Chapter_18: Understanding

"Ragnar!" Bane exclaimed, rushing towards Ragnar with a beaming smile on his face. Ragnar also rose to his feet and made his way over to Bane, and with pure joy on both their faces, they warmly embraced.

As they greeted each other, the people in the room looked on in surprise. Grandma Ethel couldn't help but exclaim, "You both know each other?" as she looked at them in amazement. Meanwhile, Garnette stood there, completely bewildered and confused.

"Bane, what brings you here?" Ragnar asked, a wide smile on his face. Bane replied with an equally bright smile, "I was found sleeping outside this house, so they kindly let me in for the night."

As Falco enjoyed his delicious salad, he looked at Ragnar with surprise, his mouth almost hanging open. "Bane, do you know that guy?" Bane turned to Falco, a puzzled expression on his face. "Yes, I know him. What's on your mind?"

"My father mentioned you; he said you stopped by his shop yesterday," Falco said, staring at Ragnar in amazement. "He also said you were a Royal Champion. Is that true?" Falco continued, his tone filled with awe.

"Royal Champion?" Ragnar asked, bewildered, scratching the back of his head. "Royal Champions come after Royal Guardians, Ragnar," Garnette clarified from her seat at the table.

"No, that's simply not true," Ragnar said, refuting Falco's statement with a hint of embarrassment. "Who was your father anyway?"

"My father? He was the old man with the bushy beard, short, and the guy that creates technologies all the time," Falco replied, nonchalantly continuing to eat his salad.

Ragnar swiftly attempted to recall all the people he had encountered, pondering over the details. "Is it Merlin or Arawn?" he thought to himself. "Both of them are old men. Bushy beard? Both of them have bushy beards. Short? Arawn was kind of short. I guess it's Arawn, since he creates technologies rather than selling them."

"Your father is Arawn, right?" Ragnar asked, seeking confirmation as he pieced together the information. "I remembered him mentioning a kid named Falco. Are you Falco?"

"Yes, he is my father, and I am Falco," confirmed Falco, his attention still focused on his salad.

Ragnar looked at Bane with a hint of amusement in his eyes. "He was actually kind to lend me coins. Also tell your father that I visited this house once he comes back," Ragnar said, now focusing his attention on Bane.

"You're really fashionable, Ragnar. Where did you get these clothes?" Bane said, amazed as he examined Ragnar's attire.

Ragnar took a moment to examine his clothes before responding, "I was asked to stay inside the main castle because of some suspicion towards me." The others, except Garnette, looked on with confusion and surprise.

"You now live inside the castle?" Bane exclaimed in surprise. Ragnar simply nodded in response.

"Why did they even let you stay there? I heard that you were dangerous to them," Grandma Ethel exclaimed, gazing at Ragnar with concern.

"You've become quite the threat to this city, Ragnar. When did this happen?" Bane asked, a mix of surprise and confusion evident in his tone. Ragnar just smirked and replied, "It's a long story, Bane. Lady Ana's orders have left me bewildered too."

"Grandma Ethel, do you mind if Bane and I have a chat first?" Bane asked with a pleading look. "Just bring the box of fresh Mongo Tea, and you're free to talk as much as you want," Grandma Ethel replied, continuing with her chores.

Garnette stepped forward, adjusting her dress gracefully. "Grandma Ethel, let me get it instead of Bane. It looks like they need some time to talk." Bane couldn't help but notice her as he remarked, "Ragnar, do you know that girl? She's quite beautiful."

Ragnar and Bane watched as Garnette made her way towards Grandma Ethel, and Ragnar expressed his gratitude to Garnette in a warm and kind tone, saying, "Thank you as always, Garnette." Garnette nodded back at Ragnar with a gentle smile.

Bane was left speechless by her beauty, unable to take his eyes off her. "Bane," Ragnar said, gripping Bane's hand as he snapped back to reality. "Oh, what?" Bane replied, clearly confused and bewildered.

"Let's have a chat," Ragnar said, sounding rushed. "Yeah, let's talk," Bane swiftly agreed as he led Ragnar away. "Let's talk in here." Bane continued quickly, ushering them both through the door he had just exited and swiftly locking it behind them.

Bane released his grip on Ragnar and made his way to a nearby wooden chair. He reached up and pulled a string hanging from the ceiling, instantly illuminating the room. And they both settled into their seats.

'This is quite a pleasant room.'

Ragnar took a moment to survey the space and noted that it was a well-appointed guest room, from the quality of the walls to the carefully chosen furniture.

"It has been a while, Ragnar," Bane said, offering a warm smile and a kind glance at Ragnar.

Since their childhood, Bane and Ragnar have been as close as best friends. Their bond had endured for months and even years of constant interaction, and even a day apart felt like a significant absence in their friendship.

"Ragnar, where did you disappear?" Bane asked, a concerned look on his face as he glanced at Ragnar.

Ragnar looked visibly confused. After processing Bane's question for a few moments, he still seemed bewildered. "I went with Cliffe and the others," he replied, leaning against the wooden chair as he tried to make sense of the situation.

Bane's eyebrows furrowed as he looked directly at Ragnar, speaking in a rough and serious tone. "Ragnar, you were the one who went missing. Cliffe and the others left without you because you weren't on time."

Bane's expression shifted to one of sorrow as he looked down at the floor. "I was the one who waited for you here. I slept on the streets, and when I tried to find you, I was beaten," he said in a low tone, his voice filled with sadness.

'I was missing? '

Ragnar's expression became even more perplexed, his mouth hanging open in disbelief. Bane's unexpected words only added to the confusion. After a moment of silence, Ragnar's face softened with a touch of sorrow as he spoke, "I left you? Bane, it was you who left us. Cliffe and the others didn't make it, but somehow I managed to survive."

"No matter what you say, I can't believe it. I lived through every moment of that night, and I remember every word spoken," Ragnar declared, locking eyes with Bane, his gaze filled with skepticism.

Bane turned his gaze towards the window, contemplating the city's skyline. In a hushed tone, he murmured, "Ragnar, every moment of my journey, every blow I endured to find you, I felt it all. You can't change what I've been through."

"Ragnar, I'm just as perplexed as you," Bane continued, fixing a serious gaze on Ragnar. "Now, please, tell me when you became a threat to this city? I need to understand everything."

What is going on? Everything seems to be getting more and more confusing.

Ragnar didn't respond immediately. He took a moment to survey the room, gathering his thoughts about the events of that fateful night. It was the night when Ragnar and the others had chosen to venture into the dark forest, despite having only a few light essences.

Bane had opted to stay behind in the village, intending to rest for the night and make his way through the forest alone at daybreak. As a result of his decision, the others fell victim to entities like Grimiores, Odyssies, and Ghouls.

Ragnar could still vividly recall the agony of being devoured and slain by those malevolent entities. Every scratch and bite was etched in his memory, as was his own desperate visage. But one thing stood out—the excruciating pain in his eye. It persisted until Fae's demise, and then it abruptly vanished. If Ragnar were to articulate that pain, it would feel as though a blade had cleaved into his eye.