Life in a new Kingdom

"Do you think he had any more constructs around?" I turned to Rys as we exited the elevator. Rys stayed silent for a moment but then stopped.

Taking a deep breath, he let out a sigh and turned to me. "There's probably more but I assume he delivered some of his experiments to Cethric, probably can make more without his help but I guess stopping the main producer of those things will surely help cause less problems in the future. For now, I'll take this as a win." He has a slight smile on his face; his hair sways with each step as we proceed to the mansion's front exit. The sun only began to rise.

"What do you plan to do now? I mean, are you just going to up and leave town to find the next one on your little list?"

"Was thinking about it, but I need to stay and help any people here for a little while. They've been nice to me, and I figured you and your friends deserve some rest for at least a few days. After I make my peace here, I'll head east. The Assassins Guild, a subbranch and partner of the Hunters Guild I work with, would love to hear about this. And with luck, they might have info for me on any of the other Lords; if not, then it doesn't change much. Travel around, find each town, and look into it to find anything that stands out."

"Have you tried going back to the place you came from?"

"After...my father passed, I went there the first chance I had. The castle I was born in was no longer there. Tharon told me he couldn't find it when I told him about it. I figured he just didn't believe me, but now I know he believed every word I said. However, I am glad it wasn't there. I fear in his age, despite being such a powerful hunter, his life would have been taken if he tried to take him on." His mood drops momentarily before he smacks his face. The stone road stretched out toward the town. I couldn't see it, but Rys must have been feeling regret for the victims of this Lord. He probably was thinking how he could have done better. He's young, like me, except at his age, he is still technically a teenager. Strange to think about, but at the age of Twenty, I had killed so many people and didn't regret any of it until I couldn't kill anyone else.

I could have sworn that I used to think about it after a battle, but when you were born on the battlefield and used as a tool for war, regret and guilt don't exist in your life. Soriko saved my soul, yet I took her head to my grave. So, I couldn't blame Rys; he is younger than I was in my previous life when I destroyed that village... My heart sinks every time, but also... I don't think about it that way either. This life has been hard with challenges, but these past memories are Sato's, and I'm Caleb now. It's only a matter of time before Sato is locked away for good.

That's what I like to think, anyway. A part of me will be Sato somewhere inside. However, I can take what I was and turn it into something much better as I am now. My hands always shake when I fight something with my sword. At times, I feel like I blank out of existence and watch my own body fight while I look on, not knowing what is happening. When I snap back to it, I wonder what I am doing. Confusion aside, I am not in control, at least not in a way that I can stop myself with any action I take. Rys has a whole lot on his plate, but he is young and can do better than I ever did.

"Be glad you still had him for that long before he passed. It's worth more if you live up to his expectations than thinking what could have been." Rys placed his hand on my shoulder; I nodded to his kind smile. Behind his eyes I could see the humanity within his soul was still strong, good.

"I'll do my best; I know what I need to do in order to kill everyone single one of those Lords. I won't hesitate; I'll do everything I can to save as many people from their devious ploys as possible. That I vow as a Hunter."

"I got your back. Just promise me you'll live long enough to accomplish that."

Rys stops and turns to meet my eyes. A smile across his face as he kneels to my level. "I promise. Just make sure you don't die either."

"Never would think of it."

"Good."

We continue to walk toward town. It doesn't take long before we notice trails of blood and rotting piles of flesh on the side of the road.

"There was a fight here. These are some of Cornelius's creatures. He wasn't lying, it seems." After examining them, Rys gets up and searches for any clues for my companions.

"Keep moving; we might find them."

Just a couple minutes down the road, sitting on the tree was Gale, dirty with dried blood across his chest. He had his eye closed but held his sword in his arms. I raced to him as he opened to see us approaching.

"There you two are... Waited long enough for you slowpokes."

"Gale, is everyone alright? We saw the remains."

"Yeah, no one is hurt. Those stupid hounds weren't easy to take down, but we managed with our holy man out of it. Thankfully, his spell on my sword was still active, so I ensured they stayed dead, as you saw. Ivian and Yann took Herk to the clinic after that. I told them I would wait for you guys."

"Thanks Gale. We appreciate it, I appreciate it." Rys extends his hand to Gale. He takes it without a second thought and gets on his feet. He chuckles and pats his back before turning to me.

"Pleasures all mine really. Your potion probably saved Herks life, at the very least. And I knew Caleb was in good hands, so let's say I still owe you one."

"Then I'll let you stay in the clinic for a few days, rest, and resume your quest when you are ready."

"That sounds fantastic. I tried all day yesterday to get a room, and you know how that turned out. Glad to have a good guy like you take us in. Hopefully, we don't cause too much trouble."

"Don't sweat it. In a way, this is me paying Caleb back for helping."

"Is that so? Well, thanks anyway. Caleb, you did a great job, and I am glad you are alright. Make sure you wash up really well, both of you. I can smell the worst stench imaginable on both of you. Who threw up and died to make you smell so bad."

"It's a long story. Here, let's head to the Clinic."

It didn't take long for us to reach the town and Clinic. Spending the next three days for Herk to recover fully with the help of Rys, we had regained our strength and supplies for most of the journey forward. Lukia had awakened and after we told her what happened, she would rub her neck out of nerves since she did get bit a little.

Gale and Herk fought hard to survive in that mansion, and so did Rys and me. Spending time in the tavern to party with the townsfolk wasn't a bad idea. After the third night, when the sun rose the following day, we saddled our horses and supplies and prepared for our leave. It was brief and felt like a short time; we had a great deal of fun. Rys, who never participated in such activities, decided to accompany us, mainly me, and I saw the light in his eyes brighter than before.

During our time together, I couldn't stop playing what he told me after we left the Clinic together before we killed Cornelius. It was clear as day, but at the time, I didn't quite get it until I realized how much Rys is very similar to me.

"When we get to the mansion, I am going to head straight for Cornelius. If you're lucky, we will find your friends alive. Anyone else won't be trusted."

"Not leaving a lot of hope, are you?"

"Feelings only get in the way. I made sure I kept them out when I impersonated as staff for Cornelius—assisted him as a doctor. I made myself become the enemy just to take him down. Having any emotions would have gotten me killed, or he would have escaped from my clutches."

"You know, I understand that. It's not easy to fight when you are emotional. It causes you to act irrationally and, at times, get you killed. However, our emotions are what makes us people. If we don't carry any of it on our shoulders, we are no better than the monsters we are about to kill. They don't care about the lives they take or consume. Cornelius sure as shit doesn't give a damn. But as long as we do give a shit, we develop hope in our hearts in saving those who need saving."

"Funny...he said something similar..."

"Who?"

"Nothing. Just keep your attention on the task at hand."

"Then answer me this. What would you like to do if you couldn't be a Hunter?"

"What kind of question is that, Caleb? Besides, I must do this myself."

"If you face the world alone, you'll always be alone in life and death, Rys. I have my companions, but if I didn't work hard and change their hearts from hating my guts to respecting me, I would be alone. They would be alone without me, too. The good times we had would never happen. What more to life than enjoying it?"

"Unless your life is beyond worth living, that is."

"I don't mean to tell you what you should or shouldn't do. But I do know when I see someone who is lonely. Especially someone like you who probably has been lonely for a long time."

"You don't know nothing."

"I know enough by your words."

"Then stop listening."

"No."

"Why not?" Rys starts to get a little upset by my persistence. However, his emotions were being shown.

"Because you are me. Someone who was once alone, then they weren't until they were again. It's a scary life that I we may continue to experience."

"..."

"But I would regret not knowing the people who are there for me now. Those who root for my success or well-being. If you don't have anyone like that Rys, I would be that person for you. You don't have to be alone. Not anymore, as long as you have me."

"I..." Rys stopped his lips from speaking further. He closed his eyes and let out a soft breath before speaking clearly. "I've always been a Hunter as long as I could remember. It's a part of me. It's a path that few walk when it matters. But...having a Clinic so people have a place they can be taken care of when I didn't is worth being a Hunter for. Even if I am lying to them."

"I see. But I can tell that was a lie itself."

"What do you mean?"

"Just now, you just admitted you like being a doctor. And it seems that isn't a lie when you took me and Lukia in. Just between you and me, I think both suits you well. Makes you useful, and your regrets will never happen as long as you continue that path, but maybe you can open that heart for others to fill."

"Caleb...I-" He cuts himself off as the mansion appears in our line of sight. He rushes ahead to kick open the door and, with a single motion, defeats a construct...

He didn't just charge in just because he was after Cornelius. He charged in because he saw Gale and the others in the window about to be killed by the monster approaching them. Deep down, he knew his duty was to save them, but he didn't want to regret not putting in the effort...

And he didn't want to regret saying his goodbyes as we all got our horses ready to go. Rys approached me as I was about to jump onto mine.

"Caleb!"

"There you are; I was wondering if you were going to sleep in."

"And miss this? Sure, I could have caught a few more hours."

"Heh, thanks for everything."

"I should say the same thing to you. Without you, I would have-"

"Don't mention it. Whatever it takes, we have to stick together and defeat evil."

"Right. I won't forget who I am and what I need to be."

"Don't be afraid of yourself anymore. It's okay if you have to show yourself in order to do what's right. Our roads are long and difficult. But it's what makes us strong and meaningful. Never give up on others, even if they hate you. Don't let that poison you like it did me."

"And I won't complain. Caleb, again, thanks. I never really met someone like you before, but it is weird to talking to a kid like this. I promise to keep what you showed me a secret."

"Same here. We got our secrets. Talk with the other Hunters and let them know you. Their hate can turn into something good as long as you want that to happen."

"I'll try my best. They will see who I am and not what they think I am. Now go and save the world or whatever you adventurers like to do."

"Right, like we make it a daily thing for us to do... See you around, Rys Harkas. Good luck with taking down that bastard."

"Yeah, I'll make sure I do. Take care, Caleb Aris. Till we meet again, my friend." Rys leaves me with a fist bump and a warm smile on his face. He adjusts his glasses before waving me goodbye as I ride with my companions back down southeast. Heading to the mountain ranges there will take a month, maybe longer, but we should get to Barou, where we will complete the first part of our quest...