(X) Graduation

Jackson slunk into the chair in front of his desk, his mouth gaping as he read his father's diary. He hung on to every word written as he continued to read the apology.

"Dear Jackson, I know life has been difficult since my disappearance, and I'm sure your mother probably didn't help much after I left, but I want to preface this diary with an apology... I'm sorry, son.

Unfortunately, we probably won't be running into one another for a while longer. There are... mysterious forces preventing me from returning... Just know that you will find all the answers at the top of God's Tower.

You will find my thoughts and opinions on my own journey through the tower. I love you; please, always take care of yourself!"

Jackson ran his fingers down the page slowly as he fought back the tears in his eyes. He wiped them away with his arm as he stacked the tree tomes together and placed them into his satchel before falling onto his back in bed, reading the diary until he fell asleep.

***

A shirtless man wearing loose-fitting black shorts and black combat boots stood in the courtyard of Saint Mary's Orphanage for the Underprivileged. Scars covered his chest and arms, holding two long straight wooden sticks as the sun began to rise in the early morning skies of Duskgate.

He quickly spun, launching a flurry of attacks with both weapons. His unkempt brown hair flowed through the air as his bright emerald eyes fiercely gazed at forces unseen.

His well-defined muscles glistened with sweat as he deftly unleashed a dramatic flourish, freezing as he panted heavily. Nearby, a similarly aged brunette woman stood holding a towel and a canteen filled with water as she watched in awe as the man approached.

"Great workout this morning, Jax!" She said with a smile, holding out the objects in her hands. Her long hair cascaded down her Azure Wolf uniform.

Jackson smiled as he grabbed them both, taking a large gulp from the canteen and pouring the water over his head and shoulders before drying himself with the towel, "Thanks, Megan! What brings you out here so early?"

Megan immediately began blushing as she twiddled with her skirt, "Oh... Well, you see... Since you're turning nineteen soon and still need to complete your assessment at The Climber's Association, I thought that I would tag along! You know, for moral support!"

"Oh! Thanks, but it's not necessary. Head Mistress Le Doux is taking me later today after the ceremony." Jackson said with a smile, rubbing the back of his neck.

Once a child reached the age of nineteen at Saint Mary's, they were considered an adult and would be kicked out of the orphanage. The kids affectionately referred to it as graduating, turning it into a celebration.

"Oh, okay! No worries! I need to go; see ya!" Megan said, waving as she ran off.

Jackson sat down on the nearby stone bench, taking another gulp of water as he reached over and grabbed his shirt, putting it on, returning the silver necklace over his head and the matching ring to his right index finger.

Jackson sighed heavily as he slowly walked back into the orphanage. He had completed countless perilous tasks for Saint Mary's in the last decade, and it was finally over today. Life was tough for an orphan, the physical labor and constant dangers had chiseled him from an innocent child into a survivor of the wilds.

He returned to his room, which had drastically changed over the years, now plastered with dozens of hand-drawn maps with X's drawn through circles for hundreds of kilometers around Duskgate.

His search for his missing grandmother never bore fruit, but to this day, he still refuses to believe she passed away that night. Hundreds of dead ends and not a single trail to follow up on.

The mysterious masked man never reappeared, resulting in yet another dead end. Jackson shook his head, looking at the scribbled notes littering the walls, disappointed but never discouraged by the results of his investigations.

He quickly undressed before putting on his Violet Toad uniform one final time. He grabbed the satchel from the back of the chair, slinging it over his shoulder as he exited his room and walked toward the cafeteria.

His expression was blank as he tucked both of his hands into the pockets of his jacket, turning the corner where a large group was gathered around the cafeteria's entrance, throwing their arms into the air, exclaiming loudly:

"Happy Birthday!!"

Jackson smiled softly as he slowly entered the cafeteria, as everyone circled him. Behind the group, he noticed the new Head Mistress of Saint Mary's, Tara Le Doux. Miss Dena had retired a few years prior, so she could spend more time with her own grandchildren.

She smiled at him, nodding before turning to the woman who replaced her as the Head of the Violet Toads before walking away as they chatted.

Jackson was bombarded with questions about where he was going and what he was going to do by dozens of his juniors at the start of the small party and soon died down as he went and hid in the corner, watching everyone else have a good time.

He smiled to himself, taking a sip of the drink in his hand. Over the years, he had become a source of rumors amongst the other dormitories. Initially, he was receptive and open toward the other kids but being an orphan doesn't guarantee you'll graduate and leave the orphanage...

Especially for the Violet Toads. After a few of his friends never returned, Jackson never wanted to feel that hopelessness again and swore to rely on his own strength and not those around him.

Through his repeated success in completing tasks, he was quite the mysterious superstar of the orphanage. This was in no small part why Tara Le Doux was chosen to replace Miss Dena. Her replacement was a brutish woman who seemed to have it out for Jackson and would always assign him the most dangerous tasks to complete.

It was through this weird ouroboros where Jackson was able to find peace. It was also why he had closed himself off from everyone; it was time for him to leave...