Chapter 19 - Nemesis

Abrahm led Ausrin to his home, a fair distance outside of what was Dorstend.

"To think you've become so powerful. Your parents would be so proud." Abrahm stated as he let Aisrin into his home.

"You're taking the annihilation of an entire town fairly well." Aisrin stated, well on guard.

"Hahaha! What town?" Abrahm cackled and went to make tea.

'I wish I could have done more. But this new Job...'

(Job obtained and set. Nemesis. New Title, Merciless One.)

It was the message that popped up after Aisrin deleted Dorstend and unbiasedly killed man, woman, child and elder.

"You know, when I taught you how to feel mana, I never thought you'd take and make it in to such a law defying power." Abrahm continued talking about the incident.

"Its not really that powerful. I'm sure theres far stronger." Aisrin dismissed.

"Obviously. Mostly Adventurers who've reach the highest of ranks, considered S-Class. You'd be comparable to at least B-Class with that. Leveled in the three hundreds I'd say? The thousands are truly Monstrosities." Abrahm agreed and went an a small tangent.

"Thousands?" Aisrin muttered.

"Currently the highest recorded level to date belongs to the Immortal Sword Princess. She's about Level Seven thousand eight hundred ninety. She went around killing all the dragons, so, I would say that makes sense." Abrahm continued his tangent.

'Poor Abrahm. Probably hasn't spoken to anybody for years.'

Aisrin was sitting, facing the door. His thoughts always drifting from the current subject back to his deceased family. Pure hatred bubbling forth every time he thought about them.

"Why dont you stay here until next month? We can visit your family one more time before you set off." Abrahm pulled Aisrin back from his thoughts.

"What makes you think I'm leaving?" Aisrin faked a laugh.

"Your bloodlust." Abrahm pointed out as he sat and sipped his tea. The old man had certainly aged. His hair, on the other hand, had retained its thickness and was an elegant grey color. His face was full of wrinkles, mostly from always smiling, but the few years since the Execution of Aisrins Family, there had been little for him to smile or laugh about. So his features aged to show the distraught the man felt.

"Well, I was going to kill the Princess, since she's the one behind this mess, but since the King has decided to execute my family for simply being related to me, It seems that Bloodrend has a Blood debt to pay. And all of its streets will run full of it." Aisrin firmly stated.

"Level up some more then. My suggestion? Handle all of the Villages and towns first. Starve the city, cut off its supplies. At your level, towns and villages are simple and easy, but the cities? More difficult. The Capital, impossible. You'd need to be A-class or higher.

So I'd run tactics and strategy. Weaken the kingdom as you level yourself up. That is, if you don't wish to wait. Otherwise, why don't you go make a name for yourself in the Fargo Adventuring Guild? An Alias is preferred, of course. Gather those who still believe in you, as there are a few.

I myself, am one of them. At first, I doubted. The testimonies, the witness reports, that trail of dead bodies... It was difficult, but, two years ago, one of your supposed companions came forth to the King and the princess herself, and demanded a plausible explanation and proof of what you did.

The stories obviously were spewed excusively from their mouths. But, that young lad just stood up, and pointed at them. 'You have no idea what you have done.' With that he simply left. Those accusatory words, were enough for some to see the darkness in the royal family. For not long after, that lad was sought after by the king to be executed himself.

That was two years ago though, no one has seen the lad since. But many of us sought him out, to lead us in a rebellion, obviously, that was quenched-" Abrahm was very long winded, and Aisrin stopped listening to him drone on.

Aisrin drifted off to sleep, and dreamed of the times he spent with his family.

***

Aisrin took Abrahms offer and stayed for a month, doing as much as he could around the old man's house, to help him. Abrahm insisted he leave the mundane chores to him, but Aisrin refused to sit idly. Truth be told, he couldn't stop thinking about his family. Spending the month with Abrahm reminded him of his past. It pained, yet comforted him.

But he knew he wouldn't be able to stay for very long. The longer he thought of his family, the more impatient he got. When the month had come to its passing point, Abrahm and Aisrin went to visit his family's grave.

As they were traveling, Aisrin noticed ruts from wagons and other signs of travelers headed towards the site of what used to be Dorstend. But he didn't see any headed away or back from, Dorstend.

"Something might be waiting up ahead. I'll go ahead and go around. Sneak." Aisrin practically vanished before Abrahms eyes.

"Hoho? That's impressively terrifying." Abrahm cackled and continued going forward. Upon getting into view of the razed town of Dorstend, Aisrin was greeted by the sight of Bloodrend soldiers and magicians, a camped within the charred crater.

"Hmm, a passing merchant perhaps? Must have alerted some authorities on his way to his destination." Aisrin mulled. Aisrin looked past his little tree line view to watch Abrahm as he unwaveringly headed towards Aisrins old home.

He glanced back, and noticed a group of four riders were dispatched to intercept. The riders encircled Abrahm, their swords drawn and pointed towards him. They began questioning the old man who replied and pointed towards the old crumbling house.

This answer got laughter in response. The riders dismounted and began to bully the old man. Aisrin decided that was his cue. He cast an Illusion of magic beasts of the bear variety, and sent them running madly towards the riders. To make it more menacing, he added bloodlust into the magic.

The horses reared and took off, and the riders fell over each other and threw the old man at the beasts, hoping to stall for time as they ran. Aisrin bolted put and snatched Abrahm up and sped to the old house before dispelling the illusion.

Once they were in the safety of the house, Aisrin sat down and began to mull over his thoughts.

'Do I kill them now? Do I wait? Do I run? What would be the most satisfying choice? Obviously to kill them all. But, logic says to wait for another day.'

"Any moment now, they'll head towards this house." Abrahm stated.

"Why?" Aisrin asked.

"Because it's the only house left standing after an entire town was effectively erased from the maps. They'll figure it out. Luckily, I could hardly recognize you myself, so I doubt they could pin point who you are. But, ever since the incident with the crown prince, demons or any demon half breeds, have been exiled, executed, or hunted for pure sport and entertainment.

Bloodrend, I believe is attempting to start a war, not only with Ruen, but also with the opposing Kingdoms in Mortas." Abrahm began his long winded explanation.

"Abrahm, I need you to get to the point." Aisrin firmly told the old man.

"...Right. Go back to Fargas. Join the guild, join tournaments, join anything that'll gain you fame." Abrahm told Aisrin.

"...Hah, very well. I'll do that then." Aisrin sighed and agreed.

"Tell me what your Alias will be, so I know who to cheer on." Abrahm teased the young lad.

"Hahaha! My name is already officially Sin according to the PSI. But, if they're hunting Demon breeds, then why wasn't I stopped at Bordertown?" Aisrin responded and then inquired.

"...They didn't stop you in Bordertown? Ah, that's too odd." Abrahm muttered.

"Well, it just means I have to make it back to Fargas without being fully noticed then. Don't worry about it old man. I'll be fine." Aisrin laughed.

"Its not you I'm worried about, but, oh well. Ah, before you go, there is that young lad I told you about, you should look for him. He's most likely in Fargo." Abrahm told Aisrin.

"Sure, what's his name then?" Aisrin asked, standing up to leave.

"Blackbawk... I think?" Abrahm questioned.