Chapter 2 - What is that!?[2]
Swish.
"Letho, don’t let the tap run idly, turn it off and hurry up."
Letho was still examining his body for any injuries, wincing slightly at the bruise on his shoulder. The dull ache sent a ripple of discomfort through him as he leaned in closer to inspect it. His fingers brushed lightly against his skin, but he couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief—there didn’t seem to be anything too serious. The bruising, while noticeable, was manageable.
'This doesn’t look so bad. I should be alright for now.' he reassured himself mentally, feeling a faint sense of comfort at the fact that it wasn’t worse. The familiar urge to push through the pain kicked in, though. After all, a little bruise wasn’t going to slow him down.
Despite his body’s protesting aches, Letho wasn’t fond of the idea of taking time off. Being bedridden [especially when there was so much to do] was more than a simple inconvenience to him. It wasn’t that he didn't prefer the comfort of resting; it was the gnawing thought of how much he would fall behind if he took a break. It also meant enduring the incessant nagging from his mother to 'take care of himself' which Letho wasn't fond of.
'Besides, what doesn’t kill me just makes me stronger. AGHHHH!! Though this still hurts,' he thought, attempting to rally himself. But it didn’t quite have the effect. The pain still lingered, and his self-encouragement didn’t seem as convincing today. He turned off the tap, the rhythmic sound of water stopped.
Walking down the hallway, the same one he had been lying in just minutes ago, Letho’s mind wandered to the work he had to finish.
"I need to finish my linear algebra assignment, work on the report Mr. Sammer had requested, and, if there was any time left, I will study for the exams."
He had a heavy schedule ahead of him, and every minute of his day was precious. Even though he didn’t have much time to himself, he liked to play digital games. Letho had become accustomed to this constant feeling of urgency.
'I’ll finish up my assignments right now. If I have time, I’ll work on the report that Mr. Sammer asked me to finish before I sleep.' he planned, already thinking ahead, checking the clock as he entered the dining room.
The dining room was as ordinary as could be. It was minimalistic in design, decorated with a few strategically placed items that added a breath to it but did little to make it feel extravagant. The main feature was the large dining table, made of the similar strange material as the one that decorated his room, though this one was far larger—capable of seating twelve guests, complete with six pairs of chairs. For Letho, it was just another reminder of the family’s practical comfort, not opulence. There was a decent-sized television mounted on the wall, but it didn’t seem to draw much attention to itself as it was just an unusually thick glass panel, barely noticeable unless someone paid close attention.
But what was worth paying attention to was the fish tank near the corner of the room. The brightly colored corals surrounding it created a stark contrast to the neutral tones of the rest of the room. In the center of the tank swam Sernato, the pet fish, whose was 'graceful'. It was mostly lonely, but it enjoyed a sense of companionship in the way it moved through the water, as if it too enjoyed the presence of the family, even if it only swam silently by the dining table as they ate.
Letho’s family wasn’t particularly wealthy, but they lived comfortably. His parents had worked hard to ensure that they had a decent standard of living, and while they didn’t flaunt their success, they were content. It was a fulfilling home but it wasn’t a lavish one. The kind of place where the focus was more on the people who lived there than on the possessions they owned.
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Taking a seat at the table, Letho began to think about his plans for the day ahead, his thoughts quickly returning to the ever-growing list of responsibilities.
His mind was already moving ahead, formulating the best way to divide his time.
"I'll do whatever is left in the mor-"
But before he could get lost in his thoughts further, his mother’s voice interrupted his internal monologue.
"Letho, dear, you can plan your day after you’ve eaten. If you’re lost in thought, you might choke. Now clear your mind and let us pray before we eat."
'Wait, did I say that out loud? I don’t remember hitting my head earlier...' Letho blinked, momentarily disoriented. A slight flush of embarrassment followed his senses.
"Right, I should focus." Letho muttered under his breath as he turned his attention back to his father, who was already preparing for the prayer. The tone of the room shifted as everyone turned toward the center of their family ritual. Letho followed suit, bowing his head in respect.
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"Oh Lord Almighty,
The sole one crowned with the aurora.
Wielder of the third eye, that represents this world.
And the one who bears the sins of his subjects.
I ask thee for thy grace, bless thy children, bless the food that we eat...
.......
"
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The familiar words of the prayer rang in his ears as his father recited them, his voice deep and steady, though he lost track of prayer soon enough and drifted in his own thoughts.
Letho repeated the words without truly thinking about them, his mind still half-occupied with the tasks ahead. As the prayer ended, his father straightened up and, with a warm smile, gestured for them to dig into the meal.
"Alright, son, now let us feast on the delicious food that your mother has prepared for us."
Letho’s stomach growled in agreement, and he eagerly began eating.
His father was a well-groomed man, quite handsome by any conventional standards, and certainly above average. Although, his age had its affect on him which could be seen, as his hairline had receded, and there were hints of gray around his ears, though it only added to his maturity. He didn't fancy keeping a full beard but maintained a well-kept mustache, which gave him a stern appearance, an impression that was quickly dispelled once you spoke to him. Despite his slightly intimidating look, Letho’s father had an easygoing nature and willingness to help anyone who needed it.
Letho knew his father was a professional when it came to writing reports, and that gave him an idea. He hesitated for a moment before speaking up.
"Dad, I was wondering if you could review my report. It would be really helpful."
His father nodded, acknowledging the request. "Sure, remind me in the morning. I’ll review it then."
His father held the position of senior researcher at the facility of space and nuclear sciences, which often made him quite busy, on certain occasions he wasn't even at home.'
Letho hesitated again. His father always woke up early for work, leaving little room for his own requests.
'B-But Dad, you go to work at 6 a.m.'
Letho sighed quietly. He made a mental note to wake up earlier than usual, even if it meant forcing himself to sleep earlier. He was used to staying up late, but waking up at the crack of dawn never felt natural to him.
‘I guess I’ll sleep early tonight and wake up at 4 in the morning,’ he decided, feeling a sense of determination wash over him.
After finishing his meal, Letho returned to his room. He glanced at his desk, where books, notes, and papers were stacked neatly. His mind was already ticking through the assignments, and he quickly organized his things before heading to bed. He decided to have six hours to sleep, but he knew it wouldn’t be easy. His body had become accustomed to late nights and the busy pace of working and studying. Going against the stream of biological cycle, to get an early start seemed daunting, but he was determined.
"I’ll count; that should help me sleep." Letho muttered, trying to relax.
As he closed his eyes, he began the familiar mental counting exercise. "1, 2, 3, 4, 5..." He focused on each number, letting the simple act of counting slow his thoughts.
Several Minutes passed, and Letho’s mind was still racing. "1109, 1110, 111-"
After what felt like an eternity, Letho finally drifted into the hands of slumber.
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"Rosvellte, wake up!!! Goats are escaping!!! ROSVELLTE!"