A father's heart

Hearing the voice he was too familiar with, Hex relaxed.

"Nice look," he said with a smirk, earning him a playful slap on his shoulders. He winced, feeling it sting. 

"I can't believe fighting a Knight left me with a broken body," he grumbled.

As soon as he said that, he felt the gazes of the masked figures land on him. 

"Ha. Did you hear it guys?" Hestia whistled and said. "This genius thinks having a few broken bones against a Knight is unbelievable. Here, we thought that surviving one was an achievement. I guess he is truly special."

Even though he could hear Hestia acting like she was offended, he felt his face burn with embarrassment. In retrospect, he sounded indeed arrogant.

Thankfully, he didn't need to explain himself. The others just shook their heads and turned towards the slum folk.

"They are…?" Boron asked with his boar mask on.

Hex turned hurriedly. Althea was already tending to some of them. A green glow shone around their bodies as small flowers bloomed around them. 

"Thanks, Hestia. They are people from the slums who supported Old George," Hex explained as he watched the nine people bleeding and lying unconscious. Only the portly man sat on the floor, looking curiously at them.

Hex wiped his face clean, undoing the disguise. The portly man seemed to recognize him. He became even more friendly.

Hex gave a brief explanation about what happened inside and about their fight in the cave.

"How did you guys find us?" He asked curiously. They went from an alternative space to a cave in the mountains. 

"Well, it's thanks to him," Hestia said, pointing at the man with a puppet mask. "He is adept at using Space Techniques. Somehow he was able to trace you guys."

'Impressive. But I don't recognize him,' Hex wondered who it could be. Based on stature and voice, he already had a good idea who the others were but the puppet man was difficult to place.

Before he could inquire, Hestia held her hand and signaled them to wrap it up. 

"Let's return to the castle before talking further. We need to make sure we can get something out of him." She was looking at the captain who was still staring blankly in front of him.

…

While the Knights were preparing to interrogate the town guard captain, Hex went straight to check up on the old couple.

He was told they were in Gorge's room. 

"Look who we have here, dear," Hex heard Old George say menacingly, "a brat who thinks he can take my place."

The old man was staring at him with a scowl. But Aunt Jute stood up and hugged Hex.

"Don't listen to him. I am glad you are fine," she said with tears in her eyes. "Thank you for looking out for Gorgie."

Hex felt embarrassed accepting her gratitude. He didn't feel he did much. 

"He is still out?" Hex asked, diverting the attention of the couple to their son. Gorgie lay peacefully. If Hex didn't know any better, he would think the boy was sleeping.

"He is fine," Aunt Jute said. "He just needs some good food."

"The chefs are good…," Hex started to say but was stopped by Aunt Jute.

"I am sure they are, dear. But they don't know what my boy likes. Do you think they let me use the kitchen?"

Hex exchanged a glance with Old George, who just shrugged. He laughed dryly and escorted her to the kitchen.

After entrusting her to the kitchen staff he walked back to Gorge's room. Just as about to enter, he heard sobs coming from the room.

Peering inside, he saw Old George kneeling beside Gorge.

"I don't know what you have been through but please wake up, boy. If something happens to you, your old mom will die," Old George said, ignoring the tears rolling down his cheeks.

Hex stood rooted at the door. He had never seen the groggy old man in such a defeated manner.

"I am sorry I couldn't give you the life you wish for. I am such a failure, you risked your life to change your fate. And knowing you, you don't even wish to be a Blessed for yourself. You just wish to see us happy, don't you? But you forgot nothing matters to us more than having you."

Hearing him talk, Hex felt a bit emotional. He considered Gorge's family warm and welcoming. He wished to see them happy.

But at the same time, Old George's words triggered a thought in his head. 

'Did Gorge end up in such a state because he tried to go against Heaven's will?'

The sermon replayed in his head. He couldn't help but feel angry at the Heavens. Was it so wrong to wish to make your path in the world?

"The Lord kills to make people walk their path and Heavens kills for not walking the path it laid out."

He clenched his fist in anger at the way both entities were fighting without caring for others. 

"So which one are you choosing?" An apathetic voice asked suddenly from behind.

With a start, Hex turned. The baron stood behind him, staring right at him.

'My choice?' Hex calmed down and gave it a thought. The baron didn't urge him. He waited patiently.

"I don't agree with either way of doing things," he said slowly. "I will use my world stone to create another way."

As he said that he felt as if he made a vow to himself. Each word stirred something deep within him. He felt as if he finally found a goal he could truly fight for.

"A path, belonging to neither. Are you sure?" The baron asked. "It will be harder than defeating me."

"You knew?" Hex blurted. Once, he indeed wanted to defeat the baron. But as time passed he wasn't sure about it.

The baron didn't reply. He kept staring at Hex. Hex knew he was waiting to hear his resolve.

"Yes! I am sure. I rather die fighting for myself than cause others harm."

He felt a fire burn inside him as he said it, enunciating each word.

The baron remained silent for a while. Then he nodded. "Remember it!"

Hex nodded. He saw Aunt Jute come with a bowl of her soup. Aunt didn't know the baron so she only greeted him. 

Hex entered the room with her. Old George stood beside the bed, looking as stern and groggy as always. No evidence of his tears was left.

…

The baron looked at the door closing up. He remained standing in the hallway for a while. 

He then fished a small device from his pouch. Flipping it open, he looked at the picture of a beautiful woman.

"You asked to protect him. But he is crazier than his father!"