When the old man finished his story, the crowd was left silent for a time. They were strong words that left a lingering impression on them. Whether it was the feeling sorry for Sundra who fought for his vengeance against his friends and people. Or the fact that The Empty Throne was still vacant till this point in time. As Owen thought about the story once more he was left speechless.
‘Fighting for revenge… huh…’
The idea wasn’t a clear one for him. Yet he tried to understand the feelings of Sundra at the time. Perhaps it was because Owen was more calm than others naturally are, he was unable to figure out what Sundra could possibly be feeling at the moment. As the story concluded and a the brief silence ended, everyone started to naturally go their own ways. As for Add when he snapped out of it, he called out to Owen right after.
“Well, that was quite interesting don’t you think Owen?”
Owen faced towards Add and recalled the story once more.
“Yes, but I wasn’t really able to understand how Sundra felt. Maybe it was the lack of details or the fact that I never truly experienced such feelings for myself that I can’t seem to understand how heart breaking of an event it would be.”
Answering simply, Add only nodded in agreement and finished it off with his own words as he casually wrapped his arm around Owen’s shoulder and gave a deep look towards Owen, though Owen wasn’t able to see the meaning behind the look he soon found out as Add wasn’t worried about hiding his opinion towards Owen in the slightest.
“You’re right Owen. If we were able to understand the feelings of a person who lost an entire planet's worth of living beings, we could only be called scum. But Owen, the point of the story wasn’t whether or not you could sympathize with him or not.”
As Add said this he twirled his finger, showing a smirk on the corner of his lips. He paused himself as he forced Owen to wait on him to continue. Owen didn’t force Add to continue but he still waited for him to continue.
“The point of the story my friend, is that he became strong because of his emotions. Not because he wanted too. Not because he was able to. But because he had too. He had to fight in order to live. He had to fight in order to get his revenge, to live. But in the end what happened? He lost. He was not strong enough. Do you know why that man told us that? Because if we aren’t strong enough. If our determination isn’t strong enough. We will become stepping stones for those who are.”
As he said that he walked ahead of Owen at a faster pace. He didn’t turn around and he didn’t wait for Owen to answer, as if knowing Owen wasn’t going to answer him. Instead he spoke once more but in a slow and firm tone.
“Owen. I do not know why you walk this Path. But even I can tell that you’re quite distant with your emotions. If you follow me, I can show you those who are on the path to becoming strong. Deep down in the bottom of our hearts, we wish to gain strength because we need it.”
Once Add finished speaking he continued to walk. He didn’t turn around to see if Owen was following him or not. Nor did Owen force himself to follow after him. Yet at the same time Owen’s pace continued to walk forward following Add nonetheless.
‘A reason for becoming strong? Do I need one other than to see again? Is that not enough? Does Add truly have a reason for needing to be stronger?’’
These thoughts ran through his head, as he did he opened and closed his fist. As if he was trying to grab onto something within the area of his palm. He had learnt so much through his life but there was always one thing he was never taught even by his master. How to truly want something…
----------------------
Some time passed by and the silence between Owen and Add had long passed and as they walked through the town. Although there were hints of the previous conversation it was something that was left for Owen to think of on his own and Add knew that. Add also knew he only knew Owen for such a short time and by making such a claim it was already over his boundaries as a new acquaintance. But after watching Owen and his dull reactions through the town as they looked at the wares of the vendors or how Owen was unable to understand anything about how Sundra felt, he was able to tell that Owen wasn’t able to relate to the emotions of others or even himself for that matter.
This bothered Add as he walked together with Owen, till the point where Add became frustrated enough over it that he could only speak about it. He was simply to blunt for his own good sometimes.
‘Luckily, it seems he took what I said at face value and is thinking about it seriously. Though it was somewhat expected coming from him.’
“Hey Add! You’re late!”
Just as Add had finished thinking to himself he heard a voice call him from the side. As he and Owen looked towards the source of the sound, Add responded before he even saw who was talking.
“Ah Selwyn! You said you would wake me up!”
As Add waved his hands trying to express his anger more deeply. But instead feeling bad the girl named Selwyn frowned while crossing her arms opting to not speak. She had dark brunette hair that was naturally curly and rested on her shoulders. While her battle garments were snuggly pressed against her. It was gear for a warrior yet at the same time it was pleasing to the eyes. With it being a soft yellow it matched her hazel eyes nicely. She was at a glance perfectly average, yet with her strong personality her friends never could take their eyes off of her.
“Ah, Add you know it’s impossible to wake you up after drinking. Don’t blame us for your faults.”
Another person with a much more clearly annoyed voice voice answered in Selwyns stead. It was man with a sharp glare and a pointed nose. Yet this odd combination gave a subtle attraction himself. He also had brunette hair but was lighter than Selwyns. His cold blue eyes wondered onto Owen and unsheathed his twin swords under attached to his leather armor on the back.
“Add, who is this.”
Add patted Owen’s back and forced him forward after which he quickly explained for his quick acting friend.
“No worries, this is Owen. I asked him to join us. I hope you won’t mind him watching us for a bit will you, Ardgnar?”
Yet, Ardgnar fully knew that he wasn’t asking for his permission which almost led him to attacking Add when he was stopped by another.
“Now now, no need for this so early in the day save it for the Devourer’s later Gnar.”
The woman was the tallest out of the bunch and carried a long spear on her back. She wore leather armour similar to Selywn and Ardgnar. Her face was a little bit puffed from big cheeks, but not as excess fat but instead naturally gave her a cuter look. It was something that didn’t match her height nor her easy going attitude. Her dark brown eyes gave Owen a look before quickly eying Add to get ready to leave already.
“By the way, my name is Fraeswys, nice to meet you.”
She grabbed onto Owen’s hand with her large hand and tightly shook it as a or of courtesy. Owen was surprised by the strength of her grip but didn’t make it noticeable through his facial expressions, instead he was thinking something else.
‘So this is the group that Add wants to get strong with…’
At first glance Owen didn’t see anything that stood out from the group other than that Ardgnar has had a fast hand at unsheathed his blades. But it was clear that this group all knew each other and not just recently. Although Owen couldn’t see their particular colours of armor he was able to tell that they were all similar in design. When the group suddenly started to leave without word, Owen got the impression they were missing the introduction of someone. As Owen looked at the fifth member of Add’s party that had yet to stand out in any way, he too stared at Owen. The man that Owen was looking at through the Blind Motion technique didn’t linger and continued to walk instead, pretending nothing had just happened.
“Ah, don’t worry about Boyd. He’s a special case in our group and he’s similar to you.”
Owen felt this sort of strange and quickly asked back towards Add who came to his side.
“What do you mean?”
Add crossed his arms and tried to find an explanation that would fit perfectly but when it came to a few dozen seconds he gave up and shrugged his shoulders. Tilting his head to the side to answer Owen.
“Boyd can’t speak. And because of that, he’s never really been one to show emotions…”
Add’s explanation wasn’t long but it got straight to the point as Owen looking back at the clouded Essence soul that was Boyd. A deep and thoughtful look would be seen if one could see Owen’s eyes but luckily no one was able to tell what Owen was thinking at this exact moment.
‘Similar to me… That explains Add’s actions earlier.’
Owen thought back but it didn’t bother him too much. Once again thoughts of having a reason to fight were visible in his mind. Deep down in his subconscious he stared towards his Sky Pathway. His translucent bricks were sitting still waiting patiently to be fed more Essence. Though slowly they were still growing even now through Owen’s breathing technique. But despite growing stronger at this very second Owen was unable to shake off the feeling of being weak. He was already looked down upon by the Tyrant Devourer. He had never won a single battle at the the Temple, and those words matched up against those reasons.
‘Is it because only wanting to have my vision is not enough? Do I only think it’s natural that I will be able to see?’
While confused, Owen walked into the forest with Add and his companions.
------------------------
‘Truly that are strong.’
Owen thought to himself as he watched the five man party take out a Land Devourer easily without a sweat. Although a Devourer is stronger than a Pathwalker in a straight on clash, Pathwalkers had their tactics that allowed them to out maneuver Devourers. Not to mention at the first wall, only the weakest of the weak were basically left. All the potential strong Devourers had long been transferred to other areas. Other than the Tyrant Devourer that Owen faced for the most part Owen would find it hard to find another that strong.
Owen continued to watch the party fight from the sidelines. He was already told by Ardgnar and Add that he wasn’t allowed to join. Although for two different reasons. Ardgnar’s reason was because he didn’t like Owen. Add’s was because if Owen joined that would mean splitting the profit. As they already had to hunt a minimum of five Devourers a day they didn’t really feel like adding another to split the money with. Also their party was already efficient as possible. This was something Owen noticed.
A few more Devourers were finished off as Owen would either hear the unsheathing of Ardgnar’s twin blades and soon after the cry of the Devourer before it’s last breath. The other was the sound of an arrow piercing through the air. The main difference between the two was the arrow would cause instant death for the Devourer itself. Add’s responsibility was as Owen figured. Add was always had the attention of the Devourer whether it was screaming loudly to get it's attention of striking it first with many blows to anger it as much as possible.
As for Selywn and Fraeswys, they would always strike from the side with Selwyns longsword or Fraeswys’ lance. Either way it would take less than a minute to dispose of one Devourer. Yet the stress level with each kill was always at peak level. Specially at the beginning when starting out all of their Paths were relatively weak and being hit once could mean the difference between life and death.
“Hey let’s take a quick break before the nex…”
“Add there’s something coming!”
Owen spoke out with a slightly raised voice just enough for Add to hear him. As Add was interrupted by Owen a Devourer similar to a deer rushed out of the shrubbery nearby. It’s antlers were incredibly sharp looking, but it was clear that it wa severely injured from the way it limped while running. As the group was about to relax from Add’s words and set up a short camp, they were brought into action at the sudden occurrence of a Devourer. Although injured, infact because it was injured already they were more on guard. It was because anyone knew that a cornered beast was more likely to be crazy with its attacks. Before Boyd and Ardgnar would always make their strikes would kill their targets, soon after if not instantly after striking them. That was the safest way to hunt for them. An efficient method only possible because of the trust the five had for one another. Not to mention that their individual strengths were already incredible to begin with. Even Owen was unsure whether he could compete with anyone of these members in a fight. Although he had some sort of vision that acted as a helping hand to his fights, it was until not his main reliant on fighting. He was too used to fighting with his hearing to simply give up that advantage.
The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
“Boyd, Ardgnar get ready! Selwyn, Fraeswys stay back and prepare for any unexpected situations. ARGHH!”
Add rushed off quickly to engage with the Devourer after he called out for for the decisive members to land a killing blow, while he had the two females prepares for anything that could happen.
Swoosh!
A another air pierced through the eye of the deer. After the deer twitched a few times, its heavy body slammed into the ground with a force that was felt by Owen’s feet. He had no complaints about the way that the fight was handled in fact he thought it was brilliantly done. Add was both an outstanding leader and a great fight, while he had members in his team that were able to help decisively at any time if need be. As Add quickly cut out the Essence crystal from the deer’s body he spoke softly.
“Well, although unexpected we still made profit in the end.”
But then suddenly once again Owen heard the shaking of shrubbery in the distance. This time it was much more than just a simple break of a twig of the disturbance of a few leaves. This time it was a large amount of footsteps that was nearing closer every second. As he heard it, Owen once again spoke up for everyone to hear.
“Everyone, there’s a large group of people headed this way. I’d guess there’s at least thirty.”
Just as he finished, a few figures appeared from the bushes. Although it wasn’t the numbers that Owen had mentioned, it was clear that they too were on guard against Add’s party. Ardgnar looked over towards Owen and then back to Boyd who remained expressionless.
‘He was able to hear someone coming before Boyd?!’
This didn’t sit well with Ardgnar but as this wasn’t the time and place he put it behind himself for the time and looked forward at the group walking forward. At first however Add and his companions were on guard but upon seeing the big burly man leading the pack they lessened their guards, but only slightly. In fact this was just to show goodwill but instead they all knew that a real enemy may have appeared. When the big burly man saw Add he roared out with laughter and called out to him.
“Well, well, well look at what we have here boys. It’s Add and his group of young friends. Not to mention out game that we tried to kill is also here.”
When the voice carried over to Owen, he was immediately struck speechless and he faced towards the man immediately. As he was about to call out to the man, instead Add called out first.
“Gerboud. What are you doing here? I thought you were going south?”
Add gave an look that tried to look as pleasant as possible but failing to hide his bluntness he showed a frown that made it clear that he was not happy to see him. Although Owen was feeling a different emotion as he was surprised to have met up with Gerboud, and what would seem like the rest of the Temple followers. He was about to say something again when Gerboud responded towards Add.
“Well, don’t worry about that boy. It got passed us so it’s only natural that the one who struck it lasts gets to keep it. But as to answer your question, I always wanted to fight against the Conqueror country so my brothers in arms decided to follow me and give a name for our Temple.”
Owen felt confused. There was something about the current Gerboud that he couldn’t quite make out that seemed different. But the feeling gave a bitter taste in the back of his mouth. He still wanted to say something but the conversation continued and as Owen was off to the side and Gerboud was too focused on Add they had yet to notice Owen, including the few that showed up with Gerboud.
“If you don’t want this then why don’t we save our reminiscence for another time?”
Add lifted up his hand with the Essence crystal as he showed it off to Gerboud who shrugged in turn.
“You’re right Add, while I do want it. It’s not mine. So what do you say we play for it?”
Gerboud gave a smirk while he crossed his arms as he chuckled to himself. While Ardgnar who had heard enough roared out.
“You fucking piece of donkey shit!”
Gerboud quickly ignored the vulgar words after a quick look at Add. Add in turn looked at Selwyn and Fraeswys to calm down Ardgnar. Boyd was left standing in the same spot as the other three retreated. At the same time he had an arrowed carefully knocked the moment the group had entered this visible range. He had continued to hold it knocked in case anything happened. Owen once against was confused by the attitude of Gerboud and this time he was unable to remain quiet upon hearing the laughter of Gerboud and his men at the idea of fighting for it.
“Master Gerboud….. What is the meaning of this?”
With a hint of confusion visibly noticeable behind Owen’s words that he found hard to speak out as if throwing it up, Gerboud looked towards the source of the speaker. At this time he finally noticed Owen off to the side. Surprise was an understatement but yet right after that he roared with laughter again and called out to Owen.
“Owen? The blind boy? You aren’t fucking dead yet you worthless welp?”
“What?”
Unconsciously, Owen responded back towards Gerboud harsh words. Without a moment's rest Owen was put into a situation he had no idea what to make of it. He clearly knew that this was the First Warrior Gerboud from the Temple. The one who stood at the top of all the warriors at the temple, who even though knew that Owen was weak never spoke ill of him. But now, all of a sudden it was like Gerboud was a completely different person. Shocked. The words no longer came out and Owen stood there still. Gerboud on the other hand was not shocked but he slapped his face covering his eyes laughing hysterically as he did.
“Brat, you all this time…. You’re still the naive little welp knew nothing.”
‘Is that why I felt such a distasteful feeling behind Gerboud’s words? Because he no longer is the same person I once knew? How can this be the First Warrior?’
Thoughts of confusion ran through Owen’s mind. A possibly of Gerboud turning into a Feral even crossed Owen’s mind but still it didn’t add up because the Ferals that Owen knew of weren’t able to talk. Not to mention the colour through Owen’s sight would be pure black, but instead it was like every other person here. But the one to question this wasn’t Owen but instead Add.
“Gerboud, what is the meaning of this?”
Putting his attention on Owen to the side for a moment Gerboud stared back and Add and spoke.
“Well, you see this blind brat was once part of my Warrior division. But the useless shit couldn’t even win a single battle in all the years he was raised under us. Completely useless, less than dirt.”
“...What?”
The confusion piled up so much that it was clearly visible on Owen’s face. When Gerboud heard Owen and saw his expression once again and this time including everyone that came together laughed at Owen. After the first bout of laughter the rest of the Warriors and Monks were attracted and came out just in time to hear Gerboud speak ill of Owen. Which naturally gave the evidence that not only Gerboud had thought ill of Owen. Owen’s emotions were left all over the place without any hopes of being stilled. It was such a shock that before he even had a chance to calm himself they were already moving about.
“You look confused Owen?”
Gerboud smiled large enough that it was even easily visible with Owen’s Blind Motion technique. Then he slowly spoke his next few words.
“Surely… You didn’t think everyone actually liked you?”
“That’s…”
“What? Not possible?”
The quick exchange of words left no time for his emotions to regain composure as Gerboud continued to pile more confusion onto one another. As for Add and his companions although they knew Owen, it was only for a short while they felt it wasn’t their place to speak, only Add had wanted to interfere but even he wasn’t going to act out impulsively with so many on Gerboud’s side.
“Owen… Let me tell you why you’re so confused. For the very beginning, we spoke with detest behind our words. We simply didn’t use the right words.”
“You! What do you mean!”
Owen at this point was no longer calmly speakly, his voice was raising unconsciously as it once did when he fought against the Tyrant. Those who remain calm under most circumstances have the tendency to become even more ferocious when upset. Now was a time that Owen was simply unable to hold himself in check. But once again Gerboud through words at him that left him speechless.
“What? Did you really think that we could care for a shit that was deserted by his own mother?! HAH! I spit on naivety boy!”
As Gerboud spit on the ground the rest of the warriors gave unpleasant looks. Before Owen was able to respond Gerboud continued.
“You think, that we, the Temple, should care about a boy who was blind by his own mother and dropped to our own doorstep? HAH! DON’T LOOK DOWN ON ME YOU SHIT! WE, raised you and that was all you were deserving of. If even your own mother was detested by that sight of you staring at her. I could only imagine how much I would want to kill if you if you opened your eyes right this moment.”
‘What…. What is he saying? I don’t understand anything but my eyes…. They hurt…. Urgh… they hurt so much. This pain why…’
Even though Owen was usually able to bear the pain, now the pain was so inexplicably painful he was weak in his legs, as he fell down onto his knees. He was left speechless, and couldn’t respond even a little bit. The words felt so foreign but at the same time they felt incredibly real. It was the first time that Owen had felt so betrayed, felt so anger, felt so much pain. It engulfed his body and forced his way through his every being. Shredding everything apart and destroying him from the inside. Bits of black Essence formed and intertwined with every being.
‘I was blinded by my own mother? Hated every day of my life?’
These were the only thoughts running through Owen’s mind. Just as he was losing control Add screamed towards Owen.
“Owen! Get ahold of yourself! You’ll turn into a Feral!!”
The moment Gerboud heard these words his laughter turned into that one of happiness. He spread out his arms and continued to edge Owen on.
“Yes! That’s right Owen! Let yourself be engulfed by your emotions! You who no one cared for! You who thought everything was always for you! Realize that you are nothing more than a insect in my opinion! You who even you mother deserted!”
“AAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGHHHHH!”
At the being reminded once more that his mother who he once thought had perished in unknown circumstances had abandoned him and took his vision away, he snapped. As he screamed towards the heavens, Owen….. Opened his eyes.
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Shocked? Surprised? If you are well that was the plan. Now some of you might like it some of you might have hated it. WEll all I have to say is that every little bit of change that Owen has gone through is leading up to a certain point. That include this as well. Anyways I haven't said anything what 3 months? Anyways I'm not here to talk about that. As you guys can see the pace has taken a huge turn and will continue to do so until I end the book. Yes that's right. I plan to end this book (the first out fo the series) at the very least before chapter 100. I had originally planned on doing much more, but oh well this way you guys will be at the edge of your seats for the entire time. Hope you enjoyed it let me know what you think with a comment.