51 Chapter 51

Aaron didn't know how he had got home that day. He remembered some people showing up. They talked about something which made no sense to Aaron. Finally, he announced compensation of a 1000 mage stones. That's what a person's life was worth? That's what his friend's life was worth? A 1000 pieces of stone? No one else was effected much. They knew Ron but werent too close. They took a pity at the untimely death, but that was it.

As Ron was buried, he saw his father lifeless. He didnt go to the association to demand answers. Why did they let the culprit go? The real culprit werent the White brothers who were to be tried. It was the thunder king! He was silenced by some people who had come from the main family.

Aaron cursed everything that happened. The world was the same everywhere. Power spoke. If you weak, you could just listen. On earth power meant money. Here power meant strength as a mage.

Thunder king could get away because he was strong. Strong enough to make the association listen to him.

Aaron had tried to get answers. Who was Thunder king? What did he mean by the desolate area? What problem? What solution? He was stonewalled everytime and asked to focus on his work.

Even Ron's father refused to answer him.

He felt helpless and weak. He knew Ron died trying to save him. He knew he was weak. Yes, he made a knew spell. But how useful was it in combat? It was useless against mages. He was drowned in self pity. He got through his motions during the day, but he spent all his time thinking the same thing over.

It was two weeks since the day Ron had passed away. Aaron had finished his work for the day and just arrived home. As he opened his door, he saw some one sitting inside who made him angry in an instant.

"Dont shout. You know there is no use shouting. " Said Thunder king.

Thunder king was waiting inside Aaron's home for him to return.

"I am not here to hurt you. I want to talk."

"I dont want to talk to you. You can leave."

Aaron knew there was no use shouting. No one would help him. The mage association had allowed him to walk away. Even a mage family member's death couldnt stop him from leaving. Life of Aaron was even cheaper.

"I know you are angry because your friend was killed. Would you believe me if I tell you I know what it feels like? I have lost many more than you. "

Aaron didnt want to believe it. He didnt care if it was true. He was the one who killed his friend. But there was something in his voice that made him believe he was saying the truth.

"So knowing how it feels gives you the right to kill others?"

"No. It doesnt. I know you wont listen to me but I have something to offer to you."

"I dont want anything you offer. Just leave me alone. "

"You have to listen to it." This time Thunder king said in a firm voice. It was a voice which didnt take no for an answer.

"Your little display of ability has probably caught the mage Association's eye. They will soon send you the offer. The offer to join the Border. "

Aaron didnt want to, but he was immediately interested in what Thunder king was saying.

"Joining the border, you would be used until you are hollow on the inside or killed. You dont leave once you join the border alive. "

"You did from the sound of it."

"You want to compare yourself to me? The strongest mage in the last few centuries? I could leave because I was stronger than everyone. They couldnt stop me. "

"I am a space mage. I could leave."

"Naive. You think space gates cant be traced? Any space mage worth his salt could trace it. And they have several of them."

"What I want to offer you is the knowledge I posses about the whole situation. I will tell you everything I know. But in return I want your help. "

Aaron was about to reject it straight away.

"No. Dont reject it now. Think over it. I could have threatened you. You dont care about your life. But what about your family?"

"I won't do that. I want you to willingly help me. Only then it would serve its purpose. "

"I will also help you to train for two months. Two months with the strongest mage on this side of the continent atleast. "

"I will be back in a week to get the answer from you."

Thunder king got up to leave. Aaron realised he himself was standing all along. As Thunder King reached the door, he said "The games I arranged. I regret it now. I know you wouldnt believe, but I sometimes dont have proper control over what I do. I hear voices suggesting me what to do. Sometimes they helpz sometimes they dont. Its been getting worse."

He left with that.

Aaron was really shocked at that. Did the Thunder king suffer from schizophrenia? Highly intellegent people were more prone to it. Or was it just an act?

Aaron had more questions then answers now. He wanted to reject the offer. But a tiny part of him didnt want to do it either.

The very next day, Aaron did get a letter from the mage association stating that they would like him to join the border.

Aaron was astonished at this. Did Thunder king know about it already or did he just predict it? Whatever it was, it was true.

This further increased the predicament he was in. He didn't knew what to do.

He decided to take leave and go home.

He was strong enough now to reach home from Modena in a single day.

He was home by the next evening next day.

His parents were worried about his haggard appearance. He had bags under his eyes from the lack of sleep and had a gloomy atmosphere to him.

He told them he lost a friend he had made.

They tried to comfort him. He atleast slept a little better that day.

His father had pulled him away for training in the morning.

Aaron was beaten like everytime he faced his father.

"Get up." Mike said.

"Whats the use of all this? This training. This sword. What do I need a sword for? What good is it against mages? Will that help me get strong? Its useless. "

He was almost shouting by the time he finished that.

Mike watched Aaron breathing heavily.

He waited for him to calm down.

"What happened?" He asked when Aaron had calmed down.

"Nothing."

"You can tell me. I know I am not as smart as you mages, but I have definitely lived longer than you. "

Aaron thought for a while. The whole thing had been bothering him a lot. He decided to tell all of it to his father. He thought he would go crazy if he didn't tell what he felt like to someone.

Mike patiently heard Aaron speak.

He felt bad for his child. No matter how matured a mage maybe, for him he was just a 16 year old boy. All that had happened was too much for him.

"Let me ask you something. What if you were stronger than the Thunder king one day?"

"I would avenge him."

"Do you think, you by yourself would be able to get strong enough to defeat him?"

Aaron didn't know the answer to that question. Maybe he would one day. But when that day would come, he didnt know.

"Where do you think Thunder king is planning to go. Do you think you can follow him?"

Again Aaron didn't know anything.

"Do you think joining the border would be right?"

Aaron had a feeling Thunder king was honest when he described the border to him.

"Just because you have to take a step back and work with him, doesnt mean you cant learn anything from him. If he wished to kill you our us, we would be dead."

"I would say forget everything that happened and forget about revenge. That's the best solution. But revenge is a poison which would slowly kill you if you dont succeed. You decide the rest. "

Mike left after saying that.

Aaron knew what his father meant. Following Thunder king was the best solution for him at the moment.

But how could he follow this man who was responsible for the death of his friend. How would he face June if he did that.

But on the other hand, would he rather leave Ron's death unavenged? He sacrificed himself for nothing?

Aaron knew his answer then. He hoped Ron would forgive him for this choice.