I'M THE REASON

The night was silent.

Other than the fading of clatters and laughter from downstairs, the night was dull as the those drinking finally left the Inn.

Ravan who was mostly asleep at this hour was half asleep or rather trying to force himself into doing do so.

'It's difficult to fall asleep in a new setting one isn't used to.'

'I wonder how the old man fell asleep.'

Ravan sat up and after looking out the window he decided to try and get something to drink...maybe something warm that'll soothe his muscles and brain and having him feel sleepy.

'Maybe the Inn Keeper has something that might help me with that.'

Ravan stumbled in the dimly lit room, his foot catching on the old man's coat. As he bent down to untangle himself, he noticed a faint, eerie glow emanating from beneath the fabric.

'What the hell is that?'

Curiosity piqued, he carefully reached in and pulled out the source of the light: the beast core the old man had taken from the Valhein.

Holding the core in his hand, Ravan's mind flashed back to a vivid memory. The scene shifted to when he was thirteen years old, exploring the vast garden of the Zenith estate.

---

Young Ravan's eyes widened as he spotted a red, glowing orb rolling towards him, stopping just in front of his legs. His heart raced with excitement.

"Wow, this must be some sort of treasure or a rare magic artifact!" he exclaimed to himself, picking up the orb and admiring its luminescent beauty.

"I have to show this to Mom."

With the orb clutched tightly in his hands, Ravan ran back into the house, eager to share his discovery.

He burst into his mother's study, where she was engrossed in writing in a book she always kept away from prying eyes.

"Mom, look what I found!" Ravan called out, holding the orb up proudly.

His mother glanced up briefly, a look of concern flashing across her face before she quickly masked it.

"Not now, Ravan. I'm busy," she said, her voice distracted as she continued to jot down notes.

"But Mom, it's really important! I think it's something special," Ravan insisted, disappointment creeping into his voice.

"Ravan, please," she replied, not looking up from her book.

"I'll be with you in a moment after I finish this. Just leave it on the table for now."

Yielding to her words, Ravan sighed and set the orb on the table.

"Okay, but you promised you'll look at it later," he said, his voice tinged with hope.

"I promise," his mother replied, a small smile on her lips. "I'll always keep my promises to you."

Ravan left the study, feeling a mix of disappointment and reassurance. He knew his mother kept her promises, and he eagerly awaited the moment she would join him to examine the mysterious orb.

---

Back in the present, Ravan stared at the beast core in his hand, the memory of that day replaying in his mind.

'There's no way in the 9 realms....right?'

He thought to himself trying to comfort himself.

But deep down he knew very well the thoughts that were materializing in his head were all coming together.

He just didn't want to admit it.

The core's red glow was unmistakably similar to the orb he had found in the garden years ago.

He felt a strange connection, a realization that the events of his past were more intertwined with the present than he had ever imagined.

"This means...I'm the reason...I'm the reason why..."the 15 year old scrumbled to mutter his thoughts aloud.

As he pondered the significance of this revelation, the old man stirred from his sleep, noticing the light from the core.

"What are you doing with that?" he asked, his voice gruff but curious.

Ravan looked up, holding the core out for the old man to see.

"This... it reminds me of something from my past. Something important."

The old man's eyes narrowed as he examined the core.

"We'll discuss it in the morning. For now, get some rest. We have a long journey ahead."

Ravan nodded, placing the core back under the old man's coat. As he settled down on his bed, his mind buzzed with questions and memories, the mystery of his past and the uncertain future ahead intertwined in his thoughts.

'Now there's no fucking way I'll fall asleep after that...'

Restless and unable to sleep, Ravan decided he needed a drink to calm his nerves.

He quietly slipped out of the room, careful not to wake the old man, and headed downstairs.

Opting for the spiral stairs on the other side of the inn, he hoped they would be quicker and quieter.

As he reached the bottom, he walked towards the counter where the innkeeper was cleaning some glasses. The middle-aged man looked up and smiled warmly at Ravan.

"Can't sleep?" the innkeeper asked, putting down a glass and wiping his hands on a rag.

"Yeah," Ravan admitted, taking a seat at the counter. "Do you ever sleep?"

The innkeeper chuckled.

"Not much. Running the best inn in town keeps me busy. There's always someone coming in or something to clean up.

And besides, I have a bit of insomnia."

Ravan glanced around the room, noticing the five maids busily tidying up.

They were dressed in suit-like attires, their big breasts bouncing as they moved, their curvy hips accentuated by the tight skirts they wore.

He realized it was a smart business tactic by the innkeeper.

'Beautiful maids and perfectly curved in the rightful places, the inn keeper really is something.'

"I see you've got some help," Ravan said, nodding towards the maids.

"Indeed," the innkeeper replied, smiling proudly.

"They're a hardworking bunch. Helps keep the place running smoothly and keeps the visitors happy. It's good for business."

'More like seduce incoming visitors and having them stay...'

'That or this man has a kink for females dressed in really tight clothing...'

'Very revealing clothing...'

Ravan nodded, understanding the strategy. "Could I get something to drink?"

"Of course," the innkeeper said, reaching for a bottle behind the counter.

"What would you like?"

"Something light," Ravan replied.

"Just to help me sleep."

The innkeeper poured a drink and slid it over to Ravan.

"Here you go. This should do the trick."

'I have never gotten the chance to drink beer or rather wine back in House Zenith.'

'Mostly because father was against.'

'But...the old man isn't here to stop me, now is he?'

Ravan thought to himself still thinking over the fact that he was no longer the son to the sadistic red-haired man.

Ravan took a sip, feeling the warmth of the liquid spread through him, easing some of the tension in his body.

'A bit burning but...my throat can take it.'

He looked around, observing the inn's late-night activity, the maids efficiently moving about, the quiet murmur of the few remaining patrons.

"Thanks," Ravan said, appreciating the innkeeper's hospitality.

"Anytime," the innkeeper replied with a smile.

"If you need anything else, just let me know."

Ravan nodded, taking another sip and feeling a bit more relaxed.

As he sat there, he couldn't help but think about the events of the day, the old man, the beast core, and the unsettling memories from his past.

But for now, the warmth of the drink and the calm atmosphere of the inn provided a momentary respite.

"Another glass, please."