I have always enjoyed the wonders of nature. In fact I have always hunted my entire life and practically lived with nature, but never for profit. I only hunt for what I need. If I'm hungry I fish. If I'm cold I hunt buffaloes and skin it. Nature was always kind to me and in return I was kind to it. If I ever take something I do something in return such as feed the wildlife or plant a couple of seeds for other people who happen to cross by, which was never.
As of now I am relaxing by a stream. I love the sound of the trickling water. The sound almost puts me into a trance. When you touch it, the water almost a feels like it embraces around your fingers. Despite the speed of the water, it somehow remains calm and elegant.
"Rave sholto Silvester!!!"
...I think I may be screwed. "I'M COMIN' MUM"
"What did I say about your clothes?!?!"
"Nothing?" I said curiously
"Quit running a mock dirtying your clothes; it's a hassle to wash these clothes every week. FURTHERMORE you keep getting dirt all the floor!!!"
"ALRIGHT ALRIGHT, I'll stop wearing clothes, jeez"
"RAVE SHOLTO SILVESTER, you are twelve years old now for crying out loud and I also expect you to pull your weight and do some of your chores."
"Ok, ok I'm sorry, ma, but hey I got Tuna" hoping to get off this topic. Usually I don't bring fish home since I usually eat it on the go, but this one is quite large.
I always loved my mom, well actually she isn't really my mom. 'Why isn't she my mom' you ask? Well biologically we aren't related and well basically I always called her mom cause apparently one syllable words is easier than a three syllable word when you are a baby....and well it stuck since then. How did fate combine us together? Well apparently I was left onto her doorstep and abandoned. Don't fret it was always common in a town where nobody had much money much less take care of another mouth. I guess...that's why I always feel indebted to her and it makes me feel guilty.
However I am grateful I have someone to call 'mom' cause she was always there to comfort me at my worst and I always tried to comfort her with the best of my ability at her worst. But reality is taking a toll on both of us. When I take a good look around, I can barely see the wooden planks on the floor because it is covered in soot and dirt-I guess the dirt part was largely my fault...woops- the walls have cracks in it and the ceiling seems to collapse at any givin' moment.
The truth is we aren't rich nor are we even considered middle class. In fact we have little to no money at all. We lived on the bad side of town where people barely made a living. But the good thing is that there was no violence but that is largely contributed by the fact it was small so everyone knew each other and everyone was struggling so there really wasn't a point in fighting with others.
Anyways my ma, Rebecca Silvester, started cooking the Tuna up with what little supplies we had. The Tuna wasn't going to be done soon so I decided to go the bar.
I know what you are thinking, but no I don't drink. It just so happens that the bar is the only place that has a 'vision teleportation device'(or VTD). Besides even if I tried to get some drinks everybody knew me anyways and know that I can't get past them. As I watch the VTD it was airing the arena.
"THE 'BLACK KNIGHT' DOES A UPPERCUT JUST AS THE 'EAGLE' GETS CLOSE OOH BUT THE EAGLE STRIFES TO THE SIDE. I DON'T KNOW FOLKS THIS IS GOING TO BE A CLOSE ONE"- Spokesperson.
-camera pans to two reporters-
"So Drake how do you think the duel is going so far? From what I can tell both sides so far is getting heated and an amazing battle between these to adventurers is starting to ignite a fire"
"Well Jill, with a million dollars at stake here, I can only expect a explosion to happen anytime soon. The 'Black Knight' is regarded one of the most dangerous as he has won the last twenty-four battles so far, which makes him undefeated with 110 points"
I look at the battles. I look at them with envy as I sit in my stool drinking dirty water. While watching, I noticed the stands seated by people throwing a unmentionable amount money upon the arena. Why do these Noblemen throw their money to the arena? Why exactly do adventurers get so much money on top of their already gigantic wealth? Do they really sit on so much wealth they they have the capability to throw their money away while we struggle to even make a decent living? These thoughts filled me with rage as I look at the state of the bar with people covered in rags. I leave after I finish my cup of dirty water and I thanked the bartender, Jack.
"Hey Ravey, give this to your mom will ya?" Jack handed me a couple of papers which looks to be from his child.
"Will do, cy....HEY STOP CALLING ME RAVEY!!"
"PFFT HEHEHE" Jack pat me on the back and nudged me to the exit.
"Jerk..." I whispered
I ran back to the house and handed my mom the papers.
She's looks at it approvingly, "looks likes Jill is improving in his math skills." Then she ponders and looks out into space.
As you probably may have noticed my mom is a teacher and also the towns well known caretaker. She worries about other people and is willing to suffer for her students and the people she knows. Because of her stress her dark brown slowly oozes out grey hair, nevertheless I still see the wonderful person in my life as if she was ten years younger. However it pains me to see her sacrifice herself as I watch with tears in my eyes. I wish I could help solve all her problems, but there is only so much I could do with my little hands. She is so compassionate that she even cooks for some of her students that barely have nothing to eat. In fact I have fished and hunted to help out, but a twelve year old could only do so much.
In reality I was probably the only one who was able to muster up enough courage to face the wilderness, thanks to my uncle. My Uncle Fredrick used to train me when I was younger, but he left aiming to be the best warrior in the capital; however what returned was the news of his death. I have never seen my mom cried so much than any other days that I have lived upon this world. Ever since then she sacrificed herself in hopes of helping other students and myself have a better life than she ever had.
That reminds me. There was this one man that had moved from an unknown origin, possibly poorer than we were at that time, who has collapsed on the ground. Everybody in town was scared to go near him, let alone touch him, mostly cause of his gigantic beard and his frightening appearance. But my mom did not care for his outward physical appearance and instead helped him with all she could. She brought him in into her home and fed him, wrapped him in bandages wherever it was needed, and let him sleep with the only actually bed in town. It was only after a couple of days that he finally regained his full conscious.
"Yo you finally awake already?" I yelled at the man.
"Thank you!" He said in a foreign accent."I must reach the capital!!!"
"Woah calm down old man, you barely survived, even I'm surprised you're alive" I calmly say , after all I didn't want to scare him."my mother has noticed many wounds on your legs and back, she recommends you recuperate for a couple of weeks" as I said that I put boiling hot water onto his legs.
"AHHHH WHAT WAS THAT FOR?!?" He screams in agony.
"Doctors recommendation....are you not that desperate to go to the capital after all?"I mockingly asked.
He remains silent.
"Anyways just rest easy my mom is two buildings down so call her if you need anything. I need to go fishing down in the woods for some food." I quickly grab my tools and went towards the door.
"Wait...let me go with you..."
With the intentions to regret his offer, I see him get up with determination. Pfft looks like I can't stop him. I'll pack another fishing pole for him.
We reached my favorite fishing spot which was a little more than a mile away. It's probably the best fishing place and is in fact my favorite. I don't have to worry about others cause nobody even comes out here anyways. Anyways we set up our gear and started fishing.
"I'd like to apologize for suddenly coming to the village unannounced and I would like to thank your mother for all the trouble I have caused. I surely hope I can pay her back," he looks down in guilt.
Surprised by the long sudden outburst. I became startled to speak. However I quickly regained my composure. "Listen you don't have to worry so much. My mom is a strong women and can handle anything. So don't think much of it." I calmly replied.
We continued fishing for a couple of minutes silently. Man this is getting awkward.
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"Sooo...how 'bout we introduce ourselves? My name is Rave Solto Silvester, but just call me Rave; it saves time."
"My name is Derecko syte, but most call me Derek." He said in a foreign accent.
" I gotta ask ya, where are you from? Cause it seems that you came from a far away land maybe overseas. Sorry if I'm intruding too much, I guess a man gotta keep his secrets"
He chuckles "nah it's quite alright, not much of a secret anyways. But yes I am from overseas. I am a business man and quite successful at that, but I have traveled in hopes to find my brothers and sisters who were taken from my homeland"
"Oi so you left behind all your riches for the slight chance you'll be able to find your brothers and sisters?, That's a dumb proposition" I laughed wheezingly.
"Some day you'll realize that family is more important than anything else in the world and will sacrifice everything to be together with them." He smiled at the surface of the water with his old man gaze.
"I highly dou-WOAHH" as I was about to reply to him, my line caught something. It must have been huge cause without realizing both of us were struggling to reel it in.
We were both focused on getting that we were both lost our train of thought. Little did I know that I was going to engrave what he said to both my mind, spirit, and body...and especially my heart.
"HEY MA, WE GOT FISH!!!"Derek and I walked inside...well Derek still has a noticeable limp but that was beyond the point.
"OK hun...OH MY ARE YOU OK?!?!" She runs past me and tries to nudge Derek back to bed.
"I am quite fine miss...I only went out to take in some fresh air."he quickly replied.
"Really? Oh god I hope so, so what is your name? I don't think we have been properly introduced, my name is Rebecca Silvester"
"My name Derecko Syte, madam." He bows down elegantly
"Well pleasure to meet you Mr.Syte." Blushes
"Oh please call my Derek, everyone else calls me that."
"Alright Derek, would you like some fish? If so, please come down in a couple of hours. For now just rest." she hastily leaves the room.
"Yeah sorry Derek, my mom is a bit overprotective and it's pretty much for the whole town"I chuckle a bit.
"It's fine my boy, she is probably the most compassionate women I have met."he looks up into the ceiling. "If I may ask, boy, why is your hair silver? In my country it was found to be a bad omen"
"Jeez old man, that's a bit personal, but it ain't no secret. To be honest I should point out that My mom isn't really my mom; however it is easier to accept that. So my hair is what distincts me from the rest of town. So basically I was a boy abandoned and this silver hair is the reminder of that"
"I'm sorry boy, didn't know you had a rough infant hood" he quickly replied.
"Nah no worries. This hair doesn't leave much significance other than that. In fact it's pretty common case for kids in this town to be orphan. I'm just glad I found my way towards mom. Well I should probably let you rest. Well cya later"
He chuckles and quickly falls into a deep slumber.
Quietly I walked out and close the door behind me. When I turn I see my mom still cooking and she cut the fish. Two-thirds of the fish is put into a plastic bag that is probably intended to be sent to her students. Not wishing to disturb I walk outside.
NO I forgot to get our tools from when we were fishing!!! I quickly turned to the woods and aimed towards the fishing spot we were at.
I quickly run because it is almost midnight and the wrong kind of creatures are up and ready to eat.
I never ran so fast in my place cause right now that fishing pole is expensive to get and is probably accounts for our source of food.
I finally manage to find my way there. As I turn to it I quickly find a tree to hide behind.
"Grrrrr"
Damn it!!! It's a Giant Ocelot. It looks to be about 800lbs. It must have been attracted by the fish scent.
Suddenly, it aims it's head up and smells something looking at the direction I came from.
Oh no, it can smell the fish my mother is cooking. I can't...I just can't. I look all around looking for any way to divert its attention. Man why does it gotta be so large?!?! Think-THINK-THINK DAMN IT!!! I got it! I quickly grab a rock and a few pebbles then I climb the tree. "YO UP HERE." grabbing its attention.
He quickly noticed me and starts climbing up the tree.
I quickly walk down the branch that hovers over the river. Luckily this tree is huge and it's branches are long. So I kept walking keeping my balance until I get to the portion that barely takes my weight. I turn around "OH DAMN" the ocelot moved faster than I though now it's about four to five meters away.
"GRRRR"
Man I can almost smell his breathe. I grab the rock hope to god that my aim is as accurate as I pull the line out of the water. With a forceful throw I aimed at its left front limb.
Suddenly it slipped! Now it's hanging on to the branch in hopes of hanging cause once it falls it will drown with it's massive body.
I quickly crawled closer and I punch the paw. Finally it slipped but once it lets go the branch all the potential energy in the branch released and it threw me a couple of meters up in the air. NO-NO-NO I quickly flail my arms in hopes of grabbing ahold of the branch. "AHHHH." Well...the good thing is that I caught it...bad part is that I won't be using this hand anytime soon. I quickly crawled to the tree and climbed down. I grab the tools and I carefully tread back home. After all it will be bad news if I encounter another Ocelot.
"Welcome back Ra...OH MY GOD WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR ARM!?!?!"
"I tripped over a tree root."
"HOW?!?" She immediately replied.
"Well...I forgot my tools and all I could think about was getting there and getting back cause it was getting dark...so I was not careful and it was hard too see." Eh I think that was a reasonable story. I hope she bought that.
She looks at my face looking for any evidence of lying. Crap she is an expert at this, I try to put a hurtful face. As I do that I notice her eyes were red that seems like she has been weeping all day. Not wanting to add work and worry to her day. I put on the best realistic face I could.
"Fine I believe go to bed and I'll wrap your arm in a bit. I got to get the fish out of the pot."
After that I quickly went to my room across from Derecko. Finding my sack I quietly lay down and think what it would be like to be wealthy. Soon enough I passed out exhausted from today.
"Ugghhhhh....noooo" I forgot to close the shutters and now the light is burning my eyes. I quickly shuffle and bury my face into the sack. " FINE FINE I GET IT." I went across my room to where Derecko was resting. As I knocked the door budged a bit. I notice and curiously I look inside. Where the hell is he?!?! I look further and I see a note on the bed.
Note:
To Rave
I would like to thank you for spending time with me. As you know I am a weak man and most young ones generally watch VTD or playing with other kids, so when you agreed to let me go with you fishing; I was honestly happy. When we were fishing together it almost felt like I had a son. However it was also that same moment it struck me that I must find my own family instead of intruding another's. So please forgive me on my selfish wishes and by no means did I leave cause of distrust or negative emotions. So thank you and please forgive me.
Slowly my memories of the fishing day surface. And I muttered "you didn't catch a fish yet, old man" I look down and I noticed a note for my mother also. I quietly pick up the note and placed down onto the dinner table where mom would easily find it. However as i do this I notice what seems to be a official document for taxes. I slowly pull out the papers. *drip* *drip* one by one my tears fell on their own.
I slowly put it back trying to hold back my tears. Then I sprung into a sprint mode. I ran- I ran into the woods until my legs were burning-until my tears blocks my sight-until the moon shown up halfway across the sky-until i get enough scratches to cover my body and mind. I ran until i could run now more.
"WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!! DAMN IT, TELL ME WHYYYYY!!!" I fall to my knees and I weep. I wept for my mom. I wept for my town. I wept for my friends. And more importantly I wept at myself for being so powerless to stop this foe that stands before me..
NEXT CHAPTER-->
Chapters 1-3= Serve as the background of MC.
(Sorry if it seems slow xD, but hold on tight)