Dawn arrived, its golden light piercing through the cloth barrier, casting a warm glow upon Riley's juvenile face.
Just five more minutes, he thought, annoyed at the rays of sunshine peering through the covered cracks. A jolt of awareness snapped him awake.
"Today's my birthday, huh..." murmured the young boy as he stretched, a faint whisper escaping his lips. He groaned as his bones and scars reminded him of his dire state.
He peeled back the blanket and removed the makeshift cloth barrier, recognizing its potential for other uses. Blinking against the morning light filtering through the cracks, he squinted his colorful eyes.
A subtle shift in the air brought freshness to the shack, as if the breeze sought to cleanse the musty aroma that clung to the abode.
Riley gently unwrapped his bandages with care, revealing his tender, pale skin, marked by the faint traces of past scars and nearly healed bruises. Reaching for a nearby piece of cloth, he wanted to wash himself before remembering. I didn’t clean it yesterday, didn’t I? His eyes flashed hues of red for a moment.
The raven-haired grumbled as he approached the bucket, staring daggers at the now-blackened water. He gripped one of its handles firmly, dragging it towards the door with determined steps. Along the way, he gathered the pile of dirty clothes and torn fabric, bundling them together before hoisting them up in his remaining arm.
The raven-haired boy pushed the door open, greeting a breathtaking scene. The night sky was bidding its farewell with a final dance of twinkling stars, their light gradually dimming. In their place emerged a cloudless sky, bathed in the golden radiance of the rising sun.
He stood there for a while, the pain radiating from within ignored as he basked in the grandeur above. The morning breeze brought its gentle caress and fresh scent to his senses, bringing a small smile to his face. For Riley, gazing at the sky was one of his few joys in this hellish life.
His eyes flared with hues of orange and gold as he absorbed the beauty of the dawn. Reluctantly, he tore his gaze away and marched towards the lake shore. When he reached it, he put the dirty clothes on a rock before washing the bucket.
I wonder what my Path is. The cool touch of the water brought the child back to his cleaning task. With the bucket clean and filled with fresh water, he tossed the dirty clothes in. A grimace crossed his face at the murky water before he scrubbed them. He sorted the clothing, setting aside those without holes to be re-worn, and the rest turned into rags.
He worked absentmindedly, thinking about where he should go next.
"The orphanage opens a little bit later, so I've got time," Riley muttered, his voice barely audible in the quiet morning air. He continued with his monotonous work until the clothes were sufficiently clean.
To him, living in poverty was no excuse to live in filth. The simple act of being clean invigorated him, giving him purpose. In the solitude of the early morning hours, he was free from the scrutiny and judgment of others.
Maintaining cleanliness was more than just personal hygiene; it was a form of self-respect. Riley refused to allow poverty to define or diminish his sense of worth. Not only did it make him feel alive, but dirt and grimness would only worsen his frequent injuries, and he didn’t want that to happen.
I should check my bags and see what I have. Riley washed himself after he was done with his morning routine, removing the lingering dust or dirt. Satisfied, he cleaned himself and wore his clothes back before returning to his cottage with the bucket. He puffed his chest as he hung the laundry on a makeshift line, admiring his work with yellow tinted eyes. The gentle morning breeze and warm sunlight worked their magic, aiding the drying process.
He entered his shack and went to the “FOOD” bag, picking two pieces of bread and setting aside the rest for later. Turning his attention to the "COINS" bag, he found it filled with numerous iron coins and even some copper ones.
“What’s the point of money if I can’t buy anything?” lamented the young child. Yet Riley refused to let it dampen his mood.
I guess it’s a long time before I reach my dream. Now that he has time to kill, his gaze shifted towards his "ITEMS" bag. Within it lay his prized possessions, a collection of random objects he had found over time. Among them was the small empty cream container he used yesterday.
I might need it. Riley rationalized before his colorful eyes wandered to the other items in the bag. There was a worn-out book, its pages filled with old, weathered parchment, filled with repeated letters and words he had painstakingly written with charcoal. Beside the book lay a handful of small marbles crafted from wood, their smooth surfaces worn from years of use.
These two items were treasures for the raven-haired boy, discovered amidst the hidden corners behind village homes. The book was his hard-won trophy from a fierce fight with a colossal, savage rat, the battle leaving a jagged scar etched into his right hand. Memories streamed as Riley absentmindedly traced it, a reminder of his victory against the ferocious creature.
As for the marbles, he discovered them abandoned on the yellowed ground of the Wilwich village. He quickly learned the game's rules after observing the other kids play with them while scavenging.
The sky. Being clean. Writing. Playing. These four things helped Riley forget how bleak his life is and give him something to look forward to. Carefully selecting a handful of marbles, he scattered them haphazardly across the ground before launching another to strike them.
He played until the sun had fully ascended, his eyes reflecting a vibrant blend of bright orange and warm yellow hues.
Well, that was fun. With a giggle, the young boy carefully returned the marbles to their designated pouch. Stepping outside, he retrieved his freshly laundered clothes and rags and carried them back into the house before closing the old door.
Now fully ready, Riley turned to the ominous red house. Quietly, he approached its back door and opened it. He walked as if treading on fragile ground in the silence, his heartbeat thundering in his ears.
In the eerie stillness, Riley observed the ghastly collection adorning the red walls. Numerous skulls and hides with unique shapes and sizes lined the shelves and dangled ominously from hooks.
Riley spared no more than a glance at the grisly trophies before hurrying to the door. With a swift motion, he grasped the handle and slipped out into the open, relieved to leave the unsettling scene behind him.
With a sigh of relief, Riley's attention shifted to the village ahead with a playful smile.
"Where next, Captain Riley?"
"To the Orphanage!" he declared with exaggerated enthusiasm, pointing dramatically towards the building. Unable to contain his excitement, he giggled before sprinting towards the orphanage. Riley pushed himself despite the dull ache reverberating in his body, enjoying the smooth sand beneath his bare feet.
As he ran, the child felt as if the morning breeze itself propelled him forward, urging his legs to move faster with each step.
Riley entered the village in a blur, his hair flowing behind him like the tail of a black horse. He passed the Inn, the scent of fresh bread teased his senses and caused his stomach to rumble in want. The few villagers that were awake followed his gallop with scornful eyes.
Gasping for breath, he approached the imposing entrance of the orphanage, its sturdy stone walls enclosing a world unknown to him. His mind buzzed with anticipation, each breath filling his young lungs with energy. The questions he wanted to ask swirled within his mind, eager to be voiced.
Yet as soon as he reached for it, a young voice called out to him.
"Well, well, well. Would you look at this," a boy exited the orphanage, accompanied by two others. "If it isn’t my lovely Rival. Whatcha doing here? Back for more?"
This guy again... Riley inhaled deeply before turning towards him.
The boy, Stephan, was no taller than Riley himself. With short brown hair and amber eyes, he crossed his hands and lifted his head to look down at him with a toothy smile. Numerous bandages were on his body, from his hands to his face, hiding bruises and nearly healed scars. He wore a clean white shirt and black pants, alongside a wolf hide jacket.
Whenever Riley met him he always got attacked by Stephan, whether it was near the lake, or when he was scavenging. But Riley was no pushover. Unlike Opilec, the raven-haired sometimes replied with aggression, resulting in them both being wounded. However, when Stephan brings with him the other two, Riley always flees until they either catch him like yesterday, or he escapes.
"What do you want?" said Riley through his teeth, his eyes a dangerous red. Stephan smile grew wider when he saw the red-eyed boy’s clenched fists, before eyeing his clothes.
"You look nice," he complimented, shocking Riley momentarily. "But I think dirt suits you better."
"You--" Riley was about to respond before one of the other boys interrupted him.
"Yeah! Trash suits you better, cockroach!" said Nende, glaring at Riley with hatred. He was one of the boys who beat Riley, albeit no traces of bruises or bandages could be found. He was slightly smaller than Riley, with bob-cut green hair and brown eyes.
"Uh... What’s a cockroach?" said the other boy, Neiren. He had golden hair and blue eyes, and was taller than the other two.
"I heard my parents call him that, so it should be a bad thing."
"Wasn’t it a--"
"Stop talking you two," Interjected Stephan. He looked at them coldly before addressing Riley with a smile. "As much as I want to beat you into the ground, I’ll fight you after us both go through the PAR. Later, moron."
Stephan moved right next to Riley before tapping him on the shoulder, ignoring the growl that came out of Riley. As much as the raven-haired boy wanted to retaliate, he could feel the predatory gaze of the other villagers, waiting for him to react. Nende shoved him into the ground and ran to follow the brown-haired boy, joined by Neiren.
Riley stayed on the ground for a few minutes, calming himself down.
At least they didn’t beat me up. Riley only stood up when his eyes cooled down into cyan. He dusted himself before finally approaching the sturdy wooden door of the orphanage. Riley knocked three times on it, the sound echoing through the quiet morning air. In response, an aged voice floated from within.
"Who's there?" asked the voice of an old lady, intrigued.
"Um... Do you know anyone named "Maria"? I need to ask her something," Riley's voice floated through the air, reaching the ears of the lady behind the door. With a twist of a key, the door squeaked open.
"Silly child, that's not how you play this game," chuckled the amber-eyed lady, her wrinkles told tales of a life long-lived. Short gray hair framed her face, adding to her aura of wisdom and experience. She wore a brown and black robe, her attire simple yet dignified.
"Auntie, do you know anyone named 'Maria'?" Riley repeated, a hint of uncertainty in his voice as if he sensed something crucial was missing.
"Don't you know it's rude to ask for something without introducing yourself?"
"Oh. Sorry. I'm Riley, and I want to ask Maria some questions. Do you know where they are?"
"Before that, why don’t you come inside first? I'm sure you don't want to stay out here," she offered kindly, gesturing towards the open doorway with a welcoming smile.
Riley was about to accept her invitation until his instincts suddenly flared, warning him that something was amiss. Memories of hardships swam in his mind before his eyes widened. Their earlier color was nowhere to be seen, overtaken by a chaotic dance of colorful shades.
"Wait. You don't... hate me?" blurted out Riley, voice tinged with bewilderment.
“Why would I hate an adorable small child?” she retorted gently.
Riley, taken aback by her unexpected kindness, pointed to his hair and colorful eyes. "Because of my cursed hair? Or my weird eyes?" The palette of hues in his iris condensed into a light yellow, reflecting his shock.
"Ah. So you must be the so-called cursed child," she remarked casually as if only noticing such glaring details. "And? Am I supposed to despise you just because of your hair or eyes? That sounds very stupid, doesn’t it?" Her tone was matter-of-fact, carrying a wisdom that belied her years.
"Oh, my. I nearly forgot to introduce myself. I’m Maria."
Riley was struck speechless by her words. Throughout his entire life, he had endured nothing but harsh treatment from those around him due to his hair and eyes.
Is this why they didn’t let me go here? So I don’t get to meet her? Assumed Riley, his eyes momentarily flashed a fiery red hue before orange slowly engulfed his irises.
The old lady's gaze lingered on the shifting colors, observing them with a mysterious gaze.
"You have beautiful eyes, my dear," the old lady remarked, freezing the young boy in place. Riley's eyes swirled before settling on pinkish-red hues.
"R-really?"
"Yes, truly charming," she confirmed with a warm smile.
He hid his face in his raven-black hair and rushed through the door, overwhelmed by the unexpected compliments. But he couldn’t hide the reddish ears.
Beautiful eyes. Riley repeated the words like a mantra. He never thought a day would come when someone else saw his eyes the same way he did. When someone else would say something nice to him.
"I hope you have a nice stay, Riley," expressed the older lady before closing the gate behind them. The raven-haired boy absorbed the surroundings, mesmerized by the small park inside the orphanage.
This is the best day of my life, Thought the young child, his eyes shining in brilliant gold and orange. A blush spread across his pale cheeks as he absorbed the numerous new sights.
"Stay here. I'll bring some snacks for you," Maria said with a warm smile before disappearing into the building, leaving Riley exploring the empty park. It didn't take long before Maria returned with a plate of cookies and a glass of milk. Riley, engrossed in his new surroundings, was fascinated by what she carried.
"This is good!" exclaimed the young boy, a layer of milk lingering on his upper lip. She chuckled at the sight before gently wiping his mouth and handing him a cookie. To the onlooker, she looked like a kind grandmother caring for her beloved grandchild.
Riley savored each bite, carefully storing some treats for later, much to Maria's amusement. Immersed in the comforting atmosphere, he felt a nagging sense slowly creeping into his consciousness.
I'm forgetting something, He mused before abruptly standing.
"Wait. You're Maria right? Do you know what a path is?" he asked passionately, catching Maria off guard.
"Huhu. I thought you'd never ask," Maria shared after she collected herself, her gaze drifting to the blue sky.
"Listen well," she continued, and Riley's ears perked up. His eyes morphed into sparkling red hues. The amber-eyed lady stared at them for a moment before talking.
"A path is a unique method of growth we humans have. They allow us to strengthen our power rating and gain unique and potent powers," she explained, noticing the child's focused gaze. "A power simply corresponds to what abilities we can use," she pointed at a chair in the distance, and it began to float with a pink aura.
"Wow!"
"While power rating is an average determined based on our Physical and Mental attributes. The higher they are, the better," explained Maria, gesturing towards the chair. With a simple clasp of her hand, the chair crumbled into pieces. Riley flinched for a moment before opening his mouth in shock. The wooden chair was broken to pieces. "The rating is separated into five categories: D, C, B, A, and S ranks, each divided into three levels: Low, Mid, and High."
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Glancing at the young child, Maria noticed his slightly confused expression, his eyes a rainbow of colors. "As an example, I'm a high rank D rank. The Village Chief, however, is a Low-level C rank. So, in simple terms, the chief is stronger than me."
"Oh," Riley giggled as Maria ruffled his hair. Encouraged, she continued her explanation.
"The most well-known Paths are War, Conquest, and Pestilence," she continued. "War is usually the strongest, wielding terrifying elemental spells and martial arts. But they have one crucial weakness. Either they are motivated by self-interest or are extremely irritated at anything. Do you happen to know anyone like that?"
Riley hesitated before responding, "My parents?" She nodded.
"Yes, those two belong to the War Path. So make sure you never get on their bad side. If they do, come to me. I’ll help you out."
Riley stared at her momentarily. For the first time, another person showed concern for his well-being. He never knew what kindness felt like, especially when everyone he met either looked down on him or beat him up. But now that he does, now that he knew its warmth, he refused to go back to his miserable life. He wanted to be hugged and told it was okay to cry, that he did nothing wrong. That he wasn’t some cursed creature that would never be happy.
The young boy sobbed, whispering tearful thank-yous as he hugged her, clutching her robe like a parasite finding its host. He didn’t want to lose the only person that liked him in his life, even if his instincts flared. She froze before returning the hug. A mysterious gaze showed itself in her eyes for a moment before disappearing. Maria wiped his tears before resuming her explanation.
"As for the Conquest Path, they are capable of mind-bending powers, with mental and psychic spells."
"Like you!" Riley interjected excitedly as he pulled away from the hug, more confident in his answer. Maria chuckled at his enthusiasm before confirming, "Yes, Riley. Like me. But be careful, as some can be greedy and prideful."
"And finally, we have Pestilence," she said, a touch of desire flashing in her eyes as she focused on the boy. "They are masters of poison and medicine. With their powerful runes, a Pestilence Path’s favor guarantees success." she finished her explanation, only to realize her earlier slip. Observing the child, she noticed he was far more focused on the paths than her words. Phew.
"So which one do I have?" asked Riley, curiosity lighting his eyes a light indigo.
"You'll have to go through the PAR, which will tell you just that," Maria explained as she patted his head. The raven-haired boy stilled in place at the unfamiliar gesture before closing his eyes and relaxing into it. The old lady remained silent for a moment, contemplating her next move.
The old lady kept petting until Riley started humming before she used one of Conquest’s powers, [Suggestion].
"So when you get your Path and Powers, make sure to come back to Auntie. Okay?" Maria's voice was soft, but there was an undeniable authority in her tone. Mysterious silver light flowed from her palms and enveloped the young boy. He opened his eyes, and for a brief moment, a pale shade of grey tainted the colorful hues of warm green.
"...Sure..." Riley's response was devoid of his usual energy, his voice flat and distant. As quickly as it had appeared, the silver light vanished, leaving Riley blinking as he tried to comprehend what had just occurred.
"What happened?" His eyes were a swirling rainbow of colors, confusion etched across his youthful face.
"We just agreed that you’ll come visit me later. Don’t keep an old lady like me waiting!" Maria' withdrew her hands from Riley as an expectant gleam flickered in her eyes.
"Okay, Auntie!" Riley's reply was filled with genuine enthusiasm, though a fleeting hint of silver momentarily tinged his eyes. His instincts whispered cryptic warnings to him, but Riley dismissed them as mere paranoia. Maybe it’s because no one was kind to me.
She smiled kindly at him before spending time sharing stories of mighty adventurers and brave heroes, and with a flash, noon approached. Riley waved goodbye with a small bag of cookies to Maria, leaving the orphanage towards the Village Chief's house, where his destiny awaited him.
As she watched his small form rush through the village, Maria's warm gaze and smile melted like ice, replaced by a greedy look in her eyes.
It's done, thought Maria, her mind already moving on to the next steps. She controlled two birds with her powers and sent it off with a message, while she sent another to follow Riley.
After this, all that’s left is to wait, considered Maria before closing the door, her expression unreadable.
image [https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/917254316912410654/1226298805205598238/biohazard_green_.png?ex=662442c2&is=6611cdc2&hm=09763213bf8efa904e1d51661c36499873be2c1f490a6fa471eb498aaf942fdf&]
Riley hurried towards the Chief’s house, the biggest in Wilwich. Along the way, he could hear the excited chatter of other children as they celebrated their Paths and compared their newly acquired powers. Their parents stood nearby, engaged in conversation and occasional laughter. However, amidst the joyful noise, Riley also noticed families weeping with their children, distressed as if they had received devastating news.
Maybe if I get good powers, I can leave this place, thought Riley, his hopes riding high on the outcome of the ritual. When he pondered the possibilities, the hues in his iris shifted into bright shades of gold, sparkling with his imagination.
It didn’t take long for Riley to reach the house, given how close it was to the orphanage. However, a chill ran down his spine as he spotted his father leaning on the wall, standing with arms crossed and a bottle in hand. Riley's heart sank as his muscles tensed with apprehension.
In his nervous state, Riley stumbled and fell face-first to the ground. The vibrant hues of gold in his eyes began to dim, gradually replaced by shades of deep blue. Ow...
Opilec, observing Riley's fall, growled at his son's disheveled appearance. It was an important day, and Riley's dirty clothes showed disrespect. As Riley picked himself up and dusted off his clothes, he could feel the weight of his father's gaze.
"I thought I told you to be clean," he said as his gaze pierced the child’s excitement. Opilec was about to reprimand him before he dropped the subject.
"Whatever. An animal like you can’t be clean no matter what," In the deep blue of Riley’s eyes, red lights flowed around, clearly insulted by the man’s remark. Yet responding would only earn him a harsh beating.
"Maria should have explained everything to you by now." Opilec looked at the small bag in the boy’s hand before snickering.
"Erling’s inside. Don’t disappoint me," Opilec grumbled. "If you do, you and I are gonna have a chat," He fell into a stony silence afterward, uninterested in Riley's response.
Riley’s palms were sweaty. He felt like his arms were made of metal. But he steeled himself before timidly knocking on the door. A male voice responded from within.
"Enter," the voice commanded, its tone frigid. Riley obeyed, pushing open the door.
Stepping inside, Riley widened his blueish eyes at the array of hides and the elegant furniture filling the space. The room he entered featured a grand wooden table surrounded by a few chairs. Doors led off to either side of the expansive home, hinting at the various rooms and areas of the house.
I want a house like this. His mind mapped the house with eyes flowing with shades of deep purple. Tearing his eyes from the various taxidermy, he refocused right ahead.
Seated across the table was a man with penetrating brown eyes, wearing deep green clothes made from a blend of hide and cloth. His brown locks flowed behind his shoulders while the fabric draped over his form, obscuring well-toned muscles. His face bore a cold intensity, softened only slightly by a neutral smile.
A transparent glass ball was on the table, cradled by purple cloth. Its surface glowed with an otherworldly light, casting an eerie yet mesmerizing aura in the room.
I think that’s Erling. A curious light green danced within Riley’s eyes. He was far too accustomed to cold glares to be fazed by the man.
As Erling's gaze landed on Riley, he spoke in a commanding tone.
"You’re late," spoke Erling. "Close the door and sit in front of the ball."
As Riley complied, putting his snack bag on top of the table, he fixated his gaze on the clear ball before pointing at it.
"What does that do?" The question slipped from his lips almost involuntarily. His recent experiences with Maria encouraged him to ask questions freely, even when his instincts warned otherwise. As shades of deep blue crept into Riley's eyes, Erling's eyebrows arched slightly in surprise.
"Maria didn’t tell you?" Erling's voice carried a hint of exasperation as he observed the young boy shake his head. Weird. How could she forget such a thing? With a resigned sigh, he prepared to enlighten Riley.
"This is the Identification Orb, a rare and mystical ball capable of detecting what Path and Power you have. We call this ritual the PAR, or Path Assessment Ritual because the Orb ball determines what Path you have," explained the old man with practiced ease. "We also call it the Path Awareness Ritual, as it always results in the person gaining powers once they know their Path."
The young boy's eyes flared in bright indigo, momentarily blotting out the other colors as his curiosity skyrocketed, eager to hear more. Erling observed the change in the boy's eyes, and the amazement reflected in them sent subtle ripples across his usually cold demeanor.
Is this truly the harbinger of disasters? He looks no older than my granddaughter. The man's gaze gradually softened. The memory of Riley's arrival, wrapped in white cloth alongside Opilec and Laidenvy, was still vivid in his mind. He was the first to witness the boy's wondrous eyes and their shifting colors.
The injuries the two bore at the time told their own story, and Maria had played a crucial role in their healing.
With the promise that the two help protect the village, Erling provided them with a remote house near the lake. Despite his desire to pay a visit and check on Riley and his parents, Erling was held down by the frequent waves of monster attacks plaguing the village, alongside the surplus of materials, leather, and meat to manage.
Between his family and his duties, there was little room for Erling to visit them. He had already failed some of the young children, and now Riley, considered cursed, seemed to fall into the same category.
Time sure flies. The weight of age pressed on his mind as his eyes warmed when they looked at the boy. Riley was reminded of Maria when he looked at him, and he nearly jumped in place.
This is the bestest day of my life!! The young boy kicked his feet, giddy from meeting two adults who didn’t hate him. Erling chuckled at Riley’s animated demeanor, captivated by the boy’s infectious energy.
"What’s wrong, little friend?" Erling's tone softened as he spoke.
"Nothing!" replied the child, though his bright gold and orange eyes belied his words.
At least he’s having fun. The man’s eyes slightly widened, remembering he had yet to continue.
Erling coughed before he resumed his explanation to Riley. "To discover your Path, simply touch the Orb and wait until it shines. Its brightness tells you how talented you are, so the brighter it is, the better. When you know your Path, you’ll innately know what your Powers are," His brown eyes alternated between Riley and the orb as if telling him to approach it.
Riley squinted at the object, knowing it held the key to his future. Approaching it, he placed both hands on the object, his breath held in anticipation. Both Erling and Riley waited in silence, but nothing seemed to happen. Riley's eyes swirled with chaotic colors as he glanced up at Erling.
"Why is nothing happening?" asked Riley. Erling stayed silent for a few moments before easing his confusion.
"Don’t worry. It’s just that you have to close your eyes first. I forgot to tell you that," Erling admitted with a sheepish smile. Riley glared at him, his iris blinking red once before he closed his eyes and refocused on the ball.
As if just awoken, the ball slowly began to shine. Erling focused on the light emanating from the Orb, only for a neon green light to shine brightly. It blinded him, the light flickering between a brilliant green and a dark color devouring its surroundings.
His mouth gaped open at the sight. Just as he was about to tell Riley to open his eyes, the lights vanished like an illusion, dimming into a static grey glow.
What the hell was that? Erling's mind raced. Though he recognized the grey light, he had never witnessed such colors emanating from the ball in all his years.
"Well? Is it there yet?" Riley asked, his eyes still closed.
Is it related to his so-called curse? Wondered the man, deaf to Riley’s questioning.
"Can I see now?" questioned the young child louder. He hoped for the kind man to respond.
"Hmm? Oh. Oh yes, you can," said the old man, startled by Riley’s presence. When the boy opened his eyes and saw the grey color of the Orb, his eyes sparkled in purple hues as he stared in wonder.
I should ask Adarvan. Erling had an inkling of what those lights implied but wanted a second opinion. He pitied the hopeful child, knowing the meaning of the grey glow.
"There is something I need to do. Stay here, and don’t touch anything," Erling instructed, rising from his seat. "I'll tell you your Path when I come back." Without waiting for Riley's response, Erling departed through the right door.
"...Okay?" replied Riley, perplexed. He didn’t know what the light meant, but it must have been urgent for the chief to leave the ritual.
The raven-haired boy watched Erling depart with unease. His instincts whispered that something was amiss with the Path Assessment Ritual. Yet, with no reason to believe that, he could only assume it was some obscure Path.
I wonder what grey means. Humming to himself, Riley ate one of his cookies. He had no prior of what colors relate to a Path. Riley contemplated his recent knowledge, remembering the second meaning of PAR.
Since I have my Path already, let’s see what I can do.
Focusing his gaze on the empty chair where Erling sat, Riley attempted to move it with his mind, mimicking Maria. But the chair remained as still as a statue, leaving him disheartened.
Maybe it isn't Conquest. Riley shifted his focus to other potential Paths. He recalled his mother's magical abilities and attempted to summon a small gust of wind in his hand. His efforts yielded only failure, further adding to his frustration.
Seething, Riley pondered his options. If I can’t use War or Conquest, what’s my Path then? His conversation with Maria sparked a memory of the Path of Pestilence. I don’t know what it can do, though...
Riley jumped out of his seat after some time, bored from waiting. As he remembered everything that happened that day, he couldn’t wait to return home and write in his book.
Today’s the best birthday ever! I learned lots of stuff, and I found two good adults! However, the sight of crying families kept flaring through his mind.
Why do I keep thinking of them? Wondered Riley. His eyes scanned the trophies in the room. Anyways, he sure is taking his time. I wonder if those skulls would fit my head?
Meanwhile, Erling entered the adjacent room and found Adarvan sharpening the hunting equipment stored. Despite the urgency of their conversation, Adarvan seemed more preoccupied with his task.
"Adarvan, we need to talk," Erling's tone commanded the hunter leader's attention.
"What," came Adarvan's curt response, his focus still on his weapon. "I’m busy preparing for the next wave."
"It’s about the kid with the rainbow eyes," Erling persisted, hoping to draw the man's interest.
Finally intrigued, Adarvan rested a spear against the wall and turned towards Erling. "What about him? Last time I checked, the moment the kid came here, monsters kept flooding the village. Many good men died because of that brat’s curse. Though, thankfully, it only works on those of the same rank, or else all of us would have died."
Erling winced at Adarvan’s blunt assessment, the weight of the village's losses heavy on his conscience. He bit his lips in frustration, momentarily silenced by the memory of the grieving families. As he stood in silence, the hunter-chief continued, insensitive to the uneasiness within Erling.
"No wonder he’s a bad omen. If they weren’t cowards, they would have torn him apart," scoffed the man with short green hair and penetrating amber eyes. "Though thanks to him, the game came to our doors. Made us swim in meat for ten years."
"But he's a child," refuted Erling, seeking solace in Adarvan's harsh assessment.
"And? You are quite relaxed wearing that leather stuff, aren’t you?" noted Adarvan, his gaze sharp as he observed the brown-haired's reaction.
"This and that are—"
"The same thing," interrupted the green-haired man, his voice firm and unwavering. "You didn’t see the kid throughout his life, and now you suddenly care?" Suspicion marred Adarvan's amber eyes as he scrutinized Erling.
"I was busy!" Erling's voice rose, betraying his shaken resolve. "If I didn’t have to deal with so many things, I would have cared!"
The hunter-chief narrowed his eyes at the shaken Erling.
"Bullshit. Are you suddenly feeling guilty after all this time?" Adarvan stated coldly, his gaze stabbing Erling with its intensity. "I’ve known you for decades. Your so-called 'busy' is bringing girls to bang when your Sophia is away and buying trash. You only care about yourself and the village. But now that you saw this brat, you’re trying to be the good guy? Don’t kid yourself," His words were as ruthless as a predator, striking Erling like a lightning bolt. Adarvan wanted to say more but halted in his tracks.
"Wait, what about the boy? You were saying something when you came in," Adarvan interrupted his berating. His senses told him that Erling would say something important.
As Erling recounted Riley's neon and black lights, Adarvan's eyes widened with realization. "Pestilence," he muttered.
"Hah. Hahahahahaha! I knew it! I knew you had a reason for the shit you said earlier!" Adarvan erupted into laughter, slapping his stomach with the intensity of his amusement.
Erling didn't share the sentiment as a somber grimace painted his face.
Adarvan's laughter abruptly ceased as his expression turned serious. "Pestilence," he repeated, his voice low. "That explains a lot." His mind finally connected the dots. So that's why monsters kept rushing here. Even the villagers' behavior makes sense now. Adarvan ridiculed himself and how it took until now to figure out such a fact.
The voice of the village's chief awakened him from his brooding.
"If the nobles find out about him, we’re done for," shared Erling. He saw Adarvan was about to speak and interrupted him. "And we can’t kill him since a pestilence's death could curse us too." And our profits would decrease immensely. I'm sorry, little Riley. But for the sake of everyone, you have to remain here. Even if I have to force you.
"Tsk," grumbled the hunter. "How about we just don't tell him?" shared the green-haired man.
Erling stilled, the visage of the hopeful Riley passed his eyes as a plan began to formulate.
"Without knowing what a Pestilence can do, the kid might as well be a Defect," Erling closed his eyes as he heard the word. The bright and warm image of Riley rapidly cracked, his mind filled with an icy cold that froze his heart.
"The Orb also showed a grey light." shared Erling with an eerily cold tone.
Seeing this, Adarvan smirked. [Cold Mind], huh? That kid is not gonna have a fun time.
"Well, that changes a lot," said the hunter leader. "You sure you didn't just mistake it for something else?" asked Adarvan. When Erling stared dryly at him, he lifted his hands in surrender.
"Alright, alright. Whether what you saw was true or not, tell him to try it again." Seeing Erling raise an eyebrow, he explained.
"If he is truly a Pestilence, then you gotta figure out something to get rid of him when the nobles come around. But if it was still just grey, then it's obvious."
"In both cases, If he is one, he’ll go on the mining expedition two days later at dawn to dodge the nobles. If he isn’t, he’ll still go there as bait for monsters. As long as no one shows him anything related to Pestilence, we won’t need to worry about him. And we can use his Defect status to send him with the other teams, increasing their yields..." rambled Erling.
"Well, now that you know what to do, piss off. I gotta prepare for the expedition."
"Who's leading it?" inquired Erling, his tone even.
"My son, Butch. I'll tell him to take good care of our golden goose." With these words, Adarvan went back to polishing the tools.
As for the brown-eyed man, he walked with calm steps back towards the PAR room. As he opened the door, he found Riley putting a deer skull on his head as a mask, imitating animal growling. Shame and guilt tried to stab his heart, but he had frozen it until nothing could be felt.
With eyes rivaling Opilec, he beckoned to the child.
"Put that down," he said with a chilling tone. Riley raised one eyebrow in confusion until his instinct, his savior, reminded him of his father. He froze, his eyes hues of deep blue turned wide like a deer and slowly put the skull back.
"Touch the Orb again," he ordered. When Riley did the same action, the only response he got was the static grey light.
I guess it was just a fluke? Better to be sure, then. The nobles would kill us all if he’s truly a pestilence.
"So ? Do you know what it is?" His question slipped out, ignoring his instincts. I need to know. Dots of gold swam in his eyes like stars in the sky.
"The grey light that’s emitted from the orb is reserved for a special group," said Erling, his voice devoid of emotion. Riley sensed a foreboding in his words.
"It means that you are a Defect."
Riley didn’t understand the word. It was new to him, but his instincts screamed warnings, urging caution and pleading for understanding.
That doesn’t sound good. The boy's mind tried to understand the meaning from its tone and context.
His instinct, however, already assumed the worst. Aw, man. Can’t I have a good thing for one day?
The golden dots that danced in his eyes slowly disappeared, one by one. Riley refused to believe what was happening.
"…W-wha… what does that mean? What's their powers?" Riley asked, his voice trembling. The few golden stars in his eyes were joined by red ones, reflecting his desperate hope.
No, nonononono please! Anything! Give me something, please... The plea echoed silently within him, a cry for mercy in the face of overwhelming despair.
"Defects don’t have Paths. With no Paths, you don’t have powers. And it's not something you can change," Erling explained matter-of-factly.
As if ridiculing his wishes, each word spoken landed a heavy blow to Riley's already shaking will. With each sentence, his dreams and future, his only silver lining in this cruel world, were pulverized to dust.
His night-like eyes were slowly engulfed in a stormy grey cloud, blotting out the colors from his eyes. His instincts wailed at their unjust fate. It was as if the world itself hated him.
At that moment, Riley understood the anguish etched on the faces of those children and their families. He comprehended why they wept. But unlike them, Riley knew no tears would be shed for him.
The door behind the shaken boy opened roughly.
"The fuck is taking you so long?" said Opilec as he entered the house.
"What’s you--" he stopped mid-sentence when he saw the grey light. Riley could physically feel the burning glare behind him.
And for the first time in Riley’s life, his despair smothered the flicker of hope that burned in his heart.