For what seemed like an eternity, I had no sense of time, no sense of self. I could only feel an ungodly amount of power and incomprehensible thoughts pulsing within me. Then a breath of air washed over my senses, returning me to reality with a gentle breeze. My eyes flickered open, staring up at the ceiling, which confused me for a moment since the last thing I remember was falling to my knees in the darkness of that room.
However, this wasn’t just some ceiling. The familiar cracks in the stonework weren’t new to me, and the rough-shaped cushion I had found myself upon was something I was grateful for. I was somehow back in my humble abode, as a midday sun streamed through the broken windows bathing me in warmth.
A groan left my lips as I lifted myself from my sofa, feeling numb and exhausted. but still managed to sit up and look around as if to make sure I really was back in my home, and I was. Everything in this rundown place looked the same as I left it.
“… A dream…?” I muttered to myself in a daze, but my leather satchel and now weathered dagger I brought along with me sat on the end table. A dream was a bit too much to hope for. That Kairo guy was bad news anyway I looked at it. I huffed to myself.
After a moment, I leaned back into my sofa once again, trying to wrap my mind around everything before I noticed the Artifact I was sent to find was nowhere to be seen. Which caused my thoughts to grind to a halt before I stood to rummage through the satchel I had in the dungeon, and surprisingly nothing was in the bag besides the few rations I had brought along, even the strange Artifact and Map Kairo provided were missing as well.
I didn’t know what I would tell Kairo, how I lost it, or what even happened to begin with. he seemed to know a lot about me. It was clear he could become an angry employer who could turn this into something I was going to regret.
Not that I haven’t dealt with those types before, but still, it's a hassle.
In the end, a sigh left my lips, and I dropped back into the cushions of the sofa empty-handed. However, within the few moments of silence that followed, I heard footsteps tapping on my floors, causing me to wonder if a Carith street rat found shelter in my home, which was a common occurrence down in the lower district.
Regardless they usually run away when they see me, a descendant of a cursed clan, So there wasn’t any need to care about what they had to say or if they wanted anything. With little effort behind my movements, I stood once again to chase yet another visitor away, thinking nothing of it, clearly it wasn’t Kairo considering his movements were as silent as a shadow, and the air around him was very noticeable to me.
With a short step around the corner into the ‘kitchen.’ I stopped in my tracks at the sight of the person before me, it wasn’t some street rat, nor was it Kairo or anyone I knew for that matter. But the air around him felt different… welcoming like I could let my guard down around him.
Then the tall man in fine attire turned to face me, almost as if he sensed I was behind him. A smile grew on his fair-skinned face at the sight of me while his bright golden eyes and long brown hair glowed in the afternoon sun streaming through the broken windows of my home.
An all too familiar sensation ran through my entire being like I had met him before. These sensations, I have been feeling them a lot lately. Ever since Kairo showed up.
Of course, the look on my face was an expression of bewilderment, but on my peculiar face, it probably looked more like utter disappointment. “I’m getting sick - and tir…” my words faltered in my throat as he raised a questioning brow at my stutter, almost as if I had no right to protest or deny this man.
With a little more effort and annoyance behind my words I continued, "Who sent you? The people showing up out of nowhere are starting to get on my nerves." I remarked with a short exhale. The stranger only chuckled in response as he turned to grab a mug of tea he had set to brew from my counter while shaking his head.
"No one sent me, I came on my own free will." The stranger replied before walking to my sofa and taking a seat, then waiting for me to join him. The way he said it was almost like he had some authority over me, however, I still found myself sitting down beside him. "... Well, aren't you going to tell me who you are? Or why you’re here, for that matter?” I asked after an awkward moment of silence between us.
The stranger chuckled at my question and took a sip of the teacup before answering.
"I have a great many names, however, you may call me Indrath” he spoke again with a smile on his face, and the words Indrath caused the air around him to pulse, or was that just me? I wondered.
"Now, to answer your other question, I came because of you, but more specifically because I was quite familiar with the Xiao, and recently I felt a disturbance in the world. You are quite unique, after all." Indrath hummed in thought as he took another sip of his tea. As for me, I felt a little lost. The way he said it made me think he was some old man who thought he knew everything about everything. Regardless his reasons for being here weren’t exactly a good reason, but there was that sensation again.
“Well, thanks, I guess, for coming to tell me I was special. But I have bigger issues to worry about. So if that's all, can you just go now? I got things to do." I asked, annoyed, but at the same time, my left eye resonated at his entire being.
"You haven’t changed a bit…” Indrath chuckled quietly, barely audible, but I heard it. My curiosity grew as he continued with a clear of his throat and set the now empty cup aside.
"I can only imagine how strange this must be to you, but you also must understand there are some things that I cannot tell you. Regardless, that being said, you recently acquired something quite important to you. Firstly I’d like to ask how you came to possess it?” Indrath inquired. His golden eyes glinted with a familiar sense of curiosity as I tried to recall the last thing I remembered. Even if the Artifact felt like it had always belonged to me, I had no memory of acquiring it, and yet this man said I did.
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
“… uh, a job from some strange guy named Kairo hired me to reach the final dungeon floor where an artifact he needed was, I had the maps, details, and a strange object he gave me in that bag but they are gone,” I said almost forcefully, as I pointed towards my leather bag sitting atop my small coffee table.
“hmm, I seen them earlier this week, when I brought you here, I simply disposed of it all,” he said in an almost contemplative way, thinking about something else entirely, but I didn’t miss his comment, causing me to question him.
“A week has passed…” I remarked, almost in disbelief. which meant I could rest a little easier thinking Kairo would think I died retrieving the Artifact or something, even if that was probably too much to hope for.
"Yes, a week, which is understandable for what you went through. The sheer amount of power that had filled your body was taxing, if not for being a specific Xiao, you wouldn't have survived. As you more than likely speculated, that is a core that was sealed away long ago, when I said goodbye to a dear friend of mine. And to be honest, I didn’t think I'd see it again after all these years, but your existence in this realm more than likely awoke it." Indrath explained. His words were careful and calculated, not saying too much but also being sure to explain the situation as best as he could.
“You make it sound like I should know what this all means, but I have no clue what you are talking about. I know what a mana core is and all, but why does this mean anything to me? If anything it only means I don’t get paid. Hell, my contractor might even have it out for me, he asked me to retrieve it, and he didn’t seem like the type to accept failure, so it’s safe to say I might be in trouble here since I didn't actually get the Artifact from the dungeon." I complained as I leaned back into the cushion of my couch.
"Did you ever question the motives of your employer?” Indrath inquired, tilting his head to the side as he looked me over, clearly waiting for an answer from me, but all I could do was shake my head at the question. The job was practically forced on me even if the job was off to begin with. And yet this Indrath continued to speak, “I will admit your employer was quite sly in the way they worked, as I am sure you can tell, I’m guessing that your contractor set the entire job up to find you and awaken the power slumbering within you." Indrath paused for a moment to let his words sink in.
The words echoed in my mind, and they didn’t seem far-fetched. However, why would Kairo need to do all that, but once again, Indrath’s calming presence seemed to silence any other thought, “I believe this man named Kairo was aware of your true nature and had plans to use you for his own gain. That doesn’t mean I can know what those plans were or who this Kairo really was. But I can assure you, for the time being, he won’t be troubling you… which brings me to my next question,” Indrath said with a smile.
"…What’s that?” I remarked in annoyance since he clearly got his point across, and it was starting to become quite clear that he knew much more about this situation than he was letting on. But within me, the sense of trust and respect towards him seemed to grow with every passing second. I didn't know how to explain it myself, but something about him just drew me to him.
"My knowledge of this world is vast and runs far beyond that of many, so I’d like to ask if I could remain by your side. I will help you understand things forgotten, teach you, and answer any questions you may have. But again, there will be things I can’t answer for your sake, for your safety…. So I ask, do you mind?" Indrath explained, calm and collected.
"Tell me one thing first…? What is this feeling? This sensation that I can't help but feel around you?” I asked hesitantly, knowing this feeling wasn’t something I felt before with someone. It felt like a homecoming, like a warmth within me that I didn't even know existed.
"That resonating within you is something that comes from that unique eye of yours. That is the Xiao's, Esoteric Restrictions. An inert ability, one created to defy the very laws of nature, you’ve experienced them your entire life, you’re speed, agility, and strength. An ability to heal wounds and sense aura’s without issue. The knowledge and understanding of all things at a rapid rate, or in other words, it is a power that connects you to everything. Although your understanding of them are barely scratching the surface." Indrath explained with a chuckle. “… but I cannot give you the reason why it reacts to me. It’s for your safety. but if you truly want to know more about this world and your capabilities, I will teach you. If not, things within this world may become difficult for you. The core you have isn’t something many could forget, I’d like to contain its power as much as I can, while also teaching you, In the meantime. Is that fair to you?" Indrath inquired.
I was still a bit hesitant, but I couldn't think of anyone else who could help me. After all, Indrath seemed to know a lot more about this than anyone, and the feeling he gave me was hard to deny.
“…Yes, that seems fair.” My voice came out as barely a whisper like I was under the gaze of a god, which was a silly thought in my head. Regardless Indrath smiled, almost as if he had expected my response.
"Good, I would hate for you to be too inconvenienced by such a small thing as this. After all, life is quite short, especially when compared to the true length of time. And more importantly, it’s yours and yours alone. An old friend of mine once told me that he wanted to live freely and know what it meant to be happy with those he loved. In the end, all things must come to an end. I owe him my life, and his sacrifice will never be forgotten. Perhaps this small gesture I provide you will ease my regrets." Indrath spoke quietly, almost as if he were talking to himself. "... memories that live on,” he added, clearing his throat with a light chuckle at the sight of my face of bewilderment.
It all sounded like he was reminiscing on ages gone past, but I didn’t find myself questioning him as his golden eyes basked my vision with warmth. “It’s alright, I don’t have spare rooms or beds… but you can have the sofa here. You don't need to worry about me.” I said, adjusting myself to his presence.
“If that is your wish, then so be it, though I suppose I should get you fed. Your body right now needs more than just mana to keep itself functioning, so how about I make us something to eat while you clean yourself up?" Indrath said with a chuckle as I nodded at his words and getting to my feet, my body felt numb but at the same time I felt stronger and more capable.
“…Thanks, when do we start this whole teaching thing?” I asked before heading to the washroom.
With a light smile on his face Indrath answered, “Soon, there’s no need to rush things, all things come in due time. Besides, I will need to prepare, and you still have some recovery to go through, or should I say your Esoteric restrictions are currently adapting to your core." Indrath answered in a reserved voice. I had no idea what he was talking about, and I was pretty sure I looked like I was suffering from some kind of brain damage, but his smile seemed to tell me not to worry.
“Alright, I guess,” I remarked with a sigh as I closed the door to the washroom behind me, my head spinning with all this information he was giving me, thoughts hounding me, but one thought stood out.
I knew I had no other choice than to trust this familiar man, and with all these questions, he could provide me with answers, At least, that's what I told myself.
I even gave up my sofa…