***

Hey Ralph!" Where are you Ralph!? Maybe he's out?" Aaly called for Ralph while conversing with the madam while enjoying their tea.

"You know kids his age, they must always be hyperactive, I'm sure he will find his way back here soon enough." The Madam kindly laughed.

"Your right." Aaly also had a soft smile in return as she sat there awaiting her little boys arrival.

"How is your condition, has it improved since coming here?" The madam said in concern.

"It rarely flares up ever since father in-law brought me the medicine from his friend." Aaly said with a smile before taking a sip from her cup. 

"Then that's good. It's a shame its short term and that there isn't enough ingredients to sustain it as well. I have heard you were frail since a ciild, how have you been dealing with this?" The madam sighed before asking the question that's been on her mind.

"My Father used to go procure some herbs from somewhere north of our tribe but..." Aaly trailed off her story.

"Renault told me you came from the region northeast of Liandry, Mermiandos, filled with clans and tribes. If your father had a continuous way of keeping healthy, how did you end up coming all the way here?" The madam pressed on to know the full story.

"As you know, the reason why the people of Mermiandos are referred to as barbarians is because they solve everything with their fists. It's been like that for generations. The strong would hunt, the stronger would become chief, and the undisputed strongest would rule the entire land. However, due to such traditions and In a bid to gain such power, the tribes would battle and kill those of other tribes in bid to weaken them whilst also showing their power. These disputes kept going and going until it became a complete war where every tribe contained bloodthirst for every other tribe. Assassinations, kidnappings, pillaging, anything and everything had happened to the point of no reconciliation." Aaly explained with a sigh.

"So you were evacuated for your safety, I see, it's not hard to come to that conclusion after hearing such a story." The madam had a sad look after hearing such a terrible story.

"Correct, on my journey to leave, my father had one of my three brothers escort me while the other two stayed to defend the village, there on my journey I met Renault and the rest is history." Aaly said with a happy smile.

"Are you not concerned for your family you left behind?" The madam once more questioned.

"Among the 72 tribes, there are of course factions as the winners would conquer and care for the the tribes. There were eight great factions since 13 years ago,  before I was pregnant with Hardin, I went to visit them again to see how they were doing. My families tribe, the Krash clan, are among the strongest of the region with 14 clans in subordination. I still worry for them however as my father is getting older." Aaly  said before breaking into a coughing fit.

"I see now why you left the region my daughter, do not stress anymore and focus on getting better, for your kids sake." The madam came behind her to help pat her back.

"Thank you, I feel better now. However, my greatest worry is still Ralph. Such a timid boy, sigh. Thank you for letting me vent Madam." Aaly gave her a smile.

"Nonsense! You married into my family, call me mother!" The madam rebuked, feeling remorseful for what she and the Duke did years ago.

"As you wish mother." Aaly said with a small smile.

***

"Thank you for your help as always Ralph, take a small book and bring it back when your done with it as thanks for helping me out today." The kind old grandma shopkeeper expressed her gratitude towards the young yet kind boy who wasted his mornings reading and tidying up in this shabby bookstore.

It was a joy for her to see such a studious boy, and how his crimson red eyes would light up while reading thick novels, the boy was way past his reading level!

"Thank you miss! I'll be back tomorrow to return it and look for more books and help you out. See you tomorrow!" Ralph gave her a shy smile before waking out from the store and walked down the bustling street filled with hawkers and peddlers screaming their items for sale. He was totally absorbed in looking at the book he could read and the stories they told. His favourite one was about a hero who stood up for the masses and became a beloved king. 

As he was reminiscing about that book, he unexpectedly ran into someone's back.

"Oof! Oh, I'm sorry!" Ralph quickly apologized with a nobles bow.

"You think that can cut it for an apology boy? You should compensate me with money then." Two teenage boys were surrounding Ralph as they looked down at him menacingly.

They were dressed in noble clothing and acted completely arrogant. The one on the left was tall and slim, with light black hair reaching his back and brown eyes slanted like a hawks. He have off a sinister feel as he was staring down at the cornered Ralph with the corner of his mouth raised in a sneer.

The boy on the right had short spiky blond hair and yellow eyes with a scar reaching from the bottom of his left cheek all the way to the bottom of his eye. He was cracking his knuckles as he eyed Ralph, ready for a fight. He looked more like a thug than a noble with his appearance.

They had dragged him to a close alleyway and gave him two successive blows to the stomach.

"I've never seen this boy around the capital before, he probably is some new merchants son who arrived to the capital for new business, easy pickings." The blonde noble said with a wide smile.

Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

"I-I already spent my-my allowance..." Raph trembled in fear as the two glared at him in anger.

"You What!? Then how am I supposed to make up for my lost time boy!" The man on the left roared.

"Um-keuk!" Ralph was once again hit and collapsed to the ground, breaking into a sob.

"Tch, the boy broke down, its not fun anymore. Hey Charlie let's go." The teenager on the left got bored and immediately took his leave.

Eat this, hyah! Wait for me Lee." With one more kick, he also ran to catch up to his friend , leaving a crying, hapless, beaten child in the middle of an alleyway. Above the crying Ralph, a distortion in the sky appeared as a figure appeared high in the air, looking down at the child.

"Sniff...sniff..!" Ralph was crying when a sudden echo burst in his mind.

"So you seek power to destroy your enemies? To have your revenge? The ability to crush them beneath your feet like ants?Never again will you be in this submissive weak position if you so desire." The voice boomed majestically.

"...No..." Amidst his trembling cries, Ralph was able to squeak out an answer.

"..!.. But why child? You would have them run all over you with no way to retaliate? That is the way of the weak, not something a person with your inherent talent should have!" The voice echoed with rage.

"I...I hate fighting!" Ralph broke out in a cry after that as he broke down, all he was able to hold onto for comfort was the same black book he's always had on him, his diary, the very first present his father gave to him.

While he was whimpering, a ray of light enveloped him then returned to the skies while everything turned silent.

"I see, that is quire the resentment you must hold towards fighting. However boy! There will be a time when strength and power is a necessity! A time when you will start to crave it. I will be there waiting, you need not know my name, just know that I will be watching. I have decided that you will come under my wing the second you change that weak heartened mentality of yours, until we meet again." With that the distortion disappeared, along with the echoing voice. Leaving a dazed and injured Raph to his own devices.

"Hmm, its been a while yet the boy hasn't appeared, shall I send for someone to fetch the boy?" Now even the Madam was getting worried.

"Please do." Aaly started a coughing fit as the stress got to her.

"I'm home." A muddled voice as well a hurried footsteps greeted them before making its way upstairs and the sound of a closed door was emitted. Aaly immediately went to check up on her kid but was prevented from entering.

"Is something wrong Ralph? You can talk to your mother." Aaly commented in a soft voice.

"I'm fine... I'll eat later, I'm just tired." A small voice responded in turn.

"Can you open it for mommy." Aaly tried getting the door open but it remained firmly still.

"MOM NO! Leave me alone! Bwa hah." With that, cries were being emitted from beyond the door.

"Just leave the boy be for now." The old lady advised as they sadly walked back downstairs to rest at the table, furrowing their brows in worry.

"If only Zephyr or Hardin were around." Aaly sighed.

"Why?" The madam became curious.

"Due to the frailty of Raph and his timid personality, he was the target of bullying back at the village at the hands of kids their age. Hardin always remained by Renault's side so it left the two boys to be alone whenever they went out to play. Thus, over time, Zephyr realized they wouldn't stop unless his fists became bigger than theirs or if they can make the boys fear them, hence started his demolition and havoc he used to cause all the time. In time, the boys came to fear him and his antics, and by extension, fear his little brother for fear of his retaliation. He was safe once Hardin started appearing around them and had basically all the kids under submission through strength and kindness, alas, a new place means new environment. It breaks my heart to see Ralph having to go through this again." Aaly sighed in helplessness.

"WHAT! Over such a measly problem! Those kids dare to touch the family of the Reinhardt's!! Hey old man Duke!" The madam blew her top, roaring for the old man to come from his study.

"What happened!? The duke hurriedly rushed over to his dear wife with his back bent immediately, trying to curry favor lest he was caught doing something wrong.

"Gather some of your men and show of Ralph to the capital, he was bullied today and there was nothing done in retaliation. I will have the heads of those who attacked my grandson!" She was huffing at this point while the Duke also became solemn.

"He was attacked?" With that they filled him on the details and his erratic behavior.

"There is no need to flaunt our strength with our military might, the reason they are with us is because they have a leader who knows what he is doing, not someone who hides behind his men. The Duke then made his way to Ralph's room, leaving behind his wife and daughter in law.

"Young lad, open up, I heard you were beaten." The Duke spoke in a gentle voice.

"Sniff..." Muffled sniffles were heard before the door lock was opened, along with the door. There stood a beaten Ralph.

His original clean black robe was in disarray while his hair had dirt in them. His crimson eyes was covered amid tears while his glasses were half shattered on his face. Despite his small figure, he was holding onto his brown book with all his strength as he looked on feebly to his grandpa.

"Am I... Weak grandpa?" Raph muttered in a pitiful manner.

"And? Do you wish to get stronger? You must wait until you awaken before you determine whether you are truly weak. Remember young lad, the only one who will stay with you the entire time is yourself, you must not depend on your brothers but seek strength yourself. I taught this to your father and uncle and I am imparting this lesson onto you. You will deal with these matters yourself, in anyway you wish, to fight back or to surrender pitifully, is all up to you. Just remember to not dishonor the Reinhardt's name" the Duke went on a rant before hugging the small boy within his hulking arms.

'So.. Warm." Ralph muttered before silently falling asleep. As the Duke put him to bed, out of the corner of his eye he saw the book still within his grandson's grasp. Wanting to let his boy sleep peacefully, he went to put it elsewhere yet was unable to pry it off, the boy had a death grip.

"Whatever, if he is holding it with so much will, it probably means a lot to him." With that the old man left the room meeting up with the two worried ladies.

"He is fine, that boy has a strong will, I'm sure things are going to work out just fine, bahahaha." He started chuckling while drinking his evening tea. Meanwhile back in the room, Ralph was having a nightmare.

"Where am I?" Ralph was standing in the previous alleyway he used to be in with his two bullies, the two figures once again struck him down and constantly beat him.

"Why won't you leave me alone?!" Ralph screamed in painful agony. With that, the two figures disappeared amidst mist. The scenery once again changed to the village they used to live in, there, three figures once again appeared before him striking blows on his frail body once again. This happened three more times, a painful torture for the seven year old boy, and he finally erupted in anger.

"Mother was crying, all because I am weak." He began breaking down and crying all over while his surroundings once again changed form.

"Why won't people just leave me alone?" Raph screamed aloud.

"Because you are weak" a rumbling voice echoed out all over, it reminded him of the voice that spoke to him in the morning but it was something else entirely.

While Ralph laid there crumpled, two birds started flying high above the skies in a twirling fashion.

"Decipher what is fake, know what is real. To turn the mirage into reality and disperse the reality amidst the mirages." The rumbling got louder before the two small figures appeared in front of the miniscule Ralph and presented themselves. The bird on the left was black all over with blue lines running through its head down to each feather on the tail with piercing blue eyes that froze one's soul. The one on the right was identical just that its stripes were red in color and magma red eyes that would strike fear into one looking into it, a stark contrast to each other.

"I am the weaver of lies, Mirage." The blue birds eyes glowed a brilliant blue.

"I am the seeker of Truth, Veracity." The red one also started shining before the whole world was illuminated.