Why are humans such obligatory creatures? When someone of authority commands an order, or when someone cries out for help, even if a friend makes a seemingly dumb request, most people feel the need to help or comply, even if it's against their best interest.
We look for reasons for actions, order in routine, and safety amid chaos. We accept the world around us, and try to live in it, survive.
We set ourselves on a path and follow along no matter what it does to us, the morals we break, the disagreements with our beliefs, and the crap we take from others. All because, "It's what was asked," or "It's not my problem."
We deal with it, trapped by it, because the reason for our actions, the order to a routine, and the safety in chaos we feel when we know what comes next keeps us in place.
It's hard to break a mold that was made before we were even born. So, like any mold, as soon as we enter, we simply try and fit. And the ones that don't find themselves in the mold are ostracised, shunned, or even killed.
In this mold we call society, I find myself trapped, funneled in, to playing the good soldier. I know I can't break it, so why even try?
What happened earlier today has left me more resentful than ever.
I couldn't save the family, but before that I couldn't change anyone's minds, before that I couldn't help Leo and Lavinia, before that I couldn't keep up to Leo, before that I couldn't question the guards, before that I couldn't keep Lavinia from walking away, and before that, before that, before that.
This mold has me trapped.
As we made our way back to the estate, the three of us sat in silence. Every bump of the carriage sent a shock of pain through my body, reminding me of my failure.
Leo was staring out the window, wincing from the pain, but otherwise fine. Lavinia was in dread, mumbling to herself in a stupor.
I tried to keep my mind off of it, but that brought no solace. Keeping my mind off it, just brought it back more and harder each time.
The fear in the mother's eyes. The little girl, dead in her arms. The two, laying together, lifeless.
My first sight of a fight against a powerful Beast. I may have faced a Lord Beast, but that one was a child and posed me no threat.
The devastation of the Python's attacks, the speed, the oppressive Aura, I could barely move, I could barely breathe.
"Damn it!" I berated myself quietly.
Instead of trying to forget it, I felt it. If I want to get used to this, I must feel it first.
So, sitting there in silence, I berated myself. What I saw, how I reacted, and how useless I was.
If I don't want to feel this way again, I have to get stronger.
It took a full minute for the three of us to climb the stairs to the estate. There aren't even that many stairs. Leo's muscles were still mostly ruptured from his Will usage, Lavinia was tightly supporting the bandages on her side, and my bones ached. Having been rattled and fractured.
Hitting the ground and a tree at the speed of a carriage would do that. The new feats I'm capable of due to my Will continue to impress me. I should be dead.
Leo chuckled. "We're late. How do you think Mom will react?"
Responding immediately, "Shut up, Leo." Lavinia grimaced.
The servant with us understood our predicament and proceeded to open the large front door for us.
Swinging open in a dramatic creaking, there on the other end of the door, was a very angry, very scary, ethereal woman. Her hands on her hips in fury, her face scrunched in a scowl, she yelled in a controlled rage, "Where in the Monarchs have you three be—My babiiies!" Catching sight of the three of us, her voice and face immediately softened. Running up to us in a motherly sprint, her arms fully extended, ready to receive us in her embrace.
As if too worried from the sight of us to restrain herself, she wrapped her arms around all three of us in a crushing hug.
Instead of cries of joy resonating from the porch, bestial howls of pain and a resulting scream of remorse filled the air.
…
Without Sir Chiron here to heal our wounds, after Lady Phia apologised profusely, she directed us to the Med Room on the training floor.
The three of us headed down in the elevator and walked through the hall that led to the Sparing Studio. However, instead of turning left, we went right.
The Med Room was a clean, white, rectangular room. Every wall, including the floor and ceiling, was a single large tile, giving the room a weird perception of depth.
The room had small, single beds on wheels, surrounded by curtains, and a large counter at the far end with ample storage.
Limping over to the counter, Lavinia reached inside a cabinet and grabbed three more Recovery Potions, each larger than the ones we had in the field.
"These are more powerful. They should heal us near completely now that our essence has recovered a bit." She said, tossing a bottle over to me.
The three of us plopped down on separate beds and chugged the potion in one gulp.
The potion had a sweet taste, like it was a really sugary drink. But it lacked flavour. There's nothing to relate it to. Still, I'd much rather have this than a milkshake.
Dangerous. I can't imagine what having medicine as candy would do. The medicine in the Lower District was always disgusting.
After finishing the potion, nothing happened for about half a dozen seconds, but I could feel the effects of the potion moving around in my body. Unlike water, once it goes down, it disappears into the hole that is the stomach. Where all feeling stops. But I could feel the swaying of the potion as it fell down my throat, sizzling in my stomach, and dissipating into particles. Those particles spread throughout my entire body, forcing my essence out of my core.
Once the essence spread to my injuries, many sensations washed over my body.
Prickling, tingling, and piercing, emanated all over, depending on the severity of the injury. Muscles became prickly as they mended, nerves tingled as they tied back together, and bones pierced as fractures healed. My head was given a momentary headache as all the injuries repaired themselves. Hyperstimulated by all the sudden repairs.
By the time the potion had done its work, all that was left were sore muscles and aching tendons.
Exhausted from the outing, I went to bed early. Bidding goodnight to the siblings, I headed back up to the main floor, alone.
As I climbed the foyer stairs, I vowed never to have another outing with the Grimwalds again. All those two bring is pain and suffering.
As I exhaled loudly, a voice called out from the bottom of the steps, "Rin, my dear, there's a letter for you." It was Lady Phia.
"A letter?" I repeated.
She gracefully made her way up the steps, her long dress betraying the image of her stepping onto them. As if she were floating just above.
Handing over the letter, a light blue seal with the Grimwald crest marked its origin. The real crest. A pair of horns, much like the kieriki's.
"Lord Elgin will be returning tomorrow. The contents of the letter contain a topic discussed at the meeting… concerning you." Lady Phia said, her face calm.
"What topic exactly?" I questioned.
"I am unsure. Only that letter contains the answer."
I eye Lady Phia inquisitively. What could be so important, it must be contained in one letter? I guess the usage of the official Grimwald crest implies grave secrecy.
Carefully breaking open the seal, I flip the parchment open, reading its contents quietly out loud. So only Lady Phia could hear.
"Disciple Rin, I hope this letter finds you well. This meeting was an especially lengthy one. It has left Lord Elgin drained and disheartened. Many topics of discussion have brought large fracas and agitation, but not nearly to the extent of the topic concerning you. Frankly, the whole gathering was quite vexing.
I do apologise in advance. The topic is wholly troublesome.
I regret to inform you that the secret of your Lord Will was disclosed during Lord Elgin's discussion with the Lords. As well as in front of His and Her Majesty.
In light of the aver of a new Lord-Will Holder, especially of one with an Attribute not Bonded to in many years, the council has requested proof of these claims. In approximately three weeks' time, during the New Year's Party, you shall display a showing of your Will, and accordingly, its status. It is being done this way in lieu of Lord Elgin's insistence that a simple inspection of your Aura would not suffice.
Lord Elgin attempted to dissuade this exhibit, detailing your circumstances, but unfortunately, all requests fell on deaf ears.
On behalf of Lord Elgin, I deeply apologize for these turn of events. We will continue your training forthwith our return. We pray you will not make a fool of yourself and the house.
'Accuracy is truth. Speed is death.'
Sincerely, Sir Chiron"
…Crap.
"Well… isn't this… abhorrent." Lady Phia pinched the bridge of her nose.