Chapter 2

“Here it is.” They were outside a small cottage just past the busy market.

“Come in.” Aiden said as he opened the door. The first room inside resembled more of a potion store, an alchemist lab and a living room combined than a house.

“Do you run a store?” Kylan asked looking around.

“Hmmmm kind of. I don’t open it regularly and mostly do pre orders.” Aiden walked to the table in the corner beside the counter and put his locus bag down. It was one of those bags that had more space than it looked and was currently holding the body of the wingless cockatrice.

“This way, I will show you to your room.” Aiden said as he led Kylan to his room further inside the house and soon, they were standing outside a door at the end of the hallway. “You can stay here.”

“Yes, thank you.” Kylan said with his head down.

“I will go call the physician while you rest.”

“What? No, I am fine now, your potion worked.”

“Still its better to get a check up. I can only make the potion and give you. I can’t do a diagnosis. I know the physician who lives next door. I will go and call him.”

When it looked like Kylan was about to refuse again. Aiden interrupted him as if to distract him “And I forgot to ask, where are you from?”

“Whe – where? I am from Lannings.”

“Ok. I will be right back.”

“Ok then.” Kylan said finally giving up, as Aiden had already walked off.

Aiden stood outside the cottage and released a deep breadth. So he had a candidate now, but now what? He wasn’t thinking, he just followed Kylan and one thing led to another and now he was in his house. He somewhat expected it to go this way but what next, what is the next phase. He had no idea. But this was his first candidate so he can mess up right? It was just a trial. And Kylan was perfect, he can test things with him.

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“Young master” he heard a voice behind him. He was startled but he did not show. After all this time you would expect him to get used to it but for some reason, he was always startled by him. It was a good thing he could teleport or else he would never have been able to loose him. And he would not even know where he was being watched from. None of the detection spells ever worked on him.

“Shit, always.” Aiden murmured under his breadth and turned around. And in front of him was a man standing a head taller than him staring intensely “Ivar, what do you want.”

Ivar looked at him all over as if searching for something then opened his mouth, “Where were you?”

“Where ever I want.”

“I thought you were going to lurk around the bars again and come back, but you were late and when I went out to find you, I couldn’t find you anywhere.”

Lurk around. He does not lurk around why is he making him sound like a creep. He was on a stake out for candidates. It is important work.

“Ivar, stay out of my way, just leave, you don’t need to be here.”

Ivar stayed silent for a moment “Who is that you brought back?”

Aiden looked up at his eyes glaring “Stop questioning me”

Ivar flinched as he stepped back “I apologize.”

Aiden closed his feeling frustrated “Leave.”

When he opened his eyes, Ivar was no where to be found and not a trace of him remained.

‘How does he do that.’

Aiden finally started heading towards the destination he was meant for. He did not hate Ivar. No. He just reminded him of bad memories. Even though he had nothing to do with it and he was just shooting the messenger, literally. Does not help the fact he is always there. But he was also a good reminder of his failure, failure to save his mother. Wrong, he did not even try.

‘What am I even here for.’

Did he even belong in this world. Was he stealing someone’s place. Why was he here? To save the world? No. He was not dying. He refused.

When did everything start to fall apart? He was a happy baby wasn’t he. Did things start to crumble after he recalled his vague past life memories. Can it even be called past life memories. All he remembers is that he wrote a book. And now he was living in it. Did he write this world and it came into existence. Is that why he was the protagonist, the protagonist that dies at the end of the story to save the world? But he couldn’t; wouldn’t die. He did not want to. And he wont he very good at it either. Things would have fallen apart even if he had not recalled any vague past life memories. Cause the day he regained his memories is the day his mother died. And he was given a chance to save her, to change things. But all he could do was cry. So, it was better to search for someone else to take the mantle. But he would feel bad to lead someone to their deaths, he had a conscience. So, if he found someone who wants to die then it’s a win-win for everyone. Or at least he was hoping for it. So, he needed to find candidates who was willing to be a hero - and die. And now he had one.