Day 8
I think my dad died
it be about 8 days since he left he said it was going to take a week and he be back, I think he died
now I'm just leaning against the railing of the banister look at the night sky 'am I ever going to truly see you again dad?'
Knock. Knock.
"Hey, kid," a husky voice called out. "You in there?"
I wiped my face quickly, blinking back the blur. "Yeah, I'm in here!" I called back. I wondered why Ben was stopping by now, of all times.
The door creaked open, and Ben stepped in, followed by Herbie, who was lugging a heavy-looking case.
"You got a package from your father," Ben stated. He paused, his sharp eyes scanning my face. A flash of mild confusion—and perhaps a hint of concern—crossed his expression. "Have you been crying?"
"W-what? Who's crying?" I stammered, rubbing my eyes vigorously. "I'm not. My eyes are just... irritated. Allergies. That's all."
Ben let out a dry, skeptical huff. "Whatever you tell yourself," he said, his tone flat but not unkind. "Anyway, get yourself acquainted with the package. Dinner will be ready within the hour."
As Ben turned to leave, Herbie chimed in with a small smile, setting the case down with a heavy thud before following Ben out. "Here you go, Nate."
"Thanks," I murmured.
I looked down at the case, my heart hammering against my ribs. A cold knot of dread tightened in my stomach. Is this it? I wondered. Is this the last thing he ever wanted me to have? I felt a surge of sudden, hot anger. Why did he have to leave me with a mystery? Why was some grandfather I'd never even met more important than a simple phone call?
I sniffled, blinking hard. Definitely allergies, I lied to myself.
I clicked the latches open. Resting inside was a letter and a pendant. The moment I touched the jewelry, a soft, crimson light pulsed from the stone, warming my palm. It wasn't just a glow; it was a vibration, a familiar frequency that resonated in my chest.
"Dad," I choked out. The pendant didn't just look like him—it felt like him. For a heartbeat, the crushing loneliness vanished, replaced by the overwhelming sensation that he was standing right there, shielding me from the wind.
Dazed, I set the pendant aside and reached for the letter. I unfolded the parchment and read the first line:
Dear Nate—
I paused, frowning. Who the hell is this? This doesn't sound like my dad at all.
But as I read the next line, the prose shifted abruptly:
Actually, yeah, that doesn't sound like me. Let's redo this. Let's take it back from the top, y'all.
A small, involuntary laugh escaped my throat. A smirk crept across my face as the tension in my shoulders finally broke. A music reference. Classic Dad. He wasn't gone; he was just being himself, even from a distance.
If you're reading this, it means I haven't made it back yet. If the pendant is still glowing, hold onto that hope—I had my doctor craft it specifically for you.
"You have a doctor?" I whispered, gazing down at the weathered paper, wondering when in his life he'd ever visited a physician.
The pendant is bound to me by magic. As long as you hold it up and see that crimson glow, know that I am still alive. I've added a few protections: it will remain hidden from the sight of those who wish to steal it, and should you ever drop it, it will find its way back to your hand.
"Oh, so that's what that was," I muttered. A flash of realization dawned on me as I lifted the jewelry, watching the light pulse softly. But then, a thought struck me. "Why in the world would I need something like this?"
You're probably asking yourself that very question. I'll be blunt: I expect to be gone for a long time, and there is a chance I may not return at all. I'm doing this because I refuse to let my troubles catch up with you. I want you to be safe, free from the shadows that follow me.
My heart hammered against my ribs. Does this have something to do with Grandpa?
Yes, the letter continued, as if answering my thoughts. It has everything to do with Grandpa. What I'm about to tell you isn't exactly a secret to the rest of the world, though it may be new to you. My father was a demon—the Legendary Dark Knight, Sparda. He was the great traitor to his own kind, the one who sealed the Underworld away to save humanity. And no, not the Greek Underworld from the myths, but a much darker realm of our own.
I blinked, leaning back. "I don't even know what a 'Greek' is..."
Later in his life, Sparda fell in love with my mother, Eva. Together, they had two sons: me, and my brother, Vergil.
I froze, the paper trembling in my grip. I paused, the world around me blurring as the information sank in.
"Wait... I have an uncle?"
you're wondering why you never met none of these people the answer is that they're gone dad just suddenly disappeared one day then after 2 years the demons attacked later I learned the seal wasn't perfect if they're weak enough they can push through I still remember it the house burning, mom frantically looking for me and my brother, then she found me hiding me in a closet. that was the last time I saw her after that I heard the ceiling collapsed then her screams after the fire went out I couldn't find her and my brother the only thing I can remember her by is pendent that she gave me and my brother. the only thing left in the wreckage was my father's sword Rebellion.
From there I worked odd jobs living under a name Tony Redgrave, Redgrave which was inspired by my hometown Redgrave City.I ran into some Sorcerers and Hunters also ran into Johnny and Susan on a job.
I wasn't truly alone though there was this one woman her name was Nell Goldstein she was my gunsmith we hade some banter back and forth she passed away though thanks to that bastard Gilver. she left me a 2 gift one is ebony and ivory the other one is a surprise.
"Huh."
This might be the first time I realized something.
I don't actually know my dad that much.
afterwards I ran to my brother who was still alive no it'll be more accurate to say he came to me let's just say he was throwing a party and only invited me. your aunt lady was there, who was crashing the place.
she was there looking for her father to enact vengeance the reason why he's throwing this party he wanted to acquire the Force Edge, the sword that sealed Sparda's power, which was located on the other side of the seal. to do that my amulet. I could not allow him to do that because if I did the Seal of the underworld would open.
We were at odds at first… but we eventually reached an understanding.
That was when a joker showed up.
Arkham.
afterwards we have one final bout, he decided to say in the Underworld because it's was our father home, that was the last I saw of him I don't know what happened to him after that. Afterwards people got real mad about the party they call themselves Shield. then lady set out on a mission to prevent people like her father, as for me my shop was destroyed because of my brother I had to repair it after that was said and done, Then you appeared.
"what?"
there you were on my desk a sleeping little baby next you was a letter. I was about to call the cops to pick you up because I didn't know if you were a joke or not but then you started crying, not going to lie you have a panic at first I terrified that I was going to hurt you by accident I picked you up and held you in my arms, you look at up at me then you give me a smile like no other in that moment I did not want to give you up I picked up the letter stating your name Nathaniel and that I was your legal guardian also gave me a lot of money to take care of you and I mean a lot of money I do donate some of it from time to time—usually to repair damages from my work… and to help buy us our house.
There's something you probably don't know, though.
The names of your birth parents.
Your mother's name is Ophis.
And your father is Veldanava.
And the rest… is history.
"Okay… it was nice to learn about, but why is he telling me this?"
Nate the reason why I'm telling you my story is that I hope you can have understand where I'm coming from with my choice. after I met my client for my current job I realize I might not be coming back,The reason why I'm going is for Revenge against mundus, reason why the demons attacked my home.It's a personal Vendetta that I do not want to drag down with you. Hence why I prepare these gifts for you if you remove the cover from the case there's two items for you.
Nate I want you to understand I don't want you to live my life, I want you to live free with your choices, I was going to use my connections to roll you into a school in Westcheste,I want to be there to see you make friends for life, I wanted to be there in your life but I might not be able to and I'm sorry for that
I love you Nathaniel
I'd sat there not knowing what to do I wanted to yell, scream, hit something lash out at him but I didn't I couldn't because.... deep down I understand why he's doing it and it hurts really bad, It not Fair dad why do I feel like this.
Tears streamed down my face as my shoulders shook. My breathing broke into uneven sobs. I covered my eyes, voice cracking as I whispered helplessly, overwhelmed by everything crashing down on me.
after a few minutes I gather myself, I look at the case removing the cover and what greeted me was a gun and a sword there are name tags for The Sword and the gun.
the sword name is Retribution the handle was black the v crossguard looking like a crown the teeth forming upwards towards the black blade with silver edge
the gun name was requiem. The Requiem is a sleek, custom handgun built for precision and durability. It features a reinforced matte-black alloy frame, a long balanced barrel for improved accuracy, and a textured grip for steady handling in intense situations. Subtle engravings along the slide give it a distinct, almost ceremonial look matching its name, there was a holster to.
I was looking at the two items, he probably gave me these items to defend myself if demons come looking for me. then something caught my eye at the very bottom of the case was a photo, a photo of me and Dad smiling.
before I can have a moment with my thoughts I heard my name being called
"NATE, dinner's ready get down here!" ben calling me out to me
"I'll be down in a minute." I yelled out
I grabbed a towel from the bathroom wiping my face while putting my holster on my side
I begin making my way downstairs to the dining room table, I was the last one down observing everybody around the table reed and Susan are talking to each other, Johnny's reading a magazine Valeria is reading a book, Franklin is on a tablet and ben send plates to everybody.
After a few minutes everybody drop what they were doing and started eating.
then ben to notice of me and asked me a question.
"So what did your father give you?"
everybody pause then glanced over at me.
"Oh he got me a gun" I stated as I grab Requiem and from The holster wave it around.