Like dying candlelight, Nientel receded into the dark, early morning. Al was sitting in the back of a merchant's wagon he was hitchhiking.
It was filled to the brim with crates. With every bump on the road, the crates and backpack next to him rattled. Al had found the backpack, packed to the brim, when sneaking out of the house, along with a note: "I'll be waiting for you on top of the East gate."
And, that's where his mom was. After raising the curtain of the wagon's white canvas cover, he could see her standing on top of the gate he had just left.
Al took out his revolver.
***
Dorian sighed, as he stood next to Lucille, watching her son leave. She looked indifferent as her long brown hair blew in the wind, but he knew it to be an attempt to mask deep hurt.
'Oh William, your son is just like you. Even in the worse ways,' Dorian thought.
He wanted to comfort Lucille but he knew anything he could say, would only worsen matters.
That's when Dorian heard the wind whistle: a bullet was traveling toward them.
Its trajectory, however, was off, he sensed that it would neither of them. Instead, it lodged itself within the wood of the armaments.
Dorian looked at the shooter, the vision of someone in the peak 3rd realm could easily see Al packing away his revolver in the distance.
'This rascal,' he thought as a multicolored light came out of the bullet which morphed into Al. The young man sat in the air, his long red hair falling into his pitch-black eyes. That bandana really wasn't working for him anymore, Dorian thought. he wore a pair of brown pants and a white t-shirt that showed off his toned arms.
"Yo! Sorry to have kept you guys waiting," he said.
A slap swung at Al, but only phased through him.
"Sorry, mom, just a projection," Al said as he floated
"I really regret teaching you this spell."
Al looked at Dorian and Lucille, and forced a smile, "So, I guess this is goodbye."
"Yes, It is. You've really grown a lot, my dear student."
Al bowed towards his teacher. "Thank you, captain. I appreciate everything you've done for me. Especially for the potions."
'So he figured it out,' Dorian thought. He had tried to hide it, but the ingredients of the potions had cost him many trips to the inner parts of the Thaz Forest. The materials he gathered had cost a fortune, usually, only noble heirs could get such a treatment. But, he owed William an eternal debt. The least he could do was spoil his son.
"No problem, kid."
"Are you going to be alright? Why don't you sta-" Lucille's facade of indifference had completely broken down as she talked to Al.
"Mom! I don't have much time, please don't."
"Lucille, use this chance to say your goodbyes, instead of arguing."
She sighed, "Alright... Did you take the packsack I packed?"
"Yes."
"Can you read the map?"
"Yup."
"You remember first aid?"
"Yes."
"Do you have enough provisions?"
"Yes! Mom my time is running out. I will soon be out of range." Al said as his projection started dissipating into colorful lights. "I have packed everything and more."
"I know you did, honey, but I'm your mom. I worry."
"After me, he's the strongest in the guard. He can handle this," Dorian said.
"You hear mom? Don't worry," Al said grinning, giving a thumbs up. "I got this."
"Be safe," She said, only Al's head remaining.
"I will. Bye, mom! Bye Cap!"
""Bye!"" they said in unison as Al completely dissipated