Chapter 6: A Kenway's Final Voyage

The sun rays pierced through the thick, white clouds of the pleasant morning. The year was 2020, 7 years later after the boy managed to move on with the disappearance of his so-called "friend". He lived through the years without any unwanted memories holding him back, as if he went through the years with no memory of Selena, seeing that he had been helping the residents of the Manor with a bright smile and a caring aura. His determination of being as skillful as Sasha, and being an independent and knowledgeable person like William and Ronald made Ryan what people would call "Whole Package". Knowing that he had changed to a devoted teenager. It seemed that many females of today in New Orleans made Ryan their target but remembering William's advice about a world where appearance matters the most, he never once succumb to any females he met through the years and stayed family oriented more than anything, especially if they only fell for his looks and money. Though this does not mean life growing up became easy for him, no, he faced many hardships, peers, and challenges but he was fueled by the love of the three most important people in this world for Ryan. With his current skills, the lad became confident in himself of taking care of William for future generations, but alas, smiles and laughter don't last forever without a price. Life is like a Roller Coaster ride, when there is up, then there is down, and Ryan was living his life on a Roller Coaster since the very beginning of his story. William was diagnosed with an unknown, incurable disease and has been sick for over 4 months now, Sasha and Ronald fear that it won't last long until William will hold Death's hand as he guides him to the unknown world. Ryan, who had tried everything that their money could do, failed to find a doctor who could cure him, and even studying hundreds or even thousands of books about medicinal herbs in the Manor's grand library could not give him the correct solution for William's mysterious illness. Sasha and Ronald never wanted to give up but it seemed that there is no longer stopping the final sand of William's hourglass. The Manor was filled with nothing but Ryan's sadness towards the dying man while he sat and waited for time to pass him by at the fountain. He blamed the universe on why he had to live a life like this, he never asked for money, he never asked for a life partner or anything luxurious, all he ever wanted was a normal, happy life with his family. Death by old age was something Ryan would prefer, knowing that he could still have the best years of his life while taking care of William, but he never expected that his final days would be due to an incurable illness. The universe is filled with secret and mysteries that are not solvable by any means unless it wants to be solved. As he kept his gaze over at the fountain, Ronald who just appeared, stood next to the Lad as they both gazed at the same architectural design.

"I figured you'd be here. Are you alright?" Asked the butler with a formal posture

"I am..."

"You don't look alright if I must say"

"It's just... It's too soon... There was so much more I wanted to do and learn with William, I guess it never occurred to me that his legacy would come to an end"

"Part of the journey is the end, Master Ryan. No man can win in every battle, but no man should fall without a struggle. Master William has fought many obstacles in his life but I have never seen anyone struggle to keep up with their breath than him, which is why I respect him as both my master... and my friend"

"Part of the journey is the end... I guess you're right"

"Master William wants to see you in his room... he has... something to tell you, he said it's urgent"

"Alright. Wait I feel like that's a quote from a movie?" The butler chuckled before leaving towards the other side of the maze as Ryan continued his way towards William's room. He paused in front of a large door, behind them is where William is resting. What is he going to tell him? Why is it urgent? The same question flow in his head, he had several personal answers to what it could be but he had one that he refused to listen to if it was correct. Hesitantly reaching for the doorknob, the large door creek open as William gazed to his side to meet Ryan's eyes. He had become older and weaker through the years but his will power was still as strong as any men with a soul of a struggling warrior

"Ronald said you have something to tell me, he said it was urgent," Said the nervous boy.

"Yes... sit here" William gestured at the empty chair next to the bed he was on. Ryan did what he was told and sat on the chair, gazing over at William as he held back his sadness to hear what he had to say. "Ryan... do you remember a few years back...? You asked me why I didn't adopt you so you can be my legal son...?"

"I remember... you answered with business metaphors remember?" Booth of them laughed after what Ryan said but the lad stopped when William coughed heavily as a sign of his illness worsening. "Do you need water?"

"No, no... I just need you here as I tell you this... The reason why I didn't adopt you... was because... you have another Family member... Lucas Cunningham, your Uncle"

The Lad's eyes widened in shock as he paused everything including his breathing for a second before processing what William said.

"What...?"

"You have an Uncle... I'm sorry... I should have told you this sooner but... I couldn't bear the thought of losing you... I never had a child to raise before and I always dreamt of raising one. Then you arrived into my life, raising you was the best decision of my life, you were perfect... caring... knowledgeable... determined, and calm. Look, you even tried your best by watching over me... I was just afraid that once I tell you... you would leave me and I would never get to see you grow into what you are now... I know you must be angry for keeping this a secret from you but I want you to know that I am truly sorry..."

Ryan didn't respond at first until his right eye burst in tears but not out of anger or betrayal, but sadness towards William.

"Is that how much you think less of me...? Just because you told me I have an Uncle I would leave you like that...? Sasha was right, you can be an idiot sometimes... I love you as my real father through the years, I would never leave you after raising me as your own... That's how much you mean to me.."

Despite what Ryan said, William couldn't believe what he is hearing. All he could do now is smile and hug each other as the light of the sun shined upon them softly with warmth

"I love you, Ryan..." William muttered under his breath

"Don't leave me yet okay...? You're strong, tell me all about Autumn Kenway... I love that story... Tell me how he held his hands on the Daggers, tell me how he rallied all the pirates in the sea and defeated their enemies... Please tell me that story again..." Ryan said wanting to cheer them both up and lighten their mood but William didn't speak a single word for a while

"William...? William...?! Father! father

His screams echoed the whole Mansion, alerting Sasha and Ronald as they rushed towards the room, only to see Ryan crying on William's lifeless chest in anguish. The passed away Man had a warm smile embedded on his face with his eyes closed shut. Sasha could not help but cry as well as she hugged Ryan from behind for reassurance while Ronald stood firm with an honored look on his face as if a friend in arms died in an honorable war. It took two days to plan an honorable funeral for William. They held the funeral at the Kenway Family graveyard, where all member of the Kenway Family is buried since the first founder of the Mansion. After the coffin was buried under the 7 feet deep hole, Sasha and Ronald accompanied their new master towards the car as they walked to get there

"Do you think I could have found a cure for his disease?" Ryan asked before Sasha replied for him

"Young Master... A good laugh and long sleep are the best cure for everything... Let us give Master William his well deserve to rest with his Ancestors.."

"You're right..."

"Ryan, William wanted me to give you this after he is buried..." Ronald stood beside the Lad wearing a black tuxedo before handing him a sealed Letter with the Initial K of the Kenway family. "Best read it in the car" Ronald suggested before they went inside. Ronald and Sasha sitting on the driver and passenger seat while Ryan sat at the back, slowly unsealing the letter and reading a note that was inside, it was William's last will

"I, William Arthur Kenway the second hereby announced that Ryan Cunningham, the child I raised shall receive all the resources of the Kenway Family, including the whole Manor, The Heirlooms, my Money, and half the profit the company makes. He is now the current and legal owner of the Kenway Manor. Ronald Lemingsoff and Sasha Goodwill will be Ryan Cunningham's legal guardians while watching over the Manor as Butler and Maid." It's William's last will... everything that belonged to him... is mine now"

"We are honored to hear that. As Master William's former helpers, we are now in your care" Ronald said as he drove the car at an even speed. Ryan, who was speechless after what he read became quiet as he let out a sigh and a reassuring chuckle.

"Come on, guys... you know that William thought of you as more than just helpers... You are his family as well. You don't have to treat me as your Master... just treat me like... a family member"

From behind the back of their heads, Sasha and Ronald had soft smiles as the lad said that with a humble tone. They liked the thought of treating him as a loving family rather than a master but since they were thought to always respect the ones above them, they will just have to balance it both.

"As you wish, Ryan"

"But I will still call you Young Master because I like calling you that, and if you ask me not too then I will make you eat nothing but carrots for 3 months"

"A-alright... Ms. Sasha" Ryan replied with an audible gulp before the three of them laughed together in unison. After the laugh, Ryan went back to being silent before the memory of what William told him about Lucas came to his mind. What will he do now? He wanted to continue living his current life with Ronald and Sasha but somewhere deep inside him, he wanted to search and meet his last blood-related family and ask him so many questions, but will it be a good thing to just leave the mansion along with his guardians and pursue Lucas? Ronald glanced over at Ryan through the rearview mirror and noticed the complicated look on his eyes, resembling a person who has many unsolvable problems

"Have you thought about meeting your uncle...?" Ronald asked out of the blue.

"I don't know if I want to.."

"But why? You're Uncle would be so delighted to finally meet you"

"It's just... I feel like it would be the wrong thing to do... William just passed away and I'm now the owner of the Manor, then I'll just suddenly leave to meet my Uncle? What about you two? I don't want to leave you, you are my family as well, and I'm sure William would want me to live my life the way it already is"

Sasha could not help but smile sweetly as a reaction to what Ryan said. His words touched her heart, knowing that he treats them both like his real family.

"Young Master, we are very delighted and touched by your words, but we will be fine. We will not be going anywhere, we would always watch over the Manor when you're gone. If William was still here with us, he won't tell you to keep living in the Manor, he would tell you to live your life the way you want deep down"

Sasha stated with an angelic voice that made Ryan feel both reassured and conflicted. "But I still feel guilty of just suddenly leaving you guys...

"You won't be leaving us, Young Master. We will always be at the Manor, you know where to find us when you feel homesick"

"... I need more time to think about it"