Leon was shocked. If these are the people from the light of Canals, how did they enter such a vagrant site? Leon was tumbled in his questions when a young martyr attacked him. He had silky hair tainted red, with sharp narrow eyes. He had nothing to wield, so he lunged forward trying to land a snap kick. Leon, predicting his movements, grabbed his legs. But the red hood sparked….it sparked into thin air vanishing into the breeze. But Leon traced it, he traced his energy flowing through air, regeneration behind him. Before the martyr could strike Leon, he swiftly seized his hands and took him down.
But there was someone else involved in the brawl, and soon he revealed himself. Another young man named Yamik- a stealthy, smart and calm representative of the tribe. He had Faf as hostage, held on the edge of a finely sharpened poisoned dart. Leon in that moment had enough tenacity and surge to take the two young soldiers. But he was restricted by the spectators slowly leaning in with a sphere. The strain in the surrounding was rising as each side waited for the other to make its move. That was when a known man raised voice.
"I know him" he pointed his finger towards Leon "he was the little angel who saved us from the vanguards years ago"
"Are you sure Carl, maybe your aged eyes are hallucinating" one of the members with the sphere whispered.
"I can confirm it. Hey there angel, what's the name of your father?"
"Drasthamus" Leon had to utter the truth as it was the best way out.
"See it for yourself, people. My eyes aren't old enough to hallucinate" the man spread his arms looking at the sky.
"Vlan ... .Yamik, those are our people" a new but known voice barged in "everybody calm down. This kid right here was the one who brought the calamity on the vanguards"
The situation resolved as the sphere plunged and the two young martyrs stepped back. Yamik, being the smarter one, gracefully apologized and stood beside. Vlan on the other hand was quite disappointed by the fact that he didn't get to brawl.
The voice on the other hand was from Grimsa Calisthena. She was the big nosed neighbour Leon saw, after he opened his eyes for the first time in the Ascensions. Her nose was the same, large and riotous. But this time for the reason even he wasn't aware about, she was giving Leon the warmth and satisfaction his mother used to provide. Her eyes were glassy with tears and her mouth latched with regret.
"Oh my boy" she stuttered as the tears kept running "you are alive"
Leon gave a warm smile and wrapped her with love as she kept on saying "I was completely devastated when I got to know you were alive. And why won't I be….it made me feel like I was the one to leave you behind. Everyday, unaware of what you must be going through, how bad your days must have been, I just kept thinking of all the worst possibilities that could happen. I'm sorry my child…. I'm sorry"
"It's okay, Elder kin" he grabbed her shoulders "I am okay. In fact I got a beautiful family in the imperial town. Everything is fine, so don't worry and feel guilty about anything. Your little Leon is safe and happy".
The few words escalated the tears, but even soothed them.
"Oh, also, this is my brother Faf" Leon replied as he dragged his brother in front of Grimsa.
"Oh…young man" she gave a wet kiss which quite disappointed Faf.
The house she lives in was simple yet alluring. It was made from raw haze and perfectly molded clay. Little sacred flames lightened by an inflammable creeper kept the sight visible. Interestingly, the creeper never burnt the walls of the hut. Faf settled down on a mat woven from reeds. Leon didn't look for a mat, instead he directly sat on the floor. Grimsa went into the kitchen which had one side open to peep outside. She was planning to cook something delicious for the duo.
Leon checked for her and hastily turned towards Faf.
"What was that, brother?" He whispered "when did you choose a path?"
"It's been a while" Faf replied, "but you aren't less. You hid the fact that you are none other than the white revenant worshipped throughout the town. Is that okay?"
"I'm the oldest here" Leon was serious "so I will be the one poking fingers".
Faf was completely silenced….
"Tell me ...when did this all begin?" Leon asked
"One year ago….it was when Agasthus got the hint of your being the revenant. He wanted to help you in any way possible. So he wrought the plan to become your Apostle. That is when he chose the 'Path of Dignified Apostle' and I chose the 'Path of Portals'."
Leon entwined a jumbled spiral of thoughts. He then understood the sudden disintegration of Agasthus's body.
"So that's the reason Agasthus is dying. The Path of Dignified Apostle must have never been allotted to Agasthus. He tried to take it forcefully, and that is why he is on the verge of death. Simply because his body can't handle the tribulation"
"Are you sure, brother?" Faf was surged with regret "but why did he do it? He could have helped you in any other way"
"He must have anticipated my destiny. I want to kill Tistra Domiscus and become the emperor of Ascensions" Leon stood up.
"You want to become a god?" Faf was shocked
"That's right. That is what I have been summoned for in this world. I'm a reincarnation called upon Ascensions to slaughter all the lower gods getting corrupted by their powers"
Faf was quiet and confounded. It was a lot to take in. He couldn't ask anything further as Grimsa brought up the roasted stew. Along with stew were the boiled vegetables in drizzled sauce. Everything was hot and tasty, so without any delay, the three partook of the food.
The night fell soon and Faf slept deep after his long tiring journey. Grimsa was dead silent looking at the firmaments. She was thinking of asking Leon an intriguing question. Leon sitting right beside sensed the hesitation
"You can speak. Whatever it is"
Grimsa was caught off guard by such incredible prediction and had no other option rather than speaking her mind out.
"What about your parents, my love?"
"Oh…." Leon turned to her with a comforting smile "they died, elder kin. Mother was hanged to the tree of life and wisdom, unfortunately father was beheaded soon after"
"You saw it all?"
"Just the aftermath. I couldn't recall every detail, as I myself became an aftermath due to my rage. But I could remember their numb bodies, the blood floating still on the dusty grass"
"I'm sorry, my love"
"That's fine" Leon didn't falter or weaken.
"But….why are you here? This is a dangerous place. All people were talking about the dominant strength you held, but still, there must be a reason"
"There is ....my brother, his name Agasthus. He is suffering through Paths strain"
"That's a disastrous calamity"
"I know," Leon nodded, "that is why I'm here. To retrieve Joota roots, they are the best temporary solution"
"What about a permanent one?"
"I don't know" Leon replied with disappointment "there's no permanent solution revealed. But there surely must be"
"Well whatever happens, this woman will always love you. Sorry my love but that's all I could give you, every ounce of love and warmth I have left" she remembered something in that instance "well there's something more. I don't know how, but the goods I wrapped during evacuating our town, I somehow took your family album. I never looked in as it would be trespassing, but you may feel a little better after".
She passed it on, patted Leon and went inside the house. The book was cringy and old, it didn't even have any title, just a simple design with golden lace. He opened it to see a lovely picture of his young parents. Drasthamus didn't have any facial hair, and his mother was even more beautiful. The page turned and a picture of their marriage came. They were forlorn in that cabinet with the priest being the only spectator. It seemed they had a lonely past. Another page went by dictating their lovely moments as they sneaked into various outskirts of the town. But all of a sudden, they had a baby in their hands. And Leon knew it wasn't him. Leon turned the page in complete suspense only to find the girl grown. They had a daughter before Leon, but he never saw her. The page turned as the photos kept turning when all of a sudden he found a complaint issued. It was a rough draft tugged into the diary. The draft stated the kidnapping of a girl whose age was around 3 years. He was insensate and restless. A hidden bond of a brother was urging him to find her in this instance, but he knew it was a far-fetched idea. That's when the paths came in with inaugural
["Want to know about her" the paths flashed a message]
"Yes I do" Leon whispered….
[ "Summon the book of Eternal Deity" it relies instantly]
"I hereby summon the book of Eternal Deity" Leon commanded
That's when a vibrant chaos of energy rushed into his hand. First a sphere, then the shape molded into a book. It was finely crafted and dazzling. But Leon surely knew how to use it, he never knew he was potent enough to summon it yet.
Leon: Is my sister alive
Book: by all truth, she yet lives….
Leon: Is she okay? (Leon shedded tears)
Book: She is without flaw, master.
Leon: Where can I find her.
Book: For now stay put…she shall come thy way herself. Direct description would be against my laws but….
You will know her by the sense,
You will hold by her essence,
The blood scratched from the cheeks will never descend,
Your war will be calmest in decades.
But I will suggest again, stay put, master….