The Road to Home. (Part 3)

Looking down on the floor. As I was carried like a sack of potatoes in this hallway, presumably. I can't even look beside me. Maybe I used too much energy just by standing up... I'm now in the shoulder of the person who opened the cell. He's taller than me and my view shakes every time he takes a heavy loud step. When he suddenly stops.

"So this kid is the intruder, unbelievable," a female voice speaks sounding full of doubt and surprise.

I tried to look but it just hurts and my body is too unresponsive, nor am I able to speak. Unable to do anything I just stay motionless looking down on the floor. Listening to their conversation.

"Ye no doubt about it. The camera captured seeing her exiting the rusted door," the man said confidently.

Camera what's that may be more of those ancient technology things, as I thought to my self. I hear the man continue saying:

"So are you going to help me out or watch me do it alone?" he asks the women presumably.

"Well firstly, that's a boy," she said to the man carrying me.

"This cute kid is a boy. Now that's unbeliebable," he said sounding surprised.

(Hey, I didn't choose to look like this okay as I thought to my self)

"Unbeliebable? Hehahaha," she repeats what he said before laughing.

"Wha- what it's unbelievable shut up, so are you going to do it or not," he said in a panic and embarrassed.

"Well, after you, but I'm not carrying him," she said in a sarcastic manner.

As the man starts to walk again I saw the feet of the women wearing a pair of boots that looks like it has multiple metal plate riveted together to form some kind of multilayer protection... They both have the same taste... Wait, this weird armor design... As I was thinking to my self. My face was suddenly held by two hands and turned, to see the women.

A woman probably still in her 18-19, she has long jet black hair tied up high like ponytail with her bangs hold by a bolt headband, crystal clear blue eyes, and light yellow skin. She wears the armor with the same design as her boots with the similar design of a samurai armor from the south... When she said:

"Oh his awake," and lightly tapping my right cheek and letting go of my head.

As my head look down. I got a glimpse of a blade with a small round haft similar to a disc guard being sheathed inside a curve sheath with pink flower decorations surrounding it forming some kind of art...

That's the weapon of the break off neighbor country from the south the katana, accompanied by a blue rapier with some fancy hand guard, hanging below of the katana and a yellow eight bladed mace with a conical finial, hanging horizontally behind her back waist. Is she an Exile?.. How does she carry all those weight?... Oh, wait she can use magic enchantment to lighten those tools, guess I kinda forgot about it since I can't use magic at all... As I thought to myself she then continue saying:

"What's wrong kid? Not going to say anything?" she ask me.

"Don't even bother, he can't move nor speak right now, what did you guys do to him?" he ask her.

"What nothing crazy like only casting a sleep spell to make him sleep longer," she answers, then continue to say, "Well he is already in a critical state and would die if not treated quickly. We already confiscated all of his belongings. Right now his items are being inspected, from his items till his equipment, we even put his hands on the orb to measure his magic but he doesn't even have a single ounce of it, so high chance his from the empire," she says sounding seriously.

I mean so what if I'm born in the empire. I really wish I can speak right now to answer.

"Well, I guess we will know more about him when we bring that boy to the commander. What room is the interrogation room again?" he ask her.

"No wonder Command send you to be forefront, it's room 512 and we're getting close. Are you going to carry him around until you found somebody, since you don't know where the room is?" she answers before asking back sounding disappointed.

"Well I guess I am, this is just my weakness and all, I mean I thought I could ask somebody else to carry him now since my job is to just watch over him," he answers back.

"Just because you're lacking doesn't mean you can't change you know. You can be better," she reply as she gives the advice.

"Yea, yea, okay Mom," he says sounding sarcastic.

"Hey I'm trying to help you here," she reply back angrily.

"Okay okay, I know let's just talk personal stuff later okay? I mean did you forget his listening to all this?" he ask her.

"Oh yea right... Guess we should just continue," she says before becoming silent.

As I continue to stare down and getting glimpse of her boots as we walk. I heard the man mumbling:

"511, 512. There we go," as he said that he knocks the door and open without waiting a reply and enters.

Still looking down without able to see the room, moving again when the man carrying me says:

"Good morning old man, I got the boy," he said sounded excited before I was put on a chair.

Before I fall down, the man who carried me hold and position me in a better sitting position, but I still slip down a little... How limp and weak my body now? Like seriously what happened to me?

When my view is fix to look in front of me. A old man in his thirties with a short marigold yellow hair comb to the back, thin beard and moustache, and malachite green eyes. Wearing a weird full plate green scale armor that suits his eyes, while looking like his armor is devouring him except the key parts that help him move, looking closely in the gaps is a chain mail... On a closer lookl, riveted chain mail. Behind him is a wide black mirror that can actually reflect this room. This room is 5 x 5 meters wide probably made of some kind of metal, with a wide table and a mug saying world best hunter, accompanied by 2 chairs. Where one is me sitting and the other one person infront of me is sitting, while the two are standing in the edge of the room. When he reply back to the man:

"Call me commander during work, Yosova," he loks back at me saying, "Well look how pathetic you are with that stupid face. So let me get to the point, I really hate torturing kids like you so you better answer everything I'm about to ask truthfully okay?" he ask in a serious tone. So the one carrying me is called Yosova, almost so similar to my name.

"Um, Commander he can't speak, nor move as you can see just now," Yosova says to help me answer.

"What that's ridiculous, he already sleep for a whole day. That is enough for all of us to recover," He reply back.

"His born in the Empire sir so he doesn't have the same healing capability as us, I mean you did read the report right? Or are you out there drinking again?" Yosova answered back

The commander took a huge sigh, when suddenly a disembodied female voice fills the room saying:

"Commander we finish inspecting his items and two of them is very note worthy. One is the red Special Ranking Hunter card, and a dangerous item the berserker salve that nullifies pain and force your body to do extraordinary things while giving you extra energy, but with side effects in the end."

When the voice stop explaining, I thought to my self. Dangerous? Nicole what have you gave me. What is going to happen to me now? As I feel the tension rises and now murderous auras surround me from every direction he continues to say:

"Well how convenient, now we got more reason to brand you as a outlaw and a criminal, lets see... No citizen card, that means no clear history a perfect spy and we can kill you on spot. And here I thought you already mock us enough after the civil war. So let me make this clear kid, that card is definitely not yours, so be honest now, you hear me? The only reason you're not dead by now is because you're trusted enough to a hold his or her Special Ranking Hunters card."

He stands to show his 7 foot tall, walking beside to reveal he got a 1.8 meter blue great sword hanging on his waist and walk closer standing beside towering me. He took out a weird dark red potion with a fancy and very expensive artisan carved design from his waist bag. Opening the cap and forcing me to gulp the content down.

As I drank it, some of the potion went to the lungs making me bend forward and cough some out. When I realize I can move again and it doesn't hurt anymore... I look to the old man beside me his face is serious and as he glares at me he asks one more time:

"Pretty effective isn't it. Even for curse people like you. And let me warn you, I've seen enough lies to color my great sword red. Who are you and what are you doing in Central?" he ask full of murderous intent.

I answer, staring back at him saying, "My name is Sova Anmao, I'm just here to take the special novice exam for being a hunter with my childhood friend May or Maya Taiyin, with the help of my sister Rubeca Taiyin. I already finish it, and was told to wait for 3 days. When getting my equipment I was immediately lock in combat with my sis looking different in the storage room with floating platforms, only to lose and fall into the depths.

Luckily enough some guy who's name Rana saved my life and helped me fight our way out of the Reliquary."

I answered him with no hesitation. For some reason I'm not afraid, is my fear receptors broken, is that a good thing? He glares at me when his murderous aura suddenly dissipate and he began to look calm again. Asking me to reconfirm.

"Rubeca as in the Tyrant Gardener Rubeca Taiyin?" I feel his gaze looking through the window of my soul.

I look at him thinking Rubeca Taiyin wait the Tyrant Gardener that's a weird title but there's no doubt... I replied saying:

"Yes," when suddenly the tip of his cross guard is touching my left cheeks as he hold the centre of his blade, the great sword shakes and more disturbing aura ooze out from him surrounding the room.

The two hunter who is standing in the corner of the room suddenly appear beside him and hold their weapon at him in an attacl stance. The women with her red katana on the back of his neck, while her blue rapier pointing at his sides. The man with his green short sword aiming at his neck. The women bring her weapon closer saying:

"Fyorga, calm down remember your oath. She may have done wrong in the past, but killing this boy won't do any good," she says to calm the man down.

"Listen to what Aoi say old man, don't make me do this, their body has been cremated and now resting in peace I thought you said you already let it go," Yosova warn him.

"My little sister and brother were just... And she just... What did they do wrong. I've finally found someone related to her his right infront of me. Her... Dammit," he screams in fury as he throw his weapon away.

Aoi and Yosova began to sheath their weapon back. Backing away, giving him some space. He then looks at me with eyes full of sadness, then goes sitting down on the chair across me. Taking out a thin metal bottle from his waist bag and drinks it. He looks at me and said:

"So let me ask again to clarify when you said lock in combat with her she was trying to kill you huh?" he said sounding melancholic and relieved.

"Yea, I got no reason to lie, the prove is that I'm here..." I reply to him, thinking

(Sis I don't know what you did back then. But I hope everything will be alright now.)

"Good that's enough for me, she probably thinks your dead now and with that recent news she now can't even do the proper burial..." he said sounding happy. Aoi then starts to grab his shoulder saying:

"Come Fyorga, you're in no condition to do your job now. Sova I'll let you do this now okay?" she asks and helps the man stands, grabbing his great sword, leaving the room.

(Wait is she asking me?)

"Leave it to me," Yosova replies confidently. Wait it's kinda confusing if you are called, when someone else has the same call name as you.

As the old man and lady went out and shut the door. The man then starts to sit on across of me, putting his hands on the table. Yosova smiles saying:

"I'll be honest chap, I thought that old man is the one who will scare the living day light out of you and make you do something so we can cut you here, but you just ignore all the warnings and said something to make him depressed and emotional instead... Fearless, I like it and you're related to Rubeca too, that's golden. But let's just get this quick here so you're here after your exams and you fall to the Reliquary and manage to survive and escape with this Rana guy, yes?" he ask me sounding in a very good mood.

"Well yes," I answer him. Only for him to slam the table with his fist breaking it in half and stand up.

How do they treat items and people here. Like seriously? As I thought that, the sound of the broken table crushed beneath his metal boots, he takes steps closer to me. Looking down on me with his crystal blue eyes and continue saying:

"That for me chap, is just unbeliebable... Some guy just showed up and help you out in one of the most dangerous labyrinth in the world he would be a international treasure, a world figure, yet none of us ever heard of him before and a kid like you got lucky like this is an insult to me. And moreover the proof is there when you exit the rusted door..."

He took a deep breath in and out and sits down again saying:

"Sorry chap, looks like you click my buttons too. Well Ms. Narrator there haven't said anything so everything is pretty much the truth and you're nothing more than a unlucky kid... Scratch that you're one of the luckiest kid I've ever seen, normal kids would been sold by now or dead in that labyrinth. We will let you out in a day or so, sadly you're name won't be called in the legends for being the few who escape that labyrinth."

He stands up and hold his right hand out, as to help me stand.

I almost laugh when he mispronounce again, but I hesitate. Looking at his hands, before finally accepting it. Feeling his rough hands covered with his armour I thought,

(May, sis, looks like I really need all the help I can get right now. This place may be like what May said the most untrustworthy place but I have to wait.)

"The names Yosova, just Yosova. Let's bring you back in your cell, sadly chap you just have to wait for another day before you can leave, rules are rules after all," and pulls me up making me stand bumping him.

He then looks at the black mirror and gives a thumbs up... Wait is there somebody in there? What is happening here? One thing I know is that I need to shut up and talk when I need to or just not do anything in general... I look up at him saying:

"My name is Sova Anmao."

"Wait a second... Anmao? Isn't Rubeca last name Taiyin?" he ask me sounding doubtful.

"Well yes, I was about to ask my aunt when I finally become a Hunter but this happens, so yea I will never know until I got home," I answer him.

As he looks in the black mirror.... Nothing happened, He looks back at me. Holding my shoulders saying:

"I really hate dealing with innocent, open and truthful people like you, but I really like people like those people at the same time," as he smiles and lets go, he opens the door leaving the room as he holds the door gesturing me to go outside. Following him outside to show a long corridor with doors far apart from each other. I look from left till right and some weird ball that lights the room from above.

"Hey chap, follow me now," as he say that sounding happy, gesturing me and start walking.

As I follow him, I think to my self, I'm surprise I could take all of this quickly without panicking nor terrified I guess what Rana say about me being resistant to fear is kinda true, I mean lets be honest and think, even if I run where do I go? This place is a maze, this city is a maze, and I've never even been here before. To boot it all of I'm stripped off my equipment and items again like seriously just when I want my armor on. It disappear all the time and all my money and items are with them. As I was thinking that the man breaks off the silence by saying:

"Hey chap listen to me, after you are released out in Central you're going to be on your own. I'd like to help but I still got my duties like the emergency mission they send hours ago. So be careful out there, kids like you are like a golden egg. Many mess up person will hunt you down especially Rubeca's enemies and the one who have a grudge on her she may not look like it but people call her a multiple personality psycho behind her back. I know you may not trust me right now if you heard of this place but-"

He stops mid sentence and halt his steps, he looks at the metal prison door with a weird twist mechanism stuck in the door. He grabs the handle of the door, clenching the handle as hard as possible and twist it creating the same sound as last time he opens it, when he opens the door to reveal the room I see when I wake up, with the faucet still broken...

Well I have no complains I mean it's just temporary. As I enter, the door immediately shuts close, the sound of twists is heard again. When he knocks the door and I heard the sound of metal rub against metal probably him sitting down. Then continue saying:

"I don't want to see kids like you getting slaughtered and tortured again."

Then I knock on the door asking him what I've had in my mind:

"Mr. Yosova-" when he stops me saying:

"Chap just call me Yosova, my friends usually calls me Sova but you don't want to call your own name all the time do you? I mean for me it's embarrassing," he said jokingly.

"Nah, I don't mind. So, Sova are you perhaps from the World Hunters group? I mean from your armor and all, you fit the description very perfectly. Weirdly Dressed Hunters people call you in the streets like how do you move in that armour?"

He starts to laugh replying:

"Weirdly dress hahaha, that's golden. But yes I'm one of them, just recently join for a few months with my cousin, Aoi the girl you see just now. She's a prodigy I tell you, she climb up and achieve feats I couldn't," he answers proudly.

And we continue chatting in this way, he told me stories of him travelling across the world with his commander and cousin. Slaying giant beast that could crush villages beneath it's feet. The conversation continues, until I finally said:

"Sova hearing your stories really make me want to take a nap and dream so I'll see you until next time," I yawn after I say that.

"What kind of stupid reason is that. Well okay then, I'll be leaving, see you when I release you," he says before hearing his foot steps grow further and faint.

I thought to my self his very easy to socialize with... Maybe I shouldn't trust him too much yet, when he say that I'm open and honest I don't think I'm one. I have my own secret to keep like my previous name before I move here with aunt... I mean why did Mom and Dad keep shortening my name when they call me... Maybe that's just their way of saying they love me by calling me that...

I look outside the window, the sky is now grey filled with dark clouds, impending of a storm coming and strong winds blow my way as the room darkens.

(Guess I'll just rest for now I mean what can I do? What will happen to me tomorrow? I may be lucky, but who knows when will it finally runs out).

I just can't feel comfortable without my headband. I got more questions for aunt when I get back. I close my eyes as I lay down on the pile of straws. Wishing I could go home safely...