As they get inside the inn, Akeno went straight to the barman
- wait here okay? I'll just buy us a quiet room so we can talk
- o-ok
- tavelor! you damn old man! how's going?
- Akeno, what have I told you? I told you to not come back here anymore, after what you did last night... took me lots of money to repair my damn house!
- hey! don't be so grumpy, I said it was... an experiment, for uhh... a new magic I'm creating! it's gonna be very helpful these days!
- yeah? helpful? I wonder if you're thinking about destroying the whole city like this, if more people do what you did last night, the whole city is gonna blow up-
- tavelor my friend, leaving that aside now, I have a request to you
- urgh, fine, what is it now? no more experiments please
- it's not an experiment this time, but look who do I have here!
She pointed to Edric, while he was distracted watching all the people talking, singing and drinking around
- do you know who is that kid?
- no...? who is he?
- it's the grandson of the great arch mage Ruthos!
Some people nearby stopped singing and drinking, to listen what she was saying
- r-ruthos? isn't he dead...?
- missing, my friend! he... disappeared long time ago, no one confirmed his death
- ok... but why do you think it's his grandson?
She went close to his ear and whispered
- his name is Edric...
- so...?
- his hair is red...
- so what.....? there are many people with red hair these days...
- just look at his backpack
- I don't get what you mean- wait... that symbol on the backpack...
- yes...
- the elf?
- exactly, he might have met her, and so possibly might be Ruthos grandson
- I mean... that doesn't prove anything
- you sure? that elf dislikes humans, if she could, she would definitely kill that kid if he wasn't important somehow
- oh... (gulp) so what do you want with me this time...?
- I just want to buy a room, so I can afk for a while, you know?
- afk?
- sleep, geez, take some nap, relax, etc
- ok... room for 2, I guess?
- mhmm
She gave him a few coins and then winked to him
- right... second room on the back to the left, thanks for... staying in the Great Beast Inn
- much appreciated! cya tavelor!
- s-see you...
She went to Edric and took him to the room
[in the room]
- arrh finally a bed to lay down my back
- so, Akeno...
- mm? what is it?
- well, I was wondering, why are you helping me?
- because...
She sit on the bed
- do you know my grandfather?
- ... if I know Ruthos?
- yes! my grampa
- that old man... he was my teacher long time ago, when I was your age
- m-my age...? you mean... 7?
- yeah 16... wait 7?! you look older, you really have his genes in your veins, haha!
- so, Akeno... are you a mage? like my grampa? you know how to use magic?
- yeah, obviously, I'm just an adventurer now, looking for some jobs to keep myself alive, but I was once from the mages guild... long time ago
- wait, how old are you?
- I'm 24
- ... you look much younger than 20...
- wow thanks! unfortunately I can't say the same to you, haha look old
- ...
- but hey, what could the Ruthos grandson be doing in this city all alone? will you tell me what's going on? are you in trouble?
- almost that... I'm not sure, i remember a few things...
- this look in your face... ok little boy, just sit down a bit, take a deepbreath and say it, I'm listening
- ok...
He sits on the chair and put the backpack on the floor
- it's my mom... she... I think she died... there was a hooded person attacking me in my house, then... my dog started talking to me and making him go away, but when I get inside home, I saw a shadow of man giving a green liquid to my mom and then she... she died...
He started crying
- it's okay now... it's okay
She hugged him
- hooded people? dog talking?
- yes...
- okay, listen, I don't know what's going, but it's going to be ok, you got me? I'll protect you from that bad person
- thank you...
- you know where your grandfather is?
- yes.. in the house up the mountain, it's Adria's house, she gave me a bird but he left me...
- Adria? is she... an elf?
- yes... how did you know?
- I was guessing, we should hurry back to there and talk to your grandfather, he must know what's happening, okay?
- no, I can't go back now
- why not?
- I heard my grampa and Adria talking about a woman called Morgana, she is the one that did these things, I will kick her leg! and make she brings back my mom and rufos...
- Morgana? that name sounds familiar...
- do you know who she is? where she is?!
- hey, chill out boy, I don't know more than you do, it's just... I think I've heard this name somewhere
Suddenly, a few voices were screaming from outside the room, people were arguing
- what's going on out there?
Akeno looked through the door hole
- where is the kid?
There was a strong hooded man holding tavelor by his shirt, pulling him up from the ground
- w-what kid? I don't know what are you talking about...
- I won't ask again
- I swear...
- Hey!
Akeno left the room and comes close to the hooded man
- why don't you put the barman down and let's get this conversation out of the bar, huh?
- I should have know, Akeno... you're always giving me trouble, just give him the kid and leave my bar!
The hooded man gave him an aggressive look
- you knew...
He was ready to punch the barman when suddenly a small fireball hits his arm, making the barman free
- Akeno, please... don't destroy my bar...
- sorry tavelor, this won't be worse than last night, I promise
- oh god no... you're a liar...
The hooded man walks slowly to Akeno's direction
- alright fella, you're a damn big guy and I'm just a defenseless poor woman... are you sure you wanna do it?
- ...
He kept walking with a serious evil bad guy looking in his face
- tsk, I guess it won't work this time
She was preparing a magic to launch on the guy but he moves fast to get her face, he throws her strongly against the wooden walls and she broke it and was very hurt laying down on the ground
- Akeno!
Edric left the room saw that scene
- you... you are the kid, you come with me!
The big guy was walking to his direction then...
- you hurt my friend... you are...
- aww, what? are you going to cry?
- ....
The skies outside were becoming dark, even being still morning, the weather gets cold, people around were looking that scene far away from them, the guards still didn't realize what was happening
- you are the kid, my master wants you, and your friends will die for you, you are nothing but a cursed kid
- ...
Edric's eyes were turning from brown to blue, his red hair was becoming blue as well, there was an immense aura at his around
- what is this? why is your hair changing color?
- you... are... dead!
- wha-
Edric's eyes glowed and a big explosion of ice occurred around him, the big guy was throw away, with an ice spike spiked in his arm that was covering his face from the sudden attack
- ugh! what is this? my master didn't told me you were a mage... my master didn't trust me..? I don't understand... or maybe... this is a test! he wants to test if I am strong enough!
- shut... the fuck... up... I will kill you...
Edric was walking slowly to the big man, with an evil aura, then he points his hand to the man and then it started freezing his legs and arms on the ground, the big man couldn't move anymore
- i-im sorry! I didn't want to do this, my master ordered to capture you to a woman, I didn't meant to hurt your friend, please don't kill me!
- die!
Edric ignored his last words, but then Akeno hugged edric
- it's okay now edric... I'm fine... don't kill him, he already payed for what he did, let's hear what he knows...
- Ake..no....
- yes, it's me..! please don't kill him..
- ...
The skies were backing to normal, the weather was normal too, and edric's eyes were back to brown and his hair red again, then he passed out on Akeno's arms
- So, you'll tell me who is your master and what orders did you take, you heard me?
- y-yes, I'm sorry for throwing you
- it's okay, you're not the only one who have ever throw me before, there are many people I fought already, but damn, you're strong
- and you are alive... and seems not be so hurt anymore...
- I'm a mage! I have my secrets heh
- hey you! I see you guys are having a good conversation there but what about my bar?! Akeno, you did it again! I'll call the guards this time!
- oh shit.. it's okay tavelor! our friend here and i will make everything comes back to before! rrright my big fella?
She gave him an assassin smile
- y-yeah... we will...
- fine... just do it already! I still want to sell my drinks today!
- okay!