Chapter 7

Name: Tom Heartoak Level: 1 Health: 6 Experience: 15%

Strength: 4

Dexterity: 1

Constitution: 3

Wisdom: 6

Intelligence: 7

Abilities:

[Hardy] Above average Strength due to being born from a family that focused primarily on the art of standing along the strongest while lacking in both Wisdom and Intelligence. This also allows the person to gain combat skills much easier than normal

[Baby] All normal starting stats drop to one

[Gift of Intelligence receiver] Given an intelligence similar of James Moken, it also gives the ability of communicating telepathy.

Skills:

Beginner Rank:

[Weapon Specialization: Toy Block]

[Power attack] Rank 1

What did I just create, if he starts bench pressing now how strong will he be when he is an adult?

While Tom was starting to increasing ask questions about what was happening James could did nothing but step back a few paces away from the thing he just created. All he had hoped for was an extra body to help him fight the rats not a baby monster that looked to be able to kill him now.

James I feel so funny how come I know what those letters mean and other stuff?

Tom pointed at the blocks with letters on them next to a blue bin that James earlier had built into a fort when he was bored. Around the fort displayed a battle he had set up of a group of toy horses defeating the goblin horde sieging it by riding up through the gateway (His mom helped him act out that part). Tom tried to speak but of course it was impossible to understand so James had to take his time to explain how things were now and what happened.

So you made me smarter to help you fight the Brown Hair Goblin Clan

Yes Tom that is right, I needed help to protect my mother from those evil rats and you are perfect for the job since you’re so crazy strong

Tom’s head started to nod up and down very fast and a little bit excited which James meant was about helping and not killing. James mother then came into the room and noticed so active they both seemed to be just sitting inside the crib.

“Well don’t you boys seem like your full of energy today, how about getting out of there and playing with some blocks”

James mother picked up both in each arm, walked them both to the center of James room where the battle and fort were set up. Sitting down at the table on the other end of the room James mother began working with some of the cloth that was sitting there while every so often looking back at them. Since James was born the family shop had been closed but every so often James would notice her working on some small special orders.

Tom started to reach for one of the horses on the walls but James quickly swatted his hand away. His mother heard the sound of the slap and looked over and just saw James smiling widely at her which she returned then went back to what she was doing.

Don’t touch the archer, everything is perfectly set up. Here have a this block to play with he have more important things to talk about

James waddled over to a small pile of unused blocks and rolled over one of the long cylinder ones that Tom was allowed to play with. Tom easily picked it up and started to swing in back and forth unnaturally fast and strong.

Not so fast! My mom will worry about my safety… okay good now about the rats. I saw a group of them looking at my front door so they most likely coming tonight and it’s going to be tou...

I miss my mom and dad

Looking back up at Tom from knocking over the goblin figures with his horse ones James saw that he was no longer swinging the block and just looking at it.

Seeing what was happening James put down the toys and crawled over to Tom and hugged him to Tom’s surprise.

It will be alright Tom after going to your house I can safely say your mom is definitely coming back

James was impressed with himself for what he clearly felt was saying the right thing in a situation such as this. It came as a complete surprise to him when Tom instead started to cry

What about my dad!

… Getting a little greedy huh, you are coming off as one of those people who never seem happy with what they have. In my experience single parents can even be better and all the men who come into your mother’s life will give you gifts the first few times they come over

With James words Tom started to now completely break out in crying and squeeze James as hard as he could. Hearing his cries James mother come over and pulled the two away from each other before James completely blacked out.

“I know it’s hard right now but soon your mom is going to be back with your dad and everything is going to be great!”

James mother started to play with Tom until he stopped crying then gave him a big hug before setting him back down again. While his eyes were still red Tom was still seemed overall better.

See your wrong James, even your mom agrees with me that my dad is coming home soon Tom stated with a point of his finger directed at James proudly

In response to such a bold proclamation James just gave a shake of his head in disappointment at hearing his words.

She was lying to you and you believed her so easily…

No way, I don’t believe you!

Yes way, your dad is totally dead. It’s time to stop believing the world is a glass half full kind of place and realize it’s a glass half empty kind of world. In the words of Dave Chappelle: If you can’t accept this then just give up motherfucker because life is way harder than this”

Then was a long pause where even James could not read Tom’s face to understand what he was thinking and even his mother looked over at them due to the unusual silence. Then it finally happened, the statement which caused the tense atmosphere to explode:

If my dad is dead then yours is too

James got up and rushed forward to where Tom to the maximum that his Dexterity of 1 allowed and using his fist used [Power Attack]. Tom was barely able to use both of hands in time to catch the fist starting a fighting between them of baby proportions attacks came at each other very slowly and unsteadily, often time they missed and fell down. In fact neither one was hurt at all by the time James mother came and broke up the “fight”

They both sat at opposite sides of the crib without talking to each other, both had their backs to the other. James knew that he did not have time to let this go on any longer given that tonight most likely would be another attack on his home and the largest yet. Turning himself around James waddled over to Tom’s side of the crib and sat down next to him while facing the same direction.

I am sorry about what I said about your father

Did you mean what you said Tom said quickly in response still sounding annoyed at him

James was unsure at first if he sound be honest or not but after thinking it over he would rather have Tom trust him then keeping up a lie.

I did mean what I said but given the life that use to be mine and the things I have experienced you could be the one that is right

Tom quickly wiped away the tears that were forming with a smile on his face and that’s when James realized just how much Tom needed to hear those words and how he wished he could have heard those words at one point in his former life.

So is it time to fight the rats? Tom asked while tilting his head unsure what was going on between James and the rats

Soon it will be and there is much to do luckily you already picked out a weapon James looked down at the floor and Tom followed his gaze to the block he was swinging around earlier.

After that James started to go over his plans about where they would meet the Brown Hair Rat Clan attack while preparing some quickly put together cloth for Tom. By the time night fell they were as already waiting in there combat gear after a quick nap to make sure they would stay awake and began the night.