"How can I forget?" Angrily punches the ground.
"This—this is not possible...How?" Clutching my chest, I couldn't believe it.
I continue to watch as the conversation goes on, they are having a good time, until a certain topic comes up. "The fall of Garmoth".
Their faces became serious. It's as if Zareth is being interrogated about that matter; it seems that he played a significant role in that war.
"Care to tell me what happened that time, Zareth?" Selena looked at him as if wanting to know the very truth without any sugar-coated lies.
Zareth could only sigh and think deeply about what answer could satisfy her curiosity. He rubbed his temples and breathed deeply.
"Do you want to know about it, Selena?" He sighs and puts the cup on the table.
"Do not let your curiosity get the best of you; it's best if you stay in the dark and do not question any further than this." Leans in his chair, deeply troubled as if recalling what happened that time and thinking of a possible answer if she were to ask further.
"Do you think I'd just stay here or remain a fool as to what is happening around me?" Stands up, slamming her hand on the table. "I am also part of it. I am curious as to how I was created." She is ready to cry, "Are you just going to rob me of knowing the truth?"
Zareth sighed deeply and decided to tell her the truth. She sat down and listened attentively. As I was about to hear the full story, the space suddenly shifted and turned black. I feel shivers all over my body as I instinctively feel an ominous aura directed at me. Then suddenly, a figure appeared in front of me, smiling as if waiting for me.
"Ah, I see that you found the first piece." The figure smiles and walks closer to me. "But you're still far from having the right to know the truth." He smiled as if amused.
"But still, it's far from over, and it is only the start of your journey." He walked around me. "Should you need or require some assistance," He smiled again, and I became wary of his behavior as if my instincts were screaming at me, saying that he is not to be provoked.
"Don't be tense around me, I'm not gonna bite, so relax, but pardon me." He suddenly came closer and lightly touched the back of my palm, and a sigil manifested.
"This serves as my presence and the truth of your power. Has your father ever told you where your ancestor came from or who he is?" he asked me an obvious question as if trying me.
"I .....I don't know." I am ashamed of not knowing my own ancestors' background. I looked down, feeling bad about it.
He smiled and patted my head. "Don't worry, I understand your situation since your family got killed when you were 3 yrs. Old. But still, do you wanna know?" He smiled and winked at me.
I got excited. "Really?" Being happy as I am. He just laughed and said that this is not the right time to tell me, so I got disappointed and crossed my arms.
"Continue to use that power, and the truth will show itself to you". He smiled, "Oh, and don't you ever show that to others, okay?" He reminded me of how it'll affect others, and I nodded in agreement.
"One more thing". He gave me some pitch purple-black gloves that nobles wear. "These gloves hide your sigil, and once worn, it cannot be removed by others, only you." He looked at me seriously. "Only remove these if you're in dire situations, okay?' I nodded.
"Then, I'll teleport you out, see you again, Son of Archon." He smiled while vanishing through the dark.
I opened my eyes and I saw that I was now outside the cave. When I look back, the cave was not there; it's as if it disappears. I wondered for a while when the sigil glowed and a message appeared stating that he gave me a little gift, then a blood key appeared, and a vault-like door appeared in front of me, so I put the key in and opened it. Once inside, I saw a pile of gold coins and some treasure chests. There were also some ancient books about magic and highly efficient potions. I gasp, wondering what it means, and suddenly.
"Hello, I see you already received my gift. This is just a simple farewell gift for you. I hope you accept it, and also practice some more and train more, so that you may be prepared for the future. Bye." The small screen disappeared.
"This huge amount of gold, how many is there?" I use my magic to count the coins, and I was shocked to know. "700 Million gold coins!?" I can barely stand because of shock.
"This surprises me, I never thought that I would be receiving this kind of gift...on my birthday," I smiled happily. "Thank You".
I wiped my face and took some gold and put it in my pocket, and closed it vault, which disappears into thin air. Then I smiled triumphantly.
"Well, that was a hell of an adventure," I look up at the sky. "It's almost dark, I have to go home before being scolded." I left the forest as fast as I could, sure enough. My siblings were waiting in the lounge, worried about me, and seeing as how my father had a serious expression, I accepted my fate of being scolded.
After some scolding, and afterwards ate dinner. While at the table, my siblings were arguing about a trivial matter about work in school. I accidentally muttered, "ahhh, I wanna go to school, ah." Realizing my mistake, I kept my head low and closed my mouth.
Our father was pleased, and so were my siblings. "Well then, I shall enroll you, but your..... how old are you now, by the way?" Father(Leo) asked me as if forgetting something important.
I showed a sad smile and replied coldly. "I'm 7 years old, Father. Today is my birthday." I got back to eating my food while them being shocked.
"I'm sorry for forgetting it, my dear brother, I was just so busy at the tower and..." Melvon said, apologizing to me. But before he could finish his sentence, I cut him off.
"It's fine, at least you let me venture into the forest alone, I considered it a gift for me." I smiled at them.
Why would I regret it? After all, because of them, I got to discover these treasures. *laughs internally*
"Well, Next time, your birthday gift would be—your enrollment into the academy," Leo said, smiling at me.
"But wouldn't that catch attention?" I asked. They're looking at me with a weird look.
Why look at me? Don't you know how big-shots you are? *looks at Leo* You, being a victor against archonnia, receiving the highest honor in the empire of Aurellune. Leo, I mean, Father being an archduke and grand marshal, for only defeating and greatly contributing to the fall of Archonnia.
I looked at Melvon, you being the Imperial General, close to the imperial family, and second only to Father.
Then I looked at Lison, you being the Grand Arcanist, overseeing the whole Mage Institutions and order.
I rubbed my temples and sighed, knowing that I, being enrolled in the academy, would bring uproar and be praised, or be seen as a shame to the family.
Father saw my expression and silenced my arguing brothers. "Well, I know why you are troubled," Father said with a calm expression.
Melvon and Lison ask in rhythm. Father simply smiled and explained to them. "Such childish expressions, remember your titles, you lot." They realized and became silent.
"Don't worry too much, just enjoy your life once you're in there, and don't hesitate to ask the headmaster for help, after all, he's my close friend." Father smiled at me with confidence.
I smiled back. "Yes, Father, Will do." He nodded, and my siblings settled down and ate in silence.
I stood up. "I shall excuse myself, Father". Bowing to him.
"You must be tired; you can go to sleep now". Nodding in approval.
"Thanks, Father. Goodnight, everyone". They nodded, and I walked upstairs to my room.
I arrived at my room, locked the door, and lay on the bed, recalling my conversation with my father. I imagine wearing a school uniform, which got me excited to enroll at the academy.
As I was about to fall asleep, a sudden thought came to me, and I sat down and pondered what had happened inside the forest. Hiding the fact about my sigil and the fact on how the react upon seeing me wear these gloves, even my father is curious as to what I'm hiding. But I couldn't tell them the truth, or it would be over for me.
I just sat there looking at the window, gazing at the night sky.
How long can I keep it hidden? What benefits do I receive from it? What does the future hold for me?.
As I keep asking these questions in my mind, one thing is certain. "I have to be powerful enough to trample those who oppose me".