So, the boy who in the eyes of some had great value, actually wasn't worth anything.
6 YEARS LATER
— Hey, boy, come here now! — shouted the "beggar" who bought the child.
— Yes, daddy? — said the boy.
— I was thinking... Since I bought you, I never gave you a name... How about Shiva? — said the "beggar."
Then, Shiva shows a big smile on his face and bows his head in gratitude.
— Hey... Dad? — asked Shiva, curious, wanting to ask something.
— Yes, what do you want? — said the "beggar."
— Why do you dress like a "beggar"? — asked Shiva.
— Ah, that? It's just a disguise I created to infiltrate some places — replied the man.
— 6 years ago, I had a mission to assassinate a man. One of my contacts said Donnavel (the target) would be at a slave auction and, to avoid drawing attention, I disguised myself as a beggar... I needed to kill this guy as quickly as possible and get out of there fast, but when I saw that boy... Everyone saying he was just a useless human... I couldn't resist and then offered 1 poing as a bid. I was in disbelief when they gave me the boy for such a low price, considering I could have bought him for millions of times more... From that day on, I decided to disappear from the map, stop killing people for money, and take care of this child. But it wouldn't be that easy... A few months later, members of my organization found me and questioned why I had disappeared. I said I was leaving the organization, but... They weren't very pleased... They left and, 5 months later, they came back. This time, with GUILLOTINE. That was the title of the group leader. I don't know his name, but I know that talking to this guy would lead nowhere.
6 YEARS AGO – THE ORGANIZATION DECIDES TO QUESTION ME
— So... Why did you disappear, Bartolomel? — said the organization leader with a serious look.
Facing a guy like this is like facing the devil himself. I can't even look into his eyes. After all, if I do that... My head will roll like his enemies'.
— Uh... Leader... I have a son. I'm leaving the organization because of him. I bought him at a slave auction and felt called to adopt him as my son — said Bartolomel, trembling, looking down.
— So that's it? 8 years in our organization, assassinating hundreds of traitors... And in the end, you get up from your damn chair and decide to disappear because you adopted a kid? — said the leader, clearly unhappy.
— Leader, please... — (Bartolomel was interrupted by the leader)
— No. You can take care of this child, but under one condition: when he turns 6 years old, he will come to my organization... The "HEAD HUNTING" organization. Feel free to come along with your son, but before leaving, let me make a few things clear. From now on, you're on leave from Head Hunting until this child turns 6 years old. During that time, I want you to work as an informant in the city of "Blue Sky." I just want you to investigate a man called "The Liberator." The only information I have is that he's around there. He's a bastard who raids villages with his small group of thieves, murdering the men, selling the children, and abusing the women — said the leader with a serious expression.
— Y-yes, sir! — said Bartolomel.
— Take this as an act of mercy... You bastard... See you in a few years — said the leader, turning away.
Ugh... Finally, he's gone... This guy... That aura he emanates... It's like a demon fresh out of hell...
A FEW METERS AWAY, WITH THE HEAD HUNTING LEADER
— Guillotine? — asked the subordinate.
— You want to know why I didn't decapitate him? Simple: he saved my life once... But it seems he doesn't know that.
6 YEARS AFTER THIS INCIDENT
The time has come... Shiva turned 6 yesterday. How long will it take for them to get here? — thought Bartolomel.
— Shiva, listen... Soon, some friends of daddy's will arrive here, okay? Don't be afraid of them... But you need to know that our life will change completely inside that place — said Bartolomel, clenching his hands tightly, afraid of what's to come.
— Okay, dad! — replied Shiva.
1 MONTH LATER
Someone knocks on the door: KNOCK KNOCK. Then I open it to see who it is.
— Oh, hi! How can I help you? — asked Bartolomel.
— Head Hunting came to pick up two new members. Please pack your bags and let's go to the organization — said one of the organization members.
After packing, we got into the Head Hunting carriage... But there was something different... It was way too fancy.
— Uh... Can I ask a question? — said Bartolomel.
— Yes, what is it? — said the member.
— Since when does Head Hunting have such a fancy carriage? — asked Bartolomel.
— Since Guillotine assassinated someone very important... I can't say much about it, but his target was a man called Julian... The Father of Saints... He was a follower of the goddess of lust and sold women as sex objects... — said the HH (Head Hunting) member.
— Got it! — said Bartolomel.
Good thing he didn't come personally... Not only would he scare me to death, but he would also terrify Shiva... Let's get in the carriage...
— Hey, Bartolomel! How are you? — he laughed right after.
— WHAT THE HELL?!... — shouted Bartolomel.
What's he doing here?... How depressing...
— I had too much free time... And also too much curiosity. Ready to go back to your origins? — asked the Head Hunting leader.
— Curious? — asked Bartolomel.
— I wanted to see little Shiva... Look how tiny he is... He'll be a great team member, don't worry — said the leader.
While the carriage moves...
— Uh... Daddy? Who is this man? — asked Shiva.
whisper — Son... He is the leader of HH... It's the place where we'll live now... Don't disrespect him under any circumstances... And please... Don't look him in the eyes... — whispered Bartolomel.
— Why are you staring at me, kid? — asked the HH leader.
— You're really strong... What's your name? — asked Shiva, curious.
— My name is Falyin, but they call me The Guillotine... I'm the leader of Head Hunting, an organization specialized in assassinations — said Falyin, The Guillotine.
This kid... He stares at me as if I were just a normal human... The difference between looking at him and looking at Bartolomel is absurd... While this child looks me in the eyes, Bartolomel won't even look at my feet... — thought Falyin, The Guillotine.
— Falyin? — asked Shiva.
— Yes, kid? — replied Falyin, curious.
— Why are your eyes so different? They have a design in the pupil... It looks a lot like an X marking a treasure map — said Shiva.
— Ah, that? I don't know, kid! — replied Falyin, The Guillotine.
1 MONTH LATER
— Finally, we've arrived... Smelling this aroma of blood and hard training feels so good! — said Falyin, The Guillotine.
— We're here, Shiva... Wake up! — said Bartolomel.
In the meeting room:
— I gathered all the most important members of the organization here today to welcome back an old member and his son. Their names are: Bartolomel, the child's father, and Shiva, this man's son — said Falyin, The Guillotine.
— WELCOME!
— Before you go rest, I need to say something: Bartolomel, from today on, you and Shiva will no longer stay together... Each will receive different training. Therefore, you must be separated — said Falyin, The Guillotine.
— Wait!! You can't do this! He's just a child! He needs me! I can take care of him! — screamed Bartolomel.
— Don't worry, Bartolomel... He'll be in good hands — said Falyin with a sincere smile.
2 WEEKS LATER
Already separated, Shiva finds himself in a difficult situation... Will he be able to manage on his own?
— Hey, little one? — said a calm voice.
— Hi... Who are you? — asked Shiva.
— I'm Karina... And you? — asked Karina.
— My name is Shiva... Nice to meet you — said Shiva.
— The pleasure is all mine... So, today your training will start... And I need to tell you the rules and things you'll need to build into your mindset — said Karina.
— Okay... — said Shiva.
— The rules are few, but they must be followed, no matter the circumstances:
1. Never say no to your superiors.
2. Always do what you're told. (These two only apply if the rank is higher. Equal rank doesn't apply to this rule).
3. You'll need to train your mind every day. While training the body, train the mind.
4. Always wake up at sunrise. Don't wake up later than that.
These are the rules... If any of them are broken, you'll suffer a punishment — said Karina.
— Got it, Karina — said Shiva.
— So let's get started... I'll show you the whole organization... Let's go outside... And right after, I'll take you to your first training.
After showing all the places in the organization, Karina takes Shiva to his trainer, who was in the hall.
— So, we've arrived at the place where you'll train for 3 months. Don't be afraid of him, he's a nice guy — said Karina.
Then, Karina opens the door.
— Oh, hey Karina! How are you? Did you bring the boy they talked about? — asked the man.
— Yes, I brought him... Come on, Shiva — said Karina.
Then Shiva enters the hall, and his trainer introduces himself:
— Hey, kid! From now on you're no longer human... You'll become a monster... A killing machine... Hehe... Nice to meet you, my name's Israel. And you? What's your name?
To be continued...