A parents' love is whole no matter how many times divided.
Zane believed that and he thought Xavier was the same.
But the question Xavier asked said otherwise:
"Is it wrong to feel sad about your parents' death because you weren't able to kill them yourself?"
Xavier asked this while holding Zane's hand and by his face, Xavier wasn't kidding.
Zane didn't know what to reply to such a question.
Xavier won't hurt him that Zane knew but the man was expecting an answer.
Zane couldn't relate to Xavier in this situation but there was something that could make Xavier feel at ease.
So Zane did just that.
"My parents are also dead, Xavier."
Xavier's gaze softened.
"So you feel the same as me then."
Wait- How did he reach that conclusion?
Zane believed Xavier would feel he wasn't alone in his sorrow for his parents but the man reached to his own answer.
"No. I don't feel sad about not being able to kill my parents. They died in a raid constructed by Halocrats."
"How old were you back then?"
Zane sighed. "Five."
"I was twelve."
"They also died like mine?"
Xavier shook his head.
"Suicide."
Zane's brows shot up.
I don't want to go deep into this.
"I am sorry."
"Answer my question."
How do you expect me to answer that?
Xavier still held Zane's hand and it didn't look like he would let it go unless he got an answer.
Zane inhaled deep and constructed something worthwhile in his head. Something he would genuinely say to such a question.
"Is it wrong to feel sad about not killing your parents, if you think logically and universally, yes, it is wrong to feel that about your parents."
Xavier's brows twitch.
"But," Zane added. "That's only considering the nature of your parents. I won't assume them being the same as the other parents around the world. If you feel that way, something must have punctured your heart. And if the wound given by them is deep enough, then no, it is not wrong to feel sad about not killing your parents."
Zane gave his answer and he was truthful in that. This wasn't about his survival so he didn't lie here. Also, Xavier only asked if it was wrong or right, he actually didn't murder his parents
Xavier heard the answer and after a few seconds, he finally let go of Zane's hand.
Zane sighed in relief but instead of going he stayed in front of Xavier.
I feel like I should only go after seeing him home.
Xavier remained silent, looking at Zane and the silence wasn't doing any good between them or at least for Zane.
Afraid Xavier would ask another personal question, he asked one himself.
"Why did you risk your life for me?"
"Because you have courage."
"You already told me that. I mean why are you looking for people with courage? What do you want to do with them?"
Zane figured Xavier couldn't be saving for no reason. He surely must have something in his mind.
"Yes. I do want something to do with them."
"Can I ask what that is?"
"Yes, you can ask."
"..."
"Come on. Ask."
Zane rolled his eyes and really asked it.
"What do you want to do with them?"
Xavier raised his hand and placed it on Zane's shoulder.
"I want truth."
"Of what?"
"Of everything. The First Flame. That Veil. That secret silent religion. That slab. The history told by that Priest. I want to know, reach their origin and convey the reality for everyone to see."
Zane frowned. "Why?"
Xavier peered at his eyes. "Don't you want to know if you are really a descendent of a thief?"
Zane went silent for a while then asked:
"You want the truth for this?"
Xavier nodded. "Not just this. I also want to know so that I can stop people from pushing themselves to death for something that doesn't really exist or is a lie."
He removed his hand from Zane's shoulder and came closer to his face.
"Everything is forged here, my friend. They all are lying. And if they are not, then I would like to see the proof. Their lies had cost people more than their lives.
These lies are engraved deep inside our veins, they want us to keep believing things, they have rewritten the history so much that even the world forgot what happened to it. And they will do anything to stop people from knowing the truth.
So in such a dangerous endeavor, I don't want to accompany scared kittens. I want people who can go against someone stronger than them, those who have the heart to know what they want. That's why I risked my life for you. And I will keep doing it unless you forget your courage."
Xavier's eyes sparkled, his fist clenched as he bared his heart out and Zane felt the intensity of his wish.
The commoner wanted the truth with all his being. Which made another question pop up.
"Why do you want this?" Zane asked.
Xavier smiled. "I thought you were eager to go home."
Zane frowned. "I am."
"If I answered that, you won't be able to reach home today."
"It will take that long?"
"Yes. And I am not ready to talk about it yet as well."
Zane nodded. "Very well."
Xavier returned the nod.
"We'll meet tomorrow."
"I'll be at the Citadel though."
Xavier grinned.
"So am I."
Zane raised his brows.
"You also got the admission? What tier have you awakened? Which batch?"
Xavier faced a horde of questions from Zane and laughed.
"Yes. I awakened two Gleam Tier Skills. And got accepted in the Commoners batch. Different from yours. Unfortunately."
Two skills. One I know. He can increase the size of his organs. What's the other one?
Zane would have asked it from Xavier but if Xavier asked for Zane's 'supposedly three' Gleam tier skills in return, he won't be able to answer. So he let it go.
I'll get to know it sooner or later.
"So I'll be alone with those shining spoons." Zane said.
Xavier shrugged. "It is what it is. You might be the only gutterborn there. I can't come to help you there often."
Zane scoffed. "How do you think I survived till now?"
This time he placed his hand on Xavier's shoulder.
"I never expected someone to come and help me from the start."
He patted Xavier and brought his hand back.
"Alright then. Let's go home now. It's almost night." Zane said.
Xavier nodded.
Then…
Nothing happened.
Both men stayed in one place.
"Er.. go home now?" Zane said.
"You too. Get moving." Xavier replied.
"I will. But first you cross the road and go home. I don't want you to steal something after I turn my back."
"Wait. Yes.." Xavier reached out for his pocket. "Take some of this. They are good."
He took out some sun candies on his palm he had stolen from the counter.
He presented them to Zane but the gutterborn shook his head.
"I don't want it."
"Just take it. No need to be shy."
"I, uh.. I don't like sweets."
"I don't want it! This is bad!"
An angry voice resounded beside them.
They looked there and it was a little kid not more than five years old.
The kid stood in front of a Frozen Nectar stand.
And on his hands, was a dense, ivory peak of whipped cream dusted with crushed sun berries. A frail mist of cold vapor rolled off its surface.
The kid complained but his parents forced him to take another bite.
He brought his mouth closer to it and took a chunk from the top.
Zane took the bite with the kid but in the air and imagination. However, when he watched the kid's parents paying ten bronze lumens to the vendor, he closed his mouth.
The kid chewed and then wrinkled his nose.
"This tastes like peanuts. I don't want it!"
SPLAT!
The kid yanked the Frost on the floor, dismembering the taste and structure of it.
The parents sighed, then laughed and then proceeded to buy another Frozen Nectar of the kid's choice.
Zane stared at the splattered Nectar, his lips turning dry.
Xavier simply shook his head.
"Moody kid."
He paid attention back to Zane and Zane was back to normal.
Xavier's voice broke him out of his stupor.
He still had his palms outstretched.
"Are you sure you don't want them? You really don't like sweets?"
"Yeah." Zane replied, closed his eyes, and opened them after a second.
"I really don't like sweets."