«Pathos» Ru...em?
«Ruem» Yup.
The stranger's name confuses Pathos, he had never heard someone called that and he heard his fair share of names but this was new to him.
«Pathos» I'm Pathos Raimei.
«Ruem» Raimei? That surname rings a bell.
«Pathos» Really?
«Ruem» Yeah, but I don't remember where I heard it. Weird, right? Oh well!
«Pathos» What's your surname?
«Ruem» Ah, well... I don't have one. I forgot it.
«Pathos (thinking)» How can you forget your own surname?
Pathos reaches out and firmly grabs Ruem's hand for a shake. He quickly notices his hand is still wet from the fall. He looks at it in disbelief. Ruem lets go, unaware of the situation.
«Ruem» So... what's your deal?
«Pathos» My deal?
«Ruem» Well, since you've got those
Ruem spins his finger around the eyes.
«Ruem» "other" eyes, I want to know what your power is. Is it like X-ray? Or?
«Pathos» Oh, my power isn't connected to my eyes.
«Ruem» Oh, reeeeally?
«Pathos» Yeah. But. I think I can control thunder...? I'm not sure about it though,
He says this uncertainly. Ruem immediately replies, a spark in his eyes showing his interest towards his power.
«Ruem» That's sick!
«Pathos» Eh?
«Ruem» Show it to me!
«Pathos» W...Wha?
Ruem gets right in his face making deep breaths in anticipation. Pathos on the other hand gets overwhelmed by this much attention.
«Ruem» I want you to show it to me.
«Pathos» Well... I... don't know how to control it willingly, I already tried to use it earlier today but it didn't work.
Ruem's expression falls. His arms and head drop in disappointment.
«Ruem» A...oh. I see. So you still don't know how to control it.
«Pathos (thinking)» What's with that look?
«Pathos» Wait a second.
Ruem lifts his head, curious.
«Pathos» You mentioned that you have Prometeo too, right?
«Ruem» Yeah. What about it?
«Pathos» Can't you teach it to me.
Ruem jolts by the question feeling a bit shy to break it down to him. There is a brief silence between them until Ruem spoke again
«Ruem» Ah... well... I can't.
«Pathos» What? Why?
Ruem scratches the back of his head avoiding eye contact with him, embarrassed.
«Ruem» It's not that I don't want to. It's just that... I didn't really learn how to use it.
«Pathos» What do you mean?
«Ruem» I never learned. I just... knew. Like muscle memory, I guess?
«Pathos» You telling me you can do that instinctively!?
«Ruem» Instinctively...
Pathos's eyes drop to look at the ground. He was still clinging to that bit of hope but a new idea sparked. Perhaps it wasn't a matter of instinct, perhaps it was a matter of coordination of both mind and body that unleashed this power.
«Pathos» Please, I need to know! Tell me how you use your powers and I'll try to copy it.
«Ruem» I guess we can try that.
Ruem takes a stance, spreading his legs apart. He slowly raises his hand and points it in a random direction.
«Ruem» Well... ah... usually, I imagine where I want my power to manifest... then I go Bom. Bom.
«Pathos» Bom. Bom?
Ruem switches hands to explain the next step, still maintaining the stance. Using words like "Bom" to explain how it feels to conjure his Prometeo
«Ruem» Then, when I want to do something else, I go Pim. Pim.
Pathos stares, struggling to understand. His face darkens with disappointment, but out of desperation, he mimics the stance.
«Pathos» Like this?
«Ruem» Yeah, then do what I did.
Pathos raises his right hand, pointing in the same direction.
«Pathos» BOM!
Nothing happens. A leaf flutters by. That's it. The silence is deafening. Onlookers begin whispering, confused and unsure whether to laugh or feel secondhand embarrassment. Pathos lowers his hand slowly. People nearby start whispering, wondering if they're crazy or just stupid.
«Pathos» It... it didn't work...
Ruem raises both hands with an "I told you so" expression.
«Ruem» I told you. But ehi—
He pats Pathos on the back to reassure him.
«Ruem» At least you've got a pretty cool power, if I do say so.
Pathos starts playing with a rock on the ground, clearly disheartened.
«Pathos» What's the use of having a superpower if I can't even use it?
«Ruem» You'll find a way—eventually, I'm sure it's just a matter of time. I think.
«Pathos» You're making it worse...
«Ruem» I'm sorry... I'll shut up.
There is a brief moment of silence. Pathos sighs and stands again.
«Pathos» Well... I'm bound to learn it sooner or later.
«Ruem» Yeah... that's the spirit.
Ruem's stomach growls loudly, leaving both Pathos and Ruem shocked.
«Ruem» My bad. I didn't eat anything before I slept on that fountain.
Pathos remembers the sweets he bought earlier and reaches into his bag.
«Pathos» Wait, I have som—
As Pathos turns, he sees Ruem's head stuck in a strange wormhole that formed around him. The edges of the wormhole twist reality itself in a spinning motion. Pathos is immediately alarmed.
«Pathos» NO! Ruem!
Pathos grabs Ruem and yanks him out. They both tumble backward. Ruem coughs, dazed—his face stuffed with a chicken leg. Pathos stares.
«Ruem» V...huat vhats vlong?
«Pathos (thinking)» he's not dead...?
Pathos sighs in relief as Ruem bites down on the chicken leg. Pathos checks on him, and was left confused. Where did that chicken leg come from?
«Pathos» Is that... a chicken leg?
«Ruem» Yeah, you want some?
He offers it, but notices Pathos's shocked expression and realizes the situation.
«Ruem» Ohhhhhh, that? That's what my Prometeo allows me to do—create wormholes.
«Pathos» W...wait? Wormholes?
«Ruem» Yeah. Pretty neat ah?
As Ruem continued to munch on his chicken leg, Pathos reflected on something. If Ruem's power consists of creating wormholes, maybe just maybe he could rely on his knowledge and ability to control the Prometeo to help him locate and rescue her missing mother.
«Pathos» Answer my next question very carefully—
«Ruem» mhm?
«Pathos» —can you? travel anywhere?
«Ruem» Yes and no. For some reason, if I try to create a wormhole to a place I've never seen before, it won't work. I don't mind though—I kind of like traveling by foot.
«Pathos» i—i see...
«Ruem» Did I disappoint you?
«Pathos» N..no
With a second of distraction, Pathos looks back at Ruem, who had taken a piece of burning wood and a giant stick to hang his clothes and a blanket to cover himself while his clothes dried. What Pathos saw was Ruem now wrapped in a blanket, with his clothes hanging on the stick to dry from the heat of the fire.
«Ruem» There we go...
«Pathos» HOW DID YOU DO THAT IN SUCH LITTLE TIME!?
A moment passed and both of them were now walking along the long roads of the city of Serras. Pathos is still overwhelmed by the city's size, looking around as if he was a lost kitten. Ruem, now wearing his clothes again, notices Pathos's disorientation.
«Ruem» Is this your first time here?
«Pathos» Wha? How did you know?
«Ruem» Lucky guess... So, where are we heading exactly?
«Pathos» Oh right, I forgot to tell you. I'm trying to find someone I know little to nothing about. His name is Jhoel, and he lives northeast of here. Apparently, he owns a clothing shop. This are all the information I got.
«Ruem» Jhoel... a clothing shop... northeast from here... mhm... Oh no.
Pathos looks at him confused. Ruem suddenly feels a chill as he remembers that name.
«Ruem» Shit…
«Pathos» What? Why are you saying that?
«Ruem» No particular reason.
For a moment Pathos panicked almost worrying that Ruem might have done something to Jhoel
«Pathos» W….What happened between you two?
«Ruem» No no no. I didn't do anything to him. It's just that...
Ruem scratched his cheek, forcing a grin, though his eyes darted away… unable to meet Pathos's, in an attempt to ease the tension.
«Ruem» I might have stolen some of his clothes while he was working...
«Pathos» EEEEH!?
Ruem puts his hands together in prayer, apologizing to him for his past mistake.
«Ruem» I'm sorry!
«Pathos» You stole something, you are a criminal!
Ruem pulled Pathos close, placed his index finger over his own lips, and told him to shush. He replied by whispering
«Ruem» Ehi! don't yell out here please my name is already well known here i wouldn't want to notice me here
Ruem puts both his hands on Pathos's shoulders. Placing himself right in his face
«Ruem» Look I don't know what idea you got of me now but I'm not that bad. If Jhoel's a friend of yours or something, I'm sorry, but my situation was dire and...
Ruem freezes for a moment, lost in thought. He wanted to tell Pathos something but decided not to, continuing with,
«Ruem» Forget it.
He lets go of Pathos slowly.
«Ruem» Let's just go. I'll try to make it right, but if he reports me to the soldiers, I guess I wouldn't mind it.
«Pathos» And that's fine with you?
«Ruem» I mean... no, but—
His tone shifts to something more comical attempting to ease the tension.
«Ruem» As long as I have my Prometeo, I can get out scot-free!
«Pathos» You are not improving your situation, that would make you an even bigger scum. Just apologize and hope for the best.
Ruem sighs. He understood Pathos's worries but he didn't want to think of himself as a criminal.
«Ruem» Yeah, I... I know. Besides, I probably shouldn't tell a kid this.
But just as Pathos went to speak once more, the clanking sound of armor became louder and louder, until a group of three soldiers stood in front of them, all of them ready to unsheathe their swords.
«Soldier» Halt!
Pathos turned towards the voice followed by a shaking Ruem who already seemed to know such a voice. The soldier took a quick look at the duo and noticed the familiar face of Ruem and promptly shouted
«Soldier» You! stop right there!
With those words said, the soldiers didn't waste anymore time, their swords were drawn, directed toward the unfamiliar duo. Pathos's face contorted with fear not knowing what his next move should be, he turned to look at the sweating Ruem, who also looked quite troubled.
«Ruem» Look I don't want to cause tro-
«Soldier» Get him!
The soldier charged forward, his sword pointed forward to pierce Ruem straight in the chest. In a moment of desperation Pathos raised his hand towards the soldier in an attempt to reutilize the Prometeo to defend Ruem, but his attempt failed miserably.
«Pathos» Come on! come on!
As the soldier's sword came close enough to him, Ruem cast a wormhole right below Pathos and himself, making the sword miss entirely as the both of them fell through the floor.
«Ruem» Sorry buddy right now it's not the time, we can deal with you later though!
Once Pathos reached the other side, falling face-first on the dry concrete that lay beneath him. He raised his head and looked around, before gazing right in the wormhole where the soldier stared directly right into
«Soldier» Bastard! Come back here!
Just as the soldier finished his sentence, Ruem quickly closed the wormhole.
«Ruem» Yeah yeah go scream somewhere else.
«Pathos» What was that!?
Pathos was left confused; both the situation with the soldiers and his experience of going through one of Ruem's wormholes left him in shambles. Ruem slowly turned toward Pathos, scratched his cheek as he realized how confused he must be.
«Ruem» I'm sorry that you had to see this.
«Pathos» What the hell did you do to become such a wanted man!?
«Ruem» Many things.
Ruem's gaze shifted, completely avoiding Pathos's eyes
«Ruem» Which I'm not proud of.
While still avoiding his gaze, Ruem held out his hand to Pathos, wanting to help him get up.
For a moment, just a moment Pathos hesitated to reach out his hand. But moments later he grabbed it without fear. As he got up, he let out a brief sigh of relief, even when the soldiers clearly wanted Ruem.
«Pathos» Did you kill somebody to become so notorious around soldiers?
«Ruem» No, actually all I did was steal from a few stores and apparently now I'm supposed to be executed on the spot. I don't get why they make it such a huge deal.
He replied with an annoyed tone
«Pathos» I wonder why.
Pathos let out another sigh as a thought ran across his mind.
«Pathos» I hope they don't exchange me for a criminal too.
«Ruem» They won't, you can trust me on that. You didn't do anything concerning, they won't go after you.
«Pathos» I don't know how much I can trust you'r word right now.
Ruem let out a chuckle as he heard Pathos's distrust. Despite meaning each word and not in a joking way
«Ruem» Oh don't be so gloomy we got out of there. We should be in the clear once I understand, wherever we are.
Pathos did not speak, he gazed around his surroundings only to find some rundown houses barely holding up, the ground felt more like sand and not like concrete almost as if the road itself had worn out and was never replaced. This didn't feel like the same city he was in two seconds ago. As if he reached the poorer side of Serras. Everything from the smells and colors had somehow been replaced by the putrid smell of excrement, and the yellow "sand" covering the air.
«Pathos» Is this place even Serras?
«Ruem» Yes actually, this place has both rich and poor people. Oh actually now that you mention it I know where we are.
Pathos continued to look around finally spotting someone that wasn't Ruem, for some reason their clothes were almost torn, the pale face of someone who hasn't eaten in days. Could this really be Serras? Moments ago Serras displayed beauty, colors, smells and smiles. Yet this side seemed almost the exact opposite.
«Ruem» Ok so not to alarm you Pathos but, I might have moved us in a worse place.
Pathos turned his face wide open and eyebrows frowned, not expecting this for an answer from Ruem. In his own mind he spoke with an enraged tone.
«Pathos (Thinking)» Just where the hell did bring me, Ruem!?
«Ruem» Oh well this place is a lot calmer at least, we shouldn't face any trouble here. So I guess I should explain to you where we are. This is the east side of Serras, as you can tell by the poorer condition of this place, Serras tends to separate the upper class with the lower class. And for those who can't even find a job or food, they live here, a place where they can stay freely without ending up as criminals, unfortunately for them they don't get the same rights they have to live by themselves, plant your own food so basically start life from zero. Personally if you ask me this place isn't worth living. But for some people it's like heaven itself tends their hands to help them. Crazy right?
«Pathos» Why doesn't Serras just help them get back on their feet? If they became poor in the first place by default they are incapable of staying alive by themselves.
«Ruem» Serras has tried many things, the city itself cares deeply for its citizens. This was the only solution they could manage with their money sadly.
Pathos' face turned to look once more at the pale man sitting with his legs tucked between his arms, from his blank eyes alone Pathos could tell just how much he was suffering from his existence alone, Ruem too gazed at him only for him to sighed and speak in a concerned tone.
«Ruem» You know, I pity them. They probably didn't deserve this life, many of them don't. Yet despite that they still cling on that hope that tomorrow will be different, only for it to be the same as yesterday.
As Pathos turned to look at Ruem speech, he noticed two things, Ruem alone wasn't just speaking for genuine pity for them, he spoke each word as if he truly understands what it feels like to be in that spot. The second thing connected with his first, Ruem himself admitted that once in his life, he was having trouble living. Pathos spoke his tone almost concerned
«Pathos» Have you, experienced it before?
As Pathos's question lingered in the air, Ruem contemplated whether he should tell him the truth or not. After some time Ruem decided. He turned to look at Pathos
«Ruem» Yes, I—I did. I didn't have a normal life. I was poor no food no roof that could shield me from the rainy nights. I was fortunate enough to have these powers.
Pathos spoke again anticipating Ruem.
«Pathos» And that's why you resorted to stealing.
«Ruem» Yeah.
Pathos's previous worries about Ruem quickly vanished once he admitted the truth to him. At first he considered him a thief that used his powers just to get what he wants. Instead now he seems more like a man clinging on life itself.
Ruem checked his clothes, pulling them to show them at Pathos. And while chuckling he spoke
«Ruem» Almost everything of mine is stolen. Even that chicken leg you saw me eat.
«Pathos» Even those pieces of wood you used to dry your clothes?
Ruem laughed at Pathos's remark.
«Ruem» No, those were mine.
Ruem looked at Pathos straight in the eyes, gently slapping him on the back.
«Ruem» Let's get you to Jhoel. How does that sound?
«Pathos» Wait. Do you still have some of that chicken?
Ruem opened a wormhole catching the piece of chicken mid-fall.
«Ruem» Yeah why?
«Pathos» Can i?
As Ruem handed him a piece, Pathos gaze shifted towards the trembling poor. He approached the man kneeling down to face his blank eyes.
«Pathos» Here.
Pathos held out the piece at the man waiting for him to take it. The man slowly opened his arms crawling toward Pathos as he watched the fresh piece sitting in front of him. Before he grasped it he gazed at Pathos as if asking him "are u sure?" to which Pathos nodded. The man grabbed the chicken and began munching down on it with haste.
Pathos got up content with what he did, slowly he got up and walked back towards Ruem, his proud smile shining his way back.
«Pathos» Thank you Ruem. We can go now.
For a brief moment Ruem felt a bit embarrassed, and Pathos noticed his eyes wandering around the place, not daring to look at Pathos's. Before he quickly calmed himself and replied back.
«Ruem» I should be thanking you, Pathos. Despite me, being who I am, you still decided to walk the same path as me. I am grateful for that.
As both continued to walk towards their designated destination, just around the corner someone bolted out. Screaming, dagger in hand. Before Pathos could even process what was happening the stranger's dagger had already reached Ruem's abdomen. Both Pathos and Ruem froze.
«Pathos» Ruem!
The stranger gazed towards Ruem's face, laughing. He was prepared for a reaction but Ruem wasn't even bothered by the knife in his chest.
«Ruem» You know if you want to rob someone first thing first you ask for the money, then you proceed to stab them.
The stranger started to sweat as he noticed no apparent reaction from Ruem, as he backed away leaving the knife behind Pathos leaned forward worry of the damage he might have caused. However there was no blood, the blade itself had gone through one of Ruem's wormholes created just in time to stop the attack.
«Pathos (thinking)» He created a wormhole!
Ruem slowly took out the dagger from the wormhole as it closed once the dagger left its gaping mouth. He held it up in the air, showing it to the bandit before throwing it to the ground. Moments later Pathos watched as around them numerous bandits were already prepared to back up the lone one.
«Pathos» It's a trap!?
Pathos gazed at the difference in numbers, most of these bandits had knives, some even had pitchforks, others had nothing, just their bare hands. Pathos looked back at Ruem, unlike this time he wasn't afraid, he knew why they were doing what they were doing yet his hand was clenched ready for everything.
«Ruem» We are just passing through ok, I wouldn't want to worsen the situation you are already in.
«Bandit» Bastard!
The bandit that backed away rushed forward once more, his hands were empty yet he didn't falter.
«Bandit» I'll rip those fancy clothes off the both of you!
Ruem, however, simply opened a wormhole where his foot was going to be making him trip on the ground right In front of Ruem. Pathos watched as Ruem leaned down to say something to the bandit.
«Pathos» Ruem let's just g—
Before Pathos could mention something, someone grabbed on Pathos's arm and pulled him back, another bandit ready to take Pathos hostage. As Pathos looked at the man grabbing him he noticed the knife in his hand and immediately started to freak-out.
His body reacted in a way he never expected it to, he recalled the horrors of that fated where he was desperate to survive. And just as his own Prometeo started to crackle around Pathos's body prepared to defend himself. Someone moved faster than anyone could expect.
Ruem lunged himself forward, his fist loaded all the way back. His eyes darted right into the bandit's eyes. Pathos watched as he noticed a glimpse in Ruem's eyes, a glimpse that didn't resemble those of the same man he met.
Ruem was ready to do what he was about to do. He showed no regrets. Nor shared the same sympathy he did moments ago.