Chapter 5

"What if I am not really who you expect me to be?" "Perhaps I am just an ordinary fellow who just decided to explore this vast world.. also having grown up in a simple town, possibly knowing a couple of friends having names such as Regg, Jones, Lisa… mmm…" a reminiscent look can be seen in my eyes. "I might just carry these scrolls and wear a robe to look cool… whereas this magical staff.. I just picked it up on the side of the road one day."

"Wha..t! Mast..er what do you.. mean..? Are.. You.. Ok..ay? Here… le..t me perform a magic… ritu..al, it will… resto..re you.. from.. this curse" Jack then starts marking the floor, dark-red lines criss-cross all around…a chilling sensation pierces my heart… I can hear whispering…obviously not coming from Jack..…

"Haa.. Just joking my boy…" I awkwardly chuckle… Jack looks up.. He gazes at me… one.. two minutes pass.. ... As I start to sweat…  Jack then responds.. "I thought so.. You really know how.. to crack a joke ma..ster.."

I replay the hypothetical situation in my mind, contemplating the likelihood of Jack actually believing me. Other endings appear in my mind… Me dying obviously being one of them… having to flee is also another highly possible outcome... "hmmm.." as I muse to myself.

Then again if he does believe me and he goes his own ways, will he really be alright?" "Who else would even take him in? Plus, I am pretty certain without me around, his physiological state may not get any better…"

"Attention!" A soldier interrupts my train of thought. A scowl appears across my face… Jack looks on excitedly.. The soldier hardens his gaze as his hand reaches towards his waist where his sword lies.. Freaking out a bit I awkwardly smile.. I stand a bit straighter, in a military-like pose. The soldier nods and slightly sighs in relief.. Jack snickers… "At ease" I continue to stand sternly. "…." The soldier looks at me weirdly…

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"Well then, welcome ..uh.. your name..? " "You.. can call him, 'Master'. The world must bow.. before.." I quickly intervene.. "That is quite alright Jack…" … "You may call me 'A not-so suspicious individual'" The soldier pauses.. "…. but your name.." .. "Before you say anymore, this name is quite convenient, and to be honest I don't really have any other name.. You don't want me to make one up for you?.. Well then..

Perhaps Leo? hmm.. maybe Ryrgor.." I roll the end of my tongue..rrrr... "no.. how about Phillip…? oh wait... I know! Jack!" "Ye..s Mast..er?!" "…uh..yes that is my disciples name…" "I'll stop you right there Sir, it is quite alright.. I will call you ..uh.. the name you said before.." "A not-so suspicious individual" I kindly supply. "Yes that's the one… well as you have signed The Centurion Star Imperial Decree, we are quite at ease letting you be within our camp. It is a relief to know you are on our side ha ha.." "We couldn't believe our luck really when you pledged loyalty… perhaps the Empires name is quite influential these days.."

I wonder if he is mocking me… "What offered?".. as I think to myself.. If I didn't offer to serve I would have to face not one but two armies of nearly a million troops.. yeah right… It was practically a calamity for a poor fellow like me… perhaps they have mistaken me for someone else… wouldn't be the first time… I was imprisoned once as an apple stealer though I obviously did not steal any apples... While I do like apples and had an apple in my hand at the time, I would never do such a thing…" my mind wanders…

"-he empire has a long history stretching thousand of years! If not for Emperor Han who unified the eastern continent how would we have reached such heights.. Ahem.. Sorry for getting carried away.." "Now I believe you have met Fang… he will lead you to our armory.. where you may choose armor and weapons befitting to a man of your caliber such as yourself.. and then there are some other formalities… and oh wait! let us not forget you are scheduled to head back to the Imperial City.. where you will meet the famed Hero's..!"

"I hear they were summoned to slay the nefarious Demon King. One swing of the Demon King's sword and he can cleave mountains and upheave the oceans." "But I'm sure since we have a mighty figure such as yourself on our side, we have no need for the Hero's.. Am I right..? Ha Ha.." He gives you a fist bump on your shoulder..

I look at the soldier stupefied.. "did he say 'cleaves mountains and upheaves oceans', is that even possible..?! I believe this soldier must be either mentally insane…or has taken the joke too far.." "Well I'll be off.. we will discuss more later… I won't take up any more of your time…" the un-named soldier marches away as I contemplate my choices… some time passes… soldiers gaze over... I continue to stand and mutter to myself… Jack faithfully stands by my side… and as for Fang.. well he is nowhere to be found… perhaps lost due to the vastness of the military camp.. or late… most likely the latter…

To be Continued.