell to the floor instead.

"Emmanuel!" screamed Bashia.

"Your Highness!!" cried Arlianne and the doctor.

"Out! Out! Everyone out!"

Unable to do anything further, and seeing Emmanuel down on the floor, the doctor could only pull Emmanuel out of the room with the two girls in tow.

"Let's do what he says for the moment." advised the doctor, "I'm not sure what will happen if we do but, at this rate, something worse may happen if we force him to do something else."

///

"What do you think happened?"

The members of the household, along with the doctor, were downstairs in the dining room. By now, Emmanuel was awake with Gregory behind him, still a bit groggy from that punch. For the moment, the doctor was checking up on Emmanuel due to him collapsing from earlier, and Gregory asked for the doctor's opinion.

"Frankly, I was surprised that such a small child could knock out a grown man so easily." replied the doctor, "The Young Master, despite being in pain—his consciousness clouded by pain—was able to accurately deliver a blow to His Highness here. As for being knocked out, I'm not sure about the principle of such a strike."

"Ugh, I have high hopes for his future now." commented Emmanuel, "The way he swung that fist was surprisingly smooth, as though he knew how to properly execute whatever he just did. Ooh, my head still hurts..."

Arlianne poured a glass of water and gave it to Emmanuel to drink. Receiving the glass, Emmanuel gulped down the water, momentarily easing the pain in his head.

"For now, I don't see anything alarming in your condition, Your Highness." declared the doctor, "But, just in case, you may have to avoid strenuous activities for a few days."

Just as the doctor was about to finish diagnosing Emmanuel's condition, a voice came from the hallway.

"He'll be fine." said the voice—a boy's voice.

Alarmed, the people within the dining room looked towards the source and found Malachi leaning on the doorway.

"Malachi!?" cried Bashia.

"Are... Are you well?" inquired Emmanuel.

Malachi struggled forward, one hand still on his head, and sat on an empty chair.

"I'm fine." he replied, "Kh... My head's a mess, but that's it."

Bashia quietly stared at the little boy who had rested his chin on the table sloppily. Malachi noticed her stare, and turned his gaze towards her direction. Locking eyes, Malachi made a wry smile.

"I'm not acting like the Malachi you're used to, huh, Mama?" he said.

Bashia was taken aback.

"Who..." she uttered.

Malachi raised his head.

"Man, that gun was real shocking to me." said Malachi, "Who knew that seeing a gun would actually trigger my recollection of memories from a past life. Haha!"

"What?"