"Bastard!"
Aric's body crashed against a wall, making him cough a bit of saliva. He glared in front to see a man he despised from the bottom of his heart. "How dare you speak to me like we're equals?" Resol snarled, spit flying from his mouth as his face twisted in rage.
Aric coughed again, forcing himself upright. Despite the pain clawing through his body, a crooked grin spread across his face. "M-My bad, I'm definitely above someone that keeps wasting their life away with prostitutes and alcohol."
Resol's face turned seething red as he kicked Aric in the stomach. The blow sent him rolling across the floor, his body skidding over rough stone as a harsh cough tore from his throat.
"I-If you bastards weren't so useless," Resol barked, stepping forward, "maybe I wouldn't have to—"
"Shhh…"
Aric raised a finger to his lips as he pushed himself up, one arm wrapped tightly around his stomach.
"I wonder who the real useless one is when even an 8 year old earns more rallods than you." he chuckled, "Forget that… I would be surprised if you even showed up with a tnec you earned yourself."
Resol's eyes grew wide, his mouth salivating as he walked closer to Aric.
SMASH!
The wooden table between them exploded outward, splinters flying in all directions as Resol kicked it aside in a fit of rage.
"I'll kill you," he growled.
Aric's expression turned grim, a dark chuckle escaping his mouth, "You're an animal alright… not one to be reasoned with."
Resol let out a shout as he charged at Aric. Aric's brows narrowed as he saw the incoming punch.
'Not yet…'
Resol's fist crashed into the terracotta wall behind him, cracks spidering across its surface. It was no surprise really. The hut they were in was extremely old. Despite how pathetic Resol was, he was still a former guard before everything went south.
"AGHH!" He screamed, clutching onto his arm. Aric didn't let the moment go to waste, tackling the drunkard down. Resol bellowed, hitting the cobblestone floor hard.
Aric grinned as he heaved heavy breaths. Resol hand gripped onto his neck whilst he slowly got up. The flush on his cheeks was no more as he held Aric by the neck.
"Fucking brat…" he growled.
His fingers dug deeper into Aric's neck.
Aric felt his airway tighten, his vision beginning to pulse at the edges.
Still—
He grinned.
"F-Finally sober…" he choked out. "Ya fat bastard."
Aric grinned as he gripped his right hand tight.
'This is it!'
Just then––
"Resol! Don't!"
Lilia threw herself into him just as his grip tightened. The impact forced Resol to release Aric, who dropped to the ground, clutching his throat as he dragged in ragged breaths.
"Let go of me, bitch!" Resol snarled, trying to shove Lilia off, but she didn't budge. A second later, Nessa and Tristan rushed in, grabbing onto him as well, trying to hold him back.
"Resol!" Lilia shouted, her voice shaking with both fear and fury. "Were you really going to kill an eight-year-old?!"
Resol's struggle stopped. He stared at Lilia for a second. Then, his face twisted into a dark grin, revealing his stained yellow teeth.
"Why can't I?"
Lilia's expression hardened, but before she could react, Resol slammed her into the wall.
Nessa cried out as Resol grabbed her by the hair, dragging her forward and throwing her onto the broken remains of the table. Splinters scattered as she hit the surface, a pained gasp escaping her lips.
Tristan froze.
His body moved back on instinct as Resol turned his attention toward Aric.
For a moment, it seemed like he would step forward again.
But he didn't.
Instead, he spat onto the ground beside him, his expression still twisted with contempt. Without another word, he turned toward the cupboard, grabbed the small stash of money, and walked out through the curtain as if nothing had happened.
Silence followed.
Heavy.
Aric slowly lifted his head, staring at the open entrance where Resol had disappeared. Disgust flickered in his eyes before he turned his head slightly and spat out a tooth.
He pushed himself up, his gaze shifting toward Nessa as she struggled to sit upright, wincing as she brushed splinters from her arms.
Nearby, Tristan rushed to Lilia's side, helping her up carefully.
Aric glared at the entrance once more. Two frail women and two kids below 10 years old can't possibly match a grown man, fat or not.
That was why…
"Aric…" He turned to see Lilia, who looked at him with a serious expression. "Was that why you told me not to interfere?"
Aric's eyes narrowed, "What do you mean, mom?"
Lilia frowned, "I am talking about the knife behind your back."
Aric's smile twitched, 'Shit.'
Nessa turned to Aric with wide eyes, her lip stuttering, "W-Was that why you were provoking h-him? T-To get an opportunity?"
Aric said nothing.
And that silence was answer enough.
Nessa's face was drained of color.
Lilia pushed herself forward, limping slightly as she reached him. Her hands came to rest on his shoulders, steadying them.
"Aric," her tone was serious, but her eyes were soft, "killing is never the answer."
Aric stared at her, his expression blank before turning the other way. Lilia clutched his chin, forcing his eyes on hers. There was anger in her voice now.
"Were you seriously trying to kill him?"
Aric refused to meet her eyes, his gaze sliding off to the side.
"…Why not?" he muttered. "The world would be better off without him anyway."
Lilia's lips trembled as she embraced Aric, "What could possibly make an eight year old like you think this way." Aric felt his shoulder grow wet. "Aric… Are you ok?"
Aric stared front blank, there was no expression on his face as he turned to stare at the knife in his hand, which was shaking. It wasn't like he wanted to kill… he had to.
"I'm fine."
And even as he said it…
His hand didn't let go.