Chapter 4: New Bonds, New Purpose
After two weeks, Rudra awoke fully.
Rudra where I am and what's going on here Richard introduced himself properly and explained how they found him.
"Who are you…?" Rudra asked.
"I'm Richard Wan Taguls, a merchant from the Western Kingdom. We found you in the northern wilds of Indica."
Richard looked at Rudra, concern etched into his face.
"But what were you doing so deep in the forest, child?" he asked gently.
Rudra froze for a moment, the question stirring something buried deep inside him. His eyes dimmed, and he lowered his gaze.
He whispered, almost to himself,
"I… I was at home… and then… they came."
A shadow passed over his face as the weight of that night clawed its way back into his thoughts — a memory too raw to put into words.
The memories hit Rudra like a hammer. His parents' faces. His mother's smile. Blood. Death.
He screamed, striking his head against the wooden wall in grief. "Why!? Why was I so weak!?"
Between sobs, Rudra told Richard the whole story — leaving out the transportation magic, fearing he'd be thought mad.
Richard placed a firm hand on his shoulder. "Enough, son. You'll be okay. You're safe now."
But Rudra wasn't interested in safety. "I can't stay here. I have to get stronger. I have to take revenge."
"And how exactly will you do that?" Richard asked gently.
"I don't know yet," Rudra admitted. "But I'll do whatever it takes."
Richard smiled. "Then you'll come with me."
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When Richard extended his offer, Rudra saw a faint ray of hope—something he hadn't felt since that night. This man, a complete stranger, had no reason to care, yet he was willing to help. Maybe… just maybe, Rudra thought, this man could help me get stronger... help me find the revenge that burns silently inside me, carved into my soul by those shadowed figures.
With hesitation in his voice, Rudra asked,
"Are you sure about this, mister?"
Richard smiled warmly.
"Yeah, pretty sure. Don't worry about it."
Rudra looked down.
"But I don't have any money… not for travel, not even for food."
Richard chuckled softly and placed a hand on the boy's shoulder.
"It's an elder's duty to guide the young. Besides, one more mouth won't make a difference to our journey."
Rudra's eyes softened, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Thank you… I'll come with you."
Right then, Rudra's stomach let out a loud growl, breaking the heavy moment.
Richard laughed.
"Well, I'm hungry too. How about we eat something?"
Rudra nodded shyly.
"Yeah… it's been a while since I had a proper meal."
That night, the two shared a simple dinner—one filled not with luxury, but with warmth. And by the first light of morning, they set off on their long journey toward the West Empire… and toward the destiny that awaited them both.
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