by Arantes
***
After they killed Michael, the town’s people threw them a banquet at Frank’s house, which lasted a few hours. Frank had fully recovered from his injuries. They were ready to leave and had their bags in their hands.
“This is goodbye huh,” said Albedo.
Ethan was in front of him and wanted to cry.
“I heard the town’s people made you their healer, that’s good.”
Ethan was at a loss for words, for the first time in his life people liked him for him.
“Thank you for your help, thanks to you guys this town can now move forward,” said Frank.
“Maybe one day you guys can come and visit,” said Dante.
As they were leaving out of the door, “Hey Albedo wait,” said Ethan, still a bit nervous. “Can I ask you something? What… what is your dream, why do you fight so hard?”
Albedo turned around with the smile, “My dream is to create a world where people like Michael don’t have their ways,” said Albedo proudly. I want let you control me Aleister, I will find you and destroy you.
Tears poured out of Ethan eyes and he bowed down all the way to his knees in gratitude, “Thank you for your help! One day… I’ll become the world’s greatest healer Albedo!”
Chapter 21
Blue Mountain?
A few days passed and Albedo was feeling like his old self again. He had not told his parents what he knew about them; he wanted to wait for the right time for some reason. Sonia had convinced him to stay home and get some rest. Dante had left to see his family, while Axil stayed at the castle to continue on training. Dante had asked him to come with him, but he refused. Dante wondered if the guy even had a life outside of the castle, always training. Angelione and Sonia went to see the King, determined to know more. They reported what happened on the mission.
“I see, you said his power might be as strong as Aleister?” said King Victor.
“My lord, we have the right to know the truth!” Angelione desperately wanted to know more about Albedo. Was he really like Aleister? He knew King Victor was keeping a secret from them.
Today Sonia wore a sleeveless snow white dress that ran from the bottom of her knees to the top of her chest. A silk scarf, the color of the morning sky, was wrapped around her waist, held by a silver pendant on her left side. Sonia wasn’t interested in hearing what Angelione thinks Albedo is; she would rather not know the truth. The thought of Albedo being one of them, is just… too much for her to think of. There’s no way he could be a eradicator like one of them. No way could he be like Aleister, a blood thirsty beast of nature.
“I suppose it’s time I tell you,” said King Victor. They all ready witnessed it from them self, keeping the truth from them now makes no sense. He took a deep breath. “He’s one of them, one of the five Kings of Awakening.”
The news was a bit shocking, but not so at the same time to them after they had seen what Albedo did.
Sonia’s eyes were staring at the ceiling as the tears started covering her eyes. She knew the truth but wasn’t sure if she wanted to accept it. She didn’t want to pay attention to what the king had to say and had no plan on accepting this lie about Albedo. I refuse to believe.
“That’s why Aleister is after him.” it all makes sense now, but if he’s one of them, that mean he’s not Dragan’s son by blood? “But how is that possible? The five Kings of Awakenings were sealed away almost fifty thousand years ago,” said Angelione. He looked at the king in bewilderment, wondering why he allowed Albedo to live this long. What have you done my lord, if the other king finds out you’ve been protecting Albedo, they will unleash their wrath upon us. He’s a demon just like the others, history has told us so.
“You are right about that, but you see, someone broke their seal seventy years ago, or should I say part of it,” said the king.
Broke the seal? Wondered Angelione.
The king continued, “But something went wrong; they managed to awakened Aleister and Albedo only. It must have cause Albedo to lose his memories and his power. The seal must not have the same effect on Aleister, because he still has his memories. When we found Albedo, he was just a baby. At first we were not sure who he was, but we knew he was special. As time went on, Dragan and his wife grew to love him. When we realized his true identity, it was impossible for us to kill him. He was a joy to be around, and soon Dragan adopted him as his son. You both met him yourself; you know how special he is. He’s special in every way. Sometimes I think back and can’t imagine he’s one of them. They emitted so much chaos in this world. So much blood has been spilled by their hands. But I believe Albedo is different.” The King closed his eyes and opened them back up, “if I can find a way to kill the others without killing Albedo ….. Then it’s a chance I’m willing to take, that’s why I had you go after Aleister.”
They watched Sonia excuse herself and leave the room peacefully. She looked as if she’s been stabbed in the heart.
“Is she alright Angelione?”
“I believe that she was falling for Albedo,” said Angelione.
“I see.” The king stood by the window and leaned on the wall with his hand. He wanted to talk to Sonia but he had no time for her love affair. “It was selfish of us to let him live, but it was the right thing to do.”
“So is that why you chose to focus on Aleister so much, because Aleister is naturally evil? It’s true that there’s good inside of Albedo, but there’s also evil. The Excitaret Quad might prove to be too strong for him to control. I have seen it myself almost consuming him, becoming just like Michael. The Bloodhound turns its wielder into a salvage animal with no conscience, but the Reawaken does almost the same.” Angelione thought about how strong Aleister was, how he deflected his lightning. Damn you Aleister, not only were you strong enough to deflect my lightning, but your short sword was strong enough to go against my sword. During out fight it should have broken against my sword. Who crafted your sword?
“About the Bloodhound named Michael, are you certain that it’s dead?” asked the king.
“Yes, I made sure myself. May I ask you, how did Frank and his family managed to live in north Inferno without being detected?”
“Frank did many service for this land, he wanted a quiet and peaceful life, so I allowed him to stay, just like your master Dragan.”
The king noticed Angelione had something else on his mind and asked him what was bothering him.
“It’s Aleister’s sword, I still can’t figure out why it was stronger than mine. My sword is much bigger than his, it should have shattered when we fought, but somehow his sword felt impenetrable.”
“If Aleister’s sword was stronger than yours, then could it be possible it was made from titanium?”
“Is that possible? Even if he did craft it himself, his white flame is not hot enough to liquefy it.”
***
Albedo was home eating supper with his parents. The feeling of being home was much needed. His mother’s food! How he missed it as he stuffed it in his mouth. She had made him fried eggs and bake potatoes. Watching him eating her food always brought pleasure to her. When Albedo came back from his mission she was incredibly happy. This was his first mission and she was worried about him, but Sonia had ensured her that day she would look after him. Sonia was like a daughter to Cecelia, she had trained under her for a short amount of time but they had grown an attachment of mother and daughter. When Albedo came into their lives, she and Dragan would rarely go on missions together. She had remembered the first day Sonia came into the organization. She was sassy and brave.
“Someone has been asking about you,” said his mother.
He wondered who, maybe it was master Jarvis? He hadn’t seen him in a while.
“I believe her name was Natalia, she said she hasn’t seen you in a few days.”
Albedo was happy to hear Natalia had been looking for him; so he made plans to go to the market. Natalia came all the way to the mountain by herself? She’s a braver woman than I
thought. This was what he needed to get his mind back to normal. She had become a close friend of his.
His father sat across the table from him reading the paper. Today Joshua had on a plain blue t-shirt and long black pants. Today was his day off and he did not bother dressing up. His son had returned from his first mission and it brought pride in his heart. It had reminded him of his first mission, when he was much, much, much younger. “I have to say Son; you’ve been making lots of new friends, especially with that beautiful girl, Natalia.” His father winks at him from across the room. You make me proud son. It pleases me that you’re following in my footsteps. If I had my abilities back I would have helped you with your training, but Sonia and the others are doing a good job teaching you.
“Leave him alone dear, he’s just like you were, don’t you remember? Like father like son, so we know where he gets it from,” said his mother Cecelia. Whenever you’re ready to talk to us son, will be here for you. She looked at him and said, “How was the school fieldtrip dear.” Or should I say the mission?
Albedo wondered how long he and his parents will keep this circle of lies going on. A lie that consisted of, I know you’re a Pureblood but let’s pretend we don’t know. He wanted to talk to them about it, but he felt he wasn’t ready to. He needed time to truly comprehend this new life. “I’d love to stay and chat but I have to go,” He left and went to the market to find Natalia.
As he walked through the market to find Natalia, a man slowly followed him. Albedo noticed it right away, and started moving faster. The power of the Elder had decided to work properly for him this morning, on and off which irritated him. He looked behind and the man’s energy was gone. When he turned around he saw master Jarvis in front of him.
“I see you’ve been training young lad!”
“Master Jarvis! I’m glad to see you, it’s been too long,” said Albedo.
Jarvis hated the fact that he continued calling him master. He had told him that it made him feel old, and he had promised to stop, but did it accidently. “I told you to call me Jarvis young lad! I’m as young as you.”
“I bet you are,” laughed Albedo.
“It appears you’ve gotten a lot stronger since I last saw you. You just might be as strong as me!” said Jarvis. He could feel that Albedo’s strength had gotten much stronger. You’re slowly becoming as strong as your father young lad, but I also feel the killers-instinct growing within you, you must fight it.
“You think so? I want to be as strong as you one day!”
“What brings you out here young lad? Here to do some shopping?”
Albedo hears a voice calling him, when he looked ahead he could see Natalia. Natalia!
Jarvis had seen her once before, when Albedo had accidently touched her inappropriately. He had explained to Natalia why he was blindfolded that day. She came closer and hugged him, smelling good as always. Today she had on slinky red velvet dress which cinched at the waist. Front open slit panel, and had on black boots.
You sure know how to pick them young lad!
“This is master… I mean Jarvis.”
Jarvis wondered how Albedo befriended her so fast. He grabbed him and whispered in his hear, “I didn’t know she was now your girlfriend young lad.”
“Oh! She’s not my girlfriend,” he stated loudly, to which Natalia laughed.
She saw him as the brother she never had, they enjoyed talking to each other about their daily lives.
“I have to go back and help the misses with the store, nice seeing you again young lad, you too beautiful young lady. Come by sometimes, we’ll have lemonade like old times,” said Jarvis.
He and Natalia continued talking, “So where have you been? I’ve been thinking you’d left forever.”
He said, “This place is my home and I will never leave,” He explained to Natalia what had happened, though he did not tell her about his power going out of control. The way he transformed into something he did not recognize. He figured she might not understand. A man came to them and asked if they were in love. They laughed, “Why does everyone think we’re in love?” he could never fall for Natalia, his heart beats only for Sonia, and no one could take her place.
“That’s so sad Albedo, it’s sad that you have to go on missions like that. Just remember, you did all you could to help him, there’s nothing more you could have done,” said Natalia. She noticed the disappointment in his eyes; she could tell he wanted to do more for Ethan. It must be hard for him to go on his first mission like this. I wouldn’t have the heart to be a Black Reaper, to go on missions and sometimes have to kill someone. Her heart was too weak for it; she wanted to know why Albedo wanted to protect everyone. Was it was his nature? To help those who cannot help themselves. “You have a good heart. Don’t ever forget that. Don’t ever stop being who you are.” She gazed at him and wondered what her life would be if she had never met him. Would she still hate vampires and Purebloods? Would she still be afraid of them? He had the ability to make people fall in love with him.
As they continued talking Albedo and Natalia looked ahead to see Axil approaching them. He was wearing a classic denim button down shirt featuring a pocket patch at front, black jeans that fit comfortably and black shoes.
“How’s it going?” He had not seen Albedo since the mission had ended. He had met Natalia once before, he thought she was beautiful, well spoken, and the type of girl he would easily fall in love with. “Nice to see you again miss Natalia. You look lovely today,” said Axil.
It did not take long for Albedo to realize that Axil was playing the chivalry card. Maybe he had finally manned up and tried to talk to her. “Hey Axil, how’s it going?”
“Everything is lovely today, Albedo. It’s a beautiful day I must say. Your mom, I mean Sonia told me you be here.”
… Everything is lovely today. Wow this guy really likes her, because usually he will say one sentence and he’s done talking for the rest of the day. Albedo wanted to laugh but thought he was really trying.
“Oh hey, Axil! It’s nice seeing you again,” she looked at one of the merchants and noticed he was getting ready to close. “Well I better get home and start cooking before they close, father gets cranky when he doesn’t get his food.”
Axil was disappointed that she had to leave so soon. He sat on her chair opposite side from Albedo and wondered if he had said the right words. He could still smell her scent after she was long gone.
“Have you heard from Dante?” asked Albedo who noticed he was daydreaming.
“The last letter he sent me, he had a new woman in his life. He told me he’s bringing her over here for us to meet. What are the chances they’ll stay together before he comes back?” said Axil.
Dante was known for leaving girls as fast as he dated them, when asked why he couldn’t stay with a woman for long, he’d answer, “I get bored very easily.” Axil hated the fact that Dante treated all the women that way. But somehow they still loved the guy. He hardly treated them like ladies, and yet they still loved him. It must be his looks and his charm. Axil wasn’t a bad looking guy, but when it came to talking to beautiful women he froze. His words and body would freeze just as if Dante would freeze his opponents. Training everyday was fun, but sometimes a guy needs someone, even Axil. Angelione on the other hand, that’s a different story.
“Let’s head home, I still haven’t finish my second plate of food,” said Albedo, almost drooling.
“Why don’t you go ahead, I think I’m going to stay here a little bit longer,” said Axil. Axil chose to stay at the market, hoping Natalia might come back.
Albedo knew what he was up to. “Are you sure? I can’t promise you I’ll save some for you, but I’ll try.”
When Albedo opened the door to his house, the look on his face was priceless when he saw Sonia waiting for him. She was cooking with his mother in the kitchen. He stood there and was lost for words. What is she doing here? Her and my mom, to---gether. What’s going on? Did she talk to them before I had a chanc
e to? Alright Albedo keep cool, your worlds are becoming one.
“Well, are you just going to stand there or do you need something?” said his mother.
“C’mon, Albedo, we’re waiting,” said Sonia.
“Sonia what are you doing here? Ummm, mom this is my friend Sonia from school.”
Cecelia smiled; you must think I’m a fool Albedo. I knew all along she’s been training you. I even know she slept in your room several times. “Yes, Albedo, she told me. She said she’s a very good friend of yours. I’m happy to know you have such elegant young friends like her.”
Sonia still wanted to know why Albedo hasn’t talk to his parents yet. The time Albedo was gone to the market she spent it talking to her old teacher. Axil had come along with her and was surprised when Sonia told him who his parents were. Sonia told him not to mention it to Albedo, that was his job. She figured if Albedo and his parents weren’t ready then it wasn’t her place to ask either of them. Sonia looked up to Cecelia as more than a mentor; she was the Black Reaper she wanted to become one day.
“C’mon I have something to tell you,” She took him upstairs to tell him about their next mission.
“Hey Sonia, if a guy likes a girl, what should he say to her?” asked Albedo unexpectedly.
Sonia’s heart beat faster; she was not expecting a question like that. She thought that since he asked the question so directly, it must have been about another girl. She didn’t know what to say. Was Albedo in love with another girl? Her heart was bleeding inside, “Well,” she said with a lump in her throat, “if a guy likes a woman, he should go right ahead and tell her how he feels, or someone else might do it. Love is defined by actions, and you must act quickly.” She thought maybe if she told him how she felt, she might have a chance with him. Maybe it’s not too late to tell him how I feel before this other woman takes him.