Chapter 6

Janus finished packing what little he had to finally leave, not much it all fitted in his pockets or in a small sack thrown over his shoulder. The job is done, and the village paid him six hundred notes, now what was left is to go to the guild and claim the beast he killed for a greater reward. Janus also had to pay the tavern three hundred notes for damages but since the monster is a big pay day he didn’t mind. In fact, he was set for a good month or two with this. As Janus got ready, he was thinking about that symbol under the monster’s skin. He knew where he had seen it before. Just before he tightened his breastplate to leave, he holds up a black book. The black book that began his adventure and cursed magic that likely saved his life a year ago. It was hard with a Black leather cover with Janus’s blood staining around the edges of the paper. Janus let out a breath of air as he tucked the book in a secret pocket under his breastplate over his heart. It’s something he must investigate at a later date.

Exiting the house Janus figured he would leave quietly but he was somewhat pleased that Louis and his family were waiting to say goodbye. “Well, I’m off, I’ll try and say hello if I’m close by.” Janus says trying to hide his emotion. Staying had been nice and this little company was good for him. Especially this past year alone, also a soft bed was a bonus.

Louis’s father then approached, “You sure you don’t want to stay the weekend?” The father offered. Janus holds his hand up, “No need. I’ve got a journey to make and starting early is always better than later.” He then reached out his hand to shake and was surprised to feel a spark of energy strike my hand.

At first Janus instinctively believed it was an attack, his free hand almost struck back but he stopped himself to notice he handed something over. They looked at the object that was wrapped in cloth. Janus unwrapped it to find gold, he had already been paid and another lump of gold seemed a bit much. Then he looked at it much closer rotating it and saw silver. The item just fitted in his hand, it was a mix of gold and silver. One half was an octagon shape made of gold, it looked to have the signature dwarf craft with its blocky pattern. The other half was unmistakably elven with its circular shape made of silver, its appearance was very fluid. Something truly magical was in this item and Janus could feel it in his hand.

Louis’s father then explained, “When you mentioned the monster was likely from the Lich King at the tavern, so I remembered we had this.” Janus admired the item thinking that this may be too much. “It was made by my family four hundred years ago for a prince, but he died fighting before he could buy it.”

It must have cost a fortune, his ancestors must have made it alongside other races. This must explain his gold making device. Here in this village, they used human ingenuity, Dwarf craftsmanship and Elven magic. An odd mix you rarely find anywhere, eventually they left for home leaving only the humans. “I do not know what to say. Other than thank you.” Janus says pleased, for a moment he almost refused. He was ready to hand it back however he could see the object was a part of a weapon and an idea came to mind for later. They shook hands for real now and Louis’s mother approached. Janus turned to offer his hand to her and saw she held both arms out wide grinning, it looked like she was going to give a farewell hug.

Janus prepared himself but a hug was not her intention. As she closed the gap she then reached up and grabbed Janus by the head and lifted him off his shoulders. Janus panicked a little and almost drew his kukri knife but instead clewing at the air in surprise. Louis’s mother turned like a kid stealing a ball, she held Janus’s head at her chest level looking down into his green eyes. Janus was ultimately powerless as she leaned in and kissed him. A passionate kiss you would think reserved for her husband.

Janus felt numb as an intense couple seconds pass as she finally breaks away. Smiling, “Sorry I could not resist and thank you for saving my son.” She whispered her gratitude.

Blushing deeply, “D-Don’t mention it.” Janus stuttering with a red face as she turned back lifting his head and gently places it on the body and smoothly rubs her hand down his cheek.

Janus looked at her and he then remembered that the rest of the family was currently present. He blinked and looked at the rest of them. To Janus’s relief Louis’s father was grinning conspiringly, likely the wife told him her intentions earlier and the idea was so ludicrous how could he say no?

Louis himself shied away with embarrassment as his mother smiled down on him and give a friendly head pat. Louis and Janus looked at each other for a moment as Janus also grinning says, “Come on. Just you and me walk to the end of town.” Louis’s head poked up and thought about it, he then nodded. Something seemed right about escorting Janus out as it was Louis who escorted Janus in after all. Janus waved goodbye to the parents as they were just out of sight. Louis was silent as they walked together, likely still shaken up by what happened two nights ago. On another note, Louis seemed to have recovered well from his awakening. It usually takes a week or two to have both lives in order and become a fully realised Second Born.

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Janus is often not much a talker, but he invited Louis and the silence was bugging him. He wanted to talk about that night or explain his Dullahan condition to reassure him that he wasn’t a monster. Just as he was about to speak Louis spoke up first, “Are you well Janus?”

Janus blinked, “Well, yes? Of course I’m well. why?” Janus wondered if this was the moment Louis was going to ask about his Dullahan state or not.

Louis scratches his head, “it’s just you we’re odd last night. When the party ended you were shouting or singing something odd. Something about chandeliers?”

Janus missed a step walking and suddenly he remembered. He was finishing a drink, how many he had that night he will never know but as he downed one final beer he called out. “Throw 'em back 'til I lose count. I'm gonna swing from the chandelier!” He waved his arms in the air on the second floor overlooking the bar, getting the attention and a motion to cheer louder. “I'm gonna live like tomorrow doesn't exist! From the chandelier!” With one foot on a chair and the other on a guard rail he then leaped out to thee Chandelier he was calling out about.

The crowd sang and shouted for him and cheering his name as Janus hands caught the chandelier swinging forward, his head rolled forward on top. His body swung forward but not back as a loud crack of wood brought the ceiling decoration down with a cloud of dust. His body flopped back losing his grip and fell, his legs shot up as the body struck the ground neck first then faded to dark. If it had been anyone else, they would be dead. How many times does that make it now?

“Holy shit…” Janus snapped back to the present looking out down the road. Wondering what else happened and wishing not to know. Avoiding the memory, he asked Louis an important question “Have you giving much thought on what you plan to do with this life?”

Louis frowned at his question to be deflected and just shrugged, “I may continue the honey business. Father once suggested a magic academy in the Imperial capital.”

Janus frowned back thinking on that answer, “I suppose it’s a good start.” Janus felt like giving more advice was right, when he was young it was the same for him too. Hopefully it will turn out better for him, “Whatever you decide, be sure to have a plan. So many Second Borns die believing they have come to accomplish some destiny. Only charge into a forest for dragons then to die of exposure.” The truth that this world does not play favourites. Fortunately, this is a time of peace for the world and its people.

On another important question. “Have you decided to tell your parents what you are?” Telling some people that you are from another world is often difficult. Sometimes dangerous, depending on what race or land you are from.

Louis blinked thinking on it, “I haven’t really given much thought on it?” Louis was unsure if he should or not. Thinking on it, what could be the harm? “These past few days I think they are beginning to suspect, is it ok to just tell them?”

it didn’t go well for me when I told my parents, Janus almost said but just pats Louis on the shoulder. “that’s up to you. They may never notice if you hide it well. It may turn out ok. because it’s evident they love you very much.” Janus brushed his fingers over his lips smiling at the last sentence.

Remembering his mother’s kiss before Louis blushed and smacked the back of Janus’s arm as the two of them begin to laugh a little. Louis continued speaking, “Really this past week has been interesting. I have two mothers and I think of them both fondly.” Louis expression turns a little sad, “However I miss my first mother back in France. Will I ever see her again?”

Janus stopped to face him, “It is unlikely, people reborn in this world are scattered though time, from all time. She could be reborn today, a thousand years ago or a hundred years from now.” Louis saddened by that information, while Janus couldn’t think of anything more to say only because he was really trying to avoid saying or not at all to the end of the sentence.

Second Borns are a mystery even in this world. Some say no one ever dies and that there are an infinite number of universes for people to be born, die over and over. However, people only ever come to this world through Earth. What happens after this world who can tell until they reach their end.

Janus then gave advice, “If you decide to study magic then be careful of the college in the capital. They don’t mind us but the empire is suspicious of Second Borns, however they do eventually leave them or us be after an interview or two.” Janus was thinking on a decent option for Louis. “The town of Segundo. I’m going there now to claim this bounty. Segundo is the best city in neutral territory, plenty of options to study. Lots of work and the most diverse city in the northwest.” It is also very rich from the Adventures Guild being so close to the frontier and heavily influenced by Second Borns and their descendants.

Louis was searching through this world’s experiences on an opinion of the place. Possibly he saw no fault with the idea, none that he could care to mention. “Is there a point?” Louis asked. The question off footed Janus, does he mean is there a point? “I mean is there a point to continue living? Everything you and I was taught was all false.” He waved his arms indicating the world, “Heven, hell or whatever, what meaning does life have?”

Janus stopped to take a breath and leaned back on a fence, that was a question Janus had been asking himself this past year really. Janus stroked the top of Louis head in a pleasant manner. “Live for today, Louis. A second chance like this was believed never to come in one lifetime. For me and you that is, who are already dead in our past life should not waste it.”

Louis brushed Janus hand away, “You more than most it would seem.” He then gestured to his neck, “How did this happen to you?”

Janus felt a sudden chill, a loss for words the only thing he could utter was. “I wasted my second chance buddy...” Janus said with feeling, he then put his hand over his chest where the black book was hidden.

He was sure the boy Louis will do well, perhaps he will accomplish something wonderful in this world. And now Janus continued with his walk, this time alone as Louis watched him walk off waving goodbye.

A brief spark of emotion struck Janus, he thought it was like an old western movie. He felt sorry to leave but prideful that he was successful in his mission. Like the movies all that was left was to ride out into the sunset like he was doing now. He slew a monster, he even got the kiss from the girl like a hero should.

Janus nevertheless crushed those feelings and throw them away, he reminded himself what he just told Louis before. This world does not play favourites and there are no heroes, Isekai protagonists don’t get to play on easy mode and people that think like this quickly die.