SYSTEM ASCENSION

They had been travelling for three days, and during those moments, Richard had noticed a few things about the boy.

First, it was like raising a baby from scratch. The boy couldn’t do the most basic thing called ’walking by himself’. Richard had to carry him on his back all the time.

Second, he hasn’t said a single word. It was like talking wasn’t for him.

Third, they were both drawing attention in a bad way. The child had pale skin, long hair and extremely small body features. At first glance, he looked like a girl, and since he didn’t share similar blonde facial features with Richard, he was stared at like a person who had abducted a little girl.

"This is annoying."

He stopped by a river surrounded by a small forest.

"Let’s rest here."

He carefully let down the boy by the river blank, watching as he sat without much resistance.

"I’ll go search for something to eat."

"..."

"No reply huh? If we have to continue travelling together, you have to say something."

Richard turned around and walked away, disappearing between the trees. He didn’t hunt for food like he had said, but instead he stood behind a tree and watched the boy.

At first, the boy didn’t move. He just stared into nowhere, and when it was getting longer, he leaned towards the water and stretched his hand. Looking at the reflection a bit, he leaned further.

Richard scoffed. "What the hell is he doing?"

The boy continued to lean over, till he tripped and fell in, releasing a huge splash.

Richard didn’t move to help. From the start, the edge was only two feet deep, not enough to drown someone the child’s age.

He watched the boy crawl back out like it was just a small inconvenience and sat back again. He wasn’t startled like Richard had expected.

"I guess water is not enough to scare him."

He walked back out.

"I’m back."

The boy’s eyes moved to him. He got closer and bent down.

"Let’s do that introduction again. I’m Richard."

"..."

"I said I’m Richard. Start talking or I’ll consider tossing you off the cliff."

"...Zeal..." He finally spoke.

"See? That wasn’t so bad." Richard sat beside him. "So, where are you from? I should know where I’m taking you to."

Zeal looked away. "...sal..vador."

"That’s good. We’re currently in Salvador empire. What district?"

"Dis...trict?"

"Town or city." Richard corrected himself.

"..."

"Nothing huh? Are you an orphan?"

A single word pierced Zeal’s mind at that time. His eyes widened for a moment, and he raised a finger.

"Twin."

"Twin? You have a twin?"

He nodded vigorously.

"Where is this twin of yours?"

The excitement died down, and he looked away.

Richard sighed. ’This is getting nowhere. What do I do with him?’

He glanced back at the boy.

"Do you want to come with me?"

"...with...you?"

"Yes. You’ll stay with me until you’re good enough to search for your twin, yes?"

"..."

"Stay something at least!" He whined.

He suddenly noticed the small gesture of Zeal shrinking away from him and tugging his wet clothes to cover any possible skin in sight.

"Those clothes are wet and old. I should get you a new pair," Richard reached for him.

"No need." He shrank away.

"Also..." The man frowned. He grabbed the boy’s shoulder and turned him. "Is this a collar mark—"

"Leave me alone!" Zeal panicked and smacked his hand away.

"..."

"Aah! I’m sorry..."

Richard withdrew his hand, a sudden line of anger crossing his face. He palmed his face and chuckled.

"Abusing a child... seriously..."

When he turned back, he was smiling.

"Then, can I hire you?"

His words pulled Zeal’s mind into another angle of thinking.

"Hire me?"

"Yes, you’ll work, and I’ll pay you. Food, clothes, freedom to do anything. Fair enough right?"

"What work?"

Richard grinned.

"To be a big brother!"

The words catch the boy off guard.

Richard looked around and leaned closer before whispering. "My wife will give birth soon, or she has probably given birth."

Zeal’s eyes lit up. "Baby?!"

"Yes! Baby!"

He leaned back and looked up. "The problem is, I haven’t come up with a name yet. That’s half the reason I ran away."

He gave the boy side eyes, and like he had expected, Zeal was fully interested.

"That’s it, little Zeal. Suggest a name."

Zeal flinched. "Me?"

"Yes. It’ll be our own little secret."

He lowered his head and shut his eyes.

Richard secretly grinned, pulling off his straw hat and putting it on Zeal’s head. "Take your time lad."

The thinking started, and they sat in that spot for over an hour. When the sun had set, Richard finally stood up.

"Let’s move. Think on the way."

He reached out to carry the boy, but Zeal was already forcing himself up. So instead, he watched the boy struggle to balance his footing.

"That’s it."

Zeal smiled. He took a step, and succeeded. Then he took another and tripped. Richard caught him by the cloth and raised him off the ground with a slight smile.

"Don’t overdo it. You’ll hurt yourself."

He finally stared at the man’s face for the first time. He subconsciously reached out, and touched the man’s face.

"Huh?"

"Your eyes," Zeal muttered. "They are pretty."

Richard snickered. "I know."

He put him down and held his hand.

"Let’s go."

They had barely taken a few steps before Zeal pulled him back.

"I got one..."

"The name? Tell me."

"Aaahhh..."

Richard raised a brow, watching as the boy’s face heated up in embarrassment.

"C’mon. Say it."

"Then..." Zeal opened his mouth.

"Eli.....as."

___

The chaos had long shimmered into silence. The clean up crew, Torzi empire guards and sound league crew, had arrived. They began to let the children out of the cages, identify them and transport them.

Elias stood on the bloody field, not doing anything to help, but simply staring. The only help he had provided was the bracelet Rolarza had left on his wrist, lighting up the dark. And when a faint sound of footsteps caught his hearing, he turned around.

"You’re a mess."

Zeal stood behind him, long hair catching the wind, and green eyes piercing. Zeal took another step closer.

"Elias,"

"Yes?"

He smiled. "Why are you taller than I am?"

He folded his lips.

’When I used to carry you on my shoulders.’

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