A Forgotten History

Lucius sat on the stump of a tree that had nearly completely rotted away, staring intently at the titanized Jon while reloading the clip of his pistol before making a momentary glance to ensure the muzzle was straight.

To his side, with a much more serious expression, Kent also stared at the massive, fifteen-meter-tall creature scuttle across the field awkwardly on its stubby legs, dragging wooden splinters of different sizes into what was now an impressive pile in the middle of the clearing where the large crystal had once been.

It was apparent now to everyone there that the explanation that Lucius had only one bullet left was only a crafty front. He had more than enough to spare, though it was apparent now that he hadn't had the need to. He played with the ammunition gleefully as the men watched in silence. The only sounds were of a dog running around a boy that was gazing lazily at the sky, as well as the laborious steps of the giant in the back. Watching the two men nervously, Sid and Dan fidgeted with noticeable unease before Sid finally broke the embargo of words.

"Alright old man," he said, strutting up to Lucius, "people— some way worse than us—" he pointed a thumb at himself and Dan, "are coming this way. And you're just sitting here twiddling your thumbs! You may be good with these weapons of yours, but even you won't be able to take on a dozen men from all different directions."

"Heh heh." The old man said, looking up from his weapon with an uncharacteristic grin. "Don't worry. We'll be just fine."

"Wha—" Sid stood agape, almost looking offended by the man's reply. Behind him, Dan stood dumbfounded, never seeing his leader so lost for words or a plan to go on.

Kenton stood on the side. Overtly discontent, but resigned, he stepped away from the aloof child and toward the old man. "Alright, it's gone long enough with your vague Q-and-A game. Tell me, Lucius. Why aren't you doing anything about this all?? Why the change of heart? Didn't you tell Jon to kill that brat? Was that just a joke... " For the first time, Kenton wore an expression of confused pain, as if the recent impacts of bewildering change had melted a part of his heart that had long been frozen in these times.

Lucius stopped smiling. He brandished his gun toward the ground and moved his head back as if taking in the sounds of the ground being crushed by immense force. Even clad in his strange black-and-metallic gear, his aged expression looked serene, almost as if he was slowly melding into the autumn backdrop. He glanced to his side. Boro, who was petting a half-asleep Fen, met his eyes.

"I was never joking. About anything. I would have killed you, Boro. That was the plan before you grew teeth sharp enough to bite us in the hand. You were to die in this place."

Boro remained expressionless as if he was just hearing about tomorrow's weather. Kenton remained attentive as Sid and Dan leaned in to get a closer listen.

"However, things have changed. As you can see." He pointed at Jon, who was standing near the completed pile of wood. "That thing has the power to change everything... and the only one who can control them is Boro."

The gathering of men paused, understanding the magnitude of that claim just now.

"What... is that thing?" asked Dan.

"It's called a titan." said Lucius, his face bearing no trace of its previous mirth. "Over a hundred years ago, their power ruled the earth."

"A titan..." whispered Sid in awe as he pulled back his straggly hair to get a clear look.

"You..." said Lucius, "how do you know so much? It's not like you were there to see it."

"I've never even heard of a titan before," said Dan. "if they were so powerful, then where'd they go?"

Lucius flicked open his hands and puffed out a breath of air. "They vanished, like magic. It was like they were never there." He leaned in. "But people were still afraid. Those who've learned fear will never forget it. Ever." He indicated the land around him. "Do you ever wonder why we live like this? Like rats hiding in holes?"

"I ain't no rat, Lucius." retorted Kent.

"No, you are. And I am too. We all are." replied Lucius sternly, just as fast, "When I was younger— stupider and braver— I ran to the edge. The edge of all this. There, I saw a wall that went many times over my height. I would have lingered, but I saw a man, no, a soldier to be specific, standing on the edge, looking down. He wasn't like you or me, but someone fundamentally different: clean, sharp, and alien. That's when I knew." He looked forward, past Kenton, Dan and Sid, towards something very far away. "That this place we live in is a cage— one made to ensure we never spill into the outside."

To Boro, those words held a special meaning that he felt resonated with him beyond his years. The "outside."

Lucius put on a smile again, but this one was more real. Sadder. "There's a whole world out there, I'm sure of it now. It's one where people aren't so afraid of each other. Daylight is a blessing, and the nighttime is a time when you can close both eyes. You can eat hot food without worrying about where the smoke is going."

Everyone was silent, but Sid spoke up. In the back of his eye, the smallest bit of brightness had been passed to him from the old man. "Lucius... how do you know so much?"

Lucius looked down at his gear. He ran a ragged finger across one of the seams, which had been sewn, extended, and resewn in various patterns to fit and cover up damages over many years. He looked back briefly on the years of invisible history that ran under its dark fabrics.

"My full name is Lucius Grice. In years past, my family was one closely intertwined with the history of the Titans."

Boro felt something stir in his blood. It was the name, yes, but also something else. He couldn't tell how he knew, but something would happen soon, but it was not now. Yes, something big would happen in the future. He knew that for sure.

On the edge of the clearing, outside the hearing of the group, leaves were knocked violently from their branches and wood broke as it was speeded through.

"Listen carefully, everyone." Said Lucius, addressing the group. "This is how we'll handle the incoming enemies."